Montreal Vs. New Jersey

Coming off a 2 day rest period, the Montreal Canadiens faced the New Jersey Devils last night, in New Jersey. The Devils have only won 3 out of their last 10 games, whereas the Canadiens have won 7 out of their last 10.

• First Period
• Midway through the first half of the first period, Colby Armstrong would wrist one past Hedberg for his very first of the season, putting the Canadiens up by a goal. The Devils would get a few opportunities, but it would be Carey Price making the key saves keeping this game at 1-0 ending the first.
• Montreal: 9 Shots On Goal
• New Jersey: 7 Shots On Goal
• Second Period
• Just 4 minutes into the second, the Devils would get one on the powerplay, as Peter Harrold would wrist one for his first of the season, tying this game. The Devils would keep pressing to try and get another goal, but Price would have to play strong to keep this game a tie heading into the third.
• Montreal: 4 Shots On Goal
• New Jersey: 8 Shots On Goal
• Third Period
• Coming to the 13 minute mark of the third period, Tomas Plekanec would tip in the shot from Tinordi, the Hamilton Bulldogs prospect, to put the Canadiens back into the lead. Both teams would get a fair amount of scoring chances but nothing came out of it, the Devils would later pull their goalie hoping to tie this game, but it would be the strong defensive plays made by the Canadiens that gave them this 2-1 win.
• Montreal: 9 Shots On Goal
• New Jersey: 18 Shots On Goal

With a win last night, the Canadiens are still sitting at number one in the Eastern Conference standings. They will play the Sabres Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.

Montreal Vs. Ottawa

Coming off their 5 game away game adventure, the Montreal Canadiens faced the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre last night. The Senators, sitting at fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings have only won 4 out of their last 10 games. 

• First Period
• The fans were really loud last night, as the Canadiens would finally play at home in over a week. With only 7 minutes gone by into the first, Lars Eller would crash the net and just poke the puck past Sens goaltender, Lehner. 4 minutes later, the Sens would score on the powerplay as Mika Zibanejad would wrist one past Carey Price tying this game at 1-1. 
• Montreal: 17 Shots On Goal
• Ottawa: 13 Shots On Goal
• Second Period
• 6 minutes into the second period, Gallagher would tip in the initial shot from Pacioretty taking back the lead on the powerplay. Coming to the 3 minute mark of the period, the Canadiens would yet again score on the powerplay, as a point slap shot from PK Subban goes through traffic and right past Lehner. The Sens would enjoy a powerplay for the remaining a minute and half of the period, and it would be Alfredsson who would wrist one past Price's shoulder side from the side of the net, with only 1.6 seconds left in the period.
• Montreal: 11 Shots On Goal
• Ottawa: 13 Shots On Goal
• Third Period
• Only 2 minutes into the third, Patrick Wiercioch wrists one past five hole on Carey Price tying this game at 3 a piece. Ottawa would then get a couple of opportunities, but it would be the Canadiens who would dominate the last 10 minutes of the period, having 3 powerplays, but unable to convert as Lehner would make some incredible saves. This game would need overtime.
• Montreal: 13 Shots On Goal
• Ottawa: 3 Shots On Goal
• Overtime
• With no real action in overtime, we would head into a shootout!
• Montreal: 4 Shots On Goal
• Ottawa: 3 Shots On Goal
• Shootout
• Alex Galchenyuk (MTL) - Goal
• Daniel Alfredsson (OTT) - Save
• David Desharnais (MTL) - Save
• Jakob Silfverberg (OTT) - Goal
• Lars Eller (MTL) - Goal
• Kyle Turris (OTT) - Save

With a 4-3 shootout win against the Senators, the Canadiens now have accumulated 40 points in 27 games and are number one in the Eastern Conference standings. They now face the Devils Saturday night in New Jersey.

Striking Again On The Road

As the Canadiens played their final away game on Sunday night, they would do so in great fashion, as they would face the Panthers in Florida.

