Montreal 4 Florida 1 (Bell Centre)
After Hal Gill lost coverage, Florida’s Radek Dvorak tipped a pass from Keith Ballard past Jaroslav Halak with just over three minutes left to play in the third period. The Panthers had cut into the 2-0 lead that the Canadiens established in the first period.
Given the third period collapse against the Sabres on the previous night after blowing a 2-0 lead, Habs’ fans were more than a little unnerved. “It’s a carbon-copy of last game,” commented one.
Even players on the ice were concerned. “With 3:30 left they scored. It was kinda creepy,” said Jaroslav Spacek.
But unlike the game in Buffalo, the Canadiens scored two empty-net goals to win 4-to-1.
While the score tonight was identical to the previous night for much of the game, that’s where the similarities end.
Unlike the Sabres, the Florida Panthers are not a division-leading team. The Canadiens had little trouble limiting scoring chances surrendering 18 fewer shots on goal. Jaroslav Halak only faced 13 shots in the first two periods combined.
It was also obvious that Tomas Vokoun was not Ryan Miller. Benoit Pouliot put a backhand by Vokoun on the second shot on goal for the Habs. Brian Gionta skipped a 45 foot shot through the five-hole to make it 2-to-0 on a goal that has to be considered soft.
All goals were scored at even strength with Canadiens’ penalty-killers being perfect on five Panthers’ power-play chances.
Halak had a relatively light workload especially in the first two periods. He made two excellent pads saves, one on Nathan Horton in the first period and another in the second facing Rostislav Olesz.
The Canadiens third line had a strong game. Travis Moen was courageous returning after just a one-game absence despite a visor and 50 stitches to close a facial laceration. Dominic Moore had five shots on goal to lead the team. Sergei Kostitsyn was superb in a penalty-killing role.
Tomas Plekanec continued his superb play. He scored an empty-net goal to seal the victory, blocked five shots, and went 7-for-12 on faceoffs.
Gionta also scored with Vokoun pulled for an extra attacker for his second goal of the game. “We gave one point away last night, so its nice to get them both tonight,” said Gionta.
After a game in the press box, Maxim Lapierre returned to play on the fourth line. In just under eight minutes of ice-time, he had one shot on goal and was not a factor.
With conference rivals’ Flyers, Bruins and Thrashers all losing, the Canadiens are in sole possession of sixth place.
The New Jersey Devils will visit the Bell Centre on Saturday night for the Habs’ next contest.
Rocket’s three stars
1. Brian Gionta
2. Dominic Moore
3. Nathan Horton
special mention: Jaroslav Halak, Tomas Plekanec
Player quotes from wire services were used in this report.
(photo credit: Reuters)
Scoring on the empty net. What a concept. While everyone should be happy for the 2pts, it was disturbing that a mere 24 hours later they almost did the exact same thing that bit them in the arse before. With the net empty, who the bloody hell sits on their heels and allows the other team to dictate the play? They don't have a goalie out! You're supposed to put them on their heels. (And if they had done the same yesterday they would have won against the division leader).
So yea, I find it disturbing they almost made the Panthers look like the Sabres. And unlike what McGuire said, they barely showed any signs of wanting to play spoiler. The fact the Habs nearly blew it against a perennial non-playoff team really is a cause for concern, especial for a team fighting for it's playoff lives right now.
They won't be playing the Panthers in the playoffs.
@Number31: I'm completely with you on this one. Sure, it was a 3 goal win, but who's kidding who here? It was a game in which the Habs allowed a weak Panthers team to hang around until the very end, as they had done with the Sabres the previous night. There is a serious lack of killer instinct on this team, and as you correctly pointed out – they won't be facing the Panthers (or any of their ilk) in the playoffs.
I'm so sick and tired of the boys sitting on their 2 goal leads and watching the other team come after them.
There are still signs of concern on this team and the roller coaster season continues.
The good news is that the Canadiens really only need 4 more wins to assure themselves of a playoff spot (if it's not all but assured already). Looking at their schedule, if they can't win at least 4 of their final 7 games (against the Devils, Canes twice, Flyers, Sabres, Islanders and Leafs) they don't deserve to be in the playoffs anyway!
At least the coaching staff corrected the major error from the night before and had Plekanec with Sergei and Moen out (followed by Gio and Gomez). Though I find it a little weird that the staff still apparently needed to figure out which players are more appropriate to be out there shutting down the final moments this late in the season. Injuries be damned…those players do it all game long.
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