The Montreal Canadiens staved off elimination Monday with a dominant 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins, and Max Pacioretty had no shortage of praise for his teammates afterward.
“It was definitely the first time in this series that we controlled the pace of the game,” the Canadiens winger told reporters, via The Montreal Gazette. “That’s the best I’ve seen this team play — ever — since I started wearing this uniform. When you use our speed it’s so frustrating for a team to play against us.”
Pacioretty led the Canadiens in both goals (39) and points (60) during the regular season but had struggled to contribute offensively in the playoffs entering Game 6. He finally broke out with the Habs’ season on the line, tallying his first goal of the series on a second-period breakaway and assisting on Thomas Vanek’s power-play tally just over two minutes later.
The two points brought the New Canaan, Conn., native’s postseason total to six, and he was quick to reference the beating he’s taken from the Montreal media over his scoring woes.
“I read every article written about me, and it taught me how to score,” Pacioretty joked. “That was the difference tonight.”
The series now will be decided in Boston, with Game 7 set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at TD Garden.
