Dach Ends Drought During Montreal-Anaheim Ducks 3-2 Shootout Win

Summary:

• After a 19-game goalless streak, Kirby Dach broke his slump with a fortunate goal in Montreal’s 3-2 shootout win over the Anaheim Ducks. 
• He scored thanks to a mishandled puck by the Ducks’ goalie and a quick assist from Juraj Slafkovsky.
• Dach’s return from surgery has been challenging across all 28 games.

Montreal Canadiens’ center, Kirby Dach, had been grappling with an uncharacteristic goal-scoring slump. 

Over his NHL career spanning 240 games, he had never experienced such a long goalless stretch. His last victory came on October 26 when his team played against the St. Louis Blues. Since then, the 23-year-old has spent 19 goal-free games.

But that streak finally came to an end on Monday night during Montreal’s 3-2 shootout triumph over the Anaheim Ducks at the Bell Centre. 

Dach on His Goal: “It’s Nice.”

While it wasn’t the prettiest goal in his career, the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta-born was not one to complain. 

It’s nice, It’s kind of the only way one was going to go in, I guess, was to have a whole open net in front of me.

The goal materialized thanks to an unexpected break when, just 11 seconds after Anaheim took a 2-1 lead, Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal fumbled the puck behind his net. 

Juraj Slafkovsky then pounced on the opportunity and delivered a perfect feed to Dach who immediately sent the puck into the net.

“I was happy” Slafkovsky shared, adding that players get their confidence back when they “score a couple goals”.

He believes this is exactly what Dach needs. “Pretty much that’s what he needs, that’s what I need.”, the 20-year-old Slovakian said.

The goalie leaves the puck behind the net and you get to score, those are the ones where you get your confidence and feel a little better about yourself.

L'égalité est créée 11 secondes plus tard!

11 seconds later, we're tied!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/tN2QyWJSM9

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 10, 2024

Difficult Recovery Post Injuries

Kirby Dach’s journey back has been far from smooth. After tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his right knee during Montreal’s second game of the 2023-24 season, he underwent surgery and faced a grueling recovery. 

Since his return, he’s played in all 28 of the team’s games but has struggled to regain consistency, alternating between center and wing with various linemates.

Now, he has been firmly planted as the second-line center alongside Slafkovsky and Patrik Laine, who tallied his third power-play goal and netted the shootout winner, marking his fourth game back in Montreal’s lineup since December 3.

Despite the frustration of his drought, Dach expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his teammates. 

It’s real nice of everybody to kind of help me through the stretch I’ve gone through

Martin St. Louis: the Goal to “Put the Wind in His Sails”

Head coach Martin St. Louis highlighted the importance of camaraderie in difficult times.

Having the empathy and compassion are qualities you need when you’re building something

The 49-year-old added that the players understand what Dach is going through and are there to support him. They’re happy for his success, and he hopes this goal will boost Dach’s confidence and “put the wind in his sails” and give hockey bettors something to look out for.

St. Louis also acknowledged Dach’s dedication, often seen putting in extra work with Adam Nicholas, the team’s Director of Hockey Development, and assistant Scott Pellerin.

Sometimes, in life, when you do the right things, you get a bounce. I think he got a bounce on his goal, and sometimes, that’s all you need.