Call of the Wilde: Montreal Canadiens fall to Blackhawks in Chicago

The final stops this weekend on a strong road trip. After wins against the Panthers, Lightning, and Golden Knights, it was supposed to be easier against the Blackhawks in Chicago. However, sports doesn’t always go according to plan.

Montreal had to make sure that they didn’t let down. Playoff spots are not won by teams who don’t beat the teams that they are supposed to, but that’s what happened in a 4-2 Hawks win.

Wilde Horses 

The Canadiens had a wide shot advantage. Many aspects of their game were strong, but they lacked finish, and that was the difference. The 40 shots translated into only two goals.

The Goals Expected Shot Share was in Montreal’s favour, so there’s not a lot to complain about, but not much to get excited about either considering the heat map meant nothing in the final result.

Cole Caufield counted in the first with a gorgeous goal scorer’s goal. Caufield took the puck from the side of the net, then kept going until he suddenly was all alone in front of the net, then he fired a perfect shot upstairs for his 20th of the season. That’s a 43 goal campaign at present pace.

In the third period, Emil Heineman showed his goal scoring talent again. A puck came off the back dasher high into the air, and Heineman smartly waited it to be waist high where he batted it perfectly out of the air for his tenth of the season.