• First Period
• With only 2 minutes gone by, Desharnais would snip one top shelf beating Panthers goalie, Markstrom. The Canadiens would head to the powerplay at the 11 minute mark, the initial point shot from PK Subban would be tipped in by Michael Ryder as the Canadiens take the 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
• Montreal: 13 Shots On Goal
• Florida: 7 Shots On Goal
• Second Period
• With no real action coming from the first 15 minutes of play in the second, the Canadiens would take advantage in the last 4 minutes remaining in the period. Brian Gionta would pick up the loose puck in front of the net and just snap one past Markstrom putting the Canadiens up by 3. Only 2 minutes later, Francis Bouillon would get his first of the season as he receives a pass from Ryder and just buries the pack into the Florida net. 4-0 at the end of 2.
• Montreal: 13 Shots On Goal
• Florida: 5 Shots On Goal
• Third Period
• As the Canadiens would keep up the pressure on the Panthers, it would be Tomas Kopecky at the 12 minute mark who would bring the momentum down, as he finds the puck right in front of the net and beats Budaj cutting the lead down to 3. 6 minutes later, Matthias would find the back of the Canadiens net as he snaps one glove side past Budaj, making it 4-2. 2 minutes later, the Canadiens on the powerplay would score as Ryder yet again tips the initial shot from Subban making it 5-2 Canadiens, the game would end as the Habs wrap up their away game adventure.
• Montreal: 12 Shots On Goal
• Florida: 5 Shots On Goal

As the Canadiens wrap up their away game adventure, they are now once again sitting at number 1 in the Eastern Conference standings. They face the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night at the Bell Centre.

Another Win On The Road

Continuing their away games, the Canadiens would face the Lightning in Tampa Bay. The Lightning have only won 2 games of their last 10 played.

• First Period
• Starting off the first period, the Canadiens would get the majority of the shots on goal within the first 8 minutes of game play, but the score would remain at 0. The other 12 minutes of the period were the Lightning generating a few good offensive opportunities, but neither team could convert, keeping this game a tie heading into the second.
• Montreal: 7 Shots On Goal
• Tampa Bay: 10 Shots On Goal
• Second Period
• Just 5 and a half minutes into the second, Steven Stamkos would snap one right past Carey Price, through traffic putting the Lighting up by a goal. Only 2 minutes later, Tomas Plekanec receives a pass right in fron of the net and just takes a quick snap shot tying this game at 1 a piece. Only a minute later, Sami Salo would snap one from the point as it beats Price through a crowd. 4 minutes later, the Lightning would score again, but this time on the powerplay as Ryan Malone would tip in a shot from Stamkos in front of the net. 3-1 Lightning at the end of 2.
• Montreal: 9 Shots On Goal
• Tampa Bay: 11 Shots On Goal
• Third Period
• 4 minutes into the third, the Canadiens would score on the powerplay. It was an unusual goal as there was a pile of players lying around in the Lightning net, but the puck somehow found its way to the back of the net, cutting the lead down to 1. Another 4 minutes later, Alexei Emelin would take a slap shot from the point, beating traffic and beating Desjardins tying this game at 3. 5 minutes later, Brendan Gallagher would score one from the side of the net as the net came off, but after the puck had gone into the net. The period would end, as the Canadiens come back in the third period and score 3 goals to win the game 4-3.
• Montreal: 13 Shots On Goal
• Tampa Bay: 2 Shots On Goal

With a win in Tampa last night, the Canadiens now head to Florida to play the Panthers today at 7. This will be the last of the Canadiens away game adventure.

In Prust We Trust

With a loss against the Islanders in New York, the Canadiens would continue their away road game run against the Hurricanes in Carolina last night.

