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Habs pick up a big two points defeating the Leafs 3-2 in overtime |
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An exciting 3-2 Montreal Canadiens overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs had both fan bases clamoring over the potential of the two franchises meeting in the playoffs for the first time since 1979. For the most part, the game was evenly fought as both teams competed and skated hard while Carey Price and Frederik Andersen made save after save. Unlike in recent games, the Canadiens were not demoralized when rookie sensation Auston Matthews opened the scoring in the first period. Led by captain Max Pacioretty and a revitalized Alex Galchenyuk, the Canadiens scored two goals in the second period before Matthews would tie the game in the third, eventually sending the game into overtime. Andrew Shaw converted a Tomas Plekanec perfect pass on a two on one in extra time to give the Canadiens the much needed points. The Canadiens now hold a four point lead over the Ottawa Senators for the Atlantic Division lead but the Senators have the advantage and hold three games in hand.
Puck props and flops:
Props:
Alex Galchenyuk - This was the breakout game that Canadiens fans had been waiting for. Galchenyuk sent Pacioretty a perfect no look pass on the powerplay to tie the game up at one. He would score his 13th goal of the season by going to the net and being the recipient of a brilliant pass by Nikita Nesterov who was in the lineup in place of Greg Pateryn. Perhaps most importantly, he was much more engaged in the game at both ends of the ice and won nine of twelve faceoffs. After the game it was revealed that Galchenyuk spent time on the bye week working with Olli Jokinen on faceoffs down in Florida. The old saying is true, practice makes perfect.
Carey Price - He has let in two goals in each game played since the bye week and under Claude Julien but there is little doubt that he is back to playing like the Price of old. In the third period alone he made two game saving stops that would have given the lead back to the Leafs. In overtime he stoned Matthews on a breakaway which eventually led to Shaw’s game winning goal. His joy and excitement of Shaw scoring was evident by him racing to the Leafs zone to immediately celebrate the goal and victory, emotion that is not always seen from Price. However, this was positive emotion being displayed on the ice and not the negativity that was creeping in over February...
Andrew Shaw - He played one of his best games in a Canadiens uniform on Saturday night against the Leafs and was rewarded with a shift in overtime which culminated in his game winning goal. Shaw also had the secondary assist on Pacioretty’s powerplay goal as he is finally demonstrating on a more consistent basis why he was such an integral part of the Chicago Blackhawks lineup. Is there another forward who has benefited more from the Canadiens coaching change? Julien is the perfect coach to bring the best out of Shaw due to his experience with similar players in Boston and the early results are evidence of this.
Max Pacioretty - What more can be said of the Montreal Canadiens captain who scored his 29th goal of the season against the Leafs? It seems as though whenever the Canadiens need a big goal Pacioretty is there to provide it. He has proven time and again this season that he has the ability to step up and will do. Pacioretty has grown into the captain’s role and wholeheartedly deserves the C on his jersey.
Flop:
David Desharnais and Sven Andrighetto - It was the duo’s first time getting into the lineup under Julien and neither took advantage of their opportunity and did anything positive to stand out. They each played less than ten minutes and let the Leafs fourth line take advantage of them when they were on the ice. It is hard to imagine that either player will be back with the Canadiens next season as Desharnais will become an unrestricted free agent while Andrighetto will be a restricted free agent.
Alexei Emelin - He was on the ice for both Maple Leafs goal and failed to tie up Auston Matthews on his game opening goal. Emelin was finally demoted from the Canadiens top pairing with Shea Weber as his game has been trending down for the past 10-15 games. Paired with Jeff Petry, the duo looked shaky at times. Somehow Emelin finished the evening with nine hits but I cannot recall any of them.
Neither here nor there:
Andrei Markov was finally promoted to play alongside Shea Weber and the duo looked like a true first pairing, controlling the play and helping their forwards create shots and opportunities. Markov played just over 22 minutes which is not too bad but his ice time will need to monitored as the season winds down and the playoffs near. There is little doubt that for now he is the Canadiens best option to play with Weber but the question remains as to how long that can last for? Markov did lead the Canadiens with four giveaways…
Nathan Beaulieu and Nikita Nesterov formed a very effective third defensive pairing against the Leafs. They were not perfect but they did manage to cut down on defensive zone mistakes and shined in the offensive zone, leading to Galchenyuk’s goal as well as other scoring chances. If they can keep up that level of play and minimize their errors in the defensive zone, the duo has the potential to be a dangerous (in a good way) pairing on offense for the Canadiens.
Charles Hudon had another three points last night for the St. John's Ice Caps. Surely he can be more useful playing ten minutes a night on the Canadiens fourth line than Andrighetto...
Cheers and follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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