A Familiar Challenge

For the second time in consecutive series, The Montreal Canadiens are facing elimination.

After a lucky bounce won them their first game in overtime, they just couldn’t seem to recreate the magic in the second straight extra time.

Trailing 3 games to 1 is nothing new to the team this spring. Down 3-2 to the Bruins a few weeks ago, they managed to bounce back and win back to back games eliminating their arch rivals.

Reasons for the first knockout game of this series are plenty, a Powerplay that somewhat came alive in the last month, had a lethargic showing Sunday night, scoring just one goal on eight chances. If the Habs want to play for awhile longer they desperately need to connect on the special teams.

With a plethora of talent held virtually invisible this postseason, the Canadiens will also need some big names to land on the scoresheet.
Plekanec, Desharnais and most notably, captain Brian Gionta, will seriously need a readjustment come Tuesday night.

One thing that Montreal can look forward to is the fantastic play of rookie back stopper, Dustin Tokarski. Making some key saves throughout his last two starts, he has been nothing short of a saviour filling in for the injured Carey Price. The dedication and focus is something the Canadien’s team is used to between the pipes, a luxury that should in all ways rejuvenate this lacklustre offense.

Forcing a game 6 and now a 7, will be the focal point in the Habs locker room. Speed and stretch passes, a gameplan once used with dominating force , has now turned to the Achilles heel for this Montreal team. The Rangers are beating their opponents at their own game and it could propel them to a Stanley Cup berth.

Although the clouds are dark and the fat lady will be prepping her voice come Tuesday night, the aura isn’t something of defeat, it’s a focused, ready for battle attitude, with all players putting the last behind them. With a nation on edge, players and fans alike can expect a very intense Bell Centre for game 5. The place will be rocking and for Habs fans, hopefully the team will be too.