The Montreal Canadiens came to Madison Square Garden determined to teach the Rangers a lesson. They came in to demonstrate how a team can have a mediocre season and miss the playoffs, but can retool in one year and take advantage of the presence of an elite goaltender. Unfortunately for the Habs, the Rangers appear to have already learned that lesson.
The Canadiens have become a playoff contender through a series of savvy trades and a change in personality. These “new” Canadiens are team that pressures the opponents with a high speed, high tempo, fast shooting offense. The Canadiens showed that strategy could work as they jumped out to a 3-1 lead midway through the second period.