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Montreal Canadiens Blogger •
Let’s get past the fact that the Canadiens played another poor game in front of Carey Price. It was another poor effort on the road, one that could have seen them extend their losing ways in Boston. Instead it was their first road-win since October 3rd. Thanks Carey…
Forget about the argument that Boston was missing their best offensive players. Forget the fact that Boston hadn't scored a goal in two games, going into last night. They fired 42 shots at Price. They got as many looks at goals because Montreal was missing three of their top 6 defensemen, and because Spacek played the majority of the game hurt. The Bruins had 10 quality chances in the second period alone. They were poised to breakout of their lethargy last night, and Carey Price didn't allow them to.
Not because it’s been so long since we’ve seen Price play as such, but that was truly one of the best performances of his NHL career. He was in full control, and the anger incited by a goal in the final minute of the third period seemed to push him towards his best in overtime and the shootout, thereafter.
Speaking of the game-tying goal…Everyone can point the finger at Tomas Plekanec for losing the draw, but I can promise you that during the timeout, Jacques Martin had a discussion with his players about what to do if they lost the faceoff. Which brings me to my next point…
Where is Maxim Lapierre’s intensity? It’s nowhere to be found. It was shameful to see that shot from Derek Morris at the point, get through to the net. Lapierre, who’s only job on the play is to not allow that to happen, displayed little to no urgency at all in rushing the point. On the most important play of the game you do whatever it takes to block that shot, including diving in front of it, and if you watch the replay, the effort is truly unacceptable.
Lapierre earned high expectations this season, after he was one of the few bright spots on a team full of dark ones last season. He earned them with intensity, heart, and passion—characteristics that have seldom been on display from him this season.
One player who did manage to exhibit those qualities last night was Andrei Kostitsyn. And I think it’s clear he’ll be rewarded for his effort, on Saturday against Tampa. One way to do that would be to put him in Lapierre’s position.
**********
It’s time for this team to play a good game for Carey Price. Just once, it would be nice to see them establish a two-goal lead in front of him. Just once, it would be nice if he didn’t have to be as brilliant as he was last night, to win. To the people who adamantly suggest that good goalies steal games, there’s no argument against that. But good goalies don’t have to steal games every time they play. The Habs have 3 wins on the road, and Carey Price stole all of those games.
And the Habs in OT? Wow…
Brian Wilde wrote me an email last night with the following prompt: Imagine where this team would be without the wins in OT? Wouldn’t take much imagination… but on the positive side of things, at least Boston wouldn’t be getting the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.
*********
Alex Tanguay and the Tampa Bay Lightning enter the fray on Saturday. And I can promise you right now, Carey Price will be in the net.
They’ll need the rest of the team to show up as well.
Forget about the argument that Boston was missing their best offensive players. Forget the fact that Boston hadn't scored a goal in two games, going into last night. They fired 42 shots at Price. They got as many looks at goals because Montreal was missing three of their top 6 defensemen, and because Spacek played the majority of the game hurt. The Bruins had 10 quality chances in the second period alone. They were poised to breakout of their lethargy last night, and Carey Price didn't allow them to.
Not because it’s been so long since we’ve seen Price play as such, but that was truly one of the best performances of his NHL career. He was in full control, and the anger incited by a goal in the final minute of the third period seemed to push him towards his best in overtime and the shootout, thereafter.
Speaking of the game-tying goal…Everyone can point the finger at Tomas Plekanec for losing the draw, but I can promise you that during the timeout, Jacques Martin had a discussion with his players about what to do if they lost the faceoff. Which brings me to my next point…
Where is Maxim Lapierre’s intensity? It’s nowhere to be found. It was shameful to see that shot from Derek Morris at the point, get through to the net. Lapierre, who’s only job on the play is to not allow that to happen, displayed little to no urgency at all in rushing the point. On the most important play of the game you do whatever it takes to block that shot, including diving in front of it, and if you watch the replay, the effort is truly unacceptable.
Lapierre earned high expectations this season, after he was one of the few bright spots on a team full of dark ones last season. He earned them with intensity, heart, and passion—characteristics that have seldom been on display from him this season.
One player who did manage to exhibit those qualities last night was Andrei Kostitsyn. And I think it’s clear he’ll be rewarded for his effort, on Saturday against Tampa. One way to do that would be to put him in Lapierre’s position.
**********
It’s time for this team to play a good game for Carey Price. Just once, it would be nice to see them establish a two-goal lead in front of him. Just once, it would be nice if he didn’t have to be as brilliant as he was last night, to win. To the people who adamantly suggest that good goalies steal games, there’s no argument against that. But good goalies don’t have to steal games every time they play. The Habs have 3 wins on the road, and Carey Price stole all of those games.
And the Habs in OT? Wow…
Brian Wilde wrote me an email last night with the following prompt: Imagine where this team would be without the wins in OT? Wouldn’t take much imagination… but on the positive side of things, at least Boston wouldn’t be getting the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.
*********
Alex Tanguay and the Tampa Bay Lightning enter the fray on Saturday. And I can promise you right now, Carey Price will be in the net.
They’ll need the rest of the team to show up as well.
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