Date: 20/10/2017
Opponent: Anaheim
Location: Honda Center
Loss: 6-2
Montreal Goalie: Price (L)
Anaheim Goalie: Gibson (W)
Montreal goalscorers: Gallagher, Byron
Anaheim goalscorers: Grant (2), Vermette, Montour, Wagner, Rasmussen
Showing posts with label Anaheim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anaheim. Show all posts
Monday, October 23, 2017
Thursday, February 17, 2011
On Habs Defenceman Paul Mara
The Canadiens have moved again prior to the deadline, acquiring Centennial season also-ran, Paul Mara.
He's played with Gill, with Hamrlik, with Spacek even with Weber. Hey, he's probably even partnered Brett Festerling. He is what he is. Depth.
I have a lot to say about this, but fortunately it's already been said for me by the like-minded J.T. at The H Does Not Stand For Habs. As she points out, the Mara move shouldn't elicit too many groans. Certainly no more than the pun in the header...
He's played with Gill, with Hamrlik, with Spacek even with Weber. Hey, he's probably even partnered Brett Festerling. He is what he is. Depth.
I have a lot to say about this, but fortunately it's already been said for me by the like-minded J.T. at The H Does Not Stand For Habs. As she points out, the Mara move shouldn't elicit too many groans. Certainly no more than the pun in the header...
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Fear Of Precedence
Sometimes life and fan life collide.
Last week, ended for me on Friday with a rebuff of a new idea I had brought forward. Saturday ended a week of hockey in a similar way. The common theme was establishment of precedence and the pervasive fear that surrounds it.
It wasn’t the first time I have had a proposal rebuffed for the danger of the precedent it could set. Sometimes, no matter how perfect the fit, an idea just has to die for this reason. Similarly, I thought, the ideas that were floating around in the build-up to Saku Koivu’s first game back in Montreal.
Leading up to that game, there were many suggestions that the team might do something special to honour a special player in the history of the Canadiens. I was actually quite giddy in the buildup, as I anticipated something fitting from the organization that used to have a knack for gauging these events just right.
Instead, what the Canadiens offered was a video montage of a few seconds. More than that, it only showed the April 2002 ovation and none of his other moments in Montreal. It was a sad-sack effort considering what they’ve been able to pull off in the past. Luckily for the Canadiens brass, the fans still remember how to show a bit of class and picked up the mantle by giving a proper ovation anyway and then clogging the popularity contest lines with Koivu votes. As if to complete their complete fumble, the organization (who incidentally does claim they have the right to review 3 star choices and adjust) decided they’d stick to their idiotic policy of naming the OT goalscorer the first star. This despite the fact that the goal was:
a) Scored in a shootout
b) Ignored the actual stars of the game (well this rule does)
c) Went completely against the fans wishes for a special honour bestowed on Saku
And what for?
For precedence.
Worried perhaps that the honouring a returning player for another team would set a dangerous precedent in a time when the number of such players is high. Worried perhaps that all future captains will need to have some sort of ceremonious return. Worried that perhaps their 3 star system won’t be respected if contravened for this special case.
Hogwash. It’s total pig swill. None of these concerns are founded. The organization needed to recognize what a special case that Koivu was. 15 years from draft to departure with this team. Most of 13 years as the face of the franchise and the best player on the ice from game to game. 10 full years as the captain.
This game, this return, will likely be the last opportunity that the Canadiens have for a very long time to honour such a player. The bigger league, salary cap and all have changed the landscape. Teams aren’t always going to be able to hold their top players when they need leverage to rebuild. Teams will have trouble giving progressive raises without intervention from the lower free agency limits. And that’s to say nothing of the ten year captaincy. Or the player that Koivu was.
The team tripped up big time here. They didn’t need to do much other than nod to the significance of the event. They couldn’t even manage that small ask. This was a too-many-men-on-the-ice-type penalty for the management.
On that note, I’ll segue into another similar discussion: what to do on Koivu’s retirement.
Those of you who’ve commented on our banner, and read our praise for the player know that this blog is not far from camping with those who would call for a sweater retirement for the captain of a decade. And this discussion is a discussion of precedence if there ever was one. There are precedents to be followed and precedents that could be set.
On following precedents. Koivu doesn’t come close to meeting the precedents that have been set in terms of trophies, Cups, or even statistics for any of those occupying the rafters. On these precedents alone, it’s a non-starter. But hockey is not baseball. Statisticians in hockey will tell you this. It cannot be measured by some algorithm for greatness. Hockey is a game that is imperfectly measured by statistics kept by the league. My case for Koivu would include us using our collective memories to recall the games where he led and played well without a single point for the gamelog. There were many games like this.
What’s more, these honours bestowed were not based on statistics alone, were they? The great honour was weighed in many ways. And so it should, in due time, with Koivu.
On the precedents it will set. I say precedents be damned. Exceptions are the prerogative of this organization in making these decisions. They are the prerogative of the fans who ask for the recognition. If the sweater retirement is to be discussed, that doesn’t mean that a door is opened to every player who ever scored 600 points, or every player that had long tenure. Koivu is Koivu is Koivu. He was and is special. The ovations showed that. And that’s all that needs to be said.
So don’t fear precedents. Yes Koivu now has more domes this season than Tom Pyatt. There’s nothing to fear in that.
Last week, ended for me on Friday with a rebuff of a new idea I had brought forward. Saturday ended a week of hockey in a similar way. The common theme was establishment of precedence and the pervasive fear that surrounds it.
It wasn’t the first time I have had a proposal rebuffed for the danger of the precedent it could set. Sometimes, no matter how perfect the fit, an idea just has to die for this reason. Similarly, I thought, the ideas that were floating around in the build-up to Saku Koivu’s first game back in Montreal.
Leading up to that game, there were many suggestions that the team might do something special to honour a special player in the history of the Canadiens. I was actually quite giddy in the buildup, as I anticipated something fitting from the organization that used to have a knack for gauging these events just right.
Instead, what the Canadiens offered was a video montage of a few seconds. More than that, it only showed the April 2002 ovation and none of his other moments in Montreal. It was a sad-sack effort considering what they’ve been able to pull off in the past. Luckily for the Canadiens brass, the fans still remember how to show a bit of class and picked up the mantle by giving a proper ovation anyway and then clogging the popularity contest lines with Koivu votes. As if to complete their complete fumble, the organization (who incidentally does claim they have the right to review 3 star choices and adjust) decided they’d stick to their idiotic policy of naming the OT goalscorer the first star. This despite the fact that the goal was:
a) Scored in a shootout
b) Ignored the actual stars of the game (well this rule does)
c) Went completely against the fans wishes for a special honour bestowed on Saku
And what for?
For precedence.
Worried perhaps that the honouring a returning player for another team would set a dangerous precedent in a time when the number of such players is high. Worried perhaps that all future captains will need to have some sort of ceremonious return. Worried that perhaps their 3 star system won’t be respected if contravened for this special case.
Hogwash. It’s total pig swill. None of these concerns are founded. The organization needed to recognize what a special case that Koivu was. 15 years from draft to departure with this team. Most of 13 years as the face of the franchise and the best player on the ice from game to game. 10 full years as the captain.
This game, this return, will likely be the last opportunity that the Canadiens have for a very long time to honour such a player. The bigger league, salary cap and all have changed the landscape. Teams aren’t always going to be able to hold their top players when they need leverage to rebuild. Teams will have trouble giving progressive raises without intervention from the lower free agency limits. And that’s to say nothing of the ten year captaincy. Or the player that Koivu was.
The team tripped up big time here. They didn’t need to do much other than nod to the significance of the event. They couldn’t even manage that small ask. This was a too-many-men-on-the-ice-type penalty for the management.
On that note, I’ll segue into another similar discussion: what to do on Koivu’s retirement.
Those of you who’ve commented on our banner, and read our praise for the player know that this blog is not far from camping with those who would call for a sweater retirement for the captain of a decade. And this discussion is a discussion of precedence if there ever was one. There are precedents to be followed and precedents that could be set.
On following precedents. Koivu doesn’t come close to meeting the precedents that have been set in terms of trophies, Cups, or even statistics for any of those occupying the rafters. On these precedents alone, it’s a non-starter. But hockey is not baseball. Statisticians in hockey will tell you this. It cannot be measured by some algorithm for greatness. Hockey is a game that is imperfectly measured by statistics kept by the league. My case for Koivu would include us using our collective memories to recall the games where he led and played well without a single point for the gamelog. There were many games like this.
What’s more, these honours bestowed were not based on statistics alone, were they? The great honour was weighed in many ways. And so it should, in due time, with Koivu.
On the precedents it will set. I say precedents be damned. Exceptions are the prerogative of this organization in making these decisions. They are the prerogative of the fans who ask for the recognition. If the sweater retirement is to be discussed, that doesn’t mean that a door is opened to every player who ever scored 600 points, or every player that had long tenure. Koivu is Koivu is Koivu. He was and is special. The ovations showed that. And that’s all that needs to be said.
So don’t fear precedents. Yes Koivu now has more domes this season than Tom Pyatt. There’s nothing to fear in that.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Game #49
Saku Wins; Helps Us Get A Point
Details
Date: 22/1/2011
Opponent: Ducks
Location: Montreal
Loss: 3-4 (SO)
Habs Goalie: Price (L)
Opposition Goalie: Hiller (W)
Habs goalscorers: Pacioretty (2), Darche
Opposition goalscorers: Fowler, Ryan (1, SO), Perry
Play of the game
The comeback goal, was of course a highlight for the Habs, but if we look at the event on a whole then the play of the game has to be the ovations that Saku got. He got a huge ovation before the first face-off and then another when he was announced as the second star (robbed of the first star thanks to Habs' questionable policy of making OT goalscorers (even in the shootout), regardless of how they played, the first star). It was great to see how much Montreal means to him and how much he means to Montreal. Who knows, maybe one day he'll be back.
