The Canadiens pulled off the 1-0 OT win tonight thanks to the first period fight between George Parros and Eric Boulton that totally changed the momentum and energized the match.
Haha jk.
But seriously even if you for some reason continue to argue that some fights have a place in the game, you have to acknowledge that set-up bouts like the one we saw today are absolutely pointless, and almost embarrassing. Ultimately, fighting needs to be taken out of the game and quick.
Parros got hurt again, and didn’t return. He may have another concussion; he might never play again; who knows how his personal life might be affected by the beatings he’s taken.
UPDATE: Parros was held out as a precaution, he’s apparently okay.
Lars Eller hit John Tavares coming around his own net and the Islanders‘ captain’s helmet went flying. I was worried at first that this might have been just the latest in the head-hit epidemic, but it seems pretty clear from the replays that the principle point of contact was in fact the shoulder.
There was also actual hockey being played on the island tonight, believe it or not.
Desharnais made a good play to keep the cycle going and leave former bust Thomas Hickey in his dust. It may have been DD’s only good shift of the game, but hey, I’m trying to stay positive.
That goal was only the Canadiens’ second in the past 203 minutes of action. Obviously the percentages will even out but still, they’re not a good possession team anymore and this is putting too much pressure on Carey Price.
Speaking of Jesus, he recorded his second shutout of the season, and 21st of his career, which tied him with some guy named Charlie Hodge for eighth on the team’s all-time list. Neat!
As I don’t do this often, I’ll continue Laura’s tradition of saying something nice about Rene Bourque by saying that he is a) a very competent player, b) has played consistently better than anybody else with Plekanec and Gionta, and c) should 100% be back in the lineup once he’s healthy. The team does miss his scoring depth.
The much-maligned Emelin/Gorges pairing seemed to be able to push the play more comfortably this game, although they still struggled with some giveaways and positioning. They did an admirable job shutting down Tavares, though, which can’t be understated. We’ll call it a step in the right direction.
Douglas Murray has been on the PK for 37 minutes this year and the team hasn’t been scored on in that time. He’s still horrible at even-strength though and the only reason people think otherwise is because every time he takes the puck away from the opposition it’s slow-moving painful spectacle. Aren’t you not supposed to notice d-men who do a good job on D?
It’s difficult to talk about P.K. Subban anymore without extravagant praise, because it sounds like you’re knocking him. But here goes anyway.
I thought Subban played a really solid game tonight after a few shaky ones. You get the feeling when it’s anybody other than Tavares, they should just give up trying to win a battle or get by him. If it’s Tavares, you can at least have a try at it. You probably won’t succeed though.
EOTP Third Star: Hockey Rat on the officiating: “If ref had another eye he would be a cyclops”
EOTP Second Star: Max An on Pacioretty’s holstering celebration: “He should also unsheathe it every time he goes on the ice”
EOTP First Star: Max An again, on Murray’s skill-set: “I said it before, and I’ll say it again…Murray is not allowed to do shootouts; that would be a delay of game penalty.
