HabsWorld.net -- 

It was a game that had something of everything – a fast start, some
controversy, some key saves, and most importantly, a Habs victory as the
Canadiens used a strong start to the 3rd to propel them to a 3-2 win over
Pittsburgh, tying the series at 2 apiece.  Tom Pyatt got the Habs off to a
fast start scoring before the 3 minute mark of the 1st, but the Pens countered
with a pair of quick ones before the game was 6 minutes old.

After that, the game’s pace quickened rapidly, with whistle-less stretches
spanning nearly double digits minutes, something unseen in a long time. 
The 2-1 Penguin lead held up until the 3rd where Maxim Lapierre tied it on a
wraparound and Brian Gionta tallied the eventual winner on a pass banking in off
Kris Letang’s skate.  Jaroslav Halak held the fort the rest of the way to
force a Game 6 back home on Monday night.

HW 3 Stars of the Night:

1) Jaroslav Halak: Here we go again…another stellar effort in goal,
the two he allowed weren’t really his fault (a breakaway and a redirection). 
What stood out most to me was that he didn’t fold right after the 2nd goal, he
held the team in it and they rewarded him in the end by scoring enough to win.

Statline: 59:58 TOI, 2 GA, 33 SVS, .943 SV%

2) Tom Pyatt: This will go down as quite the memorable night for the
rookie as he scored his first career NHL playoff goal and also picked up his
first ever playoff assist on the game winner.  Is there any doubt now that
he has entrenched himself as a regular for the rest of the playoffs and into
next season?

Statline: 1 goal, 1 assist, +2 rating (team high), 1 shot, 14:58 TOI

3) Maxim Lapierre: I wonder if his agent reminded him it’s nearly
contract time as this series, he’s reverted back to the core player from last
year.  He was simply tremendous in the 3rd period, scoring the crucial game
tying goal.

Statline: 1 goal, +1 rating, 2 shots, 4 hits (team high), 2/3 faceoffs,
11:47 TOI

HM) The "Bruisome Twosome:" For the first time, I’m sharing the
honourable mention as for the most part, the numbers are identical.  Ryan
O’Byrne and Hal Gill share the honour for blocking a combined 15 shots in this
game, that simply couldn’t go without mentioning – there will plenty of new
bruises tomorrow.

Statline – Gill: 0 points, +1 rating, 4 PIMS (team high), 8 blocks
(team high), 22:29 TOI
Statline – O’Byrne: 0 points, +1 rating, 7 blocks, 15:15 TOI

Stat of the Night: 13 – shifts for Mathieu Darche tonight, a game
where he picked up his first career playoff point.  That’s the most shifts
he’s played since Game 1 of Round 1, where he played 14.  Between that
span, he had just 17 in 4 games (though the 4th game he technically didn’t play
in).