http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/7166
Carbo: More urgency needed in Game 7
By Herb Zurkowsky
Guy Carbonneau admits it: things came too easily for the Canadiens in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series against Boston. So now, after losing two straight and three of the last four, Montreal’s faced with a seventh game against the Bruins Monday night at the Bell Centre.
“We were lucky to go up 3-1. That gave us a cushion and allowed us to lose two,” Carbonneau said this afternoon. “We don’t have that cushion now. We haven’t had that urgency to close it off. We all know the importance of this game. As a staff, we’ve got to get them ready to compete. There’s a limit you have to push. We did it in Games 1 and 4, and now we have to find it again. We have to play on the edge but stay focused. We have to play with more urgency.”
Carbonneau has plenty of things – problems undoubtedly – to contemplate heading into Monday’s crucial one-game showdown.
His team has allowed four third-period goals in two successive games. Also, rookie goaltender Carey Price has surrendered five goals in each of the last two contests. And the Canadiens’ power-play, lethal during the season, has gone cold in the playoffs, connecting on two of 29 opportunities.
History, if it means anything, is on the Canadiens’ side.
This marks the seven time a series between Montreal and Boston has gone to a seventh game; the Canadiens holding a 4-2 advantage. The Canadiens have been involved in seventh games 18 times in franchise history, going 10-8, including 7-3 on home ice.
The Bruins are 10-6 in Game 7, but have lost three times on the road.
Also, leading 3-1 in a series, the Canadiens have never lost in 26 playoff rounds. But it also marks the first time they’ve been pushed to seven games when winning three of the first four.
“I have to feel confident,” Carbonneau stressed. “We went to a lot of challenges this season. We weren’t supposed to be in the playoffs or finish first overall. We always found another level.
“We always responded well to what’s in front of us, and I don’t think it’ll be different tomorrow."
This marks the first seventh game the Canadiens have hosted since 1992. That season, they defeated Hartford 3-2 in double-overtime at the Forum.
Carbonneau said his team is healthy. That means captain Saku Koivu, defenceman Francis Bouillon and Mark Streit, who can play defence or forward, should all be dressed. The trio all returned from injuries on Saturday.