The Habs have just scored in double OT to take the win 6-5 and now a 2-0 lead in the series vs the Carolina Hurricanes. The Habs have come into the playoffs red hot and are definitely a scary 7th seed to contend with.  Courtesy of Ryder, who leads the team in goals this season, they are in a great position taking 2 games on the road.
I’m pleased that Montreal is up against Carolina in the 1st round. But it wasn’t clear that would be the case until just last week. The rankings going into the playoffs came down to the last game. If Montreal had lost and Tampa had won on that last day, they would have been starting the playoffs against the mighty Senators. I’m glad this didn’t play out. Not because I think they have any better chance up against Carolina or Ottawa, it’s that with so few Canadian teams in the NHL, and even fewer in the playoffs thanks to the abysmal performance by the Leafs and the Canucks, it would be a shame to have two Canadian teams match up early in the playoffs.
No way am I writing this series off yet. Which leads me to my deja vu. Do any of you Habs fans remember what happened just 2 years ago against this very same team?  Montreal took games 1 and 2 in Carolina (the 2nd one in OT I believe) and came home brimming with confidence. Going into the 3rd period of the 3rd game they were up 3-0 and looking to stranglehold. Then the nightmare set in. Carolina scores 3 quickies and then seal it in OT. They went on to win the series 4-2 in humbling fashion. The monkey is on Montreal’s back and they know it. Can they overcome the memories? Who knows for sure. But there is one intangible element in their favour. Two years ago, it was Eric Cole that was the catalyst that killed them. It’ll be hard for him to repeat that feat this time around: he’s on the sidelines watching with a broken neck.Â