Home Analysis Game 4 Recap – 3 Stars, Highlights, Presser: Habs Miss Chance to Tie Series

Game 4 Recap – 3 Stars, Highlights, Presser: Habs Miss Chance to Tie Series

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Game 4 Recap – 3 Stars, Highlights, Presser: Habs Miss Chance to Tie Series
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Montreal Canadiens Playoffs  Game 15  Away game 8  |  Sunday May 25, 2014 | Rangers lead third round series 3-1

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

 Game Recap:

The Canadiens had three first period power-plays but were down 1-0 at the end of 20 minutes after giving up a short-handed goal. Despite scoring one goal, the Habs power-play was dreadful going 1-for-8 and registering just eight shots on goal. Despite an abundance of power-play time, the trio of David Desharnais, Max Pacioretty and Thomas Vanek was anemic. With the number 1 centre losing 72 percent of his draws, the Habs were constantly chasing the puck. In addition there were breakdowns from a defensive top-4 who are looking fatigued from logging too many minutes and, without Carey Price to help move the puck, are getting punished by forecheckers.

Plus / Minus

▲   Dustin Tokarski, Brendan Gallagher, Brian Gionta, Alex Galchenyuk, Daniel Briere

▼   Thomas Vanek, P.K Subban, David Desharnais, Max Pacioretty, Michael Bounival

teamlogo_canadiens teamlogo_rangers

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Boxscore:

 FINAL 1 2 3 OT1 T
 Canadiens 0 1 1 0 2
 Rangers 1 1 0 1 3

Summary:
Goal Scorers:
MTL  Bouillon(2), Subban(5)
NYR  Hagelin(6), Brassard(5), St. Louis(6)-OT
Goalies:
MTL Tokarski (L)  1-2-1
NYR Lundqvist (W) 11-7-0
aagamerecap

Shots on Goal:

 FINAL 1 2 3 OT T
 Canadiens 11 5 8 5 29
 Rangers 9 11 6 3 29

 NHL Three Stars
NHL3stars
  1. Martin St. Louis  NYR 
  2. Carl Hagelin  NYR
  3. Brian Boyle  NYR
MartinStLouis-POTW

 Post-game Press Conference

186237429_slideHead coach Michel Therrien

  •  “We got a few chances to move the puck out of our end and it cost (us) the game.”
  • “We had opportunities on the power-play but we didn’t take advantage of it tonight. Yes, we scored a goal. It was the tying goal, but we gave up one, and that was the [difference] in the game. Our power play has to be better.”
  • “I thought 5-on-5 we were playing well, we got some chances. But we still have to battle hard.”

Captain Brian Gionta

  • “This series isn’t over. By no means are we counting ourselves out. It’s a tough loss. It’s a bitter loss. But at the end of the day we’re still in this series.”
  • “We played a pretty decent game, and we’ve just got to keep building. As this series has gone on, we’ve gotten better, we’ve been able to get more chances.”
  • “Obviously we would have liked to get that win, but we’re not out of this yet.”

Forward Alex Galchenyuk

  • “I’m disappointed. I could have ended the game right there, and it would have been 2-2 heading back to Montreal. Unfortunately, we lost, but I can’t overthink about that play. I have to try to make a difference next game.”

Defenseman P.K. Subban

  • “We walked in the room here and a couple of guys said that we’re going to put this behind us and get ready for a bigger game come Tuesday. We did a lot. We had a lot of opportunities, but pucks didn’t go in. There is a lot of hockey left to be played, and we just have to be prepared to go home and play a good game.”
  • “We had a couple of opportunities where the puck bounced back the other way; things happen. We’re not too focused on [the loss] now. We have a quick turnaround here, so we have to put it behind us and get ready for the next game.”
  • “It’s the playoffs, and teams aren’t going to give you two and three power-play goals a game; guys are bearing down and willing to block shots. You hope for a bounce and to get pucks to the net. You hope for a tip and hope for it to go in. But it’s hard to score two or three power-play goals in a game. It’s a game of mistakes, and the team that makes the least amount of mistakes is usually the team that wins.”

Goalie Dustin Tokarski

  • “Playing good isn’t enough. You have to be great. [Lundqvist] was really good on the other end and got the win.”
  • “It was a good hockey game. It’s unfortunate we were on the losing end.”
  • “[Martin St. Louis] got the puck with a little bit of time and he just picked the corner.”
  • “It’s not a great feeling right now, but we need to get it out of our system and get back to work tomorrow. We have to win a hockey game.”

Rangers forward Carl Hagelin

  • “We were definitely undisciplined. We took a few too many tripping and high-sticking calls. The refs are always going to call those. We have to play smarter.”

alain-vigneaultflipRangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist

  • “Got a little lucky there (Galchenyuk’s shot.) It hit my stick and then the crossbar. I wasn’t sure if I got enough of the shot.”
  • “It’s exciting to know that you’re one game away.”
  • “You have to get to a level where you help the team, and that’s a pretty good motivation there.”

Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault

  • “It was us. It was us. They were penalties. You can’t do that.”
  • “The goal [St. Louis] scored is exactly what you see him practice every time he’s on the ice, like a hundred pucks. He’s trying to put it right there. He made, obviously, a great shot on that goal.”

To look back at the full lineups for tonight’s game, check the Game Day preview.


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