Montembeault posts shutout, Laine scores again as Canadiens beat Predators 3-0
MONTREAL — Sam Montembeault stopped 29 shots and Patrik Laine scored his second goal in two games for the Canadiens to lead Montreal past the Nashville Predators 3-0 on Thursday night.
Jake Evans scored a shorthanded goal and Joel Armia added an empty net for Montreal.
Montembeault earned his third shutout this season a day after being named to Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations faceoff.
Justus Annunen made 27 saves in his first start for Nashville. The Predators, who had the second worst record in the league, lost a sixth game in a row (0-3-3).
Evans opened the scoring in the first period after intercepting a Jonathan Marchessault turnover and beating Annunen on the short side.
Laine doubled the lead at 1:14 of the third period. The Finnish sniper fired a shot over Annunen’s shoulder during a 5-on-3 power play. He came back on Tuesday after missing nearly a year due to injuries and mental health issues.
Canadiens: Montreal limited Nashville’s scoring chances all night without defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who was out due to illness. Guhle, who ranks third on the team in ice time, was replaced by Justin Barron.
Predators: Nashville went 0 for 5 on the power play and failed to capitalize on a 5-on-3 advantage for 36 seconds in the third. The Predators also announced that center Ryan O’Reilly has been dealing with a lower-body injury week to week.
Nashville’s Gustav Nyquist took a tripping penalty with 39 seconds left in the second period and Colton Sissons went to the box for interference with 4 seconds on the clock, leading to Laine’s goal in the third.
2.31 — The Predators recorded the lowest goals per game average in the NHL. Nashville, which signed Steven Stamkos, Marchessault and Brady Skjei last summer, finished 10th in goals last season (3.24).
Canadiens: Host Washington on Saturday.
Predators: Wrap up a four-game road trip Saturday against Ottawa.
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