Nick Suzuki scored twice in the first period, and Juraj Slafkovsky added two goals in the third as the Montreal Canadiens downed the Washington Capitals.
GAME RECAP | Montreal Canadiens 5 vs Washington Capitals 2 | FINAL
Canadiens Lineup
Forwards
22 Cole Caufield - 14 Nick Suzuki - 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
70 Tanner Pearson - 71 Jake Evans - 56 Jesse Ylonen
40 Joel Armia - 74 Brandon Gignac - 17 Josh Anderson
55 Michael Pezzetta - 82 Lucas Condotta- 49 Rafael Harvey-Pinard
Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson - 21 Kaiden Guhle
47 Jayden Struble - 58 David Savard
72 Arber Xhekaj - 26 Johnathan Kovacevic
Goaltenders
Starter: 35 Sam Montembeault
Alternate: 30 Cayden Primeau
Out of the lineup
Scratches: Jordan Harris, Jake Allen
Suspension: Brendan Gallagher
Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), Alex Newhook (lower body), Christian Dvorak (upper body)
Watch Along Livestream (replay)
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvHD2PeBWYc[/embed]
Game Report
The Montreal Canadiens took advantage of a Capitals defense in disarray building a 3-0 lead in the first period. It turned out to be the difference in the game. Nick Suzuki scored twice in under a minute and Michael Pezzetta added another giving the visitors a three goal lead after 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Capitals offense turned up the heat on the Habs. Shot attempts were 36-7 (all strengths) in the second period for Washington but the Canadiens' shot blockers were equal to the task. David Savard made the save of the game blocking a blast from Max Pacioretty with Sam Montembeault out of position.
Alex Ovechkin picked up the Capitals only goal of the middle frame despite the home team dominating the sheet.
In the third period, it was Juraj Slafkovsky adding a little extra insurance with the first multi-goal game of his NHL career.
Playing just the second NHL game of his career, Brandon Gignac looked somewhat outmatched. His minutes were doled out sparingly until the third period when the game was well in hand.
It was a strong game for the Canadiens top line notching six points. With an assist, Cole Caufield extended his point streak to ten games, a career high.
Game Statistics
Canadiens (21-21-8)
Shots: 26
Face-off %: 50.8
Power play: 1/2
Penalty minutes: 8
Hits: 12
Blocks:20
Capitals (22-19-7)
Shots: 39
Face-off %: 49.2
Power play: 0/3
Penalty minutes: 6
Hits: 18
Blocks: 6
Scoring Summary
Canadiens Scorers
1st period: Suzuki (14), Suzuki (15), Pezzetta (3)
2nd period: --
3rd period: Slafkovsky (8), Slafkovsky (9)-PPG
OT: --
SO: --
Capitals Scorers
1st period: --
2nd period: Ovechkin (10)
3rd period: Sandin (2)
OT:
SO: --
Goaltenders
MTL: Montembeault (W) 12-7-4
WSH: Lindgren (L) 9-7-4, Kuemper
Canadiens Players of the Game
Nick Suzuki - In addition to scoring two goals, Suzuki assisted on a power play goal by Juraj Slafkovsky for a three-point game.
Juraj Slafkovsky - Despite taking a bad penalty in the first period, Slafkovsky looked more comfortable on the first line as the game went on. He scored twice in the third period.
Video Highlights
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cbf4wPDDpE[/embed]
Post-game Quotes
Nick Suzuki on Juraj Slafkovsky returning to the top line
"We love playing together, we have a lot of fun out there on the ice together. We haven't played together for two-and-a-half weeks so we're just getting back (to be) more comfortable."
Up Next
The Canadiens return home to host the Dallas Stars at the Bell Centre on Saturday afternoon and the St. Louis Blues on Sunday afternoon following the tradition of matinee games on Super Bowl weekend.
Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.
