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Thursday 16 October 2014

POST Game Five: Bruins @ Habs

The Bears were hibernating.

The Montreal Canadiens caught the Boston Bruins in a second game of a back to back and it showed.

Bad bounces were equally exchanged but the Bruins took a couple naps during the game that cost them two points to their arch rival.

"We were tired, the decision making wasn't there," admitted Bruins goalie Tuuka Rask after the game. "Our heads weren't really there but it's understandable, but it's not an excuse."

The main turning point was the conclusion of the second period when the Canadiens got Jiri Sekac's first NHL goal and PA Parenteau's first as a Montreal Canadien.

The building was rocking and there was no looking back.

Boston played a strong third period when Niklas Svedberg replaced Tuukka Rask.

Simon Gagne scored late in the third pulling Boston within one with a chance to search for the equalizer with the goalie pulled.

But then... Milan Lucic took an ill-timed penalty on Alexei Emelin, negating any realistic chance to tie the game.

Parenteau slipped the puck into the empty, giving the Canadiens a 6-4 win in the first meeting between these two teams this season.

Observations: 

- Brad Marchand's spear on PK Subban was dirty. But the embellishment call was fine by me. Sometimes your reputation follows you around for a long time. 

- Dennis Seidenberg struggled. Everyone knew the departure of Johnny Boychuk would impact the Bruins defensive core. If Seidenberg can't regain his form of old, the Bruins won't have home ice in the first round of playoff. 

- David Desharnais' play in the faceoff circle lead to goals. Even though he was just over 45%, key offensive zone faceoffs lead to goals by Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty. 

- Coach Michel Therrien coached a strong game. Never got caught in a bad match up. Balanced the ice time. And the moment of him receiving the torch was great. 

- Milan Lucic is out of control. Antics in the penalty box. The run in with Emelin. Yelling at referee Tim Peel. Dude, settle down. I'd still take him on my team though. 

- The third line controlled the play almost every time they were on the ice. Rene Bourque - Lars Eller - Jiri Sekac had a handful of shifts where they got momentum and controlled the play. That and a fearless block shot from Bourque on the powerplay shows me that at least he's still "all in."

- Also liked the Bruins third line. Loui Erickson - Carl Soderberg - Chris Kelly started the game, and looked like their best line. 

- Carey Price's struggles aren't concerning. And there was breakdowns and bad bounces on all the goals he let up. However, if he doesn't turn things around from a statistical point of view soon, the Vezina Trophy could be lost in the first month of the season. 

- Mitchy 



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