Montreal Canadiens forward Phillip Danault rewarded teammate Jake Evans with a bottle of wine after Evans passed up an empty-net scoring chance to gift Danault his first goal of the season during a 5-2 victory against the Dallas Stars. The gesture highlights the chemistry inside the Canadiens locker room as the team rides a five-game winning streak.
Montreal Canadiens Defeat Dallas Stars 5-2
The Montreal Canadiens secured a 5-2 victory against the Dallas Stars in Dallas, extending their recent run of strong form. Journalist Karine Hains reported that during the closing moments of the game, the Stars pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker in a final offensive push.
Jake Evans 🤝 Phillip Danault pic.twitter.com/aUYK9hZ3PP
On that late sequence, Jake Evans intercepted the puck from Mikko Rantanen and skated clear on a breakaway alongside Phillip Danault. Rather than scoring the easy empty-net goal himself, Evans passed the puck to Danault, allowing the center to register his first goal of the season.
Phillip Danault Gifts Bottle of Wine to Jake Evans
To express gratitude for the selfless play, Phillip Danault presented Jake Evans with a bottle of wine, as revealed by journalist Karine Hains on social media. Hains posted on X that leaving Danault to score his first goal of the season into an empty net yields a bottle of wine, confirming Evans received one.
At age 33, Danault has recorded one goal and five assists through 14 games, accumulating 132 career goals over 800 games.
Team Chemistry and Recent Results Propel Montreal
The Montreal Canadiens carry an 8-1-1 record over their last ten games into Tuesday’s matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. In a subsequent 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, both Danault and Evans contributed an assist, with Evans finishing the night with a plus-four rating.
Danault plays an indispensable defensive role, anchoring penalty-kill units, excelling on faceoffs, and providing reliable defensive coverage. Evans has added two goals this season, including a shorthanded marker.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the play happen?
The sequence occurred last Thursday during the final moments of Montreal’s 5-2 victory against the Dallas Stars when Dallas pulled its goaltender for an empty-net situation.
What are the Canadiens’ upcoming schedule details?
The Montreal Canadiens host the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday to protect a five-game winning streak.
What are Phillip Danault’s career totals?
Phillip Danault has scored 132 career goals across 800 games.