The Montreal Canadiens were able to extend their win streak to six games as they defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 in overtime at the Rogers Arena on Tuesday night. It was the fifth time in the past seven victories that the Canadiens needed more than 60 minutes to earn the full two points. Perhaps what is most re-assuring with these close games is that the Canadiens rarely seem to panic anymore with the puck. Rather, they stick to their game plan and eventually they find a way to win. This is what good teams do. Do we dare say that the Canadiens are once again very good?
With the win the Canadiens once again re-established a six point lead over the Ottawa Senators for first place in the Atlantic division although the Senators continue to hold the advantage with three games in hand. For the third consecutive game, secondary scoring stepped up to lead the way on offense as Torrey Mitchell scored his first goal in 40 games to give the Canadiens the early 1-0 lead. The players continued to press to add to their lead but Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller was up to the task, making 367 saves to stand on his head and keep his team in the game ;)
Ryan Miller made 367 saves tonight and was only the 3rd star tonight, that's what happens when Price is playing on the other side. #Habs pic.twitter.com/sfUv0hXqor
— Eyes on the Prize (@HabsEOTP) March 8, 2017
Michael Chaput scored midway through the third period to tie the game 1-1 as the Canucks pushed to make the game a little more interesting. Carey Price stood tall in nets as the Canucks poured on the pressure to win the game but unfortunately for them (and the rest of the NHL), Price has completely returned to his fine form. In overtime, Paul Byron scored for the second time in three games as he deflected Alex Galchenyuk’s shot to make it a 2-1 final overtime victory for the Canadiens. Puck props and flops:
Props:
Carey Price - These statistics say it all:
#Habs Carey Price has returned to his old self (and then some) under Claude Julien pic.twitter.com/tO5V0VeHWv
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 8, 2017
Paul Byron - Yes Byron scored the game winning goal in overtime but he was playing an excellent game well before that happened. He and Andrew Shaw have seemingly formed some nice chemistry on the Canadiens third line, skating hard, forechecking aggressively and providing energy. Byron now has 16 goals this season. With 15 games left to play, will he hit 20 goals?
Andrew Shaw - He led all Canadiens forwards with 22:01 minutes of ice time, picking up additional shifts with the absences of Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell. Shaw was all over the ice against the Canucks and has been able to focus and harness his energy in a much more positive manner. This stark improvement is certainly not a coincidence with the arrival of Claude Julien. Shaw now has five points in his last eight games and is finally proving that he was a worthwhile acquisition for Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.
Brendan Gallagher - The diminutive forward did everything but score against his hometown Canucks. Gallagher fired 7 shots at Ryan Miller but was unable to beat him. Although Gallagher did not record any points, he played a very complete game and was back in his old office, constantly in Miller’s sight and parked right in front of him. As long as Gallagher continues to play in this vein, the points will soon follow.
Alex Galchenyuk - He now has eight points in the last six games, coincidentally the same six game win streak that the Canadiens are on. In that span and especially in overtime, he has been dynamite with two game winning goals and assisting on Byron’s game winning goal against the Canucks. It has not mattered who lines up next to Galchenyuk, he is finding a way to perform and contribute night in and night out. Just imagine what could be if Alexander Radulov would find himself on Galchenyuk’s wing once he returns from injury...
Flops:
The Canadiens Powerplay - Is there another powerplay in the NHL that is as wildly inconsistent as the Canadiens? Its success and failures come at extreme highs and lows. They are certainly streaky to say the least. The Canadiens were unable to convert on any of their three opportunities against the Canucks. Without Radulov and no longer playing four forwards on the top unit, Alex Galchenyuk curiously played on the second unit. With all due respect to Phillip Danault, he only has two power play points all season long. Put your best and most offensively talented center with your best players on the man advantage. Simple as that.
Decision to keep Mitchell in the game - Torrey Mitchell missed most of the first period after he scored his eighth goal of the season and it was later revealed that he was suffering from the flu. However, it seems somewhat reckless of the Canadiens training and coaching staff to allow Mitchell to return to the game and potentially spread his virus to his teammates… If the team was not already down a man in Brian Flynn, would Mitchell still have returned to the game?
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The Canadiens are continuing their swing through Western Canada with a match against the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. The absences at practice today:
Tomas Plekanec, Alexander Radulov et Brian Flynn ne sont pas sur la glace du Saddledome pour l'entraînement cet après-midi à Calgary.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 8, 2017
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