STL@MTL: Game recap

MONTREAL – The Canadiens dropped a 7-2 decision to the St. Louis Blues at the Bell Centre on Sunday. 

Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia scored for the Habs, while Jake Allen made 29 saves. For more stats, check out the NHL Gamecenter summary here. 

Head coach Martin St-Louis made a couple of changes to his lineup heading into the matinee affair. 
 
Joshua Roy, who was recalled following Saturday’s contest against the Stars, played on the third line alongside Alex Newhook and Joel Armia.

He took Rafaël Harvey-Pinard's spot after the 25-year-old forward left the game against Dallas with a lower-body injury. The team announced on Sunday that he was placed on IR. He will miss four to six weeks. 

Jordan Harris returned to the lineup, while Arber Xhekaj skipped his turn. Unfortunately, Harris’ afternoon was cut short after the 23-year-old defenseman left the contest in the opening frame with an upper-body injury. He is day-to-day. 

Kaiden Guhle did not finish the game as well. He left late in the third period and continues to be evaluated.

PRIOR TO PUCK DROP

Tradition calls: Each season, Family Weekend and Super Bowl Weekend go hand in hand for Habs (and football) fans.

The bleu-blanc-rouge were back in action for a second time in as many days on Sunday afternoon before the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs go head-to-head in the evening.

For the occasion, players shared their predictions for Super Bowl LVIII. Only time will tell who was right.

Samuel Montembeault received a surprise visit from Doug Armstrong. Both were members of the Canadian national team that won the 2023 IIHF World Championship. The Blues general manager presented the Canadiens netminder with a championship ring.

As part of Family Weekend presented by Voisin, in collaboration with Tim Hortons, Michel Lacroix got some help announcing the starting lineup.

Montreal goals

P1 10:23 2-[1] Suzuki (Slafkovsky, Matheson)

P3 03:06 5-[2] Armia (Savard, Struble)

St. Louis goals

P1 00:25 [1]-0 Toropchenko (Sundqvist, Krug)

P1 05:05 [2]-0 Parayko (Kapanen)

P1 15:20 [3]-1 Kyrou (Thomas, Krug) - PPG

P2 17:49 [4]-1 Walker (Schenn, Krug)

P3 00:31 [5]-1 Thomas (Leddy, Neighbours) - PPG

P3 07:14 [6]-2 Neighbours (Thomas, Krug) - PPG

P3 15:33 [7]-2 Kyrou (Thomas, Krug)

What’s next

The Canadiens will host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday at the Bell Centre. For tickets, click here.