Whether it’s Broadway or the Bell Centre, there’s nothing that compares to opening night.
And from the on-ice symphony orchestra that played the national anthem to the player introductions, the Canadiens always get it right, although this pre-game ceremony paled in comparison to others in previous years. But we here at the Hidden Game had no complaints about that.
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Two thoughts we took away from all this: Is Martin St. Louis the most-popular head coach in Canadiens’ history? He received a raucous ovation when he was introduced. And what must newcomer Patrik Laine, who suffered a debilitating knee injury during a meaningless exhibition game, be thinking given the reception he received, before he has played a regular-season game?
We’re not sure how Laine held back his tears, but if this doesn’t motivate him to return as quickly as possible, nothing will.
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Road to the Cup
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Our two cents: Forgive us for telling Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving how to run his team. While we commend him for putting his summer efforts into improving the defensive corps and goaltending, what was he thinking signing Chris Tanev to a six-year, US$27-million contract when he’s 34? The guy’s locked in until 2030, when he’ll be 40! Fellow defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a mere child at 33, signed a four-year, US$14-million contract.
News you need (Part I): This marked the third consecutive season the Canadiens have launched their regular season against Toronto. It also marked the 769th regular-season meeting between these two storied franchises and bitter rivals. The Canadiens, of course, have a healthy 367-301-101 record against the Leafs, not counting Montreal’s 46-32 advantage in post-season play.
Dumb penalty: What was Max Domi thinking — we’ll give him the benefit of doubt that he actually was — barely more than a minute following the opening faceoff? He continually hit Canadiens defenceman David Savard in the face, without retaliation, before grabbing his sweater. Domi’s reward was a roughing minor.
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Isn’t technology wonderful: You might have noticed the Canadiens’ new scoreboard wasn’t recording the time remaining in Domi’s penalty. Fortunately the problem was corrected by the time Emil Heineman was called for holding at 3:59.
News you need (Part II): History will note the first Go Leafs Go chant occurred at 5:45 p.m., more than one hour prior to the opening faceoff. The few Canadiens fans scattered throughout the arena quickly began to bray before the end-of-period siren was sounded and organist Diane Bibeau played her next song.
News you need (Part III): When Cole Caufield scored the first goal of the season at 7:48 of the opening period — on the power play, no less — it marked the third consecutive season the diminutive sniper scored in the opening game against the Leafs.
Go figure (Part I): We’re not sure why so many spectators booed former Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty every time he touched the puck, but Brendan Gallagher is the lone remaining Montreal player from Pacioretty’s final season with Montreal in 2017-18.
Pass of the night (Part I): Juraj Slafkovsky’s cross-ice gem to Caufield on the opening goal.
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Stare-down: In the game’s 11th minute, Arber Xhekaj wanted to fight Ryan Reaves, he of limited talent. Reaves wanted no part of it but, in his defence, was at the end of his shift.
This close: In the third minute of the second period, William Nylander hit the post. That would be the closest Toronto came to scoring.
Pass of the night (Part II): Two minutes later, Alex Barré-Boulet sent Christian Dvorak in alone, but his backhand was stopped by Anthony Stolarz.
Hit of the night: Savard got his revenge on Domi in the sixth minute of the second period, knocking the Toronto forward on his behind with a crushing check. It even sent Domi’s helmet askew.
Go figure (Part II): The Leafs can score goals. Last season, on their way to 46 victories and 102 points, the Leafs scored 298 goals — the second-highest total in the NHL. But they couldn’t solve Samuel Montembeault on this night despite peppering him with 48 shots.
News you need (Part IV): Montembeault’s shutout was his first since Feb. 23, 2022, when he stopped 32 shots in a 4-0 victory against Buffalo at the Bell Centre. He also established an NHL record for most saves produced during a season-opening shutout.
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And the Oscar goes to: Josh Anderson was called for tripping Auston Matthews at 4:47 of the third period. From our vantage point it appeared the Toronto captain might have slightly embellished the play.
Quick stats: Matthews and Mitch Marner both had six shots on net. Workhorse Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson, as usual, led all players with 26:11 of ice time. Savard blocked four shots. The Canadiens went 1-for-5 on the power-play, failing to score during a two-man advantage for 1:34. Toronto went 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
They said it: “I don’t know that I’ve ever been that fired-up for a home opener,” Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said. “It was a good effort from everyone. We played really solid defensively.”
“He played a perfect game,” Matheson said of Montembeault. “It’s a great start to the season for him and us, very exciting.”
“Obviously (Montembeault) was stone-cold back there,” Caufield said. “I love the way we battled and stayed in it.”
“I was nervous going on the ice,” Montembeault said. “It’s the first game of the season, you want to do well. Big crowd and everyone was excited for this game. It’s a big win for us.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
x.com/HerbZurkowsky1
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