The luckin’ Feafs!
If Toronto had beaten Carolina Tuesday night, the Canadiens would be back in a Wildcard playoff berth, with their destiny in their hands.
Instead, after playing a superlative game against the best team in the league, the Canadiens remain on the outside looking in.
But they’re edging closer. The Canadiens are tied with Columbus at 94 points, but the Blue Jackets hold the ROW tie-breaker.
The Canadiens face a tough one in Washington Thursday night, while Carolina is home to New Jersey. Columbus visits the Rangers Friday night.
Can the Canadiens keep their hopes alive by beating the defending Stanley Cup champions in their own barn?
Hey, if they play as well as they did against Tampa Bay, the Canadiens can beat anybody.
Every aspect of their game was superb … including a mind-blowing 45-24 shots-on-goal advantage, against a great hockey team..
The Canadiens battled back from 1-0 (on a Max Domi own-goal) and 2-1 deficits. They never quit, and they relentlessly pressured the best team in the league for 60 minutes.
TSN analyst (and former Hab) Mike Johnson gushed about their play all night long.
“Incredible!” Johnson enthused. “You couldn’t ask for anything more in a game of this magnitude.”
“It was a good 60-minute game for us,” the game’s First Star, Artturi Lehkonen, said in his postgame on-ice interview. “We had good legs and pushed them for 60 minutes. That’s why we deserved to win.”
Remember when we wrote off Lehkonen?
Remember when some suggested he be traded at the deadline?
Well, in the most crucial games of the season, Lehkonen has been excellent. Playing on a line with Andrew Shaw and Max Domi, he has played superb 200-foot games when the team needed him most.
And in a raising his game at a crucial time of the season, Lehkonen is not alone.
Phillip Danault went an astounding 16-5 on faceoffs.
Jordan Weal played yet another strong game, creating offensive-zone time and chances for his line mates, Joel Armia and Jonathan Drouin.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi got knocked down about 25 times but got back up and played a smart game on the wing with linemates Paul Byron and the outstanding Nate Thompson.
There was uniform excellence on the back end. Victor Mete, in particular, is ending the regular season with energetic and inspired play. He might even score before the curtain comes down.
Here’s the mind-blowing stat: Neither Winnipeg on Saturday nor Tampa Bay had ANY power plays. The Canadiens took no penalties against the Jets, and only Tomas Tatar went to the box late against Tampa Bay … and took Erik Cernak with him.
In his press conference, Claude Julien said: “This was like a playoff game tonight.
“And we’re hoping we see these guys again, because more than likely that’s what would happen. Maybe tonight was the beginning of a series of eight games. We’ll see by the end of the week.”
What a ride!
• • •
A Comment on the Liveblog by Reg Dunlop summed up the Canadiens’ superb effort.
“One thing for certain, These guys are playing for each other and for their coach. That is probably the best show of support any coach can hope for.”
• • •
More Comments on the Liveblog:
Regardless of the outcome, what a ride this season has been. Spent many (too many) late nights enjoying the games, last year it was a guaranteed snoozefest, better than Valium!!! But this team rocks, and I feel they’re only gonna get better in the coming years !!
-HabsInParis
Don’t want to hear any wihining no matter the outcome…please?! Go Habs Go!
-jp
Feels weird to be cheering Bruins tonight. Might need therapy
Habs will not make this easy for Tampa. Goals can come from anywhere. Execpt Mete of course
-Mtl4ehver
Who would have thought that drouin would be better defensively tonight than sergachev? i’ll take it.
-burnedprof
Habs playing like it’s the playoffs already…and hopefully this is a preview. If nothing else it’s just as exciting!
-Pdott
Let us be clear from the start, folks: Price is failing us! During the last 10 games he has averaged an abysmal .935 save percentage. He has failed to score in those 10 games, and all season too. He flails like an octopus falling from a tree! How is he still in the league?
-habitual
This is going to go one of two ways for Domi with that own goal. Either he’s stepping up and going to be huge this game, or he’s going to be frustrated and prove costly.
-jovogonch
