The Canadiens' Fairy Tale Continues Into The Eastern Conference Final

If you would have asked any hockey fan at the beginning of the playoffs if they believed the Canadiens could make it to the eastern conference finals, they would have laughed at you.  That wouldn’t be the case if you asked them tonight.

After pulling off a surprising defeat of Washington in the first round, the Canadien players were quick to say they were just glad to be in the second round of the playoffs.  However, if you ask them now, they are probably shooting towards higher ambitions after defeating the defending Stanley Cup champs.

The Canadiens effectively put the Penguins away in the first period when the Pens nearly fell apart.  Only ten seconds into the game, Crosby was given an uncharacteristic boarding penalty and it seemed to shake the Pens more than anyone would ever expect. 

Soon after, Cooke received a slashing penalty and put the team into even more distress.  Gionta scored a goal only thirty two seconds into the game in a move that pumped up his team and set their mood for the rest of the game.  By the end of the first period, the Habs had a comfortable 2-0 lead.

In the latter half of the second, the Pens attempted to change the tone after two more goals by the Habs and replaced Fleury with Brent Johnson.  It took nearly the whole second period for the Pens to put a number on the board but they pulled off two goals before the second intermission. 

The third period made the fans watching the game on the big screens in the Bell Center go crazy as the Habs pulled off another goal with only ten minutes left to make for a 5-2 game.  Unfortunately, the Mellon Center couldn’t be as upbeat in the last game ever played there.  The Pens made a late surge to try and take the game back over, but it never happened.

 Halak definitely deserves accolades for his performance between the posts during this series. He made some spectacular saves and did more than anyone else on his team.  He proved a good goalie can definitely make a team look much better than it is. 

You can bet the whole Canadien team is sitting around a TV right now, watching the Flyers vs. Bruins game to see which team they have to face in order to keep their fairy tale going.  After the game, they better prepare for a party at home since Montreal looks to celebrate until the first game of the finals.