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Game 66: Canadiens vs Rangers AKA On Pins and Needles |
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Much like the last game against the Canucks, the Habs came out ready to play for, at least at the start of the game. It didn't even take 4 minutes for Domi to put the Canadiens in front when he tried to feed his winger in front of the net but the puck deflected being the Rags' goaltender. Petry and Tatar got the helpers on Domi's 16th of the year and the Habs carried on peppering Georgiev's net with puck until the end of the first.
They weren't nearly as solid in the second though and they seemed hesitant at times, still, for a while it looked like they were going to right the ship when Tatar scored a beauty on the breakaway to give the Habs the dreaded 2-0 lead. A lead which didn't even last 2 minutes before New York scored their first goal of the game, granted it was a good play but still...quick answering goals like this will shake such a fragile team.
At 2-1 to start the 3rd, the Habs' were very clearly on pins and needles and they just looked like they all held their stick way too tight. They did manage to hang on until midway through the third but it just got to much for them and Zibanejad put everyone back on level terms thanks to a nice Panarin feed...Just over a minute later, the Rangers took the lead for the first time of the game and they would never give it back. Especially not since Gallagher took a pair of penalties in the third, one of which was costly since New York converted but hey, for everything the guy has done for this team, we can give him a pass for sure. The power play goal was scored by Ryan Strome and Panarin got himself yet another assist on that one before New York put the final net in the coffin with an empty netter. From a 2-0 lead to a 5-2 loss, that has got to hurt.
What else to say? Well, as per usual Julien put Hudon on the 4th line but did give him some power play time on the 2nd unit. Unfortunately for Hudon though, he couldn't make the most of those opportunities, his timing being off the first time and trying a very questionnable pass the second time. On the bright side though, he really threw himself into the game and racked up 4 hits but that doesn't give points in the standings. Price did honest work in net, until that 4th goal but by then, there was no getting back into this one for the Habs in any case. Perhaps they've got a collective allergy to the final frame?
Let's focus on the positive side of things; every loss gives us a better chance at the big prize in June, Alexis Lafrenière... Hang in there Habs fans, only 16 more games left... Oh and Julien's first answer in the presser tonight? I have no idea. The coach is worn-down, fed up, out of answers and even told the press to ask questions that make sense...that's going to be a long 16 games for him.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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