Canadiens @ Penguins Top Six Minutes: The Carey Price show ends in a series tie

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.

Pre-game:

• Game 1 is in the bag. Let’s really piss the Pens off and make it a 2-0 series. Who’s with me?

First period:

• A wraparound attempt by Lehkonen to start the game.
• Price was able to put a stop to Malkin but Crosby is another story. What was with that backcheck, Armia? You’ve heard of Sidney Crosby, right?
• We’re five minutes in and the Pens are up 1-0. Think they’re holding a grudge about Saturday?
• Now we’re getting a little overzealous trying to stop the Crosby line and get called for too many men.
• So, Armia’s plan to avoid a power play is to turn it into a four-on-four. Interesting strategy. Let’s see if it pays off.
• It just may have. Kulak scores but the net was knocked off. Worth a review. Survey says...
• No goal but a holding penalty against Dumoulin. Better than nothing I suppose.
• Another too-many-men penalty. I know we’ve had a four-month break but you must remember it’s five on the ice at a time.
• Disguised as coming to Armia’s aid, Gallagher gets a little revenge on Crosby for the front of the net rough-up on Saturday’s game which draws a crowd.
• Let’s keep that fire going through the next two periods, shall we?

Second period:

• Solid chances from Gallagher and Drouin. Nice start.
• Tatar and Danault’s turn for solid chances.
• Okay, seems we have the solid chances down. Time to up the ante.
• Power-play time. Now this would be a good way to up the ante!
• Or not.
• Three consecutive saves by Price, while pretty much buried underneath... well, everyone... and still keeps it a one-goal game.
• Price doesn’t want to let any more pucks in, but Murray might. Let’s go ask him.
• After another little kerfuffle, Weber, Armia and Malkin are escorted to the box.
• And just to keep it interesting, Byron joins them for slashing and gives them a two-man advantage for 26 seconds.
• How the hell did they make it out of that mess? Oh yeah. Carey Price.

Third period:

• Another strong start for the Habs right out of the gate as Tatar makes sure Murray is awake.
• But again, nothing to show for it.
• Come on, Murray. You have, like what, two Stanley Cups already? Don’t be so greedy.
• Zucker makes it 2-0 with just over five minutes left. Three goals in five minutes is doable... right?
• That’s one! Kotkaniemi destroys Murray’s shutout chances. We’ve got two minutes left.
• Price leave the net. Not sure that’s a great idea considering he’s the reason it’s not 10-1, but okay.
• Empty-netter. Mmm-hmmm.

EOTP 3 Stars

3) Well it hasn’t been a bad straegy so far

2) Sometimes just a simple pass to your teammate is what’s required

1) Nothing wrong with the man between the pipes