There's no discounting the deflation the Winnipeg Jets suffered between the second and third periods of last night's game as a factor in their loss to the Canadiens. If the Jets had intentions to win it for the fans after learning their playoff aspirations were slaughtered by the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers, their desire fizzled quickly with a Brendan Gallagher slapshot that found the back of the net from 60 feet out, off Ondrej Pavelec, over and in.
David Desharnais capitalized on a 5-on-3 powerplay opportunity to score his first goal in 20 games, and Max Pacioretty added another a la Gallagher, as the Canadiens skated out of Winnipeg with two points en poche.
The Canadiens fan suffering through the team fumbling its way towards the playoffs would call it luck. It would be hard to say two of three goals in the third period were earned, but there was a lot of positive for the Canadiens to take with them to Toronto.
Starting with Carey Price. He was excellent through two periods to keep the game within reach against a Jets' team fighting for their lives. Breakaway stops on Blake Wheeler and James Wright were highlights.
The Habs didn't bury their heads in the sand down a goal to start the third. They seized control of the game and did what they should've done to win it. For a team that's struggled as badly as they have, nothing was a given.
It doesn't really matter how the pucks went in, they did. The Canadiens had a three-goal period when they needed it the most. That's a major positive, especially when you consider the source of the goals.
Pacioretty, Desharnais and Gallagher had the kind of performance all of them needed to boost their confidence. So did Carey Price. So did the penalty kill.
The Habs also dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 32/53. They were particularly strong in their own zone, and at the end of the night had eight giveaways to the Jets' nine.
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It was another great night for Lars Eller. If only he could play all of his games against the Jets. Two assists on the first two goals--keeping the Habs in the game.
Another young player who really had his game in order was Jarred Tinordi. He picked up an assist on Gallagher's goal, and was really steady in his own end. If not for Francis Bouillon taking a giant spill on the Jets' first goal, he'd have finished at +2 through 15:40 of ice-time. Biggest contribution Tinordi made was seven hits-- a couple of big ones on Evander Kane. He provided a certain balance to the blue line that's been sorely missing since the loss of Alexei Emelin to a season-ending knee injury. Makes you wonder why they didn't turn to him in the first place, but that's water under the bridge.
Where the Canadiens finish in the standings and who they play in the first round will depend on Saturday's game with the Leafs, and back-to-back weekend games for the Bruins. If the Canadiens win in regulation and the Senators win their final two games, the Leafs will bounce to 6th in the conference. That final Sens game is against Boston, and if the Bruins lose that one and Saturday's game in Washington, a Canadiens win will give them the division title.
With all of that on the line, the Canadiens have incentive to play their best players in Toronto. That said, Andrei Markov, Francis Bouillon, Brandon Prust and Max Pacioretty--tired or banged up players--could likely use a rest ahead of Tuesday's playoff opener in Montreal. You have to wonder if Carey Price will be in nets against the Leafs. Tough calls for Michel Therrien, and we'll see what he decides to do in short order.
The Habs have secured home-ice for at least a round of the playoffs; biggest positive of last night's outcome. We're right around to corner from seeing what they can do with it.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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