NHL Update: Habs Overcome (3-1) Series Deficit, Denying The Leafs

The Montreal Canadiens trailed the Toronto Maple Leafs 3 games to 1, however, never trailed in 3 straight wins, thus will open a “quarter” at Winnipeg vs the Jets.

Montreal won (2-0) in game 7 after overtime wins in games 5 and 6.

In #5, Montreal dissipated a (3-0) lead but won (4-3) in overtime and then on Saturday past, with 2500 fans in attendance, did it again (a blown (2-0) lead but an overtime win).

Last night Montreal held leads up (3-0) on an empty net goal and won (3-1) in just the second 7th game between these two rivals, the two oldest NHL franchises.

Both 7th games, (the Leafs’ win in such in ’64 with the great Dave Keon scoring all 3 goals, the last an empty net tally) ended (3-1) (the Maple Leafs went on to win the Stanley Cup that season and the winner of all 15 previous Canadiens/Maple Leafs series also “titled,” albeit one must note 7 of the clashes were in the final.

Elsewhere in the NHL, the “quarters” are underway and with the Montreal win, the semis matchups/brackets are known now.

The winner of Colorado vs Las Vegas (The ‘Lanche appear to be tremendous, certainly were in a (7-1) win in the opener between the top two “reg/points” teams (each had 82 with Colorado getting the, perhaps all important tiebreaker) will face and be big series favorites vs the Canadiens/Jets series winner. (By the way, I would be surprised if “Vegas” is not really competitive if not victorious in the series).

Meanwhile the winner of defending champion Tampa Bay vs Carolina (T.B. won the opener (2-1) and check the records of “Champa” Bay teams, especially on the road–Brady and the Bucs, the Rays “reg” last season and this so far, while the Lightning have won both road openers this season) will open at home vs the Islanders/Bruins winner. New York got even, winning at Boston in game 2, on Casey Cziikas’ break away,  overtime goal last night.