Hello, once again Ladies and Gentleman! Today we are going to take a look at the Montreal Canadiens week in review!
Montreal would have a perfect record of 4-0-0 in the four games that were played.
Sunday, February 20th, 2022: Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders
Game Recap: In the final trip to Long Island, the Canadiens look to escape with a win and in the first period, Montreal takes the 1-0 lead when Jeff Petry scores his third of the year. In the second period, the Islanders tie the game up when Kyle Palmieri scores a power play goal, his fourth of the year but then the Habs re-take the lead when Josh Anderson scores his 10th of the year. In the third period, Brock Nelson nets his 17th of the year to tie the game up for the Isles. In the shootout, Rem Pitlick scores the game winner as Montreal escapes with the 3-2 win over the New York Islanders.
Areas to Focus On Going Into Next Contest: Respond on the puck turnovers as well as staying out of the penalty box. Too many chances were to be had with the Islanders having 22 giveaways.
Next Contest: Monday, February 21st, 2022 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Monday, February 21st, 2022: Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens
Game Recap: In an Original Six match-up, the Maple Leafs visit the Canadiens and in the first period Josh Anderson gets his 11th of the year to give Montreal the 1-0 lead. Then, Cole Caufield scores his sixth of the year to make it a 2-0 Canadiens lead. In the second, Mike Hoffman scores his ninth and then Josh Anderson goes on to score his second of the night to give the Habs the 4-0 lead. Montreal then extends the lead to 5-0 when Rem Pitlick goes on to net his 10th of the year. As the contest shifts to the third period, Toronto finally strikes when Ilya Mikheyev scores his eighth of the year and then Pierre Engvall scores eighth but Montreal holds off Toronto with a 5-2 win.
Areas to Focus On Going Into Next Contest: Try to get more shots off. Scoring five goals before Toronto scored was a giant step in the right direction for the Canadiens. Play like this every game for the rest of the season, and then maybe things will turn the season around.
Next Contest: Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 vs. Buffalo Sabres
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022: Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens
Game Recap: In Montreal, the Canadiens host the Sabres for the final time this season and in the first period, Nick Suzuki scores his 10th goal of the year to give the Habs the 1-0 lead. In the second, Nick Suzuki scores his second of the game off of a penalty shot from a hooking call by Dylan Cozens. In the third period, Cole Caufield scores his seventh of the year to make it a 3-0 Montreal lead and then Jake Evans shuts the door on the contest with his seventh goal of the year as the Canadiens shut out the Sabres with the 4-0 win.
Areas to Focus On Going Into Next Contest: Have better possession of the puck. 34 giveaways from this contest is far too many and Montreal should be fortunate that Buffalo was not able to score.
Next Contest: Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at Ottawa Senators
Saturday, February 26th, 2022: Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators
Game Recap: In Ottawa, the Canadiens head to the Canadian capital city to take on the Senators and in the first period, Artturi Lehkonen scores his eighth goal of the year to give Montreal the 1-0 lead. In the second, the Sens get on the board when Colin White scores his first of the year on an extra-man advantage but Montreal responds when Artturi Lehkonen scores his second of the contest. With a scoreless third period, Montreal goes on to get the 2-1 win over Ottawa and giving the Habs a five game winning streak.
Areas to Focus On Going Into Next Contest: Stay out of the penalty box on top of getting more shots off. The Habs were lucky to not lose in this contest thanks to fantastic defencive play in net. Montreal has won five in a row with good defencive play on top of great offencive production but with the continuous play the last couple of weeks, things could very well have turned the corner.
Next Contest: Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 at Winnipeg Jets
Upcoming Contests
Tuesday, March 1st, 2022: Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets (8pm ET)
Thursday, March 3rd, 2022: Montreal Canadiens at Calgary Flames (9pm ET)
Saturday, March 5th, 2022: Montreal Canadiens at Edmonton Oilers (7pm ET)
The Xperience Hockey Talk 
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