The Montreal Canadiens play their last game before Christmas tonight when they take on the Blackhawks in Chicago.

Martin St-Louis named Cayden Primeau in front of the Habs net (14-13-5, 32 points) for this third meeting in a series of seven at opposing rinks.

Even on a team that sits second to last in the NHL standings, 18-year-old Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks in scoring (10-20-1, 21 points) with 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists). 31 games.

Another point for Bedard

The Canadians dominated the start of the game, but did not take advantage of their scoring opportunities.

The Blackhawks missed a great opportunity due to the numerical disadvantage – breakaways – and another, better one, when Cayden Primeau and then Jayden Struble stopped the puck on the goal line.

But a few seconds later, the Canadiens' defense let the Blackhawks maneuver and Ryan Donato hit the mark with a lively shot at 16:56, thanks to a nice pass from Connor Bedard.

The Habs fought back against a numerical advantage at the start of the middle period, but gave in a few moments later – goal by Jason Dickhinson – in a sequence in which the Blackhawks scored in the second wave, in a sequence in which several Canadiens players were forgotten have to withdraw.

Martin St-Louis' men responded less than a minute later when Mitchell Stephens saved a point shot from Mike Matheson at 4:20.