• First Period
• Kicking off the first period, the Canadiens would get the early lead from a goal coming from Brandon Prust just 4 minutes into the game. Another 4 minutes later, Brandon Prust would set up Josh Gorges in front of the net as he backhands a pass to him which Gorges picked up and took a backhanded snap shot that passed Peters, the Hurricanes goaltender. 7 minutes into the the first, the Hurricanes would get a beautiful opportunity in front of the net, but Carey Price would move out of his crease and make the unbelievable glove save.
• Montreal: 17 Shots On Goal
• Carolina: 13 Shots On Goal
• Second Period
• As the Canadiens lead 2-0 heading into the second, the Hurricanes would bounce back. The Hurricanes were all over the Canadiens in the second, and their efforts would finally pay off within 6 minutes. Jordan Staal would snap one through traffic as the puck somehow finds its way to the back of the net. 3 minutes later, Drayson Bowman would just rip a slap shot right past Carey Price tying this game at 2. With 5 minutes left, Carey Price would come up big as the Canadiens force a penalty shot. Carey Price denied Hurricanes captain, Eric Staal to keep this game tied heading into the third.
• Montreal: 5 Shots On Goal
• Carolina: 21 Shots On Goal
• Third Period
• 6 minutes into the third, Gorges with a cross ice pass to Lars Eller would tip it in giving Peters absolutely no chance to move from one end to the other, putting the Canadiens up by a goal. 3 minutes later, the Canadiens on the powerplay would get a goal from PK Subban from the blue line, as he just rips one from the point putting the Canadiens up by 2.  The game would end as the Habs take it 4-2.
• Montreal: 6 Shots On Goal
• Carolina: 9 Shots On Goal

As the Canadiens win against the Hurricanes in Carolina, they will now face the Lightning in Tampa Bay Saturday night as they continue their long away road game run. 

Can't Win Them All

Grabbing a point in their last 10 games, the Canadiens would look to keep their point streak going against the Islanders Tuesday night in New York. The Canadiens had lost their previous matchup against the Islanders, would the result be the same?

• First Period
• With 4 minutes into the first, the Islanders would come close as they ring one off the top post. But it would be the Canadiens who would score first, as Plekanec snaps one past Nabokov. With only a goal in the first, the Canadiens would head into the second with a 1 goal lead.
• Montreal: 9 Shots On Goal
• NY Islanders: 6 Shots On Goal
• Second Period
• A minute and a half into the second, Matt Moulson would tie things up on the powerplay. Hitting the 8th minute mark, the Islanders on another powerplay would score taking the lead 2-1. A minute later, Michael Grabner would wrist the rebound in front of the net extending the lead to 3-1. Heading into the 3 minute mark, PK Subban on the powerplay would take a rocket of a slap shot which would deflect off the post and go in, cutting the lead down to 1 heading into the second.
• Montreal: 14 Shots On Goal
• NY Islanders: 9 Shots On Goal
• Third Period
• 6 minutes into the third, the Canadiens on the powerplay would tie this game at 3, as Brian Gionta would pick up the rebound right in front of the net. Brian Gionta would also get the Canadiens 20,000 NHL goal in history. Only 2 minutes later, Martinek would slap one past Price putting the Islanders up by 1 again. With a minute left, the Islanders would get a big one, John Tavares in front of the net picks up the loose puck and puts the Isles up 5-3. The Islanders would add an empty netter, ending this 6-3.
• Montreal: 9 Shots On Goal
• NY Islanders: 9 Shots On Goal

With a second consecutive loss against the Islanders this season last night, the Canadiens end their streak of grabbing points in consecutive games. The Canadiens head on to Carolina to face the Hurricanes Thursday night. 

