Montreal Canadiens Play Most Undisciplined Game Yet

FIRST PERIOD

23. Final. 1. 152. 1

The EGG line reunited: I almost had tears in my eyes when I saw it and they did well in the few shifts they had together in the 1st period.
Habs D missed the net from the line a few times before Jeff Petry was able to use a well-timed screen to score his goal. He loves to use the wrist shot and it’s so accurate most times that if it gets through or is deflected, it’s a very dangerous shot.
Unsurprisingly, Twitter blew up with “sign Petry” tweets after the goal. It’ll be interesting to see if his playoff performance helps keep him in Montreal.
This is where I get confused. Brandon Prust goes after Braydon Coburn for no absolute reason and gets 4 min for being undisciplined. Was he trying to fire up TB who had no life to that point? Was he trying to get his score settled from Game 1? I don’t care, really. All I know is that I lost a lot of respect for him on that play alone. This game was too important for ego-driven shenanigans.
I was impressed overall with the Habs physical play, highlighted by their 11 hits to TB’s 5.
They also dominated in the face-off circle, winning 16 draws to TB’s 7.

May 3, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

Jeff Petry

(26) celebrates with teammate

Torrey Mitchell

(17) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The play was all Montreal’s in the first period. They dominated throughout the period, aside from 3 TB chances to score, 2 which were outstanding Carey Price saves, and 1 which was their lone goal.

What I also want to touch on from this period is that the ref followed Prust, almost goading him to react in order to get an extra 2 min in penalties. That should not happen. Refs need to be more mature and realize that emotion is a huge part of the playoffs.

The biggest change for the start of this game was the absence of David Desharnais and it led to some line changes that I loved. The EGG line was one, but even the first line with Dale Weise on it, and the fourth line with Mitchell and De La Rose together, it just all seemed to fit. You could tell from the play of the players that they knew their roles, everyone was in the right spots and the flow was smooth as a result. Great stuff from Michel Therrien. You have to give him his due when he earns it, and this lineup was outstanding.

Finally, TB’s PP troubles do seem to be driven by the fact that their team has a huge problem getting the puck through the neutral zone and into the opposing team’s zone. Their transition game is horrible. But, as we saw, give them enough chances, and you wind up with a 1-1 period despite having dominated them.

SECOND PERIOD

23. Final. 1. 152. 4

May 3, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates with teammate Ryan Callahan (24) after scoring a goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the second period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Couple of power plays to kick off the second period, one of which was a very dangerous elbow from Brenden Morrow. I suspect you may see him getting roughed up by the Habs so enough, but more than likely they’ll let the league review it for a possible suspension for leaving his feet and aiming for the head with his elbow elevated.

Story in terms of shots was different in the 2nd. The Habs only managed their 3rd shot of the period with 9 minutes left.
Steven the Tasmanian Stamkos scored a beauty. The last thing the Habs wanted to see was him being an effective player. He does, however, seem to be playing injured (left forearm) which is interesting going forward in this series. Still one tough guy.
The 4 on 3 had me peeved a little bit, because the Lightning wouldn’t have scored if Markov had blocked the passing lane as he should have. Instead, he had his stick on the ice towards Carey Price, a useless lane to block and one I know Price had covered. Everyone knows that the goalie has the shooter, the D has the passing lane.
Jeff Petry took another Habs unnecessary penalty. Story of the game, really. Discipline and immaturity is killing the Habs to this point. When will they learn? Result was the 4th goal of the game for the Lightning, all because the Habs want to seem tough.

Maybe one of the most depressing period and a half stretch of the entire season. When several players lose their minds and start acting like they’re on a playground, you have to wonder if they are smart enough to win in the playoffs. Cross-checks in the head when the play is whistled dead and the player is not a threat (Subban), shot to the head 5 seconds after the player makes a pass and is behind the net – not a threat (Petry), and worst of all Prusts’ penalties for…..no reason whatsoever. It prompted us to post the following:

What's the record for dumb penalties in a playoff game? Habs may be getting close….
— A Winning Habit (@FSAWinningHabit) May 4, 2015

Can anyone explain these penalties to me? Are these the actions of professional hockey players trying to win a game in a playoff series, or the actions of individuals forgetting what is at stake and what the implications of their actions are?

I almost didn’t watch the third period, that’s how pissed off I was.

THIRD PERIOD

152. 6. 23. Final. 2

May 3, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward

Steven Stamkos

(91) scores a goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie

Carey Price

(31) during the second period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Not much happened really until Torrey Mitchell ran over Ben Bishop and got what the Habs needed to catch up, right? A penalty.

The result was a 5-1 game that felt like salt in the wounds for Habs fans that felt the team should have won Game 1.

Take out the DUMB penalties the Habs took in this game and it may have been another 2OT nail-bitter. Insert the penalties and it is what we all saw – a horrific and depressing mess.

The “good” news is that TB is only halfway there. They haven’t won the series yet, and Montreal can flip it around quickly if they win 2 in TB. But as we all know, if the Habs don’t win Game 3, it’s an almost impossible climb.

So here are my suggestions for Habs fans. Take the lump, store it away, and forget about it until Game 3 is in the books. If they can pull out a win in Game 3, it becomes anyone’s series again. If they don’t win Game 3, take those lumps and throw them at the end-game to relieve some tension.

In the end, this was one ugly game for the Montreal Canadiens, and one that they’ll want to forget ASAP. Every player who hung Carey Price out to dry needs to head his way and let him know they’ll be better next time. Then all of them have to forget both Game 1 and Game 2, go to TB and win Game 3 and Game 4. If they can throw those 2 bullets at the Lightning, the momentum can carry them through the series. If they lose either…… Let’s not go there.

Oh, almost forgot, Prust fought…eh, whatever, nobody cares. Should of kept his ego to himself.

The Habs need to grow up, shut up, and play hockey. If not, they’ll be playing golf next weekend.

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