Game #24Habs Forget Thrashers Game Better Than Expected

Details

Date: 27/11/2010
Opponent: Sabres
Location: Montreal

Win: 3-1

Habs Goalie: Price (W)
Opposition Goalie: Miller (L)

Habs goalscorers: Kostitsyn, Gionta (2)
Opposition goalscorers: Leopold

Play of the game

Gionta started a nice play to send us on a 2-on-1; a play that resulted in the game-winning goal. It ended up being a clean looking play between the captain and Kostitsyn. Andrei, who we (and Miller) expected to shoot made a very good pass to Brian who, quite easily found the back of the net and, essentially, sealed the game.

Dome hockey team

The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the dome

Andrei Kostitsyn
This was another very good game from Andrei. He added another goal and assist and now has 9 of each on the year. Aside from the points he played a strong, two-way game and has been doing for most of the season. His chemistry with Plekanec was expected, his chemistry with Gionta is very welcome indeed.

Tomas Plekanec
The glue that holds his line, this offence and, at times, the team together. Pleks is that behind-the-scene type guy who really does do everything well. His passes, like the one on the Gionta goal, look effortless, but are really world-class. I can't imagine where we would be without this player, the player who is clearly a #1 centre.

Brian Gionta - Game Puck
Tonight Gionta took a lot of shots again and it really paid off. In all there were 8 shots, 2 of which went in for goals. Another one of his shots, on the 5-on-3, ended up being saved, but pulled Miller out of position enough to allow for Kostitsyn's simple put-in. I love how Brian is playing these days and it is nice to see him getting the points as a reward.

Defencemen

Josh Gorges
Josh, on the last night of Movember, impressed me yet again. Was it because I was excited that the stache was soon to be shaved or was it because of his play? Thankfully, after a convincing 3-1 win, I can say it was his play. His 5 blocked-shots and 21+ minutes really made a difference and set the team up nicely for another big win.

Jaroslav Spacek
Jaro had another good game tonight against the team that he once captained. His most interesting stat may be that he played exactly 1 period of hockey, but that doesn't mean there wasn't anything else there. He was strong in his own end and was the top player on his pairing as he is now at the same level as Hammer; where he was last year.

Goaltender

Carey Price
It was a shame the Carey didn't get the shutout, but, because we got the win, it doesn't really matter. In fact, if he gets too many of those he may end up being too expensive for us at the end of this contract! So, thank you Buffalo. He did, however, play well enough to deserve the shutout which is more good stuff from the kid. It is amazing that a team can take 36 shots on Price without any of the 21,273 fans ever worrying about him costing us the game - much appreciated!

Comments

I had a feeling that the rest we bagged last night would pay off tonight. Montreal played a good game from start to finish as Buffalo never really got to where they wanted to be in this one. We took advantage of our big chances (very happy with the 5-on-3 goal) and it seemed that the Sabres didn't (or weren't allowed to). This game just shows you that wins and losses aren't far apart, though. One less bounce for them and one of their posts ending up in the back of our net and all of a sudden this is a totally different game. Right now we are playing well and when you play like that I truly believe that you make your own luck.