Montreal's Therrien claims Ottawa mission accomplished

The Canadiens watched throughout the end of the season as Ottawa went on a magical run to make the playoffs, and the Habs told the media following their 1-0 loss to the Senators that they weren't surprised the Senators refused to go down in four straight games. 

In fact, Montreal coach Michel Therrien told SportsNet that the Canadiens accomplished their mission in Ottawa: split the two games.

"Of course when you win the first one you put yourself in the position that you want to win a second," Therrien told reporters after the game. "But you have to look at the big picture and that’s the fact we took a game in a tough building. We now return home with the energy of our fans behind us and we’re excited for our next game."

Statistically speak, the Canadiens are still in great position. According to NHL records, teams with a 3-1 series lead in a best-of-seven NHL playoffs format have won the series 91.3 percent of the time. 

(h/t SportsNet)