Canadiens Weekly – So, How’s Everyone? – The Xperience Hockey Talk

Back from the break, the Canadiens would play a handful of games and would end up going 0-4-0 in those contests.

Things have not gotten any better for Montreal and there is a lot that needs to be worked on with the team.

This recap is going to be a brief recap of the last four games.

Sunday, January 30th, 2022: Columbus Blue Jackets at Montreal Canadiens

Game Recap: In Montreal, the Columbus Blue Jackets face off against the Montreal Canadiens. In the first period, the Canadiens take the 1-0 lead when Nick Suzuki scores his ninth goal of the year but Columbus ties the game up after Patrik Laine goes on to net his seventh of the year. The Blue Jackets then take the 2-1 lead after Jack Roslovic scores his seventh of the year and after the Rosolvic goal, Eric Robinson scores a shorthanded goal, his sixth goal of the year, to give the Blue Jackets the 3-1 lead. Columbus then makes it a three goal lead when Yegor Chinakhov goes on to net his fifth of the year. In the second period, Montreal cuts the Columbus lead in half when Tyler Toffoli finds the back of the net with his ninth of the year late into the period. In the third period, the Habs come within a goal after Artturi Lehkonen scores a shorthanded goal, his seventh of the year but then Cole Sillinger nets his seventh of the year to give the Blue Jackets the two goal lead once more. The Blue Jackets then seal the game when Patrik Laine gets an empty net goal, his second of the night, as Columbus doubles up Montreal with a 6-3 win.

Areas to Focus on Going Into The Next Game: The focus for Montreal going into the next contest is figuring out the best way to not give up goals late but also staying out of the penalty box.

Next Contest: Tuesday, February 8th vs. New Jersey Devils

Tuesday, February 8th, 2022: New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens

Game Recap: In Montreal, the Devils make their lone trip to Canadiens and in the first period New Jersey gets on the board when Michael McLeod scores his fourth of the year and then the Devils take the 2-0 lead when Dawson Mercer nets his 10th of year. In the second period, Montreal gets on the board when Brett Kulak scores his second of the year but New Jersey responds when Nico Hischier scores his 10th of the year. The Devs then take the three goal lead when Jesper Boqvist gets his third of the year and then McLeod nets his second of the night as New Jersey makes it a 5-1 lead. As the contest shifts to the third period, Pavel Zacha gets a power play goal with his 12th of the year as the Devils take the five goal lead and then the New Jersey victory is sealed when Tomas Tatar scores his ninth of the year as the Devils breeze by the Canadiens 7-1.

Areas to Focus on Going Into The Next Game: Just go back and review the game tape because nothing went right in this contest.

Next Contest: Thursday, February 10th vs. Washington Capitals

Thursday, February 10th, 2022: Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens

Game Recap: In Montreal, the Capitals visit the Canadiens for the first time this season. In the first period, Washington gets on the board when Joe Snively scores his first career NHL goal and then 20 seconds later Connor McMichael scores his seventh goal of the year to give the Capitals the 2-0 lead. In the second period, Washington takes the 3-0 lead when Carl Hagelin nets his third of the year and then the Canadiens get on the board when Rem Pitlick goes on to net his ninth of the year. Washington then makes it a 4-1 lead when Snively gets his second of the night but Montreal cuts the lead in half when Cole Caufield gets a power play goal, his second goal of the year. As the contest shifts to the third period, Tom Wilson scores an empty net goal, his 15th goal of the year, as the Capitals down the Canadiens with a 5-2 win.

Areas to Focus on Going Into The Next Game: Getting shots into the net. Montreal outshot Washington 44-23 but were only able to get one goal. Yes, while it has been one of the worst seasons in Canadiens history, there is still some time to right the ship to avoid complete disaster.

Next Contest: Saturday, February 12th, 2022 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Saturday, February 12th, 2022: Columbus Blue Jackets at Montreal Canadiens

Game Recap: In Montreal, the Blue Jackets visit the Canadiens for the final time this season and in the first period, Columbus takes the 1-0 lead when Oliver Bjorkstrand scores his 14th goal of the year. After a scoreless second period, Montreal ties the contest when Cole Caufield nets his third of the year and then the Blue Jackets get the 2-1 victory after Patrik Laine scores a power play goal, his 13th of the year.

Areas to Focus on Going Into The Next Game: This was a bit of a better game but Montreal still needs to stay out of penalty trouble. If they can do that, then things may go their direction.