Montreal 4 Los Angeles 2 (Staples Center)
Sometimes your opponent pitches a dud. It hasn’t happened very often this season in games involving the Canadiens, but tonight the Kings were a shadow of the team they have been so far this season.
Kings fans, who hadn’t seen their team in person for three weeks, were expecting a better effort for the homecoming. Canadiens’ fans who showed up in red at the Staples Center were happy to celebrate loudly throughout the game.
“The Montreal Canadiens are a very desperate hockey club,” Murray said. “They’re on the bubble, so you’ve got to recognize that and know that the intensity is going to be high. They showed it in the first shift, and we weren’t ready to match it.”
Full marks to the Habs who showed intensity with a strong start by attacking the LA net, resulting in their first goal only 22 seconds into the game. The line of Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez and Benoit Pouliot gave the Canadiens an early lead.
“Anytime you can jump on a team like that early in the game like that, those things kind of set the tone,” Gionta said.
But the goal that really seemed to deflate the Kings was a short-handed marker by Dominic Moore five minutes into the second period. It was a weak goal given up by L.A. netminder Jonathan Quick. The Kings only managed five shots on goal in the second frame despite having three power-play advantages.
The Gomez trio was also responsible for a goal in the first minute of the third period giving their team a two-goal lead. The Kings were unable to manage a shot on goal for a ten minute stretch in the period.
The Canadiens penalty-killers were perfect on four Kings’ opportunities in the game. The Habs had several scoring chances while short-handed in addition to Moore’s goal.
Los Angeles forwards dominated the faceoff dot with Jarett Stoll and Michal Handzus combining for an impressive 83% success rate. Tomas Plekanec was the best Habs center at 50%. Moore, acquired for his faceoff prowess, was a disappointing 31%.
Coach Jacques Martin shortened the bench with Glen Metropolit, Ben Maxwell, and Mathieu Darche each receiving just over five minutes of ice-time. Martin was not at all pleased with Metropolit who got caught standing still and let Anze Kopitar wheel around him for the Kings’ first goal.
Jaroslav Spacek and Ryan O’Byrne were the two strongest defensemen for the Canadiens. Spacek had a plus-3 rating while O’Byrne led the team with four blocked shots.
“We played a strong game defensively,” coach Martin said. “It was one of our better games away from the puck as far as getting good protection for our goalie.”
Jaroslav Halak made 23 saves but was not seriously tested until late in the third period.
It was the Canadiens’ fifth straight victory over the Kings. With the win, the Habs take over sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern conference.
The Western road trip concludes Sunday night with a game against Anaheim.
Rocket’s three stars
1. Brian Gionta
2. Scott Gomez
3. Jarret Stoll
Player quotes from wire services were used in this report.
(photo credit: Getty)
It figures that on the day I rip Spacek for being a bust that he plays one of his more solid games of the season. Can't argue with a +3 rating!
Overall I thought the Habs played a good road game where they only sat back for a fraction of what they normally do.
You really have to wonder what this team will be able to do once Cammalleri gets back. I think we are currently seeing the best the defense is capable of giving, so once our top 2 lines are together and clicking…dare we dream of Habs hockey in May?
It will be hard enough just to make the playoffs, and how much gas will be left in the tank if they do manage to squeeze in, but if they get in on a high, they will certainly pose a problem for whoever they face. Of course, getting in may be a moot point because I figure they need to win at least 10 of their final 15 games in order to have a chance at 8th, and they will need someone else to collapse along the way.
Tonight's game in Anaheim will be a tough one. 3rd game in 4 nights, with the 3rd game being on the heels of a game where Jacques Martin essentially used only 3 lines. The Ducks will look to jump on the Canadiens early and it will be up to whichever goalie to weather that storm and keep his mates in it. The only way I can see this going is that the Habs keep it close, bury a goal or 2, and then try to hang on for dear life. No matter how they play tonight, they need at least a point.
Comments are closed.