Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens News & Rumors: Danault, Weber, Romanov, Price & More

The Montreal Canadiens lost to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. What happened during the game? What other news is there from the team?

by
Old Prof
February 5, 2021

Led by their young rookie Tim Stutzle, who scored his fourth NHL goal and added two assists, the lowly Ottawa Senators stopped a nine-game losing streak at the expense of the Montreal Canadiens, the North Division’s top team. The final score was 3-2. For the Senators, who now have a record of 2-8-1 and who had not won since their season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the victory was a long time coming.

It was a tough game for the great Canadiens’ goalie Carey Price, who could only stop 19 of 22 shots. However, it was an whole-team loss and not just Price’s fault. The Canadiens had a ton of power play chances – five in total – but simply couldn’t score. The Senators scored a goal on four power plays.

As Canadiens’ coach Claude Julien noted, ”This one … stings because we had a bad game in our system and tonight was the night. I don’t think we looked at Ottawa as an easy game. For sure our guys didn’t see it like that. We just didn’t seem to be in sync tonight.”

In this edition of Canadiens News & Rumors, I take a look back at that game to share game news. At the same time, I’ll loot at other news such as roster moves to try to keep Canadiens’ fans up-to-date on what’s happening with the team.

Item One: Congratulations on Phillip Danault’s Milestone Game

Phillip Danault played in his 350th NHL game and actually had a good game even in the loss to the Senators. Danault ended the game with two assists, which stopped his six-game streak without a point. It was his second multiple-point game of the season.

The Canadiens have been flying this season and lead the NHL with an average of 4.18 goals per game. However, the team’s top-line center hasn’t been one of the leaders on his own team. In fact, Danault hasn’t scored a goal in 11 games this season.

No one seems to be too worried; and, as noted, the remainder of the team is covering for Danault right now. When he does start scoring – because he’s creating chances for himself and others and, as always, playing his responsible two-way game – the team will be better for it.

Item Two: The Canadiens’ Shea Webber Was Honored for Playing His 1,000th Game

Shea Weber has been a great hockey player for a long, long time. In fact, exactly 1,000 games. The team recognized him for that achievement before the puck dropped. Weber brought his family with him – his wife and three children – and was presented with a painting and a commemorative silver stick. He also received a number of messages of congratulations from all over the NHL.

Item Three: Alexander Romanov Will Play Saturday Night

Alexander Romanov was hit during practice in the face with a puck. However, will be able to play in Saturday’s game. At first, it was quite an injury scare during Friday’s practice but all turned out pretty well.

Although Romanov left the ice and he didn’t return to practice, head coach Claude Julien reported that the young Canadiens’ defenseman suffered no fractures and only needed a few stitches. He should be ready to rumble for the next game.

#Habs Julien says Romanov will be able to play Saturday. He only needed a few stitches and didn’t suffer any fractures.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) February 5, 2021

Item Four: Tomas Tatar Stopped a Four-Game Point-Scoring Skid with an Assist

It didn’t help the team win, but Tomas Tatar stopped his own personal frustration by getting an assist to snap a four-game point-scoring drought. Even after four games without scoring, he has three goals and seven points in 11 games this season.

Item Five: Brendan Gallagher Scored Again in the Canadiens’ Loss

Brendan Gallagher has scored five goals in five different games over the last eight games he’s played. Similar to Tatar, he’s now up to five goals and seven points in 11 games this season.

In the video below, fans can see Gallagher score his fifth goal of the season by putting in a rebound on the doorstep.

Item Six: Carey Price Suffers His First Regulation Loss

Carey Price might be the best goalie in the NHL and he has been winning this season, but something seems to be a bit “off” in his game. Against the Senators, he let in three goals on 22 shots and that was enough to register a loss. It was Price’s first loss in regulation during the 2020-21 season. He now has a 4-1-2 record with a goals-against-average of 2.81; however, his .899 save percentage tells a different story.