By most measures, Henrik Lundqvist should've earned a win on Thursday in Montreal.
NHL scores 2015: Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist put on goaltending clinic in Montreal
Someone had to lose.
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Lundqvist was at his typical, spectacular best. He saw 31 shots against and stopped all but two of them. He helped his squadmates shut down five Canadiens power plays and only let the Canadiens score in drips and drabs. He was excellent.
But his counterpart was better. Carey Price won the Vezina with consistency and poise, and both were on display on Thursday. Consistency, even when facing a barrage of shots from New York in the second period. Poise, even when getting revenge on his 2014 playoffs nemesis.
So, Price blanked the Rangers, as he's done seven times in the 18 games against the Rangers in his career. The loss takes nothing away from Lundqvist. The stats show just how brilliant both goaltenders were on Thursday:
#NYR come up short in #MTL after goaltending clinic in by #Price and #Lundqvist. pic.twitter.com/GiNMC1Znrl
— Chris Boyle (@ChrisBoyle33) October 16, 2015 The Rangers and Canadiens are guaranteed to play twice more this season. Mark both dates in your calendars now, because both goalies will surely improve on this already spectacular netminding duel.
Scores
Capitals 4, Blackhawks 1
Canadiens 3, Rangers 0
3 things we learned
1. Pittsburgh’s long winless nightmare is over
After struggling through a dismal first three games, the Penguins finally earned their first “W” of the year. They did it by shutting out a Senators team fresh off scoring seven goals in Columbus the night before. With that milestone behind them, the Penguins can finally settle in and relax. But Sidney Crosby still doesn’t have a point, so they’re in all likelihood doomed.
2. Dallas is off to a great start
Last season, a middling start filled with wild inconsistencies forced the Stars into a hole they could never dig out of. Either the Stars learned their lesson or buried those memories deep in that hole because they couldn’t ask for a better start to this season. Aside from a disappointing loss in Colorado, the Stars have already vanquished two Eastern threats in Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.
3. If you cram a hockey stick through a player’s skates the results are hilarious
Impact Moment
Two hits injured two players in Tampa Bay on Thursday. One of them was (barely) legal. The other was absolutely not.
The first was courtesy of Stars captain Jamie Benn, who knocked Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman out of the game in the second period with this late, high hit.
Bolts defenseman Nikita Nesterov decided to retaliate by sending Curtis McKenzie to the hospital.
Nesterov got five minutes for boarding and the boot, but one imagines the Department of Player Safety will weigh in, as well.
Stat of the Night
Carey Price (7 SO) is the 2nd goaltender in @CanadiensMTL history to post at least 7 shutouts vs. NYR, joining Jacques Plante (9). #NYRvsMTL
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 16, 2015 Post to post
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