The Hockey News (Ryan Dixon):
Nothing against Tom, but…
If Montreal is going to turn out the lights on Boston – and the Beantowners don’t exactly look anxious to fade quietly into the night – the Canadiens team hierarchy better be restored quick.
Until the last play of Game 2, fourth-liner Tom Kostopoulos was having a better series than Alex Kovalev, the guy who’s induced chants of ‘MVP’ in recent weeks.
The slick Russian redeemed himself by scoring the overtime winner, but if his brain cramps (bad passes, missed breakaway, bonehead penalty) continue to outnumber his points, Montreal is in trouble.
Drop the Hamr
What do you like better, Roman The Hamrlik or Roman Hamr-layin’-liks?
Either way, the guy wearing No. 44 for the Canadiens is fast becoming a focal point on the team.
Forget his first-period goal – that could have been anyone’s shot muffed by Tim Thomas – Hamrlik’s true value lies in the fact he’s one of two Montreal blueliners, along with Mike Komisarek, who’s making Black and Gold players black and blue consistently.
The Canadiens have been called a lot of things this year and Hamrlik is doing his best to add “miserable to play against” to the list.