‘Good teams don’t lose two or three games in a row,’ Drouin says
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
The Canadiens followed that old adage Tuesday as they threw pucks at Calgary goaltender David Rittich until they found a way to get a few in the net.
“He’s a good goaltender and the key was to get him moving laterally,” said Max Domi, who put on a show for a crowd that included old family friend Mats Sundin. Domi collected two assists as the Canadiens exploded for three goals late in the second period and then held on for a 3-2 win over the Flames.
This game was another example of the Canadiens using their speed to dominate an opponent, and Domi and linemate Jonathan Drouin were front and centre on the offence. Drouin had a goal and an assist and he said this is the most comfortable he’s felt since joining the Canadiens last season.
Rittich appeared unbeatable for most of the first two periods, but Drouin said it was a matter of staying patient.
“You can’t get discouraged,” Drouin said. “Sometimes, it’s easier when you’re getting chances. It’s tougher when you’re not getting chances and they’re keeping you outside, but we were getting chances.”
Drouin has all of his points — three goals and four assists
— in the last five games and his streak coincides with a change in lines. He started the season with rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia, but now plays with Domi and Artturi Lehkonen.
“I feel comfortable with my linemates, but you can’t put that on KK and Army because I’ve definitely changed the way I’m playing and it shows,” Drouin said.
Domi, who was acquired from Arizona in a trade for Alex Galchenyuk, has been producing at a point-a-game pace with two goals and six assists and that’s no surprise to coach Claude Julien.
“He fits, he’s the kind of player we’re looking for,” Julien said. “That trade got made for that reason. He’s pretty good and we thought we could benefit from that kind of player. He’s professional in his preparation and his lifestyle and it’s good to see him play with so much energy.”
This was a bounce-back game for the Canadiens after blowing a 3-1 lead and losing 4-3 in overtime Saturday night in Ottawa.
“That’s the point we talked about last year when we had stretches when you just keep losing,” said Drouin. “Any good teams will tell you you can’t lose
Any good teams will tell you you can’t lose two or three in a row, That’s where you get in a hole.
two or three in a row, That’s where you get in a hole. You look at all the good teams, they don’t lose two or three games in a row.”
Drouin scored what proved to be the winning goal after Xavier Ouellet made a nice play to keep the puck in the Calgary zone.
“That was a huge play,” Drouin said. “That’s the difference from last year when we would have probably backed up on that play, but he made an aggressive play and that gave us the two-goal lead.”
Carey Price turned in a workmanlike effort as he won his 289th NHL game. That ties him for No. 2 on the Canadiens’ all-time win list with Patrick Roy. He’s 25 wins shy of all-time leader Jacques Plante.
“I’m getting there,” Price said when asked about his play this season. “Obviously, I haven’t had to be extraordinary yet this year.”
The win gave the Canadiens a 5-1-2 record, but Julien said he wasn’t satisfied with the start.
“If you ask me at any time in the season whether I’m satisfied, I’ll tell you I’m not because we can always be better,” Julien said. “I may tell you I’m happy, but I’m not satisfied.”