2023020164
[NHL.com Boxscore](https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/2023020164)
|Teams|1st|2nd|3rd|Total|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|[MTL](/r/habs)|1|1|1|3|
|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|2|1|3|6|
##Team Stats
|Team|Shots|Hits|Blocks|FOW%|Giveaways|Takeaways|Power Play|PIM|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|[MTL](/r/habs)|33|11|12|49.2%|7|10|1/4|0|
|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|35|20|12|50.8%|11|11|0/0|8|
##Goals
|Period|Time|Team|Strength|Description|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|1st|01:24|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|Even|[Jordan Kyrou (2) snap shot, assist(s): Brayden Schenn (2)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6340518228112)|
|1st|04:01|[MTL](/r/habs)|Power Play|[Juraj Slafkovsky (1) wrist shot, assist(s): Alex Newhook (3), Brendan Gallagher (3)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6340516760112)|
|1st|16:37|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|Even|[Robert Thomas (4) snap shot, assist(s): Justin Faulk (3)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6340519252112)|
|2nd|13:03|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|Even|[Brandon Saad (3) snap shot, assist(s): Jordan Kyrou (3), Brayden Schenn (3)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6340520496112)|
|2nd|14:48|[MTL](/r/habs)|Even|[Brendan Gallagher (4) wrist shot, assist(s): Sean Monahan (4)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6340521332112)|
|3rd|02:50|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|Short Handed|[Alexey Toropchenko (1) snap shot, assist(s): Pavel Buchnevich (2)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6340523358112)|
|3rd|05:53|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|Even|[Brayden Schenn (1) snap shot, assist(s): Jordan Kyrou (4), Brandon Saad (1)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6340525702112)|
|3rd|16:00|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|Even|[Kasperi Kapanen (2) wrist shot, assist(s): Robert Thomas (5)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6340525471112)|
|3rd|18:32|[MTL](/r/habs)|Even|Nick Suzuki (3) tip-in shot, assist(s): Cole Caufield (7), Mike Matheson (5)|
##Penalties
|Period|Time|Team|Type|Min|Description|
|:–:|:–:|:-:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|1st|02:50|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|MIN|2|Kevin Hayes hooking against Michael Pezzetta|
|1st|06:37|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|MIN|2|Tyler Tucker high-sticking against Brendan Gallagher|
|2nd|06:41|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|MIN|2|Sammy Blais delaying-game-puck-over-glass|
|3rd|01:10|[STL](/r/stlouisblues)|MIN|2|Jordan Kyrou holding against Mike Matheson|
**Officials**
* Referees: Dan O’Rourke, Justin Kea
* Linesmen: Julien Fournier, Travis Toomey
If you notice an error with this bot [click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=TeroTheTerror&subject=HockeyMod Issue&message=Subreddit:%0A%0AIssue:) to message TeroTheTerror.
by HockeyMod
27 Comments
STL was on us all night, they were reading all of our plays before we even made them. It’s obvious that teams have figured out our system.
Also, we’ve got zero creativity on the powerplay and it shows. Our zone entries are very easy to defend against. And we play very loose at the top of the zone, which has been the cause of all of our SH goals.
Anderson continues to be the worst player on the ice, killing every play that touches his stick. I bet Slaf is glad to be away from his line.
Well happy 1st goal Slaf, sorry your party sucks
Sloppy game by 80% of the team notwithstanding, I was very happy with Slaf. He needs to stay with smart players so he can pick up good habits, and not whatever Anderson has been doing lately….
Slaf goal, Caufield and Suzuki point, still à good game from Guhle, W in my book.
Next, we got Tampa, Detroit, Boston, Van. Calgary then Vegas and Boston again. Damn
Edit: Anyway, Suzuki, Caufield, Newhook, Slaf points. Plus, NO PENALTY (Or not ? Just saw that Xhekaj got 2 minutes ?)
Slaf has earned himself another game on the first line
Slafkovsky looking like a free man no longer between handcuffed to Anderson, trying moves and shooting the puck more than he has in like the past 5 games combined.
slaf was very very good.
Probably the worst game the team has played this season in terms of defensive structure and just every bounce going against them (the latter can’t be helped, that’s just the way the Hockey Gods ordain it).
But in exchange the Hockey Gods gave Slafkovsky a good game. Not just the goal, but he was markedly more energized and visible, and didn’t look out of place on the top line. This doesn’t by itself resolve the AHL/NHL debate, but for now, let this experiment run.
Matheson is really having a hard time. Is he trying to play through something?
I’ll be really happy once we put Slafkovsky on PP1.
He showed tonight that he can follow and even create opportunities for Cole amd Zukes. I think it’s actually the first game this year that the first line held momentum in the Offensive zone.
What really bugs me is that Anderson was the most used offensive player with Caufield. like why?
