The Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins get back to action tonight in Game 4 of their first round playoff series.
Through three games, both teams have shown that their score-first-then-shut-it-down-defensively scheme is the path to victory. Montreal employed this strategy in Games 1 and 2 in Boston while the Bruins returned the favour, Monday night, for Game 3 in Montreal.
So after a two-day break in play, the teams will jump back on the ice tonight at the Bell Centre in perhaps the most critical game for either team this season.
Carpe Diem
With the Canadiens holding a 2-1 series lead and having stolen home-ice advantage away from the Bruins, they do not, under any circumstances, want to go back to Boston tied at two games apiece.
Montreal worked hard to earn two road victories in Games 1 and 2, and they know they missed an opportunity to put the Bruins on the mat Monday night. That being said, the Habs are still in the driver's seat and have enough veteran leadership that a loss tonight would not necessarily spell the end.
Players like Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Hal Gill, Brent Sopel and Travis Moen all have Stanley Cup rings and have seen enough playoff situations that win or lose, they'll keep the boat afloat.
That being said, going back to Boston tied at two when the Habs have the opportunity to take a stranglehold tonight would be playing with fire. The Bruins are already talking like a team with renewed confidence and a 2-2 series might just give them the edge to bury Montreal.
And the Habs know it.
As such, they need to play the way they did in the final 30 minutes of Game 3, using their speed and skill to bury the Bruins. Carey Price needs to continue with his excellent goaltending and Montreal has to get their power play rolling.
Not so special teams
Let's be honest here, penalty kill aside, neither team has been setting the world on fire in the special teams department. Montreal, who finished the season with the seventh overall PP, has scored only once on 11 opportunities.
Boston has also struggled with the extra man, being blanked in all 11 PP chances. As such, they have put a lot of work into fixing their power play over the last few days, shifting up their first and second units in the hopes of finding a spark.
Bad penalties by both teams have been a big part of this series and at some point it has to catch up to them. For some reason, I get a feeling that tonight will be the night that the PP decides the game.
Roster changes
Speaking of bad penalties, perennially-bad-penalty-taking Benoit Pouliot, will be a healthy scratch tonight for Montreal. Pouliot, who has been in and out of Jacques Martin's doghouse all season, took a foolish charging penalty in Game 3, after which he was benched for the entire third.
Martin, who has clearly lost patience with Pouliot, will be inserting Jeff Halpern back into the lineup in his place. Halpern has been on the sidelines since March and was practicing on a line with Lars Eller at center and Travis Moen on the wing.
Halpern was one of Montreal's best penalty killers this season and his experience is sure to make the bottom-six that much stronger.
For Boston, Chris Kelly was being evaluated for what appears to be a fractured cheek bone, suffered when he was pushed into the net by Scott Gomez in Game 3. Kelly is scheduled to play regardless, likely with a face shield.
The other change for Boston comes on the power play, where Nathan Horton will be pulled off the first power play unit and replaced by Patrice Bergeron.
Intangibles
In a lot of ways this game comes down to desperation and which team has more of it. While Montreal needs two more victories to win the series, the Bruins know that a loss tonight will be like a death sentence. As such, they are sure to play with the desperation of a team on the brink of elimination.
Boston needs this win and they know it. Moreover, they know that they have a huge opportunity to turn the series around tonight.
For the Habs, they similarly know how important a win tonight will be. There is a huge difference between going back to Boston for Game 5 tied 2-2 versus up 3-1. The knock after last game, was that Montreal was nonchalant during the morning skate prior to Game 3. The team wasn't focused enough and perhaps thought the rest of the road would be easy.
As I discussed yesterday, the hope is that Montreal learned their lesson and will come back even more focused on victory. It is because of that fact that I think we are in for one hell of a game tonight.
The table has been set, the pieces are in place and both teams know exactly what they have to do. Now it comes down to who wants it more.
Game time is 7:00 PM.
--- 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/
Doesn't it feel wrong not having a hockey game to watch tonight? Somehow, to me, it breaks the rhythm of a playoff series.
I remember watching playoff hockey in the 80s and 90s, and there was always, without exception, a game every second night. That went from the beginning of the playoffs until the end, making for one grueling race to the finish.
But alas, in the Gary Bettman era, things have changed.
So much so that nowadays there are sometimes two days off between games. In addition, there are even back-to-back games, which, in my opinion, are much worse than the long breaks. Playoff games are too intense to be playing back-to-back and too much is on the line.
Regardless of my feelings on the matter, the fact remains that these variations from the norm have become a part of playoff hockey. So looking at the Canadiens-Bruins first-round matchup, I can see how the players would appreciate the extra day off but not so much the fans.
Irish eyes are smiling
Reading Fluto Shinzawa's Boston Globe piece on the Bruins this morning, the Bruins feel like a ton of pressure has been lifted off their shoulders. Their 4-2 win over the Habs on Monday gave them a little breathing room and, perhaps, a well-needed dose of confidence.
Boston had been stymied by the Canadiens' system and Carey Price's goaltending over two games, with Montreal simply taking advantage of turnovers and defensive mistakes.
The same could not be said of the Habs' performance in Game 3.
In addition, Tim Thomas finally came to play on Monday. Despite letting in two softies, he made key saves when his team needed him to, ensuring the victory.
So today, with the Bruins scurrying to the safety and obscurity of Lake Placid, the team is loose, happy and looking forward to Game 4 tomorrow night in Montreal. Their confidence is renewed and they know they have a golden opportunity to turn the series on its head tomorrow night.
Change up
Benoit Pouliot, who day-by-day plays himself further out of a contract extension, has been a complete no-show for the Habs so far in the playoffs. He had another up-and-down season this year with a few flashes of brilliance, but ultimately has not shown enough for Montreal to keep him around past this season.
So during Game 3, when Pouliot took an ill-advised charging penalty and subsequent fighting major, he did little to ingratiate himself to Coach Martin. So much so that he didn't see a second of ice time after that point.
While the Bruins didn't score on the PP, they potted one only seconds after it had expired, early in the third to make it a 3-0 game. Sure the goal was the result of a horrible giveaway by Carey Price, but Martin was fed up with the inconsistent winger and nailed him to the bench.
Pouliot finished the night with five shifts and only 3:21 of ice.
As a result, the word this morning is that Pouliot will be a healthy scratch come Game 4 tomorrow night. With Jeff Halpern on the cusp of a return to action and Yannick Weber playing a solid Game 2, Martin has options.
If Halpern is ready to go, his defensive and faceoff abilities would make him an excellent addition to the lineup. Weber too would be a good fit, perhaps playing as a forward and getting spot duty on the power play. In the one game he played, he not only scored a goal but had three shots on goal, one blocked shot and two solid body checks.
All of that with only 10:53 of ice time.
The bottom line is that Martin has options and either player would make the Canadiens a better team. So far everyone has been pulling in the same direction for the Habs, and there is no place for a solo-artist like Pouliot.
Sorry Benoit, you did it to yourself.
