Canadiens Blank Senators 5-0 in Preseason Match
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By Nemanja Petković
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Summary:
- The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-0 on Tuesday night.
- Oliver Kapanen, Patrik Laine, Alexandre Carrier, Lane Hutson, and Kirby Dach all scored.
- Jakub Dobes stopped all 16 shots for the shutout, and the Canadiens went 3-for-10 on the power play.
The Montreal Canadiens obtained a crushing 5-0 victory against the Ottawa Senators in preseason play at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.
Tuesday night’s game was close through most of the first period, with Montreal holding a 1-0 edge following Oliver Kapanen’s opener. However, the wheels began to move in the second when Patrik Laine and Alexandre Carrier both scored less than three minutes apart, carrying their side to a 3-0 lead into the final frame.
Montreal didn’t lay down its weapons in the third, as Lane Hutson brought his own contribution to the lead before Kirby Dach finally capped the scoring to give the Canadiens a convincing shutout victory.
Brendan Gallagher’s night was particularly strong, as he was responsible for setting up three of the five goals. Alex Newhook and Ivan Demidov each had two assists.
Goaltender Jakub Dobes wasn’t tested often but did everything asked of him, finishing with 16 saves to record the shutout. Montreal’s special teams were also a factor, converting three times on ten power play opportunities.
Ottawa who beat the Leafs last week, on the other hand, couldn’t make anything happen with the man advantage, going 0-for-2. Travis Green’s side totaled 102 penalty minutes and never truly found its rhythm. Leevi Merilainen faced steady pressure in the net, stopping 18 of 23 shots.
Minnesota Defeat Jets 3-2
Elsewhere around the NHL on Tuesday, the Minnesota Wild edged the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 in Saint Paul.
Marcus Foligno scored the difference-maker late in the second period, taking advantage of a shorthanded chance to put the Wild ahead for good. Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov also scored, with Kaprizov striking on the power play. Cole Koepke and Vladislav Namestnikov were the goal-scorers for Winnipeg.
The game took place on the same day the Wild announced a blockbuster deal with Kaprizov: an eight-year, $136 million contract that will commence after this season. It’s the richest deal in NHL history.
Jesper Wallstedt turned aside 26 of 28 shots for Minnesota, while Connor Hellebuyck made 16 saves on 19 attempts for the Jets. The Wild were efficient on special teams, scoring on one of their two power plays. Winnipeg had more opportunities but came up empty, finishing 0-for-4.
