All Habs Rewind – Now We Have a Rivalry

by Amy Johnson, Video Producer and Sara, Video Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine

MONTREAL, QC — Need to get caught up on Habs highlights? Want to relive the memorable moments of the past week?

Then All Habs Rewind is for you.

Every Sunday watch the most unforgettable goals, saves, hits by your Montreal Canadiens compiled by our video production team! Then tell us which one you liked most in the comments section below.

Week 15 marked the beginning of the 2013 NHL playoffs, with the Canadiens taking on the Ottawa Senators in the first round.  What many thought would be an exciting and energetic series with two Canadian teams turned into a tense and bitter rivalry early on.  With the Habs winning home ice advantage, fans packed into the Bell Centre for the opening game.  With 50 shots on goal, 27 of them in the second period alone, the Canadiens set a new team playoff record.  But only two of those shots resulted in getting pucks past Craig Anderson in Ottawa’s net, thanks to second period goals by Rene Bourque and Brendan Gallagher.  It was also during the second period that Eric Gryba punished an unsuspecting Lars Eller with a hit to the head on open ice.  Eller hit the ice face-first and after lying there for minutes in a pool of blood, was put on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital.  He suffered a concussion, as well as facial and dental fractures and is out indefinitely.  The Habs seemed to lose momentum after that, losing the game 4-2.  Gryba’s “slap on the wrist” from the league came down the following day in the form of a paltry two-game suspension.  (You can read more about this game here:  Game Review: Habs – Senators, Game 1)

The series continued the following night with another home game in Montreal.  In addition to Lars Eller being out with injury, Max Pacioretty and Brian Gionta were also out with upper-body injuries from the previous game.  Emotions were running high for fans, players, and coaches after the previous night’s injury to, but the Habs converted that energy into playing a focused game of hockey.  Carey Price was solid in net, even after breaking two teeth when Jarred Tinordi collided with him.  The Senators only managed to score one goal on this night, while Ryan White, Brendan Gallagher, and Michael Ryder all put pucks in the net during the second period.  (Read the full game review here: Senators vs Canadiens Game 2 Recap: We Will Not Be Disrespected)

Game three takes place on Sunday night in Ottawa, with the series tied 1-1.

All Habs Weekly Three Stars

Last week, the Montreal Canadiens began the playoffs by splitting the first two games of their best of 7 series with the Ottawa Senators.

1st Star:  Brendan Gallagher
Gallagher had two goals this week in his first NHL playoff action.

2nd Star: Rene Bourque
Bourque has a goal and an assist and played a strong physical game.

3rd Star:  Alex Galchenyuk
Galchenyuk had a two-assist week.

Who were your three stars of the week?