Atlanta wasn’t much of a challenge. They needed a shootout to beat Tampa Bay. They lost in shootout against Buffalo. Those are teams that aren’t making the playoffs right now. And while the Habs won those games, they didn’t dominate like they could have. Like they should have.

Tonight against Chicago, they made a statement. They made it clear they could play a good 60 minute games. From start to finish, the Canadiens were solid. They were ready, especially Alex Kovalev who opened the score less than 30 second into the first period, thanks to a gift from Keith. The rest of the period saw some good chances that didn’t connect and two upper body injuries, as Sergei Kostitsyn and Roman Hamerlik fell and didn’t return. Andrei K tried to avenge his brother but earned 19 minutes of penalty for his efforts.

The second period saw Chicago try hard to get the tying goal early but it would be Guillaume Latendresse who scored when Huet couldn’t handle his second shot. The whole line played another solid game and you can see the chemistry that was there before Guillaume injury is still there. This was Lats fourth goal in six games since being back with his old line mates.

Now the biggest difference between the old Habs and the new ones was in full display; instead of falling back in their own zone and becoming passive when in the lead, the Canadiens were actually improving their forecheck and putting more pressure as the game was going on. Late in second Chris Higgins second effort sent Brian Campbell to the penalty box for interference and Markov scored to make it 3-0 Habs. Higgins is playing his best hockey this year; he had 7 shots on net tonight and was a force shorthanded. Guess Chris finally found his place as a 4th liner.

Carey Price was simply gorgeous tonight. He was calm, composed, solid and confident. He handled the puck well around his net and gave his team a chance to win. He lost the shutout in third period when a point shot from Patrick Sharp found a way through 3 players and into the net. Price still deserved the first star of the game, he was in control his this game.

But even when allowing goal with less than 8 minutes to play wouldn’t change the Habs momentum and aggressiveness towards the puck. Andrei Kostitsyn even got a breakaway and nearly missed the net but forced a penalty. Markov and Schneider went back to work with Andrei as the passer and Schneider using his one-timer shot to make it 4-1. This was the second powerplay goal in four chances.

Plekanec lost both his wingers for a time then was reunited with half his line and didn’t look as confident and fluid as his teammates but other than him, everybody looked like they really wanted to win. They deserved that one.