The Montreal Canadiens have only lost five games this season. On Monday night, they barely avoided the start of a three-game losing streak, scoring three straight to force overtime, then netting the final goal in the extra period to beat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-3.
NHL scores 2015: Montreal scores 4 straight to avoid 3-game losing streak
A balanced offensive attack finally breaks through for the Canadiens.
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Over the last few weeks, the Canadiens haven't looked like the team that started the year with nine straight wins. Part of that comes with losing sensational goaltender Carey Price at the end of October, coinciding almost exactly with the Canadiens' roller coaster start to November. Backup rookie Mike Condon was practically perfect in his first few starts in relief for Price, allowing two or fewer goals to opponents in each of his first five starts.
However, this past week wasn't kind to Condon and the Canadiens, as Montreal lost a close game at Pittsburgh 4-3 last Wednesday then got blown out by the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. It's certainly progressing back to the mean for Montreal, but the Canadiens looked to be on the verge of a losing streak Monday with their three goal deficit looming large near the midway point of the game.
Four goals by for different Canadiens got Montreal back on track for their 14th win of the year. Tomas Fleischmann got the tying goal for Montreal with 3:08 to play in the game, while adding an assist on David Desharnais' overtime goal, this gorgeous one-timer off the rush.
Desharnais OT winner pic.twitter.com/bwOvxvI0uU
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 17, 2015 While one Canadian team has broken out of its slump, another has taken its place. The Canucks themselves now are on a three game slide after the loss, dropping them to 7-6-6 on the year. The last three matches for Vancouver have all been one or two goal losses, but the losing streak has allowed the Los Angeles Kings to take over first place in the Pacific Division.
While each side got a point for going to OT, Vancouver had their chances to put their foot down on the Canadiens and are certainly remiss about allowing the Canadiens back into the game to snag the second.
Scores
Detroit Red Wings 4, Ottawa Senators 3 (OT)
3 things we learned
1. The new 3-on-3 OT is still great
We certainly all know this by now. Three-on-tree overtime is a revelation in hockey right now. What's not to love about exciting, playoff-style hockey action in five minute bursts that lessens the chance of going to the predictable shootout? Montreal wasn't the only team Monday to win off a great 3-on-3 OT period, as the Detroit Red Wings pulled away from an Ottawa comeback to win, 4-3, in their overtime. There's no way this Gustav Nyquist pass would have gotten through to open ice with two extra men out there, setting up Tomas Tatar's game winner on the rush. It may have its detractors, but we're seeing a lot of things we haven't seen before with this new setup.
Tatar OT winner pic.twitter.com/9tCfXPlvOO
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 17, 2015 2. Winnipeg might be in trouble
The Jets have officially lost six straight after their 3-2 defeat at the hands of the St. Louis Blues Monday night. Sure, four of their six losses have come against teams in their own division, also known as the Division of Death. However, the loss plummets them to second to last in the Central after a strong start to their season. There is hope that the Jets can snap out of their funk, as they will face the Canucks, Coyotes and Avalanche next at home after a tough road schedule.
3. Roberto Luongo has a #nice number of career shutouts after the Panthers 1-0 win
.@FlaPanthers Luongo (39SV) posted his 69th career shutout, tops among active goalies & 13 more than the next-closest goalie (Lundqvist: 56)
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 17, 2015 Impact Moment
Bjugstad gives the Panthers a 1-0 lead with 20 seconds left in the 3rd period pic.twitter.com/wPkoFUr5HV
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 17, 2015 Nick Bjugstad's fluky goal helped the Panthers sweep the Lightning on their home-and-home series.
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