Wilde Horses
- Lars Eller shone in a game that was played along the walls and where puck battles were the norm. Eller was the best forward. It wasn't just that Eller gave a sweet pass to Brian Gionta for his breakaway. It was everything else. He was a true centre too. He followed up in the defensive zone offering defenceman support and ended up being the one to clear the zone. He also was the only forward that created any offensive zone time because of his puck battle victories. I remember not too long ago he was getting heaped in criticism. They said he had no hockey sense. He should be traded for a bag of pucks. They were wrong. Eller is showing why he was a first rounder. He is also showing that when Plekanec ages and is done, Eller will fill that role nicely. I think we are all just now appreciating the overall significance of the Gryba hit last spring.
-Price again the busier of the two goalies and again slowing the game down when the Habs were in trouble which was often.
- Gionta had a rock solid game. Such a smart player. Couldn't score on the breakaway but getting it at all in this tight game was impressive enough. Won a lot of pucks and always gets on the correct side of the puck. Gionta also had a five star chance shorthanded in the third but Rask was excellent holding his ground.
- Bournival another strong game. Strong on the puck. An absolutely scary forechecker bearing down in a defenceman with that speed. A defenceman must feel like he lost two steamboats. Bournival needs to improve his shot in the summer though. Not enough on it. He could be a real goal scorer with his speed creating opportunity. Late in the third, on a back check Bournival dispossessed Bergeron like a chump and not like the best two way centre in hockey. Bournival's upside is high. He is just a rookie making great decisions on the correct side of the puck. Smart hockey sense. And Seth that speed he can go far.
- Gorges with a solid game. Just does his job. Still looks fresher than he usually looks in the late parts of the season. The staff should rest him in March again next year.
Wilde Goats
- The refs. My personal preference in hockey is for the refs to not influence the game by trying not to influence the game by putting the whistles away. They believe they're letting them play which always makes laugh. What they're letting is the game to slow down as liberties are taken and it becomes a game of holding. Boring. Everyone will agree whoever they cheer for that game four was boring. These playoffs have featured so many exciting games with many 2 goal comebacks. Penalties were called. Skaters were skating. Players were flying. Call nothing and eventually it is not too exciting. Just a bunch of guys hanging on and holding on. Allow holding in the beginning a little and by the end the entire third period is one hold after another. Call a hold early to set the tone and we get to watch great hockey.
- Don't have a clue why but Bourque played the entire game in quick sand. He had the one chance but he seemed to have no legs at all. Couldn't catch up to the play. He had the flu the other day. Perhaps this is still sapping his energy.
- Vanek with his worst game as a Hab in these playoffs. He was just not around the puck. Didn't have a good forecheck. Seemed to be too far away from Plekanec all night so they couldn't hook up. Vanek needs to get to the front of the net. Didn't get there.
Wilde Cards
- The Habs still need another centre to win a cup and everyone is wondering if Galchenyuk is that guy. Shame he is missing out on this. It is a perfect time to learn how to win taking on the Bruins. He skated alone again today. Have to guess at least a week until he joins the practice. He was missed in this game that needed a moment of brilliance.