Pittsburgh Penguins Hab-n't Got A Prayer in Stanley Cup Playoffs—Montreal Wins

This much is true: There will be a new champion in the National Hockey League in 2010.

Let it be known that the Montreal Canadiens—regardless of whether their season ends in the Eastern Conference finals, or continues on to victory in the Stanley Cup finals for an improbable 25th championship—have impressed quite a lot of faces this postseason.

On Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins were ambushed in swift and stunning fashion by coach Jacques Martin's last-seeded Canadiens, 5-2, at the Mellon Arena, to win the best-of-seven series, 4-3, and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

Brian Gionta played a key role in setting the tone for the rest of the game with Montreal's first goal a mere 32 seconds into the match. As soon as Sidney Crosby got consigned to the penalty box 10 seconds into the match, it was the beginning of the end for the Penguins' title defense.

Nearly 14 minutes later, Dominic Moore got on the board, and the floodgates would open. Goals by Mike Cammalleri and Travis Moen shorthanded quickly put the series out of reach for the Pens, who got consolation goals from Chris Kunitz and Jordan Staal.

Just for good measure, Gionta read the last rites by earning a brace at the halfway point of the third period off a power play.

Netminder Jaroslav Halak turned in yet another sensational performance, making 37 saves for a .949 save percentage. Pittsburgh made 39 total shots compared to Montreal's 20, but were hurt by 14 giveaways. The Canadiens benefited from six takeaways.

History was made at the Igloo, as the Canadiens became the first eighth-seeded team to defeat the Presidents' Trophy winner Washington Capitals, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in successive rounds.

While it's too early for fans to consign the Habs as a team of destiny, on Wednesday night Martin's club displayed the possibilities in dramatic fashion.

Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers fans better take a deep gulp, and prepare themselves.

The Habs are coming.