3 Rounds is a three-part series. Writers select what they feel is the most important individual match-up in the upcoming playoff series and give it an in-depth preview. The second piece is a mid-series assessment of that match-up. In the final installment, we analyze how the match-up contributed to the outcome of the series. If our match-up isn’t the difference-maker, we’ll explore the match-up that DID make the difference.
“Whether or not Chara can step-up and match the play of the man more than 12 years his junior, or if Subban will be able to maintain his exceptional level of play, may still ultimately decide the fate of this series.”
That’s how I ended the previous 3 rounds article, prognosticating on the future of this series. As it turned out, PK Subban’s impact on this series was as massive as Zdeno Chara’s.
Of course, their impact’s couldn’t have been more opposite. Despite his amazing season, his Norris trophy nomination, and his intimidating stature, Chara was a non-factor against the Montreal Canadiens, and one of the key reasons the Boston Bruins were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in the second round.
Before I pile too heavily on Chara, the finger can’t be pointed squarely on his performance over the second half of the series.
Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask, considered by many to be the best goaltender in the world, was handily outplayed by counter-part Carey Price. After a shutout victory in game four and a nice 29-save win in game five, Rask fell apart, allowing 7 goals on 39 shots over the final two games of the series. The Bruins had a chance to eliminate the Habs in both games, yet Rask couldn’t get the job done. Price, on the other hand, was brilliant, allowing only one goal on 56 shots over those same two games.
One could argue that even above-average goaltending would have been enough for the Bruins, but it wasn’t exactly as if Boston’s defense was making it easy on their goaltender. The Bruins were guilty of far too many turnovers, and their defensemen were often caught flat-footed, watching the speedier Canadiens take advantage of their opportunities. For example last night’s opening goal:
Rask was playing the shot, as he should have been in this situation, but Dale Weise completely unchecked at the top of the crease? Just one mistake of many by a sloppy Bruins team. Sure, the Bruins outshot the Canadiens over the course of the series, but Montreal was far more adept at taking advantage of their opportunities.
Which brings us to the defense and Chara. For all his size, strength, and defensive acumen, he simply had no answer for the Canadiens’ small but dynamic forwards. An excellent game two performance aside, Chara was a shadow of his former self against Montreal in this series.
In games three to seven, Chara had just one assist, six shots on goal, and a minus two. He also saw his ice time drop to a post-season low 21:35 in game six. To make matters worse, he took two penalties in each of the two elimination games, and looked out of sorts when he did actually get penalty killing opportunities. Montreal went 8 for 24 (33%) on the power play against the Bruins.
Then there was the icing on the cake; the goal that ultimately buried the Bruins:
Ouch. It’s a play that was pretty indicative of Chara’s performance over the latter half of the series. Poor gap control, caught in no-man’s land, unable to use his long reach to be effective and, ultimately, his size being a detriment as the shot deflects off his skates and behind Rask to give the Canadiens a two-goal lead in the final minutes.
It’s incredibly uncharacteristic of the mighty Chara and one wonders if, at age 37, if he’s finally on the downside of his career. At the very least, it’s become painfully obvious that he can be exploited with speed, something that Montreal used to their advantage all series long. One also wonders if an injury hampered his effectiveness, though that’s a poor excuse for some of the mental lapses in Chara’s judgement.
On the flip side is Subban, who was a force for the Habs. Despite not getting a point in game seven, he played a game high 26:17 and was a factor on both ends of the ice. He led the series in both goals (four) and points (seven) and continues to lead all NHL defensemen in post-season scoring with 12 points in 11 games.
While he’s been competent five-on-five (he’s at +2 during these playoffs), it’s Subban’s power play prowess that has really propelled the Canadiens to their first appearance in the Eastern Conference final since 2010. He’s tied for the NHL lead with 3 power play goals, all of which were scored against the Bruins.
While Chara and Subban were ultimately the driving forces in the fate of their respective teams, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a few other factors. Certainly Boston forwards Patrice Bergeron, David Krecji, Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand combining for just three goals against the Canadiens (two off the stick of Bergeron) didn’t help their chances.
On the flip side, Montreal veterans Max Pacioretty, Thomas Vanek and Daniel Briere were very good, combining for five goals and seven points in the two elimination games alone.
In a series of match-ups, the Canadiens ultimately got the better of the Bruins. Price outplayed Rask, Montreal’s forwards were able to exploit the tight defense of the Bruins, and the veteran offensive stars of the Habs were able to outshine those of Boston. At the end of the day though, it was Subban’s outstanding performance combined with a lackluster one by Chara that tipped the scales in Montreal’s favor during this exciting seven-game series.
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