Sharks Shut Out 2-0 By Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
By Felix Chow
Mar 21, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) shoots on San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) as defenseman Justin Braun (61) defends during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Overview
The San Jose Sharks had a chance to grab another two points on the road trip for their desperate playoff push after a decisive 4-1 win in Toronto, but they couldn’t put one past arguably the hottest goaltender in the National Hockey League in Carey Price who backstopped the Montreal Canadiens and dampened Team Teal’s playoff hopes even more for a 2-0 shutout win. On another note, the Canadiens once again showed why they were one of the League’s top teams with their stifling defensive capabilities, shutting down the Sharks attack through the neutral zone as well as — for the most part — clearing rebounds away from their net minder for the offensive transition.
The Lone Goal & Empty Netter
While both teams played tremendously defensively, Habs’ forward Tomas Plekanec (Assists: Alex Galchenyuk (23), P.A. Parenteau (11)) broke the ice late in the opening frame, putting the puck past Antti Niemi into the open net for the 1-0 lead.
Then late in the third period with Nemo out and onto the bench for the extra attacker, San Jose tried their best to sustain offensive zone pressure but it wasn’t enough, as Brendan Gallagher (Assists: Max Pacioretty (28), Plekanec (30)) sealed the deal with the empty netter.
Carey Price
The Vezina and Hart Trophy candidate showed why he’s the best goalie in the NHL alongside the Nashville Predator’s Pekka Rinne stopping all 29 shots against, making the saves and bailing his team out when it mattered most. It seemed like his shutout bid would be broken late in the third but Sharks’ defenseman Brent Burns rang one off the post.
Next Game vs. Ottawa Senators
Although the Sharks playoff hopes were dashed after tonight, they still have to finish out the season as it’s looking less and less likely they’ll make the playoffs. On Monday, they’ll be looking to restart their win streak at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa as they face a Senators team that won in Toronto tonight.