Lesson learned or failure to launch?
By all accounts, the Montreal Canadiens were excessively loose and perhaps even nonchalant, during the morning skate prior to Monday night's Game 3. That lackadaisical attitude is what led the team to come out flat in the first period and miss a golden opportunity to put Boston on the mat.
As a result, the Bruins were able to jump out to a 3-0 lead before the Canadiens finally woke up. Montreal dominated the last 30 minutes of the game, coming within a goal of tying it, but ultimately fell short. It was too little too late and the Canadiens, to a man, seem eminently aware of that fact.
So was the loss a wake-up call for the Habs, or have they now taken their foot off the Bruins' neck and let them back in the series? We'll find out on Thursday. That being said, I don't think it's overly dramatic to say Game 4 will be the Habs' biggest game of the year.
Losing tomorrow and going back to Boston tied at two games apiece would be disastrous for Montreal. It would suddenly become a brand new, best-of-three series with Boston holding home-ice advantage. This is a scenario the Habs do not want to face.
As such, and given Montreal's seeming awareness of their Monday night misgivings, I expect a full 60-minute performance tomorrow night. However, with the opportunity to tie things up going back to Boston, I expect an equally intense performance from the Bs.
Quite simply, Game 4 has the makings of a classic. Tune in tomorrow night to find out how the story unfolds!
--- 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/
Were you as surprised as me? Surprised that the Montreal Canadiens, who were missing eight regulars, rolled into Minnesota and over the Wild with an 8-1 trouncing?
Surprised that a team with one of the lowest goals-for in the league managed to score eight times with six different players getting goals? Surprised that the usually defensive-minded Canadiens scored 30 seconds into the game and never looked back?
Ya, so was I.
And so in destroying the pitiful Minnesota Wild 8-1 last night "the little team that could" continues to surprise everyone except for themselves.
Granted the Wild are a team in a tailspin, extending their losing streak to six straight games, so the Canadiens weren't exactly playing the cream of the crop. Still, Montreal's offensive explosion, including a Gordie Howe hat-trick by Ryan White—a goal, an assist and a fight—and a normal hat-trick for P.K. Subban, was just what the doctor ordered for this team.
As much as the Wild looked disorganized, demoralized and disjointed the Canadiens looked like a tenacious, hungry team who was intent on getting the two points from the drop of the puck. The Canadiens received contributions from throughout their lineup with only six players failing to register a point.
Hopefully for Montreal, the scoring frenzy will help ignite their offense going forward because with games this week against the Sabres, Bruins and Capitals, they have much bigger fish to fry.
Final score: Habs 8 - Wild 1
Habs scorers: Ryan White (1), Andrei Kostitsyn (19), P.K. Subban (9, 10, 11), James Wisniewski (10), Travis Moen (6), Tom Pyatt (2)
Wild scorers: Mikko Koivu (17)
Three stars: 1. P.K. Subban, 2. Ryan White, 3. Benoit Pouliot
Game Notes
1. Ryan White is a true sparkplug for the Habs.
The more White plays the more he reminds me of a faster Aaron Asham.
Fast, gritty, always mixing it up physically, will never back down from a fight, has decent offensive instincts and, like Asham, isn't the biggest guy in the world. At 6'0" 198 lbs, White is not exactly a small guy but he is certainly not a heavyweight. But also like Asham, White bring a never-quit in-your-face style that can be catalytic to a team's success.
White is the type of bottom-six player that all teams covet come playoff time, and last night he got the game rolling for Montreal along with linemate Benoit Pouliot.
White opened the scoring only 30 seconds in on his first career NHL goal off a beautiful feed from Pouliot. If that wasn't enough to set the tone, shortly after his goal with the Wild's Clayton Stoner running around a bit, White challenged him to a fight after a big hit on Aaron Palushaj.
It was a pretty even fight with both players landing some good shots, but it sent a message that Montreal wasn't going to be pushed around. After Stoner came out of the box, he was quiet and stuck to playing hockey rather than going for big hits.
That sounds like a job well done by White and his presence in the bottom-six makes the Canadiens a much better team.
If David Desharnais is the straw that stirs the drink on that line, White is the ice cubes. The drink just isn't the same without them.
2. What's Auld the fuss about?
CBC's coverage of the game started with them implying some kind of mystery involving Montreal's decision to start Alex Auld in place of Carey Price.
This was more than a little surprising to me since every indication prior to the game yesterday was that Auld would play. And why not?
Price has already played 64 games this season. In addition, with huge matches against the Sabres, Bruins and Capitals this week, yesterday was the only opportunity for Montreal to rest Price for a long time, perhaps even till the end of the season.
In addition, the game against the Wild was an inter-conference match meaning that its outcome could not negatively affect the Habs' standings, except for potentially failing to pick up two points.
If that wasn't enough, the Wild are a non-playoff team who was on a five-game losing streak so starting the backup made perfect sense.
I don't know about you but it sounds like a pretty open and shut case to me.
Perhaps the CBC needs to hire someone who actually knows something about the Canadiens to do their research, because the only thing mysterious about Auld starting was their angle on the story.
3. Pouliot followed the script.
Just like the hero in a Disney movie who overcomes adversity, Benoit Pouliot played exactly the way you hoped he would in his first game against his former team.
He got the party started by making a nice fake then dishing off to Ryan White who put his first NHL goal past Jose Theodore only 30 seconds in.
About six minutes later, after Andrei Kostitsyn was flattened in the offensive zone by a Wild defender, Pouliot grabbed the loose puck and chipped it free for AK46 who blasted it past Theodore from the high slot. But Pouliot wasn't done yet, finishing off his night with an assist on P.K. Subban's spectacular first goal of the game, making it 3-0 Montreal.
On all three plays and for the entire game, you could see that Pouliot wanted to prove himself and he played with a determination and focus that has been lacking far too often from his game.
If he could show that kind of drive on a consistent basis, he could be a top player for the Canadiens. I guess the fact that he hasn't or isn't able to explains why he is better suited in the bottom-six.
Pouliot finished the night with three assists, a plus-4 rating, one shot on goal and 12:17 of ice time.
4. Holy offense!
The fact that Montreal had five goals before the 12 minute mark of the second period and eight on the night, speaks as much to the Habs' tenacious play as it does the ineptitude of the Wild.
No disrespect to the Wild, but they just looked horrible last night in extending their current losing streak to six games. Whereas they have a bunch of talented players, it was apparent that they were all pulling in different directions. This lack of cohesion meant that their goaltenders were largely left to their own devices.
Still, you have to give credit where credit is due with Montreal playing their strongest offensive games of the season. With teammates feeding off a determined performance by Pouliot and a great fight by White, even slumping forwards like Michael Cammalleri—who hasn't looked good since returning from injury—got into the action, collecting two assists on the night.
Moreover, the blowout win was the perfect remedy for their six-goal shellacking at the hands of the Rangers on Friday.
