The Feel of the Game
Unfortunately for the first 45 minutes of the contest, the Canes penalty troubles remained a storyline. Giving the home team six chances on the power play, Carolina struggled to keep complete control of the game, despite two goals in the first 2:12 of the second period to give them a 2-0 lead.
Two of the penalties belonged to Andrei Svechnikov and in addition to his infractions, he served the team's Too Many Men penalty as well.
Thankfully, just as was the case in Nashville on Saturday night, the Canes Russian forward was able to make good on at least one of his errors, striking for the team's second goal of the night. A beautiful high-to-low setup courtesy of Martin Necas through a few defenders, Svech's fourth of the season allowed him to join a select cast in NHL history, becoming just the fourth player in the last 35 years to score in each of his team's first three games in back-to-back seasons.
A late second period power play goal for Montreal gave them momentum heading into the third, creating the atmosphere of a one-goal game in the final period of regulation.
Eventually Kotkaniemi's marker tilted the game in favor of Carolina for good, providing them to their win.
Andersen Amazing Again
Montreal had plenty of opportunities to win tonight's game, but due to either missing the net, having a goal overturned due to goaltender interference, hitting a post or an array of big play stops from the Canes netminder, the road team came out on top.
Finishing with 27 stops on Montreal's 28 shots on goal, Andersen was needed in various moments throughout the night to keep the contest tied or keep his team ahead. Specifically in the latter half of the third period, the Dane turned away three high-risk instances, including one on Jonathan Drouin in all alone, where it looked like the Canadiens were about to change the momentum of the contest.
Montreal's lone goal of the night came on one of their six man advantages, while Andersen denied all 22 he saw at even strength.
