Last night continued one of the most compelling and unexpected runs in NHL playoffs history.
The 8th seeded Montreal Canadiens BARELY made the playoffs and then they got put into a series with the Washington Capitals. No one gave them a chance. No one thought they could beat the mighty Caps, not even I. My official pick was Caps in 6. I figured the Habs would steal a couple of games at home and then the Caps would turn around win. No biggy. It seemed that not only would the Caps win but they would do it in a typical fashion when they took a 3-1 lead in the series. But boy was I, and everyone else wrong. The Habs had other plans and backed by one the most unbelievable goal-tending runs ever in the sport by Jaroslav Halak, they turned the series around and the entire conference up-side-down and stunned the hockey world and won the series.
So when the matchups for the 2nd round came out, they were given the reigning champs, the Penguins. I went on record when the series started and said, Canadiens in 7. Other than Mandy, everyone, co-workers, twitter people, and even my two best friends, looked at me like I had two heads. How can the lowly Habs beat the unstoppable Sid the Kid and the Pens. Well, look what happened.
Last night the ultimate underdog story, this side of the Mighty Ducks improbable run to the Cup finals in 03, continued. The Canadiens not only beat Pittsburgh but they embarrassed them in the last game to ever be played at the Igloo. But not only that but the face of Canada was humbled by an one-time legendary Canadian franchise.
I believe Stan Fischler said it perfectly on Twitter and I couldn't agree more:
"How long before Canada realizes the Kid is a fraud? Gold medal goal was Iginla's hard work. Cup was Malkin's. Sid should really cry now."
Last night wasn't just a hockey moment or sports moment. Last night proved to me that indeed anything in life is possible, if you have the drive to succeed and the want to achieve.
Always remember, if the Canadiens can upset the Caps and the Pens, how is anything else impossible?
