InternationalGig

Time for my three takeaways following tonight’s 4-3 win by the Montreal Canadiens over the Seattle Kraken brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud. 1. The power play is cooking The power play is suddenly hanging with the league’s elite — and it’s no coincidence that they’re 3-for-5 since Ivan Demidov joined the top unit. The Canadiens had been trying to force Zach Bolduc into that bumper role, and while he’s scored a power-play goal and looked solid there, at some point you just have to use your most talented players. Tonight’s goal couldn’t have been prettier — and Demidov didn’t even touch the puck. As teams start to game plan for him and try to take that option away, other looks are going to open up. It’s exciting to think this group of five could be driving the power play for a long, long time. Oh and the second unit scored as well... 2. Struble let's the Kraken back in the game Jayden Struble let the Kraken back into the game by trying to make a play one-on-four while the Canadiens were changing. He ended up turning the puck over and then taking a penalty. Seattle capitalized on the power play, and just like that, they were back in it. Martin St. Louis has had trouble fully trusting both Arber Xhekaj and Struble, and in this one, it was Struble who made the costly mistake. It didn’t ultimately hurt Montreal, but it made things a lot harder than they needed to be. 3. The Canadiens’ road trip was a success Heading out west has never been easy for Montreal, but the team has to be thrilled to come home with six of a possible eight points. The Edmonton game was there for the taking too, but they collapsed in the third — and some of what went wrong was out of their control. Still, with Martin St. Louis putting such a focus on starting strong, sitting first in the Atlantic Division after the opening month has to have him grinning from ear to ear. (Don't forget, all RT and engagements really helps!)