Ann 2Game 24 Review: Canadiens Hold Off Thrashers To Win 5-4
December 4th 2008 23:43
Boy, was that one close or what? After 40 minutes, the Montreal Canadiens had a comfortable 3-0 lead over the lowly Atlanta Thrashers who looked completely overwhelmed. Then, one bad change halfway through the third period became the catalyst for the Thrashers' comeback who scored three unanswered goals in 59 seconds. Thankfully, Andrei Kositsyn, playing one of his best games of the season, gave back the lead to the Canadiens then Robert Lang added in an empty-netter to put the score at 5-3. Unfortunately, the Thrashers hadn't said their last word yet and the Canadiens had to hold on for twenty more seconds after their visitors put a fourth past Carey Price.
Despite the close final score, the Canadiens actually played a decent game. Granted, it was against one of the worst teams of the conference, but hey, baby steps are better than nothing. With that thought, I'd like to point out the positives of this game.
First, call-up Matt D'Agostini scored his first goal in the NHL by doing what 60% of the Habs' players are reluctant to do – go to the net to cash in on the rebounds. If he keeps doing it, he might stay up with the big club for a while.
Second, the Canadiens finally scored on the powerplay via Andrei Markov with his fourth of the season. Furthermore, the Habs seem to have found a partner for Markov on the point in Robert Lang who had a great game Tuesday alongside Alex Kovalev. Not only did they score on the powerplay, they also scored more than three goals for the first time in a long while. Fans of La Cage Aux Sports' chicken wings promotion were probably happy with that one.
Finally, the Habs have won two consecutive games in regulation time, something that never happened in the month of November where the Habs' performances looked like a roller-coaster ride.
The end of the game was slightly worrisome, but at the same time the Thrashers are reputed for scoring goals in bunches. The Canadiens can take solace in the fact that they kept going at it instead of quitting when the score was 3-3.
My 3 Stars:
3. Alex Kovalev
2. Ron Hainsey
1. Andrei Kostitsyn
Despite the close final score, the Canadiens actually played a decent game. Granted, it was against one of the worst teams of the conference, but hey, baby steps are better than nothing. With that thought, I'd like to point out the positives of this game.
First, call-up Matt D'Agostini scored his first goal in the NHL by doing what 60% of the Habs' players are reluctant to do – go to the net to cash in on the rebounds. If he keeps doing it, he might stay up with the big club for a while.
Second, the Canadiens finally scored on the powerplay via Andrei Markov with his fourth of the season. Furthermore, the Habs seem to have found a partner for Markov on the point in Robert Lang who had a great game Tuesday alongside Alex Kovalev. Not only did they score on the powerplay, they also scored more than three goals for the first time in a long while. Fans of La Cage Aux Sports' chicken wings promotion were probably happy with that one.
Finally, the Habs have won two consecutive games in regulation time, something that never happened in the month of November where the Habs' performances looked like a roller-coaster ride.
The end of the game was slightly worrisome, but at the same time the Thrashers are reputed for scoring goals in bunches. The Canadiens can take solace in the fact that they kept going at it instead of quitting when the score was 3-3.
My 3 Stars:
3. Alex Kovalev
2. Ron Hainsey
1. Andrei Kostitsyn
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