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Habs Powerplay Comes Alive to Snuff out Predators |
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It isn't going to look beautiful every time you play, and this game between the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens was truly far from beautiful.
There was absolutely no flow to this hockey game through the first two periods. There was more rhythm to the play stoppages than there was to the actual pace of the game. And if you were able to stay awake until the third, you reaped the marginal reward of fewer whistles and interruptions.
One key whistle helped seal Nashville's fate in this one though. Craig Smith took a tripping penalty on Lars Eller in overtime, and the Predators were less than pleased with the call that provoked the game-winning goal off P.K. Subban's stick on the ensuing powerplay.
Before all of that, Nashville's stingy defense allowed for a 25-4 shot advantage through most of the first two periods, with Seth Jones teeing one up for Mike Ribiero to tip on their 26th shot of the night.
Inevitably, the Canadiens upped the ante in the third.
A powerplay marker from Alex Galchenyuk allowed Montreal to even the score. The play was set up perfectly by Subban, who slapped a puck into the slot off Galchenyuk's waiting stick.
In a game that featured some of the best defensemen in the world, the spotlight shone bright on Subban. Coach Michel Therrien was impressed enough to offer high praise afterwards:
"I thought he was really good again tonight. He was an excellent leader for our team. He took charge and that's what you ask of your best players."
Speaking of Therrien's best players, ahead of the NHL's All-Star festivities, Carey Price turned in another all-star performance, making 36 saves to lead the Canadiens over the formidable Predators.
The win (the 12th of their last 16 games) gave Montreal 61 points in 45 games, placing them third in their division with games in hand on all the teams they're competing with for a playoff spot. The Habs are three points behind Tampa, having played three less games, and just two points behind Detroit, having played two less games. The Habs hold an 11-point advantage on the East's ninth placed Florida Panthers.
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1) Not much for Peter Laviolette to complain about on Craig Smith's penalty. Smith got his stick crossed up in Eller's legs. It's never fun to lose in overtime, and definitely frustrating to lose on a powerplay opportunity, but the call was the right one.
2) I have to wonder how much conversation there was about David Desharnais' performance. I thought it was one of his strongest games of the season. He was very implicated in the team's best scoring chances, setting up Subban for the shot Galchenyuk eventually tipped, and he was winning battles down low and in the corners. He helped the Canadiens sustain pressure in the offensive zone--both on the powerplay and at even strength.
3) Last night, Galchenyuk tied his career high in points with 31. His previous best was 31 points in 65 games (last year), and he's managed the feat 20 games faster this time. His assist on Subban's game-winner gave him a career high 19, and with 12 goals, he's one off last year's career high of 13.
4) There were some bumps in the road last night, but the stability Nathan Beaulieu's offered--playing as Montreal's third defenseman--is doing a lot for the team's success right now. He's confident, he's found a good synergy with Sergei Gonchar, and he's allowing the coaching staff to relegate Alexei Emelin and Tom Gilbert to third pairing minutes.
I spoke with Beaulieu after Saturday's win over the New York Islanders, and he talked a lot about how much easier Gonchar's making his job. The communication between the two is excellent, and they compliment each other well. Gonchar's acumen; his ability to read the play and be aggressive at his own blueline is making it easy for Beaulieu to implement his speed, chase down pucks and clear the zone efficiently.
5) Gillette Stadium, the Canadiens and the Bruins, and the Winter Classic. Fitting that hockey's most bitter rivals would do battle in such a grandiose environment. The preamble should be wildly entertaining, and knowing that Geoff Molson has been lobbying hard to get the Canadiens into the Winter Classic, he has to be very pleased with this news. If only it were being hosted in Montreal...
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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