Game 21 Recap: Bruins squeeze out 1-0 win over Habs
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Nov 21, 2011 10:31 PM EST
in Habs Game Recaps
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PrintThe Montreal Canadiens were able to snap a New York Rangers winning streak on Saturday, but would not be as fortunate against the Boston Bruins. The defending Stanley Cup champions extended their winning streak to 9 games, with a 1-0 win over the Canadiens.
The Canadiens dominated the Bruins for the majority of the game in pretty much every category; Hits, Faceoffs, SOG, Corsi, Fenwick, you name it.
But in a game where a single bounce can change the outcome, the Bruins got theirs at 15:41 of the opening period.
After Yannick Weber whiffed on a cross ice pass in the offensive zone, the Bruins quickly regained possession. As the play transitioned from the Boston end, Lars Eller upended Dennis Seidenberg, leaving both players out of the play and the Canadiens on a delayed penalty. The play worked up ice and some slick passing between Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley set up Andrew Ference's second goal of the season.
The Bruins goal snapped Carey Price's shutout streak of 148 minutes and 11 seconds.
The Canadiens maintained their dominance, and drew a pair of penalties from former Canadiens bust Benoit Pouliot. Unfortunately both man advantage situations, including a four-minute high stick call that bled into the third period, were fruitless.
The Bruins were held to just a pair of shots on goal through the fist dozen minutes of the third period. While on the defensive, the B's rearguards kept the shooting lanes to a minimum. On nights like that, Tim Thomas' unpredictable style is all that's needed to preserve a win. The Bruins netminder has three shutouts in a 6-game personal winning streak.
"We didn't bear down on the chances we got," said Habs forward Lars Eller of Thomas. "He was solid from start to finish."
The Canadiens had one last stab at it, with a power-play and Price out of the net. It would be to no avail, and eyes were raised as to the choices Jacques Martin fielded following a timeout. The absence of P.K. Subban was one thing noted, but Martin was not approached on his decisions in the post-game briefing.
The Habs now embark on a two-game road trip, starting Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
GAME NOTES:
Scott Gomez was caught following up on what would be the winning goal, and had 5 shots that missed the net.
Erik Cole seems to get better and better as the season progressed. The big winger won battles in the corners and had five hits and a team-leading 6 shots on goal. "He's been great, he's a lot more comfortable," Price said of Cole. "He's really stepping up."
Both teams played it smart and stayed out of the sin bin, Pouliot aside. The Canadiens killed their lone penalty
Alexei Emelin was a wrecking ball yet again, and even impressed the Bruins play-by-play team. His hit on Pouliot led to the latter's retaliation penalty.
The Canadiens spread their 31 shots around, with five players having 3 or more cracks at Thomas.
The bulk of the Bruins 18 shots were kept to the perimeter through the game, but Price had to look sharp, especially against Milan Lucic, in the third period, when it appeared the Bruins were going for the kill midway into the period.
Noted by TSN990 - Opposing goaltenders really seem to be enjoying it in Montreal this season.
Game's Three Stars: 1. Tim Thomas 2. Carey Price 3. Alexei Emelin
Advanced Stats: Shift Charts / Head to Head / Corsi & Fenwick
Winning reaction from Stanley Cup of Chowder
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“Noted by TSN990 – Opposing goaltenders really seem to be enjoying it in Montreal this season.”
Dunno about that. Montreal is really making them work up a sweat. Quite a few have been force to have an out-of-this-world game to save their teams from a bad loss.
That was what they were getting at actually. It appears to be bringing out the best in them.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Nov 21, 2011 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
Scoring chances on net were 14-4 according to NHL.com.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 21, 2011 10:41 PM EST reply actions
Crosby had 8 of his own in his game.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Nov 21, 2011 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Is this a Pens blog???
Until it’s the wold championships or olympics…give it a rest. CROSBY IS THE OPPOSITION!
Per NESN the B’s had 13 scoring chances from 18 shots…homer-much?
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
Nothing wrong with admiring the best player in the game. And yes, NESN is a homer network.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 21, 2011 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
To a point…but when Marty came back after injury none of this occurred. I’m a Habs fan not a Crosby, Datsyuk, Ovie, Sedin, Thomas fan.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
Brodeur? In the twilight of his career?
