Habs fall to N.Y. Rangers 3-1 in packed home stadium
Alexis Lafreniere has many reasons to forever cherish the memory of his first-ever NHL goal at the Bell Centre.
The native of Saint-Eustache, Que., scored his first goal of the season on his first visit to Montreal. What's more, it proved to be the winner in the New York Rangers' 3-1 victory over the Canadiens on Saturday night.
The win was also New York's first of the season and Lafreniere needed stitches to close a cut on his chin sustained in the contest.
"It was just really special to score, especially in Montreal," Lafreniere said. "The building was electric, it was pretty fun and I got a couple of stitches tonight so it's worth it.
"I've been dreaming about it for a while but to live and to be able to score is the cherry on top of the sundae."
Lafreniere scored in the third period just 26 seconds after Jonathan Drouin had pulled Montreal (0-3) into a 1-1 tie. With the Bell Centre gathering still buzzing over Drouin's goal, Lefreniere took a pass from Mika Zibanejad and beat Montreal goaltender Jake Allen, who had no time to make the save.
"I thought about it but it was good in the end," Zibanejad said of his decision to make the cross-ice pass to Lafreniere. "I missed a couple of empty-netters so I was hoping that he didn't.
"It was a really nice play up the ice as well so I'm happy we got the win."
Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant wasn't worried about Lafreniere's scoring. In fact, he believes Lafreniere is learning a lot from being paired up with Zibanejad and Chris Kreider along New York's top line.
"He's done that in all of his career," Gallant said. "He's a first overall pick (in 2020) and he's had a great career in the (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Rimouski)," Gallant said. "He is getting better, he's playing a better two-way game and we're really happy with the progress we've made."
Gallant was happy to see Lafreniere enjoy success on a day he had circled on his calendar for a long time.
"He deserves it," Gallant said. "He's had a really good training camp, he's a really good kid and he's playing really well for us."
"Obviously he's an emotional kid and I think he felt pretty good about scoring in this building and it means a lot to him so it was fun."
New York (1-1-1) broke the ice in the second period on its fourth power-play opportunity. Lafreniere's shot deflected off Chris Kreider, then Alexander Romanov before sliding across the goal-line. Kreider was credited with the goal, his third of the season.
Christian Dvorak circled around the back of the net and found Drouin, who beat New York netminder Igor Shesterkin at 9:24 of the third.
New York's Kevin Rooney rounded out the scoring with an empty-net goal.
Shesterkin was solid in goal, stopping 31 shots while Allen made 21 saves.
The contest was the first of four straight on the road for New York. The Rangers' next three games will be against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators and Ottawa Senators.
"It's a good way to start a road trip for sure," said Lafreniere. "We're on the road for a couple of days so it's a good start and the vibe is really good."
The Canadiens are now winless in their first three games, having scored only one goal in each contest. The Habs once again failed to convert on the power play and are a dismal 0-for-11 this season.
"Today there were a lot of rebounds from (Shesterkin)," said Drouin. "He played well but there were a lot of rebounds in the slot, laying around the net and not many guys are there to capitalize on those rebounds or get that dirty goal right now.
"I think that we have shots but we need more bodies around the net."
Drouin thought his team's play was improved following road defeats against Toronto and Buffalo.
"Tonight in our neutral zone, they had to dump the puck and needed to chase it," he said. "There were no two-on-ones like in Buffalo."
"It was better. We played the game that we wanted to play but we gave up too many penalties. You can't give them too many penalties because they'll score on you."
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.