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Game 54: Canadiens vs Blue Jackets AKA Close but no Cigar |
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After playing a near perfect game against the Panthers yesterday, the Habs were playing another matinee this time against the Blue Jackets. You can tell that the Canadiens are getting near the desperation point when Carey Price plays both games of a back to back. To be fair though, he wasn't exactly overworked in yesterday's game but still, he is the goaltender who has started the most game in the league this season. The Blue Jackets are in the playoffs race and it shows in their play, they are ready and focused on their ultimate goal and it sure works for them.
They took the lead in the first and they never surrendered it which meant that the Habs spent near 50 minutes chasing the game and that they just ran out of time. They weren't dominated though, they did hold their own but they weren't as opportunistic as the Jackets were. Tomas Tatar had himself another goal giving him his 20th of the season and the stats buffs amongst you might be interested to know that he's the first player since Brian Gionta to get 20 goals in his first 2 seasons with the Sainte-Flanelle. Both Gallagher and Suzuki picked up a helper on Tuna's goal meaning that Gallagher has a point in each of the 3 games he's played since his return and that Suzuki has overtaken Dominic Kubalik in the rookie scoring race, moving into 4th position with 33 points. That's quite impressive considering that the leader, Quinn Hughes, has got 38 points (yes I know he's a d-man but still). Watching Suzuki has really been a blessing this season, the young man has continued to improve throughout the year and his average ice-time per game sure shows it: 14:07 in October, 14:38 in November, 16:26 in December and 17:38 in January. Once again today, he was on the ice for over 20 minutes, at his age that is quite the feat. While Tatar scored for the Habs in the second, Pierre-Luc Dubois really hurt the Habs with a pair of goals.
Max Domi than brought the Habs back within one 15 minutes into the 3rd period but the joy was short lived as the Jackets scored an empty net goal on a very sloppy play by the Canadiens. It's worth mentioning that this team doesn't give up though and they kept trying, leading to a last minute goal by the captain Shea Weber assisted by Tatar and Kovalchuk. For both Domi and Weber, it was their first goal of the calendar year and Domi sure looked relieved to find the back of the net. In the end, the Jackets won the game and took 2 important points which allowed them to overtake the Islanders for 3rd in the Metropolitan division.
The Habs have a busy week ahead with matches against the Devils, the Ducks and the Leafs on deck. They'll hit the ice in New Jersey on Tuesday before coming back home for the tilts against the Ducks and Leafs. As the trade deadline nears, expect to hear more and more chatter about possible deals being in the work. I've said before that I fear Tatar and Petry could be traded and to be honest, that still scares me. Both of them have been solid performers for these Habs and trying to imagine this team without them next season is not easy. the question is, is Marc Bergevin ready to admit that he doesn't see this team in the post season next season either or is he convinced that the injuries derailed what would have been a good season and that he doesn't need to blow things up? There comes a time when Geoff Molson will start to ask questions however, I mean the Canadiens will be missing the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years and that is just not acceptable. There are more and more empty seats at the Bell Centre and if one thing speaks to business people, it's money. With 10 games left until the trade deadline, difficult decisions will have to be made...For now though, it's time to get those nachos ready and settle in for the Super Bowl! Go Chiefs and LDT!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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