Surprise, Surprise!
Yes, the Habs are going against the odds and looking like a team
inside and out. With the infirmary nearly empty of offensive
players who deliver goals and great team spirit, Montreal has
managed to win important games against Florida, NY Rangers and
Philadelphia. It's not enough to clinch the final playoff berth,
but the team is on the right track.
A record of 5-5-0 since January 31 doesn't tell the full story.
Two overtime losses with less than two minutes left against
Pittsburgh and Toronto are proof that they have to be taken
seriously by other teams fighting for the last playoff spot. In
the 3-2 loss in Pittsburgh, Damphousse ended a nine-game goal
scoring drought since Dec. 9 at Phoenix - not counting his goal
into an empty net on Jan. 16. The Habs were within less than
three minutes from a 2-1 win when Frederic Chabot allowed the
Penguins' second goal.
"It seems to be the way our season is going," Montreal coach
Alain Vigneault said. "I though for a good portion of the game
we played all right defensively. Jagr is an outstanding player
and is very difficult to contain one-on-one. He can do magic out
there."
In Toronto at the new Air Canada Centre, Montreal Scott Thornton
scored to tie the game 2-2 in the third on a power play but all
hopes faded when Toronto Steve Thomas scored with 72 seconds left
in overtime.
"It was a hard-fought game both ways. We had our chances to win
this game. We had the opportunity to win, we didn't win and it's
a very tough and frustrating loss for us," said Vigneault.
But times have changed, and the Habs have learned to take
advantage of the other teams misfortune. With a healthy Jeff
Hackett back in the lineup after missing two games with a hip
flexor, Montreal won 4-0 in Florida. The Panthers were playing
without Pavel Bure. Koivu scored two power-play goals to record
his first two-goal game of the season. Mark Recchi made his 500th
NHL assist.
Four days later, the Canadiens offensive power came alive against
the NY Rangers, who were playing for the third time in four
nights. Rucinsky, Hoglund, and Corson scored in a 67-second span
early in the first period, Damphousse in the second, Thornton and
Quintal in the third to win 6-3 in New York. The Rangers could
not take advantage of four power plays in the second period.
"If we didn't take so many penalties, it would have been an
even easier game for us," said Montreal netminder Jeff Hackett.
The following night, the Habs won a big one against the Flyers.
Montreal took advantage of a suddenly struggling Philadelphia
team, with only one win in their last six games. Zholtok, Koivu
(his fourth in four games) and Recchi scored to give the Habs a
3-1 victory.
Those three wins showed how important Jeff Hackett is to the team
both physically and mentally. The Montreal goalie's absence cost
the Habs four precious points in losses against Pittsburgh (3-2)
and Buffalo (5-2). Frederic Chabot and especially Jose Theodore
are just not reliable or experienced enough to take over.
Theodore surrendered three goals on six shots in the first period
against the Sabres.
So things look brighter, but it's time for a reality check:
Montreal is in 10th place behind Boston and Florida. Plus, the
Habs have played more games than their opponents. However, who's
to tell, if things continue to go their way...
