Canadiens-Thrashers: Montreal Nets Encouraging 6-3 Victory Over Atlanta

You have your Lecavalier-St Martin-Prospal, Malkin-Crosby-Guerin and your Jokinen-Iginla-Cammalleri, so why not Tanguay-Koivu-Kovalev?

The triumphant trio combined for 11 points in yesterday's encouraging 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

Encouraging, because perhaps this top line can continue its output down this last stretch where Kovalev and Tanguay had two goals each and saw Koivu playing like it was 1999.

And wasn't it nice to see the genuine elation on all the players' faces when they entered into the congratulatory huddle? Nothing like a few good bounces to cure the problems in the room.

Encouraging, because Mike Komisarek, inexplicably MIA since his return from the IR, played one of his most inspired games of the second half with six hits and three blocked shots, second only to Markov's four, as Andrei also contributed with three assists of his own.

Encouraging, because the Habs were able to take advantage of the power plays they were granted, going 3-6 on the night and getting good chances on every single one, while playing with energy and confidence.

And also encouraging, because Carey Price, while not necessarily his best performance of his career, managed to make a few key saves, including a ripper from Ilya Kovalchuk in the second period which could have put the Thrashers in the lead for the first time that night. His team responded with a goal shortly thereafter, followed by another three as the game wore on.

The Habs, although out-shot again this game, did, however allow a relatively low 25 shots on net, which was surely a welcomed change by the net-minder and the coaching staff.

Now, don't go setting up your chairs along St Catherine street just yet, folks. There is still a long way to go in order to even see if the Habs make the playoffs, but boy was it nice to watch the third period while imagining the start of a potential winning streak. 

That bubble has the opportunity of growing bigger or being busted as soon as tomorrow night when two of the biggest Hab killers head into town, as the Lightning visit the Bell Centre for a 7:30 start.