Dome hockey team
The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the domeMax Pacioretty - Game Puck
There was some great fight from MaxPac tonight and it paid off with two goals. 3 in 2 nights is a lot better than any Hamilton call-up would (or has) done which is why it is great that Tuesday's injury wasn't as bad as initially expected. If he keeps playing like this until, and when, Camms is back we'll be quite alright.
Tomas Plekanec
He only got one assist tonight, but I thought played a very good game. He was instrumental on the tying goal which got the Habs an always welcome point. There were a lot of chances which developed thanks to his quick foot speed, all of which made him look so much better than Anaheim's defencemen.
Saku Koivu
Why not? Two years of not being able to write in here about him, I may as well now. Saku didn't have the best game, but I'd have him on the ice all night as he invoked so many special memories. Every time that I heard his name it took me a second to remember that he didn't play for us; I guess it still hasn't sunk in. He certainly contributed to the Habs success tonight as his 3 penalties led to 2 PP goals, one of which was the tying goal. Iam sure that he was thrilled that both teams got points as both teams need him. For you purists, I have chosen a third Hab for the dome and Topham has the selection marked in his statistics.
Defencemen
PK Subban
There were times that PK looked pretty awkward tonight on some of his pivots, but those low points were overshadowed by his strong offensive presence. He attempted an incredible 16 shots which shows just how much this kid wants to shoot. Only 6, however, got through, so he is still having that same release problem, but I do think that it is getting better. He has so much energy and is so fit that I am glad he is getting tons of ice time. He should be able to chew up a lot of regular season minutes as resting our veterans in the press-box isn't a very likely scenario with the injuries, so we have to find ways to get their ice-time down.
James Wisniewski
I wasn't a huge fan of the Wis tonight in his own end, but did like what he did in their half. Hammer, Spacek and Gill all showed signs of fatigue tonight so it was good that James was good to go. In fact, he played a whopping 30 minutes and was able to kill a big chunk of our D's ice-time. Knowing that, in general, he can hold his own in all aspects of play makes using him that much quite a good thing.
Goaltender
Carey Price
This was an average game from Price, but certainly he did enough to make the dome. I can't say that he really stood out for being that bad or that good tonight, he kind of just blended in. Knowing that he doesn't get a week for the All-Star break off (like his teammates) may have been good reason to give him last night against Ottawa off (I mean, I could have been in nets and we still would have won), but that is done. I may rest him on Tuesday, but have a strong feeling that JM won't.
Comments
It was funny that Lapierre got booed tonight. The former poster-boy of this club probably didn't expect that, but apparently we boo anyone who used to play for us (other than Saku). I suppose that I am not that surprised myself, though, as he did request a trade and made a lot of people think that he thought he was way better than he was. Maybe he thought that he was the type of player that we saw last April/May and not the one that we saw the other 120 games of the past 2 seasons. The night was still Koivu night, though, and Max's appearance didn't really matter.
There was still hockey to be played, though, and early on the Habs weren't doing much of that. Luckily for us, however, the Ducks weren't firing on all cylinders so on the game went. On a whole we probably ended up playing better than them, and Hiller better than Price, so a tie was just about right. We have one more game before the break and it would be nice to pick up points, but road games in Philly are never that easy. Win or lose, however, won't really matter. What matters is that after 50 games we will have at least 59 points in the bank (a 97-point pace). The 32 games after the break will certainly be tough, but I honestly believe that our fate is in our own hands. If we want to make the playoffs, there is no reason to believe that we won't.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Game #67
An Unlikely Comeback Ends A Productive Road-Trip
Details
Date: 07/03/10
Opponent: Ducks
Location: Anaheim
Win: 4-3 (SO)Habs Goalie: Price, Halak (W)
Opposition Goalie: Hiller (L)
Habs goalscorers: Plekanec (1, SO), Gionta (1, SO), Markov
Opposition goalscorers: Perry, Visnovsky, Niedermayer, (Getzlaf - SO)
Play of the game
So many to choose from and there I was 15 minutes from the end of the game wondering just what I may choose. The play that I keep coming back to, however, is that very first good play of the game from us; Plekanec's goal. That goal (we were down 0-3 at the time) gave us new life and made us realize that this team stacked with Olympians just isn't as hot in the NHL as one would assume. The play started when Gorges picked-off a pass in his own end. He then sent Plekanec away, up the middle, who, with blazing speed, got in alone and shelfed one on Hiller. It may have been a long time till we scored again, but I believe that that goal gave us the momentum that we would hold for the rest of the game.
Dome hockey team
The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the dome
ForwardsBrian Gionta
It was a quietish game from Gionta until there was about 2 minutes to play in the third. It was at that point that Martin decided Moore could use a little offensive help on his wing as Sergei, although decent, wasn't generating much. A great pass from Dom led to the 2-3 goal; Gionta's 20th. Brian then found a way to score (just barely as the puck was hung-up in Hiller's shirt) to keep the shootout alive.
Tomas Plekanec - Game Puck
Am I happier that Pleks scored, played a great game and we won or that Benoit Brunet was made to eat his words? Well, it is the win, of course, but you have to love when that guy is wrong (let's just say that there has been a whole lot of loving this season). Your best players may not be the best on every single shift (ask Crosby), and they may, at times, make mistakes, but when you need them the most there they are. Tonight's game was one of the best efforts all year from the 'can't-do-anything-right' centre. His breakaway goal was just the pecking on the surface as he went on to add shootout winner, game-high 7 shots and was 13-7 on face-offs.
Dominic Moore
Moore is the player that neither Lapierre (am I tough if I take cheap shots?) nor Metropolit (my legs age twice as fast as the rest of me) could be this season. He is quick, responsible, energetic and he finds a way to contribute offensively. Tonight it was thanks to his hard-work in the corner that we even scored a second goal - that marks his 4th point as a Hab in just 6 games. Like Pleks, he also did well in the face-off circle with a 62% efficiency.
Defencemen
Andrei Markov
Markov played a great game and was very involved at both ends. I pointed out last night that he was being rested for when we may need him more, for when we need the points more; well, tonight was that night. There was no lead, no points in the bank, no, if we wanted a win it was going to be tough work. So, it was not a surprise to see Andrei out there for a team-high 25+ in this one. I watched him very closely towards the end of the game and loved how he got the better of Perry, You see, it was Perry who (cheap as ever) slashed Markov at centre-ice. Well, instead of retaliating Markov simply went to the other end and managed to put the game-tying goal in. I love nothing more than seeing brats like Perry put in their place and am so glad that it was Markov that did it.
Josh Gorges
Jaro and Hammer had good games, but I felt that Josh stood out tonight above those two. He wasn't on the ice for a Duck goal, was on the ice for two of ours and had an incredible assist on Plekanec's 19th. I liked how he was being used on the PP as well as the PK tonight too. Right now he is playing like our 3rd or 4th best defender and is giving us some security on that 3rd pairing. I think that that move by Martin makes so much sense and allows Gill to be deployed at ES without there necessarily being a golden chance created against us.
Goaltender
Jaroslav Halak
Martin made the right call when he pulled Price after 1. 3 goals on 11 shots (all stoppable) didn't mean that we had to lose this game, it just meant that we couldn't let in too many more. Jaro came in and stopped everything that he saw (21 saves) and allowed his team to get right back into the game. He was very solid throughout and made a couple of game-savers in OT. He may have been lucky in the shootout as a couple of Ducks missed, but, luckily, he got the required goal-support. That is 2 wins in 24 hours for the kid and gives him 19 wins on the season. I think that the writing is on the wall, Jacques; Halak gives us the best chance to win, he cannot simply be a back-up. Let's see what happens this week, but I know that I want to win and that means that with 15 games left I'll put all my eggs in the Halak basket. After all he does win 25% (61% vs. 36%) more of his games than Price and we may just need those numbers now more than ever.
Comments
Had Price been on his game this could have easily been a 0-0 first period and we would all be talking about the great team effort that we had, once again, put on display. Instead it wasn't a good team effort, it was bad period and the Habs were in a hole that we often are unable to get out of. The change of goalie was, luckily, accompanied by a change of style from the Ducks and that meant that we would get a chance to peck away at a pretty sub-par defence. Little by little we kept coming, but Hiller proved to be too much. In the end, however, our 43 shots were too much and we found a way to score on three of those. OT could have gone either way as both goalies did the job and kept their teams alive. The shootout was exciting as Anaheim had not one, but two chances to win the game. Halak and Gionta, however, played the heroes and sent it to sudden-death. There the Ducks chose not to send the ultra-proficient Saku Koivu, but instead chose defenceman Wisniewski. We countered with a forward and that is what made the difference. It was great to see Saku again and he still looked very good. It was unusual to see him killing more penalties than playing on the PP, but I suppose that his role isn't what it used to be. I am happy, however, that he himself seems to be happy in California and am hoping that the Ducks can find a way into the dance. He has always been a class act and one can only hope the best for him. I am, therefore, happy that they got 1 point, but am much more pleased with the surprise 2 that we got. It is now back to Montreal and back to business on Tuesday as, believe it or not, there are only 15 games to play.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Kovalev Restarting PR Push?
I don't mean to call into question any of his charity work, as I think he's truly amazing for doing all that he does. However, the recent story by Dave Stubbs in the Montreal Gazette left me feeling a Kovalev-sized hole needed filling.
I was wondering whether that might have been the intent.
Take this quote, for instance:
One doesn't say things like that to a Montreal journalist without knowing what will happen. It seems that once again Kovy would like to let his remaining fan base in Montreal know that leaving wasn't his choice (wasn't it?) and that he'd be back in a heartbeat in his own airplane given the chance.
