"Didn't feel like New York": Canadiens HC Martin St. Louis compares today's 8-2 blowout by Seattle Kraken

By ARJUN B

Modified Oct 30, 2024 05:04 GMT

The Montreal Canadiens faced a tough defeat, losing 8-2 to the Seattle Kraken at home on Tuesday. The lopsided defeat dropped the Habs' record to a disappointing 4-5-1 on the young season.

When asked about the game, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said the feeling was much different compared to last week's 7-2 drubbing on home against the New York Rangers.

"In New York, we got dominated," St. Louis said (as per translated). "Tonight didn’t feel like that. Sure, the score reflects a blowout, but it was different. You lose a face-off and it’s in the net—it’s not the same as being dominated."

The Rangers dominance was shown by spending the majority of time in the Canadiens zone and outshooting them 45 to 23.

St. Louis elaborated that the Canadiens conceded goals in various manners against Seattle. Such as losing faceoffs, missing shot blocks, mistakes on penalty kills, turnovers, a power play goal or encountering 3-on-2 situations.

He emphasized that it didn't evoke the sense of being outplayed as the Rangers game, where Montreal was completely outplayed.

"I know the score reflects that we got dominated. Some actions by some of our players cost the scoring chances. Didn't feel like the New York game to me," Martin St. Louis stated.

When asked about the home crowd's "Ole Ole" chants directed at the Canadiens late in the blowout loss, St. Louis said he understood their frustration.

"Yeah, I get it. I’m disappointed too, and I understand where they’re coming from," he remarked.

The Canadiens will look to bounce back from their second lopsided loss when they visit the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.

Martin St. Louis' evaluation of the 8-2 loss game against the Kraken

After a tough 8-2 loss, head coach Martin St. Louis said the game was hard to fully evaluate and he would need to rewatch it.

"It's a game that was hard to evaluate, I'll have to rewatch it," St. Louis said. "It's tough when you start a game like that. Is it bad luck? Not really, we didn't do our job on a faceoff. We pushed in the first, we were there. That fifth goal really hurts."

He acknowledged the team did not start well, giving up a goal on the opening faceoff, which put them in an early hole.

St. Louis decided to pull starter Sam Montembeault after leaving five goals in just 10 shots, bringing in Cayden Primeau in relief. However, he did not fault Montembeault, saying it was an unfair game for him and hoping to treat it as a one-off bad outing.

“We know it's in there. I would treat it like a one-off right now. I don't think that the game was fair for him.” Martin St. Louis said.

Overall, St. Louis remained confident in Montembeault’s ability despite the lopsided result.