NHL: Dallas Stars at Montreal Canadiens - Source: Imagn

3 least impressive Montreal Canadiens players from 2-1 S/O loss to Dallas Stars feat. Brendan Gallagher

Modified Jan 12, 2025 05:34 GMT

The Montreal Canadiens entered Saturday night's game on home ice against the visiting Dallas Stars on an absolute heater, having won nine of their last 11 games. Meanwhile, the Stars were hot themselves, coming into Saturday night having won six straight games.

And while the Canadiens welcomed forward Patrick Laine back to the lineup, they were unable to extend their winning streak. The Stars emerged victorious with a 2-1 win via the shootout, improving their record to 27-13-1; the Habs fell to 20-18-4.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes of play in front of the sold-out crowd at Bell Centre.

The opening goal of the game was scored in the second period by Laine, who once again struck on the power-play; it was his ninth goal of the season, all of which have been scored with a member of the opposition in the penalty box.

But they couldn't protect the lead, as the Stars knotted the score just over two minutes later thanks to captain Jamie Benn.

Both clubs remained scoreless through the game's final frame and the five-minute 3v3 overtime session, setting up the shootout.

The only goal was scored by Stars forward Jason Robertson; Laine, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki were all turned aside by goaltender Jake Oettinger, who finished the game with 30 saves. Meanwhile, Sam Montembeault was also impressive, making 34 saves on 35 shots.

3 least impressive Montreal Canadiens players from 2-1 S/O loss to Dallas Stars

#1. Brendan Gallagher

One of the longest-tenured members of the Canadiens, Gallagher has not been producing at the level expected of him as one of the club's leaders.

He failed to register a single point against the Stars and also finished with a -1 rating.

With only 10 goals in 42 games, Gallagher is barely on pace to reach last season's total of 16, the lowest he's scored in a season in which he's appeared in at least 60 games since 2016-17.

#2. David Savard

Making his return to the lineup, Savard was unimpressive. Skating in only 12:56 of ice time, Savard committed three separate giveaways and didn't factor into his club's scoring.

#3. Alex Newhook

Playing in a bottom-six role with the Canadiens, Newhook didn't factor into his club's scoring against the Stars and didn't generate anything in terms of office; he also finished with a -1 rating.