Wilde Horses
- Gallagher with his usual work rate. Strangely too he is actually drawing penalties for it in this series. That's two that he has drawn. Doesn't sound like much but if you have been watching, it's kind of a miracle.
- Smith-Pelly is a much better player in the playoffs. After three games I think we can conclude this. It is different hockey in the postseason as we all know and it is designed for his game. So much becomes about puck battles and fighting for reduced space and this is how Smith-Pelly plays. Well done Bergevin. I don't have an insult here for Sekac. I think he has skills and he will find his way but for now DSP is helping.
- Mitchell took a lot of punishment and kept playing hard, tough, not-backing-down hockey. Much of it in the first so credit to him that he kept his edge and didn't back down. He also got an assist on the tying marker.
- The Habs can't complain about not getting back line support. This was a big problem many times through the season but again it is the back two lines that tie it up. Weise the goal. Prust the helper and original shot to produce the rebound on the first goal, then in overtime the same two. Weise the magic man who couldn't get any ice in Tortorella's world is all the Habs could hope for in La Belle Province.
- The only D I can put in the horse category is Petry. It was a tough night for the D. They heard footsteps. The D who handled the night best was Jeff Petry. He's letting the league know right here right now that he's worth a big UFA deal.
Ottawa Senators forward Kyle Turris, centre, stays on the puck as he gets cross checked to the ice by Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry, left, during the first period of game 3 of first round Stanley Cup NHL playoff hockey action in Ottawa on Sunday, April 19, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
- What a tremendous save by Price in overtime. He was not challenged big but that on Stone on the Pacioretty giveaway was fantastic. He has such a fast glove hand.
Wilde Goats
- Markov continues to be the mystery performer. Just a level of error that you simply don't see with Markov. Easy passes flubbed. Slow skating. Poor man marking. Markov is a great player and one of the reasons the Habs had advantage over Sens as Markov beats Methot in the 2-D battle but not so far. Markov has to find his better self for the Habs to win the series.
Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) and defenceman Andrei Markov (79) react after Ottawa Senators forward Clarke MacArthur (16) scores during the first period of game 3 of first round Stanley Cup NHL playoff hockey action in Ottawa on Sunday, April 19, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
- Subban after an excellent game two seemed to be trying to do too much in game three. He feeds off boos usually so that is not it. He just wanted more room than he got. He would look up and there just weren't options. After that he pressed harder for what wasn't there. He was also the goat on the Sens 1-0 as he wanted retribution so searched for a hit. Instead he got out of position and Markov was left alone to cover two men. Admittedly, when Subban vacates his spot, there should be someone with an awareness to come back to stop MacArthur.
- Gilbert with a suicide pass a la Diaz that almost caused Beaulieu to suffer an Eller fate. Thankfully it was Karlsson who delivered the hit which was upon further review right on the head of Beaulieu. Karlsson also left his feet on the hit. If it is Gryba who makes that hit, Beaulieu is possibly severely concussed. By the way, because Beaulieu got back up the league will not look at it. Be surprised if it is even a talking point post game.
Wilde Cards
- The Habs are not a hitting team and they met an opponent that is singularly focused on it. It isn't Montreal's game to respond by chasing hits all over the ice, especially the D who left themselves vulnerable on many occasions chasing a hit and vacating a more important spot - like not allowing a 2-on-1 or not leaving the front of the net where more danger lurks. Just let the game come to you. Don't search for what isn't there. Let them hit. It's what they do. It's their game. Not your game.
- The Sens physicality is why they were not a good opposition in the regular season for Montreal because you don't want to take that battle on when there are 82 games. In the regular season you have to live to fight another day. In the playoffs there aren't more days. You have to battle through it courageously and keep moving your feet so your speed makes their attempt at a hit look bad. The Habs' challenge going forward is to continually not be menaced by the fear of pain.
- A word must be said about the Habs experience in these moments and what it means to the final result. The core group has been here before and they have learned so much. This group knows how to stick around in a tight game to not be impatient. Wait. Stay close. Hang in. Pounce on a break. The Habs are, excuse the hyperbole, simply amazing at that. They are comfortable to stay close and wait. Not many teams can do that as well as the Habs. Pacioretty spoke of it in glowing terms after the game - that the group is resilient.
- Down three, the Sens are fighting some nearly impossible history but it is still possible.
Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson reacts after Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise's game-winning goal slipped past him in overtime of game 3 of first round Stanley Cup NHL playoff hockey action in Ottawa on Sunday, April 19, 2015. The Canadiens defeated the Senators 2-1. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
