Would the Montreal Canadiens be able to bounce back from their devastating Game #3 loss to Tampa Bay was the question that was on everyone’s mind on Thursday. The last second winning goal was devastating to its fans and even more so to the players themselves. The answer to how the Canadiens would respond could be found with Brendan Gallagher:
“Since I’ve been a Montreal Canadien, one thing we’ve always done is find ways to win games, Just seems like right now we’re finding ways to lose games. We’re playing good hockey, we’re just coming out on the wrong side of things. That said, this team is full of character. I know we’re not going to give up. I know we’re not going to quit. You’ve got to win four but you can’t win four unless you win one. We’ve got to focus on the next one, but obviously, it’s disappointing.… Without further ado, that is exactly what the Canadiens did. It would have been very easy for them to fold having to play Games 3 & 4 on back to back nights. They could have just gone through the motions, looking to get out of Tampa Bay and put the 2014-2015 season behind them. But should it really shock fans that the Canadiens were able to once again rise to the occasion and prove that the resiliency they had displayed all season was not a fluke? The panic button was never pushed and the Canadiens were able to put the past behind them and focus on the sole task ahead, beating Ben Bishop and extending the season by at least one more game at the Bell Centre.
While the Canadiens never lost faith in themselves, I don’t think that even they would have predicted the Habs goal fest that ensued. Finally Andrei Markov found a way to contribute positively by opening the scoring early in the first period. Miracle of miracles, the Canadiens would score a shorthanded goal AND a powerplay goal in the same game! They chased Ben Bishop from the net who looked shaky early on, highlighted by the near identical bobble on Desharnais’ goal as the one allowed on Pacioretty in Game #1. Best of all, the Canadiens did not sit back as the goals piled on. They kept pushing the play, rarely giving Tampa Bay a chance to get back into it.
Six different Canadiens would find the back of the net and they didn’t even have to rely on the 4th line. The leadership core finally stepped up and led the way. Pacioretty with a goal and two assists, Subban with 2 assists, Markov with a goal and Plekanec with an assist. Brendan Gallagher should have an honorary ‘A’ for the way that he has competed night in and night out. He was rewarded with a goal off of a great rush, for once not having to sacrifice his body. David Desharnais’ minutes were limited to 13:37, just the right amount as he netted his first of the playoffs. Alex Galchenyuk has been under incredible scrutiny in these playoffs and in Game #4 he would play his best game thus far. While he wasn’t able to solve either goalie, he was involved and made things happen. His assist to Petry was a great cross-ice pass that hopefully got the power play monkey off the Habs backs.
Okay, so the game wasn’t completely perfect. The penalty kill still needs some work as they allowed 2 goals. I don’t think Emelin and Gilbert are an effective duo and they certainly should not be the number one unit. Subban and Gilbert looked quite good together on the pk unit in Game #6 against Ottawa. I would prefer if Therrien were to limit Markov’s minutes and let him conserve his energy. Let Petry or Pateryn play with Emelin on the 2nd unit. At even strength though, the Canadiens were as near to perfection as could be. The Habs only had 3 giveaways the ENTIRE game. That is truly an incredible feat.
Now the Canadiens will return home for Game #5 on Saturday night. The Bell Centre should be rocking, the noise deafening. The Habs will have to come out exactly as they did in Games 3 & 4. Jon Cooper cannot be happy with how his troops have performed the last 2 games. For the second game in a row Steven Stamkos did not have a shot on net. Changes will be made and I fully expect Tampa Bay to play better. The Canadiens though are no longer afraid of Lightning. They solved the problem that was Ben Bishop, they know that they can outplay Tampa if they continue to believe in themselves, believe in their goalie. Like Brendan Gallagher said, they have to just focus on the next one...
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