HabsWorld.net --
A season series sweep has put the Canadiens
(42-24-10) winning streak against the Bruins (37-28-10) at 11 consecutive games,
still 12 shy of the Habs all time winning streak which came at the demise of the
Washington Capitals. The two points have also all but sealed a playoff birth for
the 1st place Canadiens who lead the Penguins by a single point.
The Canadiens got off to a quick start just 2:20 into the first Andrei Markov
buried his 15th goal of the season capitalizing on a Phil Kessel turnover. The
goal was unassisted but Sergei Kostitsyn made a fantastic pass to Michael Ryder
who drove the net casing the Bruins to folly.
Marc Savard responded with his 15th of the season as well using his fast hands
on a wrap-around. The goal came while both teams where a man short as Milan
Lucic and Alex Kovalev were in the penalty box. Savard celebrated in dramatic
fashion fist pumping while on one knee. The Bruins played well in the first
limiting the Canadiens chances and out shooting the Habs 16-12.
At the 9:49 mark of the second period Andrei Kostitsyn restored the Canadiens
lead popping in a Mark Streit rebound. Andrei scored seconds after Kessel exited
the penalty box. He was serving a bench minor for too many men on the ice.
Boston continued their strong disciplined play into the second period where at
9:33 they would once again equalize, Petteri Nokelainen re-directed a Mark
Stuart passed the sliding Carey Price. Price overplayed the pass expecting it to
end up going through the slot.
Montreal came to life after a wonderful shift by Sergei Kostitsyn, Michael Ryder
and Saku Koivu. The Canadiens “2nd trio” hemmed the Bruins deep in their zone
for almost a minute. The following shift brought out the Canadiens grinders
Steve Begin, Maxim Lapierre and Tom Kostopoulos. The shift ended with Begin and
Shane Hnidy picking up fighting majors.
The third period and overtime were scoreless despite numerous glorious chances
for the Canadiens.
The first 5 shooters all came up empty putting the game on the stick of Koivu.
Koivu went in and beat Thomas through the 5-hole with a simple back hand.
Three Stars
1. Saku Koivu – played a great game and provided the Canadiens with the bonus
point.
2. Andrei Markov – stepped up in the absence of regular partner Mike Komisarek
was a +2 on the night.
3. Marc Savard – head and shoulders the best Bruins forward.
Season Series Recap
October 22nd @ Montreal
6-1 Final
Fun Facts
1. Mikhail Grabovski scores first NHL goal.
2. Six different Habs score goals.
3. Three Canadiens have multi point nights.
November 8th @ Boston
2-1 Final
Fun Facts
1. Carey Price first career win against the Bruins.
2.The line of Alex Kovalev, Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn begin to show
their stuff. (2 points each.
November 17th @ Montreal
7-4 Final
Fun Facts
1. All 5 players with last name beginning with K score a goal (Koivu,
Kostopoulos, Kostitsyn (A), Komisarek and Kovalev.
2. Kyle Chipchura records first multi point night.
3. 107 total penalty minutes between both teams.
4. Despite being on the wrong end of the score board Glen Murray was a +3 while
Mathieu Dandenault was a -2.
December 6th @ Boston
4-2 Final
Fun Facts
1. Ryan O’Byrne makes NHL debut and records 2 assists.
2. Chris Higgins first 3 point night since final game of 06-07 season.
January 10th @ Boston
5-2 Final
Fun Facts
1. Mathieu Dandenault had first multi goal game since November 15, 2000 while he
was a Red Wing
2. Mark Streit ends a four game point scoring streak in which he has 6 assists.
January 22nd @ Montreal
8-2 Final
Fun Facts
1. Canadiens score a season high 6 even strength goals.
2. 13 Canadiens score a point and 7 have multi point nights.
3. S. Kostitsyn has first multi point night as well as his first fighting major.
Thursday March 20th @ Boston
4-2 Final
Fun Facts
1. Alex Kovalev scores his 7th and 8th goals of the year against the Burins,
something he was unable to even do once last year.
2. Andrei Kostitsyn records his 3rd multi point night against the Bruins.
