“It’s two afternoon games. There’s no real excuse for playing poorly. We all like playing afternoon games. You wake up, get ready for the game and you go. There’s not much thinking involved. We want to try and build off the last game against New York. Personally, I like these games. Hopefully, I can prove it now.” – Max Pacioretty

Looking to extend their current win streak to five straight games is what was on the Montreal Canadiens’ conscience during Friday morning’s practice. The Canadiens had just finished up their last away game of January at Madison Square Garden, where they held a one-to-nothing win over the New York Rangers after a late third period goal from alternative captain Max Pacioretty. It was a game that showed a lot of struggle in the offensive department for Therrien’s troops, but the Habs would possibly have a chance at proving themselves to be a powerful team during the back-to-back weekend games since the Habs already boast an 11-8-3-1 record in the opening game of the weekend set, and a 13-9-1-0 record in the second. The Washington Capitals, however, were another story. The team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night at the Verizon Center, and they enter the game having won the last seven meetings with the Canadiens at the Bell Centre dating back to March 2011 (four by way of a shutout). The Canadiens would also need to be on the lookout for Alex Ovechkin, who took over the top spot in the league in goals with his 28th and 29th markers of the year in the win over Pittsburgh. Considering their recent struggles on the ice and their three season struggle against the Caps, the Habs would have to change the rhythm and come out as a power team. It would take work to change their recent stick handling, puck control, attack, and penalty kill habits but it’s always been known that when the Montreal Canadiens want something, they’ll strive to do so.

The first period ended scoreless, but the Montreal Canadiens played exceptionally well. From getting and keeping the pucks deep in the Washington zone, to taking hard hits at the net, to taking their attack mode to a whole new level and maintaining puck control – the Habs were in it to win it.

Things were starting to get heated at the Bell Centre with Tom Wilson hitting Tomas Plekanec with a stiff shoulder and Plekanec getting Wilson back with a hard hip check. Despite both the teams’ efforts with pressure on the forecheck and shots on net, the period was once again left scoreless.

After a long battle for the first goal of the game, the Habs and the Caps headed into overtime where Max Pacioretty tipped the puck into Washington net and gave the Montreal Canadiens their first win against the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre since 2010.

Here are my thoughts on today’s game.

This is my first time saying this and I’ll most likely say it again. The Montreal Canadiens should play every game like they did against the Washington Capitals. Sure, they struggled to get pucks in the net but their energy was completely different and they actually showed they were trying hard to win. The effort was there.

I like what PJ Stock said (I know, I’m shocked I’m saying it too) about P.K. Subban during the first period intermission, “He’s one of those guys that plays so hard and doesn’t always fight, and it just frustrates the other team. It’s against everyone. He just plays so hard and he’s so physically strong that it’s frustrating. The compete of P.K. is frustrating. It makes you think “where is he? where is he at all times?” and you stop thinking about the puck and you start looking for where 76 is out there.” It’s true. Subban is getting more physical during each game and it’s great to finally see him back in action and keeping a strong defense system.

Carey Price with 36 saves and another shutout. Enough said.

I asked a question today on Twitter. The question and the replies are below:

@strucxtures Both if possible. Emelin hasn’t been the same since the knee injury, and Gilbert is more of a 7th D. — Mike (@Thorgrimrr) January 31, 2015 @strucxtures Both (if you can) — Swandad (@swandad) January 31, 2015 @strucxtures both…. Weaver will be in come playoffs, if you get a d back great, if not i hear Tinner is ready to go in Hamilton — Noah (@NoGo12) January 31, 2015 Most of the reasons as to why (as you can read above) have to do with either Alexei Emelin’s knee injury from Milan Lucic back in 2013 or because of how Tom Gilbert plays and what he brings to the table. A lot of trade ideas for Emelin or Gilbert (or both) consisted of Keith Yandle from the Arizona Coyotes. My personal opinion? Alexei Emelin should retire. I know in my last article I said that I’m torn between a yes and no trade but lets face it, Emelin is not the same guy he used to be. It’s not his fault that Milan Lucic is one of the dirtiest players in the NHL and it’s understandable that most NHL players hide their injuries because they want to play and they don’t want people thinking they’re hurt so then they’re sat out of the rest of the season, but the hurt is noticeable. You see the hurt in his movements, in his speed, in his overall play on the ice. As for Gilbert, I’d say keep him for one more season and bring Jared Tinordi in to take Emelin’s place. Gilbert plays well as a defenseman, but he needs a stronger d-man on the ice with him to bring him up to the speed and power he needs. Tinordi fits in that spot beautifully.

The Montreal Canadiens play the Arizona Coyotes at the Bell Centre tomorrow at 1:00pm.

(Purchase your Canadiens tickets here. | Achetez vos billets des Canadiens ici.)

Follow Jessica-Lyn on Twitter: @strucxtures.