The Montreal Canadiens losing streak finally ended at 6 games as they managed to pull out a 4-3 shootout win against the Tampa Bay Lightning last night. To say that the win was much needed would be an understatement. The Canadiens needed a boost to their moral and only a win was going to make a difference. Little victories like simply playing well would no longer cut it. Goals were needed and the Canadiens delivered by committee as numerous droughts were snapped.
Tomas Plekanec opened the scoring in the first period, capitalizing on a 3 on 2 led by P.K. Subban for his first goal since November 7th. Tampa Bay tied the score in the second on a powerplay goal scored by Nikita Kucherov on a goal that Mike Condon would certainly like back. Alex Galchenyuk restored the Canadiens lead halfway through the period on a one timer. The third period could have been a disaster for the Canadiens as Jason Garrison tied the score on another stoppable goal. This is not to harp on Condon. He played an outstanding game but unfortunately let in two weak goals. The next minute of play could not have been stranger. 21 seconds later Ryan Callahan would give the Lightning their only lead of the game. Therrien would challenge the goal believing the Condon was interfered with thus rendering him unable to cross the crease in time to attempt the save:
Callahan go-ahead goal...Therrien challenged for goalie interference, but it did not work. Goal upheld, 3-2 Bolts pic.twitter.com/rVvai5Rj5q
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 29, 2015After review the goal was declared good. Than 32 seconds later, Dale Weise would score a goal but play continued on as no one saw it cross the line. At the next stoppage of play coinciding with a tv timeout, the play was reviewed and it was deemed that Weise did in fact score. Lightning coach Jon Cooper then challenged the goal as he felt that Weise had interfered with Ben Bishop. Again the referees concluded that there was not goalie interference on the play and so Weise’s goal stood and the game was tied. The Canadiens were guaranteed a point for the first time in 7 games. Neither team could score in overtime and so the game went to a shootout. The second shooter for each team, Valtteri Filppula and Brian Flynn (!) both managed to score. Kucherov, the Lightning’s third shooter was denied by Condon and so the game was on the line for Max Pacioretty. The Captain deked Bishop and scored a beauty of a goal to give the Canadiens the big W and much needed two points.
Props & Flops From the Game:
Props:
Mike Condon - He was truly excellent stopping 36 of 39 shots for the win. The first two goals that he allowed were weak and would have been stopped had he kept his stick down. However, he stood tall and determined to give everything he had to keep the Canadiens in the game. It might not always have been pretty but he did the job. The Winter Classic start in his backyard is a nice reward for him.
Michel Therrien - It is not easy to bench veterans and it was a big message that he was sending to Alexei Emelin by deciding not to dress him. Emelin has been playing quite poorly during the Canadiens losing streak and his play was bringing down partner Jeff Petry as well. Therrien also finally re-inserted Sven Andrighetto into the lineup and the move paid immediate dividends as he assisted on Plekanec’s opening goal. His offensive skills are very much needed by this team and he seemed to rejuvenate Plekanec and Tomas Fleischmann. Therrien also elected to play the newly called up Mark Barberio over Jarred Tinordi and the former Lightning played well against his old team. He contributed a solid 12:41 minutes of hockey and displayed excellent passing skills, sending Paul Byron in on a breakaway. Lastly, Therrien played his hunches right during the shootout. He knew that sending Brian Flynn out would be questioned, fortunately he gambled right. Finally, he sent Max Pacioretty with the opportunity to win it all. Pacioretty looked determined coming off the bench and hopefully this shootout goal will spark a new goal scoring streak for the captain.
Flops:
Michel Therrien - As much as he made a lot of right moves, I still question the ice time management of numerous Canadiens players. Galchenyuk, Eller and Carr have been the Canadiens most consistent line since they have been playing together. Galchenyuk scored in the second period to give the Canadiens the lead but played less than 15 minutes against the Lightning and only had 5 shifts in the 3rd period. Tomas Fleischmann played over 19 minutes and I worry that the extended ice time will catch up with him if he keeps playing with Plekanec. I also disagree with the use of Fleischmann in 3 on 3 overtime, preferring Andrighetto to skate with Plekanec. Markov had 3 shifts in overtime while Petry only had one and neither Beaulieu or Barberio saw a second of extra time. With back to back games this is too much extra time for Markov. He was fortunate not to get caught in overtime as Dale Weise kept the play in the Lightning zone, preventing a breakaway or odd man rush.
With the Canadiens win, they took back the division lead from tonight’s opponent the Florida Panthers. Other than giving Mike Condon a rest before the Winter Classic and starting the newly acquired Ben Scrivens, Therrien is not going to mess with the lineup that won their first game since December 12th.
Looks as though the only line-up change for #Habs tonight will be Ben Scrivens in goal. Same scratches out for a morning skate.
— John Bartlett (@BartsBytes) December 29, 20155 Questions for Tonight’s Game:
1) Can the Canadiens make it two wins in a row?
2) As Plekanec, Weise and Pacioretty all scored against the Lightning, will either of Desharnais or Subban hit the back of the net tonight?
3) Will Scrivens earn a W in his first Canadiens start?
4) How long will Emelin be a healthy scratch for?
5) Do you believe that Bergevin is done trading for now or something else is cooking?
Puck drops at 7:30pm
Cheers and enjoy the game! Follow @Jenbcutler