Montreal scored eight total goals by six different players, with assists going to nine different players. That the Habs continue to get things done despite icing a lineup that looks more AHL caliber than NHL, it truly amazing.
5. Subban should get Calder consideration.
P.K. Subban, who has been one of the most talked about players in the league this season, just seems to be getting better each game.
We have seen how well this kid can play defensively while under the tutelage of Hal Gill, but what is often forgotten is his all-world offensive skills.
Last night after getting the puck from Pouliot in the corner, Subban skated the puck around and through the Wild's zone with Cal Clutterbuck shadowing him. Subban displayed his excellent puck protection, mobility and stick handling skills as he bobbed and weaved for a good 20 seconds before taking it to the net. He flipped the puck at Theodore from the side and it deflected off the Wild defenseman's skate and in, only 51 seconds into the second period.
Then with Montreal leading 5-0 and about four and a half minutes to play in the second, Subban took a James Wizniewski pass and blasted it past Jose Theodore to make it 6-0. But he wasn't done yet, picking up a free puck at the blueline in the third and blasting his third of the game past Niklas Backstrom to make it 7-0.
The goal marked his first career hat-trick and gives him 35 points (11G, 24A) in 68 games, 24th overall among defensemen—one point behind Zdeno Chara and one ahead of Jordan Leopold. Moreover, his 11 goals puts him only four behind Guy Lapointe—he scored 15 in 1970-71—for most goals by a Habs rookie defenseman.
Subban finished the night with four points (3G, 1A), four shots on goal and a plus-3 rating. Despite being hated by opposing fans and players, he is on his way to becoming one of the very best defenseman in the league.
Keep in mind that this wunderkid is only 21!
So while I don't expect Subban to beat out either Jeff Skinner or Logan Couture for the Calder Trophy, I think that he should definitely get considering for rookie of the year.
Standings and Next Game
The victory gives Montreal 40 wins on the season with a 40-26-7 record, good for 87 points and sixth overall in the East. The Habs inch ever closer to the idle Bruins who have 88 points but two games in hand.
Montreal is also only two points back of the Lightning, who have 89 points and are in fifth overall in the East.
Behind the Canadiens in the standings are the usual suspects: the Rangers with 82 points, the Sabres with 79 points and one game in hand and the Hurricanes with 76 points and one game in hand.
With nine games left in the season Montreal now embarks on their most pivotal week of the season.
The Habs have a Tuesday night Bell Centre tilt against the Sabres, a Thursday night grudge match against the Bruins and a Saturday night game in Montreal against the red-hot Capitals.
This week could very well determine if the Canadiens can overtake the Bruins for first overall in the Northeast or are destined to finish in fifth or lower.
--- 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 Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)
After losing the night before to the Edmonton Oilers in a horrific manner, the P.K. Subban-less Canadiens were in New Jersey to take on the Devils last night. Coach Martin, clearly unhappy with the play of his young defensive stud, benched Subban in favour of Yannick Weber.
While this was a bit of a shocking move for most fans, the Canadiens didn't seem to miss a beat. If they did think about it, his benching only served as motivation as they scored twice before the game was even two minutes old.
Brian Gionta potted the rebound on a Roman Hamrlik shot 11 seconds in and Lars Eller made it 2-0 at the 1:38 mark of the first. That was all she wrote for Johan Hedberg as the Devils pulled him in favour of Mike McKenna. Keep in mind that Jersey was already shorthanded in the net with perennial Hab-killer, Martin Brodeur, sidelined with an elbow injury.
The Devils were able to sparsely apply pressure at times during the game but, overall, were not really able to muster much offense. This is not really surprising when you consider that they are last in the league in goals for, with 46 in 25 games.
Aside from their offensive woes the Devils just looked like a flat, emotionless team. Most of the night they seemed as if they were just going through the motions, and while they did have a few decent scoring chances overall they really didn't put up much of a fight.
As has been the case since the beginning of the season, when they did have a chance to score, Price was there to shut the door.
Final score: Habs 5 - Devils 1
Habs' scorers: Brian Gionta (8), Lars Eller (2), Tom Pyatt (1), Scott Gomez (4), Benoit Pouliot (6),
Devils' scorers: Jason Arnott (9)
Three stars: 1. Lars Eller, 2. Brian Gionta, 3. Carey Price
Game Notes
1. Price continues to anchor this team.
Win, lose or draw, Carey Price continues to be the Habs' MVP. Last night's game against the Devils is one of the easier wins of his career to say the least, but the Devils still had several excellent scoring chances. And, in each case, Price was there to make the save.
There were moments in particular where sloppy play by the Canadiens would lead to a partial break or an odd man advantage for the Devils. Last year, Price would have let those shots in, deflating his team in the process and starting a downward spiral that would more often than not lead to a loss.
This year however, Price continues to make those key saves game in and game out, masking some of the flaws in the Canadiens' game in the process.
2. Lars Eller and Benoit Pouliot are starting to develop chemistry.
Eller scored his second goal of the season only 1:38 into the first period on a beautiful individual effort. While the goal was weak and Johan Hedberg would have stopped it if his skate was firmly against the post, it illustrates the incredible skill this kid has.
On the play, Eller picked up the puck in the neutral zone and turned on his after burners. He beat the Devils' defender with speed to the outside, then swooped behind the net for the wrap-around which he stuffed past the aforementioned Hedberg to make it 2-0.
Along with his linemates Benoit Pouliot and Mathieu Darche, the Habs third line is starting to develop some nice chemistry. Eller and Pouliot in particular look like they are starting to understand each other’s playing styles and, as such, are able to create more scoring chances. Given the offensive capabilities of both players, they form a duo that should be able to provide key secondary scoring for the Habs going forward.
Eller is gaining more and more confidence each game and looks like the prime candidate to tryout as the second line center, should the coaching staff decide to make a change.
As for Pouliot, he showed what an incredible shot he has when he fired one from the faceoff circle top shelf to make it 5-0 Montreal. The goal was Pouliot's sixth of the season and fifth on the road while averaging only 11:55 of ice time per game. Those are the kind of numbers that makes a coach smile from ear to ear.
While many are calling for Pouliot to be placed on the second line with Gomez and Cammalleri, I think he is better suited to the slightly more obscure role of third line winger. Without the added pressure and in absence of top defensive pairings to play against, Pouliot is able to produce on a regular basis. I am not so convinced that he has what it takes to do so in the top-six.
3. Weber played an excellent game.
Playing in place of fan favorite P.K. Subban, Weber looked good in a duo with defensive partner Alexandre Picard.
While we all know that Weber has a wicked shot from the point and is effective on the power play, what I was curious to see was how well he played on the defensive side of the puck at the NHL level.
Last night, Weber proved that he belongs in the NHL and in the process makes things a bit more complicated for GM Pierre Gauthier and Coach Martin. Despite his 5'11 frame, Weber was able to keep up with, compete against and shut down the opposition, including breaking up a 3-on-1 midway through the first period.
Now the Devils are hardly a juggernaut, but Weber showed that he has the skill to play defense in this league.
