Mar 25 CRUSHED

Annihilated.

Smoked.

Hammered.

All would describe what happened to the Canadiens tonight after being humiliated by long-time rivals the Boston Bruins. First off, it’s time to credit the Bruins with a strong game. They didn’t resort to the nonsense that they had become famous for. They beat the Canadiens at their own game, which is playing hockey and leaving the antics aside for one night.

How on Earth could the Canadiens have come out so flat? So emotionless? So unbelievably flaccid in such an important game? After a similarly uninspiring performance Tuesday vs Buffalo, the party line in Habs land was that the Canadiens were saving it for the Bruins game.

Oops!

It was essentially over after 61 seconds, when Johnny Boychuk scored from the blueline with Milan Lucic on Carey Price’s doorstep. Thanks for coming, boys.

As much as this was a good old fashioned smackdown, there are a couple things this isn’t.

1- Another opportunity to blame Jacques Martin for a limp performance. That would be easy. He doesn’t get off scot-free, but the fact of the matter is that the players should have been like caged animals leading up to this game, regardless of who was coaching. Hell, Debbie Downer could have been behind the bench and they still should have had a better response. After what has happened since January 8th, this should have been one of the most intense games of the year. Instead, they never hit more than half speed throughout the game. The fact that Scott Gomez’ tenacity after having his beak smashed by another reckless Brad Marchand hit was the highpoint of the Habs night says a lot.

2- A chance to prop up a 4-2 record against the Bruins (and 9-3 in the past 2 years) in the regular season as evidence of continued superiority. That would also be too easy. The fact of the matter is that the Canadiens have been outscored 15-6 in the past TWO games in Boston, both in rather embarassing fashion. The Bruins have reclaimed their barn from the Habs, settled the score and and it’s back to square one for les Glorieux. The tables HAVE been turned, despite what the ledger says. Considering how a potential playoff matchup in mid-April would be hosted by these same Bruins, you’d be the most ardent rose-coloured glasses homer to think that this hasn’t had an effect on both teams. The Canadiens have blown their chance to win home ice from Boston, and it’s back to ‘wing and a prayer’ sentiments for Habs nation come Game one of the playoffs, should they face the Bruins.

3- But most importantly, this isn’t the time to wave the white flag. Sure, this loss stings in a terrible way, and a reflex reaction would be to throw in the towel, and curse the Habs for not being bigger, tougher and meaner. While those things would help, the simple fact is that the Canadiens are going to have to dig real deep if they’re to overcome any mental block that’s now been placed in front of them.

The Bruins have answered their critics. It was believed that they could only defeat the Canadiens if they made it a street fight. Tonight, they erased that belief and showed that they can stymie the Canadiens and fill the net at the same time.

There’s no explanation for this loss. None. No justification for it, no exonerations, no free passes. Everyone who set foot on the ice had their part in the defeat, as did the coaches. Not one person is to blame, and not one person is blameless. In this blogger’s view, this is the worst loss in franchise history, and at the very least, the worst loss of my lifetime. Yes, worse than the 11-2 drubbing at the hands of the Red Wings in ’95 that saw Patrick Roy stare down Coach Mario Tremblay, and issue those infamous words to President Ronald Corey. There was no buildup to that game, and nothing on the line. The fact that it cost the Canadiens their franchise goalie is a separate argument. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Legendary Habs tough guy Chris Nilan, making a guest appearance on CJAD’s post game show had the following to say about the loss:

“That’s the worst performance I’ve ever seen by a Montreal Canadiens team.. It’s a disgrace to the organization.”

Perhaps it’s fitting that on the 137th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s birthday, the Habs pulled perhaps their most impressive disappearing act of all time.

After going two consecutive games without scoring a goal, the real question is can they do what Houdini hasn’t yet managed to do and come back from the dead?

Tags: Boston Bruins \ habs \ Jacques Martin \ Montreal Canadiens \ NHL