Canadiens Push Senators To The Brink: Focus Is The Key

CANADIENS Push Senators To The Brink: Focus Is The Key

Game 3 did not go according to the Montreal Canadiens‘ plan. For the first two games of the series against the Ottawa Senators, they went into the first intermission down by 1 goal. That was right on track Sunday night in Game 3. However, unlike the first two games, the second period was scoreless, and for 14 minutes of the third, the Habs looked like they might actually lose the game.

And then came Dale Weise, hero of last year’s Game 1 in Tampa Bay, coming down the ice and scoring the equalizer against Ottawa, rejuvenating Habs fans everywhere. Energy was suddenly infused, and for the last 6 minutes of the game, there were enough scoring chances – including a power play – that this looked like it might even end in regulation with a Habs win.

But that power play – not such a powerful entity at all. The Habs were afforded more man-advantage time than the Senators and yet, came up without one goal.

However, overtime – after a full intermission’s rest – brought renewed pushes from both teams;  once again, Weise was crowned Hero of the Night, not just a second overtime winner for this club in yet another series, but the guy who gave the Habs their win due to both goals of the night.

So, it didn’t go according to plan, but Plan B works just as well. Adrenaline rushes notwithstanding, Habs fans retired to beds with smiles of excitement and renewed confidence in this team.

No one said it would be an easy series to win. In fact, the general sentiment when Ottawa became the certain opponent for this round was one of concern. Memories of 2013. Visions of Andrew Hammond, a red-hot goalie who was almost single-handedly responsible for his team earning their playoff bid. Mark Stone, a smoking-sticked rookie who was scoring goals all over the place. A team that had played into post-season instead of getting bumped in via losses of others.

And of course, The Rivalry.

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Despite the first 3 games now giving the Canadiens a firm grip on the series, nothing is certain. It takes 4 wins to clinch the series. And nothing has been easily earned. Each game has been a hard-fought, one-goal decision. Two of them went to overtime. Controversy is the Theme of this series.

Ottawa coach Dave Cameron chose to pull Hammond for Game 3, and go with Craig Anderson, a goalie who had only 4 starts since January, and hadn’t played more than half the season. Some scoffed – fans of both teams – and others approached this decision with respectful caution. The latter was earned. Anderson was phenomenal and demonstrated that no rust had grown on him in his time off.

But Habs fans believe. And more importantly, this team has the most positive outlook of any I’ve known. Prior to the series, players and coaches were interviewed, with no signs of worry. As the series has progressed, that confidence has remained steadfast.

Players – in interviews before, during and after each match, as well as how they perform on the ice – have exhibited a laser focus which is, I believe, the key to winning any game – and any series. As P.K. Subban said, prior to Game 3:

They approach each game as a separate part of the whole, understanding what is at stake but never looking beyond the game in progress. This is a direct reflection of goaltender Carey Price, whose calm, cool demeanor is clearly something the entire team has taken on.

After the game was no different. Every player complimented his teammates – especially Weise and Price – and doubled down on focusing for the next game. The players also expressed major respect for the Senators – particularly Anderson – and how they played. Let’s face it – in a game that goes into overtime, with only 1 goal scored by each team, it’s truly anyone’s game to win. The Habs players recognize this as much as anyone does.

I expect the next game to be one of desperate hockey on both sides. The Senators have been here before; they experienced must-win situations for their last 2 months of regular season, which is how they got into the playoffs. They cannot be taken lightly.

The Canadiens have also been here before, pushed to the brink of elimination in playoffs just last season and fighting a game 7 to eliminate their (other) arch-rivals, the Boston Bruins. Their determination has kept them on top of the league all season and now has them on the cusp of ending Ottawa’s playoffs.

It will be a matter of which team takes their emotions and channels them into the best hockey plays they can. Emotions are already high, and will be higher on Wednesday night. But from what we’ve seen, the Habs have the ability to keep those emotions in check and translate them to gameplay.

There are no guarantees (if there were, our collective blood pressure would probably not be as elevated every game!). But believing in one’s team is the only way to approach this kind of situation. Habs fans feed the energy of the Canadiens, and if we can give them the kind of confidence they give us, we can all be celebrating when the series is over.

Relive Dale Weise’s overtime winner: