Nerves are a funny thing.
They can work against you or they can work for you. The Montreal Canadiens discovered that it all comes down to not only who you are – where you are as well.
Lars Eller and P.K.Subban played as one would expect them to play against a quality hockey club in that team’s home arena. It was a career first for the pair and it showed. They passed, shot and skated resembling the rookies that they are. Entering the third period Eller was a – 2 and P.K. was close behind at – 1. The duo missed assignments, lagged behind and misfired on the few occasions they possessed to do something productive. The good news is that there are sufficient veterans on the team that have learned to use their nerves for good – instead of evil.
‘ Back in the day ‘, a meeting between the Red Wings and the Canadiens meant the latter. ‘Terrible ‘ Ted Lindsay and John Ferguson. Maurice ‘ Rocket Richard ‘and Gordie Howe – ‘Mr. Hockey’. Four Gentlemen and two teams that despised one another out of respect. Two teams that were generally atop the league and battled near death in order to proclaim number one status and bragging rights – at least for one game. The current season is 2010 – 11 and every indication points to a renewal of that rivalry. East met West last night in a true original six match – up. Jacques Plante and Terry Sawchuck cannot be replaced. This season – neither can Carey Price and Jimmy Howard.
Wasteful Start
Les Habitants started the game without Gomez as the Hab forward battles his ‘ mysterious ‘ lower body ailment. Dustin Boyd took his place in the line-up yet not on the ice. Halpern has earned that job as the former Panther Captain and his teammates welcomed Subban back after a three game hiatus / punishment. P.K ‘s mates must have been jealous as they sought out punishment of their own and took too many penalties. Six in total and the team was fortunate Travis Moen netted his third of the season to put the Habs up by one. That could have been the score as the period ended yet a five on three advantage for the high powered Wings was too much. Lidstrom tied the game at 19: 58 of the period. It was the Wings’ 18th shot on goal and the Habs were happy they had time to rest.
The rest did not help the Habs as
Detroit kept things spicy as they carried the momentum from that goal into the second period. The Habs were back on their heals and Monsieur Price kept his team in the play despite giving up a second goal to Kromwell – the Swede’s first of the season as he was left alone in the slot. The Wings kept coming until Datzsuk scored on a give –away by Pouliot. A nice individual play and a goal that should be on the top ten list of every sports highlight roll. Datsyuk skated half the rink before flipping a backhander over Price’s left shoulder. Players such as Pavel score these types of goals. Place Price, Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy or even Jose Theodore’s hair into the crease and they or ‘ it ‘ will not be able to prevent elite players in any era from scoring goals. These players would not be elite if that were the case.
Fixing the Flat to Hit Top Speed
Les ‘ nerves ‘ of the Habs seemed to dissipate with the score 3 –1 in favor of the Red and White squad. The team settled into their game and commenced shutting down the Wings’ top guns while the offence slowly started to pierce the Wings’ armor. Detroit netminder Howard showed why he and his buddies are atop the Western Conference and the Wings must be considered a strong contender to embrace Lord Stanley’s prize.
Howard made save after save in the third as the visitors from the Province of Quebec peppered the padded one with 19 shots on goal. Cammalleri, Subban and Boyd all went to the bench shaking their heads and prepared to call the cops as Howard robbed them time and again. The crimes did not deter the passion of the red, white and blue as they continued their domination of the period allowing Detroit a lonely four shots on Carey Price. Pouliot finally solved Howard with an accurate slap shot from inside the blueline as he made amends for his second period blunder. It was Benoit’s eighth of the season and the Habs were within one goal with a little over ten minutes showing on the clock.
Too Little Too Late
Chants of ‘ Ole, Ole, Ole ‘ started to rain from the rafters as the Montreal fans roused the home crowd and the visiting team into a frenzy. The atmosphere was pure play-offs. If this is an indication of a Cup final – hockey should finally substitute America’s Funniest Videos as the preferred after dinner mint for the many UFC fans South of the Border. Unfortunately for Hab fans – Howard did not find anything ‘ funny ‘ with the idea of the Habs counting an additional two points to their division-leading total. He shut the door and the lens on Bob Saget’s video camera with a thud. Subban was especially saddened as the Hab rearguard lifted a rebound into the falling goalie’s glove with three minutes and change remaining in the scorekeeper’s wallet. Howard completed the match with 38 saves countering Price’s 32 as the Wings snapped a two game losing strip at home. Eaves notched an empty netter with :32 seconds remaining and the Habs started looking toward earning points against the deficient Leafs on Saturday night. Game time is 7pm at the Air Canada Center..
One thing is certain. Detroit and Montreal will meet again one day. They will not be as nervous as they continue their journeys to ‘ Kiss ‘ the Stanley Cup.