Montreal Canadiens forward Jesse Ylonen scored two goals in Thursday's loss against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Bell Centre.
The Montreal Canadiens managed to be tied 4-4 against the league-leading Vegas Golden Knights through 58 minutes when a double minor penalty against Brendan Gallagher allowed the visitors to score twice and head to 6-5 victory.
Jesse Ylonen stood out for the Canadiens lighting the lamp twice in a span of 3:25 of the second period. It was the first time that he scored since opening night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"It's always fun to score but it didn't matter because we didn't win," said the forward.
On his first goal, Ylonen used his speed to beat two defenders and won the foot race for a breakaway and beat Adin Hill top corner.
"He's got really quick hands and a great release, so I like the odds when he's on a breakaway," Jake Evans said about his linemate.
On his second goal, Ylonen skated into open space in the slot and received a no-look pass from Michael Pezzetta and got the puck behind the goal line with a one-timer.
His long time teammate Cayden Primeau has been on the receiving end of Ylonen's shot since the start of the season. "We've spent a lot of time together this year as he's been out early shooting for the goalies. It's good to see him be rewarded, because he's been working on his shot."
The 24-year-old nearly completed a hat trick on his third shot of the night after his shot was stopped by Hill and almost trickled in after the rebound struck a defender.
Staying Ready
Ylonen started the season with a regular spot in the lineup, dressing for first seven matches and averaging 12:17 of ice time. Martin St. Louis gave him responsibilities on the penalty kill, a role that he's never held as a professional in North America.
Since that point, the Canadiens second round pick in 2018 has been dressed three times in 10 games. His average ice time has decreased to 9:18 and has not been used on the penalty kill.
"It's never fun not to be playing, but if you're not playing it's a good chance to get some workouts in and more skating to be in better shape when you get into the lineup," Ylonen noted.
To help him be ready for when he gets a chance to play, Ylonen treats every day like a game day. "I have the same routine all the time. Every time I get ready mentally to play even if you're not playing, like that you're focus all the time, have the same rhythm on your day," he elaborated.
Ylonen has remained a professional despite his limited usage and it has been noticed by his teammates. "He's got a great shot and you always want to find him. He's always trying to get better and learn all the details and be really good defensively, and I think he's done a great job with that," observed Evans.
In addition to spending a lot of time this year facing his shots, Primeau has been teammates since the 2020-21 season in Laval and sees several qualities in the forward.
"He's a goal scorer. He's shifty with the puck and I don't think people give him credit for that. He's fast and creates space for himself and his linemates," the goalie described.
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