Definition Of An Ugly Win-Habs 5, Oilers 4 (SO)

Tonight's game will need to by filed under the "they don't ask how, they just ask how many" category. The Montreal Canadiens edged the last place Edmonton Oilers 5-4 tonight in a shootout. This game can be summed up by one word....ugly. A couple of factors contributed to this. The power play was awful. Not only did it go 0 for 7 on the night, one of those was a long 5 on 3, to go along with a pair of chances in extra time. Second, Halak had an off night, allowing a couple of pretty weak goals. But he totally redeemed himself in the shootout stopping all 5 Oilers shooters. Halak finished the night with 21 saves while Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk made 22 saves and failed to record his first NHL victory. Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta, Travis Moen and Sergei Kostitsyn scored in regulation, while Andrei Kostitsyn scored in the shootout. Moen and Andrei Markov both had 2 points on the night. The penalty kill allowed a goal on 3 Oilers chances. Some other thoughts:

>Two 4 on 3's in overtime, and Martin uses the same 4 guys both times, Gionta, Gomez, Plekanec and Markov. That's 3 passers and 1 shooter. Why not throw Pouliot or Big Tits out there instead of one of the passers?

>Another nice contribution by the bottom 2 lines tonight. Moen and Lil Tits both scored and their line with Moore was dangerous all night.

>After scoring early, the Canadiens gave up 2 in just over a minute to give the Oilers the lead. After grabbing it back, the Canadiens gave it away twice more which pushed the game to extra time. The inability to hold a lead really hurt in this one.

Two points is two points, but that was tough to watch. The Oilers clearly were playing loose with nothing to lose and the Canadiens quite possibly took them lightly. Regardless, another big win to hold fort in the standings. The Silver Wolf Whiskey Hab of the Game goes to Andrei Markov. He was awesome all night, shredding the Oilers with tape to tape passes from his own end. Consideration also given to Travis Moen and Dominic Moore. Next action, a Saturday night date with the Boston Bruins.