Habs win third straight with shutout of Blackhawks

Habs win third straight with shutout of Blackhawks

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Montreal 4, Chicago 0. Only the second time this season the team has strung together three wins in a row.

Author of the article:

Pat Hickey  •  Montreal Gazette

Published Feb 14, 2023  •  Last updated 53 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

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Montreal Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron (unseen) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron (unseen) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

The Canadiens ran their winning streak to three games for only the second time this season and Jake Allen made 21 saves for the team’s first shutout as the Canadiens thumped the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 Tuesday at the Bell Centre.

Rookie defenceman Justin Barron scored the only goal in the first period, beating Jaxson Stauber with a shot from the blue line on a power play. It was his second goal in three games.

Joel Armia opened the floodgates for Montreal when he scored his fourth goal of the season at 5:45 of the third period. Armia, who was playing his second game after missing eight games with an injury, scored for the first time since two goals against St. Louis on Jan. 7. Armia went to the net and redirected a perfect pass from Jonathan Drouin.

  1. A Ukrainian Peewee team watch Montreal Canadiens right wing Evgenii Dadonov (63) during the warmup prior to the Montreal Canadiens Chicago Blackhawks NHL game at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    A Ukrainian Peewee team watch Montreal Canadiens right wing Evgenii Dadonov (63) during the warmup prior to the Montreal Canadiens Chicago Blackhawks NHL game at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  2. Montreal Canadiens centre Christian Dvorak (28) wears a Black History Month jersey during the warmup prior to the Montreal Canadiens Chicago Blackhawks NHL game at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens centre Christian Dvorak (28) wears a Black History Month jersey during the warmup prior to the Montreal Canadiens Chicago Blackhawks NHL game at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  3. Montreal Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron (unseen) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron (unseen) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  4. Montreal Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron (unseen) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron (unseen) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  5. Chicago Blackhawks centre Andreas Athanasiou (89) crashes into Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) net but the goal did not count during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Chicago Blackhawks centre Andreas Athanasiou (89) crashes into Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) net but the goal did not count during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  6. Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) and Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Connor Murphy (5) duke it out during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) and Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Connor Murphy (5) duke it out during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  7. Montreal Canadiens right wing Jesse Ylonen (56) and right wing Evgenii Dadonov (63) congratulate defenceman Justin Barron (52) on his second goal of the year against the Chicago Blackhawks during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens right wing Jesse Ylonen (56) and right wing Evgenii Dadonov (63) congratulate defenceman Justin Barron (52) on his second goal of the year against the Chicago Blackhawks during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  8. Montreal Canadiens right wing Evgenii Dadonov (63) is knocked to the ice in front of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) with defenseman Connor Murphy (5) looking on during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens right wing Evgenii Dadonov (63) is knocked to the ice in front of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) with defenseman Connor Murphy (5) looking on during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  9. Chicago Blackhawks center Andreas Athanasiou (89) is stopped by Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) on a breakaway during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Chicago Blackhawks center Andreas Athanasiou (89) is stopped by Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) on a breakaway during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  10. Montreal Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki (14) checks Chicago Blackhawks centre Philipp Kurashev (23) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki (14) checks Chicago Blackhawks centre Philipp Kurashev (23) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  11. Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) is stopped on a breakaway by Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) is stopped on a breakaway by Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  12. Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) checks Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Jack Johnson (8) after accidentally high sticking him during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) checks Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Jack Johnson (8) after accidentally high sticking him during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  13. Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) was stopped in front of the net by Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30)) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) was stopped in front of the net by Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30)) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  14. Chicago Blackhawks left wing Boris Katchouk (14) avoids the stick of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron (52) in front of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Chicago Blackhawks left wing Boris Katchouk (14) avoids the stick of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron (52) in front of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  15. Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) is crashed into by teammate Chicago Blackhawks right wing MacKenzie Entwistle (58) after being scored on by Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) is crashed into by teammate Chicago Blackhawks right wing MacKenzie Entwistle (58) after being scored on by Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  16. Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) scores on Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) scores on Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  17. Montreal Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki (14) couldn't capitalize on the loose puck in front of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki (14) couldn’t capitalize on the loose puck in front of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  18. Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) lays flat on the ice after being scored on by Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jaxson Stauber (30) lays flat on the ice after being scored on by Montreal Canadiens right wing Joel Armia (40) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  19. Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) acknowledges the crowd after a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) acknowledges the crowd after a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  20. Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) was the 1st star of the game in a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023.

    Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) was the 1st star of the game in a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday Feb. 14, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

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David Savard and Christian Dvorak added goals 52 seconds apart midway through the third period to hand Stauber his first loss in four starts.

Drouin and Evgenii Dadonov, who are auditioning for prospective employers as the trade deadline approaches, collected points. Drouin finished with three assists and has seven helpers in his last six games. Dadonov, who assisted on the opening goal, has four assists in the last three games.

The Canadiens took advantage of breaks in the first period to welcome back coach Luke Richardson and centre Max Domi. Richardson served as an assistant coach with the Canadiens for four seasons before he was hired as the Blackhawks head coach last year. Domi, the Blackhawks’ leading scorer, played two seasons for the Canadiens before he was traded to Columbus for Josh Anderson in 2020.

Earlier Tuesday, the Canadiens announced that rookie defenceman Arber Xhekaj will be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury. He injured his right shoulder in a fight with Edmonton’s Vincent Desharnais Sunday.

The Canadiens will play their next four games on the road. They visit the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday and are in Toronto on Saturday. Next week, they visit New Jersey Tuesday and Philadelphia on Feb. 24 before returning to the Bell Centre to play Ottawa on Feb. 25.

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