Playoff Hopes Live as Habs Defeat Leafs
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 21, 2012 10:34 PM EST
in Habs Game Recaps
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Losing back to back games on the weekend, and salvaging one point in two games would pretty much have been the death-nail for the Montreal Canadiens playoff hopes.
Instead they come away with three points, after a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Having lost their first two meetings, and coming off a 5-4 loss Friday to the Pittsburgh Penguins, a win at the ACC seemed to be a tough challenge.
The Habs were up to the task tonight, moving up two points while keeping the Leafs at bay in their own chase for a playoff spot.
The Canadiens opened the scoring at 18:26 of the first period when Rene Bourque scored his first goal, in a Habs uniform, snapping a shot over the shoulder of Jonas Gustavsson.
Before the Habs could celebrate though, the Leafs quickly responded. Pressing on the forecheck, Josh Gorges and P.K Subban ere both caught pinching. That left the speedy Matthew Lombardi to move in on Carey Price, tying the game at 18:55.
After a scoreless second period, the Canadiens offense took over scoring twice on their six shots of the period. With ex-Habs defenseman Mike Komisarek giving a perfect screen, Raphael Diaz slapped in the game winner at 3:29.
The Leafs made it intreresting with 11 shots at Price, who held his ground in a 32-save evening.
Lars Eller added an insurance goal at 11:25 to close out the scoring.
The Canadiens power play remains what it was, going 0-for-3 on the night. They were also dominated heavily in the face-off circle by a margin of 41 to 23.
Alexei Emelin cranked out five hits, including a solid one on Joey Crabb, who may have regretted taking a run at the Russian Bulldozer earlier on the night.
The Canadiens now return home, where five of their next six games will be at the Bell Centre. They host the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, their lone game before the All-Star break.
Start the trade rumors for either club as Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman was in attendance.
Three Stars: 1. Carey Price 2. Matthew Lombardi 3. Lars Eller.
Advanced stats: Shift Charts / Head to Head / Corsi and Fenwick
Game Highlights
There were lots of F bombs being dropped at Pension Plan Puppets during their game thread, so I can imagine it's getting worse.
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Elle now with the 4th most goals amongst Habs this year.
Writer for http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/
by Stephan Cooper on Jan 21, 2012 11:23 PM EST reply actions
There were a bunch of screw ups on the Toronto goal but it is impressive that Subban almost caught one of the leagues’ best skaters on a breakaway. There is a reason he can take more risks than most defensemen.
Writer for http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/
by Stephan Cooper on Jan 21, 2012 11:43 PM EST reply actions
I was wondering why the CBC’s story seemed to be the Leafs’ speed in a game against the Habs then remembered that Montreal had played last night.
Well, that and the invincible Monster.
The monster
I heard the colour commentator talk about “the monster” far too many times…how they can credit a mediocre, unproven goaltender with such a badass nickname is beyond me. The worst part was when he actually refered to him as “monster”.
Montreal Canadiens///Toronto Blue Jays///Baltimore Ravens
Well the monster was his nickname when he was playing in Europe before coming to the NHL. CBC didn’t give it to him, he had it way before.
If he has a nickname like Felix ‘’the cat’’ Potvin or Eddy ‘’ the eagle’’ Belfour, no-one would mind.
Trade update
Cammalleri 4GP/ 1G/ 9 shots/ -3
Bourque 4 GP / 1G/ 7 shots/ EV
and yes, a very small sample
Kevin van Steendelaar
http://www.twitter.com/kvansteendelaar
but don't forget...
http://www.twitter.com/HabsEOTP
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 22, 2012 1:06 AM EST reply actions
I’m more impressed by how Rene Bourque handles tough minutes. Sure he’s riding shotgun with Plekanec, but that when he was great with the Flames, with Langkow.
Small sample and so on, but: chances 13-9, Corsi +7, Zonestart 15-26 (36.5%!).
…maybe Gauthier was on to something after all.
If he can be that for three of the four years on his contract then its a steal.
Writer for http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/
by Stephan Cooper on Jan 22, 2012 8:05 AM EST up reply actions
A 59% / SC 37% zone start player?
If he can be a 45% ZS / 50% SC player for the next two years playing with Pleks, I’ll by happy as a clam.
I was allowing for small sample sizes with the scoring chance ratio. Obviously if he was in fact that awesome then Montreal massively underpaid for him.
Writer for http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/
by Stephan Cooper on Jan 22, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
Hi everyone.
It’s always good to start the day with a Habs victory. And…it’s also cool to be present at the creation of a new word or phrase…Congrats, Kevin on “death-nail!” An imaginative take on “death-knell.” Well done!
Yeah I got creative. Took “death-knell” and “nail in the coffin” and put it together… Not sure if it will catch on like chocolate and peanut butter did though.
Kevin van Steendelaar
http://www.twitter.com/kvansteendelaar
but don't forget...
http://www.twitter.com/HabsEOTP
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 22, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
I Thought Friday....
was a 5-4 shoot out loss to the Pens?
Bourque now moves past Gomez on the Habs goal scoring list for the season.
Nothing Is Fool proof if you have the right fools.
by GiantsCauseway on Jan 22, 2012 10:34 AM EST reply actions
It was, my bad. Corrected now.
Kevin van Steendelaar
http://www.twitter.com/kvansteendelaar
but don't forget...
http://www.twitter.com/HabsEOTP
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 22, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Hmm… the Game Highlights are just Lombardi’s goal. PPP strikes again?
Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.
For Twitter Updates on Puck Worlds, follow @puckworlds. For updates plus additional witty banter from yours truly, follow @saskhab.
Fixed
Kevin van Steendelaar
http://www.twitter.com/kvansteendelaar
but don't forget...
http://www.twitter.com/HabsEOTP
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 22, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
Probably a bad trade for Tampa but I don’t understand how they’ve fallen off the face of the earth in possession metrics (and not just under recent injuries either)
Weak defense, I think. Ohlund being out all year may have something to do with it. Giving big minutes to Marc André Bergeron is never a good recipe for 5-on-5 metrics.
The league as a whole is probably a lot better prepared for the 1-3-1 as well. Last year, the system elevated the talent to a large degree. Probably this year it’s more about the talent than the system.
On paper, Tampa wasn’t as strong as their record, although their results were phenomenal.
Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.
For Twitter Updates on Puck Worlds, follow @puckworlds. For updates plus additional witty banter from yours truly, follow @saskhab.
And Rolli played on his head most nights…can’t say that this year.
So.. Yzerman being at this game… any thoughts to what that likely means?
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jan 23, 2012 3:10 PM EST reply actions
Not sure about Yzerman’s intentions regarding a trade… I’d have to think he was there more for the Leafs. Burke trades like a madman and the Bolts are in a selling position much like the Habs. You never know, though.
Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.
For Twitter Updates on Puck Worlds, follow @puckworlds. For updates plus additional witty banter from yours truly, follow @saskhab.
If anybody could pick up Stamkos for Grabovski, it is Brian Burke.
If you want 30 tweets a day, don't follow me. @ChrisBoyle33
Can we offer Greg Pateryn and a 2nd round pick and try to match that offer you think?
by Simon Lamarche on Jan 23, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
An addendum for those saying a fight in practice (i.e Subban and Plekanec) is no big deal and happens all the time.
Two Leafs in had a fight in practice yesterday. Even in Toronto nobody really cared.
Writer for http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/
Plekanec has been the 3rd line C ever since!
Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.
For Twitter Updates on Puck Worlds, follow @puckworlds. For updates plus additional witty banter from yours truly, follow @saskhab.
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