Habs sweep weekend series with the Sens, strengthening their hold on 1st
March 20, 2017, 11:27 AM ET [214 Comments]
Jennifer B Cutler
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
The Montreal Canadiens swept the Ottawa Senators in back to back games over the weekend by narrowly defeating them 4-3 Saturday night in a shootout in Ottawa and then winning convincingly at the Bell Centre on Saturday by a score of 4-1. The four earned points tipped the scales for the Atlantic division lead back in the Canadiens favor as they now lead the Senators by four points and extended their lead over the third place Bruins by eight. Both teams hold a game in hand but now the Canadiens are the masters of their own destiny, at least when it comes to first place in the Atlantic.
The Canadiens are making a habit of coming from behind after forty minutes as they came back from a 2-1 deficit after two periods of play on Saturday. It was the eleventh time this season that the Canadiens have been able to successfully pull off that difficult feat, a statistic in which they are leading the league. Thanks to their ability to be resilient, the Canadiens were able to tie the game early in the third period on a goal by Phillip Danault and 31 seconds later they pulled ahead on Brendan Gallagher’s eighth goal of the season. Erik Karlsson tied the game with five minutes left in the period to send it to overtime. In extra time, the Canadiens penalty kill was superb as they killed off Max Pacioretty’s penalty to force a shootout. Paul Byron and Alexander Radulov scored on their attempts while Carey Price was perfect, giving the Canadiens the full two points.
While Saturday’s game was an excellent, hard fought battle between two division rivals, Sunday’s rematch was a tilted affair in the Canadiens favor as they controlled the better part of the play. Price started the game in what was a rare back to back appearance for him this season. It was an indication of just how important the game was. The team got two rare first period goals from Tomas Plekanec and Jordie Benn to give the Canadiens a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission. Tom Pyatt scored the lone goal for the Senators. Byron and Nathan Beaulieu scored in the third period to extend the Canadiens lead and make it a 4-1 final.
Weekend Puck props and flops:
Props:
Carey Price - On Saturday night Price had his moments of excellency but also would like back at least one of the goals that he did let in to Senators. However, he was perfect in the shootout to seal the win. At the Bell Centre on Sunday, Price was simply brilliant as he made 30 saves. In the second period his save on Kyle Turris was highway larceny as made a save that very few goaltenders in the world have the ability to do:
His ability to slide over and fully extend his leg and toe is absolutely incredible. Price is simply sensational and his ability to make that kind of save gives his teammates that much more confidence to go out and do their job. It also gets in the heads of Canadiens opponents as they see that save and think how are they going to be able to beat him?
Jordie Benn - Is there a player who was traded at the deadline and has been more impactful for his new team than Benn? On Saturday he had 21:30 minutes of ice time including 4:37 on the penalty kill. His ability to play on the first unit of the penalty kill unit alongside Shea Weber has absolute transformed the Canadiens. He and Weber were huge (not just literally) on the overtime penalty kill as they made it as difficult as could be on the Senators. Now Andrei Markov does not have to be depended upon to play as many minutes, keeping him fresher for the playoffs. At the Bell Centre he followed that strong performance by scoring the game winning goal and continuing to be a positive influence for Beaulieu.
Phillip Danault, Andrew Shaw & Arturri Lehkonen - This trio absolutely dominated whenever they were on the ice on Saturday night. They are all strong forecheckers and have a nose for the net. Shaw and Danault each had a goal and an assist while Lehkonen also had an assist. They combined for 12 shots on net and gave the Senators heaps of trouble. Danault’s goal was his first in 22 games and so his draught is finally over. The trio were on the ice for the Canadiens first power play goal in March, likely not a coincidence. These three are seriously fun to watch but they are also defensively responsible. They rarely get hemmed in their own zone.
Paul Bryon, Tomas Plekanec, Brendan Gallagher - Secondary scoring has awakened and then some as all three got on the scoreboard over the weekend. Byron now has his first ever 20 goal season in the NHL. At $1.167 million per year, is there a better bargain in the NHL? He has gone from a player likely to be lost at the expansion draft to one that must be protected. Gallagher has rediscovered his game and the points are now coming with four in his last four games. Plekanec has at times looked to be the weakest of the three but he has been battling through an injury. On Sunday he played one of his best games of the year.
Neither here nor there:
While the top line of Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov combined for one assist all weekend, the trio still performed well. They created chances and perhaps more importantly they did not give up many either. Radulov is still getting back up to speed from his minor injury. While the secondary scoring has been carrying the Canadiens over the past few games, it will not be long until they are contributing on the scoresheet as well.
Alexei Emelin was a healthy scratch on Saturday and came back into the lineup at the Bell Centre on Sunday. He played one of his best games in quite some time as he kept it simple and steady. Emelin was back to his physical self contributing five hits and two blocked shots. His improved play helped partner Jeff Petry as well as he had more confidence on the ice as well. This is the Emelin that the Canadiens need. Now it remains to be seen if he can do it on a consistent basis.
