Pittsburgh 4, Montreal 1. The Canadiens now have a 1-10 report within the second half of back-to-back video games.
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Are you able to odor the Stanley Cup after the Canadiens claimed centre Colin White off waivers from Pittsburgh on Thursday? No, neither can we.
White, who participated within the Penguins’ non-obligatory morning skate earlier than the deal was introduced, had no factors in 11 video games, whereas averaging 9:57 of ice time, since being recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton final month, the place he had 5 objectives and 10 factors in 21 video games. In White, 27, Montreal has acquired one other ahead who can’t rating. With a bit of luck, he’ll not less than show to be defensively accountable.
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A former first-round draft alternative by Ottawa in 2015, White had eight objectives and 15 factors with Florida final season. In 304 profession video games over eight seasons, he has 44 objectives and 113 factors. Coincidentally, Canadiens normal supervisor Kent Hughes was his former agent.
With the addition of White, the Canadiens positioned Brandon Gignac on waivers for the aim of a mortgage to the AHL Laval Rocket. Gignac is the Rocket’s greatest participant. This transfer signifies administration is critical in regards to the Rocket qualifying for the playoffs — particularly for the reason that Canadiens gained’t.
Information you want (Half I): The Canadiens now have a 1-10 report within the second half of back-to-back video games. This can be a younger staff that shouldn’t be affected by contests on consecutive nights. Montreal is also on a four-game shedding streak heading into Saturday afternoon’s sport at New Jersey. However don’t lose hope. Arizona involves the Bell Centre subsequent Tuesday.
Information you want (Half II): The Canadiens additionally misplaced 4 straight between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18. Montreal additionally has misplaced six of its final seven and is 3-9-1 over a 13-game span. The Canadiens have allowed not less than three objectives in 11 of these 13 video games. Can anybody cease the bleeding? Is there a physician in the home?
Street to the Cup
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That is for all of the previous guys: The Penguins, with a mean age of 30.4, are the NHL’s oldest staff. The franchise now could be a distant reminiscence of the juggernaut that captured consecutive Stanley Cups in 2016 and ’17. However Sidney Crosby, at age 36, stays productive. He has a team-leading 31 objectives and 56 factors in 54 video games. That’s extra objectives and factors than any Montreal participant. The Canadiens’ common age, in case you have been questioning, is 26.3.
Unusual, however true (Half I): The Penguins now have a objective differential of plus-14. They’re the one NHL staff with a plus objective differential under the playoff line.
Unusual, however true (Half II): No penalties have been assessed within the first interval.
Unusual, however true (Half III): Mike Matheson opened the scoring at 9:05. It was the thirty eighth objective scored by a Canadiens defenceman, second behind Colorado. The final three Montreal objectives have all been scored by defencemen. And this is the reason groups miss the playoffs.
Unusual, however true (Half IV): 4 of the opening 5 minors assessed on this sport have been for tripping.
Unusual, however true (Half V): In 11 of the final 14 video games, the Penguins have allowed three objectives or fewer. However as a result of the staff usually lacks offence, it has a 3-4-1 report for the reason that all-star break.
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Fast begin: The Canadiens, a notoriously slow-starting staff, started the sport with 5 photographs earlier than three minutes had elapsed.
Turnover of the night time: Pittsburgh defenceman Kris Letang misplaced the puck to Matheson on the Canadiens’ solely objective.
He’s forgiven: Letang tied the rating barely greater than two minutes later. It was his eighth objective towards Montreal in 44 profession video games. He scored his ninth into an empty internet late within the third interval.
At the least he had one good shift: Within the sport’s sixteenth minute, White lowered his shoulder and drove to the web, making a scoring alternative. Tanner Pearson then did not convert the rebound. White had 11:11 of ice time, one shot, one hit and was a plus-1.
Does he discuss to his posts?: Cayden Primeau bought his first begin in internet since shutting out Anaheim on Feb. 13. And he was undoubtedly happy when Erik Karlsson hit the submit within the opening interval’s remaining minute. And once more seven minutes into the center body, when Valtteri Puustinen did likewise.
Go of the night time: Juraj Slafkovsky to Cole Caufield within the second interval, whereas the Canadiens have been on the ability play. Caufield had what seemed to be a half-open internet, but goalie Tristan Jarry slid over and made an important blocker save.
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Struggling no extra: The Penguins had transformed solely 4 of 25 manpower benefits this month. Six seconds following Brendan Gallagher‘s holding penalty, Pittsburgh scored, a deflection by Bryan Rust.
WTF: 21 seconds later, Drew O’Connor made it 3-1.
Is the ice tilted?: Via 13 minutes of the ultimate interval, the Canadiens held a 10-1 photographs benefit. However not one of the photographs resulted in scores.
Stat of the night time: Caufield and rookie Joshua Roy each have been credited with 5 photographs.
It’s a crowded leaderboard: Caufield, Slafkovsky, Matheson, Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia all have been minus-2.
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They mentioned it: “It’s been a loopy day,” White advised RDS in the course of the pre-game warmup. “It’s an thrilling day. Any time you get to play it’s enjoyable. I’m a two-way participant. Play good on the defensive finish and hopefully get some possibilities off that.
“It’s fairly thrilling any time this occurs,” White advised reporters in Pittsburgh post-game. “At the moment I used to be simply rolling with the punches and having enjoyable with it. Skated this morning. Went house. It was a traditional day. Then I bought a name round 2:15. It has sort of been a whirlwind since then.”
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