Montreal, who has been floundering of late and has yet to clinch a playoff spot, played a perfect road game in getting only their second win in the last six games.
For the Devils, the loss eliminated them from playoff contention marking the first time since 1996 they will miss the playoffs.
A Jacques Martin versus Jacques Lemaire coaching matchup is nothing to get excited about and the two coaches didn't disappoint! These are, afterall, two of the last remaining coaches who truly embrace the 90's-style neutral zone trap.
As such, it is a bit of a sleepy game but one that suited the Canadiens just fine.
Moreover, with Montreal struggling to find their game in recent weeks, it was perhaps just what the doctor ordered.
Both Martin Brodeur and Carey Price were spectacular for their respective teams, Brodeur having to make the bigger stops. Despite Brodeur's strong play, Montreal got two goals from Mathieu Darche and one from P.K. Subban—his 13th of the season tying him for 7th among NHL defenseman and first among rookie D—to secure the win.
The victory was a much needed bounce back for Price who had been pulled in his previous three road games.
In turning aside 20 of 21 shots he face, Price's earned his second overall 36th win of the season. This career high equals the most victories that Patrick Roy had in any one season over his entire career in Montreal.
Final score: Habs 3 - Devils 1
Habs scorers: Mathieu Darche (11, 12), P.K. Subban (13)
Devils scorers: Ilya Kovalchuk (29)
Games Notes
What was that?
By "that", I am referring to the Devils play.
We all know that the Devils will not be playing hockey past the end of the regular season. That being said, New Jersey has been one of the hottest teams in the league since early January going 26-8-3 in their last 37 games.
Last night, however, the Devils looked more like the Canadiens in recent weeks, which is to say not very good.
They were flat, had zero forecheck, looked slow and struggled to gain and keep the puck in the offensive zone. As such, the Habs were able to easily dominate play for most of the game, especially in the first.
The Devils managed a little push-back in the second, but otherwise struggled to produce much of a threat.
Watching last night's game was like watch the Canadiens play, over recent weeks, but from the other side. The Devils, similarly to Montreal, have a bunch of highly skilled offensive players who seem to be stifled by Jersey's defense-first mentality.
Players like Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, Patrick Elias and Travis Zajac could likely do a lot more with an attacking system. But alas, they are left to toil through stifling defensive responsibilities instead of trying to score, much like Montreal.
The Devils, who will miss the playoffs for the first time in 15 seasons, clearly have some soul searching to do. Will they continue to ride this dead neutral-zone trap horse or will they go in a new direction?
Only time will tell, but GM Lou Lamoriello doesn't seem like a man who is interested in change.
Mathieu Darche continues to impress
What can you say about Mathieu Darche?
This is a player who was an afterthought to most in the offseason, myself included. A player that had many wringing their hands when he was re-signed instead of Dominic Moore.
The thinking was that while Moore would have cost the Canadiens more dollars, he was a younger, faster, more skilled version of Darche. So while Darche's work ethic has always been beyond reproach, I think there were few who thought he would end up being as effective as he has been.
This season, Darche is putting his best statistical season by playing a simple and effective game. The result is that he's made himself indispensable to the Canadiens.
In recent weeks, with Darche and Max Pacioretty out of the lineup, the Habs have had a shortage of players willing to go to the net. But last night, Darche picked up that responsibility and ran with it.
On both of Darche's goals he used simplicity to get the Habs on the board by heading to the net, fighting for stick positioning with the defender and deflecting Brian Gionta's pass/shot past Brodeur.
Neither goal was flashy and but both were effective, back-to-basics type goals.
The Habs have been stuck trying to get the "perfect" goal far too often this season. So last night it was nice to see simplicity become the hallmark of victory.
Sometimes that's what you need in order to turn a bad streak around.
The hidden hand of Bob Gainey is still working magic
Much has been made of Bob Gainey's infrequent private discussions with certain players over the years.
The first such incident took place with former Hab, Alex Kovalev, when he was playing some abysmal hockey a few seasons ago. The now famous walk by the water in the Old Port of Montreal, had lasting effects on Kovalev and helped make him a more productive player for the Habs.
Last season, after being demoted to the Bulldogs and going AWOL, it was Sergei Kostitsyn's turn to get a personal one-on-one visit from Gainey. After the meeting, Kostitsyn returned to the Bulldogs and played some excellent hockey before ultimately being recalled to Montreal and subsequently traded.
This season, it was Scott Gomez's turn to receive special treatment from Silent Bob.
It was reported that three games ago, Gainey came out of the shadows to talk with the much maligned center. While the details of what was discussed have and will continue to remain a secret, the effects of the tête-a-tête are visible on the ice.
Since their discussion, Gomez has played his best hockey of the 2010-2011 NHL season. On the scoreboard, he has two assists and a plus-2 rating over the last three games but, more importantly, looks like he has come back to life.
He is finally skating, making plays and strong passes, looks good in the defensive zone and, for the first time this season, is making his wingers better.
The addition of Darche on his has been a boon too, since Darche does all of the dirty work needed for the trio to be effective.
With three games left in the season Gomez's resurgence could not be more timely. But let's just remember who should be credited for the turnaround.
If there was any doubt about Gainey's involvement in the team, I think it is now dispelled. The only question that remains now is whether or not Gomez will be traded. As witnessed with Kovalev and Kostitsyn, a private Gainey talk seems to be the kiss of death!