We’re talking about the best player the game has seen since Lemieux, coming back from a career threatening injury. It’s a worthy topic for any discussion forum, not just Penguins blogs.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 21, 2011 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously? If Crosby retired now, would he be a HOF? Marty was and is.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Not wanting to get into a big thing, but IT’S A FUCKING PENGUIN? Defend him all you want, but everyday I’ll hate him like I hate every player every day of the week who doesn’t wear Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.
You can choose to only hate him Saturday if you’d like.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
Did someone piss in your beer last night?
Seriously, since when is it illegal to express one’s opinions on another player, regardless of team.
Even though I love the Habs, one of my all-time favourite players growing up was Bobby Orr. Care to comment/debate me on that?
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Nov 22, 2011 7:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I wont debate you on that comment
Just smile and nod…just like there have been a few players for the Habs that I have enjoyed. One I am looking forward to is that Yemelin defenceman…he looked really good last night.
They did it for Savy, they did it for Horton, they did it for each other, they did it for us. I give you the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions....The Boston Bruins!!
Nice to see you Bruins fellas around here.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously? If Crosby retired now, would he be a HOF?
People outside of Pittsburgh would argue for it.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Nov 22, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
NESN is a homer network.
You’re goddamn right it is, and I love every minute of it.
Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Nov 22, 2011 9:46 AM EST up reply actions
Since St-Denis has been in the lineup, the Habs have had two games where they allowed under 20 shots, and 3 games allowing 1 goals or less, out of four.
Pretty impressive for a 12th D on the depth chart.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 21, 2011 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
I saw someone had called him Gorges-lite and I can’t say I disagree much.
by Simon Lamarche on Nov 21, 2011 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
That’s been the scouting report on him since the Canadiens signed him.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 21, 2011 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t beleaguer the point, but why would we not trade Georges and keep St Denis if his play continues? Similar stay at home but slightly bigger. With injuries, that may be a decision at trade deadline.
I love Josh, but he maybe a tradeable piece if all our players are healthy come March.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
Because Gorges is playing against top competition and St. Denis is being sheltered.
St. Denis is getting credit, because he was expected to suck, not because he’s lighting it up.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 21, 2011 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
Same here. Considering trading Gorges based on St. Denis playing a solid 13 minutes a night against weak competition is nutso.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 21, 2011 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
What would be nutso would be not using our depth at D to get scoring if Cam continues to sputter and AK is hurt for a while (or disappears as too frequently is the case). We have how many D in our pipeline? And we wouldn’t lose a ton if our young D keeps progressing.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
Trading a top 4 defenseman because a fringe NHL player isn’t getting embarrassed is not a smart move.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 21, 2011 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
In 40 games of continued good play? With our drafting not bringing in a ton of scoring? That is very short sighted.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
Trading a proven top end player based on half a season, which St. Denis will not get btw, is what’s short sighted.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t disagree, just putting that out there. I’d rather keep him…but if after 40 more games, St Denis is playing well and we need a forward, we may have to trade a valuable piece.
As a cheap 6th D if PK, Markov, Campoli, Diaz, Gill and Emelin are playing well…we have some players to pay over the next 2 years…
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
St-Denis cannot replace Gorges in any way shape or form at this point in his career and likely not ever.
Gorges is easily a top-4 D-man. If anything the Habs need one more of him to play with Markov.
Seriously, 6th dman, not top 4. Georges replacement would be Emelin. Bigger with more offense upside…if ever given the opportunity.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
To be fair, I thought Gorges was bottom-pairing until I got into microstats.
It didn’t help that the Habs were terrible up until then. I associated Gorges non-offense and situational usage with him “always being stuck in his own end”. Turns out he was in his own end so often because the Habs sucked terribly.
Not what I said at all, St Denis as 6th. Emelin, Campoli and future D-men would replace him.
if in 40 games everyone is healthy, but all the kids are playing well, why pay Josh 3+ mil (market defines price) when a cheaper option is there.
Again, I threw it out hypothetical as the kids are playing well and there are some decisions to be made unless Gomez is unloaded in some way.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
I see what you mean now. But I think gambling on Emelin or Tinordi ever becoming as good as Gorges is a long shot.
A gamble worth taking given a solid forward in return? Again, very hypothetical seeing that our D can’t stay healthy.