Oh, and if there was ever any doubts about his offensive abilities, Weber fired a howitzer at the net on a second period power play that lead to the Habs' fourth goal. With Mathieu Darche screening McKenna, Weber's bullet bounced off of the Devils' goalie right to Scott Gomez on the doorstep who put it into the empty net to make it 4-0. That point shot is something that Habs haven't had in their lineup since Marc-Andre Bergeron last season and, dare I say, it makes a big difference on the power play.
Weber finished the night with one assist, six shots on goal and 17:10 of ice time. The other thing he did is put the Canadiens defensive squad under the microscope.
With Weber playing so well, who will sit next game? You have to imagine that Coach Martin will not keep Subban out of the lineup for two straight games. Also, it is evident that Weber would increase the skill level of the Canadiens back end. So what does that coach do?
Given that Subban and Weber have similar games—with Subban having much more skill—don't overlook the possibility that Weber could be being showcased for a potential trade in the future.
4. Don't look now but Scott Gomez could be waking up.
With 17:40 minutes of ice time and one goal last night, Gomez now has goals in back-to-back games. His goal against the Oilers was fluky, but his marker against the Devils was anything but. Gomez was positioned where he needed to be, on the side of the net, and was in perfect position to put the rebound off of Weber's shot into the open net.
Both he and Cammalleri looked like they elevated their games last night. I don't know what happened behind closed doors, but it looked like the two players did some talking because they were much more cohesive last night.
Instead of playing keep away they were playing more of a pitch and catch style that seemed to compliment both Cammy's skill as a shooter and Gomez's skill as a playmaker.
Despite his improved performance, Gomez still found a way to be the only Canadiens' player to finish the night with a minus. He was the player who was supposed to be covering Jason Arnott when he cut in front of Price and scored the Devils' only goal of the game. In a 5-1 romp there is no question that this is a minor detail, but that was just not a good play by Gomez.
5. Roman Hamrlik is playing excellent hockey.
Often criticized by fans, Hamrlik currently looks every bit the defensive stalwart that helped the Canadiens survive through the Markov-less first half of last season. In addition, he has started to get into an offensive groove and has four points (1G, 3A) in his last two games.
With Markov likely out of the lineup long term, this is exactly the kind of offensive contribution that the Canadiens will need from Hamrlik. If he can keep it up and continue to make timely offensive pinches, Hamrlik will help even out the offense coming from the backend and make the Habs that much more competitive.
There is nothing quite like having two defensive duos that can score.
Standings and Next Game
In bouncing the Devils in Jersey, the Canadiens continue their win-one-lose-one ways. The win gives them 34 points in the standings and a 16-8-2 record.
The Habs have the day off before taking on the San Jose Sharks in a 2 pm matinee game at the Bell Centre on Saturday.
The big question right now is what is Jacques Martin going to do with his defense? Will Subban be back in the lineup? If so who sits? Weber looks ready for primetime so do you keep him in the lineup and sit Picard? Does he go with seven defenseman?
The plot thickens.
(Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images North America)
Although the Montreal Canadiens continue to hang out at the top of their division, there’s still a situation that remains unresolved as they get ready to face some pretty tough opponents in December. I’m talking about the glaring hole that’s still evident on the second line, which Head Coach Jacques Martin has thus far taken to filling with third and fourth line grinders.
While Scott Gomez’s play as the line’s centerman has left a lot to be desired, he is not entirely to blame for this line’s current ineffectiveness. Without a legitimate second winger, this line is very easy for opposing defenders to shut down.
Gomez is primarily a playmaker, and does not tally goals like first line pivot, Tomas Plekanec. With only one finisher available on his line to make plays, opposing teams need only pressure Gomez, cover the winger, and all but ignore the line’s grinder, who is hardly a scoring threat.
To their credit, the Habs have jumped off to a strong start this season despite what I perceive to be a noticeable disadvantage. However I’d like it fixed sooner than later, so here’s my usual attempt at playing armchair GM.
In making my own choice, I’d like to go over the options I see available to Pierre Gauthier and assess them independently.
Benoit Pouliot
Acquired in exchange for Guillaume Latendresse, Pouliot got off to a great start on a line with Gomez and Brian Gionta. He’s still young though, and with a coach like Martin his defensive play left a lot to be desired. He also seemed to lack consistent focus and effort as well, which directly hindered his production.
This season Martin has him playing wing on the third line instead, largely with Mathieu Darche and either Lars Eller or Jeff Halpern as the centerman. I’ve taken the Habs head coach to task over his handling of young players in the past, but this move has done nothing but benefit Pouliot.
Pouliot still has moments where he’s not as engaged or defensive as he should be, but they are more the exception than the rule now. Playing with two solid and determined veterans has rubbed off on Pouliot in a good way, and though he’s been playing a lot with Eller now as well, I’d still choose to leave Pouliot where he is unless I had no other choice.
Along with Eller, Pouliot also brings an added scoring threat to the Habs third line. Since this team usually has trouble scoring outside of the top two lines, I think that’s a strong bonus as well.
Lars Eller
Initially I wanted Eller on the second wing to start the year. It would have meant more minutes for the rookie, who has at times spent a lot of the game watching from the bench. Like Pouliot, he has the necessary skill set to be a second line winger. However it is hard to ignore Eller’s recent growth as a centerman.
He continues to flourish and gain confidence every game, to the point where’s he managed to pilfer Halpern’s wingers. I like the idea of Eller on the second line, but for now I’d leave him anchoring the third line just like Jacques Martin has chosen to do.
I’m not a big believer in tinkering with things that aren’t broken, and currently the third line isn’t broken.
Max Pacioretty
After playing 21 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Pacioretty currently has 11 goals and 14 assists for a sizzling 25 points. Of all the prospects the Habs currently have in their system, he is the call-up I would choose. But he would still be my second choice to fill the slot.
Regardless of whether or not it was overblown in the press, Pacioretty did state that he would prefer to play the season in Hamilton rather than be relegated to third or fourth line ice time in Montreal. And with a cautious and defense-first coach like Jacques Martin, I just don’t see him getting this slot.
I think the only way this kid gets called up is if Yannick Weber is sent back down, Pouliot is elevated to the second line, and Pacioretty becomes the third line’s new winger. And I really only expect that to happen if Andrei Markov is not gone for the season, and the Habs remain tight against the cap.
Trade
This is really only going to happen if Andrei Markov is out for the rest of the year and his salary comes off of the cap. It would mean about six million dollars with which Pierre Gauthier could not only shop for a much needed winger, but also a defenseman to help shore up the blueline.
I do think that in assessing which forward is possible, it’s important to point out that I believe precedence will be given to acquiring a defenseman, and for this I’ve heard names like Tomas Kaberle or Kevin Bieksa thrown around. While I’m not adverse to either suggestion, they both represent a large chunk of the available cap space.
That would naturally limit which forward Gauthier could realistically trade prospects or picks for, and still afford. It’s hard for me to drop a name regardless. We’re nowhere near close to the trade deadline, and there’s no telling how much money Gauthier will choose to spend on a forward.
