Habs show up late against the Leafs and go down 3-2

If anyone saw my earlier game preview today, I mentioned what the Montreal Canadiens  needed to win tonight over their rival Toronto Maple Leafs; play a full 60 minutes and contain Sundin. Well my fellow Habs fans those elements didn't happen.

For the second night in a row, Toronto captain Mats Sundin scored by shooting what appeared to be a harmless shot out of the corner from behind the goal line and getting a lucky deflection off the Habs defender in front of the net to tie the game at two in the second period.

 Matt Stajan would get the go ahead winner with 1:34 left in the third when his shot deflected off defenseman Mark Streit's stick and past Cristobal Huet.

  In my opinion there was not much of a deflection and Huet even admitted post game that he would like that one back. Many a Habs fan were screaming for his head despite being named the games 2nd star by HNIC. Huet was not listed as a star on the NHL stats page however after stopping 28 of 31 shots.

 But there were 19 other individuals that play through the course of the game so it isn't always fair to point the finger at one player. Not to mention a regulation game is sixty minutes in length.

 The Canadiens started out very slow and disorganized, going down one from an early Tomas Kaberle power play goal; another Huet wanted back. Montreal would not register their first shot until the 5:13 mark and not see another for another 7 minutes being outshot 11-2 at that point.

The Habs finally did respond and start playing with a slapshot from Mike Komisarek to go into the first intermission tied at one.  Christopher Higgins took advantage of a two man power play early in the second period to take the lead before Sundin's game tying goal.

Goaltender Vesa Toskala kept the Canadiens' offensive surge at bay stopping 32 shots.

 The Leafs controlled the faceoffs with a 39-23 edge and did what they had to do by avoiding the penalty box and allowing the habs only 3 power play opportunities. The Canadiens showed the physical edge outhitting the Leafs 39-23.

 Canadiens fist line winger Michael Ryder continues to struggle finding the net and even found himself on the 4th line briefly in the third period.

 The two rivals square off once again on November 13th. After Huet's losing three straight to the Leafs dating back to last season, I would expect to see rookie Carey Price get his first taste of this storied rivalry in the Habs goal.