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.
The final week of the Habs season leading into the Olympic break began with a matinee on Super Bowl Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets. The opening period didn’t result in any Canadiens goals, and the power play continued to struggle. Overall, gameplay seemed substantially disorganized. Captain Brian Gionta lit the lamp in the second period, but the Habs couldn’t recover from two goals scored by the Jets. A series of blatant missed calls by the refs late in the game resulted in a massive pileup and scrum after the last horn. Final score: Jets, 2-1. (Read our full recap here: Lack of Production)
The homestand continued on Tuesday night when the Calgary Flames arrived at the Bell Centre, marking Mike Cammalleri‘s first return to Montreal since his trade. Dale Weise, the newest acquisition for the Canadiens, made his debut with the team. Rene Bourque put the Habs on the board in the second period, and David Desharnais sealed the deal with an empty-net goal in the third. Carey Price made 27 saves and kept Calgary out of his net, garnering his fourth shutout of the season. Final score: Canadiens, 2-0. (Read our full recap here: Price Shuts Out Flames)
Thursday night brought the Vancouver Canucks to town for what turned out to be an eventful game for Max Pacioretty. He struck first in the opening period, scoring a power play goal. Ryan White then potted a goal of his own, the first he has scored this season. In the second period Pacioretty was afforded the opportunity to take two penalty shots, neither of which found the back of the net. In the final period Tomas Plekanec added another goal to the Canadiens’ side of the scoreboard and Pacioretty scored two more, including an empty-netter, to complete a hat trick. Price was equally impressive, stopping 42 shots. Final score: Canadiens, 5-2. (Read our full recap here: Price, Pacioretty Power Habs Past Canucks)
The Habs took to the road on Saturday to head south for a visit to the Carolina Hurricanes. The first period brought some nervous moments when Pacioretty was shoved into a goal post. He did not return to the game, but assured the press afterwards that he would still be traveling to Sochi to play for Team USA. Desharnais scored a goal in both the second and third periods, White scored a second goal in as many games, and Gionta’s empty net goal in the third helped the Habs achieve their third straight victory. Final score: Canadiens, 4-1. (Read our full recap here: Habs Head to Olympic Break on Winning Note)
The Canadiens now have a couple of weeks off while many of their teammates head to Russia to play in the Winter Olympics for their respective countries. Until then, we’ve got plenty of content to keep you busy reading about your favourite team! In case you missed them, here are a few fantastic articles published earlier this week:
Czech List, North American Edition: Plekanec Leads Czechs to Sochi
Habs360 Podcast: Will the Olympic Break Benefit the Habs?
All Habs Three Weekly Stars
1st Star: Carey Price
Carey Price was the first star this past week and it wasn’t even close. Price carried his team, earning three victories, a shutout and allowed just four goals total with the Canadiens being outshot on most nights.
2nd Star: Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty picked up a hat-trick against the Canucks and could have had two more but failed on his penalty-shot attempts. Pacioretty added an assist for a four-point week.
3rd Star: Ryan White
Ryan White returned to the lineup after his injury scoring twice and bringing energy to the Canadiens fourth line.
Who was your player of the week?
