Habs Penalty Kill Struggles In Game 1-Pens 6, Habs 3

The Montreal Canadiens dropped the opening game of their 2nd round series to the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3. The Pens scored 4 power play goals and chased Jaroslav Halak from the net by scoring 5 goals on 20 shots. PK Subban scored his first NHL goal to open the scoring, while Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta also scored for the Canadiens. Gionta and Scott Gmez picked up a pair of points each. Halak, as noted above made 15 saves, while his replacement Carey Price stopped all 3 shots he faced. The Penguins also added an empty net goal in the final minute. Marc Andre Fleury made 28 saves to pick up the win for Pittsburgh. After such a great opening round, the penalty kill allowed the 4 goals mentioned earlier in just 4 Pens chances. The Canadiens power play went 1 for 4 on the night. The Habs were dealt a crushing blow in the first period when all-star defenceman Andrei Markov left with a lower body injury. Early reports say he left the rink on crutches which is never a good sign. Some other thoughts from a tough game:

>Halak had a bit of an off night. He looked tired and just couldn't make the stops when needed most. Hopefully he can come back like he did after getting pulled in round 1.

>At the end of the day, you cannot allow 4 power play goals and hope to win. The coaching staff needs to make some adjustments to make sure that doesn't happen again. The Canadiens also have to avoid taking such stupid penalties (too many men, delay of game...etc.).

>Andrei Kostitsyn had a horrible giveaway that led to a too many men on the ice penalty, and then a goal. He didn't see the ice much after that. Martin moved Moen with Pleks and Cammi, while Pyatt (and sometimes Pouliot) took Moen's spot with Gomez and Gionta.

The Canadiens look pretty tired as a whole after that draining series against the Caps. Despite that, with a few saves and some better penalty killing this game could have gone the other way. Their ability to make adjustments on the penalty kill, the play of Halak, and finding a way to cope without Markov (potentially) will decide if they can win or not. The Silver Wolf Whiskey Hab of the Game tonight was a pretty easy choice. PK Subban scored his first NHL goal and made great plays that led to the other two. This kid is special, that's for sure. Consideration also given to Cammalleri and Gionta. Game 2 goes Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh, thanks NHL for giving the Habs so much rest.