|
Rangers defeat the Habs 3-2 in overtime to take a matching 3-2 series lead |
|
|
|
|
|
The New York Rangers have taken a 3-2 series lead over the Montreal Canadiens as they defeated them by a matching 3-2 score in overtime Thursday night at the Bell Centre. Former Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien often said that a team needs to score three goals in a game to be in a good position to win the game. His foresight certainly rings true throughout this first round series with the Rangers as the Canadiens have won the two games that they managed to put at least three goals past Henrik Lundqvist, games two and three. On the nights that they have been unable to score, the losses in games one, four and five, the holes in the Canadiens offense are obvious as the team has struggled to take advantage of their opportunities.
The game had started out so well for the Canadiens. Artturi Lehkonen continued his strong playoffs performance with a tenacious shift that did not see him give up until he finally scored on a wraparound attempt. Jesper Fast briefly evened up the score with a shorthanded goal but just 25 seconds later on that same powerplay, Brendan Gallagher proved that his hand his back to full strength as blasted one by Lundqvist to give the Canadiens a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
For much of the second period the Canadiens continued to have the shot and chance advantage, that is until close to the end of the period when Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei jumped into the play unnoticed and pounced on a loose puck just outside the crease to tie the game. From that moment on the Rangers took full control of the game as the Canadiens treaded water, hoping that they would survive until they found their footing again. Unfortunately that moment never came for Habs fans as the Rangers continued to dominate in overtime as Mika Zibanejad scored the game winning goal with less than six minutes remaining in extra time. It was almost a mirror image of game two when the Canadiens seized momentum in third period and never looked back as they went on to tie the game and win it in overtime.
Now the Canadiens will head to New York City to play game six on Saturday night in what will obviously be a must win game in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. Perhaps Claude Julien would do well to remember when the Canadiens came back from a 3-2 series deficit to beat his Boston Bruins in the second round of the 2014 playoffs. It was in game six that Max Pacioretty came alive with a goal and an assist to make his mark in that series. Pacioretty has suffered the brunt of much of the criticism for failing to score a playoff goal thus far. After an average game four he bounced back with a much better effort. He was unable to score on a breakaway in third period that would have given the Canadiens a 3-2 lead and is unfairly being criticized for his lack of scoring. Yes he has a history of being a streaky scorer. Yes the Canadiens desperately need him to find the back of the net. He bounced back in 2014 in game six. Can he do it again in 2017?
The bigger question is, how will Julien adjust and tweak the team heading into Madison Square Garden on Saturday night? In the third period and overtime he once again mixed up his top six in hopes of generating some life and offense. Lehkonen was put with Pacioretty and Phillip Danault while Alexander Radulov joined Alex Galchenyuk and Andrew Shaw. For game 6 I would propose either of the following lines:
Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Radulov
Lehkonen-Plekanec-Gallagher
Byron-Danault-Shaw
Martinsen-Ott-Mitchell
Or:
Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Gallagher
Lehkonen-Plekanec-Radulov
Byron-Danault-Shaw
Martinsen-Ott-Mitchell
In the first scenario the Canadiens would load up all of their offensive talent on the top line. Phillip Danault has played well above expectations this season but has become especially evident in the playoffs that he is not a first line center. He simply does not do enough to generate offense and is not nearly as aggressive on the forecheck as he has been in the past. Galchenyuk has experienced extreme highs and lows this series but it is his time to shine. He needs to step up and lead the attack. Lehkonen, Plekanec and Gallagher have developed some solid chemistry on the team’s powerplay as the second unit has outshone the first. The Canadiens need offense. Keep these three together. Paul Byron, Danault and Andrew Shaw would make for a formidable third line. They could be an excellent checking line but their ability to cycle and dig for loose pucks would make them a presence in the offensive zone. On the fourth line, Dwight King continues to disappoint. Let Andreas Martinsen come back into the lineup and be a physical presence along with Steve Ott and Torrey Mitchell who has been excellent since he was inserted into the lineup back in game three.
In option two, the top six are perhaps more balanced. Coincidentally or not, that is the same top six that started the season together. Back when the Canadiens were the hottest team in hockey. Pacioretty, Galchenyuk and Gallagher do have a history of playing well together and now that Gallagher is back to full strength and playing his game, perhaps it is time to reunite this trio. Plekanec has outplayed Danault in this series and deserves more ice time. Radulov can create offense with everybody and Lehkonen can easily compliment both players.
The Canadiens need more from their offense. They have ran out of time. They need to start capitalizing on their opportunities and once again dictate the play. Carey Price has yet to steal a game this series. He has been very good throughout the playoffs. However, the Canadiens need to reach that next level of play that he is so capable of. It would be very surprising if he does not step up on Saturday and take back control of his net. If the Canadiens are unable to rise to the challenge in New York, it will be time to hit the links all too soon…
Cheers and follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»