I take no issue with Kovalev expressing these sentiments. I find it entirely natural for someone to leave the Montreal Canadiens for the Senators and feel more than a pang of nostalgia now and again. He's like the man who cheated on his astoundingly beautiful wife, loses her and gets to realizing that he never knew he had it so good.
Criticism in Ottawa
One has to wonder how much of this outpouring has to do with his beautiful estranged Montreal and how much it has to do with nagging newbie Ottawa.
Justified or not, the Sens Army in a fit of Fishermania have taken to criticising all their talented players for underproducing. Despite seemingly turning the team around, scoring the 4th most goals in the East and doing it with a rookie goalie, the ever-more demanding Ottawites have turned their grievance to where the goals come from. No longer enough for a player to play well in a win, he must entertain and above all else find himself on p. 1 of scoring leaders.
We've been down this road in Montreal. With Kovalev. In 2006-07, it was that he didn't play like Begin. In 2007-08, too few even-strength goals, last season too much time off. But where there was sometimes justification for the fans of a losing team to lash out for the renewed excellence of their star, in Ottawa they're turning things around, they're surpassing expectations given the circumstances.
Kovalev must have at one time thought: "leaving Montreal, leaving the crazies". Imagine to be right back to the same with a seemingly more infuriating bunch (where even the owner can't keep his mouth shut).
Koivu on Kovalev
In the week of Kovalev and Montreal feel-good fest, Koivu has also spoken out from sunny Anaheim to set te record straight on Kovy (and he):
I guess that puts to bed the idea that they didn't like each other. I knew it was Higgins...
Kovalev tonight
While Kovalev will be tying to do better, the Habs ought to be careful about some of the other threates in the lineup too. 20 players have contributed for the Sens 80 regulation goals so far. Michalek has 15, Fisher 12 and Alfredsson 9 (count your blessings Sens fans...) and then there are 4 more with more than 4 goals, including Kovalev.
The Habs by contrast have 16 goalscorers for 76 goals in more games. Cammalleri has 16 and injured Gionta 8. There are 3 with 6 (Pleks, Metropolit and Moen) and then Hamrlik with 4. But as our scoring isn't balanced, we don't harp on about guys not scoring much, now do we?
I was wondering whether that might have been the intent.
Take this quote, for instance:
"I've never had anything in my life to match what I experienced in Montreal,"
One doesn't say things like that to a Montreal journalist without knowing what will happen. It seems that once again Kovy would like to let his remaining fan base in Montreal know that leaving wasn't his choice (wasn't it?) and that he'd be back in a heartbeat in his own airplane given the chance.
I take no issue with Kovalev expressing these sentiments. I find it entirely natural for someone to leave the Montreal Canadiens for the Senators and feel more than a pang of nostalgia now and again. He's like the man who cheated on his astoundingly beautiful wife, loses her and gets to realizing that he never knew he had it so good.
Criticism in Ottawa
One has to wonder how much of this outpouring has to do with his beautiful estranged Montreal and how much it has to do with nagging newbie Ottawa.
Justified or not, the Sens Army in a fit of Fishermania have taken to criticising all their talented players for underproducing. Despite seemingly turning the team around, scoring the 4th most goals in the East and doing it with a rookie goalie, the ever-more demanding Ottawites have turned their grievance to where the goals come from. No longer enough for a player to play well in a win, he must entertain and above all else find himself on p. 1 of scoring leaders.
We've been down this road in Montreal. With Kovalev. In 2006-07, it was that he didn't play like Begin. In 2007-08, too few even-strength goals, last season too much time off. But where there was sometimes justification for the fans of a losing team to lash out for the renewed excellence of their star, in Ottawa they're turning things around, they're surpassing expectations given the circumstances.
Kovalev must have at one time thought: "leaving Montreal, leaving the crazies". Imagine to be right back to the same with a seemingly more infuriating bunch (where even the owner can't keep his mouth shut).
Koivu on Kovalev
In the week of Kovalev and Montreal feel-good fest, Koivu has also spoken out from sunny Anaheim to set te record straight on Kovy (and he):
"That's the thing that always kind of bothered me," Koivu told Sportsnet. "People were giving their opinion, even though they had no idea what was going on in the room. We never had any problems with Alex whatsoever. He was kind, he was a great teammate throughout those years. For whatever reasons, he sometimes gets criticized about not being a great teammate. I have no idea where that comes from."
I guess that puts to bed the idea that they didn't like each other. I knew it was Higgins...
Kovalev tonight
While Kovalev will be tying to do better, the Habs ought to be careful about some of the other threates in the lineup too. 20 players have contributed for the Sens 80 regulation goals so far. Michalek has 15, Fisher 12 and Alfredsson 9 (count your blessings Sens fans...) and then there are 4 more with more than 4 goals, including Kovalev.
The Habs by contrast have 16 goalscorers for 76 goals in more games. Cammalleri has 16 and injured Gionta 8. There are 3 with 6 (Pleks, Metropolit and Moen) and then Hamrlik with 4. But as our scoring isn't balanced, we don't harp on about guys not scoring much, now do we?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Ducks Happy To Have Saku
Perhaps it's only to do with his name (remember the old cheer from the movies?). Perhaps it's because they're just happy that their franchise isn't in full liquidation mode. But it appears to me that members of the Anaheim fandom are relatively chuffed at the acquisition of Saku Koivu.
Take this line from a recent newspaper column in SoCal:
Executive of the Year! It stands in sharp contrast to those Koivu detractors who would nominate Gainey for the same award for letting the Finnish captain fly.
The sense of excitement and approval seems consistent throughout the article. The same ecstatic writer from the OC seems to take Koivu's acquisition as a minor coup for the Ducks – final proof that Anaheim was the only team able to unite two players that Montreal has been talking about uniting for years. He says as much in his header: "Selanne, Koivu take Anaheim over Montreal".
And consider this line:
The Anaheim writer put down those words without a hint of irony or disappointment. Almost as if consistent seasons of 50 or more points was a good thing in this league. It's taking the very statistic we would use to bash Saku to lift him up with.
Then you move on to blogs. I found this one on the Battle of California.
Not exactly reserved in its praise. It seems an awful lot of people around the league have seen Koivu and think that maybe he's done a good job, as opposed to being the reason Montreal hasn't won a Cup.
Finding both articles came only a few days after one of oldest and best friends – banished to the hockey hinterland of Southern California – had forwarded me the promotional packs the Ducks had sent him for the upcoming season. Those were also plastered with pics of Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne – something of a surprise to those of us in Montreal who assume all hockey fans are drawn to the Getzlafs and Perrys of the world.
The grass is greener
Why am I harping on about Saku Koivu?
Well for one thing, I think the slow news and the emotional wound have combined to keep it top of mind for me. For another, I can't click 5 links without reading what a relief it is to have let him go. Then there's the talk of the leadership vacuum that he left behind. And all this while I get reminders sent from Anaheim on how exiting it will be to have a new scoring centre of Koivu's ilk.
I'm not sure if the grass is greener in Anaheim now they have Koivu or not. I have a sense that it won't be too much greener for losing him at $3.25 million it would have taken to secure his services here in Montreal. I do know I'll watch on with interest as Koivu and Selanne reunite one of the most exciting duos I've ever had the pleasure of watching.
And, if I have to put money on anyone making a good life after Montreal, it'll be Saku.
Take this line from a recent newspaper column in SoCal:
Teemu Selanne for NHL Executive of the Year!
Executive of the Year! It stands in sharp contrast to those Koivu detractors who would nominate Gainey for the same award for letting the Finnish captain fly.
The sense of excitement and approval seems consistent throughout the article. The same ecstatic writer from the OC seems to take Koivu's acquisition as a minor coup for the Ducks – final proof that Anaheim was the only team able to unite two players that Montreal has been talking about uniting for years. He says as much in his header: "Selanne, Koivu take Anaheim over Montreal".
And consider this line:
scoring ability – he racked up at least 50 points in his past six seasons
The Anaheim writer put down those words without a hint of irony or disappointment. Almost as if consistent seasons of 50 or more points was a good thing in this league. It's taking the very statistic we would use to bash Saku to lift him up with.
Then you move on to blogs. I found this one on the Battle of California.
On Koivu:
Sheer awesomeness. I have been a Team Finland fan since Nagano -- basically because of the charismatic pull of Teemu's nationalism -- and I cannot wait for these two to join forces for Team Anaheim. With Koivu, there is simply too much to talk about -- the cancer battle, the Montreal captaincy, the little-man production, the selfless passing -- Saku oozes heroism and class.
Not exactly reserved in its praise. It seems an awful lot of people around the league have seen Koivu and think that maybe he's done a good job, as opposed to being the reason Montreal hasn't won a Cup.
Finding both articles came only a few days after one of oldest and best friends – banished to the hockey hinterland of Southern California – had forwarded me the promotional packs the Ducks had sent him for the upcoming season. Those were also plastered with pics of Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne – something of a surprise to those of us in Montreal who assume all hockey fans are drawn to the Getzlafs and Perrys of the world.
The grass is greener
Why am I harping on about Saku Koivu?
Well for one thing, I think the slow news and the emotional wound have combined to keep it top of mind for me. For another, I can't click 5 links without reading what a relief it is to have let him go. Then there's the talk of the leadership vacuum that he left behind. And all this while I get reminders sent from Anaheim on how exiting it will be to have a new scoring centre of Koivu's ilk.
I'm not sure if the grass is greener in Anaheim now they have Koivu or not. I have a sense that it won't be too much greener for losing him at $3.25 million it would have taken to secure his services here in Montreal. I do know I'll watch on with interest as Koivu and Selanne reunite one of the most exciting duos I've ever had the pleasure of watching.
