Montreal 3 NY Rangers 1 (Madison Square Garden)
It seems that the formula has changed. Remember earlier in the season? Game after game, the Canadiens were outshot, with 40 shots against not being unusual. The Habs could only win with “excellent goaltending and special teams.”
It was a stock phrase used at many post-game news conferences by coach Jacques Martin. During that time, the Canadiens had the No. 1 ranked power-play in the league.
Anyone questioning the contribution of goaltending should recall that either Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak has won the monthly Molson Cup. Price earned the honours in October and November while Halak won for December and January/February segments.
But times have changed. We haven’t heard those words from Martin in awhile, and certainly not on the six-game winning streak.
While the Canadiens’ penalty-killing has continued to be strong, the power-play has not been as dominating as it was earlier in the season. And goaltending just hasn’t been required to play a major role.
Halak, the Habs’ starting goaltender was called on to make just 19 saves in tonight’s game.
Instead, during the winning streak, the Canadiens have been getting goal support, a balanced attack, excellent neutral zone play and good defense.
The Habs are forechecking and dictating play. Forwards called small earlier in the season are being referred to as speedy and are exploiting vulnerable defences. With all four lines contributing the Habs are able to dominate.
While the Canadiens controlled the play from beginning to end tonight, the second period was their best outshooting the Rangers 18-to-5. With the Canadiens spending more time in the offensive zone, there has been less pressure on the defense. With managed minutes, all three pairs of defenders are playing better than they have all season.
This is the team envisioned by Bob Gainey when he assembled the pieces last summer, and made a few key acquisitions in the fall. Let’s hope that Gainey finally gets his due.
Tomas Plekanec, who was a game-time decision with a suspected hip injury, once again proved why he is the MVP of the Canadiens this season. Plekanec had a goal on four shots while getting 20 minutes of ice-time, the most of any forward. He had power-play and penalty-killing shifts and was 75 per cent on faceoffs.
Sergei Kostitsyn was excellent defensively with his team short-handed and he scored the winning goal. Kostitsyn now has six points in the last six games. Brian Gionta had eight shots on goal.
The Canadiens are now in sole possession of sixth place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Philadelphia. The Flyers lost in a shootout to Nashville. Looking ahead in the standings, the Habs trail fifth place Ottawa by only one point and third place Buffalo by four. The Senators have one game in hand while the Sabres have three.
Montreal is coming together at an ideal time in the season. At the end of the game, I jokingly asked, ‘Can Cammalleri crack this lineup?’ Of course, he will play, but it does allow coach Martin the luxury of waiting until he is close to 100 per cent healthy before returning him to the line-up.
Cammalleri will take Tom Pyatt’s spot on the Plekanec line. Marc-Andre Bergeron’s return will not be as straightforward. Martin will have the choice of Pyatt, Bergeron or Max Lapierre for one place in the lineup.
Both Cammalleri and Bergeron will not be ready for the weekend. Ben Maxwell, who was a healthy scratch tonight, will be returned to Hamilton on Wednesday.
The Canadiens will have a day off and will return to practise on Thursday to get ready for their Saturday night game with the Leafs in Toronto.
Rocket’s three stars
1. Sergei Kostitsyn
2. Henrik Lundqvist
3. Tomas Plekanec
special mention: Brian Gionta, Andrei Markov
Player quotes from wire services were used in this report.
(photo credit: Getty)
What a strange season it's been so far. The team we see now looks virtually nothing like the team we saw through 50 games this season. Could it be that Jacques Martin is going to make us all eat our words? From a guy who looked like the game has passed him by, to a coach who's got 4 good lines, effective defense (huh?) and goaltending to match. Does this sound right?
Gainey does deserve credit for what this bunch is accomplishing right now. But…let's understand that the team hasn't done anything yet other than go from a smoke & mirror team, to a team that looks like it will give anyone a hard time in the playoffs. Ah, the playoffs. That will be the test, and that will be when we heap appropriate amounts of praise on Gainey. And while the team is cruising now, what will be the chatter 3 months from now when the season is over? Will Plekanec still be a Canadien, or did the contracts doled out last summer ensure that Gauthier won't be able to afford him? It's hard not to be discouraged about the cessation of negotiations, but I guess we have to take it at face value for now since all indications are that Plekanec wants to stay here.
Back to last night's game, can we imagine if the teams flopped? If the Canadiens put forth the sort of effort the Rangers did last night, Montreal emergency rooms will be filled with Habs fans in cardiac arrest! Still, the Canadiens deserve full credit for the win, as the last time they were at MSG they were horrid, getting spanked 6-2. One of the brightest spots for me is the continued emergence of SK74. He's been terrific at both ends of the ice and may not be getting his due. The only thing left for him to do is to lend his big brother some of his mojo. Andrei looks a little lost right now, even though he's been dangerous here and there.
How much better can it get for this bunch? You'd think the imminent addition of their top goal getter would be another boost, and you'd also think that their prime power play weapon would add another important piece. It's hard to argue otherwise, but hockey is a weird game. The Canadiens are wise not to rush either back until the injuries are gone.
Let's hope for good things on Saturday vs the Leafs. An 8-game win streak should all but assure the Canadiens of a playoff spot, as they'd likely only need to win 5 of their last 10 games to lock up a spot.
I'm guessing Tony Marinaro still wants to blow up the team, trade everyone, and rebuild? PJ Stock still thinking the same? I wouldn't know, I don't listen to them anymore (thank god for Vermont radio). Regardless of what happens in the playoffs it just reminds people to stop flipping out and calling for trades/heads until the very long season is over… (And my judgement on Martin may be harsh some times, but hey Carbo didn't take the guys to the playoffs in his first year–partially thanks to the flu and other injuries–but Martin may have a team in front of him that can finally give him some results in the playoffs).
The Rangers, on the other hand, look rather screwed.
I'm happy to inform you that Marinaro no longer wants to blow up the team and trade/fire everyone. He does, however have his plan close by if he needs it.
I'm even happier to inform you that PJ Stock has not been on the Team990 for a couple months now. Randy Tieman has taken his spot permanently (though he is on vacation this week).
PJ's on CHOM now (that's what I was referring too, actually). And in the morning too! How cruel is that? I can't set that station as my alarm anymore because he just aggravates me so much with the same garbage every morning. Though it's funny how Pirate Pete casually tells him off every time. Thank god for Vermont radio though…
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