Report Cards: Penguins, Blueger Convert, Blank Hapless Habs (+)

The Montreal Canadiens had 14 shots in the first two periods yet seemed to have just as many good looks at Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry. Montreal showed all of their warts, from soft play to disorganized systems and a struggle to replace Carey Price.

The Penguins exploited all of it and snapped their three-game losing streak with a 5-0 win at Centre Bell on Thursday night.

The Penguins had 11 different players score points. Montreal swapped Cadeyn Primeau for Sam Montembeault in net for the third period.

At several points, you’re forgiven for rhetorically asking, “This team was in the Cup Final?”

Tactically, the Penguins — when they were playing hard — went back to basics. And a few players who needed to have impactful games for themselves and to preserve their roles had them, too.

“The start was really important for us tonight and to get a big goal from Sid right away, that early is huge for us,” acting head coach Todd Reirden said. “Just the way that the goal happened. Playing good defense and then when racing up the ice. That was a really good start for us and I thought that helped send us on the right direction, the right to start.”