As one of the very first teams mathematically eliminated from post-season contention last season, it's an incredible achievement for the Canadiens to have clinched a berth with 17% of their season remaining.
The Habs are now one of three teams with a little 'x' next to their name on the standings page, with their sights fully set on getting into the 'y' column--indicating that they'll have clinched their division.
Last night's blowout of the Buffalo Sabres was a step in the right direction on that quest, as the Canadiens leaped over the Bruins, who lost to the Islanders in regulation.
If this season's been about winning as a team with balanced scoring and global defensive effort, last night was a true microcosm of it.
In the process of out-shooting the Sabres 42-15, the Habs got goals from their three scoring lines, the powerplay clicked twice, and the penalty kill was perfect for the seventh straight game. They won the faceoff battle, they won the puck battles, and there's no question they took the fights too.
After Brendan Gallagher took a ferocious hit from Steve Ott in the second period, it could've been a big momentum-changer. David Desharnais stepped up to Ott, but Gallagher stopped him from making a decision that may have cost him his life. But Francis Bouillon didn't let it go.
I'm not condoning challenging a player after a big, clean hit-- and Ott's hit was exactly that-- but Bouillon filled in another checkbox for his team by doing it, as they skated to one of their most complete victories of the season.
When Patrick Kaleta tried to shift momentum after the first goal of the hockey game--a beautiful passing play between Bourque, Plekanec and Gionta--Brandon Prust didn't allow him to.
The Canadiens played with a lot of character after a tough loss to the Washington Capitals. What else is new?
This team has been dominant coming off losses. It's not hard to imagine how personally they've taken losing this season--the proof is in their phenomenal record of follow-up wins. And it doesn't seem to matter whether it's Carey Price or Peter Budaj, the gameplan rarely changes, if ever.
Last night, it was Budaj, collecting his 7th consecutive win. Like Ray Emery in Chicago this season, Budaj's looked unbeatable. And if he was beatable last night, the Canadiens didn't give anyone a chance to find out.
In a fabulous display of offensive depth, you couldn't identify a "best" line on the Habs last night.
Rene Bourque brought speed in transition on the first goal of the night, proving his coach's decision to be a very good one-- to reunite him with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta.
If it was thought that Michael Ryder's hot hand would be stifled by moving him off that line, that logic was all but put to rest, as Ryder, Galchenyuk and Eller had the goods last night.
Michel Therrien was looking for a breakout game for Desharnais, Pacioretty and Gallagher. They contributed points on the powerplay and at even strength, with Gallagher sealing this game up less than halfway through the second period.
Of course, the offensive defensemen of the Canadiens can't be ignored. Both Markov and Subban finished with a goal and an assist each, both skating more than 24:00 in this one.
All in all, if the team appeared satisfied last night, they deserved to be. But Therrien's post-game comments suggested his team had only taken the first step towards achieving their goal. He mentioned the players feel, as he does, that the team has much more in store for it.
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-Saturday's game in Toronto means a lot more than just another written page of the rivalry. With the Canadiens pulling ahead of the Bruins, this game will have a huge stake in whether or not they can cement their division-lead. A win would help dramatically. A loss makes it that much more realistic that the Canadiens and Leafs lock horns in the first round of the post-season, from the 4-5 slots.
It wouldn't be the end of the world, but Toronto would have the confidence of having won the season-series against the Canadiens, ahead of their first playoff series in 10 years.
The words "statement-game" have never applied more. The Habs have the opportunity to make a very big statement, let's see what they do with it.
-Back to the game that was, I'd imagine I wasn't the only one marvelling at the minutes skated by Nathan Beaulieu. Fluid, smart and exciting to watch.
-By now, you surely knew that the Habs hadn't given up a short-handed goal all season, up until last night. They were the last team in the NHL to do so.
They've also haven't scored one. With the way the penalty kill is going, you might expect them to change that between now and the end of the season.
-I can't think of a better thing for the Canadiens and Alex Galchenyuk for him to be streaking right now. The timing is right. He needed the confidence to go into the playoffs with. And he could be a huge scoring factor if he maintains it without putting too much pressure on himself, as young players tend to do.
-Gallagher. 'Nough said.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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