Montembeault shellacked, third-period meltdown, and more: 3 reasons why Montreal Canadiens lost in 7-3 blowout to Toronto Maple Leafs

The Montreal Canadiens were on the wrong end of a 7-3 shellacking against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at the Bell Centre. The Habs held a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes, only to see the Leafs score seven unanswered goals, including four in the third, to lose the game, snapping their two-game winning streak.

Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine (PPG) and Josh Anderson scored for the Montreal Canadiens. Bobby McMann, Nicholas Robertson (PPG), William Nylander, Oliver Ekman-Larsson (PPG), Auston Matthews (SHG), Steven Lorentz and David Kampf (SHG, EN) scored for the Leafs.

So, here’s a look at the three main reasons why the Toronto Maple Leafs blew out the Montreal Canadiens:

---

Three reasons why Montreal Canadiens were blown out by Toronto Maple Leafs

#3 Special teams disaster

The Montreal Canadiens’ special teams fell short of expectations. Let’s start with the power play. The Habs were 1-for-5 with the man advantage, getting a key goal from Patrik Laine, but gave up two shorthanded goals, including a rocket from Auston Matthews.

Then, the penalty kill gave up two goals, going 2-for-4 on the night. In particular, Ekman-Larsson’s goal proved to be the game-winner. All told, the Habs’ special teams were responsible for four of the seven Leafs goals.

#2 Third-period meltdown

The Montreal Canadiens had a chance to lock down the win as they entered the third period leading 3-2. However, the wheels came off in the final frame, with the Leafs scoring four goals to pull out a big win.

William Nylander tied the game on a breakaway goal 24 seconds into the period before Ekman-Larsson scored to give the Leafs the lead they wouldn't relinquish.

It’s worth pointing out that Auston Matthews’ shorthanded goal came toward the end of a 4-on-4 sequence where the Habs came close to scoring. They failed to tie the game and ended up surrendering a fifth tally.

The Leafs would tack on two more, including an empty-netter during a 6-on-4 Montreal power play, to seal victory.

#1 Montembeault shellacked

Montreal netminder Samuel Montembeault had a rough night, giving up six goals on 33 shots. Montembeault has been steady all season. Unfortunately, his defense let him down against the Leafs, failing to make plays in front of him.

The shorthanded goal by Matthews was a good example of how the Habs failed to play solid defense in front of Montembeault. Similarly, the Nylander breakaway goal started with a turnover in the Toronto zone, with Habs defenders unable to get back into the play. Nylander then made Montembeault look bad on the nifty move he made to tie the game early in the third.

Montembeault and the Canadiens will have little time to regroup, as they host the New York Rangers on Sunday night.