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| Montreal celebrates a 2-1 win and season series victory over Boston. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz) |
The Montreal Canadiens win the season series and once again
knock off the Boston Bruins, winning 2-1. In victory, the Habs retain control
of the Northeast Division and extend their lead in the standings to 3 points on
the B’s. With the division up for grabs in the biggest game of the season,
Boston lacked in multiple areas. The Black-and-Gold lost a game that at first
glance could have really gone either way. But in actuality, the inability to
execute cost them two points.
The B’s and Habs were even in nearly every category. The
glaring difference in this one was turnovers. In the first period, a string of
Bruins miscues in their own end ultimately resulted in the opening goal of the
game. Montreal’s Alex Galchenyuk intercepted a Matt Bartkowski clearing attempt,
forced play back in deep, and finally banked a shot off Tuukka Rask and in. The
Habs, beneficiaries of a lucky bounce; Boston, haunted by a crucial mishap.
Just seconds into the second frame, Montreal struck again.
This time it was via the power play. A Milan Lucic crosschecking penalty led to
a Michael Ryder goal. Ryder was able to redirect a P.K. Subban wrist shot by
Rask, making it 2-0. An always-reliable Bruins penalty kill fell victim to yet
another bad break. Rask was unable to knock down a fluttering deflection that
landed just out of his reach.
Boston then followed, registering its lone marker of the
hockey game. Daniel Paille won a face-off back to Johnny Boychuk, who then had
his shot ricochet back off Paille and by Carey price. It was all the B’s offense could muster up. It was an offensive
display that proved to be a step to slow and a second to late all evening long.
The Bruins had their chances though. On a couple of occasions, Boston failed to
score easy goals, missing the net completely on shots from close range areas.
The Bruins closed out a discouraging effort, failing to
register a power play shot during a 6 on 4 advantage in the game’s final
minute. The little emotion Boston exhibited, coupled with a diminished sense of
urgency is nothing but disappointing. Granted this contest could have very well
of been 0-0 and heading for overtime, the B’s did very little to help their
cause. Call it unlucky, but Boston was outplayed and deservingly beaten.
In a game with few bright spots, Tuukka Rask played strong. Rask
stopped 27 of 29 Canadien shots. Rask fell to 2-8-2 in his career against
Montreal in defeat. He was active early and often, denying several Montreal
scoring bids. Carey Price matched him. The habs goaltender turned away 26 of 27,
proving invaluable.
Claude Julien and his men are more than aware that
improvements and changes need to made and implemented quickly. Julien juggled
his line combinations in each period, hoping to spark some energy. That spark
never came. The Bruins are hopeful Chris Kelly will make a return to the team
next week. The B’s are struggling to find a way to incorporate Jaromir Jagr. A
Kelly return would bring added versatility to the front lines and possibly
render a solution to the recent offensive imbalance.
*Bruins fall to 24-9-5. 2nd in the Northeast, 4th in the Eastern Conference
*Next game: Monday vs. Carolina Hurricanes
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