No doubt slaf’s best game so far, and that’s not only because he scored a goal.
Keep him on the first line!
Edit: honorable mention is gallagher, back to back 2 pt night. He’s back baby!
Oh no, we suck again. At least Slaf scored :’)
Still 3rd in the Atlantic, we just let them have this win before we on a 72 game win streak
Awful game but happy for Slaf’s first goal and his overall performance.Also keep that first line together. They looked great.
I don’t think I’ve ever cheered for a goal while down 4 before
Changed my mind, Anderson is now the Habs worst contract
Disappointing.
It feels like we’re entering our usual November slide into oblivion. We’re going to be playing better teams and those teams will be rounding into form. Hard to imagine there isn’t a lot more of this in store.
As we all know, we’re not very good and this is going to take time, like several years. Not fun, but nothing to do but ride it out patiently.
Slaf looked a lot better out there, and our first line had some nice shifts. Hopefully this shuts up the media for a bit as the chatter berating Slaf and the Habs handling of him has been nearly unbearable. And you have to keep this line together for a while. They showed some glimpses of magic out there!
Go Habs Go!
Slaf had the best game of his career. If he can continue stringing games like this together and more frequently, you won’t hear a peep about being the right pick at #1.
Montembeault needed to make that breakaway save and this game could have been a win. Goaltending is about making the timely save and that was the back breaker.
The rest of the goals weren’t really his fault but those are saves you need to be making if you want your team to win a lot of games in the NHL
*BAD*
– Not a great game. Lots of players not playing so great to say the least or having off nights.
– Habs deserved to lose. However, habs had a power play and Barron was clearly tripped at the line and then blues player went on the breakaway and didn’t score. Clear trip, didn’t call it because they are already called one on the blues… game management…
– I like Matheson, but by far the worst hab tonight. Hot potatoe with the puck, sometimes the case for him, but this one was extra sloppier.
– Two players who have struggled on d. Harris and Kovacevic.
– Caufield didn’t play bad, but he’s having hot potatoe problems a bit with the puck as well. Gone a bit cold.
– Josh Anderson is hockey player and not a good one, wish he would watch Gallagher and realize how you have to play if you are kinda low on puck skills. Honestly, I’m not even going to apologize like I usually do. He’s just brutal out there.
– worrisome if this is the habs without lights out goaltending.
– they don’t pressure the opposing teams puck carrier.
*GOOD*
– Slafkovsky. Excellent game. The goal was nice of course but ignore that for a second and he still would be in the good. Calm on the puck and patient, also getting open in the other teams zone routinely. Really strong performance. Literally a few minutes away from Anderson… goal.
– Gallagher resurgence has been fun this year. Honestly looks just like he did a few years ago.
– Guhle was nice again.
That last shift by Slaf was why he was drafted. He didn’t give up on the game and held onto the puck, then passed it to a streaking Cole who gave it to Nick for a almost sure goal, then retrieved it and gave it back for a goal.
He is a monster of possession and momentum when he is on his game. He thinks at a high-rate and needs to play with high-rate players like NiCole.
Defence was really sloppy. Off night. Forwards got too up in the play and didn’t sustain cycle possession for long enough to make it okay to stay that high. Off night for a rookie d-core, it is a part of the process. Still many good things to look at. Not unhappy at all.
No lingering on the negatives since it has been discussed and dissected in the game thread, especially the Ds.
I’m really happy that Slaf seems to click with Suzy and CC almost right away.
And the Leafs and the Sens both lost tonight.
Our PP is shit despite the goal, which I attribute more to broken heads up play and Slaf’s patience with the puck. Nice goal to get the monkey off his back. He had a good first game with Cole and Nick, generated some good scoring chances and looks a lot less shackled.
STL completely buzed around us.
Slaf made a strong case for more NHL time. They put all the pressure on him and he looked solid.
I enjoyed the wins, NGL, but if it’s gonna be another tank year (and, with Dach out and Mack Celebrini available, why the hell not hope for some lotto luck?) then I’ll take this kind of game any night. Sucks to give up 6, but Slaf getting a goal was massive, Suzuki and Cole both get a point, Gally looks like the old Gally, and even Newhook got on the scoresheet.
Anderson is still a problem. Matheson gets on the scoresheet, but is clearly dealing with something. He SHOULD be missing some games but he’s too important to the team with Savard out. RHP being injured doesn’t leave them with too many options, either. I know Matheson is better than what he showed tonight, and has showed for the last few games.
Habs didn’t take a single penalty…and still couldn’t win. What in the fuck?!
[It’s fun to be proven right](https://www.reddit.com/r/Habs/comments/17mx4pe/monahan_needs_to_centre_the_second_line/k7o5pwe/), but the defense is so freaking ugly. Can never pick up the 3rd attacker and cross slot passes.
Can Allen be our starter now?