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
No one is untouchable based on return, but you’re never going to recoup Gorges’ value in a trade.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
Assuming no major changes to the CBA*, the Habs should be alright cap-wise with Gomez provided Price and Subban don’t make more than $10 million combined, Emelin and Gorges make $5.5 million combined or less, and Kostitsyn clocks in at under $4 million. Eller not getting any powerplay time and having terrible puck luck should also see his salary pretty low for the next season or two.
That said, I would like to see Gomez moved in the off-season. if the Habs could pick up a very good #3 defenseman and a good 3rd-line centre to replace Gomez. Gomez’ contract isn’t pretty but I don’t see it as a boat-anchor.
*Not a safe assumption with the way non-baseball sports CBA negotiations have gone the past 7 years or so. With nothing else really to operate under though that’s what I’m assuming until there are changes.
I like the scenario! All I hope for is that we don’t have to get into a spot that we could lose someone because we are up against the cap. Georges is worth 3 mil Period…and would be a valuable asset for a few cups!
I just hope the money works out. If we are given a walk from Gomer, we will be golden!
by blockersave93 on Nov 21, 2011 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
I refuse to believe that this will continue. The Habs are currently sixth in 5-on-5 GF/GA ratio. Since the lockout only 4 teams that finished in the top ten of that stat have missed the playoffs and none in the last three seasons.
The reason for the first two missing was bad special teams
Florida was -38
Toronto was -27
Carolina and Buffalo were just unlucky, -5 and 0 special team goal ratio respectively and both with a positive overall goal differential . Boston at -10 goal differential somehow made it in, although the Habs made a nice -24 contribution to Boston’s goal differential that year so maybe they weren’t as bad as it looks.
It’s ridiculous. There are 15 teams with 5-on-5 ratos above 1. 14 of them are top 15 in point percentage (Pittsburgh at 4 is the anomaly). Montreal is TWENTY-THIRD.
At this rate Montreal might end up as almost as much of a nightmare 8th seed as Chicago was last season.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 22, 2011 2:36 AM EST up reply actions
I'll settle for that
Right now, I’m worried about a nightmare 9th+ seed.
Tyler Myers down with a fractured wrist is good and bad. Bad that the B’s may win Wednesday, good as we should be able to catch up with Buf in the standings.
Tyler Myers is also not very good this year. Last I checked he was getting shredded in possession.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
Here’s the best example of that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzpuToJnF8s
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Nov 22, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
HAHAHAHA
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks For Nothing NBC/Versus...
for changing the Habs-Bruins game to the crummy Pens-Isles game so Pierre McGuire could exercise his man-crush on Sidney Crosby.
Nothing Is Fool proof if you have the right fools.
No kidding.
First post, relatively new Habs fan from Albany, NY. Been going to one game a year for the last four years or so.
Was at the Ranger game Saturday during my annual trip to Montreal. Excited Monday to see Habs-Bruins listed then pissed it was switched to the Penguins. I don’t get any Canadian channels here in Albany with Verizon, so anytime the Habs are on it’s a bit of a treat.
Just found the site. Enjoy reading what you guys have to say. Don’t know much hockey having grown up in Orlando, FL (the Solar Bears are coming back soon). Picked the Canadiens as my team after moving up 10 years ago. Now I’m as interested in them as any other pro or college team I grew up with.
Take it easy on the newbie…
Nice to have you around. New people are always welcome and if you’re still learning the game almost all of our frequent commenters as well as our contributors are willing to answer any questions you might have!
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
So looks like I was right, Olivier has the scoring chances 20-7 for Montreal last night.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 12:16 PM EST reply actions
You people and your fancy schools teaching you your fancy counting and addition. They don’t teach you to use your gut in kindergarten.
I feel like I watched a different game and I don’t know why. It’s not as if I was upset or devastated by the Habs losing to the Bruins either. The game ended, I read through and posted a few comments, and then went onto other things as usual. Weird.
Getting used to disappointment?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Not really.
The lockout and the way the league handled the Chara hit has really changed how I follow hockey. Then there’s a discomfort I have with the mainstream culture of the game in Canada. At this point I basically follow the Habs and then microstats as more of an interesting intellectual exercise.
When watching the Habs I’m more distant or methodical than I have been in the past. The last time I remember being genuinely angry/upset/giddy/elated for a fair while after a match was the 8-6 goon game against the Bruins. I didn’t watch the next Habs-Bruins game (which means I didn’t see the hit on Pacioretty live) because I didn’t like the goonery in the previous game and after the non-suspension I didn’t watch a hockey game until game 1 of the playoffs.
