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Game 28: Canadiens vs Islanders AKA Playing with Pride

December 3, 2019, 10:47 PM ET [349 Comments]
Karine Hains
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Montreal Canadiens have been playing hockey for 110 years, it might have felt like they hadn't won in that long lately but this team will never let you forget its history. To commemorate its 110th birthday, the organization invited its retired captains and honoured them with a touching video and by introducing them all to the crowd. The video was just perfect, played to Robert Charlebois' "Je reviendrai à Montréal" and it conveyed all kind of emotions, judge for yourself (shame the online version doesn't have the same song though):



After that, a picture was taken at centre ice with all the captains and the current roster and one could say that Max Domi fell head over heels for the former captains:



When the puck dropped, the guys looked ready. They played a solid full first period and they were rewarded for it, for once, it was the Habs who scored in the dying moments of a period when they took the lead through Phil Danault with not even a second left to play. As per usual, Gallagher played a big part in that goal, when the Habs need to be kick started, he's there. In that first frame, Shea Weber and Ben Chiarot both played over 9 minutes and the defensive corps did well, blocking a lot of shots and only allowing 7 shots to get through to Carey Price. And if you think tonight's ceremony wasn't an inspiration for the players, take a look at the Danault comment from the first intermission:



The second period was more of the same, Weber and Chariot seemed to always be on the ice, Gallagher and Danault were on fire and once again the Habs only allowed 7 shots. They also doubled their lead through a classic Gallagher goal batted in from the paint after Greiss stopped a Shea Weber shot. Towards the end of the period, things got a bit scary when the Habs were assessed two minor penalties in a row including one against Carey Price. As much as the penalty kill makes me nervous these days, I absolutely loved seeing Price's competitive spirit tonight and that slash meant "This is my crease, get the heck out of here":



Of course, it's easier to love it once you know the Isles didn't score on that power play. Early in the 3rd period, Jeff Petry scored his first goal since October 15th to make it 3-0 Habs but it took only seconds for the Isles to crawl back within 2 thanks to a Mayfield goal. As per usual, we were in for a tight finish and with their goalie pulled, New York made it 3-2 with 2:29 to play. They then pulled Greiss again and carried on attacking but Shea Weber got his hands on the puck deep in his own zone and didn't hesitate for a second, shooting it confidently up the ice straight in the net to put the game to bed. Such a fitting ending on captains night that the current captain be the one to seal the deal. A solid 4-2 win that was oh so very welcome for so many people.

Points worth noting:
-Ben Chiarot played 30:47 and Shea Weber 29:49, those are insane numbers and can be explained by the fact that Olofsson for his part, played 5:59. Might be time to get him out of the line-up;
-Max Domi looked better out there tonight, he was engaged and took 5 shots on goal;
-Nick Suzuki is one impressive rookie! 1 assist, 4 shots on goal, 2 takeaways.... he just keeps on improving and impressing!
-Carey Price didn't have to win the game himself tonight, his team played well enough so that he just had to be good to win and he was. 21 saves on 23 shots for a .913 save percentage.

This win will give the Canadiens a bit of breathing room but they won't be able to rest on their modest laurels for long, the Avalanche will be in town on Thursday for what promises to be a challenging duel. In the meantime though, enjoy this much deserve win fans and let's hope that the Habs have turned over a new leaf.

On a lighter note, someone please tell this gentleman that Movember is over!

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