Vol. I, No. 51
Jaroslav Halak has evened the Montreal - Pittsburgh series, at one game apiece. For a change, the hockey world can write about the OTHER team in this series. The one that has a storied past, with more Stanley Cups than any other team. The Canadiens.
Facing 39 shots on goal today from the defending Stanley Cup champs, Halak allowed only one goal. That's back to his Capitals-beating 1.00 GAA in the final 3 games of the 1st round. His performance reflects a pattern against the Capitals - a bad game (3 goals against) followed by a mile-high stone wall.
Now the Habs return to home ice in Montreal. 24 Stanley Cup banners hang from the rafters of Bell Centre (inherited from the old Forum, site of the Canadiens' glory years). Home ice advantage really counts in Montreal. But then again, the Penguins have a few French-Canadian players who may have a thing to prove in front of their friends and relatives. Fleury, Dupuis, Talbot and Letang return to their childhood province. Expect great road games from these players. In the regular season, the teams split two contests in Montreal.
Now the Habs return to home ice in Montreal. 24 Stanley Cup banners hang from the rafters of Bell Centre (inherited from the old Forum, site of the Canadiens' glory years). Home ice advantage really counts in Montreal. But then again, the Penguins have a few French-Canadian players who may have a thing to prove in front of their friends and relatives. Fleury, Dupuis, Talbot and Letang return to their childhood province. Expect great road games from these players. In the regular season, the teams split two contests in Montreal.
Today's game showed the value of opportunistic offensive play. Halak was given a helping hand by Montreal forwards Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri. Gionta scored the equalizer at 15:48 of the first period, with an assist from Scott Gomez (who may finally be earning his New York Ranger/Canadien contract salary). The Gionta-Gomez combination has to be one of the smartest off-season moves made by the Canadiens last summer. They took a gamble on Gomez. With Gionta's signing, the two were reunited after their successful Cup-winning days with the New Jersey Devils.
In the second period, on a power play, Cammalleri scored one of the prettiest goals of the playoffs. At full speed, he elevated a puck off the ice and then swatted it in mid-air right into the Pittsburgh net, over the shoulder of Marc-Andre Fleury. No goalie could have stopped the shot. It was only one of three Montreal shots on goal during the period.
In the second period, on a power play, Cammalleri scored one of the prettiest goals of the playoffs. At full speed, he elevated a puck off the ice and then swatted it in mid-air right into the Pittsburgh net, over the shoulder of Marc-Andre Fleury. No goalie could have stopped the shot. It was only one of three Montreal shots on goal during the period.
Montreal sealed the deal with another Cammalleri goal at 17:06 in the third period. He split the Pittsburgh defense and, skating in alone, beat Fleury with a clean wrist shot.
The game was a perfect example of how defense wins playoff games. Montreal's defense allowed shots, but scoring chances were few and far between. The play in front of Halak was controlled by Canadien players. There were very few rebounds. Many of the Penguins shots were fired into traffic, and never even reached the crease.
Out of the past nine games, the Canadiens have won five contests against the 2009-10 regular season Presidents Trophy winner, and against the defending 2009 Stanley Cup champions. This is a team that has to be taken seriously.
In the west, Detroit and San Jose are at it again. This time, the best in the west (the Sharks) have a one game lead. If the Wings can win one in San Jose, they will be in the same position as Montreal. If not, Detroit may have a tough hill to climb. The game started at 8pm but it is time for the Hockey Tattler to retire for the evening (and watch a great game on Versus).
Hockey Rules.
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