The great irony in my diminishing interest in hockey is that I’m following soccer a lot more than I did even a couple years ago. A sport whose international governing body is worse than the NHL at its worse, many areas of the game having problems with ultra-nationalist fans, and then there’s (explicit) racism still in some areas of the game. I’m embracing my inner hypocrite I guess. Though for all the problems soccer has it does have a more open system than the cartels in North America and FIFA only has slightly more power than the IIHF if you discount the World Cup.
a) What do you mean by mainstream culture of the game in Canada?
b) I was at the 8-6 game last year. A Boston based vendor of ours invited us to their box for the game, so I watched it from that vantage point with about 20 people. A lot of which had never been to a game before. They all had a great time, needless to say, being more interested in as many fights and goals as possible. I had to explain it’s rarely like that.
It's time to kick ass and chew gum.
a) Labeling players because of their country of origin rather than what they actually do (or a faux-country of origin for those especially intellectually lazy), the constant boasting of Canada’s position in the hockey world even (that’s more of a it doesn’t fit my personality thing) despite the gap being continually closed by other countries – it isn’t the 1920s anymore), and the celebration of what I would call violence (“finishing your checks”, fighting) over the moments of brilliance.
I’ve watched UFC and decided it wasn’t for me, tried boxing for a bit and came to the same conclusion. When it comes down to it, I watch sports for the moment of brilliance like Lionel Messi dribbling through half a team and scoring or Ovechkin’s behind the head goal against Phoenix.
Watching a bunch of guys not all that good at fighting decide to fight, people “finishing their check” a second after the puck is gone, or trying to put another player in the hospital with a huge hit isn’t what I want out of a sporting event. I watch for the skill much more than the brawn and perhaps that’s a direction hockey in North America just doesn’t want to move into. It’s probably more of a me problem than the sport’s problem just like I don’t go out of my way to watch UFC or boxing.
I think a lot of fans are in a bit of lethargy right now. Watching a good team lose is hard to get engaged with. Wins engage and a bad team at least deminishes your expectations. Good teams losing are just disheartening because you expect better.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 22, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
Put it this way, if Weber doesn’t whiff/stick didn’t crack, maybe he scores. Instead the Bruins got the puck and ….
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Nov 22, 2011 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
I have to imagine that after this same situation playing out like 5 times already this year, that no one really has an explanation.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
There is an explanation. The problem is that people who’re willing to accept “variance on low sample size” as an explanation are few and far between.
Yes, true.
The crappy part is we don’t have a way of knowing when or if that variance will turn around, after all a whole season can be considered a small sample size.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 22, 2011 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
Call 911?
Had to do it before Leafs fans came trolling…
by Simon Lamarche on Nov 22, 2011 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
PK was not out there in the final minutes because he made another poor decision and gave the puck up behind Montreal’s net in the 3rd period. It almost cost Montreal a goal. To say the least, Subban has been struggling this year.
Except the part about constantly dominating the toughest matchups, he’s really sucked. ;)
by MathMan on Nov 22, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Boone noted that he thought maybe Subban was tired, and Martin chose to keep him off.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Nov 22, 2011 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think Subban has ever been tired from playing under 22 minutes. The kid is a horse.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 23, 2011 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
Hm. He did have over 2 minutes of ice time from 15:00 to 18:00 and more than 7:00 overall so maybe Martin had to spell him.
That and Weber/Plekanec are used to play together in PP situations and are pretty good at holding the line and thus Martin may have tought that getting Gionta with DD’s line down low was a better way to go for it.
I can see the logic.
We’ve seen PK taking REALLY deep breaths a few times this season. Shots of him on the bench, bent over looking for air. Maybe the coach is trying to get as much as he can from him and sometimes goes just over his limit…
I haven’t seen a shot of him on that play, maybe if someone has it PVR’d he could go look!
by Simon Lamarche on Nov 23, 2011 1:00 AM EST up reply actions
If there weren’t two time outs being called in a row I’d see the logic, but they were having trouble gaining the line too.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 23, 2011 2:40 AM EST up reply actions
All I know is the more PK plays, the happier I am.
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Nah, he’s just awesome.
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by Bruce Peter on Nov 23, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
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