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Gorges says don’t blame Halak for Game 1 loss

It’s easy to see the five goals allowed on 20 shots -- including four power play goals -- and say that the magic that Jaroslav Halak enjoyed against the Capitals didn’t carry over against the Penguins.

The Canadiens were able to beat the Capitals not just with great goaltending but with stellar team defense. Both aspects disappeared against the Penguins and Halak was eventually pulled.

Habs’ defenseman Josh Gorges says it’s not all Halak’s fault, either:

“I think it was us in front of him,” Gorges said. “If you look at the goals, we deflected one in front of him, we turned over a couple of others and gave them point-blank opportunities. Jaro has been outstanding for us. We made plays that were uncharacteristic of us. And the (Penguins) don’t make mistakes; that’s why they won (the Stanley Cup) last year.”

It was interesting to see how the Penguins were able to so easily solve the team approach that was so successful against the Capitals. Halak certainly didn’t look sharp, but the great defense the Habs showed in the first round was nowhere to be found.

We’ll see Halak back out on the ice for Game 2.