Still, I do think this is the option I would choose to pursue, rather than break apart the first or third lines again or continue to use a third or fourth liner. I’d probably trade for a defender who can routinely relieve Roman Hamrlik or Jaroslav Spacek, and then spend what I have left on a legitimate winger.
I could go on and on about which forward I would choose and why, but really it would just be a guess based on internet gossip and personal preference. Absolutely essential on my shopping list though are size, speed, skill and net presence.
So which option would you choose? Would you choose to use Pouliot or Eller? Would you call up Pacioretty or a different prospect to plug the hole? Or would you choose to make a trade also?
--- Tyg used to frequent the old Forum during her early childhood when her father was a corporate season ticket holder, where she fell in love with Larry Robinson, so her lifelong obsession with the Habs is entirely his fault.
What's the opposite of a well-oiled machine? A broken-down rustbucket?
If so, then that's what the Canadiens are playing like right now. A broken-down rustbucket.
As the Canadiens took on the Ottawa Senators in Montreal last night, you were hoping for a return to the kind of tenacious play that had made them so successful over the first 10 games of the season.
Instead, they looked tired and disorganized as they watched Ottawa take the play to them for most of the night.
Right now, it seems that very little is going right for the Canadiens.
Their defensive pairings are not working, none of the Canadiens goal-scorers are able to score, players who are known to be defensively responsible, like Scott Gomez, are making mistake after mistake and the power play continues to be a laughingstock—3-for-47, 30th overall in the NHL.
From the top to the bottom of their lineup, the Habs are misfiring, and the result was another half-hearted, disorganized loss to the Senators last night.
To their credit, the Sens are playing much better than during the first 10 or so games of the season. They took advantage of a porous Montreal defensive squad and outshot the Canadiens, 25-15, after two periods, 31-23 on the night.
The only reason this game wasn't over in the second period was because of the scintillating play of Carey Price.
The Habs had their chances, mind you, as the lack of physicality in the game allowed them to employ an effective cycle based off their speed and skill. But when they did have good scoring chances, Brian Elliott was there to shut the door.
Final score: Sens 3, Habs 2
Habs' scorers: Jaroslav Spacek (1), Brian Gionta (2)
Sens' scorers: Alex Kovalev (4, 5), Zack Smith (2)
Three Stars: 1. Alex Kovalev, 2. Carey Price, 3. Brian Elliott
Game Notes
1. It's Time To Send Lars Eller to Hamilton
I'm sorry, but a player as promising as Eller needs to be playing more minutes and absolutely cannot be wasted in the press box as he was last night. If the coach doesn't see him fitting into the lineup, then send him down to Hamilton and let him play top-line minutes. This will help him to continue seasoning.
If Jacques Martin, who does not have the best reputation of bringing along young players, is going to give Eller the press box treatment, then the latter should not be playing in Montreal.
This past week, Habs prospect Max Pacioretty came out publicly on Montreal airwaves (Team 990) to say that if he is was going to play in the top six with the Habs, he'd rather play the whole season in Hamilton.
Pacioretty went on to say that every time he made a mistake last year, he was demoted or put in the press box, and that hurt his confidence.
This is exactly the same treatment that Eller is getting from the wise old coach, right now, and I fear that it will do more damage than good. As such, I would rather the Habs send Eller to Hamilton and bring up a David Desharnais or Ryan White.
Please, oh please, Jacques Martin, don't destroy another promising prospect!
2. Price Was the Unsung Hero of the Game
When the Canadiens legs went to sleep in the second period and the Sens were blitzing the offensive zone, Price was the difference-maker. His excellent play kept the score close long enough for the Habs to climb back into things with a fluky, late second-period goal.
Price kept his teammates in the game again last night and gave them an opportunity to win the game.
But when Tomas Plekanec couldn't score on a short-handed break with the Habs trailing by a goal, the game was lost. On the ensuing play in the Canadiens zone, Kovalev scored his second of the game on what would end up being the winning goal.
3. Brian Gionta Was Better but Michael Cammalleri Was Worse
Gionta had more jump to his game, as he seemed to be skating with a sense of liberation on the Tomas Plekanec line, and he was rewarded with his second goal of the season late in the third period.
The goal was a bit of a lucky one on a shot from the outside that seemed to go through Elliott. But he'll take the goal and cross his fingers that it will dislodge that monkey's firm grip on his back.
The bigger problem for the Canadiens, right now, is that Gionta and Gomez's lethargy seems to have rubbed off on Andrei Kostitsyn and Michael Cammalleri.
AK46 has zero points and a minus-4 rating over his last five games, while Cammalleri has only two assists over his last six games.
Add that to Gionta's one goal and one assist in his last nine, and Gomez's one goal and two assists over 14 games, and you see why the Habs are struggling to win.
Right now, the Canadiens look a lot more like the .500 team from 2009-10 that was last in 5-on-5 scoring than the team that roared to a 7-4-1 record to start the season.
Cammalleri, in particular, played one of his worst games of the season. He looked tired, like the rest of the team, and when you're tired you tend to cheat and use your stick rather than take that extra stride. Cammy took a terrible slashing penalty to kill the Habs' 5-on-3 power play when the game was still tied at zero.
Had the Canadiens been able to score on that PP, it would have changed the entire complexion of the game.
4. Aside from Price, the Fourth Line is the Only Thing that Is Functioning
Benoit Pouliot looks as if he has rediscovered his confidence playing on the fourth line with Mathieu Darche and Jeff Halpern. That trio combined for some of the Habs' best offensive moments against the Senators last night. While they didn't score, if they can keep playing this well, they will provide valuable offensive depth.
There were a few shifts in the second period where the Habs were in the Sens zone for almost a minute each time, with Pouliot carrying the puck and controlling the play as his linemates used their gritty play to create time and space.
Even if they are not contributing offensively, lines like this can grab the momentum away from the opposition and help transfer it to the other lines.
Now if only the top-six could get going!
5. Speaking of Missing in Action, Where Is the Habs Third Line?
I have already stated that I am not a fan of Eller in the press box. That being said, there were three capable players on the third line last night, but the trio was completely invisible.
To a man, Maxim Lapierre, Dustin Boyd and Tom Pyatt contributed nothing to the Habs lineup last night. This further compounds the issues in the Canadiens offensive ranks, as a one-line team will not win many games. Especially when that one line is their fourth line.
Standings and Next Game
The loss moves the Canadiens to 8-5-1 with 17 points in the standings. Their hold on first place in the Northeast Division is tenuous with both the Senators and Bruins at 15 points in the standings. The Bruins also hold three games in hand.
The Canadiens are now entering a more difficult part of their schedule as they play Vancouver, Boston and Philadelphia over the next 10 days.
Hopefully Jacques Martin can use their two days off to find some stable lines before they welcome the surging Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday in Montreal. Tuesday's tilt will be the first real test of the season for the Canadiens, and with their recent swoon they are going to have their hands full.
