A 1-1, tight-knit battle was predictable, what happened in the end was anything but. When Michael Ryder beat Peter Budaj with a perfect shot to make it 2-1, you figured the Devils were going to shut it down the way the Canadiens had for the majority of the hockey game. What ensued thereafter was a perfect example of how hard it is to shut down games in this league, as the scoring brigade pushed the teams to 3-3, headed into overtime.
David Desharnais' never going to want to wake up from this dream. After scoring a single point in his first 19 games of the season, Desharnais capped off eight points in seven games by adding the dramatic game-tying goal on his only shot of the night--tipping a desperate shot by Brian Gionta. Then, in the shootoout, Desharnais scored a magical goal on Cory Schneider, extending his record to a perfect 3/3 in shootouts this season.
If Desharnais was happy after the game, Subban was over the moon. A defensive gaff with just more than a minute remaining in regulation gave the Devils a precious 3-2 lead, unpredictably squandered in the waning seconds of the hockey game. Gaff is putting it mildly; Subban had perfect control of the puck next to Peter Budaj, he had plenty of time too, and it just inexplicably left his stick and landed on Patrick Elias'.
It was the kind of mistake that those that believe in the "Subban's a defensive liability" myth will eat up. Of course those very same people would probably ignore that he was on the ice seconds later for the game-tying goal, which wouldn't have happened had he not ran interference that could've easily been called a penalty. Oddly enough, Subban's risk-reward label was apropos on the play--tying up Elias was certainly a risk worth taking, and the reward was instrumental in vaulting the Canadiens to second in the Atlantic Division, with Lars Eller, Desharnais and Peter Budaj putting them within a point from overtaking the Boston Bruins, who they'll play tonight.
Both teams tried desperately to avoid the shootout. The Devils had four forwards on the ice at one point in overtime, having not scored a single shootout goal this season, coming into the game. Therrien countered with Alex Galchenyuk and Daniel Briere as both teams skated through a scoreless frame.
Budaj came up huge throughout the game, and even bigger in the shootout. His stops on Travis Zajac and Patrick Elias helped preserve the win, especially after rookie Reid Boucher--playing in his first NHL game--was thrown in as an x-factor Budaj couldn't have studied before the game; a move that worked out perfectly for Peter DeBoer.
Therrien was asked after the game how his team would make it through tonight, with the Bruins lying in wait, having not played a game all week. Therrien didn't point to the gameplan that's had them dominate over their last 10, he admitted that the fans are going to have to give them the extra emotion to pull from. I doubt Therrien will be disappointed with what the fans offer at the Bell Centre tonight. ************************
1) Made a single prediction for the game last night: "Brian Gionta will score tonight". It came true. Can't help but wonder if it's the start of the trend. Gionta's had many stretches throughout his career where he can't buy a goal, only to go on a hot-streak. Wouldn't surprise me.
A few other predictions I've made this season:
Before Monday's game, I was in the press lounge with Brian Wilde, and I said to him, "I'm only making one prediction for tonight: Alex Galchenyuk will score.". Obviously, he potted the game-winner.
With Prust and Emelin set to return to action, I was berated by my friend Bobby Dollas for taking to twitter and suggesting that a win against Columbus would set the Canadiens up for a big run, despite brutally tough competitors (NYR, Min, Was, Pit...). They beat Columbus, they lost to New York, and now they've won 7/8, and they still got a point in the loss.
Before Montreal played Minnesota, having been shutout by the Rangers 1-0 at home, I told the twitterverse that I'm not a betting man, but I'd take Montreal and the over (even knowing that at the time, the Habs and Wild were tied with the second best defensive stats in the league).
2) So here's my prediction for tonight's game: Carey Price will be the best player on the ice for either team.
I know, it's a lot vaguer than the other predictions. But if it comes true, it's as good as predicting the Canadiens are going to win tonight.
3) Getting on the board early and often would be the key for a tired team versus a rested one. We'll see if the Canadiens can play off the crowd and find that recipe for tonight's game.
There's always a chance the rested team comes out stale, but you wouldn't expect it from the Bruins would you?
4) I wouldn't want the NHL schedule-maker's job, but not having the Bruins and Canadiens play each other once in the first 30 games of the season is somewhat ridiculous.
5) Smartest move Michel Therrien made last night was throwing Michael Bournival out there with Eller and Galchenyuk late in the game. It was Bournival's best performance in a while, and they produced a huge goal that should've led both teams to overtime at 2-2.
Another great move: Sticking with Daniel Briere on Plekanec's line for most the night. He played really well, and that pass to Gionta--regardless of Jaromir Jagr's poor effort on the play--was outstanding.