Ann 2Game 6 Review: Halak Shines in Canadiens' 3-1 Victory Against Panthers (Highlights Video Included)
October 22nd 2008 00:35
With Andrei Kostitsyn recovering from Kurt Sauer's hit, Christopher Higgins still “injured,” and Steve Bégin suffering from a cold, Guy Carbonneau had to shuffle his squad on Monday, dressing seven defensemen and recalling Kyle Chipchura from the Hamilton Bulldogs. On the ice, Saku Koivu's line stayed intact, Sergei Kostitsyn took his brother's place besides Tomas Plekanec and Alex Kovalev, and Chipchura took the younger Kostitsyn's place on Robert Lang's line. Finally, the energy line was composed of two defensemen – Francis Bouillon (who returned to defense in the third period) and Mathieu Dandenault – flanking Maxim Lapierre.
Although the Florida Panthers are a young team coming in with a new coach, there was still a bit of apprehension going in this game. Indeed, the Panthers are the only team against which the Canadiens have a negative record, their last win against Florida going as far back as 2003. Last night, it took all of the poise of Jaroslav Halak to give the Canadiens their fifth consecutive win this season.
Once again, the Habs' netminder had to make some key saves in the first period before the team finally woke up. The first goal came early in the second when Markov made an amazing pass to Saku Koivu – again – surprising two opposing players who were going after the Russian defenseman. Florida equalized the mark in the third. But the Canadiens took the lead three minutes later when Francis Bouillon unleashed a shot from that point that somehow went past Vokoun. Finally, Plekanec added an empty-netter - his first goal of the campaign.
In the end, the game was a goaltending duel. Both Halak and Vokoun were excellent in net. The Canadiens found a way to squeak by while the Panthers didn't – it's as simple as that. Although Plekanec scored a goal – and that will be a huge relief for him – his line was struggling all night. Kovalev is still not at the level he should be but it's too early to tell if it's a repeat of the 2006-2007 or if it's because gets double-marked, even triple-marked when he's in possession of the puck. He and Sergei Kostitsyn often got in each other's way last night, making matters even worse. I thought that Chipchura had a good game on the wing. He's not as fast or as skilled as the rest of the team but he does the little things right. Unfortunately, there's just no space for him on the line-up, and he was sent down to the Bulldogs today. Since the Canadiens next game is on Saturday, it gives plenty of time for Higgins and Andrei Kostitsyn to fully recover, and finally give Guy Carbonneau a complete roster.
My 3 Stars:
3.Andrei Markov
2.Tomas Vokoun
1.Jaroslav Halak
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Although the Florida Panthers are a young team coming in with a new coach, there was still a bit of apprehension going in this game. Indeed, the Panthers are the only team against which the Canadiens have a negative record, their last win against Florida going as far back as 2003. Last night, it took all of the poise of Jaroslav Halak to give the Canadiens their fifth consecutive win this season.
Once again, the Habs' netminder had to make some key saves in the first period before the team finally woke up. The first goal came early in the second when Markov made an amazing pass to Saku Koivu – again – surprising two opposing players who were going after the Russian defenseman. Florida equalized the mark in the third. But the Canadiens took the lead three minutes later when Francis Bouillon unleashed a shot from that point that somehow went past Vokoun. Finally, Plekanec added an empty-netter - his first goal of the campaign.
In the end, the game was a goaltending duel. Both Halak and Vokoun were excellent in net. The Canadiens found a way to squeak by while the Panthers didn't – it's as simple as that. Although Plekanec scored a goal – and that will be a huge relief for him – his line was struggling all night. Kovalev is still not at the level he should be but it's too early to tell if it's a repeat of the 2006-2007 or if it's because gets double-marked, even triple-marked when he's in possession of the puck. He and Sergei Kostitsyn often got in each other's way last night, making matters even worse. I thought that Chipchura had a good game on the wing. He's not as fast or as skilled as the rest of the team but he does the little things right. Unfortunately, there's just no space for him on the line-up, and he was sent down to the Bulldogs today. Since the Canadiens next game is on Saturday, it gives plenty of time for Higgins and Andrei Kostitsyn to fully recover, and finally give Guy Carbonneau a complete roster.
My 3 Stars:
3.Andrei Markov
2.Tomas Vokoun
1.Jaroslav Halak
[HTML356]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" Really Long Link name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed Really Long Link type="application/x-shockwave -flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/HTML]
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