HabsWorld.net --
Montreal 6, Florida 2: The Montreal Canadiens concluded their
4th consecutive pre-season game in as many nights as they beat the Florida
Panthers. Tomas Plekanec (2), Mike Cammalleri, Tom Pyatt, Ryan White and
Jaroslav Spacek all scored for the the Canadiens, while David Booth and Stephen
Weiss answered for the Panthers. Finally, something positive can be
written about Carey Price as he stopped 19 of 21 shots to record his first
pre-season win in 3 attempts. At the other end of the rink, Tomas Vokoun
(20 out of 22) and Jacob Markstrom (9 out of 13) combined for 29 saves in the
loss.
First Star: Tomas Plekanec
Once again, Plekanec was the best Montreal skater, and provided us all with
one of the best goals of the pre-season, banking in a wraparound off of Vokoun
on a short-handed rush. Plekanec was effective on the penalty-kill, and
his hustle caused turnovers and drew penalties. Although Lars Eller impressed
at times tonight, Plekanec’s line still lacks another bona fide winger, as he and Mike
Cammalleri are checked too tightly to generate much offence on their own.
Stat Line: 2 goals, 0 assists, 2 points, +3 rating, 19:40 TOI
Second Star: Ryan White
White was just a few millimetres from a 2-goal game, as he rang one off the
post after cleanly beating Tomas Vokoun. Nonetheless, it was an impressive
game from the grinding forward as he contributed at both ends of the ice, was a
physical presence all night and twice dropped his gloves for the team.
White’s performance tonight certainly made a case for him to stick with the big
club as a 13th forward.
Stat Line: 1 goal, 0 assists, +2 rating, 20 PIM
Third Star: Carey Price
Price certainly wasn’t as busy as the Florida goaltenders, but he made some
impressive stops early on to keep his team in the game before they found their
scoring touch. Both goals against came on rebounds, and Price couldn’t be
faulted for either. The Bell Centre patrons clearly felt the same way, as
Price was given plenty of applause throughout the game and no boos were heard.
Stat Line: 2.01 GAA, .905 SV %, 19 saves
Honourable Mention: Maxim Lapierre
Lapierre had a big night, receiving the Jean Beliveau Trophy in recognition
for his charitable community work. Lapierre followed up the award with an
energetic game, generating several offensive chances and killing penalties
effectively with Plekanec. Lapierre seems to have picked up where he left
off in last year’s playoffs and looks completely recovered from his ankle
surgery.
Stat Line: 4 shots, 2 PIM, +1 rating, 16:58 TOI
Written by Matt
Dilworth
