Giant Slaying Habs, Halak, Take Down Capitals In Seven
by Robert L on Apr 28, 2010 10:10 PM EDT
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It's an incredible story with multiple plot twists, undercurrents, disbelief and a cast of unlikely heroes.
The Canadiens, on goals by Marc-Andre Bergeron and Dominic Moore, hung on in the dying seconds to upset the President Trophy winning Capitals.
It marks the first time an eighth seed manages to come from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the league's top club.
The story's beginning goes back seven seasons, when at the World Junior under 18 tournament, a pair of Canadiens scouts watched in amazement as Slovakian goaltender Jaroslav Halak repeatedly shut the door of Russian snipers Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkin. The impressed scouts took note, and chose Halak in the ninth round of the 2003 draft, and the rest is history. Halak gradually climbed every rung in front of him. Steeped in adverisity, and often controversy, since joining the Canadiens, Halak likely did not know how every challenge faced enable him to forge the mental fortitude that helped him rise to the top in the series against Washington. Fast foward to the present tense, he's the puck dented hero of a giant slaying series, and THE goaltending story this far in the 2010 playoffs. Although Halak was stellar, he had help from a cast of heroes, sung and unsung, who acted as a rempart around him for the final three games against the Capitals. Several transformed Canadiens players used the series to shine, and as it looks now, many of Bob Gainey's off season moves, designed to make the club a better and more resourceful playoff team, are looking quite genial. Scott Gomez, acquired just before the summer draft in a trade that received an almost unanimous thumbs down, displayed some heady playoff skills, leadership and guts against the Capitals. Often going head to head against NIckas Backstrom and the Ovechkin line, Gomez sacrifced and gave every ounce. Arriving with Gomez was an unknown quantity named Tom Pyatt, who made the team out of camp, surprising everyone with his speed and savvy. Pyatt developed into an ace penalty killer, and his Game Six work during a Capitals 5 on 3 was his moment of reckoning. Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri were signed on for their leadership and offensive capabilities, and while both are small in stature, they are proving to be huge in heart. Enough cannot be said of either. On the back end, groans could be heard upon the signing of Hal Gill, a lanky tower of a rearguard, who truly needed a season of viewing to be appreciated. Gill does nothing pretty, but he's the poster boy for trench playing playoff grit. At the trade deadline, Gainey's replacement Pierre Gauthier didn't seek out a firebomb, he simply solidified the depth on his team by picking up Dominic Moore, a responsible two way center with a decent average on faceoffs. Moore cost a second rounder, which was seen as a high price paid. He contributed the series clinching goal. It wasn't just Gainey's off season shopping that propped up the team, adversity in many forms became its friend. Injuries to key players, right out of the starting gate, kept the team challenged and tasked all season long. Unbeknownst, a refreshed Andrei markov and Cammalleri came in quite handy in round one.
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Unbelievable game and series. Nobody thought the boys had a chance in this series but they proved everyone wrong. I hope they can keep it going against the Pens. One day of rest. Hopefully they won’t be gassed.
by habsfaninboston on Apr 28, 2010 10:26 PM EDT reply actions
Agreed!
Living in Maine and dealing with all these loser Bruins fans everyday… now I have some more ammo to fire back tomorrow when I go back to work :)
I was able to watch the last three games and must admit the experience was amazing. I had tears in my eyes as my Habs beat the Caps against all odds. Granted it was just one series, but we wrote history (reminds me of the NHL Network’s commercial). The only thing I’d like to say here is that we all questioned Gainey’s work and gave him so much crap but now we need to praise him. He wasn’t the best but sure made some great decisions.
Go HABS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
one thing is for sure, Gainey brought in guys who compete and know what it takes to win. Ok, so we’re even smaller than we were before. Well, so what?
Go Habs go!!!!
Those rings that are in the pocket of Moen, Gionta, Gill and Gomez really looked like they made a difference. It’s the size of the effort not the size of the player.
Go Habs Go!
by blockersave93 on Apr 29, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Fantastic
Up and down the lineup (Max played his way to minutes at the end of games with his tenacity…a trait shared by all Habs forwards and defensemen) the boys sold out to protect the net. They out-worked the Caps in every facet of this game and a large chunk of the previous 6.
