CFN – As Don Cherry would say; “Chris Neil’s a beauty!”. The Sens game plan for their first home game of the series was pretty clear. Hit early; hit often and especially hit #11 Brendan Gallagher and the player assigned most to the diminutive Mr. Gallagher was Chris Neil who was +2 on the night with an assist and 17 PIMS as the Senators utterly destroyed the Montreal Canadiens 6-1.
Montreal was overwhelmed and simply never recovered or gained stride. Max Pacioretty and Brian Gionta were back and were not factors in the game although they did register some shots. Pacioretty in particular was not finishing his checks and the only altercation this scribbler saw was some jaw chawwing with teammate PK Subban at the bench.
Subban himself mugged Kyle Turris. It was ugly with Turris, not known for fighting, not hitting back.
It’s been a series so far about the little guys; not the stars; grinders and smurfs; even having a Smurf battle with Gallagher taking on Sens Cory Conacher.
This was a truly Canadian version of hockey; at least East Coast hockey with a full line scrap that also reinforced Ottawa over Montreal as they won all of their fights.
As if to rub salt into the wounds Sens smurf J.G.Pageau notched a hat trick.
Montreal’s defence clearly is showing that it’s not play off material with 24+ minutes of Raphael Diaz hurting. Brandon Prust was -4 on the night for the Habs as well.
The Sens lead the series 2-1. Anything can happen. Habs coach Michel Therrien needs a game plan to even the series and get back to Montreal.
The Penguins needed OT to take a 2-1 series lead over the pesky and surprising New York Islanders on the Island. Chris Kunitz notched t2 goals with Jarome Iginla, Pascal Dupuis, and Douglas Murray adding in singles.
The Penguins were out shot 36-25.
Jason Zucker scored in OT giving Minnesota a win in their series vs Chicago. The Wolves are still down 2-1.
San Jose beat Vancouver 5-2 giving them a decisive 3-0 lead in their series. Joe Pavelski hit the back of the net twice along with Logan Couture who also had 2 goals. Patrick Marleau added another. Couture who had 4 points on the night was also 15-3 in the face off circle.
Scott Gomez made his series debut logging over 16 minutes of ice time for the Sharks.
Boston is in Toronto, Washington at the Rangers, Anaheim in Detroit, and St.Louis takes on the Kings tonight?
What do you think Hockey fans? Are the Habs done? You can post your comments below.
Done.