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Gomez, Price lead Habs past Bruins

Carey Price had another stellar night as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1. Price had 34 saves for his ninth win of the season. Man, are the anti-Price pro Halak talkers ever quiet on the message and text boards as of late. Hmmmmm.

To quote Dr. Frankenstein, “it’s alive!!! It’s alive!” Earlier this week, the Canadiens shut down the NHL’s top power play in the Vancouver Canucks. Thursday, they got not one but two goals against the Bruins’ top-ranked penalty killing unit.

Were the Bruins tired after their win Wednesday night, and a fast paced two periods against the Habs? Maybe, and rather unfortunate as it was an exciting and well played game b both teams through 40 minutes. Poor Tuukka Rask has to be wondering what he has to do to get a win for the Bruins. He remains winless despite stopping 38 Montreal shots on the night. Well he can at least be happy he’s not a Leaf.

Hey guess who scored? Scott Gomez netted his first goal since he had hair on his head (OK since the second game of the season), netting the insurance marker at 10:30 of the third period. The goal came on his 800th career game.

Gomez scooped up a rebound and fired a backhand off of Rask and the goal post, before it crossed the goal line. Roman Hamrlik had broken up a Bruins rush at the red line to set up the goal. If Hamrlik missed on the play, Gomez’s slump would have continued and it may have been a 2-2 game.

The Canadiens center was rather humble on the goal, noting he is more the play maker but that the line of himself, Kostitsyn and Maxim Lapierre is starting to come around. “I think it’s a good sign,” he said. “Andre is the key,and I’d rather he get the goals, but I know I gotta shoot the puck more as well. The most important thing is the wins.”

P.K Subban’s first career regular season goal opened the scoring, coming on the power play at 5:19 of the first period. “We’ve been winning, but it’s a relief to finally get it,” Subban said. “It was a horrible shot, and usually I do something embarrassing after I score, but I’ll take it.”

Brian Gionta also found the net with the man advantage, after a brilliant saucer pass by Mike Cammalleri at 0:29 of the third period.

It was the first time in 32 games that Gomez and Gionta had scored in the same night, and the first time since February 13 that the Habs scored two power play goals in a game. Hopefully those two streaks won’t be repeated in the near future.

Anyone notice that No. 13 has been passing the puck a bit more, rather than shoot? I think the opposing defense has figured to drop and block and maybe he’s caught on.

For those keeping track, and making something about nothing, Lars Eller roughly doubled his TOI from Tuesday night, and played 1:14 on the PK.

Price had to stand his ground against a Bruins team that mounted pressure in front of his crease throughout the night. Close to ten shots were in close on the Habs netminder. The lone shot that eluded him came after Zdeno Chara pinched in and was left wide open at 15:49 of the first period.

GAME SCORING SUMMARY

First Period

1. MTL P.K Subban (PPG) (Plekanec, Markov) – 5:19

2. BOS Zdeno Chara (Lucic, Bergeron) – 15:49

Third Period

3. MTL Brian Gionta (PPG) (Cammalleri) – 0:29

4. MTL Scott Gomez (Kostitstsyn, Hamrlik) – 10:30

THREE STARS

1. Carey Price 2. Mike Cammalleri 3. Zdeno Chara

The two teams will meet five more times over the season. Not wanting to play devil’s advocate, but  you have to wonder how a better rested Bruins team will fair against the Canadiens through three periods.

The Canadiens return to the Bell Center on Saturday to face the Carolina Hurricanes, who were crushed 8-1 by the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.

Post-game reaction from the Bruins side at Stanley Cup of Chowder

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