The Habs are now 1-3-0 in their last four games, and were it not for a disheveled Sabres squad, they might be on a four-game losing streak right now.
(Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images North America)
Outside of his hard work ethic and his ability to chill without complaint in the press box, I just don’t get Mathieu Darche. What else does he bring to the Montreal Canadiens, who re-signed him for league minimum to another year?
He’s weak defensively and offensively. He’s far too slow on his skates compared to the rest of the team. He’s a perimeter player, a fourth line grinder who can log minutes when someone goes down to injury.
The thing is, no one is currently injured, and Darche is about to see ice-time again tonight as the Habs gear up to take on the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank. Cooling his jets this evening will be Dustin Boyd.
Boyd is, without question, a better skater and a better grinder, with more skill and ability than Darche. He’s also got a bigger cap hit, the same solid work ethic and is not currently injured.
This is Jacques Martin, playing one of his favorites. I saw it last year with Marc-Andre Bergeron too, and I didn’t like it then either.
Even when Bergeron was constantly turning over the puck, throwing blind passes through the neutral zone, and failing to keep the puck in the offensive zone, Jacques Martin kept him on the ice and kept Ryan O’Byrne in the press box.
Speaking of Ryan O’Byrne, is he even still on the team? If he is, I suspect he won’t be for much longer. He’s assumed the role of Sergei Kostitsyn, which means he’s now the Alpha Dog in Martin’s doghouse. I’d bet serious money he’ll be offloaded before the trade deadline, and it’s really to his benefit, because he will never fulfill his potential under this coach.
Also unlikely to fulfill his potential under this coach is Benoit Pouliot. He’s got top-six potential and was not drafted or projected to be a third or fourth line grinder. It’s the same with Lars Eller. Yet Martin seems to think that instant magical chemistry will develop for the second line with Travis Moen, Tom Pyatt or even Darche before it will develop with Pouliot or Eller.
Pouliot and Eller are the only two on the roster with the skill set to potentially compliment the Scott Gomez–Brian Gionta pairing. But Martin seems to have little to no faith in the two youngsters.
I thought Martin was hired in part for his ability to get the best out of young prospects and help their development. I don’t know what Martin did for Spezza, but I do see what he’s doing with these kids, and I don’t like it.
This year, goaltender Carey Price’s confidence is growing, as it should. He’s a solid goaltender who can and will morph into one of the greats as long as he doesn’t keep getting pulled in favor of his backup. That's an option Martin no longer has, thanks to the trading of Jaroslav Halak, and Price will benefit from that more than anything Martin really does.
Jacques expects too much, too soon, out of players that need nurturing, not constant punishment. Make no mistake, demoting Pouliot to the bottom two lines is not a show of confidence in his abilities.
Pouliot, to his credit, is working hard and is near the top of the league in hits, averaging three per game. He packed on 12 pounds of muscle in the offseason as his coaches asked and is more likely than not to battle for the puck to try to force a turnover. His effort and hard work are a refreshing change.
It’s not getting rewarded. I’ve never been a fan of the kid because I’ve always thought that while he had the potential, he lacked the focus and desire. I don’t really believe that anymore.
When I first started my current job, it took me weeks to find and follow the rhythm of my co-workers, to step into their groove and follow their lead. Now I do it without thinking.
If Martin wants chemistry on the second line, he might want to try giving it more than three lousy games to develop.
I’d also really like it if he’d stop playing favorites with his roster. It might not be the biggest problem the Habs have right now, but I fail to see how it helps anything to send that kind of a message.
--- Tyg used to frequent the old Forum during her early childhood when her father was a corporate season ticket holder, where she fell in love with Larry Robinson, so her lifelong obsession with the Habs is entirely his fault.
In part one of Plus/Minus, I reviewed the Canadiens' defense and goaltending so far. Granted, it is only five games into the season, but there have been a lot of good and bad things that we have seen from the Habs over that period.
Today, in part two, I will review the good and the bad of the Canadiens' forward corp and special teams.
So, without further ado, here are the details!
Forwards
-Line numbers aside—since people tend to interchange line one and two—the Tomas Plekanec, Michael Cammalleri, Andrei Kostitsyn trio has been the Canadiens most effective offensive combo to date.
They total a combined 12 points (six goals, six assists) and a plus-8 rating over the five games played.
Plekanec is leading the way with five points (two goals, three assists), a plus-one rating, and a team leading (for forwards) average time on ice of 21:19.
Plekanec is Jacques Martin's go-to guy and plays in all situations whether even strength or short handed. In addition, he is tied for the team lead with two goals, and is second among regular centers with a 52.89% faceoff win percentage. This is one guy who is being buoyed, not weighed down, by his big ticket contract.
His linemates too are playing some of the best hockey of their careers.
While Cammalleri's three points (two goals, one assist) and brilliant plus-five rating are to be expected from the team’s number one sniper, Kostitsyn's performance is a different story.
Averaging 15:46 of ice-time, AK46 is playing some of the best hockey of his career. Not only does he have four points (two goals, two assists) and a plus-one rating over five games, but he is playing the type of game that made him the tenth overall selection in the 2003 NHL draft.
Kostitsyn is known for his quick release and blistering shot, but what he has failed to do over recent years is put in a consistent effort, night in and night out. So far this season, Kostitsyn looks like a man possessed using his speed and considerable size to bulldoze his way to the front of the net and score goals and create opportunities in the process.
Whether it is because his distraction of a brother in no longer in town, that this is a contract year for him, or for any other reason, AK46 is showing that he is a legitimate top-six forward. Moreover, is he keeps playing like this, expect him to break that so far elusive 30-goal barrier this year.
-While the Plekanec line has been scintillating, the Scott Gomez line has been anything but. Gomez himself seems to be the biggest problem on that line as his timing seems to be off.
I don't know if he is concealing an injury or is just not full in game mode, but that line has to get going in a hurry as the Canadiens won't go very far with one top offensive line.
Gionta, to his credit, has been trying and leads all Canadiens shooters with 18 shots on goal. He got his first goal of the season in a home win against the Ottawa Senators on the weekend, and hopefully he can carry that momentum into tonight's game against the Devils.
The third spot on that line is a rotating door that has been filled, at times, by Benoit Pouliot, Travis Moen, and others. Tonight, it is Tom Pyatt's turn to audition for that spot.
This line is a mess right now and needs to get sorted out in a hurry. I doubt that Tom Pyatt will be the answer and think that any of Maxim Lapierre, Ryan White, or Dustin Boyd would be great fits on that line, as all three have speed, grit and skill.
-The third line has been a solid contributor so far this season. Anchored by Jeff Halpern, who has three points (two goals, one assist) and is leading all regular centerman with a scintillating 58.93% faceoff win percentage, this line bring grit, skill, and a scoring touch.
If you'll remember, one of the biggest problems the Canadiens had last year was that their third and fourth lines rarely scored goals. Well, so far it doesn't look like the Canadiens will have the same problem this year as they have a much deeper and more skilled bottom-six.