And, if I have to put money on anyone making a good life after Montreal, it'll be Saku.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Bits And Pieces: Habs-Related News On A Summer's Day
A quick scan of the news I've missed being without internet for a day or so while out on business to find a schedule, some signings and the ubiquitous rumours.
Not quite neough for a big post on any or each, but I thought a rapid-fire relay of thoughts would be appropriate.
NHL schedule released
So, there will be NHL games this year. That's good news. It's not really news though is it?
I suppose there are things we've been anxious to find out, specifically when will this boredom end, who will we play on our 100th birthday and when would we be seeing Saku Koivu again.
The answers. The first night of NHL action will be October 1st, and it will feature the Habs vs. the Leafs in Toronto. We will be playing the Boston Bruins on December 4th at home – a fitting choice for the biggest occasion in these 100th celebrations by a long stretch. And, as for Saku, we won't see him in Montreal after all – which is a shame. Word, however, is that he and Kovalev will make a homecoming of sorts to take part in the premiere of the movie in which he played a lead role (date not reported).
A couple of other interesting points about the schedule include the outdoor game on New Year's day (where the Slovak monster meets the Green Monster as the Bruins host the Flyers at Fenway); the European trips for the Red Wings and Blues in Stockholm and Hawks and Panthers in Helsinki; and the 2nd Victoria Cup in late September, in which the Chicago Blackhawks will be representing the NHL in lieu of the Canadiens or the Stanley Cup champs finally stepping up to the plate.
I did also come across a funny (as in laughable) take on the schedule by a Bruins writer. In going through every game, it's not surprising that he finds few losses and concludes with this irritating and smug (distinctly Bostonian you'll be noting) conclusion to the year for the Bruins:
I should introduce this Bruins fan to the 2006 Hurricanes, the 2007 Senators, the 2008 Habs and every other team that wins the East with high expectations of a follow-up. Of course, they'd be crazy not to expect winning all the NHL trophies again wouldn't they? Before the awards ceremony, though, David Krejci have you met Tomas Plekanec?
The Boston is generally a idiotic as it is ignorant. For example, on the hundredth anniversary of the Canadiens, the knowledgeable scribe has this inane comment:
His other comments are childish and planted for a reaction. So go read it. There's never a bad time to get riled up about the Bruins.
Canadiens contracts
Also in the news was a couple of Canadiens contracts.
Guillaume Latendresse signed the smartest contract of his career. In taking less than last season, he's won big PR points and showed he has a head on his shoulders. If the Canadiens are pressed for cap space, they won't be trading or benching the 16-goal winger who plays for $800,000. It's a no-lose situation for him and for us. I'm very happy with the news.
Shawn Belle also signed to a two-way deal. I haven't seen him play, but all other signs point to him being a good guy to have around. He's bulky, versed in Lemaire hockey and put up very nice numbers in Hamilton last season. It's also good news as I see it, even if he's to stay on the farm and keep that situation steady for this season.
Robert Lang
The very reliable rumour site (reliable in that you can always expect that 2.5% of all rumours they report, no more, no less will come to pass), has stated that Lang will be playing in Russia this season. Expect him to sign anywhere but with 97.5% reliablilty promptly.
Less surprising is Eric Engels total and continuing contempt for the KHL:
I guess Eric doesn't remember everyone eating these very words as recently as January. I guess 6 months is a long time when there's always another rumour to invent.
I hope Robert does what's best for Robert. He was a pleasure to watch, and from what I heard a gentleman. Omsk and Jagr might not be such a backwards step as KHL-bashers want to believe.
Not quite neough for a big post on any or each, but I thought a rapid-fire relay of thoughts would be appropriate.
NHL schedule released
So, there will be NHL games this year. That's good news. It's not really news though is it?
I suppose there are things we've been anxious to find out, specifically when will this boredom end, who will we play on our 100th birthday and when would we be seeing Saku Koivu again.
The answers. The first night of NHL action will be October 1st, and it will feature the Habs vs. the Leafs in Toronto. We will be playing the Boston Bruins on December 4th at home – a fitting choice for the biggest occasion in these 100th celebrations by a long stretch. And, as for Saku, we won't see him in Montreal after all – which is a shame. Word, however, is that he and Kovalev will make a homecoming of sorts to take part in the premiere of the movie in which he played a lead role (date not reported).
A couple of other interesting points about the schedule include the outdoor game on New Year's day (where the Slovak monster meets the Green Monster as the Bruins host the Flyers at Fenway); the European trips for the Red Wings and Blues in Stockholm and Hawks and Panthers in Helsinki; and the 2nd Victoria Cup in late September, in which the Chicago Blackhawks will be representing the NHL in lieu of the Canadiens or the Stanley Cup champs finally stepping up to the plate.
I did also come across a funny (as in laughable) take on the schedule by a Bruins writer. In going through every game, it's not surprising that he finds few losses and concludes with this irritating and smug (distinctly Bostonian you'll be noting) conclusion to the year for the Bruins:
April 11 at Capitals: The Bruins close out the regular season the way they started it — by beating Washington. Boston doesn’t go 82-0, but finishing on top of the East again is commendable. It’s only the beginning.
Next stop, the playoffs. Is this the year of the Bruins? Thirty-eight years of waiting is long enough.
I should introduce this Bruins fan to the 2006 Hurricanes, the 2007 Senators, the 2008 Habs and every other team that wins the East with high expectations of a follow-up. Of course, they'd be crazy not to expect winning all the NHL trophies again wouldn't they? Before the awards ceremony, though, David Krejci have you met Tomas Plekanec?
The Boston is generally a idiotic as it is ignorant. For example, on the hundredth anniversary of the Canadiens, the knowledgeable scribe has this inane comment:
"Dec. 4 at Canadiens: The Habs have more new faces than a Beverly Hills Nieman Marcus. But the Bruins treat them just the same as Montreal’s old guard — with utter contempt."
His other comments are childish and planted for a reaction. So go read it. There's never a bad time to get riled up about the Bruins.
Canadiens contracts
Also in the news was a couple of Canadiens contracts.
Guillaume Latendresse signed the smartest contract of his career. In taking less than last season, he's won big PR points and showed he has a head on his shoulders. If the Canadiens are pressed for cap space, they won't be trading or benching the 16-goal winger who plays for $800,000. It's a no-lose situation for him and for us. I'm very happy with the news.
Shawn Belle also signed to a two-way deal. I haven't seen him play, but all other signs point to him being a good guy to have around. He's bulky, versed in Lemaire hockey and put up very nice numbers in Hamilton last season. It's also good news as I see it, even if he's to stay on the farm and keep that situation steady for this season.
Robert Lang
The very reliable rumour site (reliable in that you can always expect that 2.5% of all rumours they report, no more, no less will come to pass), has stated that Lang will be playing in Russia this season. Expect him to sign anywhere but with 97.5% reliablilty promptly.
Less surprising is Eric Engels total and continuing contempt for the KHL:
"Welcome to the KHL Robert Lang, where they don’t mind paying big bucks for a guy with a limited skating stride, who just recovered from a torn Achilles, at the age of 38. If he wanted less he’d still be playing in the NHL, and likely Montreal, but it’ll be hard to ignore the financial incentive that Avangard Omsk is giving him."
I guess Eric doesn't remember everyone eating these very words as recently as January. I guess 6 months is a long time when there's always another rumour to invent.
I hope Robert does what's best for Robert. He was a pleasure to watch, and from what I heard a gentleman. Omsk and Jagr might not be such a backwards step as KHL-bashers want to believe.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Cue The Imitators
When Anaheim won the Cup in 2007, all those who had been convinced for so long that big and nasty equated with unbeatable were vindicated.
Then last year, Detroit won. So everyone was re-educated to realise that puck possession with a perfect specimen anchoring the D was the way to go.
Now this. Pittsburgh (or should I say Pittsburg Magnitogorsk) have proven the real way to win is different.
First you have to commit to 5 years of absolute futility. That will get you the 5 top 3 draft picks you need to build a team. Obviously, you need to be careful to time this so you don't get Kovalchuk and Stefan, but Malkin and Crosby. More helpful would be if you timed a lockout. That way, one season of losing gets you two top picks.
The next thing you have to do is fire the coach that got you to the final the year before and hire someone with no NHL experience. Not too early though. Probably February to be safe.
Next, name one of your first overall draft picks the captain the minute he steps onto the ice. If he's 18, all the better.
Make sure you scout Russians well -- they are the key You'll need a dominant one to be the best forward over the season and the playoffs. You could probably use one to be your best offensive defenceman and a feisty playoff winger that scores timely goals would be nice too (for flex we'll let you get away with former Soviet for now). This strategy is key, because when you're down, you'll find out how Russians can lift your team of indifferent Canadians with their long thirst for a sip from Stanley's mug.
For the rest of your team, don't fret too much. It doesn't matter. You can make trades for any Islander, because you have centres who've learned from the master at how to make anyone (Rob Brown) score. Depth is overrated, so you can make all the silly trades you want (provided you keep those 5 top picks). Just fill the holes with names.
Also, don't worry about losing too much as the draft picks start to come through. Don't get edgy when your fans stop coming and the team might fold. This is all part of the recipe. If you need money, get that player who you never paid his full salary the last time you were bankrupt and get him to chip in.
There you go, Cup in ten years time guaranteed.
What about Detroit?
Clearly made too many mistakes. Sticking with that discipline and patient system was a mistake. Can you believe they didn't fire their coach with all the signs they had (i.e., January turning into February)? And can you believe they signed the second leading playoff point-getter and goalscorer from the year prior (a known choker)? No one else was so stupid to offer him a contract.
