CFN – The Price was good enough for the Habs to buy a win against the Boston Bruins last night as le boys snuck out of the Bell Centre with a 2-1 win.
Sometimes the hockey gods smile and sometimes they don’t. Montreal right now must be doing something right as they wake up in second place in the Eastern Conference with 39 points, just behind the Penguins.
Tomas Plekanec & Max Pacioretty scored both goals for Montreal who held on through a 16 shot on goal third period barrage.
The Bruins out shot Montreal 33-27; but Montreal won not only on face offs, but out hit the B’s 30 to 18 and as per usual blocked more shots.
Boom Boom Emelin led the Habs with 5 hits, but even Brendan Gallagher got it up as he nailed 4 hits on Boston while adding an assist.
Montreal’s goal differential sits at +19 for the season and for me that’s a great barometer. Health is a key reason for some of Montreal’s success of late. It allows the coaching staff more options on how to plug in players like George Parros. It puts a bit more pressure on some players for ice time.
The Canadiens can’t take anything for granted though. There still are needs and issues on the club and at the end of the day a win is a win; but there still is a lot of hockey buzz going on with yesterday’s rumor being a swap with Colorado involving PK Subban with Nate MacKinnon. I’m not sure I’m a big fan of that trade.
I think PK Subban is a rare talent and the kind of player that helps build Stanley Cup teams. Would I rather have PK Subban than Dion Phaneuf? Yup. There are probably less than six D men in the NHL I’d rather have than Mr. Subban. The problem is that it doesn’t appear that PK wants to stay in Montreal; and that’s the case then Montreal will have to maximize a return.
Colorado would love this trade as Patrick Roy has 3 Centremen in the same family style and size wise so one will have to go. Their defensive corps is their true weakness. Simply said MacKinnon isn’t enough to warrant a Subban trade. The problem is what could Colorado add that would clinch the deal? Even adding a 1st would not be enough for me to thumb up a swap for Subban.
Speaking of Boom Boom – in his first 10 games he may only have 3 assists points wise, but he’s delivered 36 hits. Montreal is 8-1-1 in those games. Welcome back Alexei! When a single hit video clip on You Tube pulls in nearly 20,000 views you know you have something very very special.
Carey Price has some gaudy Vezina type numbers right now with a 13-8 record; but also a 1.95 GAA and .938 sv%. David Desharnais & Max Pacioretty are also on fire, and Tomas Plekanec is having what might turn into his best NHL season.
Montreal is playing some fine hockey now. They need to instill that culture of winning and keep it rolling; but something should be giving soon team wise whether it’s a big blockbuster or some tinkering.
What do you think Hab fans. Post me a comment below or on twitter @cwfreenews
