The Canadiens were the last remaining team in the NHL without a regulation loss, but in Friday's historic rout by the Blue Jackets, the Habs looked nothing like the top team in the Eastern Conference.
The Canadiens matched their worst shutout loss in team history, losing 10-0 in Columbus, Ohio. It was the fourth 10-0 loss in franchise history.
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Al Montoya started in goal for Montreal, spelling Carey Price, but his supporting cast did little to help slow the deluge. Montreal gave up eight goals in the first two periods, four on power plays.
Sixteen Columbus players picked up at least one point, led by Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Scott Hartnell and Josh Anderson with two goals apiece. The 10 goals are a Blue Jackets franchise record.
Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves en route to his third shutout of the season. Montoya had 30 saves as well but was left in the game for all 10 of Columbus' goals.
The Blue Jackets are the first team with a 10-goal shutout since the Flames beat the Lightning in 1996.
The Canadiens dropped to 9-1-1 on the season while Columbus improved to 5-3-1.
UPDATE: The internet reaction was mostly "Why was Canadiens coach Michel Therrien so mean to Montoya?"
Wow ...10-0....Therien left Montoya in for all 10. Unless Price is hurt, that's like saying we really don't give a sh*t about you Al .
— Corey Hirsch (@CoreyHirsch) November 5, 2016
Oh, and the Patrick Roy comparisons:
Al Montoya= 1st MTL goalie with 8+ GA in a game before the 3rd period since Patrick Roy's final game as a Hab on Dec 2, 1995 (9 GA in 31:57)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) November 5, 2016
At what point does Al Montoya come over and tell Ronald Corey he's played his last game for Montreal?
— Bill Cooney (@BillCooney) November 5, 2016
al montoya should skate up to michel therrien, say he's never playing for the habs again, and demand a trade to colorado
— Jake Baskin (@baskincase) November 5, 2016
One more goal and Al Montoya gets traded to Colorado for Andei Kovalenko, Martin Rucinsky and Jocelyn Thibault
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) November 5, 2016
On RDS, Host Alain Crête to Mario Tremblay: "Would you have pulled your goalie with such a score?" Gold, Jerry. Gold.
— Richard Labbé (@Richardlabbe) November 5, 2016
See, Tremblay was the coach who let Roy take the pounding that led to his trade and . . . yeah.
Sporting News' Tom Gatto contributed to this report.