The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre, in Ottawa on Sunday to win the best-of-seven First Round series 4-2. The Canadiens now advance to face the winner of the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning series. The Red Wings currently hold a 3-2 lead with Game 6 on Monday night.
It was no surprise that Carey Price played a key roll in Sunday nights 2-0 Montreal victory. He managed to stop all 43 shots on him. The Senators season of comebacks ended, but not without a valiant effort. The final three minutes of the game featured numerous scoring chances for the Senators. Price came up big numerous times.
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The Senators were 14 points out of a playoff spot in February, but rallied to post a 23-4-4 record to squeeze into the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens shot out of the playoff gate going up in this series 3 games to 0. Just like in the regular season the Senators battled back to win both games 4 and 5. Setting up the perfect comeback story.
Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher got the Habs on the board first Sunday as he batted the puck past Senators goalie Craig Anderson at the 13:26 point of the first period. It was an amazing goal.
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That was all the scoring in the first and second periods. Anderson played a strong game stopping 18 of 19 shots. It looked as though the Senators had tied the game at the 6:55 point of the second period when Jean-Gabriel Pageau popped in a loose puck during a rebound from a point shot from Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki. Officials disallowed the goal, stating that the whistle had blown before the puck crossed the line.
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The third period was much like the first and second period, scoreless. As the third period progressed the play was controlled by the Senators. Montreal did get into penalty problems, but the Senators went 0 for 4 on the power play. Although the Senators had numerous point blank scoring chances in the final three minutes. Carey Price held the fort and maintained to stop every shot he faced. With just one second remaining in the game Montreal netted an open net goal. Max Pacioretty scored his third of the playoffs and clinching the series for the Canadiens.
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.