Canadiens Shut Out Panthers-Habs 2, Panthers 0

The Montreal Canadiens used a strong defensive effort to come away with a 2-0 victory over the Florida Panthers. Just over a week ago these 2 teams combined for 9 goals in Florida, but both goaltenders were a lot sharper tonight. Jaroslav Halak was great in net for the Canadiens stopping 38 shots, while Tomas Vokoun stopped 38, with the second goal coming with him on the bench for an extra attacker. Benoit Pouliot and Brian Gionta scored for the Canadiens. Neither team had much in the way of power plays, but the Canadiens let a huge opportunity slip away in the 1st by failing to convert on a long 5 on 3. That would end up being their only 2 power plays, while the Panthers only managed 1. Jaroslav Spacek made a game saving play with under a minute to go when he swept away a puck off the goal line that had trickled by Halak. Some other thoughts from another nailbiter:

>D'Agonstini was moved to the 1st line, and despite a bad 1st period, played pretty well. That line again came away empty with Cammalleri ending the night with 9 shots.

>The second line produced both goals tonight and continues to impress. Pouliot looks to be a pretty good pick up so far. You can tell why he was a #4 overall draft pick.

>The defence allowed quite a few shots, but not many excellent scoring chances. Spacek, as noted above, made a great play to save the game. I have noticed that he passes to Hammer on pretty much every breakout. Last time I saw a strategy like that was Komisarek to Markov.

A big 2 points tonight against a team nipping at the Canadiens heals. Equally as important was a win on home ice for the first time in a while. Only 7 points separate 6th from 13th in the east so picking up points is a must. The Silver Wolf Whiskey Hab of the Game goes to Jaroslav Halak tonight. Played a very good game, great positioning and rebound control. Honorable mentions to Pouliot and Laraque, who played his best game in a long, long time. Made a sweet feed on a 2 on 1 and another rush that lead to a good chance for Gill. Next up Brodeur and the Devils invade the Bell Centre Saturday night.