Rocket:
A rainy, icy day in Montreal. Sidewalks and mall parking lots were best negotiated with skates. Whatever the conditions, it was a perfect night for watching Habs hockey.
The Canadiens showed some signs of the long layoff but overall played well. With both teams skating at a high pace, the game was quite entertaining.
Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec provided the offense and Carey Price was simply spectacular in goal. The elder Kostitsyn had his first career hat trick on 6 shots. Plekanec showed patience and great passing in setting up the first two Canadien goals. Price made 17 saves alone in the third period (32 in total) including multiple game-saving stops when the Penguins were pressing for the tie.
On the second goal, Plekanec was able to find Andrei Kostitsyn in the slot. Andrei made a perfect shot as Fleury was surrounded by 5 Penguins who had collapsed down around the crease.
The Canadiens made the most of the opportunities but only had 19 shots on goal with only 5 shots in the third period. I again question the strategy of lining up 5 players across their own blueline. It allowed the Penguins to build momentum through the neutral zone unchallenged and attack the Canadiens zone with speed.
The Canadiens also ran into penalty trouble with 5 minors. The PK unit was good but Carey Price was the best penalty killer. With only 3 minutes left, Alex Tanguay took a lazy penalty with a stick to the face of Dupuis. Price preserved the win by making enormous saves on Malkin and Crosby.
It was a quiet night for the 3rd and 4th lines. Tom Kostopoulos led the team with 4 hits. Sergei Kostitsyn played well on the PK unit.
Andrei Markov and Mike Komisarek were each above 26 minutes in ice-time. Markov was particularly effective at defending Crosby. Komisarek had 5 of the Canadiens 23 blocked shots.
Some struggles for Francis Bouillon tonight. He lost track of Sidney Crosby on the Penguins second goal. After several giveaways Patrice Brisebois’ ice-time was limited.
A good start to the road trip. Continuing the winning streak will require more of a team effort by the Canadiens.
Pre-game:
Chipchura and Pacioretty called up from Hamilton briefly but returned as Andrei Kostitsyn was cleared to play.
AK-46 will play with Plekanec and Kovalev. Koivu, Higgins, Dandenault, and Laraques are injured. O’Byrne is a healthy scratch.
Rocket’s 3 stars:
1. Carey Price
2. Andrei Kostitsyn
3. Tomas Plekanec
(photo credit: Dave Sandford / Getty Images)