Habs Even Up the Series

The Montreal Canadiens employed a few more of their tactics that helped them get passed the Washington Capitals in the first round, in order to earn a Game Two victory. The Canadiens posted a 3-1 victory on Sunday afternoon to help tie the series at one game a piece, heading back to Montreal in the week.

Leading the scoring charge for the Canadiens was Mike Cammalleri, scoring a pair of goals, including the winner in the 2nd period.  Cammalleri took advantage of a power play midway through the period to help put the pressure on the Penguins and then salted the game away in the 3rd period with a breakaway goal with under three minutes to play.  It's really too bad that no one took Cammalleri in the pool.

Scott Gomez and Jaroslav Halak each posted a pair of points as well, but like Cammalleri, neither were picked up for the pool, so their points have gone for naught.  Pool points that were actually claimed... well, there was only one.  Pascal Dupuis had an assist on the only Penguins goal, so there wasn't much in that game at all.

So, a minor Jordan Staal update for you. Staal did have surgery to repair a tendon, but it was not the Achilles tendon that was first "reported" on during the frenzy of Saturday morning. It turns out the tendon that needed repairing was in his foot, which connects to his toe from his ankle and he may not be done in these playoffs, but there is no real telling when he'll be able to return to the ice as a member of the Penguins. 

As for Andrei Markov, the Canadiens have said that he had returned to Montreal earlier in the weekend to get treatment for a knee injury. It sounds like he won't be able to go anymore for the Habs in this second round series against the Penguins.  The loss of Markov wasn't totally noticable against the Penguins in Game Two, which would be something the Canadiens will be happy about, but how long will that last?

The Habs also decided to scratch Glen Metropolit, who was substituted by Ben Maxwell, so the Canadiens would have a little more speed against the strong Penguins club.   With the win today, I would imagine that the line-up will be the same going forward.