A Winning Habit
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Canadiens And Fans Must Regroup For Game 6

By Lissa Albert

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CANADIENS And Fans Must Regroup For Game 6

It’s tough being a Habs fan sometimes. The Montreal Canadiens – like any team – can have its ups and downs. These playoffs, so far, have had both, in extremes. Winning the first 3 games of this round against an arch rival, the drama surrounding Game 1, the push in Game 3, and then the deep lows of losing the next 2 games instead of taking the series with a fourth win.

So here we are, Game 6. No one thought it would get to a Game 6. At least, not after the Habs pushed the Senators to the brink of elimination after 3 wins in a row. But here we are, because the Ottawa Senators have made adjustments to their lineup and their game plan, and the Habs have struggled against that.

The Canadiens have struggled to get goals as well. But that’s not new; it’s been the story of this team all season long. It’s been the reason so many have scratched their heads in wonder that the Habs remained in playoff position all season. With a shot differential of -1.7, the Habs were in 23rd place to finish the regular season. And yet, they finished at the top of the Atlantic Division and second in the NHL.

But in playoffs – a season unto itself – goals are the only things that count. There is no points system. There are only wins. And seeking that elusive fourth win has been a problem for the team, and for its fans.

There has been panic. There have been many suggestions put forth as to what the Habs can do. There are newspaper articles, blog articles, radio shows, television commentaries and – lest we count them out – the ubiquitous Twitter coaches in armchairs.

I’ve read pretty much everything I can about this team, and especially this upoming game. After all, doing what I do, I am always au courant with the tide. And my own instincts have not waned: this Montreal Canadiens team has had a charmed season, with a stellar goaltender who has not only kept the team in the game but inspired them to be better. And this is not the way the season ends, not with a whimper.

So here is what I have to say on the matter: the suggestions are all solid. The power play units every analyst has put forth hoping that perhaps head coach Michel Therrien will hear the pleas and heed the recommendations. The line changes that everyone has dreamed about, also hoping the coach will be motivated to adopt. Even the various strategies to the actual game which have, at times, been well thought out.

But all we can do, as fans – or armchair coaches, as the case may be – is to believe in the team. Yes, I’m going to be that rah-rah cheerleader for the Montreal Canadiens today because I have believed in them all along, and continue to do so.

It’s a lot better than the downtrodden bandwagon jumpers who come and go as the wind shifts. It’s also better than those who subscribe to “my misery loves your company” and pepper social media with negativity.

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In fact, I’m extremely tired of people who – even during games – make the statement that “this team doesn’t deserve to win” (whether they are referring to the game or the series, it doesn’t matter). A fan is a fan, and those who believe the team they purport to follow doesn’t deserve a victory cannot truly be fans, can they? In my mind, it’s mutually exclusive.

The Canadiens outshot the Senators 46-25 in Game 5, still coming up short. It was a bad game, no one is disputing that. But with that kind of shot power, eventually goals will go in. This team has never stayed down for long. And my unending belief in them feeds my conviction that this series will end in the Canadiens’ favor.

Photo: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no other ending I can foresee. Let’s not forget, one win for the Habs is the series, whether it is Game 6 or Game 7, and I fail to believe they will not respond to their Friday night performance with a resounding determination to send the Sens packing. And not back to Montreal for a Game 7, either.

Belief is all we have. There are no answers. This team does have what it takes to win, or they’d have lost 3 games ago. If there were reassurance, I’d be the first to seek it out and bring it to you.

But as inasmuch as the statistics, history and facts bear out in the Habs’ favor, the only reassurance we will get is when there is a series win. And hopefully, it will be Sunday evening in Ottawa.

Still…it’s not easy being a Habs fan. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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