2nd round pick…I’d bet Wash would give up a first for Moore after tonight.
(Watching Bruces press conference after the game on NHL network) Really Bruce, whining about a no call on the no goal? Really? You said it would sound like I’m crying…and you are. What about the fact your entire coaching staff kept saying you didn’t need to make changes? I gave Bruce credit…not any more…he just said the Caps played a nearly perfect game (I guess because it was 1-2? So it was close?) and the Habs played a perfect game…Habs played well in all facets, but they annihilated the Caps along the wall and in the corner where work ethic is all that matters.
Heard the Devils are looking to poach Guy from the AHL, Muller is the coach in waiting everyone is ignoring. He ran the PP and I believe the PK…that’s a nice resume!
Excellent work by our boys, they earned every inch of ice and earned it. 2 days off to rest and celebrate! Ready for HNIC??? Go Habs Go!
If the Devils want Boucher, then the Habs CANNOT let him go.
by Chris Boyle on Apr 28, 2010 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed!
I want Guy to stay, but how good can Muller be as well? Guy is bringing the talent along nicely, we need to keep him. I understand that his contract allowed us right of first refusal, can anybody verify that?
by blockersave93 on Apr 28, 2010 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Halak was great, but I think I would like some coverage of the work do the defensemen in the series. The Blocked shots were absurd. 173 in 7 games? WOW.
The only problem with blocking a lot of shots is that the other team has the puck a lot. Kudos to the D-men for their grit, but that’s generally not a good sign for the team.
also
a lot of screens in front of the net in the odd case that one goes through, Halak won’t be able to see anything.
Mourning Guy Carbonneau...
Royals obscure player to watch in ST: Lenny DiNardo
by playingwithfire on Apr 29, 2010 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions
But the other team was always going to have the puck for the majority of the time.
If they were playing the Leafs and they had 40+ blocks, problem. When you are attempting to rope a dope a team that scored 100 more goals than you, then the counter punching strategy is your only chance.
It worked to perfection.
Absolutely incredible....
Huge props to the boys for sticking with the Caps. Chris- you make a fantastic point- it was the team that won this series together- not just Halak (although he certainly did his share). The commitment to defense was incredible, and the opportunistic play got them through against an incredibly tough opponent.
Here`s hoping we can make a little more history against the pens…cause that`s what les Habitants do! OLE!
Awesome
What Blockersave93 said: They damn well earned this one. Respect!
Go Habs go!
Thanks
Fell in love with this team in preseason seeing the hard work from Gionta, Pyatt and Cam…now I can salute every player on the bench for their effort.
Glad to see them continue that hard work through game 89!
Great night to be a Hab!
by blockersave93 on Apr 28, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
My Poor Heart
That was the tensest ten minutes of hockey I have watched in a long time. Great team effort all around. There is something to be said to having confidence in your goalie that allows you to play with more pressure.
I wonder if Backstrom would be up on a cross right now if he hadn’t gotten to that puck at the end.
by hab a good time on Apr 28, 2010 11:13 PM EDT reply actions
Amazing
I’ll be honest, I thought the Caps would destroy the Habs, but the Habs w/ a stronger work ethic and commitment to defense did it. Never again shall I doubt le Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.
GO HABS GO!
Los Rangers se dejen de cojudeces o mañana desayuno en el jardin.
Wow!
What an effort from the team. Everyone paid the price to win. Great series for Halak, and who wants Komisarek instead of Gill now?
I’m thrilled to see the Habs win, but I like the Caps and would prefer to have knocked off one of the other teams.
Hopefully, the guys are not totally spent when they play the Pens. I hate to give them a free pass to the next round.
great!
great series habs, the hockey fan in me hopes we go at least 6 games if not the full 7.
the pens fan on the other hand….well…..
cheers and see you on friday
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Apr 29, 2010 12:18 AM EDT reply actions
I get the feeling the Habs were running on fumes at the end, I REALLY hope that isn’t the case. One day to prepare for Pittsburgh… Game 1 all of a sudden feels like another must win. Good thing they have that mindset going in.
Bobby Mac’s son Mike, on Twitter, said that M-A Bergeron was like a placekicker. Comes on for the PP, does his job, and gets back on the bench. That’s a great analogy.
Our two goals were scored by two players who didn’t start the year with the Habs!
BTW, that was Andrei Markov’s best playoff performance since he was a young ‘in in 2002. He has consistently had disappointing playoffs, and while he wasn’t a star like he can be, he played very solid two-way hockey. I actually hope that when Spacek comes back, he plays with Andrei, although maybe Hamrlik can come back stronger with his old D partner there again.
Now we get a chance to take on the Champs. It’ll be tough… NBC has picked up the series and so we’re talking afternoon games on the weekend. I despise afternoon games, let’s hope the team can deal with that new twist/break in the routine quite well.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
i agree
while i agree on hoping both teams can handle the nooners, i am very glad nbc is picking up the games. versus…nobody watches it, nobody cares for it, and if hockey is going to get the respect it deserves, a larger north american market must be tapped.
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Apr 29, 2010 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed again
Bobby Mac’s son Mike, on Twitter, said that M-A Bergeron was like a placekicker. Comes on for the PP, does his job, and gets back on the bench. That’s a great analogy.
The reason that he can play that role is the fact that everyone has bought into the team approach. He, like every Montreal player, has a role, bought into it and worked their collective asses off.
The early games change the preparation, for both teams…hopefully the Habs can keep it going and get a split or take 2 with momentum since there is such a short turnaround.
I will disagree, great play by Laich on the 1 goal, otherwise, the boys really worked well over the last 7 minutes defensively. They didn’t look too tired…for a seventh game!
by blockersave93 on Apr 29, 2010 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Congratulations guys, few things in hockey more gratifying than seeing the Capitals lose.
Good luck against the Pens, we’ll be pulling for you.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 29, 2010 12:35 AM EDT reply actions
Amazing series
Montreal did a great job defensively. Hal Gill might skate like Hal Gill, but that reach and play in front of the net is valuable come playoff time. I miss him in Pittsburgh.
Looking forward to a great series in round two. Best of luck.
After this series
as much as I hate it, but Price’s day as a Hab might be numbered, Halak is a RFA right?
Mourning Guy Carbonneau...
Royals obscure player to watch in ST: Lenny DiNardo
by playingwithfire on Apr 29, 2010 2:33 AM EDT reply actions
Stupid move to get rid of Price considering his low price tag. You just aren’t going to find a player of his talent for $1.5-2M. Also, in Montreal we have witnessed Penney go on a great playoff run and 2 years later be out of town, as well as Theodore pulling the exact same thing Halak did in 2002 and be gone 2.5 seasons later.
You roll with both next year.
Pens Fan Here
but you guys were awesome and you should definitely have our respect as you come to the Igloo for Game 1. This Halak seems to be a giant killer so Sid the Kid and Malkin better watch themselves. Good luck to you guys and we’ll see what happens!
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Apr 29, 2010 3:17 AM EDT reply actions
making reservations for the wagon
So let me get this right?…there are no more tickets or space for me to get back on to the bandwagon?…What if I promise to not even think about my team being outgunned or overmatched?….What do you mean there still is no space sir!…Well how about this…I also promise not to curse or complain about the officiating for the rest of theplayoffs?…You will see what you can do!…Look buddy,…there are many other bandwagons with space still left on them, but truth is….okay, okay, I understand. Yes I know Montreal is a big,big city with many fickle fans far and wide, and yes I have been one of them…. Well thanks for trying, and yes I know I can still watch it on t.v.!
by cradleofhockey(n.s.) on Apr 29, 2010 5:59 AM EDT reply actions
Hawks fan here
Congrats on advancing! We have a guy over at SCH who spent some time in Montreal and predicted the Habs would win the series. I don’t really remember anyone giving him a hard time over it—personally, I was hoping he’d be right.
You guys will be playing against one goliath, though, to another— good luck with the Pens!
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
I saw last 3 game.
usually i lilke see only game where are playing Slovak´s players (because i´m sloavak too:) ) and Monteral has gaolman Jaro. All team played 3 GREAT GAME- but one of the men was best. I ´m now fewally fan Monreal good luck against pitt
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