Game Recap: Canadiens 4 - Kraken 3 (OT)
A quick non-comprehensive recap the Canadiens OT win over Seattle.
The Montreal Canadiens’ youth looks solid. As a team, they were connected, their first line was dominant, and they had a young surprise in net. However, the Habs failed to hold onto a third-period lead, going to overtime for the fourth time in 11 games. Montreal entered the third period 3-0, but the Seattle Kraken tied the game so they could show their own fans how much of an absolute unit Cole Caufield is in overtime.
Cole Caufield
Caufield is tied in first place for goals with nine. He scored two goals against Seattle, had five shots on goal, and five shot attempts. With Caufield on the ice, the Canadiens owned 73.91% of shot attempts. His first goal of the night deserves a watch.
Jakub Dobes
Young goaltender Jakub Dobes is having an excellent start to the season. While Sam Montembeault is figuring things out, Dobes has made the case for their No. 1 starter—at least for now. In his first year in the NHL (16 games last season), Dobes had a .909 SV%. His current .930 SV% through six games has him tied for fourth overall with Spencer Knight, and his 8.2 goals saved above expected is fifth in the NHL.
Nick Suzuki’s Line
Okay, maybe this gives me another reason to praise Caufield, but the Canadiens’ top line is buzzing. The Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky line has an 80% goal differential (eight goals for, two against) and a 60.7% Corsi. Habs fans have a ton to be excited about. Suzuki is top seven in points with 16, and Juraj Slafkovsky is turning into quite the power forward. They had a ridiculous 80.95% Corsi and a 74.46 expected goals share against the Kraken.
Closing Thoughts
Kirby Dach had an excellent scoring chance towards the end of the first period, where he displayed his skating ability. However, the Canadiens are still in need of a solid 2C. Without this being addressed, I wonder how long they can rely on the offense from their top line. Caufield has scored the game-winning goal in three of their overtime victories. And when it comes to the playoffs, those overtime wins will hurt if they’re tied with another team for a spot.