Price, Canadiens Deny Senators Game 7

The Montreal Canadiens will advance to the second round of the NHL Playoffs after defeating the Ottawa Senators 2-0 in game 6 of the first round. The Habs currently sit at +450 to win the Cup.

Despite the outcome of the game, Ottawa outplayed Montreal in mostly every facet of the game, outshooting the Canadiens 43-20. The Senators were unable to solve the puzzle of Carey Price just one game after scoring five goals on the MVP candidate on the road in game 5.

Bet on the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs

In addition to Price’s performance in net, the Canadiens benefited from some odd and good luck. Brendan Gallagher got on the board in the first period, getting Ottawa’s Zach Smith’s stick stuck in his skate, freeing himself and chasing down a loose puck to score on a bizarre tip-in play.

Later in the game, Ottawa’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau appeared to score on Price after netting a rebound off of Price’s pads. The line referee, thinking Price had frozen the puck, blew his whistle before Pageau scored, nullifying the goal. It appears the referee had a bad sight line on the play, taking away the Senator’s equalizer goal.

The Senators had a few chances to tie the game in the waning moments of the third period, picking up a power play that generated some good shots on goal from both Erik Karlsson and Kyle Turris, but Price managed to stop them all. Ottawa then pulled goalie Craig Anderson and had several more chances, but couldn’t connect. Montreal forward Max Pacioretty eventually scored an empty netter with just one second left in regulation to seal the win.

Montreal will find out who they play in the second round after the conclusion of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings game this evening. The Canadiens went 0-5 against the Lightning in the regular season after sweeping Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs last year. Montreal fared a bit better against Detroit, going 4-0 against the Red Wings in the regular season.