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Those 39 seconds, when the Canadiens collapsed against the St. Louis Blues, really hurt.
Sunday night at the Bell Centre, Montreal was leading, dominating 11-4 in shots after a convincing first period, and heading toward a third straight win.
Instead, the night ended in a 4-3 loss and a 15-10-3 record that leaves a slightly bitter taste.
Early in the second period, Jakub Dobes faced two pucks behind him in 39 seconds, even though the Blues would finish the game with only 18 shots total. The 24-year-old goaltender was left on his own during a sequence that changed the entire game.
Martin St-Louis absorbs the infamous “39 seconds”
This is where the video comes in. In his press conference, Martin St-Louis first believed his team had faltered over two minutes.
When a reporter told him it happened in just 39 seconds, his face said everything. No yelling, no dramatic quote – just a coach realizing how quickly his team lost its focus and repeating that he doesn’t buy the excuse of fatigue.
Here is the sequence in question below:
“Habs coach Marty St. Louis being told that his team gave up two goals in 39 seconds tonight.”
“39 seconds? Ouf, and I said 2 minutes.” – Martin St-Louis
Offensively, the heavy hitters still showed up. Cole Caufield, 24 years old, who carries a $7.85 million cap hit, added another goal to his already full resume. Lane Hutson delivered a beauty, Noah Dobson also scored, and the three continue to carry the team’s offense on their shoulders.
Early in the game, Logan Mailloux and Zachary Bolduc both took penalties, just to make the mission a little more complicated. Bolduc comes away with an assist at the Bell Centre to add to his tally of 6 goals and 6 assists this season. Mailloux, meanwhile, leaves with a quieter night and a few too many seconds in the penalty box.
Another number making noise this morning: 40.7 percent in the faceoff circle. When you let the Blues start with the puck six times out of ten, you’re automatically cutting your chances of getting back into the game.
And that’s not a question of talent – it’s a question of details. In the end, the 39-second sequence will be running on repeat until the next game.
The Canadiens remain well positioned in the standings, but that video of Martin St-Louis learning the number will stay as a very clear reminder: in this league, checking out for even one minute is already too much.
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Martin St-Louis’ reaction to the Canadiens’ 39-second collapse says everything after the loss to the Blues
Should Martin St-Louis have shaken up his lines after those catastrophic 39 seconds?