Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins: Full Highlights and Analysis
A recap of the Montreal Canadiens big divisional win vs the Boston Bruins.
The Montreal Canadiens started slow in this one but they were able to eventually take control of the game for their 3rd win in a row. The Habs ended the game on some sloppy play. However they hung on, and picked up a big 2 points on the road.
Carey Price wasn’t always busy in this game but he was sharp when he needed to be. Price made 19 saves on 21 shots. Price made a few big saves near the end of the 2nd and 3rd periods keeping the Habs in front for good.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
| Bruins | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Canadiens | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
1st Period
The Bruins came out controlling the play as Brendan Gallagher took a high sticking penalty early on. The penalty to Gallagher was 4 minutes, but David Backes interfered with Alexei Emilen which made things even at 4 on 4.
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The Bruins had a few nice chances to score later on but Carey Price came up with key saves keeping the score tied. After Carey’s saves, the play slowly shifted in favor of the Habs as they out shot the Bruins 13-6 in the period.
There was no scoring in the 1st period.
2nd Period
Montreal continued where they left off in the 1st period during the 2nd period. The Habs were able to establish their cycle game against the weaker Bruins defense. This strong board play led to the Habs first goal, and came because of hard work down low.
Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk were passing back and forth in the Bruins corner. Then Pacioretty spotted Brendan Gallagher in the slot and fed him a saucer pass. Gallagher was able to one time the shot on the far side of Anton Khudobin scoring his 3rd of the year.
Habs Lead 1-0.
Boston slowly started gaining momentum by killing off a Habs Power Play. The Bruins were able to start pinning the Canadien deep in their zone and engaging in their own strong cycle game.
However, a John-Michael Liles pinched deep in the Habs zone and missed a loose puck. As a result, Radulov picked up the puck and led a 2 on1 down the ice with Philip Danault. Alexander Radulov was able to make the pass over to Danault, and Danault ripped home his 1st goal of the year.
Habs Lead 2-0.
3rd Period
The 3rd period started out well for the Bruins as they continued their control in play. Alexei Emelin made a bad pinch of his own and resulted in a costly turnover. The Bruins picked up the loose puck and got it to Dominic Moore who scored on breakaway.
Habs Lead 2-1
Later on Emelin shot the puck over the over the glass resulting in a Bruins Power Play for delay of game. However, early in the Power Play the puck ricochet off the glass on a Montreal clearing attempt.
The Puck landed in the neutral zone for Paul Byron to pick up. Byron than used his incredible speed to come in on a breakaway. Byron had a nice wrist shot to beat Khudobin for his 1st goal of the season and it came shorthanded.
Habs Lead 3-1
However Boston still had a Power Play and they made the Habs pay. David Backes was down low and made a nice cross crease pass over to Ryan Spooner who was left open on the far side. Spooner beat Price to bring the Bruins back within one.
Habs Lead 3-2
A little over 4 minutes later Torrey Mitchell found a loose puck in front of the Bruins net and he buried a shot past Khodobin. On the play however Mitchell was high sticked in the face and had to head to the locker room.
Habs Lead 4-2.
Next: Montreal Canadiens Bigger, Badder Than Boston Bruins
Tense Finish
With 2:44 left in the game the Bruins decided to pull their goalie. Right away the Habs had a couple of chances to score in the open net but they missed on their oppurtunities.
Montreal had control of the puck at center ice when Nathan Beaulieu coughed it up leading to a Bruins rush. As a result Shea Weber had to commit an interference call to prevent a goal. Soon after that Jeff Petry shot the puck over the glass and was called on a delay of game penalty.
The Bruins now had a 5 on 3 with a minute left to go in the game but they were unable to score. The Canadiens were able to weather the storm and hold on for the win.
Habs win 4-2!
The 3 Stars
1st Star- Torrey Mitchell- 1 Goal and a plus 3.
2nd Star- Carey Price- 19 saves.
3rd Star- Shea Weber- 1 assist and was a plus 2.