Habs Pull Off Late Comeback-Habs 3, Canes 2 (SO)

Now that was exciting. The Canadiens scored with under 3 minutes to play in the 3rd and came away with a 3-2 shootout win over another injury plagued team, the Carolina Hurricanes. Andrei Kostitsyn beat Manny Legace with a shot from behind the goal line to send the game to extra time. This came after the Habs killed off 2 penalties in the last 10:30 and then had to kill another for the final 1:59 of overtime. Max Pacioretty had the other Canadiens goal and Max Lapierre scored the lone goal in the shootout for either side after 5 team mates missed before him. Carey Price made 30 saves along with 6 more in the shootout. Leighton and Legace combined for 33 saves for the Canes. After jumping out to 1-0 lead after the 1st, 2 mistakes in the 2nd cost the Habs a pair of goals and the lead, despite holding a 16-6 shot advantage in the period. The crowd at the Bell Centre booed for parts of the 2nd and 3rd but were electric in overtime and the shootout. Montreal played without Brian Gionta for a second straight game as he awaits the results of an MRI. Some other thoughts:

>The line juggling continued with Metro playing on the big line. That line was mostly ineffective tonight.

>Pleks, Pacs and Big Tits formed the second line and all 3 played well (and produced both goals). Lappy, Lats and Moen made up the 3rd line with Pyatt, White and Stewart on the 4th unit.

>Again, a couple of mistakes cost the Habs both goals, a bad giveaway by Spacek on goal 2 and a bad pinch by Gorges on goal 1. Mara and Spacek were both particuarly bad tonight.

>The PP struggled going 0/3. With Gionta out, I think Martin should try Gomez with Pleks and Cammi...but what do I know. The PK was great killing all 4 chances including the 4 on 3 to send the game to the shootout.

In closing I will say it was a good character building comeback win. The Canes are in the basement of the league so a loss would have probably caused a riot in Montreal. Sounds like O'Byrne may be back on the weekend tough back to back Caps/Wings games. I gotta give the Silver Wolf Whiskey Hab of the Game tonight to Andrei Kostitsyn. He was dangerous all night and it looks like he actually has a bit of confidence. Honorable mentions go to Lats and Pleks, who had a pair of assists. The Caps in Washington will be a tough one Friday.