A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: Looking Back On Their Most Recent Playoff Series

By Ken MacMillan

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers scores a goal against Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 22, 2017 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers scores a goal against Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 22, 2017 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 22: Rick Nash #61 of the New York Rangers skates against the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 22: Rick Nash #61 of the New York Rangers skates against the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Game 3

With the scene shifting to Madison Square Garden for Game 3, the Habs looked to carry their momentum with them and had plenty of chances in the opening period. They couldn’t solve Lundqvist and headed to the first intermission tied at zero.

In a very physical series, the Habs got a chance when JT Miller tried to win a face-off with his hand and was called for a face-off violation. On the ensuing power play, a nice three way passing play from Plekanec to Gallagher down low to Artturi Lehkonen in the slot resulted in a booming one-timer going over Lundqvist’s shoulder to open the scoring late in the second period.

The Habs extended their lead to 2-0 when Weber scored on a one-timer from the slot off a nice pass from Galchenyuk. An unbelievable effort from Radulov made in 3-0, when he fed a pass to Danault in the offensive zone, before Danault lost control of the puck. Radulov then pounced on the loose puck and deked around Lundqvist with one hand on his stick and slid the puck into the goal as he reached around the Rangers outstretched goaltender.

The Rangers did get one back late when they had their goaltender out but a couple more big saves from Price held the score at 3-1 and gave the Habs a 2-1 series lead. Price stopped 20 of the 21 shots he faced and the Canadiens cut their shots on goal in half to 29, but won the game.

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