Top Six Minutes

Canadiens vs Hurricanes Top Six Minutes: Welcome to the NHL, Charlie Lindgren

Charlie Lindgren gets his first NHL win as the Montreal Canadiens took on the Carolina Hurricanes.

By ShannLeah@ShannLeah Updated Apr 7, 2016, 10:34pm EDT

For our new readers and members, the Top Six Minutes is a continuation of the discussion in the game thread. We try to keep it light and entertaining. Full recaps are up the morning after every game.

The only pre-game thought I am having is: do I have enough beer on-hand for this?

Here. We. Go.

First Period

Well...1.34 in and Riley Nash gets Carolina on the scoreboard so there's that. I guess that's an improvement from the last game, or something
I really missed Daniel Carr
"We don't have enough time to list all of the injuries that have happened this year to the 'hard luck Habs.' " - thanks, Sportsnet, for reminding me for the millionth fricken time
Bad luck for Lindgren at the start of the game, but he has looked sharp through the first
I will never not love Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, and Brendan Gallagher on a line - they have amazing chemistry and I don't want to experience life without them ever again
So I see we have resorted to discussing Mike Brown's facial hair because apparently that is more interesting than this game
Sportsnet announcers talking about Pacioretty being a great influence for the younger players on the team as he is yelling profanities at someone on the ice is just the absolute most Sportsnet-thing ever
Darren Dietz scores his first NHL career goal with just a few seconds left in the first period following an aggressive play by Gallagher to gain the zone and a beauty drop-pass by Pacioretty. At the end of the first, we are all tied up at one and my beer count is also two. Coincidence?
Pacioretty made some great comments to John Bartlett during an intermission special. Bartlett asked Pacioretty about the struggles the team has faced this season, "When so many (youngsters) get called up so often, it's hard to keep track of everybody...We have faced a lot of adversity and whether people admit it or not, a lot of it is out of our control."

Second Period

Oh yay, more Habs 'hockey' (I say this with sarcasm right now, but I will be missing it something fierce by the end of next week)
About five minutes in, Noah Hanifin shoots a rocket past Lindgren (due to an Alexei Emelin screen) and I am eye-rolling so hard
Habs are looking more lost than Michel Therrien in the sunscreen aisle
'___ tries the long pass up through centre, but ___' is just a staple during any Habs' broadcast
Camera just panned across the bench and I recognize like three players
I will say that Joel Hanley and Dietz have looked great tonight - both rocking some pretty solid CF% and giving me back a bit of faith in our defensive depth
Pacioretty skates in, gets a little drag on the puck, and with his signature quick release, sneaks one by Ward. That's Pacioretty's 28th of the season, tying linemate Galchenyuk
Carr - lemme tell you, this kid is fun. Tomas Plekanec gains the zone as Carr drives the net and tips one in. Habs lead 3-2 and I yell something about tanking poorly, but still love winning, so whatever. That is Carr's sixth NHL goal this season and his first was also against the Hurricanes back in December
Habs still up 3-2 at the end of the second and my beer count is up to 4 so you could say it has been a solid evening so far

Third Period

Lindgren continues to make big saves, not giving up many rebounds at all. I don't have a lot of room left for baby goalies, Charlie, but you might weasel your way into my heart
There isn't too much happening so I find myself wondering about the tweets that were circulating today re: Marc Bergevin keeping Therrien on as head coach. A few thoughts: it doesn't strictly come down to Bergevin, but his faith in Therrien is absolutely alarming. In addition, as some have pointed out, what adjustments did Therrien make once our star player (Carey Price) went out with an injury? Nadda. I can't even begin to imagine the uproar that will ensue if Therrien keeps his job
LARRY YOU SWEET, LITTLE DANISH PRINCE - Lars Eller sneaks in on the rebound and makes it 4-2 (tanking something, something)
Look, I know a win hurts our chances at a top ten pick - but I'm sorry, after the season we have had, a win for these boys - and a rookie goaltender playing his first NHL game - is still going to give me all the feels