Here is the Habs’ lineup for the game versus the Rangers.
La formation de ce soir
Tonight's lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ywHE6Bxts9
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 7, 2024
The Montreal Canadiens’ season is coming to an end, with only six games left before tonight’s game.
On this Sunday evening, we were anxiously anticipating the matchup between Arber Xhekaj and the New York Rangers’ colossus Matt Rempe.
Unfortunately, Xhekaj was injured and missed not only the battle against Rempe, but also the game against Ryan Reaves and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Justin Barron was called up to replace #72, and he is still making up for the loss.
Cayden Primeau was back in net after replacing Samuel Montembeault the day before.
This was Joel Armia’s 500th career game and Cole Caufield’s 200th.
Décidément, c’est la semaine de Joel Armia. Le représentant montréalais pour le trophée Bill-Masterton dispute ce soir son 500e match en carrière. #rds
— Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS) April 7, 2024
Even if we weren’t treated to a heavyweight duel between Xhekaj and Rempe, the first half was intense.
Both teams had some wonderful scoring chances, particularly the Rangers, who led 16-11 in shots on goal.
However, only the Habs scored.
Cole Caufield opened the scoring late in the period with his 24th goal of the season on a David Savard shot return. Mike Matheson also got an assist on the goal.
Un cadeau pour son 200e match dans la LNH 🎁
Nice way to celebrate his 200th NHL game#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/lD2JTCYmKt
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 7, 2024
So the score was 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.
The Rangers took advantage of a power play in the second half of the session and seized the opportunity.
Mika Zibanejad scored his season-high 25th goal, with assists from Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox.
It was the only goal of the session, bringing the score 1-1 after two periods.
Chris Kreider, a fan favorite of Carey Price’s at the Bell Centre, gave his side the lead for the first time in the game with little under four minutes left in the third.
Panarin and Zibanejad each received an assist.
The Rangers’ big guns woke up, and Artemi Panarin scored his third goal of the game, giving him 46 for the season.
Alexis Lafrenière and Braden Schneider were credited with assists.
With just under eight minutes remaining in the final period, Alex Newhook renewed the Habs’ hopes by reducing the lead to one goal.
What a pass from Matheson, who scored his second point of the game.
Mike Matheson at his best + Alex Newhook at his best.
They make the game interesting. 3-2 now. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/PTBRBAJZZk
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 8, 2024
Unfortunately for Sainte-Flanelle, Zibanejad restored his team’s two-goal lead, aided by Jimmy Vesey.
Alexis Lafrenière sealed the deal with a score into an empty net.
Final score: 5–2. New York Rangers
The Montreal Canadiens’ next game is on Tuesday, April 9, against the struggling Philadelphia Flyers.
Cayden Primeau continued to excel in front of the net. The 24-year-old made some excellent saves, stopping 41 of the 45 shots he faced.
– Special units harmed the Habs in this game. The Rangers scored twice on the power play three times.
– Once more, the Tricolore labored in the face-off circle. The Rangers achieved a 59% efficiency rating in this game.
