Habs End Losing Streak in Style Against Leafs

The Canadiens have yet to lose 4 straight games this season and last night they avoided this fate by snapping a 3 game losing streak, posting a solid 3-0 win last night in Montreal against the Leafs.

The Montreal Canadiens score the 1st goal of the game in a 3-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs last night in Montreal. Mikhail Grabovski and Mike Komisarek, both former Habs, watch helplessly. Photo AP

Really the Leafs weren't that good last night and the Habs seemed to carry the play for most of the night. Can't blame Giguere, as usual he was solid against his childhood team.

Carey Price takes home his second shutout of the year against the Leafs. And can you believe he's the first Habs goalie to do so since Rogie Vachon wayyyyyy back in 1968. Considering how bad the Leafs were in the 70's, and that Dryden owned the Canadiens' net for that period, it is somewhat astonishing. Good times Carey, continuing to chisel your way into the Canadiens' large record books.

This was also a bounce-back game of sorts for a few players, namely Gomez and Kostitsyn who showed much better efforts last night. Gomez made a sweet pass on David Desharnais' 5th of the season, who finally broke his spell of scoring in games where the Habs lose. Until last night, Desharnais scored in four separate games, the Habs losing each one. So good to break that spell.

The team needed a strong defensive effort to get back on track and that's exactly what they delivered. Of course, it didn't hurt that their opposition was somewhat lacklustre offensively last night.

Anyone else think Joffrey Lupul is a complete waste of space out there? To me, he seems like a kid who had one good year in Junior and everyone keeps waiting for him to repeat it, but it's not going to happen. He's been a disappointment on every team he's played for, and with the Leafs it will be no different.

David Desharnais celebrates his 5th goal of the season with Scott Gomez of the Montreal Canadiens last night in Montreal. The Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0. Photo AP

And the guy is crying about how Subban suckered him by punching him when he was trying to take off his helmet. Tough guy. How about worrying about putting some pucks in the net Joffrey!?

The first two Habs goals were essentially carbon copies of each other -- first Desharnais making a sweet pass from behind the net to a wide open Benny Pouliot in the high slot, who made no mistake putting it past Giguere.

Then Pacioretty took a page from Desharnais' playbook, making the same pass to Gionta, who potted his team leading 21st goal of the year.

The Habs have to pick up these valuable points as they prepare to head out on a Western swing that is always a challenge, including the Heritage Game in Calgary later this month.

With the 2 points, the Habs now have 68 points and have further entrenched themselves into a solid position in the Eastern Conference. They're a full 6 points up on the 7th place Rangers, and are tied with the Capitals who still have a game in hand. They're now also only 1 measly point behind the Bruins, who just lost against the Red Wings 4-2 today. The Bruins still have a game in hand.

Max Pacioretty continued his solid play but unfortunately left the game in the 3rd when he was pushed into the boards by Luke Schenn. To me, it looked like a dirty play, but the refs didn't see it that way. He left the game and we're still waiting to hear what is condition is. He's a tough kid so let's hope he bounces back like he did the last time.

The Habs play the surging Buffalo Sabres in Montreal on Tuesday night before heading out west for 3 showdowns. The Sabres are believing in themselves lately and have crept back into the playoff picture in the East. Should be a good game.

Oh and by the way, Cousin Warren was at the game... so the Habs victory last night was a no-brainer in my mind :)