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
- Tonight’s contest will be the final home game for the Habs in 2017-18, bringing us closer to this season’s merciful end.
- Habs won’t be up against Mark Scheifele or Blake Wheeler tonight, but they’ll still square off against sophomore phenom Patrik Laine, who all but conceded the Rocket Richard trophy to Alex Ovechkin pre-game today. Laine, as of pre-game, has 43 goals to Ovi’s 46.
- Brendan Gallagher was awarded the 2017-18 Molson Cup pre-game./
Sami Niku, making his NHL debut for the Jets tonight, was sent out for warmups by himself. HAHAHAHA. He fell for it. They all fall for it. Just once I’d like a rookie to just stand in the tunnel and not move. Take a stand, for crying out loud. pic.twitter.com/USUy4HmkJ0
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) April 3, 2018
First period
- That’s a penalty on Brett Lernout? Okay.
- History is being made as Carey Price is now the all-time Canadiens’ leader in games played by a goaltender with 557. Standing ovation from the fans. Very classy gesture from a player who’s laid it all out for the franchise. “Soak it all in, Carey”.
- Something to think about for the comments section: if Carey Price doesn’t win a Stanley Cup for the Canadiens, has he done enough to have his number retired?
- Nicolas Deslauriers, whom I wrote off once the team acquired him for Zach Redmond at the beginning of the season, carried the puck from behind the net, skated near the blue line and let a shot go from distance. It looked kind of impressive in the moment.
- Patrik Laine is goalless in his last seven games. Let’s see how long that lasts?
- Laine scores on the Jets’ ensuing power play and now has 44 goals. Are you sure you want to concede that Rocket Richard trophy race?
- Nikolaj Ehlers makes it 2-0 Jets. Noah Juulsen makes a turnover, or a pretty neat pass depending on who you’re cheering for, and gives the puck right to Ehlers. Has a nice give-and-go with Laine before finishing the job himself.
- Toto’s “Africa” is now playing at the Bell Centre./
Here’s the @CP0031 tribute video + standing ovation at the Bell Centre. Price playing game no. 557 which is a franchise record #TSN690 pic.twitter.com/TN3oHe0vq8
— Joey Alfieri (@joeyalfieri) April 4, 2018
Here were the comments made by Patrick Roy (first) and Ken Dryden (second), congratulating Carey Price on playing most games in a Canadiens history. pic.twitter.com/JuJ8p0l6XS
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) April 4, 2018
- WHAT. A. SAVE by Carey Price on Nikolaj Ehlers!
- Chris Tanev is on all fours after blocking a shot from Jeff Petry. Hoping he’s just winded after taking a puck in the ribs. Even Habs doctor Dr. David Mulder got up from his seat to exit the game, possibly to check in on Tanev who was helped off the ice./
Second period
- The Habs have had their fair share of chances in this period, but still have nothing to show for it.
- This period’s been kind of boring. Much like the last few games of this season./
Here it is. Jarred Tinordi gave away the puck with an ill advised pass in the final minutes that cost the Habs the game. It was a brutally tough moment that Price did his best to make better. pic.twitter.com/PjrBl6zJ1u
— Brian Wilde (@BWildeRecrutes) April 4, 2018
- SCRAP! Four-on-four hockey coming up.
- Don’t know how I feel about that Mathieu Perreault penalty, but the Canadiens will be up four-on-three for the next few seconds.
- The Canadiens had more shots on net in the second period, but it’s the Jets who now have a 3-0 lead thanks to a goal from Jack Roslovic.
- Finalement, the Habs get on the board thanks to Arturri Lehkonen. Which means he’s due for a second one later, right? /
Third period
- The Habs have only won TWICE when trailing after 40 minutes this season.
- Paul Byron, at the right place at the right time, scores his 20th of the season after tapping home a rebound. It’s a game now. 3-2.
- SCRAP (2x). Brett Lernout uses the facewash technique.
- A spectacular toe-save from Steve Mason keeps the game at 3-2. Still time for an equalizer for the Canadiens.
- Kerby Rychel scores his first for the Habs, tying the game at three!
- Seconds later, Sam Niku, who was given the rookie treatment pre-game (see above) scores his first ever NHL goal and gives the Jets the lead again. It currently stands as the game-winner.
- Dustin Byfuglien is not happy with himself after taking a penalty. The Canadiens will go to the man-advantage for the fifth time tonight.
- There it is! Habs tie it again! Steve Mason caught a piece of Alex Galchenyuk’s shot but couldn’t keep it out. 4-4 game! 50 points for Galchenyuk after that goal!
- Also, Byfuglien is going to the locker room after arguing that call with the refs again. Temper, temper.
- Overtime awaits, as the fans applaud! /
Overtime
Prediction: Galchenyuk scores his 20th for the #Habs win.
— Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) April 4, 2018
- Gallagher straight up pushed Steve Mason to the ground on that scoring chance
- Nikolaj Ehlers manhandles Arturri Lehkonen as he tries to enter the Jets’ zone. No call.
- Habs have looked like the more dangerous side, until they straight up let the Jets take the puck from them while in the attacking zone.
- Kyle Connor scores his 30th of the season, giving the Jets a 5-4 overtime win and their 50th win of the season. That’s all folks!/
Highlight of the night
Jonathan Drouin with the slick pass from behind the net, and Paul Byron has his 20th goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/14TZJToze0
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) April 4, 2018
EOTP 3 Stars
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