All this franchise has done is shown us now how to be the #1 loser. How to be the ones crying on the ice when the Russian overlords parade the trophies. A smart team has been honing their golf together after their players return from playing for Denmark and Switzerland in the Worlds.
Quick, someone tell Brian Lawton before he trades that pick.
Mocking aside, congratulations to Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh fans (Darren). This makes the league more interesting - and more excruciating for a team trying to come out of the East.
Then last year, Detroit won. So everyone was re-educated to realise that puck possession with a perfect specimen anchoring the D was the way to go.
Now this. Pittsburgh (or should I say Pittsburg Magnitogorsk) have proven the real way to win is different.
First you have to commit to 5 years of absolute futility. That will get you the 5 top 3 draft picks you need to build a team. Obviously, you need to be careful to time this so you don't get Kovalchuk and Stefan, but Malkin and Crosby. More helpful would be if you timed a lockout. That way, one season of losing gets you two top picks.
The next thing you have to do is fire the coach that got you to the final the year before and hire someone with no NHL experience. Not too early though. Probably February to be safe.
Next, name one of your first overall draft picks the captain the minute he steps onto the ice. If he's 18, all the better.
Make sure you scout Russians well -- they are the key You'll need a dominant one to be the best forward over the season and the playoffs. You could probably use one to be your best offensive defenceman and a feisty playoff winger that scores timely goals would be nice too (for flex we'll let you get away with former Soviet for now). This strategy is key, because when you're down, you'll find out how Russians can lift your team of indifferent Canadians with their long thirst for a sip from Stanley's mug.
For the rest of your team, don't fret too much. It doesn't matter. You can make trades for any Islander, because you have centres who've learned from the master at how to make anyone (Rob Brown) score. Depth is overrated, so you can make all the silly trades you want (provided you keep those 5 top picks). Just fill the holes with names.
Also, don't worry about losing too much as the draft picks start to come through. Don't get edgy when your fans stop coming and the team might fold. This is all part of the recipe. If you need money, get that player who you never paid his full salary the last time you were bankrupt and get him to chip in.
There you go, Cup in ten years time guaranteed.
What about Detroit?
Clearly made too many mistakes. Sticking with that discipline and patient system was a mistake. Can you believe they didn't fire their coach with all the signs they had (i.e., January turning into February)? And can you believe they signed the second leading playoff point-getter and goalscorer from the year prior (a known choker)? No one else was so stupid to offer him a contract.
All this franchise has done is shown us now how to be the #1 loser. How to be the ones crying on the ice when the Russian overlords parade the trophies. A smart team has been honing their golf together after their players return from playing for Denmark and Switzerland in the Worlds.
Quick, someone tell Brian Lawton before he trades that pick.
Mocking aside, congratulations to Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh fans (Darren). This makes the league more interesting - and more excruciating for a team trying to come out of the East.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
All But The Important One...
It seems when I pick with my head and not with my heart, I'm alright at this prediction thing (well this time, anyway). But though it's nice to be sitting ahead of the Al Strachan's of the world in the Score playoff pool, I'd give it all up for heart over head and a match-up against the Capitals...
This is what I had for Round 1:
Habs over Bruins in 7
I couldn't have picked the Bruins, Markov or not. I hate that I was wrong. Hate it.
Capitals over Rangers in 6
I didn't trust in Lundqvist, but he did OK, at first. Washington's a strong one.
Hurricanes over Devils in 7
I couldn't have predicted the way it would happen, with the drama and swings; but I've always liked the power of the Eric/ks
Penguins over Flyers in 6
This was a no-brainer. Just like the guy who entrusted another year in the playoffs to Martin Biron.
Anaheim over San Jose in 7
I didn't expect Anaheim to be so quick, but with Niedermayer (player of the decade with Lidstrom) and Pronger, the Ducks were much more dangerous than their totals suggested. they still are.
Detroit over Columbus in 6
Columbus were weaker than I thought. That's saying something.
Canucks over Blues in 5
All those who hyped the Blues should have learned that a late streak does nothing to overcome a good offense with a great goalie.
Flames over Hawks in 7
Oops. I thought the Hawks were earlier in the development than this. Gotta like teaming young team with reliable veteran goalie. I wonder if any other teams ever had success with that approach. Maybe last year? Can't think...
Enough gloating. Here's where I suffer the fall, as I have to make more predictions and will likely fall to the very predictable .500 level that suits 50:50 chance of success in prognostication (and faceoffs).
Carolina over Boston in 6
This isn't just my heart here, though it is involved. The Bruins were not tested at all, not at all, in their opening series. The Hurricanes beat the mighty Devils with a better goalie than Boston have and a better version of the same defensive system. Plus Staal is a stud vs. Savard. The weakness comes at the back for Carolina a with Montreal, but Boston would be blessed to get as many well-timed and easy goals as they eventually relied on to coast through round 1.
Pittsburgh over Washington in 7
Watch this series and you'll begin to understand why there should be some urgency about winning sooner rather than later in Montreal. Ovechkin, Semin, Malkin and Crosby could become conference final fixtures if they wanted to. They'll show us why with Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup creds giving them the final edge. This is OT in game 7 type stuff.
Detroit over Anaheim in 5
Whereas San Jose couldn't have looked at Anaheim with any relish, Detroit know they can counter. Hiller may be better than Osgood, but he is not as good as SJ made him look. He'd do well to come out of a match with Zetterberg, Datsyuk and company as unscathed as he is now. Lidstrom outplaying the big two will be key. I have faith in the best player of our time.
Vancouver over Chicago in 6
We must watch while Vancouver proves how waiting for Sundin was leagues better than trading for the consolation prize. It helps to have a good goalie who makes saves, too. I stand by my earlier statements as well – not Chicago's time yet.
There you have it. It will be mocked and ridiculed on The Score, so why not here. But as we've seen, even silly predictions like Anaheim over perfect franchise (exhibit A) happen; so you never know.
If I muster up the interest to watch after my sulk, there are match-ups here to like. Pittsburgh vs. Washington should be a great one, Carolina thumping Boston would be nice too.
Is it October yet?
This is what I had for Round 1:
Habs over Bruins in 7
I couldn't have picked the Bruins, Markov or not. I hate that I was wrong. Hate it.
Capitals over Rangers in 6
I didn't trust in Lundqvist, but he did OK, at first. Washington's a strong one.
Hurricanes over Devils in 7
I couldn't have predicted the way it would happen, with the drama and swings; but I've always liked the power of the Eric/ks
Penguins over Flyers in 6
This was a no-brainer. Just like the guy who entrusted another year in the playoffs to Martin Biron.
Anaheim over San Jose in 7
I didn't expect Anaheim to be so quick, but with Niedermayer (player of the decade with Lidstrom) and Pronger, the Ducks were much more dangerous than their totals suggested. they still are.
Detroit over Columbus in 6
Columbus were weaker than I thought. That's saying something.
Canucks over Blues in 5
All those who hyped the Blues should have learned that a late streak does nothing to overcome a good offense with a great goalie.
Flames over Hawks in 7
Oops. I thought the Hawks were earlier in the development than this. Gotta like teaming young team with reliable veteran goalie. I wonder if any other teams ever had success with that approach. Maybe last year? Can't think...
Enough gloating. Here's where I suffer the fall, as I have to make more predictions and will likely fall to the very predictable .500 level that suits 50:50 chance of success in prognostication (and faceoffs).
Carolina over Boston in 6
This isn't just my heart here, though it is involved. The Bruins were not tested at all, not at all, in their opening series. The Hurricanes beat the mighty Devils with a better goalie than Boston have and a better version of the same defensive system. Plus Staal is a stud vs. Savard. The weakness comes at the back for Carolina a with Montreal, but Boston would be blessed to get as many well-timed and easy goals as they eventually relied on to coast through round 1.
Pittsburgh over Washington in 7
Watch this series and you'll begin to understand why there should be some urgency about winning sooner rather than later in Montreal. Ovechkin, Semin, Malkin and Crosby could become conference final fixtures if they wanted to. They'll show us why with Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup creds giving them the final edge. This is OT in game 7 type stuff.
Detroit over Anaheim in 5
Whereas San Jose couldn't have looked at Anaheim with any relish, Detroit know they can counter. Hiller may be better than Osgood, but he is not as good as SJ made him look. He'd do well to come out of a match with Zetterberg, Datsyuk and company as unscathed as he is now. Lidstrom outplaying the big two will be key. I have faith in the best player of our time.
Vancouver over Chicago in 6
We must watch while Vancouver proves how waiting for Sundin was leagues better than trading for the consolation prize. It helps to have a good goalie who makes saves, too. I stand by my earlier statements as well – not Chicago's time yet.
There you have it. It will be mocked and ridiculed on The Score, so why not here. But as we've seen, even silly predictions like Anaheim over perfect franchise (exhibit A) happen; so you never know.
If I muster up the interest to watch after my sulk, there are match-ups here to like. Pittsburgh vs. Washington should be a great one, Carolina thumping Boston would be nice too.
Is it October yet?
Monday, April 06, 2009
Saturday's Sweet Win
Earlier this season, I expressed my almost complete indifference to the current Leafs. I noted there was little to hate about Kaberle, Toskala, Blake, Stajan and Antropov. They are faceless players to me. I can't say I lamented the loss of a despised rival, but I admit it did feel odd.
Ever since Brian Burke has returned I have reason to abhor again. Perhaps it's because I was taught at a very young age that being a braggart was one of the worst things you could do, that winning with grace was just as important as shaking the hand of the winner after a loss.
During our long and thorough beating of the Leafs on Saturday, I found some time to relish beating Brian Burke the GM.
Is there a man in hockey more smug and full of himself than Brian Burke?
To my mind, the answer is no. The guy just can't resist an opportunity to brag. In that regard he seems peerless among NHL GMs. Funny given that his achievements over more than a decade have been matched and surpassed by so many.
