Al-Kindi: The lack of opportunism drowns Al-Sakan tribes in facing the Maple Leafs

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MONTREAL – Despite good efforts, the score remained essentially the same as it was the day before at the Bell Centre. The Habs weren’t very opportunistic in a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second game in 24 hours between the two teams.

Martin St. Louis’ men dominated their opponents 34-22 in shots on goal, but goaltender Martin Jones was all in for the battle in Maple Leafs camp to allow his team to win again.

Forwards Alex Newhook, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, on the same line for the game, were responsible for many of the scoring chances. However, they were unable to take advantage of the many opportunities they had.

The Hab was also unable to take advantage of its many numerical advantages. Even Montreal was unable to score with a numerically tied score. CH’s only goal of the game was Kaiden Guhle’s shorthanded work.

In Toronto’s camp, Matthew Kniss and Fraser Minten impressed again, with a goal each. Nick Robertson also scored in the win.

Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembault was on duty for 40 minutes of play and it was he who allowed all three goals to be scored by the Maple Leafs. In the third period, Jacob Dobis blocked all seven shots directed at him.

Synagogue shines again

The Maple Leafs quickly resumed the work they had begun the day before, in a 2-1 win. Young striker Matthew Kniss raced around the net and surprised Samuel Montembault by putting the ball between his post and the post to open the scoring for the second game in a row.

The Habs showed they were dangerous quickly after Toronto’s goal. Newhook took advantage of a brilliant pass from Suzuki to unleash a dangerous overhead kick. However, he was left frustrated by a brilliant save from Martin Jones’ shot.

The Canadian top three threatened again a few minutes later, midway through the period. This time, it was Caufield who made a good attacking break, but his shot went wide and over the net.

After being the story of the first half thanks to 14 saves, Jones quickly returned to the attack in the second half. This time, he made Juraj Slavkovski his new victim when he extended his pad to save his toe from Slavkovski’s breakaway.

CH found themselves shorthanded midway through the period and the Maple Leafs made sure to make Montreal pay. Toronto created a turnover in the Canadiens zone and youngster Fraser Minten took advantage of it to score one goal from the mouth of the net. It was Minten’s third point against the Habs in the past 24 hours.

Despite the club having good chances throughout the period, they were unable to find the back of the net, and this lack of opportunism ended up proving costly. At the end of the power play, Slavkowski’s shot missed the target and left the Leafs zone. As soon as he left the box, forward Nick Robertson recovered the ball and delivered a brilliant fake pass for Montemboldt to increase Toronto’s lead to three goals.

Against all expectations, CH finally woke up offensively with a numerical disadvantage. Midway through the third period, Alex Newhook won a faceoff in the offensive zone, then Jonathan Kovacevic quickly sent the ball to Kayden Guehle’s right. Forgot about the Maple Leafs defense, Guhle fired off an excellent wrist shot to put the Habs on the scoreboard and cut the deficit to 3-1.

However, Montreal was unable to complete the comeback at the end of the game.

The Canadiens and Maple Leafs will meet on Monday in Toronto for the third straight confrontation. Montreal will then finish its preseason against the Ottawa Senators next Saturday.