MONTREAL — After Saturday`s game, Jake Evans didn`t hesitate to name the Colorado Avalanche as the best team in the NHL.
An NHL scout at the Bell Centre observed that the Montreal Canadiens are a team that “will out-compete anyone in the league right now.” This came after they impressively recovered from a three-goal deficit in the third period against the formidable Avalanche, ultimately losing in a shootout.
This marked the third consecutive game where the Canadiens mounted a late comeback, but this one carried a different weight. While comebacks against teams like the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders, both playoff contenders, are notable, doing it against the Avalanche, a team geared for a deep Stanley Cup run, is a stronger statement.
The nature of this comeback was also significant. Every Canadien player responded forcefully after being under pressure from the Avalanche`s strong start and sustained intensity through the first two periods.
“We have a very confident group right now,” stated Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis. “I felt we attacked in waves in the third period. It wasn’t just one line contributing; we came with consistent pressure and caused them problems.”