Number One

Coming off a close shootout loss against the Penguins, the Canadiens would look to bounce back last night against the Boston Bruins. With a win against Boston, the Canadiens would be back in first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

• First Period
• Midway through the first period, Tomas Plekanec would score as he positioned himself right in front of the Bruins net and shot it glove side on Tuuku Rask. With only a minute later, the Bruins win the face off in the Canadiens zone, Tyler Seguin would get a pass right in front of net beating Budaj as he ties the game. Only 16 seconds later, David Desharnais would redirect it into the Bruins net, putting the Canadiens up by 1 as they head into the second.
• Montreal: 14 Shots On Goal
• Boston: 9 Shots On Goal 
• Second Period
• Just 4 minutes into the second, Patrice Bergeron would tie this game at 2 as he would jam at the puck, as Budaj was down. Midway through the second, we would have some 4 on 4 action. As the Bruins would rush, Dougie Hamilton was left all alone at the side of the net,  Budaj made an effort to get to the side, but his effort would be a left a little short as the Bruins would take the 3-2 lead heading into the third.
• Montreal: 8 Shots On Goal
• Boston: 15 Shots On Goal
• Third Period
• 6 minutes into the third, Max Pacioretty just wrists one past Rask tying this game at 3. 3 minutes later, David Desharnais would score his second of the night putting the Canadiens up by a goal once again. The Bruins would try and pressure to score the tying goal, but it would be Budaj who would stand strong. The Canadiens would hang on for a close 4-3 victory.
• Montreal: 4 Shots On Goal
• Boston: 10 Shots On Goal

With a win against Boston, the Canadiens are back on top in the Eastern Conference standings. The Canadiens play the Islanders in New York tomorrow night.

Grabbing A Point

With a win against Toronto, the Canadiens would needed a win last night to take first place. They played the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre, the Penguins were seated at third place but could move to second with a win last night.

• First Period
• Kicking off the first period, the fans were in for an exciting game. With 6 minutes into the first Brandon Prust would pick up the rebound in front of the net, and score for one his third of the season. With a minute left in the first, the Penguins would score on the powerplay tying this game in the last minute and ending the first period.
• Montreal: 12 Shots On Goal
• Pitssburgh: 14 Shots On Goal
• Second Period
• 4 minutes into the second, Pacioretty would pick up a juicy rebound on a sprawling Vokoun and backhand it into the net making it 2-1 Canadiens. With only 4 minutes after that goal, Kunitz would surprise Price from side of the net tying this game at 2. Only 30 seconds later, Matt Cooke would just throw a puck at the net and it somehow goes past Price. With 7 minutes left, the Penguins would win a face off draw in center ice and rush right towards the Canadiens net. Matt Cooke would wrist another one for his second of the night. With 2 and a half minutes left, and the Canadiens down by 2 goals, they would put pressure on the Penguins for the last 4 minutes of the period. Brian Gionta would tip in a shot making it 4-3 Canadiens. With less than a second left, PK Subban would score on a wrap around from behind the net. The goal was reviewed and it would stand as a good goal. The crowd went wild as the Canadiens tie it right at the end of the period.
• Montreal: 15 Shots On Goal
• Pittsburgh: 12 Shots On Goal
• Third Period
• 6 minutes into the third, David Desharnais would score his fifth of the season making it 5-4 Canadiens. With only 4 minutes after, Kunitz would slap one from a pass from Crosby behind the net, as he would tie it, making it 5-5. Only 2 minutes later, Sidney Crosby would be wide open in front of the net as he slaps a pass from Kris Letang, putting the Penguins back in the lead. 30 seconds later, the Canadiens on the rush would score as Brian Gionta scores from a pass from Lars Eller. The period would end and head into overtime.
• Montreal: 9 Shots On Goal
• Pittsburgh: 12 Shots On Goal
• Overtime
• Only a minute into the overtime period, Brandon Sutter receives a pass from Despres as he would be left wide open in front of Price, he would score as the Pens took it in overtime. 7-6 the final score.
• Montreal: 0 Shots On Goal
• Pittsburgh: 1 Shots On Goal

The Canadiens do pick up a point in their effort, this game had great back and forth action. The Canadiens will play the Big Bad Bruins today in Boston, i will be expecting a few fights in this one!