CANADIENS OPPORTUNISTIC, GOOD

The Penguins could have won every game of the ongoing Montreal series, though it would have been stopped after four. They’ve enjoyed a shot edge and a territorial edge.

Yet the Canadiens have survived, forcing Game 7. The Canadiens are opportunistic. Don’t confuse that with lucky (though some element of good fortune is involved; consider the Penguins hitting three goalposts in Game 6).

Nearly every time the Canadiens get a good chance, they capitalize. The Penguins could negate some of these chances, but haven’t. Witness Game 6:

*Kris Letang loses control of the puck, then falls down. One pass later, the puck is on the stick of Mike Cammalleri, the series’ hottest shooter. 1-0, Montreal.

*Tomas Plekanec drives the net, Max Talbot loses Cammalleri, Cammalleri converts a great backhand. 2-2.

*Jaroslav Spacek, finally recovered from his hysterectomy, scores through a screen. 3-2, Montreal.

*Alex Goligoski and Jordan Leopold conspire to make Maxim Lapierre look like Rocket Richard. 4-2, Montreal.

Each goal was clearly preventable. Don’t fall down. Don’t lose your man. Clear the slot. Don’t imitate Moe and Larry.

It probably wouldn’t hurt to pay a little attention specifically to Cammalleri, either. The Canadiens have done a number on Sidney Crosby. But who to match up against Cammalleri?

Listeners (of all people) made a few good points about Coach Disco’s strategy:

*Malkin isn’t playing enough at even strength, especially given that Montreal’s main defensive focus has been Crosby. That should point to Malkin getting more 5-on-5 time, but he played just 14:12 at even strength in Game 6 (compared to 14:58 for Pascal Dupuis).