Can the four forward powerplay play unit please go away? It is still not working. While they are improving at sustaining more pressure they are not generating quality scoring chances. The only reason the power play is not a flop is because they finally broke through and scored on Sunday night. However that was with the traditional 3 forward, 2 defensemen unit. Also, can Nathan Beaulieu please get a regular shift on the powerplay again? He scored with only 15 seconds of powerplay time and only had 11 seconds on Saturday. It is time to go back to the drawing board Kirk…
This week the Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday before another rematch with the Senators Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
Today at 5:32 am by Rocky
» Minister of Resources: Iraq is one of the countries most affected by climate change
Today at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani arrives in Riyadh to participate in the World Economic Forum
Today at 5:27 am by Rocky
» An Arab call to the countries neighboring Iraq regarding the share of water
Today at 5:26 am by Rocky
» IMF: Poor productivity is responsible for 50% of the decline in economic growth
Today at 5:20 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic stresses to Barzani the importance of focusing on construction, recons
Today at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Will Iran lose the Iraqi market? 20 million dollars is threatened with loss
Today at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Economy: Parliament will extend the legislative term to approve the budget
Today at 5:13 am by Rocky
» The price of the dollar is close to 145 thousand dinars؛ how much is $100 worth of transactions؟
Today at 5:13 am by wciappetta
» A factory for producing electric cars
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: We have launched strategies to improve the conditions of workers
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Economic prospects from America to Türkiye
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Al-Rayes: The path of development is the first gateway to sustainable economic advancement
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Days after announcing the connection with Jordan, an almost complete absence of electricity in Ramad
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» A Kurdistan delegation meets with the Ministry of Finance in Baghdad to discuss “revenues and implem
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Economy reviews files and the importance of Sudanese’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki talks about postponing the Kurdistan Parliament elections and says that salary transfers w
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic and Barzani discuss the results of Sudanese’s visit to the United Stat
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Finance is "dizzy"... An expert points out a "lapse" in the budget schedules: Februa
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The 2024 budget has entered into force... and there is no need to send its schedul
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi dinar is recovering against the US dollar in local markets
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Iraq.. The claim that OPEC’s decisions affect oil derivatives only and not crude is “inaccurate”
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Al-Bawi: Erdogan failed in his promises to his people and seeks to plunge Iraq into its conflict wit
Today at 4:37 am by Rocky
» The Sudanese and his battle against corruption.. Where is the fault with the government or with the
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Amnesty International criticizes Iraq's implementation of 13 death sentences
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» The ambassador is very angry with Parliament: The homosexuality law obstructs the government and har
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Al-Mandalawi: There is no place for homosexuality in the Iraq of the prophets and saints, and that i
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives the President of the University: Towards the strength and status of the Arab syst
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Ayed Al-Hilali: All leaders are discussing “the finer details of Sudanese” tonight, and Barzani join
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» He announced the reception of offers from three alliances from international companies for the Baghd
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» During his meeting with the head of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate... Al-Amiri stresses the importa
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» To address the dollar exchange rate... Mazhar Muhammad explains the risks of floating the Iraqi dina
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» During the launch of the Arab Labor Conference in its 50th session in Baghdad... Al-Sudani: We launc
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Saudi Arabia announces an increase in direct flights with Iraq
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Resources: Government measures have contributed to improving the water situation in Iraq
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Sadr: The voice of American universities calling for an end to Zionist terrorism is our voice
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» International organization: 50% of displaced Iraqis lack official documents
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The path of development will provide many job opportunities
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Parliament Finance: The necessity of converting tax and customs revenues to digital processing
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani announces that clues have been found to uncover those involved in the Kormor bombing
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» The start of the work of the Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference
Today at 4:09 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers will suspend official working hours next Wednesday
Today at 4:07 am by Rocky
» An almost complete outage of water and electricity in western Anbar
Today at 4:06 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary expectations of extending the legislative term to approve the budget
Today at 4:00 am by Rocky
» Education: The cost of participating in the electronic school will amount to 200 thousand dinars
Today at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani arrives in Riyadh to participate in the World Economic Forum
Today at 3:58 am by Rocky
» A newspaper reveals a dark world that brings together bloggers and politicians
Today at 3:57 am by Rocky
