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MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens simply couldn't carry the good vibrations from their impressive regular season into the playoffs.
The Canadiens had their moments in the postseason this spring, but for the most part they weren't the same team that won the franchise's first regular-season Conference title since 1988-89. As a result, their season came crashing down at the Bell Centre on Saturday, when they were beaten 6-4 in an entertaining game by the Philadelphia Flyers and eliminated in five games in the second-round series.
It was the first time all season that the Canadiens lost four games in a row. But that didn't stop the capacity crowd of 21,273 from giving the players a standing ovation after the game. The Canadiens and the coaching staff responded by applauding the fans for their faithfulness.
"As a coach you are frustrated because you're not playing the next day," Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau said. "We have come a long way since September. Now we have to take the next step [next season] and not only make the playoffs, but become a contender."
Philadelphia Flyers' Scott Hartnell celebrates his second period goal with Daniel Briere and Vaclav Prospal as Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price skates by in Game 5. (Christinne Muschi/Reuters)
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- Montreal Canadiens
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Martin Biron
- Daniel Briere
- Patrice Brisebois
- Jeff Carter
- Scott Hartnell
- Christopher Higgins
- Mike Knuble
- Mike Komisarek
- Guillaume Latendresse
- Tomas Plekanec
- Carey Price
- Mike Richards
- Mark Streit
- R.J. Umberger
- Scottie Upshall
The Canadiens weren't given much of a chance this season. Most pundits had them finishing outside the playoffs. But a strong late-season push, thanks to a high-octane power play and stellar goaltending from rookie Carey Price, moved the Canadiens right to the top of the NHL's Eastern Conference standings.
But they needed seven games to dispose of the Boston Bruins in the first round and the Flyers needed only five to eliminate the Canadiens.
"I feel extremely empty right now," Montreal captain Saku Koivu said.
"Playoffs are a bit different game. Our power play wasn't as good, but not bad. At times, when we needed a goal we just didn't get that."
The Canadiens led the league in the regular season in goals scored and power-play efficiency. But their lack of timely offence and the inconsistent goaltending of Price against the Flyers were primary reasons why the Canadiens season has concluded.
Montreal kept maintaining that it had been outplaying the Flyers in the series, but they never could ratchet up their play enough to win.
"There was a feeling that all we had to do was get over that little bump, but they hung in there," Koivu said.
The Canadiens never led in the series until Tomas Plenakec scored in the first period and after building a 3-1 lead in the midway through the second period on a goal from Christopher Higgins, it appeared that they did get over that little bump. But after killing off a 56-second 5-on-3 disadvantage just after the Higgins goal, the Canadiens failed to get a lift from the critical penalty kill.
Instead, Mike Richards, R.J. Umberger with his second of the game, and Scott Hartnell scored in three minutes for the Flyers to take a 4-3 lead to the dressing room.
Montreal's Andrei Kostitsyn scored early in the third period to tie the game again, but after Canadiens forward Guillaume Latendresse made a brilliant move only to ring a shot off the goal post, the Flyers came back with the game-winning goal from Scottie Upshall, when he deflected a Jeff Carter shot. Veteran Mike Knuble gave Philadelphia a two-goal advantage in the final minute of play.
"It's not the happiest I've been in my career," said Price, who faced 37 shots and was back in the net after giving way to backup Jaroslav Halak in the third period of game three and the entire game four.
"They took advantage of their chances. Every time they shot the puck it would find the smallest hole," Carbonneau added.
Notes: Umberger scored eight goals in the series … Koivu was undecided if he will join Finland at the world championship … Carbonneau wore his lucky necktie again. The tie, a birthday gift from his wife Line and this fashionable necktie is no ordinary accessory. It cost more than $150 and was purchased from the high fashion Hermes Paris in Dallas. Its record was 3-1.
