MONTREAL - Lars Eller's virtuoso, four-goal performance was the highlight of this season at the Bell Centre.
That he got his fourth on a dramatic penalty shot spinorama was icing on the cake. That his four were added to three others the Canadiens managed on the night was an authoritative statement that the team could lock down a lead, at least once in a while.
Eller made a lot people happy with his performance; from his teammates, to the coach (who expressed his joy en francais after the game), to the fans who got to hear their favorite goal song reincarnated -- four times thanks to Lars, and seven times on the night.
And new to Twitter, Owner and President of the Canadiens Geoff Molson exclaimed:
"Wow! Tout un match...Go Habs Go! Que ca continue samedi..."
For you unilingual anglophones, that translates to "Wow! What a game...Go Habs Go! Let this continue Saturday..."
I'm just playing with you guys.
Price's Easy Third Period
What a relief for Carey Price, who was allowed to let three goals get by him without causing himself any grief whatsoever.
The Canadiens took their customary break in the third, but this time it was for the ice-crew to pick up Eller's new hat collection (among other items that littered the ice last night).
And everyone went home happy.
Back to Work
The Canadiens had an off-ice conditioning day today, and they're expected to resume practice tomorrow.
Randy Cunneyworth has been coaching much in the same manner as Jacques Martin before him, but with a fragile Winnipeg Jets team in town, one that's not very good on the road, the Canadiens put the throttle down in the third period for their scoring explosion.
It was an important confidence boost for the team to prove to itself that when it goes for it, the sky's the limit.
Right now, they'll have to avoid getting to high in the clouds, which shouldn't be a problem, with the Eastern Conference standings bringing them crashing back to Earth.
They remain seven points out of the eighth and final playoff spot.
