Going into this game I predicted P.K. Subban would sit in the sin bin more often than the most hated man in Montreal, Zdeno Chara, on the TSN Predictor – Hockey Edition contest.
At least I earned a point tonight.
While the Habs were killing a Subban penalty in the first period, Tomas Plekanec and Travis Moen broke out of the zone on a 2-on-1. Pleks gave Moen a perfect tape-to-tape pass but Moen missed the net.
Fanning on shots or just plain missing the net entirely seems to be a common trend for le bleu, blanc, rouge as of late.
The Canadiens deserve a lot of credit for their first period action, though. The boys were hard on the puck, going in the corners and winning battles against their giant counterparts.
Erik Cole lays a hit on Andrew Ference. Photo by: REUTERS/ Christinne Muschi
Alexei Emelin had a huge hit behind Carey Price and I fell in [hockey] love with Josh Gorges a little more when he levelled Lucic just inside our blue line. Even our smallest player, and wonderful captain, got in on the action throwing a few hits at the 6’9 Chara.
Although Montreal outshot Boston 10-5 in the first, Mr. Glove Malfunction (or Andrew Ference) flipped the bird at Price’s shutout, ending his streak at 148:11 minutes of play to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead.
Ference was left all alone in front, took the pass and beat Price who had no chance to cover the net. The goal would ultimately be the game winner.
Is it bad I hoped someone would jump that guy cheering in the Lucic jersey the camera panned to after the Bruins goal?
While Sidney Crosby (remember him? Yeah, The Kid is back) was lighting the lamp in Pittsburgh, the Habs played a lackluster second and third period which would not go unnoticed by Twitter.
“Habs playing like a PeeWee team” -@DannyBoyMTL
“This has to be the most emotionless Habs Bruins game in recent memory” – Arpon Basu
The refs finally gave the Bruins a penalty, after keeping their eyes closed to the dirty stick work in the first period, when ex-Habs Benoit Pouliot stupidly retaliated and hooked Emelin behind the play.
Michael Cammalleri had a nice shot from the point, which was deflected in front but Tim Thomas denied him with the kick save.
Too many times the Canadiens cycled the puck and didn’t take the right opportunities to shoot, then took shots from the weakest angles or coughed up the puck.
When the shorthanded team has as many shots on net as you during your power play, it’s time to rethink your special teams. Write that in your notebook, Jacques Martin.
Pouliot was sent back to the box not long after his escape, this time for four minutes, for getting his stick up in Subban’s face.
Once again, the Habs couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage.
Boston’s victory can no doubt be placed on the shoulders of Thomas who made 33 saves for his third shutout of the year, earning him the game’s first star.
The Bruins earned their ninth straight win while Thomas has gone 133:04 minutes without allowing a goal.
With 1:39 remaining in the game Rich Peverley took a penalty for cross-checking Cammalleri. Even with the extra attacker, the Habs couldn’t buy a goal.
At one point, with 45 seconds left in the game, the Canadiens pulled a dump-and-chase making me throw my hands up in disgust as Boston quickly cleared the zone and the time on the clock ran out.
Even with their mini-me sized roster compared to the Bruins, Montreal out shot and out hit Boston.
To give them credit, Price (17-18) and the boys only allowed one Boston goal. Impressive, considering the Bruins had outscored their opponents 42-14 in the first eight games of the hot streak they’re on.
Habsolutelywonderful 