The five days off for the Montreal Canadiens seemed to have revitalizing effects. From the drop of the puck on Friday night, the players were engaged and eager for offence.
The first goal nearly came when Phillip Danault tipped a puck in for the first shot on Roberto Luongo, but the netminder made the save. With the top line still on the ice, the Habs weren’t going to be denied again. Pressure along the end boards from Brendan Gallagher created a turnover, and Tomas Tatar was right on the scene to open the scoring 35 seconds in.