Well poppycock. Didn't the Habs just shutout the big tough Canucks not two days ago with a smart plan and solid team play?
Also another factor: Carey Price owns the Bears, especially with the way he's been playing recently.
Extra motivation factor: Hal Gill was an ex-Bruin and semi-local resident, Gomez felt the rivalry on his previous teams and was in his 800th career game, Gionta hails from Boston College.
Andrei Kostitsyn and PK Subban combined and ran a highlight reel pair of rings around the giant slowfooted defence. If it had produced a goal, it would be on every sports network around.
Bruins #1 penalty kill vs Habs #30 powerplay.Habs scored 2 and killed all 4 penalties.
Two rare powerplay goals and a no-quit play from Kostitsyn for Gomez, and that's all they needed. PK Subban sent a one-timer on a superb low shot he claims wasn't even a good one but he's just being modest if that's possible. Cammy learnt the Czech Sausage from Pleky for Gionta to baseball bunt it top shelf. They had more chances but Tuukka Rask was there unfortunately going through what Price went through last season (plays well enough to win but gets zero support). For a while I felt like the Habs and Bruins were canceling each other out. They were playing ACTUAL hockey instead of the typical asshattery that tends to slip into the Bruins game on occasion.
Another game, another stellar performance in shutting down the top guns of the Bruins. Of course one small lapse in defense and Chara was left wide open with only Price challenging him and the entire net at the mercy of his freakishly long stick. Only being struck down by God himself would have prevented that goal.
Tonight, Lars Eller was given an assignment. First rounders like him are given tests and challenges, and the true quality of the player comes out depending on how they do. Case in point, Price was given the test of the AHL playoffs which resulted in him stealing the show and winning the Calder in 5 against perennial favourites the Hershey Bears (hmm, more Bears). Martin gave Eller the test of penalty kill. Test result? Success. He wasn't on the first unit, but he didn't make any errors, and you could sing the confidence meter rise over his head. Hilarious encounter with Chara later in the 2nd period. I don't think he knows who Lurch is but he didn't cower or hide. And when Eller has the puck on his stick, it's an absolute wonder. The way he protects the puck, the way he wants that puck, this kid is gold.
Also new name for the line: EMP. Eller-Moen-Pyatt, the electromagnet pulse of the team. They may not score, but they'll be responsible and will work hard, and hey Pyatt had a team high 6 shots on net!
Can't discount the penalty kill, not just Pleky but Halpern has been gigantic. Pyatt, Moen, the defense, and of course Price. This aspect of the game is a big reason to why the Habs have been so successful recently. And they have the occasional chances while shorthanded too!
Hilarious board ad.Free Rhino
I'm very sad to see Rhino traded, but very happy he'll be going to a team that really needs help on D right now because of injury so he'll finally get to play. It's a fair trade too, with the Habs getting a very good prospect in return in Bournival. People need to understand that the Habs are overflowing with defensemen, including Brendan Nash who took over for Rhino when he left Cornell (plus he can play the powerplay). And Rhino left with his head held high, not a bad word towards his former club, and a big smile. I'm sure he and his good buddies on the team, especially his hockey wife Josh Gorges, shed some tears and exchanged hugs but Rhino's such a good guy. No sour grapes like Latendresse. No complaints. He worked hard when he wasn't playing, had bad luck when he was playing, and who knows...maybe he'll come back to us with a few years of experience under his belt so he can be with his friends again?
Take care of him, Colorado. Free Rhino!
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