Ann 2Game 26 Review: Devils Edge Out Canadiens 2-1 In OT (Highlights Video Included)
December 10th 2008 20:44
Playing against the New Jersey Devils has never been an easy task for the Montreal Canadiens. Not only do they have to deal with a defensive system that doesn't leave much place for flashy plays, but they were also almost always stopped by Martin Brodeur, the epitome of the Quebec-born goalie curse's effect. For the two teams' first meeting of the 2008-2009 season, Brodeur was nowhere to be seen since he has been sidelined with a muscle injury that will keep him out until February. It was back-up goalie Scott Clemmensen who stood in his place at the Bell Centre on Saturday.
Games against the Devils are usually won by the team that capitalizes on the other's mistakes. Saturday night was no different as the Habs opened the scoring in the first period when Matt D'Agostini scored his third of the season by cashing in a rebound provoked by Markov's shot from point which wasn't properly controlled by the Devils' netminder. New Jersey equalized the mark early in the second period when a seemingly inoffensive shot by Jamie Langenbrunner trickled in between Carey Price's legs to pass the goal line.
The third period saw both teams doing the best they could to prevent their opponent from scoring. With 30 seconds left to go, Alex Kovalev took a tripping penalty in the offensive zone, putting his team in unnecessary danger. With their best defenseman Andrei Markov out for the rest of the game after taking a puck deflection to the face, all the Habs could do was to hold on for the point and wish for the best in overtime. Unfortunately, the Devils scored the winning goal 30 seconds into overtime thanks to their powerplay. Many would blame Kovalev for the loss, but the penalty itself was a borderline call. If the same thing had happened in the second period, it wouldn't have been called; but since the Devils had taken a penalty five minutes earlier, the referees found the perfect opportunity to even things up.
My 3 Stars:
3.Andrei Markov
2.Carey Price
1.Zach Parise
Games against the Devils are usually won by the team that capitalizes on the other's mistakes. Saturday night was no different as the Habs opened the scoring in the first period when Matt D'Agostini scored his third of the season by cashing in a rebound provoked by Markov's shot from point which wasn't properly controlled by the Devils' netminder. New Jersey equalized the mark early in the second period when a seemingly inoffensive shot by Jamie Langenbrunner trickled in between Carey Price's legs to pass the goal line.
The third period saw both teams doing the best they could to prevent their opponent from scoring. With 30 seconds left to go, Alex Kovalev took a tripping penalty in the offensive zone, putting his team in unnecessary danger. With their best defenseman Andrei Markov out for the rest of the game after taking a puck deflection to the face, all the Habs could do was to hold on for the point and wish for the best in overtime. Unfortunately, the Devils scored the winning goal 30 seconds into overtime thanks to their powerplay. Many would blame Kovalev for the loss, but the penalty itself was a borderline call. If the same thing had happened in the second period, it wouldn't have been called; but since the Devils had taken a penalty five minutes earlier, the referees found the perfect opportunity to even things up.
My 3 Stars:
3.Andrei Markov
2.Carey Price
1.Zach Parise
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