KOSTITSYN LEADS HABS PAST CANES

Saturday, 26 February 2011

 4-3

                        Final

 GOAL SCORERS

CAR: J. Jokinen (07:25 - 1st) , T. Ruutu (02:10 - 2nd) , C. Stillman (10:49 - 2nd)

MTL: M. Cammalleri (13:48 - 1st) , L. Eller (16:53 - 1st) , T. Plekanec (05:13 - 2nd) , A. Kostitsyn (PPG, 16:07 - 3rd)
 GOALIES
CAR: C. Ward (L) MTL: A. Auld (W)

 

        Earlier tonight in Montreal, the Habs took on the Hurricanes and were looking for a win which would bring them 2 points closer to third place in the East. Alex Auld got his first back to back starts. He hoped that the second game would go better than the first one after he was pulled for giving up 3 goals on 9 shots in the first Thursday night against the Leafs. But he didn't start the way that he wanted as he gave away the puck behind the net 7 minutes into the game. Jokinen would capitalize by scoring to make it 1-0. Then with 6 minutes to go in the first, Skinner gives the puck away right to Plekanec who would play it to Cammalleri who would score to tie the game. Then 3 minutes later, another giveaway lead to a goal by Eller to give the Habs a lead.

 

            Then 2 minues into the second, Ruutu would score on a rebound to tie the game. Then Plekanec would skate in on a 2 on one and rip it past Ward to make it 3-2 just 5:13 into the second.Then 5 Minutes later Stillman would score to make it 3-3 after 2. With 5 minutes to go in the third, Gomez would score on a rebound but it was waived off because the whistle was blown. Then 2 mintues later a Point shot would be tipped in by Kostitsyn to make it 4-3 and that would be your final. In the win. Auld made 28 saves on 31 shots for his 5th win of the season. As for the Hurricanes, in the loss, Cam Ward made 23 saves on 27 shots.

 

           The Canadiens were the better team tonight. Especially with the great play by Alex Auld. Auld made 4 big saves in the final minute to preserve the win and to put the Habs 2 points closer to 3rd place (where the Bruins currently are). I expect the Habs to make the playoffs and they are currently 8 points in. If they stay on this pace they will play the Boston Bruins in the post season. I think they will be playing them since it's going to be 3rd Vs 6th (Bruins are in the 3rd, the Habs are in 6th)and the Habs even though they are just 3 points back of 5th I still think that Montreal will be playing the Bruins especially since the Capitals (5th in the east) are playing .500 hockey and they Habs arn't as of late.

          Another thing is the Bruins have 3 games in hand over the Habs. Which means it's more likely for the Bruins to finish in 3rd. So I think the Habs will be playing the Bruins and I think the Canadiens expect to play them as well. But that's a topic for another time (or day). For now lets, let the Habs enjoy the win and focus on the present and not the future.


Written By Andrew Di Pardo