Canadiens’ Alex Newhook critiqued after scoring twice in Game 2 win
The Montreal Canadiens needed a fast response after dropping Game 1 of the NHL second-round series, and Alex Newhook delivered it within 96 seconds. Newhook scored twice in Montreal’s 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night, helping the Canadiens even their Eastern Conference series at 1-1 before the matchup shifts to the Bell Centre. The 25-year-old winger opened the scoring by slipping behind coverage and redirecting a Kaiden Guhle pass past Alex Lyon just 1:36 into the first period.
He struck again early in the second, finishing a Jake Evans feed seconds after Buffalo failed on the power play. MORE: Macklin Celebrini omission ‘highway robbery’ after Hart Trophy finalists reveal The performance gave Montreal the secondary scoring it desperately needed while stars Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky continue to search for offense. Caufield is now without a point in five straight games, while Slafkovsky has one assist in his last eight outings.
Still, Newhook’s night sparked debate away from the scoresheet. Former NHL forward T. J.
Oshie criticized Newhook’s solo celebration after the opening goal. “Love Newhook going to the hard areas and getting rewarded. But… I cannot stand these kids scoring goals and then blatantly skating by their teammates to celebrate alone,” Oshie wrote.
“If you go through 5 guys and score then go ahead and do your thing. Any other scenario give your teammates some love. Especially in playoffs!