Habs grinders gain coach’s confidence

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens are known for their speed and skill, but for Guy Carbonneau it’s his grinders who have been at their best in the playoffs.

Tom Kostopoulos was the overtime hero in Game 1 after his linemates Bryan Smolinski and Steve Begin worked hard on the forecheck, and the goal was an example of what the Canadiens supposed checking line has been offering the coach on a regular basis.