For seemingly the first time in months, the Canadiens were full value in their 5-2 win over the struggling Vancouver Canucks, who have now lost six straight games in regulations. The score was very much indicative of how the game was played, even if the Canadiens were out-shot 44-29.

Max Pacioretty made history, becoming the first Montreal Canadien to be awarded two penalty shots in a game, let alone two in a period. Pacioretty missed both of them, but notched three of the Canadiens five goals; one on the powerplay care of P.K. Subban's shot ricocheting off his pants in the high-slot, a tap-in from the goalmouth thanks to a gorgeous setup by David Desharnais, and an empty-netter borne of some good, hard work by Brendan Gallagher along the board. Pacioretty got by with a little help from his friends, which was key, because when it was up to him and him alone, he struggled to deliver.

On a serious note, "If we had lost that game by one goal, I'd be kicking myself in the head," was what Pacioretty had to say about the frustration of missing both penalty shots.

Casually speaking with him after wave after wave of reporters crowded his stall for thoughts on his strange but extraordinary night, I asked Pacioretty if he has a specific shootout/breakaway strategy, and he offered this:

"I always come in thinking shot, but the goalie's thinking that too if he's done his homework. If I have to adjust, then I do."

Thanks to some fine research, Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette pointed out on Twitter after the game that Pacioretty scored his fourth empty-net goal this season, something that's likely to earn him more ribbing from his teammates than missing the penalty shots.

I asked Pacioretty if he recalls any of his 26 goals coming on the breakaway, and he mentioned that he could think of a couple, pointing to one example in a game against Toronto, when he came barreling in all alone and inevitably beat the goalie on his fourth rebound opportunity.

He's got a good sense of humor that Pacioretty.

Ryan White was also in great spirits in the Habs locker room after the game, having netted his first goal of the year thanks to some fantastic work by Dale Weise and Michael Bournival. Not a bad finish either, with White going bar-down with a wicked backhander.

How can you not feel good for White, who missed upwards of three weeks with the team rehabbing an upper-body injury, coming back to contribute solidly to two big wins. You feel better for him knowing that he's been a healthy scratch for eight games this season despite a pretty consistent effort throughout.

Michel Therrien was quick to praise White when he was asked after the game what seems to have changed for the plucky fourth-liner. "I like the way he was playing before too. He's a young player that matured a lot. He really improved, and at times we've given him missions for big faceoffs, he takes responsibility at five-on-five, and we're glad he was capable to score his first goal."

White could feel the love, adding: "The boys were giving it to me pretty good, and they might have been even more excited than I was. Those guys have been rooting for me to get back and help the team, and it definitely feels nice to be part of the win."

Carey Price was excellent when he had to be, which was certainly not the case on all 44 shots he faced. The Canucks couldn't seem to generate very many scoring chances despite directing so many pucks on net, and though Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler accounted for six of those shots, they were largely invisible for most the game.

Alex Edler notched two goals in the game; one on Price, and one on Luongo, as he kicked aTomas Plekanec pass intended for Desharnais straight into his own net. Former Hab Raphael Diaz notched an assist on Edler's goal on Price.

Back to Price, he has now stopped 172 of the last 178 shots he's faced for a save percentage of .966, playing a huge hand in the Canadiens picking up four wins and points in five of their last six games. Pretty good timing to catch fire-- Sochi bound after Saturday's game in Carolina.

Some injury notes: Michael Bournival was banged up and had his chin stitched late in the game. He's questionable for Saturday, with Therrien labeling it an upper-body injury. Travis Moen, lower-body, won't be traveling with the team to Carolina.

By the way, Saturday's game is a 6:00pm start.

Join the Discussion: » 2371 Comments » Post New Comment

» Heartbreak> Brian Bannan

» Game 3 Preview: Brian Bannan

» Will the Real Habs Please Step Forward? by Andrew Wright

» Game 2 recap- Jennifer Berzan Cutler

» New Habs Blog> M.R. d'Awe