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Habs score 3 goals in 62 seconds to defeat Rangers 5-4. Face Det on MLK Day

January 16, 2017, 12:31 AM ET [374 Comments]
Jennifer B Cutler
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Montreal Canadiens exploded for three goals in 62 seconds to come back and defeat the New York Rangers 5-4 Saturday night at the Bell Centre. It was one of the Canadiens most exciting games of the season as it featured challenges, goals galore and plenty of drama. Following their 7-1 loss for the Minnesota Wild, the Canadiens needed a big win against a playoff team in order to make yet another statement. They are not leading the Atlantic division by chance. They have battled through numerous adversities and proven to be resilient, finding a way to win even when it appears that they are down for the count. They are succeeding because they are getting contributions from up and down the lineup and a coaching staff that is leading the way having learned hard lessons from a season ago.

It was a tale two very different returns to the ice for Alex Galchenyuk and Andrew Shaw. Galchenyuk picked up right where he left off, scoring his tenth goal of the season to get the Canadiens on the board and tie the game at one apiece in the second period. By contrast, Shaw did not even last through the end of the first period. He caused a goal by Phillip Danault to be disallowed due to goaltender interference, took a penalty on which the Rangers scored on the ensuing powerplay and gave a late hit for which he was given two five minute major penalties (interference & fighting) and a game misconduct. Fortunately for Shaw his actions did not further hurt the team as the Rangers were not able to pad their lead during their time with the man advantage.

Despite allowing four goals, Carey Price bounced back with a relatively strong performance after having given up seven to the Minnesota Wild to secure the win against the Rangers. He made some timely saves to keep them in the game and the goals against scored were often because of defensive breakdowns. However, the Canadiens have still allowed three or more goals in five straight games and the team needs to clean up their defensive play and stop making it easy for their opponents...

The Canadiens climbed back from a one goal deficit three times in the match as the players never stopped skating. The team could have been discouraged when Rick Nash’s goal was allowed after the Canadiens challenged the call for goaltender interference and lost, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead. Instead, it was nearly a rallying point as they kept pushing for the equalizer which they got as Brian Flynn was relentless until he managed to push the puck past Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers restored their lead off a J.T. Miller shorthanded goal, setting the stage for the Canadiens big third period rally.

The roof was nearly blown off the Bell Centre as Alexei Emelin, Max Pacioretty and Paul Byron scored within a 62 second span, just past the midway point in the final period. Lundqvist had come in relief for the injured Antti Raanta at the start of the second period and it looked like the Canadiens had rattled the goaltender once again as he seemingly has a difficult time facing the Canadiens at the Bell Centre. While Derek Stepan scored to bring the Rangers to within one, the Canadiens were able to hold the fort and hang on for the 5-4 win.

Puck props and flops:

Props
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Phillip Danault - With the return of Galchenyuk to the lineup, Danault was promptly relegated to centering the third line (or is it the second?). He knew that he was only a seat warmer for Galchenyuk but he certainly made the most of his opportunity as the Canadiens temporary top line centerman. Still, Danault could have easily had a letdown game. Instead, he continued step up and the led the way for the Canadiens with three assists and a disallowed goal. Danault may not be a true first line center but he has become an integral part of the Canadiens, especially down the middle.

Brian Flynn - Flynn started the game on the Canadiens fourth line but found himself promoted to Danault’s line once Shaw was ejected from the game. Flynn had an extra jump to his game and with his speed and competitiveness, Flynn was able to fit right in with Danault and Byron. His sixth goal of the season was timely and needed by the Canadiens as he scored less than two minutes after Nash’s questionable goal. Flynn is often forgotten about when discussing the Canadiens lineup but his versatility has been valuable over the course of the season.

Max Pacioretty - The captain scored his 20th goal of the season as he outskated the Rangers defensemen and broke through for a breakaway, putting the puck in five hole. Pacioretty has now scored at least 20 goals in four consecutive seasons and it likely would have been his sixth year in a row with 20 or more had it not been for the shortened lockout season in 2013. He led all Canadiens forwards in ice time with 21:26 minutes and finished the night with a goal and an assist. His shooting percentage is at 14.6%, well above his career average of 11.4%. Will Pacioretty be able to flirt with 40 goals by the season’s end? While reaching that feat would be difficult, reunited with Galchenyuk it is certainly possible.

Alex Galchenyuk - It would have been understandable if he had a quiet game, easing himself back into the flow coming off of his injury. However, Galchenyuk pushed himself through the game and while his timing was occasionally off, it could not have been any better as he deflected Mark Barberio’s shot in for his tenth goal of the season. While Danault performed more than admirable in his spot, there is nothing like having a true number one centerman to rely on. With Galchenyuk in the lineup the Canadiens are much more dangerous offensively.

Flops:

Andrew Shaw - It was obvious that Shaw had an enormous amount of energy in his first game back since suffering a concussion but unfortunately he was not able to channel that emotion as keep it on the right side of the fence as he lost control of himself, ultimately putting his team in jeopardy and costing them a goal. While his interference with Raanta was debatable, the first penalty that he took was unnecessary. Shaw’s late big hit on Jesper Fast looked worst in real time and it was understable that the referees gave him a game misconduct. In reality, the hit was shoulder to shoulder and Shaw should probably have not been thrown out of the game. However, considering how his performance was hindering his teammates, perhaps the misconduct was not such a bad thing as it can serve as a reminder of how Shaw must straddle that elusive line of being aggressive but clean.




Michael McCarron - Playing on the right wing on the Canadiens fourth line, McCarron struggled to stay with the play and had a particularly hard time during the transition from the defensive zone to their opponent’s. McCarron has played in 15 straight games since his callup and for the most part he has played quite well, even in limited minutes. Perhaps he is starting to run a little out of gas or was uncomfortable playing the wing for the first time in quite awhile.

Canadiens special teams - Once again the Canadiens allowed a goal while on the penalty kill and to make matters worse, they allowed a shorthanded goal as well. The Rangers powerplay goal came off of what else but a lost face off. The Canadiens are making it too easy for their opponents and must start to become more aggressive, beginning the moment the puck is dropped.

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The Canadiens had a rare Sunday practice as they visit the Detroit Red Wings to play an even rarer Monday afternoon game on the American holiday Martin Luther King Day. Since there will be no morning skate due to the early start time, it was a good opportunity for the Canadiens to have an intense practice focusing on defensive zone coverage and the penalty kill. Chris Terry cleared waivers on his way back to St. John's while Jacob De La Rose earned his first call up of the season. After a slow start to the year in the AHL, De La Rose has 10 points in his last fourteen games. The call up will be a good opportunity for Canadiens management to gage if De La Rose has improved and can be a part of the team’s future as his entry level contract will end this season.

The lines at practice were:




It appears as though McCarron will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season as Daniel Carr practiced on the fourth line in his place. Of course it is also possible that De La Rose may get an opportunity to play there instead of Carr but the likelihood is small as he will not have had a practice with the team. Shaw has reclaimed his spot on Danault and Byron’s line and hopefully he will have tempered himself in time for the game against Detroit.

The Red Wings are struggling this season and are in danger of missing the playoffs. They have only 42 points on the season and sit eight points back of the second wild card spot. At home, their record is under .500 as they are 8-10-3. However, they are coming off of a big 6-3 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins and the acanadiens cann t afford to take their opponent lightly.

Red Wings lines:







Puck drops at 3pm.

Cheers and follow along!
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