Public apology
The impetus for this article for me came mid last week. Brian Burke stood in front of his media hangers on and apologised for the Leafs missing the playoffs:
Did you catch that his teams have been in the playoffs for seven straight years? That was relevant...
Has an apology ever been more disingenuous. Burke should be apologising for not being able to coax his coach and team into losing more, not for missing the playoffs. He did everything in he could conceive in his brilliant little mind to miss the playoffs, didn't he?
1) He traded two of his top scorers at the trade deadline for draft picks
2) He tried to trade anyone else with any value too
3) He did nothing prior to the deadline to bolster a roster that looked on track to miss the playoffs by an even wider margin
Damien Cox says it well when he describes it thus:
So why the sob story now? Why blame the goaltending?
Maybe just because he is full of it. Probably nothing more. It certainly wouldn't suit his self-styled genius tag to take the blame himself, would it?
Toronto still in awe of the myth
From what I've been reading recently on Burke, it seems like his blustering and boasting has been paying dividends, at least in Toronto. That Cup victory (courtesy of Bryan Murray and Rob Niedermayer) seems not to have lost its shine yet.
His stint in Anaheim can generously be viewed as fleeting success. The other extreme view is that he came in, took advantage of some nice work by his predecessors, had some fun and left behind a pretty big managerial mess. Incidentally, his other team – the Ducks, with the core we were to believe should be coveted by the world and its sister could very well miss the playoffs too (though Burke probably won't take blame for that either if they do).
Even if you look at his years in Vancouver, which obviously did wonders for his ego boost, the team ultimately just played out the top of the cycle that the team had been slumping years to attain. They had some good regular seasons on the backs of Naslund and Bertuzzi (both inherited) but only played in 7 playoff games beyond Round 1 – one might remind Burkie of that the next time he spews his 7 straight season malarkey. His record there is epitomised by the goalies he needed to get, couldn't get and ultimately blamed as he did at this latest press conference. This Vancouver fan (Wetcoaster – post 5) gives a better recap than I could. I have to say, it doesn't really read like the egomaniac would want it to.
In another summary back in November (in a column that has apparently been purged from Fox archives), Al Strachan put to paper what all of us who have been cynics on Burke for a while have been thinking:
Ultimately, Toronto fans must now be in shock. They resigned themselves to a season of losing to do the rebuilding properly – to avoid the round-about that is 7th to 10th to 7th to 10th in the NHL. They now find themselves right back on the round-about. They definitely will not have the playoffs, they most likely won't get a top draft pick either.
If I was a Leafs fan, I would be irate. I certainly would not have taken the bluster from the loudest GM in the room. Coming in to rebuild, he has made a hash of losing, tossed players away for draft picks and dressed it up with a lie about the way he feels about the whole disaster.
I might feel sorry for the fans, if it weren't for Burke maybe I would. As it is, to be able to go to Toronto and claim two points when we needed them most and further humiliate the GM's GM, what could be sweeter?
Ever since Brian Burke has returned I have reason to abhor again. Perhaps it's because I was taught at a very young age that being a braggart was one of the worst things you could do, that winning with grace was just as important as shaking the hand of the winner after a loss.
During our long and thorough beating of the Leafs on Saturday, I found some time to relish beating Brian Burke the GM.
Is there a man in hockey more smug and full of himself than Brian Burke?
To my mind, the answer is no. The guy just can't resist an opportunity to brag. In that regard he seems peerless among NHL GMs. Funny given that his achievements over more than a decade have been matched and surpassed by so many.
Public apology
The impetus for this article for me came mid last week. Brian Burke stood in front of his media hangers on and apologised for the Leafs missing the playoffs:
"Today is a sombre day here. We were eliminated from the playoffs. This is a day that represents failure. I'm not happy. My teams have been in the playoffs for seven straight years. … It burns my butt. If I don't seem like I'm in a great mood, I'm not."
Did you catch that his teams have been in the playoffs for seven straight years? That was relevant...
Has an apology ever been more disingenuous. Burke should be apologising for not being able to coax his coach and team into losing more, not for missing the playoffs. He did everything in he could conceive in his brilliant little mind to miss the playoffs, didn't he?
1) He traded two of his top scorers at the trade deadline for draft picks
2) He tried to trade anyone else with any value too
3) He did nothing prior to the deadline to bolster a roster that looked on track to miss the playoffs by an even wider margin
Damien Cox says it well when he describes it thus:
Burke offered many reasons for missing the playoffs this season, but he left out the part that he traded away the team’s two best forwards for draft picks a month ago because it was the right thing to do even if it meant making the team less competitive in the short-term.
So why the sob story now? Why blame the goaltending?
Maybe just because he is full of it. Probably nothing more. It certainly wouldn't suit his self-styled genius tag to take the blame himself, would it?
Toronto still in awe of the myth
From what I've been reading recently on Burke, it seems like his blustering and boasting has been paying dividends, at least in Toronto. That Cup victory (courtesy of Bryan Murray and Rob Niedermayer) seems not to have lost its shine yet.
His stint in Anaheim can generously be viewed as fleeting success. The other extreme view is that he came in, took advantage of some nice work by his predecessors, had some fun and left behind a pretty big managerial mess. Incidentally, his other team – the Ducks, with the core we were to believe should be coveted by the world and its sister could very well miss the playoffs too (though Burke probably won't take blame for that either if they do).
Even if you look at his years in Vancouver, which obviously did wonders for his ego boost, the team ultimately just played out the top of the cycle that the team had been slumping years to attain. They had some good regular seasons on the backs of Naslund and Bertuzzi (both inherited) but only played in 7 playoff games beyond Round 1 – one might remind Burkie of that the next time he spews his 7 straight season malarkey. His record there is epitomised by the goalies he needed to get, couldn't get and ultimately blamed as he did at this latest press conference. This Vancouver fan (Wetcoaster – post 5) gives a better recap than I could. I have to say, it doesn't really read like the egomaniac would want it to.
In another summary back in November (in a column that has apparently been purged from Fox archives), Al Strachan put to paper what all of us who have been cynics on Burke for a while have been thinking:
[Brian Burke] started off as GM of the Hartford Whalers, a team that had just made the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons. Once Burke got there, they missed.
But he was much better in Vancouver. There, he won a playoff round. Granted it took six seasons to do so, but geniuses can’t be held to the same standards as everyone else. In those six seasons, he missed the playoffs twice and went out in the first round three times.
Ultimately, Toronto fans must now be in shock. They resigned themselves to a season of losing to do the rebuilding properly – to avoid the round-about that is 7th to 10th to 7th to 10th in the NHL. They now find themselves right back on the round-about. They definitely will not have the playoffs, they most likely won't get a top draft pick either.
If I was a Leafs fan, I would be irate. I certainly would not have taken the bluster from the loudest GM in the room. Coming in to rebuild, he has made a hash of losing, tossed players away for draft picks and dressed it up with a lie about the way he feels about the whole disaster.
I might feel sorry for the fans, if it weren't for Burke maybe I would. As it is, to be able to go to Toronto and claim two points when we needed them most and further humiliate the GM's GM, what could be sweeter?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Game #7
Goaltending? Defence? A Little Help Please
Game #7
Goaltending? Defence? A Little Help Please
The Canadiens Game in Review
Date: Saturday October 25th, 2008
Opponent: Anaheim Ducks
Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Team Stripes
Date: Saturday October 25th, 2008
Opponent: Anaheim Ducks
Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Team Stripes
Habs starting goalie: Jaroslav Halak, Carey Price (L)
Opposition starting goalie: Jean-Sebastien Giguere (W)
Habs goalscorers: Alex Tanguay (2), Saku Koivu, Tom Kostopoulos
Opposition goalscorers: Kent Huskins, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Chris Kunitz, Travis Moen, Teemu Selanne
Play of the game
The play you're straining to see on the press catwalk monitor...
The second most penalized team in the league gave us 6 chances on the PP tonight, we scored on one. Our nicest goal and play-of-the-game was this 1/6 moment.
The Ducks' penalty-killers obviously haven't played against Kovalev much as they gave him way too much room to work on the half boards and seemed stunned with his dip-in-the-slot move. With so much time you know that Kovy is going to find a hole to make a pass or possibly score himself. Right after he gained the slot for himself he passed it through Niedermayer and right to Tanguay. The Power-Play Point-Man merely had to flick it over Giguere to put the Habs on the scoresheet for the first time on the night.
Game puck
Trophies are for the end of the year, play well in the game, you get a lovely puck...
Alex Tanguay
For a second straight Saturday Alex potted 2. His line looked quite sharp tonight and he was especially potent. His excellent positioning and speed allowed him to get into great scoring positions all night and it was his great hands that allowed him to score 2. He is a very dynamic player and is one that is able to be a top player. With 5 goals in 7 games I am sure there are a few people out there whispering 40 and even a few dreaming about 50.
Dome hockey team
We're going into the last minute with these 6 (and they're attached to the ice, so they're not coming off)...
Forwards
Tomas Plekanec
Tom took 13 shots tonight which is more than some teams get in whole games sometimes. He showed some frustration tonight after being stoned time and time again by Giguere, but I have to hand it to him as he was actually getting some good shots off. He was very creative in the offensive zone and had it not been for an above average performance from Giggy he would have scored a few. The good news is he is in the right place and he and his line are getting chances. The bad news is that Sergei is not Andrei.
Robert Lang
Lang played a good game tonight and worked quite well with Higgins. It will be interesting to see where Higgs ends up, but whether Lang plays with Gui, Sergei, Tom or Higgins doesn't seem to matter as Rob is a good enough player and centre on his own that the wingers are simply a bonus. He managed 2 assists tonight and was a very impressive 14-3 in the face-off circle.
