For the second time this season, the Canadian was looking for a third consecutive victory. And yes, you read correctly.
Here’s Martin St-Louis’ list:
Training tonight.
Tonight’s lineup.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/5YYI18l4DR
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 19, 2023
Click HERE for the Panthers roster.
Is it possible that both teams lose tonight? #Lottery
Draft fans watching this game of Habs VS Panthers. pic.twitter.com/b762gbu3aC
—Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 20, 2023
We will see.
Anyway, the Canadian started the game well. He had his chances, but he ran into an Alex Lyon in top form.
A save to Cole Caufield was truly spectacular.
It was Sergei Bobrovsky who started the game for Florida, but unfortunately for him, he was injured on a chance on goal by Josh Anderson.
This was the play in which Sergei Bobrovsky appeared injured.
It looks like he hyperextended his right leg there as he pushed it into the post. He seemed very uncomfortable after that. pic.twitter.com/dF4fqGCd4T
— Colby Guy (@ColbyDGuy) January 20, 2023
After Bobrovsky, it was Eric Staal’s turn to go to the locker room after this contact:
What the hell are the refs seeing (again!) after a horrible cutting call on Nick Cousins, Mike Matheson, who never hit anyone here, attacks Eric Staal and NO Interference Call! Are you kidding me?? @BallySportsFL @FlaPanthers pic.twitter.com/vXeHbqvz3H
—Craig Minervini (@CraigMinervini) January 20, 2023
After the period, neither team had red-lighted.
In the second half, Samuel Montembeault signaled several times. But midway through the period, the Panthers finally broke through the wall. Sam Reinhart took advantage of the shot return allowed by the goalkeeper to score.
Sam Reinhart buries the rebound into the open cage for a power play count, Panthers on top!#HuntingTime pic.twitter.com/rdenTnmIca
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) January 20, 2023
Martin St-Louis contested, but without success.
Result: Florida numerical advantage, which they took advantage of to double their advantage.
Sam Bennett scores a soft redirect on Forsling’s pass to double Florida’s lead to 2, power play goal!#HuntingTime pic.twitter.com/cCmVU9yaZp
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) January 20, 2023
And the Panthers really hurt CH late in the period. On another power play, Matthew Tkachuk tripled his team’s lead.
Matthew Tkachuk tops off the easy rebound count on the power play, Panthers lead by 3!#HuntingTime pic.twitter.com/ntgOLnrvuG
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) January 20, 2023
Moments later, Florida really sealed the game with an unanswered fourth goal. Givani Smith’s turn to join the party.
Givani Smith follows through and buries his own rebound for his first goal of the year, 4-0!#HuntingTime pic.twitter.com/DbBjm2KEvL
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) January 20, 2023
Did you think the hell period ended like this? Well no… Matthew Tkachuk added his second goal of the game and his team’s fourth goal before the end of the match on the power play.
What a shot by Matthew Tkachuk for another power play goal, extending Florida’s lead to 5!#HuntingTime pic.twitter.com/xwa9M79ufU
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) January 20, 2023
I think the Canadiens allowed more shorthanded goals in one period than they scored on the power play all year…
Early in the third period, St-Louis decided to send Cayden Primeau into the fray. It was his first NHL appearance this season.
And that gave some energy to the locals. In the third minute, Rem Pitlick scored his second goal of the season from a tight angle.
Rem Pitlick’s eyeshot spoils Alex Lyon’s shutout offer. pic.twitter.com/bDI6KiErJR
—Scott Matla (@scottmatla) January 20, 2023
Therefore, he was (partly) forgiven for a difficult match.
Subsequently, for his blow to Staal at the start of the match, Mike Matheson had to settle scores.
Matthew Tkachuk vs. Mike Matheson. 🥊 pic.twitter.com/VHC6Lcjf4p
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 20, 2023
Moments later, Josh Anderson cut the deficit to three goals with a power play goal. Pitlick scored his second point of the game.
Rem Pitlick feeds Josh Anderson to make it 5-2! pic.twitter.com/von3G5y3Pn
—Scott Matla (@scottmatla) January 20, 2023
But Ryan Lomberg welcomed Primeau with a goal between the bases. Florida regained a four goal lead.
It is now 6-2 Panthers when Ryan Lomberg heads Verhaeghe’s excellent center pass home!#HuntingTime pic.twitter.com/RPZZ7bqqZu
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) January 20, 2023
Final score: 6-2.
Montreal will return to action on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Extension
– Is it really a Canadiens game without an Arber Xhekaj battle?
arber xhekaj
Another fight!
Another fight! #NHL #GoHabsGo #Habspic.twitter.com/Hb6RXL91fk
—André Menard (@samuelmj01) January 20, 2023
– Michael Pezzetta also joined the party. fights
Good fight from Michael Pezzetta! There is animosity in the air! #CH #Habs #canadians
—Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) January 20, 2023
“Lyon spent the afternoon robbing Caufield.
Alex Lyon stretches to make a great save! 🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/0A7Vytsq3P
-NHL (@NHL) January 20, 2023
– All four active goalkeepers were used in this game.
– For the Panthers’ first allowed goal, the NHL allowed the goal, as the obstruction occurred after the shot.
– Hard night at work.
Marty is going through it. pic.twitter.com/TkxvRrtqRU
—Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) January 20, 2023
#thaw #Canadian #Panthers #referees