The 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Price's What If
Okay, it might be a little bit disingenuous to include the 2013-14 Montreal Canadiens here, but they were statistically the underdogs in both of their first two series despite finishing with 100 points, and we get to see some of my favourite Habs playoff goals in recent memory.
This goal, the first goal for the Canadiens in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs off the stick of Tomas Plekanec is a work of art. Radko Gudas full on bites on Plekanec's pump-fake slapshot, twists wildly to get back in position, slamming his stick on the ice while Plekanec snipes an absolute beauty in the top corner as Ben Bishop slides out of position.
The first game was a slobberknocker, with the Canadiens getting the last blow as Dale "Dutch Gretzky" Weise scored the overtime winner, 5-4 Canadiens. Rene Bourque powered the Habs with two goals as the Canadiens won game 2 4-1, heading back to Montreal, where we get to see one of the more spectacular wipe-outs out of Ondrej Palat.
Subban, as he did so well in his time in Montreal, goes for a skate. He fakes the slapper, and spins to walk the blueline and make a deep cut to skate around the back of the net. With the speed and momentum Subban had gained, it would've been hard to stop him, but Palat was on him.
Unfortunately, as Subban turned the corner around the net, Palat's stick gets caught in the net, and pole vaults him into a full somersault, leaving Gallagher wide open, who Subban hits with a pass to put the Habs in front for good. Habs take a 3-0 series lead.
Montreal came out fast, looking to put the Lightning away with a 3-1 lead going into the third. Tampa Bay tied the game in the third, but Habs captain Max Pacioretty scored in the final minute, and set up everyone's favourite playoff match-up, the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens.
The Bruins were the President's Trophy winner as the best regular season team, but when it comes to Montreal and Boston, its always a great series.
Montreal split the games in Boston, winning game 1 and losing game 2. But the Habs were coming back to Montreal, and an absolutely rabid fanbase. And Subban gave them something to cheer for.
After serving 2 minutes in the penalty box for roughing, Lars Eller sprung Subban on a break away and he made no mistake, faking out Tukka Rask and bringing the crowd up to a frenzy. Its hard to remember a louder crowd reaction than that one.
The win put the Habs in control in the series, but a 1-0 overtime loss and then a loss in Boston left Montreal on the brink. But Montreal smothered Boston 4-0 on the strength of a Carey Price shutout, and they headed to Boston for game 7.
It was a classic Montreal-Boston game 7, with 10 penalties in the game. But Dale Weise scored just over 2 minutes in, and Tukka Rask allowed 3 goals on 18 shots and the Canadiens made a date with Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers.
Could the Montreal Canadiens have beaten the New York Rangers if Carey Price wasn't injured in the first game? We will never know. Two of Montreal's losses were by just one goal, but ultimately it doesn't matter. The Canadiens lost to the New York Rangers, and the New York Rangers went on to lose the Stanley Cup to the Los Angeles Kings.