The NHL’s hottest trio was unable to provide the Canadiens with at least one point, despite a commendable effort.
Aliaksei Protas broke the tie with 8:03 left in the third period and the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal hockey club 4-3 on Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
The Tricolore fought well despite some more difficult passages. They made up for one-goal deficits three times before finally surrendering.
Juraj Slafkovsky notably fired three dangerous shots on goal late in the game, when the Canadiens were playing six against four. The first two were stopped by goalie Darcy Kuemper and the third by defender John Carlson when the Slovak thought he had an open net in front of him.
Slafkovsky was still angry with himself a few minutes later in the locker room.
“I’m not surprised he’s emotional,” head coach Martin St-Louis said. “He’s hungry, he wants to make a difference.”
Arber Xhekaj, Alex Newhook and Nick Suzuki scored for the Canadiens (22-25-8). Joel Armia had two assists and Jake Allen stopped 30 shots.
Suzuki and Slafkovsky, who had an assist, have each had points in their 10th and eighth straight games, respectively.
“It’s a line that’s brought a lot of consistency recently,” St-Louis said. “They’re three players who play with confidence, who are connected. They’re able to manage the puck in the offensive zone and provoke shots.”
Anthony Mantha and Protas each had a goal and an assist, while TJ Oshie and Sonny Milano also lit the red light for the Capitals (24-21-8). Kuemper made 28 saves.
Alex Ovechkin had his goal streak snapped at six.
The Capitals lost defenseman Martin Fehervary early in the first period. He needed help retreating to the dressing room, appearing unable to put weight on his right leg.
The Canadiens will be back in action on Wednesday when they host the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre.
Ups and downs
Mantha opened the scoring 3:40 into the game, taking advantage of a generous rebound from Allen following a long shot from Nick Jensen.
Xhekaj responded 1:24 later, beating Kuemper with a powerful one-timer.
Slafkovsky had a great chance to give the Canadiens the lead. However, he struggled to control a pass from Cole Caufield during a two-on-one attack and Kuemper made the save.
Oshie gave the Capitals the lead again at 10:00 of the first period on a power play. He scored on a quick one-timer from the bottom of the slot off a pass from Dylan Strome.
It was Oshie’s 300th career NHL goal.
The Capitals often controlled the game in the second period, but Allen kept the Canadiens in it with several good saves.
Allen notably frustrated Strome on a breakaway and Ovechkin on a shot from the slot. He was then rewarded when Newhook tied the game.
Newhook scored his first goal since Nov. 29 when his pass attempt to Joshua Roy was blocked, then he recovered the puck and beat Kuemper glove side.
Milano got the Capitals back on track, tipping a Max Pacioretty pass past Allen 3:27 into the third period.
The Canadiens responded at 9:45 on the power play. Slafkovsky tried to reach Newhook in the slot, but the puck continued to Suzuki, who beat Kuemper glove side.
Once again, the Capitals came back with 8:03 left in the third period. Nic Dowd had his first shot blocked by David Savard, then his second by Allen. Protas finally scored on the rebound.
The Canadiens’ offensive stars threatened late in the game. However, they were unable to tie the score one last time, even despite a power play during the final 1:27 of play.
