Okay, so following an exhilarating, come from behind series win over their division rival Boston Bruins, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves down 2-0 in the Easter Conference Finals series against the New York Rangers, who have played extremely well, with a tight defense, strong power play, and an opportunistic offense. The speed of the Rangers seems to have taken the Habs by surprise, as well. In fact, so far, Montreal seems outclassed.
After a drubbing by New York on their home ice, in a 7-2 embarrassment that the Canadiens would do best to forget, Les Habs tried to get back on track in Game 2, only to lose, 3-1. After two home games, the series shifts to New York, with the Rangers having a real chance, seemingly, to clinch the series, and a sweep, from the comforts of their Madison Square Garden home.
Yes, things are looking decidedly grim for the Montreal Canadiens, and most hockey experts are pretty much writing them off, based on what we have seen, at least so far.
Is there any reason to be optimistic if you're a Canadiens fan?
Well, admittedly, I have been discouraged by the results so far, as well. Indeed, Montreal has not played very well, and the Rangers have just looked phenomenal, out of this world.
All true. But the Canadiens do have a chance still to take this series, even if they have, admittedly, dug themselves in a pretty serious hole so far in this series.
Why do I say that, when things at least appear more grim for them than this season that at any previous point in these playoffs?
I say that after having read this article by Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy, who wrote, rather convincingly, in favor of a possible Canadiens resurgence in this series, despite the 0-2 hole, plus having their starting goalie injured and out for the series.
Some of the reasons that he gives? Well, he mentions how, for example, despite losing, the Canadiens dictated the momentum in Game 2, even though this was not reflected on the scoreboard. Also, goalie Dustin Tokarski was actually pretty solid in the goal. Also, the Rangers have been very fortunate in the power play through this series so far, while the Canadiens have been terrible in the series. But power play momentum, Wynshynski notes, tends to be very streaky, and you cannot rely on it lasting forever. The Canadiens also have not benefited from strong emotions (yet) in this series, having just gotten through their emotional tug of war against the Bruins, and with little time to recover and get ready for this series against the Rangers. It all happened in a blur, from staving off elimination against the Bruins in emotional wins, to suddenly hosting the first two games of a new series against a rival that the Rangers just do not have the same history (or intensity) with. But with their backs to the wall now and playing for their playoff lives, the Canadiens might finally get their heads in the game.
Also, the Rangers might just be distracted with home ice, and the pressure of winning at home, as well as trying to wrap up this series early (something that, Wyshynski notes, the Rangers are not known for), might actually be detrimental to the Rangers, something that the Canadiens might be able to benefit from.
And finally, the Canadiens are back in the role where they have generally played their best in: as the underdogs not given a chance to win.
Now, all of that does not add up to a definite series win, or even a competitive series. But, it is cause for hope for a team (and their supporters, like me) that are feeling decidedly discouraged after two very poor showings in Montreal. The fact of the matter is that this is a best of seven series, and in these playoffs, we have already seen one of the teams still alive right now (the LA Kings) come back from what seemed like an insurmountable deficit of 0-3, to win the series.
Not that I am obviously hoping the Canadiens lose Game 3, obviously. All I am saying is that this series is still far from over, and despite how well, admittedly, the Rangers have been playing, the Montreal Canadiens still have a chance in this series.
Read the article, if you, like me, still want to believe that the Canadiens can overcome their deficit to get back into the series and, hopefully, represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals! Whether this pans out or not, it does not hurt to feel a little more hopeful as Les Habs get set to skate into hostile territory for Game 3, in a series in which they have not (yet) won a game.
"10 Reasons for Montreal Canadiens Optimism - Despite It All Going to Hell" by Greg Wyshynski, May 20, 2014:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/10-reasons-for-montreal-canadiens-optimism--despite-it-all-going-to-hell-173248203.html
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