Standings and Next Game
The Canadiens earned two critical points in the standings last night and are sixth in the East with 91. Montreal's magic number to make the playoffs now sits at two, although that will likely change based on what teams behind them do.
Buffalo, 5-4 overtime losers to the Caps last night, are in seventh with 88 points with the Rangers closing out the top-eight with 87 points.
Both teams hold a game in hand on Montreal.
In ninth overall are the Carolina Hurricanes with 86 points and four games left. The highest point total they can get if they win all four games is 94. That being said, with games against the Sabres, Red Wings, Thrashers and Lightning remaining, it seems unlikely that they will get a clean sweep.
As such, Montreal could end up clinching a playoff spot on a Hurricanes loss over the course of the next week.
The Habs now travel back to Montreal for a two-day break before taking on Chicago on Tuesday. After that, they have a Thursday tilt in Ottawa before closing out the season in Toronto.
Will it take Montreal until the final game to clinch like it did last season? Somehow I don't think so, but in a week from now we'll know for sure.
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Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and Habs writer on TheFranchise.ca. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 8 - 9 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)
6 comments:
WOW! What the heck was that? Did this just look good because the Devils were bad? I haven't seen this type of play from the Habs in months. I loved it. Our top guys seem to have their mojo back. Shooting, skating, hitting. Great work.
Funny how everyone is loving Mathieu Darche, at the start of the season everyone wanted Ryan White in his place. But as he has proven night in and night out, he brings 110% effort no matter what. The only Habs player to go to the dirty areas in front of opposing goalies. Definitely not getting the credit he deserves. Keep up the good work 'Darchy'.
I cannot believe it has taken Gomez 78 games to realize when you do all the work to get the puck into the offensive zone....SHOOT IT!! He has magically adopted a shoot first mentality over the last game or two and it is GREAT to see. I have posted several times thoughout the year that everyone in the media close to Gomez should tell him that. I guess finally Mr.Gainey made it sink in.
Cammalleri is officially fixed. No doubt. He has 5th gear back in his legs, he is shooting from all over the ice, and he is playing with some passion. Welcome back #13, we missed you.
Price's comments...or lip syncing after last nights game were HILARIOUS. Just goes to show that he is definitely not frustrated, he is not feeling the pressure of the Montreal fans and media. That is a huge bonus going forward. If Price plays stress free in the playoffs...LOOK OUT!
I keep wondering on who to take on 1st Rd playoffs this year. I believe if all shakes out right it should be either WSH or BOS. Washington spells trouble because they have had our number this year and are playing their system to perfection. BUT, same as the previous 2 years their goaltending is unproven. That is their only weakness. Regular season goalie stats prove nothing for the Capitals just ask Jose Theodore. Then there is the Bruins, who seem to bring out the best in the Habs. The perennial 1st Round opponent for Montreal. The issue there is that they have a proven goaltending duo, and size and scoring. Seems like a perfect mix, it the playoffs the experts always peg them to be Supermen, where the Habs get no credit for being their kryptonite. This series would be one for the ages, and it would be epic. That being said if the Habs do bow out in the 1st Round, i would rather it be to the Caps and not the Bruins. A 1st Round upset of the Bruins would be my Stanley Cup for sure.
Good stuff Hirky!
Montreal did look good but I agree that the Devils weak play made them look even better!
As for Cammalleri, he certainly looks like he has found his legs again...Plekanec too for that matter. If those two can get it together over the next few games they might be ready, rested and good to go come the playoffs.
re: 1st round, there really is no "good" team for the Habs to play against among Philly, Boston and the Caps. That being said, I think Montreal has the best shot against the Bruins.
If they can steal a game in Boston, anything can happen.
Plus after the last few games I think the Bruins might be over confident.
We'll see what the next week bring!
Yeah, any word on why JLemaire didnt pull Brodeur last night? Was he sending a message to his team that if they werent going to bring it when they needed to, then he wasnt going to give them the chance to possibly get back into the game?
On a side note...does The Sunday Shinny air live on the Team 990? i have been listening to it online most of the morning/afternoon and havent heard it. I have also been checking the talkshoe link on the page here but still no updates. Do you guys take emails, or tweets during the show? A live chat session would also be cool. The Shinny kills time on my Sunday's and i love the inside info on the Habs. I also found a podcast on my iPad, Habstalkradio. It has some foul language but it is a good listen. http://www.habstalkradio.com Check it out.
Hey Hirky!
Yep, the Sunday Shinny DOES air live on the Team 990 on Sunday's from 8 - 9 AM (AM 990).
You can listen live online at http://www.team990.com/
There is a "listen live" button on the right. Just click on it to listen in. If you're up you can even call in or tweet me/us your questions/thoughts!
For the TalkShoe link, it plays the latest show but if you click on the menu you can see past shows. I tend to upload new ones every Monday...
Thanks for the support and please do send me your tweets during the show/call in! Would love to hear from you on air!
Oh and re: Lemaire NOT pulling Brodeur, well, from what I can tell he was NOT happy with his team. He had no intention of pulling Brodeur because he was trying to send a message, imo.
Nothing official, just my thoughts...
Thanks Kamal, I think here in Alberta it must air live at like 6AM?? I think i tuned in at 8AM here. I will try it out next weekend. Maybe even send a couple tweets. As for the 'Listen Live' thing, it is kind of hard to miss the cute blond girl on the 990 website. LOL. Clever marketing on the Team 990's part. Thanks for the help.
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