Canadiens vs. Wild Top Six Minutes: Breakdown at the Bell Centre

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 thoughts

• A Josh Anderson goal is overdue. I’d like one, please,
• This has been a long week... and it’s only Tuesday.

First period

• Habs are making Fleury earn his paycheque right outta the gate with some rush chances.
• And we get an early power-play opportunity. Dare we make the most of it?
• Nah, why start now?
• A sloppy line change gives the Wild a three-on-one chance and then guess what happened?
• Guess.
• A lucky bounce ensued. Lucky for Eriksson. Not for Allen.
• Drouin goes goalie mode to make sure it’s not 2-0.
• Dach and Hartman head to the sin bin for roughing.
• Guhle joins Dach in the box. Because that’s what we need right now.
• Well, the good news is the Wild are only up by one.
• The bad news is, no Anderson goal yet.

Second period

• Caufield evens the score 1:07 in!
• It should be a two-man advantage for the Habs since two penalties actually should have been called but I guess we should be happy to get one.
• You know what a good plan is on a power play? Shooting the puck. Just sayin’.
• Allen slides across the goal line with a good move to keep it even-steven.
• Steel gets called for kneeing Drouin. Currently 0-2 on the power play, we get yet another chance. Third time’s a charm?
• Not with Wideman making it 4-on-4.
• Duhamie gives the Wild the lead.
• Time to call it. This game is a hot mess.
• Anderson zooms down the ice, gets tripped and ends up crashing into the boards (I can’t breathe). But is up and at ‘em (thank god). Can’t keep a powerhorse down.
• Now, about that goal.

Third period

• You know it’s a weird game when Savard is the one catching people’s attention.
• Caufield dishes out a hit on Spurgeon behind the net. A small hit (no pun intended) but a hit nonetheless.
• Anderson nearly lights the lamp but Fleury is able to squeeze the puck between his arm. There’s 15 minutes left for my Anderson goal.
• Hoffman gets a penalty shot! Giv’er Hoff.
• “Don’t hassle the Hoff” clearly doesn’t apply to Mike Hoffman.
• Habs have 21 giveaways. *See second-period Hot Mess comment.
• Guhle heads down the tunnel after taking a puck to the ear.
• Allen to the bench for the extra attacker...
• Empty-netter and game over.
• So, that’s it? No Anderson goal. Let the long week continue.

EOTP 3 Stars

3) A very strong game from him

2) Saving the team from itself

1) Welcome to the new power-play coach