Luck is funny. One night after the Montreal Canadiens played well and lost, they went into Calgary, played badly and escaped with the win against the Flames.
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Well, maybe not luck but moreCarey Price.Dustin Tokarskididn’t play badly against Edmonton but Price was simply phenomenal. He made 37 saves and three more in the shootout to lead the Canadiens to a 2-1 win.
Not many Canadiens were good, but the line ofTomas Plekanec,Alex GalchenyukandP.A. Parenteauwas phenomenal and was the only Canadiens line positive in Corsi.P.K. SubbanandAlexei Emelinwere also positive in Corsi and that’s it. Every one else was a negative. They weren’t on the ice for a goal, but if they keep playing like they have been, the goals will come and may not stop.
On the other side, it was a rough night forMax Paciorettyand his line mates. From him putting the puck in the net after the whistle, to losing the puck on a two-on-zero to struggling on a breakaway and odd decision making all night it was a night to forget. He was good on the penalty kill – which went 7-for-7 on the night.
The penalties are a concern for Montreal. They can’t expect Price to bail them out every night and there will be some teams better than Calgary at making the most of their opportunities. You can say what you want about the referees but some of the Canadiens penalties were actually deserved. That needs to stop.
Tom Gilbertscored for the Canadiens on a seeing-eye shot and also made a great defensive play late in the game that may have saved a goal. He has taken a lot of criticism this season from fans because he’s not flashy or physical but he is very effective.
I do think this team needs to change up their lineup, but I’m not sure if I’m going to like what’s coming.Lars Ellerdidn’t play at all in the third period or overtime, and I’m not totally sure why. I think thatTravis MoenandDale Weiseare good guys but when your team is struggling to score goals, they are the ones that need to be sitting.
Jiri SekacandMichael Bournivalare just sitting there, and they can create offence. I think you need to have at least one of them in the lineup against Vancouver. But, then again, I thought one of them would be in against Calgary too.
The Canadiens get a much needed day off before playing Vancouver on Thursday night.
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