Alex Tanguay
Tonight Tanguay looked like the fastest Hab on the ice. We are known for being a really fast team, with a lot of fast youngsters, so I never really thought that the addition of Tangs would bring more speed. What he has brought, however, is not only pure speed (Dandenault), but the ability to control and handle the puck at high speeds. I think that after years of searching he has found a niche in Montreal and I think that Montreal is just about ready to fall in love with him.
Defencemen
Josh Gorges
Not being bad gets you a ticket into the dome tonight on defence. Gorges played over 20 minutes and wasn't on the ice for any goals against. Tonight he and Bou formed our best tandem as Markov and Hammer were simply not able to carry their respective dead-weights. Josh also did some good - he saved a goal (and was wrongfully called for closing his hand on the puck resulting in a penalty shot), was good in the offensive zone and moved the puck very well.
Francis Bouillon
Defencemen
Josh Gorges
Not being bad gets you a ticket into the dome tonight on defence. Gorges played over 20 minutes and wasn't on the ice for any goals against. Tonight he and Bou formed our best tandem as Markov and Hammer were simply not able to carry their respective dead-weights. Josh also did some good - he saved a goal (and was wrongfully called for closing his hand on the puck resulting in a penalty shot), was good in the offensive zone and moved the puck very well.
Francis Bouillon
Franc had a great game tonight and is now giving Komi a good run at #3. From what I have seen thus far Bou is having a fantastic season. Tonight he threw a lot of great hits, won important defensive zone battles and even stood up for Latendresse by fighting Perry. He was limited to 14 minutes of ice which is surprising as that was the least of all the defencemen. His speed and puck-control coupled with his physical play should surely be enough to earn him 20+ minutes as he is once again proving to be a leader at the back.
Goaltender
Jaroslav Halak
My initial instinct was to put Price in here. Halak let up 4 goals on 12 shots, but to be fair the defence weren't really lending a helping hand. Don't get me wrong, he didn't play well, but in my opinion not quite as bad as Price. When Carey came in he knew what he had to do, yet all he did was looked as unprepared as Dominik Hasek used to look when coming in as a back-up. Price didn't look ready at all to play which may serve as a vote of confidence towards Halak, but to me shows a lot of unprofessionalism. What tipped the scales for me was his play on the Perry's unsuccessful penalty shot. Had it not been for bad ice and a slight loss of focus from Perry he would have been beaten very badly. So, don't get too happy Jaro, you didn't play well, but I would have stuck with you till the end in this one.
Eye-Openers
In this new section we are going to try and shed some light on certain plays or events that would otherwise go unnoticed
Trying to find some sort of un-sung hero tonight would have been a stretch. Just getting a dome that made sense was a hard enough. Tonight the eye-opener is more of a eyes-still-wide-open piece.
I watched Brisebois closely tonight as I needed to know whether or not he actually deserved to be in the line-up ahead of O'Byrne. I hadn't been impressed with Ryan this year and was wondering if he would hold his spot, he obviously didn't, but I don't think Carbo made the right call here on his replacement. I haven't seen a defensive effort so poor as the one that Brisebois offered tonight in a long, long time. That in itself is an incredible feat as I have been watching Patrice for 17 years. When Breezer is on the ice a few things happen that worry me - his teammates don't trust him, thus they have the look a being a man-down, he pinches at all the exact wrong times and he makes everyone in the building (apart from the Ducks) think that we have 'a man there'. I lost count of his miscues tonight as it was even overwhelming by his standards. There were defensive zone clearances right to the other team, spin-o-ramas which resulted in a lost puck and a huge wipe-out (twice!), checks that were missed and resulted in huge wipe-outs, chickening out of hits by ducking and 'passing' the puck right to the other team and how could I forget the hook after he almost tripped over his skates beside our own net.
Brisebois for some reason continues to get playing time in the NHL which baffles me every minute of the day. The only rest I get from this Gainey-blunder is while I sleep, that is provided I am not having nightmares of him tripping over the blue-line or knuckling one into our own slot for a Heatley one-timer. I think that I know at least 100 guys personally that could play an NHL shift on defence and look less out of place than Patrice, and some of those guys have trouble skating backwards. Can we really ask Hamrlik to throw away another season of offence to baby-sit this burden? Or do we put him on the 3rd unit and pray that little ice-time and no PK time will help ease the pain? We are a team deep with defensive prospects which makes this all the much worse. We are carrying 8 defencemen again this year, but I know that 2 of them aren't anywhere near the organization's top-10. I wish that certain coaches and managers would put language, friendships and loyalties aside and think about the team, because even one weak link in the armour may yet again cost us a trip to spring-time hockey.
Overall Comments
Had our defence and goaltending been just a bit better we would have won tonight. They didn't even have to be good, just better. We took 51 shots, hit a couple of posts and scored 4 goals, surely that should be enough for a team as good as us. The fact of the matter is that we aren't the same team blue-line and back that we were last year. The loss of Huet and particularly Streit (who was surprisingly good defensively) hurt us tonight and it may not be the last time. Our forwards seem to be gelling and the right combos seem to be forming, so why not that on D. 2 bad games by O'Byrne (during wins) was enough for Carbo to forget how important consistency and positioning really are for defencemen. If we aren't careful we may become one of those teams who can't score enough goals to win. Our goalies are at least average NHL goalies, but until we field an above-average defence we shouldn't be surprised with results like this.
After not playing since Monday I wasn't too surprised to see some rust. For some reason the NHL gave us a 5 night break in October! Why on earth does a team who has only played 6 games in 5 1/2 months need 5 nights off? It obviously had a negative effect on our team which is bad news as it happens again in a week. After 5 wins, however, I am not getting too excited about all of this as I know losses are inevitable and I am also a big believer in the theory that if you are going to lose you may as well make it count. We have a new week coming with our usual 3 games. Let's forget tonight and keep the momentum from our quick start going.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
First, But Not Home and Away
All's rosy in Montreal. First place in March. It has been truly impressive.
However, a couple of nights ago, it was the West who clinched the rights to the President's trophy.
Even with all the positives floating around, I thought it would be worth a look at the reasons (I believe) that the Habs are not Detroit, not running away with the league or, indeed, the East title. In keeping with the accepted format, I'll list my 10 reasons here:
1. Michael Ryder – he's had some great games, even playing the standout role in a few important wins over the season. But, it remains that up until February or so, he was not playing first-line calibre hockey. He has scored 10 less goals than he normally would have, and less than half of what we might have hoped. His play in November in particular, before line 1B got going, probably cost the team some possible points. His play since February, however, probably played a big role in that much vaunted 10-3-1 since the Huet trade.
2. Young players – when you start the season with so many players under the age of 23, you should expect some nights dedicated to learning from mistakes. Carey Price certainly had a few before his competition for the number one job came from Slovakia, not France. Andrei Kostitsyn took a couple of months more learning than some might have hoped. Latendresse, also a mere 20 years of age, is learning how to play nightly.
3. The West – better than the East at the moment. When I say better, I refer to their top few teams, that is Detroit, Dallas, San Jose and Anaheim, all of whom handled the Habs with relative ease. More wins in the West would have added daylight between us and the pack. Not to worry, we have a couple of months to figure out how to do it...
4. Christopher Higgins – obviously not a bad player to have around. However, if Koivu was given a star winger, Higgins would not have to play the role that he has been trying to play for most of the season. Chris is a great player, but in only his 3rd season, may need more time to figure out how to be a top-line goalscorer. Chris has also done exactly what should have been expected of him, with steady improvement of his totals. Some wild predictions for him early, which had they come true, would have made him a 40-goalscorer and earned the Habs points in the standings.
5. Too many defensemen – signing Brisebois, playing Dandenault, these were early season mistakes. Now on the radio you will hear about rolling 4 forward lines. Well, that's not how it started in October. Playing 8 defensemen (sometime 2 up front), in hindsight, was clearly holding back the best offense in the league. The change, I think was made around the Sergei Kostitsyn move, what I think was an admission the original plan (including overloading with D) was going awry.
6. Goaltending choices – first and foremost, not playing Halak. Halak could have and should have played. He is a very good goalie who could have stolen points. Instead, Carey Price (in December) and Cristobal Huet (in February) were played, even when they probably needed some rest and recalibration.
7. French Canadians – Pascal Leclaire, Dany Sabourin, Martin St. Louis. Come on. Every French Canadian seems to play that much better in Montreal than anywhere else. Their superhuman efforts on some nights have cost the Habs.
8. Summer signings – Smolinski, Brisebois and Kostopoulos. Initially these players played more than they do now. Clearly, as the season progressed, they have found their proper roles. In addition to the signings that were made, consider the signings that were not made: Brian Rafalski, Teemu Selanne. These moves could have helped the Habs in the short-term garner more wins.
9. The plan – most of the above also fall in some way into this category. We didn't sign a scoring winger for Koivu because we chose to develop young players instead (NOTE: Gainey would have gladly obtained someone, provided the cost was acceptable – see Hossa – but not at the expense of people integral to his plan). Basically, I think even Bob Gainey would tell you this year has come sooner than anticipated. But consider that if Buffalo and Ottawa were gunning for 110+ points like a year earlier, the Habs would be in a fight for 5th. The Canadiens, in essence, are right where they planned to be, it's the rest of the teams that have slipped or fallen.
10. Jason Spezza and the Ottawa Senators – the antithesis of the Bruins. The Senators know the Canadiens have weaknesses and exploit them. They, as the best team in the East coming in, understand how to exploit a rookie defenseman and goalie. It's not magic what they do, it's called setting the tone. They know that if they set the tone, the Habs will begin to question how they can possibly climb back against Spezza, Alfredsson and co. Last game, the Habs set the tone and won. Is the lesson, therefore learned? Let's hope so.
