Hidden Game: Despite two disallowed goals, Canadiens beat Blackhawks

This edition of the Hidden Game is dedicated to the NHL’s Situation Room — a.k.a. the league’s central review hub — located in Toronto, better known as the centre of the universe.

The Canadiens met the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at the Bell Centre in what should have been a marquee Original Six matchup. But if it felt like the game had no pace … well … it didn’t. Three times apparent goals were challenged — twice by the visitors — and on each occasion the scores were disallowed.

It got to the point where every time the Canadiens scored, it felt like Chicago head coach Jeff Blashill was going to challenge the play. We’re used to such stoppages from years of covering the CFL where, it seems, every exciting play is nullified by a penalty. Don’t get us started.

Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson were denied goals because of plays that were deemed to be offside. It would have been Gallagher’s third goal this season; Anderson’s seventh. And it saved us from referring to Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight as the sieve of the night, since he, otherwise, would have allowed two goals on consecutive shots in a span of 53 seconds in the third period.

The Blackhawks on Tuesday in Toronto allowed two third-periods goals — incredibly — in an eight-second span, both of which counted. Those came against Knight as well.

Strange, but true (Part I): Chicago scored on its first shot, but the Canadiens challenged and it was determined Ilya Mikheyev interfered with goalie Jakub Dobes. The visitors scored a second time on their opening shot, by Frank Nazar. This time, it counted.

Strange, but true (Part II): While the Canadiens won both games this season against Chicago, that hasn’t always been the case. The Blackhawks are now 16-7-3 against Montreal, including 8-3-2 at the Bell Centre.

We don’t want to say they’re a one man team … but they are: Chicago is attempting to remain competitive without Connor Bedard, the first overall draft choice in 2023. Bedard is Chicago’s leading scorer, with 19 goals and 44 points in 31 games. He missed his third successive game with a shoulder injury. The Blackhawks haven’t won without him and are now on a four-game losing skid. Over his career, Chicago’s record is 3-13-1 without its franchise player.

We love physical players: The game wasn’t even two minutes old before Jayden Struble demolished Artyom Levshunov with a heavy hit.

This close: Anderson’s tip-in shot struck the post in the game’s third minute. One minute later, Cole Caufield’s wrap-around play also struck the post.

Like watching paint dry: Almost six minutes had elapsed before the game’s opening shot — by Alexandre Texier.

How not to backcheck: Juraj Slafkovsky has been one of the Canadiens’ better players since being teamed with rookies Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov. But he lost his check on Chicago’s opening, and only, goal.

Pass of the night: Caufield to Zachary Bolduc on the Canadiens’ opening goal.

News you need (Part I): While it was Bolduc’s eighth goal this season, it was his first on home ice. It felt so good, he added another one on Montreal’s first shot of the third period.

In case you were wondering: Goalie Samuel Montembeault, sent to AHL Laval earlier this week on a conditioning assignment, allowed four Cleveland goals on 24 shots Thursday night during a 5-2 road loss. But the Rocket is without suspended forwards Laurent Dauphin, Alex Belzile and Joshua Roy. We can’t imagine this kind of performance will get Montembeault back on track. On the other hand, he probably was in a no-win situation, all things considered.

Another 300 bucks down the drain: No, we’re not talking about spectators in the reds. Instead, late in the first period, Noah Dobson teed-up a shot, only to have his stick shatter. Bring back the CCM wood sticks.

Best trip while sliding: Dobson in the second period. He was penalized.

Great moments in officiating: It appeared Slafkovsky beat Wyatt Kaiser to the puck in the same period, but it was called icing.

Next time, get out of the way: With the Canadiens on the power play in the second period, a Caufield shot hit Nick Suzuki at the side of the net. Otherwise, it might have gone in.

News you need (Part II): Through 40 minutes, Caufield had three shots — and five missed shots.

No harm, no foul: There was no scoring in the second period, also known as the Canadiens’ Bermuda Triangle. Their goal deficit in the period remains at 46-34.

What does a guy have to do to score?: Owen Beck, still seeking his first NHL goal, appeared to have one midway through the third period, tipping a Dobson pass from behind the net. But Dobson also proceeded to the front of the net and, as of Thursday night, still was officially credited with the goal.

Quick stats: Slafkovsky and Demidov each had five shots. Caufield had four shots. Beck and Joe Veleno each had four hits. Arber Xhekaj had three hits, as did Struble, despite playing only 10:26. Lane Hutson, who had three assists, played 26:19. Gallagher played only 10:20. Dobes’ save percentage was .933. He faced only 15 shots. The Canadiens won 66 per cent of their faceoffs and outhit Chicago 21-14.

They said it: “Obviously, it’s tough when goals get called back,” Hutson said. “But the feeling on the bench is let’s just get the next one. We have a pretty resilient group. We didn’t take our foot off the gas.”

“I’m going to have to eat one off the face, I think,” Beck quipped. “Right spot and hopefully it goes in. I do want to say I think I saw my tape touch it when I watched it back, but if it’s not official I can’t take credit for it. I guess I’ll just have to wait a little longer, maybe.”

“Obviously, it’s good for the team,” Dobes said. “When you don’t shoot you can’t score. I try to stay active behind the net and help the guys out. I try to be engaged as much as possible. Whatever works. I’m a professional. Every situation I’ve got to handle to help the team win.”

“We stood up as a team and showed that we had character tonight,” Bolduc said. “I’ve been waiting for that (home goal). It feels good to put that one behind me and just look forward to score more goals here in Montreal.”

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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