Rocket:
After the game, Guy Carbonneau said, “I thought we were dominating them and then they called the penalty. I didn’t think it should have been a major; in fact, I’ve looked at it and I don’t think it was a penalty.” Are you sitting down? I’m going to agree with Guy Carbonneau.
THE penalty changed the game. You know, the five minute major for boarding to Andrei Kostitsyn. Was it a penalty at all? To me, it looked like a rather solid hit by AK-46 on a very fragile Aaron Ward. After the hit, I doubt that either Chris Lee (not THIS guy again!) nor Wes McCauley had ‘major penalty’ in their minds. Seems that they changed their minds after Tim Thomas cross-checked Kostitsyn in the head. I suppose that the Lee/McCauley tandem figured that Thomas wouldn’t act like a crazy man unless Kostitsyn had done something seriously wrong so they decided to assess the 5 minute major. The more vicious blow to the head from Thomas was only assessed 2 minutes.
Shortly after, Roman Hamrlik was called for and the Bruins had a 5 on 3 advantage for a full two minutes. Chara scored his second power-play goal of the game and that was all the Bruins needed. Boston had a 21-0-2 record when leading after two periods and are due full marks for limiting the Canadiens chances in the third. Credit goes to Claude Julien and his in-game adjustments for that!
The Canadiens had a great start to the game dominating the first period and outshooting the Bruins 17-9.
Tim Thomas was giving up big rebounds, flopping around in his crease but somehow stopping the puck. A number of Canadien shots got by Thomas but ended up trickling through the crease. Thomas did make several key saves on good scoring chances by the Habs. The Bruins also came to the aid of Thomas blocking 13 shots.
Jaroslav Halak played well while he was in his crease. Outside his crease? Well, let’s just say it was an adventure! Halak had great difficulty handling the puck. He was a little slow reacting to the Krejci goal but otherwise he couldn’t be faulted. Halak also benefited from a less than accurate Bruins offense that had 12 missed shots.
Komisarek was very physical tonight totalling a whopping 11 hits in all. It was a thing of beauty watching Bruins step over the blue line only to be launched into the air by a solid Komo hip check.
Robert Lang with Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn were once again the best line for the Canadiens. Andrei had good body position and took a big hit in front of the net to score the Canadiens goal on the power-play, set up by Sergei’s shot to the net. I really enjoyed Sergei battling with Chara with and without the puck on several occasions to create chances. Andrei had a chance to tie the game with about 5 minutes left on a nice feed by Markov but Thomas made a great glove save.
Although Max Pacioretty seemed nervous early on, he drew two Bruin penalties by using his speed. Tomas Plekanec was superb. Alex Kovalev was disappointing tonight only occasionally being effective.
Let’s add Kyle Chipchura to the list of great team guys with Tom Kostopoulos and Francis Bouillon. Chipchura stepped in when Matt D’Agostini was hit from behind by Blake Wheeler. Chipchura ended up fighting Mark Stuart.
The Lapierre line is playing very well, doing its job. But enough with time on the power-play! That’s over-extending their role and one that they don’t excel at.
Patrice Brisebois could not skate with PJ Axelsson so hooked him and took a horrible neutral zone penalty. Chara scored on the ensuing Bruins power-play to tie the game. The Canadiens penalty killers gave up two goals tonight, although the second came on a two man advantage. In the first, Brise was very fortunate that a bad Bruin pass hit his stick as he sprawled out in a lame attempt to defend a 2 on 1. In the second, Wheeler couldn’t handle a Krejci pass for a short-handed goal. Brisebois was back but could only watch. In the third, Brisebois huge giveaway to Krejci, no less, could have meant game-over. The Brise-apologists may disagree but his play is a huge liability to the team.
Message to the NHL: We assumed that you were serious when you said you wanted to reduce hits to the head. Two vicious head shots tonight: Thomas on Andrei Kostitsyn and Krejci on Plekanec. Yet I doubt there will be any supplementary discipline.
Message #2 to the NHL: Boston vs Montreal. This was a huge 4 point divisional game. Next time you might want to send the ‘A’ officials. Chris Lee just doesn’t cut it.
This was a good game despite key injuries on both sides: Price, Koivu, Higgins, Tanguay for the Habs; Lucic, Bergeron, Kessel and Fernandez for the Bruins. The Bruins are now 3-0-1 versus the Canadiens this year. Montreal trails Boston by 12 points in the standings.
Pre-game:
Next time Claude and Guy will see each other is at the All-Star game. Carbonneau will be Julien’s assistant as head coach to the East All Stars. That’s got to be a blow to Guy’s massive ego.
Tuukka Rask and Marc Denis will be the backups.
Lucic out for Boston. St. Pierre will play in his place.
Price, Tanguay, Higgins, Dandenault, Koivu, Laraque out with injuries. Weber is a healthy scratch.
Rocket’s 3 stars:
1. Zdeno Chara
2. Andrei Kostitsyn
3. Tim Thomas
(photo credit: AP photo)