(Montreal) Many Canadiens players have slumps, but no one seems as shocked by bad luck as Josh Anderson.
The FC Montreal forward had a late-game steal by Jacob Markstrom and the Calgary Flames left the Bell Center with a 2-1 win on Tuesday night.
Markstrom finished the evening with a career-high 34 saves. It has extended the drought for Anderson and Rafael Harvey Benard, who are yet to score a goal this season.
“I had moments like that,” coach Martin St. Louis recalled. I have conversations with them. I try to keep things a little light to cheer them up. The effort is there, and the opportunities are there. Sometimes it’s a tough sport. »
The Habs haven’t scored more than two goals in regulation time in their last four games (2-2-0).
“This kind of sequence will happen during the season,” captain Nick Suzuki insisted. We get chances and we have many players who can score. The disk will eventually enter. When Anderson scores or others score, they will regain confidence and will be able to capitalize on their opportunities more often. »
Gustav Lindstrom scored the only goal for the Canadian (7-7-2). Samuel Montembault stopped 27 shots.
Connor Zary scored a goal and an assist, while Nazem Kadri scored the other goal for the Flames (5-8-2).
“I think we deserve better,” St. Louis said. “The effort was there. The commitment was there. That’s how it is.”
Lindström was inserted into the Canadiens’ lineup in relief of Jordan Harris. The latter suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday against the Boston Bruins.
For his part, striker Jesse Ilonen replaced Michael Peseta.
The Canadian will play his next game on Thursday, when the Vegas Golden Knights are the visitors at the Bell Center.
The most opportunistic prevails
The match was entertaining during the first ten minutes of play, as both teams shot 15 balls on goal.
Cole Caufield hit Markstrom on the mask with a high shot from close range, while Brendan Gallagher narrowly missed a deflection into the open net.
The Flames opened the scoring 2:35 into the second period. Kadri mocked Christian Dvorak’s coverage, then surprised Montembault with a shot after the turnover.
The Canadian responded 17 seconds later. He was placed behind the net, and Dvorak joined Lindstrom, who made one appearance. The ball bounced off defenseman Rasmus Andersson before crossing the goal line.
Markstrom came up moments later, fouling Jake Evans on a two-run home run while the Canadian was shorthanded. He was lucky soon after when Josh Anderson hit the crossbar.
Zare gave the Flames the lead again with 6:53 left in the second period. He completed a pleasant exchange begun by Anderson and Martin Pospisil.
Andrew Mangiapane briefly gave the Flames a two-goal lead at 4:10 of the third period. However, coach Martin St-Louis won the challenge, as replays showed there had been offside earlier in the sequence. Therefore the goal was cancelled.
Mike Matheson surprised Markstrom with a long shot midway through the third period, but it hit the post.
The Canadian then had a numerical advantage, but it was the Flames who knocked on the door during a two-touchdown touchdown run against the goaltender. But Blake Coleman missed the target after a pass from Elias Lindholm.
Markstrom put an exclamation point on his performance by stealing a goal from Anderson with his glove with 68 seconds left.
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