Habs Stunner: Your 5-Point Guide To Coping With Game 3’s Loss

May 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) is congratulated my teammates after he scored a goal in the third period of game three of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Puck Luck, Karma, Hockey Gods

At some point, it becomes evident that no matter how hard the team competes, the lucky bounces not going their way will pile up and become a Thing.

Of course talent is key to any team; there is no shortage of it on the Montreal Canadiens.

But how is it that a team can hit that many posts, get that many breakaways, that many shots on net, against a team that doesn’t get shots on net (in the 2nd period of Game 3, the Bolts had only 3 shots) but remain a goal down for most of the game?

The luck just wasn’t with them.

Need I remind you that the Bolts scored only 1 goal for each of Games 1 and 3 as well?

After Game 1, when the team lost in a double overtime with a controversial goal going the way of the Bolts, Michel Therrien mentioned karma in passing. I read an article written the next day, after that press conference, and was amused to see that the writer had made it as though Therrien’s entire game plan was “karma”.

Even Therrien would have laughed.

(Note: This is not the time to counter with “but what WAS his game plan?”)

But let’s look at the way the 3 games have unfolded. Game 2 was – to me – not one to take into consideration. Its dismal 60 minutes were not indicative at all of how the Habs have carried themselves through this – or any other – season.

But Games 1 and 3 were played admirably, and no one can deny the Habs dominated. In fact, had it been a game in which winners were determined the way boxing matches are judged, I’m pretty sure the Habs would be winning the series 2-1.

So, game play: Habs controlled the puck for the majority of the games. Took more shots, got more chances, just didn’t – for whatever reason – bury the puck.

The offside prior to the 1st game’s 2OT winner.

The posts hit in both games (3 in yesterday’s game alone).

That 1.1-second mark on the clock as the puck slide over the goal line behind Price.

Can anyone truly say luck was NOT a part of it?

No, I’m not making excuses. That’s not my style.

Which brings me to my last – and perhaps most important – point.

1. Facing The Truth

The Habs, just 2 seasons ago, made playoffs after having missed them the season before. The 2011-12 season was horrible. A GM who made the worst moves, a coach who had no emotion, no ability to adjust, no investment, it seemed, in improving his team.

That season, the Habs finished dead last in their conference. The following season – the truncated post-lockout season – they finished first, and the season after that, went to the ECF.

This year, if you think about it, the team is still in the stages of returning.

Apr 15, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) celebrates a center Tomas Plekanec (not pictured) goal against Ottawa Senators during the second period in the game one of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

If we’re honest with ourselves – did we REALLY think this was the year to win the Cup? Looking at other teams, looking at what the Habs were lacking – in power play and scoring issues (both of which have needed help all season, not just in playoffs), and even looking to balance out the lines with power players; did anyone think it was truly our year to win #25 back in the city?

That doesn’t mean we didn’t stay positive. #DriveFor25 is a trending topic at any given time on Twitter.

Fans held out hope with every game won. They still do.

We turned to statistics over history (a favorite pastime of Habs aficionados) and looked at The Signs that pointed to a Cup win.

But isn’t that what every fan base does, no matter what? Isn’t that the very essence of being a fan of any sport, any team, any athlete?

The hallmark of fans is to believe in their team and in the ability to go All The Way.

So while we have to face the reality – that the series, though it is not over after last night, is probably not going to go the way we all wished it would – why not embrace what we’ve all loved about this team?

The BELIEF in them we’ve enjoyed.

The loyalty we show them, in our Game Day rituals, our car flags (I fly mine all year, not only during post-season), our glued-to-the-set game night viewing, our bleu-blanc-rouge gear, our mutual Habs fandom experienced on Twitter and Facebook…

And put the frustration and disappointment where they belong: as fuel for the future, as lessons to be learned, and as food for our continued belief in being Habs fans – in it for the tough times as well as the triumphs.

Because after the Cup is won, by whichever team wins it, there is so much more to look forward to, so much more to experience, and a new season just 4 months after the NHL goes dark.

What’s left is pride in the team we support, and anticipation for the next season’s surprises and victories.

So, let’s look forward. First, to Game 4. Then, no matter what happens, to next season.

Because – sometimes – nauseating, obnoxious optimism is the only effective tool we have to draw upon when things look dismal. And it looks like I’m not alone.