Habs Beat Habs

The Montreal Canadiens must feel as if they kissed their sister after last night ‘ s convincing 4 – 2 victory over their potential first round playoff opponents – the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The dominant win sure felt good yet somewhere in the back of their minds , they know it is not right .

The  ‘ Bolts ‘ are coached by the one that got away . The ‘ Justin Bieber ‘ of the hockey world. Guy Boucher is young , talented and in the case of the Habs before last night ‘ s match – a ubiquitous pain in the a**.

A victory over the Habs former Hamilton Bulldog coach was sweet but it won ‘t mean a thing unless Jacques et les boys go further than the Lightning this season and the remainder of Jacques Martin ‘ s tenure. Guy Boucher should be the Habs ‘ s coach and it is a shame that the Habs ‘ let him skate away.

Dominant Performance

The year was 1993. The Canadiens were playing at the Montreal Forum – hockey ‘ s shrine.

Half way through the first period it became obvious that there was as much of a chance of their opponent winning the game as Paris Hilton becoming a nun. The opponents were the L. A . Kings and the Habs were one win away from their 24th Stanley Cup. Les Habitants were hungrier than the Gretzky – led Hollywooders and all the energy that the visiting team had was extinguished with fierce forechecking , hard – nosed defence and key offensive performers. Paul Dipietro , the Mathieu Darche with ‘ better hands ‘ of his day , was the hero in a game that was decided far before the final siren sounded on the Habs ‘ final cup on Forum ice.

Jump ahead almost twenty years. Palm trees have replaced the Walk of Fame and Guy Boucher ‘ s hair does not fly nearly as well in the wind as did the famous Barry Melrose mullet. The only ‘ redneck ‘  last night was goaltender Dwayne Rolosons on four occasions yet the former Islander netminder could not be blamed – much.

The Simcoe , Ontario native was left on his own most of the evening as a barrage of odd man opportunities replaced Charlie Sheen on the late night high – light reels. The prettiest and most surprising of the Habs ‘  goals came when Scott ( I’m having fun ) Gomez feathered a saucer pass to a streaking Max Pacioretty . Max lifted a nifty shot over the falling Roloson and Les Habitants were up  4 – 1 , minutes into la troisieme periode. It was Pacioretty ‘s 2nd of the night and his 14th of the season in just 36 games thus far. Pacioretty continues to prove this time – he is ready for Bettman ‘ s flying circus. Either that or Pacioretty does not enjoy the scenery on the beaches of Hamilton , Ontario. A place where Gomez should have been tanning all season long.

It was obvious from the ten minute mark that Tampa would lose this game. Price was doing his best Patrick Roy imitation , the Habs’ defence were channeling Brisebois , Schneider and Eric Desjardins while coach Martin was enjoying an evening where ‘ not a creature was stirring ‘ from his game plan.

Desharnais and Gionta also marked for the Habs.

The Habs face their rivals the Bruins at home on Tuesday. What’s next for this streaking team ?

Their cousins ?