Montreal Canadiens Winning By A Hair Isn’t A Sustainable Formula

By Lissa Albert @LissaRantSports on October 29, 2014

Post-loss to the Edmonton Oilers, the Montreal Canadiens were poised to show what and how much they had learned so that facing the Calgary Flames would not end up the same way. However, it didn’t look like much had been applied in terms of lessons learned.

They won in a shootout, but the game was by no means pretty or well-played.

What was apparent as the game unfolded was that offense was slightly better than the night before, but not by much. Talk turned to the performers on the team, and the one name that rose to the top and stayed there was Carey Price.

I wrote that goalies don’t win the games, but I was wrong. Price does. He stole the game from the Flames and allowed the Canadiens to win. While we all know he’s an elite goalie, it is a concern that Price is often the reason Montreal’s games end up being wins. He needs support from every member of the team.

The game against the Flames was dismal. By the time it was tied, I had some hope, but was still shaky in my confidence. Watching Price stand on his head to make spectacular saves was the only thing that allowed me to believe this game could be turned around. When it did, I felt good for the two points. But deserving of a win? I believe that when a team plays so ineffectively as the Habs did in this one, and still manage to pull it out to a win, that makes them even more deserving of the win.

It’s the games like this that show winning attitude that fans have seen for years.

Many are already relegating the team to “flukes” and “luck,” predicting that the season will not be sustained successfully at this pace. While approach every game with the same fan urgency as a Game 7, I am actually more relaxed about the season. I think we’ve been seeing a tenacity that won’t diminish. I believe we’re seeing a team with the skills, abilities and attitude that they need in order to succeed. I think the Canadiens can find that winning formula.

There has to be a stronger sense of urgency on the ice, though. I would love to see the Habs come out like it’s a Game 7, and give Price the support he needs in front for the entire 60 minutes of a game. We saw it in the last two minutes of the overtime against Calgary, and I think we’ll start seeing more of it as the team continues its journey.

In the meantime, every point in the proverbial bank speaks well for the Canadiens and in the end, isn’t that what really counts?

Lissa Albert is a Montreal Canadiens writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @LissaRantSports. “Like” her on Facebook and/or add her to your network on Google.