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4 points in 3 games: Without the three comebacks, the Habs are not in the playoffs
Kevin Vallée
4 points in 3 games: Without the three comebacks, the Habs are not in the playoffs
Credit: Getty Images
It’s not on a Wednesday night in January that we differentiate good hockey teams from bad ones. A chance, some might say. In extreme cases, a confrontation can give us a good idea. However, it’s in the spring that teams from the series stand out, when hockey becomes more intense and the stakes gain importance. Not all teams in the mix are made for this kind of pressure.

The young Tricolore has repeatedly shown that it has the energy, cohesion, combativeness, and talent to turn the corner.

Despite the two losses, this week has been a perfect example of the fighter character that embodies Martin St-Louis’ team.

Because one thing is clear, and that is the following. If the Canadiens don’t pick themselves up when they lose 3-2 and 4-3 against the Senators, 3-1 against the Islanders, and 4-1 against the Avalanche, all in the third period, Montreal wouldn’t be in the series this sunny and optimistic Sunday morning.

In a parallel universe, the NYI picks up two points in Montreal, the Canadiens don’t force overtime against the Avalanche, and lose to the Sens. Result? A tie with the Blue Jackets at 71 points, while the Rangers and Islanders would be tied at 74.

And for coach Martin St-Louis, the team’s recent comebacks serve as motivation and a benchmark. His comments from last night are like “you’ve done it, you can do it again,” and I imagine the impact must be significant on the team’s confidence.

“I love the combativeness of our guys. I know that after the Avalanche’s fourth goal, almost everyone thought it was over. I reminded the guys after the second period that we scored five goals in the third period against the Ottawa Senators […]. We scored two goals in the third period against the Islanders. We can create plays. […]. It’s a big point. I’m proud of the group and our combativeness.”

— Martin St-Louis after the game

The Habs scored no less than 10 of their 13 goals this week in the third period, including one into an empty net.

For those who like stats, that’s 14% of the goals scored this season in the third period, during only 4% of the games played this season. It’s also more goals in the third period in three games than in the last 13 games. And while we’re at it, fun fact: the Flyers only have 9 goals in the third period over the last two months…

Let’s stay in the NHL.com stats section for one more thing. Without saying it was a problem, the Canadiens hadn’t particularly stood out in the third period until now. Before the game against the Sens, Montreal was 29th in goals scored in the third period, one goal away from the last place in the league, a three-way tie between the Canucks, Oilers, and Preds.

In other words, if it works, so much the better, because it hasn’t always been the team’s strength.

Meanwhile, hats off to Christian Dvorak, Brendan Gallagher, and Josh Anderson, who probably had their best week of the season and thus (perhaps) saved Montreal’s possible participation in the series. 5 points each for D-Vo and Gally, and 2 goals for Andy, and you’ll have guessed it: all, except for Dvorak’s McDavid-like goal against Ottawa, were scored in the last 20 minutes of the game.


In Overtime

– Arber Xhekaj’s comments are going in the same direction.

– The Hutson-Makar duel was appreciated last night.

– Eventful morning in F1.

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