The Montreal Canadiens staved off elimination on Friday night, squeaking by Washington 2-1 in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Robert of SBN’s Canadiens blog, Habs Eyes On The Prize, saw his team put everything together to earn the victory and prolong their season.
Montreal Reaction: Canadiens Put It All Together In Game 5
Nothing Montreal did in this game was new to this playoff round. They took the lead early and added to it. There were moments of domination by both clubs. Halak was again stellar, as in Game One. The Habs at times looked poised to blow the lead, and at other times were especially adept at containing the Capitals thrusts. They played a third period like they had in their only win.
Essentially, the Canadiens took something from each game of the series (wins or losses) and struck it together for sixty minutes of hockey, for once.
So the series pitting the top team in the NHL against the 16th playoff team in terms of points is now headed for a sixth game. Most figured Montreal had about as much chance as a lit match in a pissing contest when the series began, but that assesement sold the Canadiens strengths and the Capitals’ weaknesses short by a good length.
Logically, the series should have been over on Wednesday, strictly judging by the 33 point gap of the teams in the standings.
Illogically, could it be that, talent aside, these two teams resemble each other more than Capitals believers would readily admit?
Honestly, logic has left the building, and this is where Dr. Spock’s Vulcan ears begin to rub together and start fires.
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