Jaroslav Halak returns to Bell Centre to shut out Montreal Canadiens as St. Louis Blues win 3-0 -NHL
The Montreal Canadiens looked to have built up some form in their previous two games as they won both encounters, but their two game winning streak was snapped after a 3-0 shutout by St. Louis Blues, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Tuesday,
January 9, 2012.
The Canadiens have had an embarrassing 2011 season as they are closer to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with a poor 16-19-7 record and just 39 points.
Usually the Canadiens are expected to be at the top of the table or thereabouts, but the 24-time Stanley Cup winners have failed to perform consistently this time around.
Jaroslav Halak, who joined St. Louis Blues from the home side, was the star as he shutout his old team in his first return to the Bell Centre.
Blues extended their winning run to four games in a row to remain second in the Western Conference, with a 25-12-5 record and remain just two points behind the conference toppers, Vancouver Canucks.
"Usually when you play on the road you don't come out as a star, so they told me to stay there and come out", Halak said.
"It felt great to come out and get the ovation from all the people".
Canadiens' defenseman, Hall Gill, commended the Blues on their effort and praised their work effort.
"They're a good team and they came hard and forced us into bad spots. I think we did some good things but we have to do a lot more of the better things, a lot more winning battles, a lot more support. It's a simple game that they play but it's a deliberate
game and it's a hard game, and we didn't match that the way we should have".
The game was equally matched in the first period with both teams failing to beat the goaltenders.
St Louis Blues made the breakthrough in the second period at 9:51 with Jason Arnott beating Carey Price.
Price made 22 saves during the game but could not keep the Blues out of his net at crucial moments.
David Backes made it 2-0 for St. Louis at 14:58, scoring on a rebounded shot to beat Price from point-blank range.
The Canadiens tried their best to beat their ex-goalies, but all their efforts were in vain as Halak stood strong to secure the second shutout of this season.
Halak made brilliant close range saves from Canadiens' forward, Tomas Plekanec, along with managing to keep Mathieu Darche out of his range.
The Blues put the game to rest at 12:56 in the third period with Chris Stewart scoring the winner and giving the Blues a well deserved 3-0 win over Canadiens.
St. Louis will take on Western Conference's table toppers, Vancouver Canucks, on Thursday, and will look to win the game to take the pole position.
Canadiens may very well face another disappointing night, coming face-to-face with the defending Stanley Cup champions and arch-rivals, Boston Bruins, the same day.
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