Game recaps, plus updates on Radim Vrbata, Morgan Rielly, Clarke MacArthur and more in your NHL Canadian Corner.
Game recaps.
Canadiens goalie Carey Price makes makes one of his 38 saves against the Blues.
MONTREAL GAZETTE/STLTODAY.COM: Carey Price had a 38-save shutout performance, Max Pacioretty tallied his fifth goal of the season and Alexander Semin netted his first as the Montreal Canadiens blanked the St. Louis Blues 3-0. The Habs sports a 7-0-0 record, tops in the NHL. Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko’s point streak was snapped at six games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Price was definitely the difference in this one. The Blues dominated the game until Semin’s goal made it 2-0, after which the momentum turned.
THE WASHINGTON POST/CALGARY HERALD: Nicklas Backstrom scored twice and Alexander Ovechkin collected his 900th career point as the Washington Capitals downed the Calgary Flames 6-2. The loss marked the first time in franchise history the Flames dropped their first four home games in a season. Earlier in the day, former Flames winger Curtis Glencross announced his retirement
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Glencross is only 32, but the combination of his injury history, declining numbers and marginal increase in the salary cap left him an unsigned free agent. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors.
Notable headlines.
THE VANCOUVER SUN: Radim Vrbata is being reunited with the Sedin twins on the Canucks top line. It’s hoped the move will jump-start Vrbata’s production. He’s been held scoreless in the club’s first six games.
TORONTO STAR: After all the controversy the Maple Leafs went through in 2014-15, defenseman Morgan Rielly hopes the club can be boring this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, Rielly’s hoping the club avoids the drama of last season in order to focus on its rebuild this season. Considering what they went through last season, who can blame him for wanting things to be quieter?
OTTAWA SUN: Senators forward Clarke MacArthur and defenseman Marc Methot are both sidelined by concussions.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers call-up Andrew Miller will play on the club’s top line with Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in their upcoming game against the Detroit Red Wings.
WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets’ early-season defensive game isn’t where it needs to be.
The front office has done a good job with this, taking focus away from players like Rielly, keeping expectations low at every opertunity. Scorched earth pain plans and all the other buzz words they use has kept the buzzards at bay for now. Rielly may get his wish.
Going to be interesting to see if that line of Holland Boyes and Matthais develops some chemistry. Big line all can skate and at times have showed some touch.
semin is gonna turn out to be a great signing for montreal playing with 2 hard working guys like eller and galchynuk will hide his warts I didn’t realize how good of a passer he is