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.
Pregame:
- The Habs have won two games in a row for the first time in 2016, which is a harrowing thing to think about when it’s February.
- On the other hand, it’s interfering with Tank Nation so maybe it’s even worse news in that sense.
- I think we all know the Habs typically fare poorly when I tackle the Top Six, so perhaps I can help usher them along to Patrik Laine.
- Only reason I actually look forward to covering this game? Seeing PK./
First Period:
- Rubbing old legends in our face during the team’s worst collapse in over seventy years isn’t perhaps the best move there Habs.
- PBP Crew: Calling Tampa the Habs archnemesis is just not going to fly with me.
- Seeing Galchenyuk on the wing entitles any Habs fan to scream “WHY” at 120 decibels.
- All these GCL upgrades and still no camera that shows the invisible anchor lines connecting Pacioretty to Desharnais and Weise.
- Beaulieu back in the lineup and immediately showing he really has no judgement at random moments. Why fight now, and why fight a nobody?
- I didn’t know you could punch a visor off a guy’s head. Don Cherry will probably campaign for Beaulieu for the Hart.
- First disastrous turnover of the game, but they survive.
- Brendan Gallagher!!!! 2-on-1 break and he rips it right past Bishop’s glove.
- Gallagher gets so much abuse I doubt even felt that guy’s stick tapping on him.
- “One game at a time” cliche, damn if only the Habs hadn’t tried to play two games at a time they’d never have slumped like this!
- Galchenyuk dangling, always fun.
- We may be setting a record for waiting on a video replay on a possible goal.
- What other league goes on this long without reviewing a possible scoring play? aside from Calvinball.
- No goal it appears, with the cruelest puck bounce the Habs have seen in a month. And that’s saying something.
- Habs on the penalty kill thanks to Emelin, but thankfully it means he can’t participate on the penalty kill.
- It is in fact, impossible to get excited about a potential 2-on-1 that involves Alexei Emelin.
- Friendly reminder that Tampa Bay paying Ryan Callahan 5.8 million a year really hurts their chances to sign Stamkos.Yeesh.
- Galchenyuk and Gallagher should probably always play together. But not both on the wing…
- Emelin took a shot that hit the goalie, have a glass of 30-year old scotch.
- Smith-Pelly is in the lineup WHY?
- Habs survive the penalty kill.
Second Period:
- Barberio is better than most at making the remote in-period interview not look awkward.
- That is not how you want to start a period, tie game. Comes off of the *Drumroll* idiotic dump-out that gave possession right back to Tampa. 1-1.
- I swear Flynn is making more dynamic offensive moves than Desharnais in this game.
- Can Hedman really be “up and coming” if he is in his 7th NHL season?
- Smith-Pelly in the lineup is pretty bad, him being promoted to the 3rd line is egregious.
- TOMAS PLEKANEC! Gets the second tip on the puck after Gallagher tipped Barberio’s point shot. Have to tip my hat to Tampa for letting Barberio go for nothing. Good work there fellas. 2-1 Habs.
- Therrien’s choice of shirt and tie is as impressive as his coaching.
- Plekanec line is easily the team’s best right now.
- Sometimes you do need to let the offence go, too much overcommitting led to a near 3-on-1.
- That is a couple of bullets dodged in their own zone.
- Habs get a power play! or is it the Power Kill?
- Halfassed powerplay results in a halfassed play that results in a halfassed penalty. Subban to the box.
- Nod to the NHL for not fixing any of their GCL problems, just introducing even more than we’re used to.
- And now Beaulieu is hurt, why the hell not…
- Brian Flynn as well, this is just a lovely evening for the boys.
- Twitter tells me the Habs have drawn a power play, which they will waste. GCL performing as well as the Habs PP right now.
- GCL denies me seeing that insane Subban play in somewhat close to real time. But just caught it. What a player. Therrien doesn’t deserve him. But we don’t either probably. 3-1 Habs.
Third Period:
- We’re back for the 3rd period, West Coast jerks (LA) crushing East Coast jerks (Boston) 8-2. Nothing worse than the Bruins getting crushed by a team as unlikeable as they are.
- Beaulieu and Flynn will not play in the 3rd period. So the Habs are down to 4 NHL defencemen and Alexei Emelin.
- Nice little steal at the line for Fleischmann, but he just didn’t have the speed to break free.
- Coburn rings the post as the Habs are scrambling. Lucky break for the boys.
- That was not great rebound control by Scrivens, his D fortunately cleans it up though.
- Tomas Plekanec!!!! 4-1 Habs! And what the hell was Tampa doing there?
- “To Smith-Pelly” is the easiest way there is to kill all enthusiasm about the receiver of a pass in the offensive zone.
- Really can’t stand it when media twists themselves to defend Galchenyuk being pushed off of centre.
- Little too much scrambling around the net and it’s 4-2. Victor Hedman is an up and coming hockey player you know.
- This is not a game to sit back for the last 10 minutes guys, Scrivens does not look like he’s going to make a lot of second saves.
- Lars Eller is just a machine in the offensive zone of late.
- Tampa pulls the goalie with 3:22 left in the game, given their dominance in the period it’s a smart move.
- That was a Subban-type shift for Hedman in Montreal’s zone.
- So. Many. Icings.
- Smith-Pelly is not actually good defensively, but somehow is out to handle the 6-on-5 situation. Ugh.
- Habs have won 3 in a row. Holy crap!
- It is a nice moment for Scrivens, winning three starts in a row including a back to back set has to feel great.
EOTP 3 Stars
3 So long, Mr. Matthews
2 A tie between KRS2119 and tim.daoust for their professional analysis of the Lightning goal
1 And Plekanec is loving it
