No one expected the Canadiens to solve all their problems against a Hurricanes team that came in staring their fifth game in seven nights directly in the face with tired eyes. That's how deep the defensive woes have been for Montreal. Forgive them for allowing too many shots to make their way to Carey Price's net, forgive them for some tough patches of guesswork in their own zone, and maybe celebrate the small victories this game provided for a team that's attempting a rebuild from ground zero.
The biggest victory of the night was stopping the losing streak, and not too far behind was pocketing three even strength goals--the result of hard and smart work in the offensive zone; the result of an active defense core, confidently joining the play, as opposed to tentatively waiting for the play to come them.
"You have to forecheck as a five-man unit," said Max Pacioretty afterwards, noting that all teams that do it effectively enjoy success. "When you stop thinking about it and put the pucks in the right places, and you stay close together, you're able to generate much more on the forecheck, and that's what we did tonight."
That's a big stepping stone from the disconnected play that's been customary for the Canadiens offense for large portions of this season.
Obviously, it was Pacioretty and his linemates doing most the damage, after Brandon Prust was the beneficiary of a Canadiens' attack that included four of their players on the ice, resulting in the game's first and all-important goal.
Pacioretty mentioned that Therrien pulled he, David Desharnais and Brendan Gallagher aside, motivating them to lead as the offensive linchpins up front. It was the type of challenge Pacioretty embraces, saying each time his coach has done it, it's inspired confidence in the trio.
Carolina certainly could've scored a few goals had it not been for Carey Price's heroics, particularly in the second period.
Montreal would've emboldened their lead had Michael Bounival capitalized on the numerous chances Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta created for him; the trio having been reunited to inject some much needed speed and enthusiasm to the line.
Therrien moved Lars Eller back to centre, and not for Lars Eller's sake. He said afterwards that with the size Carolina boasts up the middle, this gave the Canadiens a better balance to contend with them. Obviously, this change suited Eller and he took advantage of it. There was a stark contrast between his play in his natural position and what he had shown on Plekanec's wing in a couple of terrible contests.
The Canadiens are taking the positive vibes on the road with them, fully conscious of the challenge ahead and of the necessity to stay on even keel; to put in the work to continue to fix issues that were less magnified in a 3-0 win, but still apparent.
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1) It's easy to focus on what's been dogging Brendan Gallagher from having even more than the 14 goals he's scored thus far. He hasn't changed his game at all in the offensive zone, and he's as aggressive as ever. Sure, there were points where he wasn't quite as confident, and he strayed a bit from shooting as much as he should've, but his game has been relatively unchanged since he arrived in Montreal.
Here's what people don't necessarily realize about him. He's in his second year, and making simple plays to clear the zone or to start a breakout--at NHL speed--don't come naturally to anyone. This is the kind of thing that only gets easier with experience, and he doesn't have all that much of it. You could say the same of his play in his own end, without the puck.
This isn't a knock on Gallagher at all, but they say great defensive play leads to offense, and they aren't wrong about that.
You'll notice the same thing with Galchenyuk, who is more capable than Gallagher is of skating the puck out of trouble.
2) On the surface, you could look at the stat sheet and shake your head about Daniel Briere losing the only two faceoffs he took, generating a single shot on net, and only playing roughly eight minutes of ice-time.
Or, you could look at what he did in those eight minutes, next to George Parros and Travis Moen, and realize he actually manufactured a couple of scoring chances in spite of all that. He made safe and smart plays with the puck, and he played with intensity.
You really can't knock Briere for his effort, and you can only lament that the coach hasn't done anything to allow him to integrate into the team and be a part of it.
I'm not saying Briere deserves this or that, but he doesn't deserve to be criticized for not being given the chance to do more, now that he seems capable of offering more.
3) Nathan Beaulieu is getting more comfortable, and so long as he keeps his feet moving, the game will continue to get easier for him. All you need is a pair of functional eyes to see what his biggest skill is, and it seemed to fit well with what Doug Murray brought to the table last night.
Murray was a force through 17:17, and it's worth noting on a night where the Canadiens needed him to be one.
P.K Subban's game isn't quite where it needs to be right now. He needs to simplify it, and if that wasn't obvious before, it was certainly obvious on several careless plays in his own end last night.
Subban will get the lion's share of credit for his great play all season long, and Murray will bear the brunt of criticism for his lack of mobility and his inability to play a larger role that Therrien often hopes to give him. That's all fair, and it would be unfair to say Subban was great last night and Murray was his regular self.
4) Thought that was Josh Gorges' best game in a long time. He's got limited skill, and he's been caught backing up too much this season, but he was a leader out there last night.
5) Is it good or bad that the next three games for the Canadiens represent remarkable challenges?
They've got to face a Bruins team that's red-hot, having won four straight games and collected points in seven of their last 10. Also, the Bruins owe the Canadiens for beating them in their first match against each other.
Back-to-back 1:00pm starts against the Lightning and Jets this weekend doesn't make it easier. The Lightning have been keeping pace with the Bruins, and they could have Stamkos back as early as Saturday (not likely, but possible). And the Jets have obviously played much better hockey of late, under Paul Maurice.
6) There are 29 games remaining on the schedule, and six of them to play before the Olympic break. Next week brings Calgary and Vancouver to town, before the Canadiens close up shop in Carolina. The Habs should be treating these two weeks like a mini playoff series.
The Leafs and Sens are pushing, the Lightning and Bruins are pulling ahead, and there are teams in the other division like the Rangers and Flyers that are threatening to push the Canadiens further down the standings.
Last night represented the first baby steps Montreal could take out of the fire, but Thursday's game could knock them back. In the wise words of their coach, "it's about how you respond to adversity."
7) Speaking of Therrien, he made a few good calls last night. I wouldn't be so bold as to suggest he coached the game of his life, but he has been under dramatic stress and pressure, and it seems to have brought him closer to his team if we're to believe what the players have been saying about his attitude and support through this tough time.
His decisions on the ice have smacked of ridiculous at times, and the style people assume he's preaching doesn't seem to fit this group, but he must deserve the credit his players have given him over the last couple of days.
Regardless of their competition, not too many people outside the Canadiens dressing room would've predicted a win last night. Can't say I'm among them, eternal optimist that I am.
8) The refs hate Brandon Prust. Not a complaint, just an observation.
9) The save on Jordan Staal last night, while the Canadiens were on the powerplay--that was something special.
I was on Sirius/XM NHL Network yesterday, and was asked if the numbers over the disastrous stretch of play from the Canadiens were a true reflection of Price's play in those games.
Here's the interview, and towards the end, you'll hear my answer to that specific question.
10) How many points do the Habs take out of the 12 available between now and the Olympic break?
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