Again, Carey Price played like the Carey Price we all know and love in Tuesday’s huge 4-1 win over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks, which means life is good in Habsland, for now, at least. The young goalie came within 12 minutes of grabbing a shutout, he stopped 28 of 29 shots, and he came through in a big way, just like he did before his cave-in of the last few months. All’s well now, it seems. Price’s confidence has returned, and in return, he’s giving his teammates confidence. The timing couldn’t be better.
Montreal is now picking up steam as the regular season nears the end, and although Florida won in Ottawa and stays close, the Habs retain the final eastern playoff spot. So if you add things up, you have a team with a first line going great guns, grinders grinding, a goaltender who has finally found his game which he’d somehow misplaced for awhile, and the playoffs coming up fast. It means if the Canadiens can indeed get in, they can do damage. Major damage. It’s amazing what a red-hot first line and a top-notch goalie finding his game can do in a playoff situation.
This is why it’s good to be a Habs fan. Anything’s possible when the crunch is on.
Random Notes:
Kovalev notched a goal and an assist, and linemate Saku Koivu had an assist, so the first line continues their torrid pace. Guillaume Latendresse, Andre Markov, who turned in yet another stellar performance, and Mathieu Schneider scored the others.
Florida won in Ottawa, so the Habs have yet to open up some breathing room. Just a word to the Senators. Can’t you do anything right? Can’t even be a decent spoiler?
Upcoming and final games of the regular season for the good guys:
Thursday against the Islanders.
Saturday in Toronto.
Monday at home to meet the Senators.
Tuesday in New York to visit the Rangers.
Thursday in Boston.
And Saturday, Canadiens end it off at home with the Penguins.
All big games. Of course.