MONTREAL

Call of the Wilde: A tale of two robberies

CTV Montreal Published Saturday, January 21, 2017 10:46PM EST Last Updated Saturday, January 21, 2017 10:50PM EST

Buffalo Sabres' Evander Kane (9) moves in on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price as Canadiens' Max Pacioretty defends during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Saturday, January 21, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

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Wilde Horses

- In his last game earlier this week, Carey Price said he needs to be better. He delivered with two clear cut robberies in the last 30 seconds. The second glove save off Ristolainen saved the game and drew a spontaneous standing ovation. The Habs shouldn't have gotten a point. Price was Price.

- One of the reasons that a small player like Andrew Shaw has so much success is his ability to win pucks. He's a force in the playoffs for exactly this reason. The postseason is more about winning one-on-one battles—something Shaw excels at. I have reason to believe he'll be strong this postseason after watching him constantly come away from one-on-ones with the puck.

- Alex Radulov is the best I have seen in a long time. Max Pacioretty agrees, saying that Radulov is the best he's ever seen. You'll see him fighting off two players at a time while still protecting his space. Then he’ll leave his opponents behind in one of his patented bursts. He continues to be the best free agent signing of the off-season. Many were critical of Bergevin taking a chance with Rudulov. Now all those people wish that Bergevin had taken a bigger chance and signed him for the long term.

- Galchenyuk was with Shaw and Andrighetto for a second straight game and I like it. If you can find a way to take your top scorer off of the top wingers and have those wingers still perform, while that top player’s new wingers amp up their game, how is that not a win-win? Galchenyuk's line is doing good things and so is Danault's. It’s never a good thing to see a player like Galchenyuk go down, but at least Danault has made the most of it, allowing his potential to show. That's two years in a row that an injury has brought opportunities. Last season, Galchenyuk finally only got his chance to shine at centre when Desharnais was injured.

- Artturi Lehkonen now has 11 goals. It is the same point as always here: lightning-quick release and smarts on both sides of the puck. It’s been a heck of a rookie season already and it’s getting better every week. He has great balance on his skates and fights well for pucks. Lehkonen is another player I believe has the tools to have a strong playoff.

- The head coach and his associates continue to have an outstanding season. What a bounce-back year for Therrien behind the bench. The line juggling after Galchenyuk was schooled against Pittsburgh has worked out so well. Danault continues to allow his top talent mates to shine while Galchenyuk ignites two players as well. Andrighetto three weeks ago looked destined to be a tweener. Now it looks like he can be a regular in the NHL with his much improved play.

Wilde Goats

- There was an overall sluggishness that started to really hit in the third period. They spent long spells in their own zone. It’s not surprising that the Sabres tied it up. The Habs aren't really firing on all cylinders right now and I don't have any players to point a finger at. It’s just not a really high-energy part of the season for the Habs. There’s been a win-one-lose-one feel to the games for almost two weeks. Tonight’s game had fatigue written all over it as they finished their 8^th game in a 13 night stretch. Next they play at home on Tuesday against Calgary and then onto Brooklyn on Thursday. After that they’ll have a chance to catch their breath and find their legs thanks to the All Star break.

Wilde Cards

- How about that glove save in OT off Galchenyuk from Lehner? You do not get any better than that. Robbery by Price was followed by robbery by Lehner.

- I’m surprised Brian Gionta is still in the league. I didn't think he who would have this kind of longevity. It's a credit to his regimen in the summer, and his commitment. I’m pleased for him.

- Markov skated today for the Habs. He was shutdown with his groin injury for just shy of a week. Therrien said he was week-to-week with this injury. Some media took that to mean he would be out for the long-term but I don’t think that’s true. I think it was just a bit of a language issue. His official status is still day-to-day. He's certainly missed but on the bright side, he may now have something left in the tank for the playoffs.