It has taken us here at Hidden Game headquarters 100 games to figure this out — only because we’re a slow learner.
Nonetheless, we can state unequivocally, there’s a difference between NHL play in the regular season and the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Canadiens defeated the Carolina Hurricanes three times during the regular season — including twice on the road — while outscoring them 15-8. Ergo, many were predicting the Hurricanes would be nothing more than roadkill when the teams met again in the Eastern Conference final.
And while this best-of-seven series isn’t over yet, it’s the Canadiens who have clearly been outclassed and dominated. The latest example was Carolina’s 4-0 victory Wednesday night at the Bell Centre, giving the Hurricanes a stranglehold 3-1 lead heading into Friday’s fifth — and likely final — game in Raleigh.
Fan appreciation night (Part I): If this was the Canadiens’ final home game, they hardly exited with class. Forget for a moment that Carolina goaltender Frederik Anderson shut them out, facing only 18 shots in the process. Montreal was outshot 19-3 in the third period, failing to test Andersen until 17:07 of the period. Where was the desperation?
Fan appreciation night (Part II): At least the spectators who stuck around didn’t leave quietly. In the 13th minute of the third period they shouted, in unison, “shoot the puck!”
It’s a puck, not a grenade: In the 12th minute of the final period, had a glorious scoring opportunity. He passed instead of shooting. Less than a minute later, Jake Evans did the same thing.
We’ll never call him a sieve: The beleaguered Jakub Dobes allowed three first-period goals on 12 shots, including a pair in a span of 68 seconds on the eighth and 10th shots he faced. The three goals came in 2:47.
And this is why he’s the un-sieve: Dobes blanked the visitors over the game’s final 42:14; Carolina’s final goal was scored into an empty net. He faced 42 shots and stopped 39, for a save percentage of .929.
All Dobes, all the time (Part I): We continue to maintain Dobes will eventually score an empty-net goal. Late in the third period — before Suzuki registered Montreal’s first shot — Dobes valiantly fired the puck down the ice.
The power of Dobes: Even sitting on the bench in favour of an extra skater, he was able to thwart the Hurricanes. With 2:09 remaining, hit the crossbar with a shot. We can’t make this stuff up.
All Dobes, all the time (Part II): With 16.6 seconds remaining, there was still time for one final save. Lying on his stomach, Dobes covered a William Carrier attempt with his glove.
Happy birthday … not: Dobes turned 25 on Wednesday. He became the fifth Canadiens goalie to lose a playoff game on his birthday, following Carey Price (2020); Richard Sévigny (1981); Gerry McNeil (1951) and Bert Gardiner (1941).
Look at the bright side (Part I): The Canadiens’ 18 shots was a definite improvement. They had 13 in Game 3 and 12 in Game 2. Maybe they’ll hit 20 on Friday?
Look at the bright side (Part II): The Alouettes launch their regular season June 4, at Hamilton. People might actually begin to care.
Look at the bright side (Part III): Management likely will save on 20,962 rally towels that won’t have to be distributed on Sunday.
This just in: Having lost six of eight playoff games on home ice, owner Geoff Molson is contemplating constructing a new venue. Folks, we’re kidding.
And the news keeps getting better: Teams taking a 3-1 lead are 329-32 (.911 winning percentage). That includes a record of 213-17 (.926) when they start at home — as did Carolina.
Our cheap shot of the night: If the Canadiens somehow manage to win on Friday, they should refuse to play Sunday’s sixth game at the Bell Centre.
Great moments in officiating (Part I): Ehlers cross-checked Nick Suzuki from behind in the first period. No penalty was assessed. But when Kirby Dach cross-checked Alexander Nikishin moments later, that warranted a penalty. In Gary Bettman’s NHL, of course it did.
Pass of the night: Ehlers to Sebastian Aho on Carolina’s first goal. It was the only score the Hurricanes would require.
News you need (Part I): The Canadiens have allowed the first goal in eight of their last nine games.
News you need (Part II): The Canadiens now have a record of 36-47 at home in playoff games since vacating the Forum in 1996.
Live by the sword, die by the sword: Lane Hutson was caught up ice, creating a two-on-one break, and Carolina’s third goal.
That’ll teach him: In the eighth minute of the second period, Cole Caufield had a rare Canadiens shot — and paid the price. He was worked over by Sean Walker. It looked like a public mugging.
Down goes Frazier: Mike Matheson was full measure for his second-period cross-checking penalty — after delivering a stick to the face of Ehlers.
Great moments in officiating (Part II): The Canadiens were assessed five consecutive minor penalties at one point, including the only three called in the second period.
If you’re looking for positives: The Canadiens, believe it or not, were credited with three second-period shots — by Suzuki, Josh Anderson and Caufield — within seven seconds.
It’s a crowded leaderboard: Hutson had a goal differential of minus-3. But Jayden Struble and Ivan Demidov, both at minus-2, are within striking distance.
Next time, decline the penalty: Carolina went 1-for-6 on the power play. The Canadiens were 0-for-2.
Quick stats: Suzuki had three shots, two hits and played 22:59. Defenceman Alexandre Carrier blocked seven shots while playing 23:22. Noah Dobson had four hits, while Struble and Joe Veleno each had three hits. Veleno played only 6:05. The Canadiens won 53.7 per cent of their faceoffs. Each team had 30 hits.
They said it: “We made some adjustments, but it takes execution,” head coach Martin St. Louis said. “It takes game-reading and execution. We lacked a bit of that.”
“We understand (the fans’) frustration,” Hutson said. “We’re just as annoyed. We want to be better. We’ve got to dig and find the answers.”
“We’d love to have had more shots,” Suzuki said. “We’re kind of in the same boat as them. Too tired? I don’t think so. We’re kind of a young team. It’s the Eastern Conference final. I think you can find energy. I thought our start was pretty good. Then, all of a sudden, we’re down 3-0. It’s definitely a big hole, but I thought we continued to play. We just didn’t generate enough offence.”
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