MONTREAL -- A quick look at the Montreal Canadiens' 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators in their playoff opener Wednesday night:
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Habs scored four goals in a wacky second period, led by Torrey Mitchell and Brian Flynn, who had a goal apiece in the middle frame. Their fourth line with Brandon Prust was a force throughout the night.
Montreal won despite playing without leading scorer Max Pacioretty (still out) and playing half the game without star blueliner P.K. Subban, who was ejected for slashing.
A popular refrain before this series began was that if Montreal was going to win, it needed to get to Sens goalie Andrew Hammond early in the series to erode some of the incredible confidence the AHL call-up built during his season-ending 20-1-2 run. Habs fans serenaded Hammond throughout the game with "Ham-mond, Ham-mond" mocking chants to try to get into his head. He did appear a little rattled in the middle period in giving up those four goals.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Canadiens lead the best-of-seven series 1-0, and it was an important opening win for a Montreal team that many saw as a potential upset victim by these Senators because Ottawa dominated the regular-season series and ended the regular season on a 21-3-3 run.
While there’s lots of hockey to be played and the Sens’ desire for a road split remains in play, it was important for the Habs to not let Ottawa’s magical run continue right off the hop with a Game 1 win.
SUBBAN EJECTED/STONE HURT
Subban was ejected from the game 8:23 into the second period after a two-hand slash on Mark Stone, which saw the Senators winger leave the game briefly before returning and then leave the game again early in the third period, clearly in pain. A TV replay showed him wincing on the bench before he left, clutching his hand/wrist. Once again proving hockey players are the toughest athletes in sports, Stone returned yet again with 9:31 to go in the third period.
Because the ref saw an injury on the play, Subban got the major for slashing and an automatic game misconduct, which infuriated the Habs and their faithful.
From the NHL rulebook, however: 61.3 Major Penalty - A major penalty, at the discretion of the referee based on the severity of the contact, shall be imposed on a player who slashes an opponent. When injury occurs, a major penalty must be assessed under this rule (see 61.5).
61.5 Game Misconduct Penalty - Whenever a major penalty is assessed for slashing, a game misconduct penalty must also be imposed.
I suppose the only question there is whether Subban could have been assessed only a two-minute minor instead. But again, because the ref saw an injury on the play, the major is assessed as per the rulebook.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Montreal's Brian Flynn, with one goal and two assists, made a great play to spring Lars Eller for his short-handed breakaway goal in the middle period. And in scoring the game winner at 17:17 of the third period, Flynn made a strong play by going to the net hard and jamming the puck past Hammond.
STAT OF THE GAME
Six hits by the Habs' Devante Smith-Pelly, tied for the team lead. The former Anaheim Ducks winger threw his weight around all night long and played an effective, gritty game. It’s the reason the Habs traded for him before the deadline.
WHAT’S NEXT
Game 2 of the series is Friday night at 7 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre.
