Crossing The NHL’s Atlantic Division: Week 17

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens

By Andy Bayer

Montreal had a light week with only two games in the past seven days. The rest does not seem to be doing them much good as they have continued to be outplayed game after game. Montreal stole a game from the Ottawa Senators with spectacular goaltending from Carey Price and a fortunate Ottawa own-goal to tie it late.

P.K. Subban became the focus of attention again after scoring the game-winner in overtime and celebrating by raising the logo on his sweater toward the fans. Craig Anderson didn’t like this, saying: “that’s his character, we all know that.” What Anderson and most media didn’t realize is that Subban was actually pumping up a group of Habs fans near their bench.

Subban stayed in the spotlight for a Saturday night game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Subban played over 30 strong minutes, but the Habs gave up too many good chances, falling 5-3. But the talk afterward was about James van Riemsdyk, after the winning goal, mocking Subban’s celebration against the Sens. Afterward, JvR said that Subban said something to the Leafs’ bench after a Montreal goal.

As a Habs fan, I love this stuff. Hockey needs more of this gamesmanship as it adds to the rivalries that make the games more fun to watch. As a result, more people will be watching next time these rivals go head-to-head.