Ann 2Game 81 Review: Canadiens Clinch Playoffs Spot In 5-4 OT Loss Against Bruins (Video Included)
April 14th 2009 04:14
Playoffs preview? You betcha!
Schneider's presence wasn't the only move made by Gainey in anticipation of the game. Doug Janik, called up when Markov and Schneider went down, was sent back to Hamilton and in return, the Canadiens recalled Yannick Weber - the second coming of ex-Hab Mark Streit to play spare minutes at even-strength but, most importantly, to get all the powerplay time he could take in order to unleash his powerful shot.
Despite those two changes, the Bruins' gameplan was simple: intimidate the Canadiens with a highly physical game to make sure they refrain from going into corners. It is then no surprise that six roughing penalties were issued in the first period which ended with Boston having a 1-0 lead via Patrice Bergeron.
Alex Kovalev tied the game early in the second with patented wrist shot on the powerplay (Zdeno Chara was in the box which is probably why the Bruins had such a defensive breakdown). Unfortunately for the Habs, the Bruins took a 3-1 lead after scoring two goals in the span of two minutes. First, Philip Kessel beat Price with a wrist shot using the netminder's defenseman as a screen; then, Mark Recchi scored on the powerplay with asissts from Chara and Bergeron. And that's when the goon show started. In four minutes of play, 50 minutes of penalties were issued including 14 minutes to Ryan O'Byrne and 18 minutes to Milan Lucic.The result was two powerplay goals for Montreal, one by Matt D'Agostini and the other by Schneider, both slappers from the point. Then, with a bit over three minutes remaining to the second period, D'Agostini added his second of the game, and suddenly the Canadiens, who were getting pummeled by fists, had crawled back in the game using sheer determination (and a working powerplay unlike the two previous games) and came out of the second period with a 4-3 lead. Needless to say, the crowd was shocked.
Both teams started the third period in a more cautious manner the Bruins, probably because their hotheadedness had cost them a two-goal lead; the Habs, simply because their playoffs hope rested in those twenty minutes of hockey. The Bruins, however, didn't have to wait long to get a break of their own. Less than five minutes into the final period, Mathieu Dandenault was penalized for flipping the puck into the crowd. Forty seconds later, Chara caught a loose puck in front of Price to tie the game at 4-4. It was cautious hockey from that moment on as each team waited for their opponent's mistake. It should come as no surprise then that only two penalties were called in this period, the second to Steve Montador in the final minute of play for holding.
The Canadiens didn't score on the powerplay, but having to deal with only four Bruins on the ice made things much easier for them to get a point and thus clinch a playofffs spot. Their powerplay went on in the overtime but they could only muster two shots against Thomas. Mark Recchi scored on the Bruins' third shot after a foolish giveaway by Maxim Lapierre at the Canadiens' blueline, and the game concluded on a 5-4 scoreline.
Although the Canadiens showed a lot of character by standing up to the Bruins and coming back in the game, Claude Julien's men digged themselves in a hole the minute they decided to go on a killing spree. The game was far from over, and yet they were jumping everyone who dared to even touch them. Milan Lucic and Shawn Thornton were the most psychotic of the bunch with Lucic mugging Komisarek from behind after the defenseman had checked the Bruins' troublemaker to the ice. Nothing wrong with that you might say, but I didn't mention that Komisarek already had a Boston player on him when Lucic decided to come along and almost rip his head off. Thornton blew a gasket when O'Byrne gave him a shoulder push and forced the defenseman to retreat in the turtle position, but the damage was laready done.
As for the Habs, although they performed admirably well, some players are obviously not suited for the physical stuff. Alex Tanguay was completely invisible for the third consecutive game. As a result, the TTK line was nowhere near their usual rhythm. Tomas Plekanec was simply too light for the Bruins defensemen who easily pushed him off the puck as if he was another Grabovski. On a more positive note, it was probably D'Agostini's best game since the beginning of 2009, and Andrei Kostitsyn seems to slowly get out of his shell.
After much struggling, the Canadiens have done it. They're going to the playoffs. Only this time, they're far from being a team anyone should be afraid of.
My 3 Stars:
3. Patrice Bergeron
2. Matt D'Agostini
1. Mark Recchi
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Comment by Chuck H
Two Cents From Beantown
TCFB
Take care,
Chuck
Comment by Ann 2
Muzikal Mafia
Canadiens Watch
Football Slate
I can't wait for the series to start but the Habs are gonna suffer without Markov.