Halpern's wingers of late have been Lapierre and Lars Eller. Lapierre has picked up where he left off during the playoffs playing a fast, skilled, in-your-face game that drives the opposition crazy and accumulates points in the process.
Eller's play has been up and down. Some game you notice him more than others but when you do notice him, he looks quite spectacular. His speed, skill, and size will make him into a formidable top-six forward. In the meantime, however, I think that if he is not going to play in his natural position—which is center—or get a shot in the top-six, then he should be playing in Hamilton.
-The Habs fourth line is doing exactly what they have to do through five games. Hitting, grinding, tiring out the opposition, and being reliable defensively. Comprised of a combination of Dustin Boyd, Tom Pyatt, Mathieu Darche, Benoit Pouliot, and Travis Moen, this line has the ability to surprise the opposition with speed, skill, grit, and a tenacious forecheck. You can't ask for much more out of a fourth line.
Pouliot, in particular, keeps getting his chances on the second line and while he has shown a few flashes or strong, tenacious play, he hasn't been getting the job done. Playing him on the fourth line will do nothing for his confidence and won't help him progress. You have to think that if things don't change in a hurry, he could be on his way out of town by Christmas.
Special Teams
-The Canadiens special teams are like A Tale of Two Cities or Jekyll and Hyde. Where the penalty kill looks like the beautiful princess, the power play has seemed more like the ugly step-sister.
Clicking at a brilliantly effective 90% kill rate, the Canadiens' penalty kill is currently tied for third overall in the league.
Led by Plekanec and Halpern, the Habs have done a great job of keeping the opposition to the outside, cutting off passing lanes, and clearing rebounds.
Their top-five ranked penalty kill is exactly where it needs to be if they are going to have a successful season.
-The power play, on the other hand, has scored one goal on 17 chances for a dismal 5.9% efficiency, dead last in the league.
Needless to say, this is just not good enough. While the upside is a considerable increase in five-on-five scoring versus last season, the Canadiens must get their power play clicking at around a 20%-plus level in order to be competitive this season
Coach Martin has tried the duo of P.K. Subban and Jaroslav Spacek as his number one power play defensive pairing but those two have not year had any success. Spacek in particular looks like he is the weaker link of the two.
Andrei Markov—who looks like he is about a week away from returning—cannot come back soon enough. This team is missing his vision and creativity from the back end. Not to mention his ability to find the open shooter and open up seems.
The good news is that the Canadiens have been winning in his absence and without an effective power play, but that could change in a hurry.
As has been the case the last few seasons, the Canadiens need to have a top-five ranked power play in order to be competitive this season and I believe that they will. Getting Markov back will not solve the whole problem, but it will definitely go a long way.
Enjoy the game tonight, folks, but in the meantime, let me know what you have liked and disliked about the Canadiens forwards and special teams so far.
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)
Il n'y a pas que Carey Price qui devra subir énormément de pression en ce début de saison: Benoît Pouliot et Andrei Kostitsyn sont deux attaquants qui se retrouvent agents libres avec restrictions à la fin de la saison 2010-2011 et ils doivent prouver leur valeur à la direction de l'équipe. Maintenant que le camp d'entraînement terminé, il semble pratiquement certain que les deux attaquants auront l'avantage de commencer l'année sur l'un des deux premiers trios.
Andrei Kostitsyn Photo: Dave Sandford/NHLI
En plus de terminer leur contrat au terme de la présente campagne, les deux joueurs partagent aussi d'autres points en commun. D'abord, parmi les attaquants offensifs du tricolore, Pouliot et Kostitsyn sont les seuls à amener une certaine présence physique. Le franco-ontarien mesure 6 pieds et 3 pouces et pèse 199 livres tandis que AK46 mesure 6 pieds et fait vaciller la balance à 214 livres.
Pouliot, 24 ans, a été le quatrième choix au total lors du repêchage de 2005. Kostitsyn, lui aussi un choix de première ronde, a été sélectionné dixième au total en 2003 est maintenant âgé de 25 ans.
* Voici les statistiques en carrière de Benoît Pouliot et de Andrei Kostitsyn dans la LNH.
Benoît Pouliot
Andrei Kostitsyn
Leur plus grande ressemblance si situe toutefois dans le fait qu'ils sont deux joueurs énigmatiques pour l'organisation du Canadien. Dans les deux cas, ils connaissent des séquences nous laissant croire qu'ils exploseront et s'imposeront comme des attaquants de premier plan dans la ligue ... avant de sombrer dans une léthargie profonde.
Leur inconstance irrite les partisans qui veulent régulièrement les échanger contre un paquet d'arachides déjà entamé. Les entraîneurs, quant à eux, cherchent des réponses en jonglant avec leurs trio dans le but de trouver la recette pour que ces deux joueurs produisent.
Selon vous, qu'adviendra-t-il de Benoît Pouliot et de Andrei Kostitsyn à la fin de la saison?
L'un d'eux se démarquera-t-il pour se mériter un contrat avec l'équipe l'été prochain?
Les jeunes comme Eller, Pacioretty, Palushaj sont-ils prêts pour prendre la place de ces deux gros attaquants?
Two games does not make a trend of course, but after watching the Habs split their road openers against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Pittsburgh Penguins, like most fans several things have already caught my eye about this year’s version of the team.
Let’s start with the good.
Goaltending
I was one of the fans who disliked the Jaroslav Halak/Lars Eller trade. It’s not that I preferred one goaltender over the other but that I mostly disliked the return and the instant mega load it dropped on the shoulders of Carey Price.
There were other intangibles that bothered me about the trade too, but I’d rather not rehash history. It’s done and now I’m happy to see that it seems my fears about Price’s confidence issues have been proven unfounded.
Price was solid versus both Toronto and Pittsburgh, and more than anything I like his focus and his ability to remain unruffled after each goal goes in. If the Habs can offer up a bit more goal support this year they’re going to help their netminder make the naysayers eat some large helpings of crow.
I like mine well done.
The Rookie
I liked PK Subban a lot in the playoffs, mostly because he didn’t play like Marc-Andre Bergeron. He took the hit, he moved the puck forward and he made some smart plays.
I’ve heard his name associated with the Calder Cup Trophy a few times this past summer but I’ve refrained from hopping on that bandwagon. He made mistakes in the playoffs too, but because of the magical fairy ride the Habs were on it sometimes got overlooked.
Tonight he played like a veteran despite being targeted for extra special attention by the Penguins. He failed to take the bait, worked hard to get the job done despite a stick to the face, and helped keep the puck out of his own net.
Chemistry Alert
In the Toronto game winger Michael Cammalleri sat in the press box due to the now-infamous suspension. Meanwhile, Tomas Plekanec was largely invisible and uncharacteristically failed to take a hit to make a play that resulted in a goal against.
He appeared to be a little off balance all night.
Tonight he made a beautiful dash-and-pass to Cammalleri, made smart plays along the boards to win possession, and was a solid part of the penalty kill. He was back in his usual top-six form and all I can think is that he’s making Pierre Gauthier’s deal look a lot like a K-Mart Blue Light Special.
Pundits like to talk about the chemistry between Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta holding over from their time together in New Jersey, but lately the Plekanec/Cammalleri love fest is putting them to shame.
Fingers crossed that they both stay healthy this year.
OK, time for the bad.
The Entire Second Line
I’m not sure where the second line spent most of the night, but I rarely saw it on the ice. Sure Scott Gomez got the game winning goal, but it was his first shot on goal in almost two full games.
Newly minted Captain Brian Gionta is inexplicably invisible, though when I take the time to focus on him, I can see he’s still trying to do all the right things. I’m just not sure why they’re not getting done.
Benoit Pouliot delivered a few hits and even got an assist on the Gomez goal. I’m still not convinced that he’s got any kind of chemistry with the other two, who themselves seem to have lost their mojo at this point.
Why this line can’t kick it from neutral into drive is puzzling and worrisome. Pre-season is over.
Goal Support
Carey Price has had this team’s back twice now. It’s unrealistic and unfair to expect him to hold off the opposition by standing on his head, while the Habs get outshot and outchanced. It's a recipe for disaster.
Marc-Andre Fleury should have stopped the eventual game winner, and there were a couple of times the Penguins should have potted it but didn’t. The Habs aren’t always going to get that lucky.
I’m pretty sure that last minute panic is not going to get the job done. Playing a bit more desperately well before the clock ticks fatefully down at the end of the third period, would be a nice change.
The Power Play
Even if Markov weren’t missed on defense, his absence from the power play is unmistakable. Tonight Jaroslav Spacek managed to blast a couple of shots at the net, but he’s really a poor substitute for his more versatile blueline teammate.
While the penalty killers are getting a workout, I’d much prefer it if the Habs would maintain a bit more discipline and not take some truly stupid penalties.
Last but not least, the ugly.
Hockey Basics
I really only have one thing that’s outright got me rolling my eyes at this team right now and that’s tape-to-tape passing.
The Canadiens seem incapable of doing it.
More often than not the shooter will try to pass the puck either too far in front of the receiver or too far behind. Even if he does manage to hit his man, usually the puck still ends up in his skates or bounces off the stick to an opposing player.
In stark contrast the Penguins routinely completed their passes and used that speed and skill to gain entry into the offensive zone instead of just relying on dump and chase.
I know Coach Jacques Martin prefers to focus on defense but I’d really like to see some improvement in this area. It was downright brutal to watch.
All things considered, I like a lot of what I saw the first two games out of the gate, so I remain cautiously optimistic for the remained of the season.
How about you?
--- Tyg used to frequent the old Forum during her early childhood when her father was a corporate season ticket holder, where she fell in love with Larry Robinson, so her lifelong obsession with the Habs is entirely his fault.
A fellow blogger recently put out a challenge asking his cohorts to build their own lines for the upcoming 2010-2011 version of the Montreal Canadiens and the results were intriguing, to say the least.
One of the things I found most interesting was what the writers chose to do with rookie Lars Eller, who has had a solid camp and shown potential as a top-six forward—but will likely start the season as a 3rd line centreman.
Like several of my fellow Habs bloggers, I chose to start the season with Eller on the top line and I had several reasons for this decision as follows.
1. Offensive Support
Neither Benoit Pouliot nor Andrei Kostitsyn has ever shown sustained ability, willingness or desire to maintain their slots as top-six wingers.
Pouliot managed to get credit for two goals in the game versus the Islanders on Saturday, but the first was a direct result of hard work by Jeff Halpern that was all but spoon fed to him, and the second was mistakenly credited to Pouliot instead of Eller.
Kostitsyn, on the other hand, has had a much better camp this preseason and his centreman Tomas Plekanec maintains that the big winger is much more engaged and focused.
That said, AK46 has shown bouts of potential before, and tends to get red hot before he slumps into something resembling an iceberg.
I’m not convinced either player will prove to be any more offensive this season than they did last year, and if that’s the case the Habs are looking at another 26th place finish in goals scored.
If that does happen the Canadiens will be lucky to make the playoffs this season.
Meanwhile, Lars Eller has proven that he has the size, skill and speed required to produce on one of the top two lines. He sees the ice well, goes to the net, battles hard and can score goals.
His compete level alone is a major upgrade from both Pouliot and Kostitsyn.
2. Third Line Center
I know that Eller is a natural centreman, but I don’t think the third line will be as much disarray as it was last year.
Gone are Dominic Moore and Glen Metropolit, and Ben Maxwell is also likely to be sent back to Hamilton.
In my opinion, Pierre Gauthier signed Dustin Boyd along with Jeff Halpern this season to help fill the void left by the departing players.
Tom Pyatt and Maxim Lapierre are also capable of being anchors, so I don’t think the problem at centre for the third line is anywhere near as critical as the need for another top-six forward.
You can also add Ryan White to the list of potential third line centers—assuming he makes the roster.
3. Growth Potential
Eller’s young enough that even if he does turn into the projected second line center he’s supposed to become, he can’t get there anytime soon barring injury or trade.
Pouliot’s only on a one-year deal and Kostitsyn is in the final year of his contract. Eller’s in a fantastic position to win a long-term slot on the wing, learning and growing from some of the best veterans currently on the roster.
Keeping Eller on the third line seems like a misuse of time and effort. Why waste him for a year at center when he could be learning solid two- way play from Plekanec instead?
4. Salary Cap
If Eller does turn into a half-decent winger it would allow Gauthier to clear cap by moving Pouliot or Kostitsyn and maybe even someone like Moen, as Willey has suggested.
With the Habs tight against the cap it would afford a little more breathing room should the injury bug strike this season.
Despite my reasons for having Eller start the season as a top-six forward, I fully expect Jacques Martin to keep him as a third line center for much of the year. Since Kostitsyn had a great camp and Pouliot got a nifty raise I think it’s highly unlikely either one is getting bumped.
If Pouliot doesn’t find some inner drive though, Martin has shown willingness, in the past, to drop him down a couple of lines or bench him altogether—as he did during the playoffs. Kostitsyn will also need to maintain more focus and effort this year to prove he’s worthy of a new contract.
If either of them fails to produce or there’s another injury-riddled season ahead, I expect Eller to make the jump to the top-six, work his butt off as usual, and challenge to keep his new slot.
He’s really the only player with the skill set to make that transition, and I think it’s why Pierre Gauthier had the foresight to put a kid on the roster with that kind of flexibility.
Lars Eller might start off as a third line centreman this year, but I think he’ll finish the season on one of the top two lines. After that, I expect he’ll stay there.
--- Tyg used to frequent the old Forum during her early childhood when her father was a corporate season ticket holder, where she fell in love with Larry Robinson, so her lifelong obsession with the Habs is entirely his fault.
Hockey Inside/Out - Alex Auld playing the waiting game
