Canadiens Offense Frustrated by Jarry | RECAP: MTL @ PIT

The Montreal Canadiens opened with a strong start but could not solve Tristan Jarry as they dropped a decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Forwards

22 Cole Caufield - 14 Nick Suzuki - 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
89 Joshua Roy - 15 Alex Newhook - 17 Josh Anderson
40 Joel Armia - 71 Jake Evans - 11 Brendan Gallagher
70 Tanner Pearson - 36 Colin White - 56 Jesse Ylonen

Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson - 21 Kaiden Guhle
47 Jayden Struble - 54 Jordan Harris
72 Arber Xhekaj - 58 David Savard

Goaltenders

Starter: 30 Cayden Primeau
Alternate: 34 Jake Allen 

Out of the lineup

Scratches: Johnathan Kovacevic, Michael Pezzetta, Sam Montembeault
Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), Christian Dvorak (upper body), Rafael Harvey-Pinard (lower body)

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8yqI6iS1gA[/embed]

For the second straight game, the Canadiens attention to playing responsible defensive hockey was noticeable. And in the first period of the game, Montreal got the vast majority of the offensive opportunities. The game boiled down to Tristan Jarry fending off Montreal chances and Cayden Primeau being unable to do the same.

High danger scoring chances were 10-3 for the Canadiens in the opening period (5v5, Natural Stat Trick.) 

The Canadiens were limited to one goal by Mike Matheson after a giveaway by Kris Letang. Two minutes later Matheson returned the favor turning the puck over that ended up on the stick of Letang. The Penguins defenseman floated a puck that was going wide of the cage but struck Primeau's stick and found its way to the back of the net.

Pittsburgh managed just three more high danger scoring chances for the final 40 minutes. But Primeau allowed two goals in 21 seconds in the middle of the second period and the Penguins enjoyed a comfortable lead. Brian Rust scored a power play goal while Drew O'Connor fired a shot that beat the goaltender cleanly.

Joshua Roy appeared far more engaged, leading the Canadiens with five shots on goal. Colin White made his debut in a Canadiens sweater after being claimed earlier in the day from Pittsburgh. White played 11 games for the Penguins this season.

Jayden Struble left the game in the third period and did not return.

The Canadiens were 0-for-3 on the power play. They have lost four straight games.

Montreal Canadiens' record this season in the second game of a back-to-back is 1-10. Their only win was on December 22nd against the Chicago Blackhawks.

After 57 games, the Canadiens have 52 points (22-27-8) and are ranked 26th in the NHL. They were 26th in the NHL with 52 points (24-29-4) after 57 games in the 2022-23 season.

Canadiens (22-27-8)
Shots: 31
Face-off %: 48.1
Power play: 0/3
Penalty minutes: 6
Hits: 9
Blocks: 9

Penguins (25-21-8)
Shots: 23
Face-off %: 34.7
Power play: 1/3
Penalty minutes: 10
Hits: 19
Blocks: 20

Canadiens Scorers
1st period: Matheson (8)
2nd period: --
3rd period: --
OT: --
SO: --

Penguins Scorers
1st period: Letang (5)
2nd period: Rust (16)-PPG, O'Connor (8)
3rd period: Letang (6)-ENG
OT: --
SO: --

Goaltenders
MTL: Cayden Primeau (L) 5-6-1
PIT: Jarry (W) 15-17-4

Joshua Roy - Roy had five shots on goal and added six more shot attempts in 14:45. Roy also led the team with two blocked shots.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6IOGWgpjfc[/embed]

Martin St. Louis

"We played a good first period, but we were unable to separate ourselves from the opponent."

Colin White

"It was pretty crazy. My former teammates found it strange to play against me in the evening. They are good people, but I also had a very warm welcome here. I’m excited to be with my new team."

The Canadiens head to New Jersey to play the Devils on Saturday afternoon. Game time is 2:00 pm ET.

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