Even Jacques Martin, normally known for his stoic, monotone ways, was cracking jokes with the media while sporting an ear-to-ear grin.
And why not?
His team is playing well despite some egregiously glaring holes in their play. This brings to mind the old sports adage that you are never as good as you seem when you are winning and never as bad when you are losing.
Despite a 5-2-1 record and a share of first overall in the Northeast Division, the Canadiens have a few problems that need fixing as they prepare to take on the surprising New York Islanders at the Bell Centre tonight.
The Isles, with a 4-2-2 record, have ten points and are one point behind the first place—in the Atlantic Division—Pittsburgh Penguins.
While it is still very early in the season, a match-up against a conference rival is always important whether in October or in March.
Offensive contributions
On offense, the Canadiens have been receiving some fine play from the likes of Andrei Kostitsyn (five goals, three assists), Michael Cammalleri (three goals, three assists), and Tomas Plekanec (three goals, four assists) who is clearly the offensive catalyst for the Habs.
Their second line, however, has been flatlined as Scott Gomez (one goal, two assists) and Brian Gionta (one goal, one assist) have struggled to get going. Their difficulties are compounded by the carousel of players who have played on their wing—Benoit Pouliot, Tom Pyatt, Travis Moen, Mathieu Darche—in an attempt to find chemistry.
While the Habs' penalty kill has been excellent so far—three goals allowed on 32 chances—their power play has left much to be desired—2-for-29, 6.9% efficiency—and it should benefit from the return of Andrei Markov this weekend.
Strengths and Weaknesses on the back end
On the backend, Jaroslav Spacek has been struggling while his partner, Roman Hamrlik, has been a steadying influence playing a team high 24:55 on Monday against the Coyotes.
Youngster P.K. Subban seems to be settling into a groove after an up and down pre-season and first few games of the regular season. He seems to have taken everyone's advice and simplified his game and the result is that he is the Canadiens best defenseman right now.
When will we see Alex Auld?
Montreal wouldn't be Montreal without some discussion of the goaltenders and, despite Carey Price's brilliant performance so far this season—five wins, 2.23 GAA, .918 save percentage—a lot of the talk yesterday was about backup goaltender Alex Auld and when he will play his first game of the season.
In my mind, the only reason to start Auld is because you don't want him to get too rusty sitting on the sidelines. The idea is that he should play every once in a while, regardless of how well Price is playing, so that he stays sharp.
Given that the Canadiens are playing four games in six nights this week, I think there is a very real possibility that Auld could get his first start in Long Island on Friday.
While I understand the logic of playing Auld, Price is on fire right now and unless he tells the coaches that he is tired or they have some reason to believe he needs rest, I would keep playing him.
Price is only 23 and tonight is only the Habs' ninth game of the season, so there is no fatigue factor going on right now.
Price is in a groove right now so why not keep him there?
What to do with Lars Eller?
Eller played a few shifts with some talented wingers, for a change, and the result was the winning goal in overtime. While one game does not make a season, there is no denying that Eller's considerable talents seem to be wasted on the wing—as he is a playmaker—and on the fourth line.
I said in my post-game analysis, that I would either try him between Gionta and Pouliot, or slot him as the third line center between Lapierre and Pouliot, and see what happens.
That being said, all indications are that Coach Martin is going with the same lineup that won Monday night, meaning that Eller will start on the fourth line. Don't be surprised, however, if we see him shifted up a line or two at certain points in the game, depending on how the game plays out.
The puck drops at 7:30 pm tonight and the game is being broadcast on RDS.
So what would you do with the Alex Auld? What about Eller? Would you play him on the wing or at center and with which wingers?
(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)
4 comments:
Jeez first Cammy takes a shot by saying that the more players have time to develop together the better the chemistry, and now Pouliot's pleading for patience and time to develop chemistry.
Why is it on Pouliot or Eller or anyone else to "get Gomez and Gionta going"? Isn't that on them?
Put Spacek on waivers. I don't care if Alex Auld doesn't play a single game all season. Eller's going to bounce around like a yoyo for some time yet methinks.
Ya, I hate Jacques Martin. Idiot.
LOL!!!!!!
Tyg, you're the best! I love when you post comments like this because they are intelligent AND they make me laugh so hard that I spit out my coffee.
Damn shame of a waste of coffee...
That aside, you're right....
I remember when Kovalev was in one of his many funks on the Habs, and the media asked Gainey if Plekanec could help get Kovalev going.
Gainey repsonded in typical Gainey "I kick your ass politely" fashion by saying "How about Kovalev gets Plekanec going?"
There is a disconnect with Gio and Gomez right now and I would try to split them up to see what happens.
What's wrong with that, aside from maybe some bruised egos?
Either that, or put Pouliot on that line and leave him there for 10 games. Not three, not two periods, but 10 games. Let them play and see what happens.
If, after that point, they are still not working together, then completely dismantle that line.
They won't waive Spatch. Maybe they should, but they won't.
woohoo...win #6 tonight. AK46 with another goal, and Plek with 2pts. Didnt get a chance to see the game but watched the hilights on TSN. I seen on some other sites ppl are praising Matty Darche...which is nice, even though i wanted him jettisoned just as fast as anyone else. He seems to be playing well right now which is good. My take on Lars...try him on the 2nd line for a game or two and if there are no scoring chances or points from that line then I go with splitting Gio+Gom. Where is the Max Lapierre from the preseason? I think Pyatt needs to be a bulldog again with either Desharnais, White, Maxwell or Palushaj coming up for a few games. White and Palushaj haven't been lighting it up for the 'Dogs so maybe you reward Desharnais or Maxwell since both are near the top of the Bulldogs point producers.
He's Big, He's Bald, He's....the starting goaltender in Long Island. You go Double 'A'. Carey needs a game off...and i think this is it. I am a believer of riding the hot hand but the Habs play too much this week and 1 game would be a welcomed break i think.
I have posted on this page as Hirky in the past but just realized i had a Google Account i forgot about....so now I am David on here, and hope to be a regular poster. GO HABS GO!!!
Hi David and thanks for your comment!
Yep, the team is playing well right now despite some glaring holes. If they can patch the few problems they have they might be able to become a very dangerous team.
Darche did and has been playing well, but I too would prefer to see, say, Ryan White in the lineup instead.
Eller, I like on the third line at center but think JM should try him with Pouliot and Lapierre.
As for Pyatt, he is a great utility player but, at this point, could be interchanged with MANY different players in the AHL.
Yep, it's offical that Auld will get the start on Friday. That hsould be interesting because he will be facing an Islanders team that is hungry for revenge.
Thanks, again, for your post and please keep them coming!
Post a Comment