» Al-Marsoumi: The bombing of the Kormor field undermined efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in gas
Today at 3:55 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/24/24 Support - USA- Turkey - Timing- Currency Value - Tabled
Yesterday at 2:18 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/26/24 Iraqi Dinar - US Treasury Exchange Rates- Focus - Banking Partnerships - Rate C
Yesterday at 2:17 pm by Rocky
» Parliamentary efforts to transform Iraq into a global market for transferring Internet capacities
Yesterday at 2:07 pm by Rocky
» A parliamentary committee that enriches the political forces: Stop plundering Iraq’s wealth and work
Yesterday at 1:56 pm by Rocky
» Politician: Salem Al-Issawi is the most likely to assume the presidency of Parliament
Yesterday at 1:55 pm by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The world today is witnessing crises whose impact has been reflected in the global econo
Yesterday at 9:50 am by Rocky
» The Federal Court responds to an inquiry by Al-Sudani regarding the powers of the provincial council
Yesterday at 9:40 am by Rocky
» Among them are the Iraqis... a list of the most sought-after immigrants to America
Yesterday at 9:38 am by Rocky
» An expert talks about the "biggest barrier" and the positives of merging Iraqi and Arab banks
Yesterday at 9:29 am by Rocky
» The House of Representatives adjourns its session
Yesterday at 9:24 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary demands to expedite the legislation of the Eid al-Ghadir holiday law (documents)
Yesterday at 9:23 am by Rocky
» Parliament adds the paragraph “Electing the Speaker of the House of Representatives” to its agenda
Yesterday at 9:21 am by Rocky
» Alsumaria publishes the text of the law against prostitution and homosexuality
Yesterday at 9:20 am by Rocky
» A parliamentarian reveals the reason for the failure of the Speaker of Parliament to pass during tod
Yesterday at 9:19 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The government has launched many strategies and initiatives that will improve the reality
Yesterday at 8:42 am by Rocky
» International Business: Iraq has made progress in supporting businesses through investment and priva
Yesterday at 8:33 am by Rocky
» Association of Banks: Iraq is witnessing great development in the transition to electronic governmen
Yesterday at 8:25 am by Rocky
» The House of Representatives votes to add an item to its agenda (election of the Speaker of the Hous
Yesterday at 8:22 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary integrity: Combating corruption requires parliamentary legislation
Yesterday at 8:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Karaawi: America is trying to restrict Iraq
Yesterday at 8:13 am by Rocky
» The State of Law coalition moves to form the local government in Diyala
Yesterday at 8:12 am by Rocky
» The Sudanese and his battle against corruption.. Where is the fault with the government or with the
Yesterday at 8:11 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister's Advisor: We will see the dollar fall on the black market soon
Yesterday at 8:09 am by Rocky
» The Sunni blocs are resolute. The presidency of the Council is ours, away from Al-Halbousi
Yesterday at 8:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani discusses with a workers’ organization his government’s steps in this field
Yesterday at 7:58 am by Rocky
» Parliament holds its session in the presence of 170 deputies
Yesterday at 7:57 am by Rocky
» In the presence of Nechirvan Barzani and Al-Sudani... the State Administration Coalition holds an “i
Yesterday at 7:55 am by Rocky
» The UAE company ADNOC resorts to Iraqi oil. Find out the reasons
Yesterday at 7:53 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Parliament votes to add an item to elect a president to its agenda
Yesterday at 7:52 am by Rocky
» The Federal Court responds to an inquiry by Al-Sudani regarding the powers of the provincial council
Yesterday at 7:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: It is necessary to attract women to work as a productive energy that cannot be disrupted
Yesterday at 7:47 am by Rocky
» Zebari regarding targeting the Kormor field: a systematic attack on the economy of Kurdistan
Yesterday at 7:46 am by Rocky
» Saudi Arabia tops, and this is Iraq's rank... a list of major suppliers of crude oil to South Korea
Yesterday at 7:45 am by Rocky
» With a value of 125 million dollars.. Iraq is at the forefront of countries importing Iranian textil
Yesterday at 7:44 am by Rocky
» More than a billion dollars in sales from the Iraqi Central Bank within a week
Yesterday at 7:43 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the need for the expertise of the International Labor Organization to legislate a
Yesterday at 7:29 am by Rocky
» Including the return of 21 wanted persons.. The Iraq Money Recovery Fund counts its achievements in
Yesterday at 7:27 am by Rocky
» The path to development is the criterion between true patriotism and political clowning.
Yesterday at 7:25 am by Rocky
» The file of the Presidency of Parliament is on the state administration table... this evening
Yesterday at 7:22 am by Rocky
» Director General of the International Labor Organization: Many challenges in the world of work and t
Yesterday at 7:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The world is witnessing crises that reflect negatively on the Arab and international peop
Yesterday at 7:11 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: Our government has provided great support for the success of the activities, program
Yesterday at 7:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Asadi: Iraq places the social protection file among its priorities
Yesterday at 7:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is one of the first countries in the region to join the International Labor Organiza
Yesterday at 7:05 am by Rocky
» In the presence of Al-Sudani and Barzani, the State Administration Coalition holds an “important” me
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» Appreciating the presence of Al-Sudani... Director General of the Arab Labor Organization: Here from
Yesterday at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: Our government has provided great support for the success of the activities, program
Yesterday at 5:28 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The world is witnessing crises that reflect negatively on the Arab and international peop
Yesterday at 5:24 am by Rocky
» The Parliamentary Development Institute organizes a workshop on the political role of the representa
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» With Arab and international participation. Tomorrow will be the start of the Fourth Baghdad Internat
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» OPEC Secretary General: The end of oil is not on the horizon
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky