From the moment the puck dropped last Saturday, the Montreal Canadiens embraced the role of being an underdog. Their will and determination lead them to a 3-1 series win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A big Game 1 Overtime win came courtesy of Jeff Petry, who really stood out in the entire series, scoring 2 game winning goals. The last Habs d-man to score 2 game winning goals in a single playoffs was Chris Chelios in 1989, and the last Habs d-man to score 2 game winning goals in a single series was the legendary Serge Savard who accomplished that feat during the 1976 Stanley Cup semi finals.
Game 2 didn’t go Montreal’s way. The Penguins had something to prove, and that did just that, with a 3-1 win, and a stellar performance from Matt Murray in net.
Game 3 started out terrible for the Habs, down 3-1, 5 minutes into the 3rd. Defensively they looked out of it, and it was at that point where many people thought Pittsburgh were going to run away with the game, take the series lead, and eventually win the series. But then something changed. A spark arose during the middle of that 2nd period. Jonathan Drouin tipped the puck past Murray to make it a 1 goal deficit for the Canadiens, and then 5 minutes later, Paul Byron wrapped the puck around the net and tucked it in to tie the game at 3-3! Fast forward to the 3rd period, 5 minutes in, Jeff Petry has the puck near the bottom of the right faceoff cirle in the Penguins zone, with plenty of time to shoot the puck, he finds a small opening between Matt Murray’s head, and where the crossbar and post meet. The Canadiens held the lead for the remainder of the game, to take a 2-1 series lead.
Game 3 was hands down one of the top 5 Habs games I have ever watched.
On to Game 4 we went. I personally expected the Penguins to come out firing right as the puck was dropped, but that didn’t happen. Up until the 3rd period it was not a very exciting game. Both teams only had 22 shots on goal a piece, the majority of the game was spent getting to the red line, and dumping the puck in. With less than 5 minutes left in the 3rd period, Paul Byron drew a penalty, and 4 Penguins players had their eyes towards Byron, who had the puck, and slid it through the crease, to an open Artturi Lehkonen who scored the goal to put the Canadiens up 1-0. Shea Weber added an empty net goal as Montreal went on to win the game, 2-0, and the series, 3-1. Carey Price picked up his 6th career playoff shutout.
Overall this series proved that Montreal can win, and not just cause of Carey Price. Of course it helps having one of the best goalies in the world, but the Habs roster as a whole did a remarkable job in this series.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki took huge strides in their development, and proved that they are ready for big, pressure packed moments. Suzuki really did a great job in the role he was placed in, spent the majority of the series as either the Habs 1C/2C , playing against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
On the defensive side, Brett Kulak stepped into a top 4 role and did a fantastic job. Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, and Ben Chariot did an excellent job limiting the Penguins opportunities throughout the series as well.
If Montreal is going to continue their success deep into the playoffs they will need to have Carey Price be lights out every night, have the top 4 play as hard as they did in the Qualifying Round, need to get the Tatar/Danault/Gallagher line going, as well as the much needed contribution from young players Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki.
Being the lowest seed in the Eastern Conference, and pulling off a huge upset like they did against Pittsburgh, reminds me of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Habs entered the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs as the 8th seed, making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final. Along the way they defeated 2 very powerhouse teams. The Presidents Trophy winning Washington Capitals were Montreal’s opponent in round 1. They beat them in 7 games. In round 2, they faced the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Habs won in 7.
In the Eastern Conference Final, the Habs took on the Philadelphia Flyers, and ultimately lost the series in 5 games.
The 1st round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature a re-match of the 2010 Eastern Conference Final. Although only 3 players remain on their respective teams from that series (Montreal: Carey Price; Philadelphia: Claude Giroux, James Van Riemsdyk) I personally want to get revenge for that loss 10 years ago.
Regardless, it should be a very tight and entertaining series to watch!
(1) Philadelphia Flyers vs (12) Montreal Canadiens.
- Game 1: Wednesday, August 12th at 8pm (Sportsnet/CBC).
- Game 2: Friday, August 14th at 3pm (Sportsnet/CBC).
- Game 3: Sunday, August 16th at 8pm (Sportsnet/CBC).
- Game 4: Tuesday, August 18th at 3pm (Sportsnet/CBC).
- Game 5: Wednesday, August 19th at TBD. *
- Game 6: Friday, August 21st at TBD. *
- Game 7: Sunday, August 23rd at TBD. *
*– If necessary.
Thanks to everyone who has been reading, I appreciate it. Enjoy the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs which begin tomorrow afternoon!
-Cooper.