Breadcrumb Trail Links
NHLMontreal CanadiensHockey Inside Out
Arber Xhekaj made his long-awaited return to the Habs lineup. He played 16:25 and had three hits.
Article content
The Montreal Canadiens extended their losing streak to seven games against the Ottawa Senators with a 4-1 loss at the Bell Centre on Tuesday.
Arber Xhekaj made his long-awaited return to the Habs lineup. In his first game for the big club since Nov. 16, he played 16:25 with three hits and two penalty minutes.
Article content
Jordan Harris sat in favour of Johnathan Kovacevic, while Tanner Pearson also made his first start since going down with an upper-body injury on Dec. 9. With Mitchell Stephens back in Laval, Montreal rolled with only three centres.
Advertisement 2
Article content
It was Josh Anderson’s 500th NHL game.
The lineup adjustments didn’t change Montreal’s fortunes against Ottawa. They fell behind early in just about the worst possible way and only in the final five minutes did they attempt to mount any serious comeback. The first goal allowed by Jake Allen was shorthanded by Ridly Greig, who was left completely alone in front to pick up the rebound off the draw.
Advertisement 3
Article content
Just 41 seconds later, Jake Sanderson fired a rocket in the slot to beat Allen to increase Ottawa’s lead to 2-0.
Article content
Advertisement 4
Article content
At 6:22 of the second period, Shane Pinto scored his first goal of the season after serving a 41-game suspension for gambling. 3-0 Senators.
Advertisement 5
Article content
The Habs changed things up a little in the third period to spur the offence, adding Anderson to the top line in favour of Juraj Slafkovsky. It paid dividends when Anderson served as the screen on Kovacevic’s point shot, which beat Joonas Korpisalo to put the Habs on the board, down 3-1.
Advertisement 6
Article content
With the goalie pulled and less than three minutes to play, Mathieu Joseph scored in the empty net to seal a 4-1 win for the Sens.
A major culprit in the Habs’ loss last night: the power play went 0-5. Cole Caufield got an assist on the lone goal, but among his six shots on goal were numerous chances he could’ve cashed in on.
After perhaps his most rookie-like game against his hometown Bruins on Saturday, Jayden Struble was back to his solid self against the Sens. He sat atop Hockey Stat Cards’ impact card from last night.
Advertisement 7
Article content
But seriously, why can’t the Canadiens beat the Senators? The Sens have talented players, but they’ve fallen way short of expectations this season. They replaced the general manager, coach, and even have a new owner, and yet they continue to have Montreal’s number despite all the turmoil in Kanata.
The frustrations bubbled over at the Bell Centre, where the impuissant power play was heckled in the late second and third periods. The liveblog commenters were similarly struggling to understand why the Habs couldn’t put up a 60-minute effort against the Sens at home.
3. “The canadiens lacked energy the first two periods, they should have played Pezzetta more than the two minutes he played, his energy is always helpful.” — Ryan Katz
2. “God help MSL. He needs some players.” — John Barsevich
1. “These are the times that try men’s souls…” — Chris Hardmann
Recommended from Editorial
Canadiens lose third straight game as Senators win 4-1
Liveblog replay: Habs lose 4-1 to Sens in Xhekaj’s return
Advertisement 8
Article content
Article content
Share this article in your social network