Canadiens Stay Alive with a Dominant Win in Game 4

May 7, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) and right wing Devante Smith-Pelly (21) congratulate each other after they beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

CANADIENS Win Game 4 In Dominant Fashion

Game 4 is in the books and the Montreal Canadiens did what too many people just did not give them credit for: they won, and they won BIG.

The whole tone of the game had been set. In fact, it was set in Games 1 and 3, when the Habs played tight, controlled, dominant hockey. But Games 1 and 3 didn’t go their way, while Game 4 was charmed.

Everything about this game went perfectly. Shots on goal were 40-24 for the Habs. The score was 6-2 when it was all over. And in fact, the only goals from Tampa Bay came on the man advantage.

First Period

The Canadiens came out strong, as they did for every 1st period this series. The only difference was when, at 2:44,  PK Subban initiated what would become the Habs’ first goal (and first shot), with an incredible pass to Andrei Markov who shot from an angle and buried the puck.

The Habs took a penalty later in the first; Tom Gilbert cleared it from in front of Carey Price, passed it out, and Max Pacioretty  carried it down to the offensive zone, scoring a beautiful shorthanded goal.

The Habs finished the period with a 2-0 lead – their first multi-goal lead of the series.

Second Period

The second period started out with a still-strong Habs team, fighting for possession at every turn. And winning the battles.

At the 5:08 mark, David Desharnais took a slapshot and scored the Habs’ 3rd goal of the game. His goal was reminiscent of Pacioretty’s goal in Game 1, where the puck bounced out of Ben Bishop‘s glove, and dropped behind him, crossing the goal line. 3-0!

At this point, Tampa pulled Bishop from nets and replaced him with Andrey Vasilevsky.

Just 4-1/2 minutes later, Jeff Petry scored on Vasilevsky, with a powerful slapshot on the Habs’ first successful power play in 20 days (since Game 2 vs Ottawa).

But that wasn’t all – only 15 seconds after Petry’s goal, while they were still announcing it, Brendan Gallagher got the puck from Max Pacioretty and sniped it into Vasilevsky’s net.

Being up 5-0 was something Habs fans hadn’t seen in too long and hadn’t seen at all in playoffs this season. It was almost surreal.

Even when Tampa Bay got their first power-play goal (at 12:26 of the second period), the feelings were of optimism and confidence.

Third Period

The Habs came back from second intermission on a penalty kill; well-rested, with fresh ice, Tampa Bay scored a quick 17 seconds into the period, but that would be their last goal of the game.

With the game at 5-2, there was no sign that the Habs were sitting on this lead. Their desperation, their determination, their skills and confidence were tangible as they won puck battles and played a game of truly talented puck possession.

In fact, at almost 5 minutes into the 3rd period, Brandon Prust – scoring his first goal since February – took a backhand shot and hit the net. It was a beautiful goal, and an important one for the team to reassert their dominance – as well as for Prust to become part of the triumph after the mélée of the past few days.

(For those keeping track: 3 goals scored on Bishop, 3 on Vasilevsky)

It was a balanced game in terms of penalties given; there were few non-calls, and those calls that were made, in favor of both teams, were fair and warranted.

Suffice it to say, the game was, all ’round, an incredible display of talent and determination.

Which is precisely what the Habs – and their fans – had been craving.

Power Players: Who Stepped Up For The Habs?

More to the point: who didn’t step up for the Habs? This was a pure team effort, with everyone pitching in. Six players getting six goals. Eight players with assists, some with two.

Puck moving. Clearing. Playing the way Carey Price needs his team to play so that he can do his job.

Special Mention: Tomas Plekanec was stellar in the face-off – 70% for the night.

Everyone stepped up. A team effort with perfect results.

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