CFN – It was an ugly series for Montreal, but the team moved on to the second round; waiting to see if they face Tampa Bay or Detroit.
Either of those teams will offer a very different challenge than Ottawa did, but the key issue for the Habs is the same; the inability to score, either 5 on 5 and especially on the power play.
In game six at Ottawa only Parenteau, Emelin, Subban and Gilbert were In The Game ™ It was all Carey Price as he slammed the door shut.
Can Montreal be expected to move past Tampa or a Mike Babcock veteran laden Detroit Red Wings using the same strategy?
Montreal’s performance was essentially the same as the regular season. The team will need to amp it up for the next series and players like Alex Galchenyuk will have to get their noses dirty. Devante Smith Pelly will have to remember that you have to score in Hockey too and not just thump people (although he does that very well).
Coach Michel Therrien has very few offensive options; thus why PA Parenteau is getting ice time.
Kudos to Alexei Emelin who is playing like beast and was a key to the eventual series win. Lars Eller also has been effective although not offensively.
It should be interesting to see if Sergei Gonchar is given some ice time in this series as Montreal is desperate to get its power play in gear and Gonchar certain has a history of success in the play offs.
The other series waiting for a decision is Washington and the Islanders with the Rangers waiting to find out who they play.
So Hab fans who would you rather face? Detroit or Tampa Bay? You can post your comments below.
Congrats to the Habs. The fairy-tale season is over for the Sens now. They did very good considering how far back they were.