Bobby Bevilacqua

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Everyone predicted it would happen, but it was nonetheless spectacular to watch.

Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price put on a show at the Bell Centre, making spectacular save after spectacular save en route to a 3-0 Montreal win. The Canadiens (5-0-0) has won five straight games to start a season for the first time in franchise history, and the Rangers (3-2-0) have now lost two straight games after winning their first three.

It was a disappointing effort from the Rangers. While Carey Price did make a few spectacular saves, the bigger problem was the fact that they couldn’t sustain any offensive pressure. They mustered just 22 shots on goal despite five power plays. Some of the Rangers biggest stars, namely Rick Nash and Chris Kreider, really didn’t have too much of an impact.

Emerson Etem made his Rangers debut tonight, and he had a few good shifts, but went largely unnoticed. The fourth line was much better without Tanner Glass and Jarret Stoll, and they spent some time on attack as well. However, Etem had only 12 shifts, seven minutes of ice time, and 70% defensive zone shifts. He didn’t have much of a chance to prove anything.

From the start, it was clear that this would be a skating game. There was a lot of back and forth action, quick transitions, great defensive play and superb goaltending. There weren’t a lot of quality chances, but most of them were from Montreal.

This was Henrik Lundqvist’s best game this season, and in quite some time. The amount of incredible saves he made was mind blowing. He stopped Pacioretty on a few breakaways, kicked out the pads on Subban shots from the point, stopped Weise at the end of the first period, a great glove save on Galchhenyuk, robbing Desharnais with his shoulder, and catching a puck that was redirected out of midair. It was that kind of night.

👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/ZILn8zepjd

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 16, 2015

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Just 1 of #NYR @HLundqvist30‘s big saves so far tonight. #LGR pic.twitter.com/sYjVKWEKuQ

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 16, 2015

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This was one of those games where the Rangers relied way to heavily on Lundqvist, yet he still kept them in the game. The Canadiens could have easily scored five or six goals if it wasn’t for Henrik. It’s truly a shame that he didn’t get the win.

The Rangers had a good amount of shot attempts, but they were missing the net a lot, or firing it into defenders. Vigneault said the Rangers were schooled, and out played in every area. They also only generated five 5v5 scoring chances according to him.

Carey Price was also very good. While he wasn’t tested nearly as much, he still made some great saves, most notably at the end of the second period on the Rangers numerous power play opportunities. His best save came in the third period, robbing Rick Nash of his first goal.

Price save pic.twitter.com/w3ltKAodUF

— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 16, 2015

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Tomas Fleischmann broke the scoreless tie about nine minutes into the second period. Following a turnover from the fourth line, the Canadiens got the puck in the Rangers zone, and an initial shot was blocked by a defenseman. Fleischmann picked up the loose puck and snuck it past Lundqvist short side.

Dale Weise scored the back breaker in the third period, managing to surprise Lundqvist with a shot that beat him through the legs. Tomas Plekanek scored the empty netter, giving Montreal a 3-2 win.

The Rangers were 0-5 on the power play tonight, making them 0-10 in their last two games. It’s too early to call it a problem, but they certainly need to be much better than they have been this season.

New York gets two days off before taking on the Devils in a Sunday matinee matchup.

THREE STARS

1) Henrik Lundqvist – 29 SVS, .935 SV%

2) Henrik Lundqvist

3) Henrik Lundqvist… again