|
Habs Learn From Cup Champs + Kotkaniemi and Domi Incredible |
|
|
|
|
|
The Montreal Canadiens looked up at the monumental task at hand tonight and likely had a slight shudder.
The Habs faced the red hot, defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals and their Habs killing goalie Brayden Holtby. Holtby entered the game 11-1-2 against the Canadiens so aside from taking on Ovechkin and Co. the Habs also had to beat a keeper that has been their kryptonite…
This game had a bit of a playoff flair to it, in all honesty it was incredible to watch as a fan…
The Habs jumped out to an early 3- 1 lead starting with rookie Kotkaniemi’s first NHL goal just two and a half minutes into the game on a bar down rip. Eller had the equalizer fairly quickly just four minutes later, but the opening 3 minutes of the 2nd period was the Brendan Gallagher show. Gallagher scored at the 0:32 and 3:06 mark and the Habs looked to be running away with it.
A little over 3 minutes later the Caps reminded everyone they won the Cup last year and scored 3 goals in six minutes led by 2 for OV and 1 for Eller. The game looked to be heading to the Capitals heading into the 3rd period.
The 3rd saw the Canadiens come on strong but Holtby was delivering his end of the bargain.
The Caps netminder looked unbeatable but the Canadiens looked relentless…
The Habs just saw the Caps mount an incredible comeback at their expense and decided to take note as they just kept taking the puck to the Caps goaltender and even hit some iron, but Holtby was fantastic.
The battle and effort of the Canadiens was rewarded at 16:56 of the 3rd when Kotkaniemi, surrounded by 5 Caps players in front of the net, smacked in the results of Lehkonen’s dogged effort to tie the game at 4.
The great thing here was the Canadiens didn’t sit back and play for OT, they kept the pace the same and with less than a minute remaining Max Domi almost rocketed out of his skates and to the rafters after flying into the zone and stutter snapping a hard shot past Holtby to put the Habs up with 22 seconds left to play.
Armia stole a face-off win from the Caps on subsequent puck drop and put it straight into the empty net 2 seconds after Domi’s goal.
Habs just making more history…. Love it.
Price picked up the win making 27 saves, Holtby takes the loss making 37 saves.
The Habs are making me believers…
Kotkaniemi with a huge game, and the first star, had a grin in the postgame interviews that stretched to the back of his head.
Starting to really like the new look Habs and loving Domi and Tatar’s contributions….
Enjoy the ride fans….
Go Habs Go
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»