Slaying the Bear: Montreal Canadiens Hand Boston Another Harsh Loss

The Montreal Canadiens were full value for the win tonight. After watching the game they have me thinking that they read my pregame preview and followed my keys to the game… Let’s take a closer look at the game.

Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (28) fights with Boston Bruins forward Matt Fraser (25) during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

First off let’s get the excuses out-of-the-way. The Bruins were playing back to back games, and they’re missing their number one center and their number one defencemen. Those are both valid points, and it’s true that there is no replacing the presence that is Chara, but no one felt sorry when Markov was out for long periods of his time, so I won’t be breaking out the tissues for Boston. Playing back to back is tough, but the Habs have to do it 16 times this season, and I doubt their opponents will care one bit.

For the first time in what seems like forever the Habs actually won the battle of special teams tonight. Now each team scored one powerplay goal, but the Habs also got one goal from a penalty shot, and I’m counting that as a plus for the PP. I didn’t like seeing Subban on the 2nd wave of the powerplay, and I hate seeing Desharnais on the 1st wave, but overall both units had some jump tonight. If not for Sekac playing on what would be called the 3rd wave, the Habs would have been blanked again, but I will be the first to admit Gonchar made a difference out there tonight.

Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) cross checks Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic (17) under the eye of linesman Michel Cormier (76) during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of the powerplay, it was nice to see the Habs finally getting some calls when they used their speed to enter the offensive zone. They were able to get under the Bruins skin and draw them into a couple of penalties that they don’t seem to take against other teams. As for taking three penalties tonight, I didn’t think two of them were bad, but Subban has to keep his cool and not take a selfish penalty like that.

The Habs dressed 7 D-men tonight, which was a little odd, but they were able to get them all into the game and it’s much better to have Beaulieu in the lineup over any 4th line player. We’ll see how Therrien juggles his rearguards to see who gets to stay in the lineup and how effective they will actually be.

Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise (22) scores a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Nyklas Svedberg (72) on a penalty shot during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

After the first the outcome really was never in doubt. The Habs controlled the faceoff dot, went toe to toe in hits and blocked shots with reckless abandon. This is how the Canadiens can win in the playoffs against any team. Only time will tell if they can keep this kind of commitment up.

Here are the players I would like to single out tonight;

Dale Weise – He had a Gordie Howe hat-trick, what else could you ask for from a 3rd line energy winger.

Nathan Beaulieu – His ice time was sheltered, but he had an assist and downed Matt Fraser handily in his scrap, sending him to the “quiet room”.

Max Pacioretty – He was engaged and scored goals that the Habs need him to. If only every game we could play Boston…

This was easily the Habs best defensive game of the year. Carey Price had to be great in the first, and he probably wants that goal back, but his night after that wasn’t overly difficult. After having him steal a slew of games, it’s nice to see the Habs offer a defensive gem, but also put some goals up on the board.

My final thought on this game is that the Bruins tried to shelter Tuuka Rask tonight by giving Svedberg the start. How does that help his confidence considering he has a horrendous record against Montreal? Perhaps they were giving him the night off because of the shellacking he took last night, but he only played 23 minutes against the Leafs before being pulled, so he wasn’t tired. Just a thought.