All that realism, here's my disclaimer. As I said, I believe the Habs are right where they wanted to be and should be (maybe 4-5 points better, or a couple of Boston wins). This list should not be seen as a negative piece, but rather as a list of things that, in some cases could be improved, in order to step up to Detroit's level.
In some instances, the lessons have been learned on the fly. In fact, if you look at the pace since Game 29 or so, you'd see an upturn in the points-per-game average of the Habs: the 8 D is out the window, Price has learned a lot (as have other youngsters), Ryder has been steadily improving. To call it a season of two halves would be an exaggeration, but it would not be crazy to say this team has, especially since January, taken big steps beyond some its Eastern rivals.
As we know the quest for 96 is over, so we can look for 100+ and first and more importantly then move onto the quest for 32 more big points this spring...
However, a couple of nights ago, it was the West who clinched the rights to the President's trophy.
Even with all the positives floating around, I thought it would be worth a look at the reasons (I believe) that the Habs are not Detroit, not running away with the league or, indeed, the East title. In keeping with the accepted format, I'll list my 10 reasons here:
1. Michael Ryder – he's had some great games, even playing the standout role in a few important wins over the season. But, it remains that up until February or so, he was not playing first-line calibre hockey. He has scored 10 less goals than he normally would have, and less than half of what we might have hoped. His play in November in particular, before line 1B got going, probably cost the team some possible points. His play since February, however, probably played a big role in that much vaunted 10-3-1 since the Huet trade.
2. Young players – when you start the season with so many players under the age of 23, you should expect some nights dedicated to learning from mistakes. Carey Price certainly had a few before his competition for the number one job came from Slovakia, not France. Andrei Kostitsyn took a couple of months more learning than some might have hoped. Latendresse, also a mere 20 years of age, is learning how to play nightly.
3. The West – better than the East at the moment. When I say better, I refer to their top few teams, that is Detroit, Dallas, San Jose and Anaheim, all of whom handled the Habs with relative ease. More wins in the West would have added daylight between us and the pack. Not to worry, we have a couple of months to figure out how to do it...
4. Christopher Higgins – obviously not a bad player to have around. However, if Koivu was given a star winger, Higgins would not have to play the role that he has been trying to play for most of the season. Chris is a great player, but in only his 3rd season, may need more time to figure out how to be a top-line goalscorer. Chris has also done exactly what should have been expected of him, with steady improvement of his totals. Some wild predictions for him early, which had they come true, would have made him a 40-goalscorer and earned the Habs points in the standings.
5. Too many defensemen – signing Brisebois, playing Dandenault, these were early season mistakes. Now on the radio you will hear about rolling 4 forward lines. Well, that's not how it started in October. Playing 8 defensemen (sometime 2 up front), in hindsight, was clearly holding back the best offense in the league. The change, I think was made around the Sergei Kostitsyn move, what I think was an admission the original plan (including overloading with D) was going awry.
6. Goaltending choices – first and foremost, not playing Halak. Halak could have and should have played. He is a very good goalie who could have stolen points. Instead, Carey Price (in December) and Cristobal Huet (in February) were played, even when they probably needed some rest and recalibration.
7. French Canadians – Pascal Leclaire, Dany Sabourin, Martin St. Louis. Come on. Every French Canadian seems to play that much better in Montreal than anywhere else. Their superhuman efforts on some nights have cost the Habs.
8. Summer signings – Smolinski, Brisebois and Kostopoulos. Initially these players played more than they do now. Clearly, as the season progressed, they have found their proper roles. In addition to the signings that were made, consider the signings that were not made: Brian Rafalski, Teemu Selanne. These moves could have helped the Habs in the short-term garner more wins.
9. The plan – most of the above also fall in some way into this category. We didn't sign a scoring winger for Koivu because we chose to develop young players instead (NOTE: Gainey would have gladly obtained someone, provided the cost was acceptable – see Hossa – but not at the expense of people integral to his plan). Basically, I think even Bob Gainey would tell you this year has come sooner than anticipated. But consider that if Buffalo and Ottawa were gunning for 110+ points like a year earlier, the Habs would be in a fight for 5th. The Canadiens, in essence, are right where they planned to be, it's the rest of the teams that have slipped or fallen.
10. Jason Spezza and the Ottawa Senators – the antithesis of the Bruins. The Senators know the Canadiens have weaknesses and exploit them. They, as the best team in the East coming in, understand how to exploit a rookie defenseman and goalie. It's not magic what they do, it's called setting the tone. They know that if they set the tone, the Habs will begin to question how they can possibly climb back against Spezza, Alfredsson and co. Last game, the Habs set the tone and won. Is the lesson, therefore learned? Let's hope so.
All that realism, here's my disclaimer. As I said, I believe the Habs are right where they wanted to be and should be (maybe 4-5 points better, or a couple of Boston wins). This list should not be seen as a negative piece, but rather as a list of things that, in some cases could be improved, in order to step up to Detroit's level.
In some instances, the lessons have been learned on the fly. In fact, if you look at the pace since Game 29 or so, you'd see an upturn in the points-per-game average of the Habs: the 8 D is out the window, Price has learned a lot (as have other youngsters), Ryder has been steadily improving. To call it a season of two halves would be an exaggeration, but it would not be crazy to say this team has, especially since January, taken big steps beyond some its Eastern rivals.
As we know the quest for 96 is over, so we can look for 100+ and first and more importantly then move onto the quest for 32 more big points this spring...
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Game #70
Defending Champs Overwhelm an Intimidated Group of Habs
Game #70
Defending Champs Overwhelm an Intimidated Group of Habs
The Canadiens Game in Review
Date: Sunday March 9th, 2008
Opponent: Anaheim Ducks
Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Team Stripes
Final Score: 1-3 - Loss
Habs starting goalie: Carey Price (L)
Opposition starting goalie: Jean-Sebastien Giguere (W)
Habs goalscorers: Alexei Kovalev
Opposition goalscorers: Todd Marchant, Chris Kunitz, Samuel Pahlsson
2007/08 first
There's a first time for everything, so they say. What they didn't tell you is that every game, something happens for the first time, you just have to look harder in March...
1st Game that Plekanec has missed all season
Play of the game
The play you're straining to see on the press catwalk monitor...
Grabovski made the most of Plekanec's absence tonight by figuring in on the play of the game - our only goal. Mikhail skated behind our net and left it there for Hamrlik and then sprinted up the ice. Hammer hit Kostitsyn (A) with a perfect pass and Andrei just simply directed it back towards Grabo. Grabovski then skated in, accelerating past perennial Norris Trophy winner and NHL fastest skater Scott Niedermayer, and drew a penalty. Instead of giving up on the play and waiting for the whistle he deked out Giguere and got the keeper to fall to his knees off to the side of his net. Then, instead of shooting Mik did a tight turn to the right of the net and hit a wide open Kovalev who easily put the puck in an equally wide open net.
Game puck
Trophies are for the end of the year, play well in the game, you get a lovely puck...
Carey Price
Price faced 37 shots tonight and without him back there this game wouldn't even had been this close, never mind being tied with 7 minutes to play. He was often hung out to dry by his teammates and he did really well given the circumstances. I thought he made a lot of smart plays with the puck, but he was also smart about leaving the puck to the defence when it was a close call.
Dome hockey team
We're going into the last minute with these 6 (and they're attached to the ice, so they're not coming off)...
Forwards
Mikhail Grabovski
- I once again was impressed by the play and poise of this young prospect. He was asked to fill some big shoes tonight in Plekanec's absence and I thought he didn't look out of place one bit. He was fast, creative and was a constant threat for Giguere
Alexei Kovalev
- Kovalev scored his 30th tonight, a mark that tells us yet again the kind of season he is having. He was explosive out there and was one of only a handful of Habs who didn't seem intimidated by the reigning champs
Tom Kostopoulos
- Tom is doing all that he can to keep his line-up spot as he put in a second straight impressive effort. He had 5 of our 21 shots on goal, the second most by a Hab tonight. He played a physical game along the boards and in the offensive zone; it was the type of game we need from him on a constant basis
Defencemen
Andrei Markov
- Markov didn't have his greatest game of the season, but was still one of our top 2 D-men tonight. He skated very well and his passing was as good as ever. Tonight Komisarek wasn't too sharp and that simply meant our top combo was not as opposing
Roman Hamrlik
- With 70 games in the books for the Habs you really start to see what certain players are made of. Hammer played another solid game tonight showing us that he is a player built for the stretch and hopefully the playoffs. He would have finished in the positive tonight if he didn't have the misfortune of being teamed with Breeze-By for a second straight game - it was Patrice's pathetic attempt at defensive zone coverage which allowed Anaheim to take the lead
Goaltender
Craey Price
- Normally when Price loses it is because of poor play on his behalf. It is a rarity to see this year's Habs only put up one goal and to show so few signs of life. He deserved a better result tonight as I thought he gave an undeserving bunch a serious chance at winning. It will be interesting to see where Carbo goes from here, because we all know if tonight's game was Halak's (or Huet's before him) there would definitely be a goalie switch. Will we see win and you're in, lose and your out or will the Habs stick with Carey and you're in, anyone else and you're out
Eyes on Kovalev
Did he flit and float? Someone ought to keep track...
As predicted Kovalev had a solid game. Unfortunately it seems that the rest of his team were not quite up to the challenge of beating the Cup Champions. He made Grabovski look very good this game as they clicked with each other as though they were long time linemates. He has 12 games left to get us to where we want to be. It is now up to him, Saku, Hammer and all of the other veterans to take charge of this team and make sure we get the job done.
Kovalev's Assessment - Very Good
Overall Comments
If you missed this game and want to know how we played all you have to do is remember back to when we last played Ottawa or Detroit. We were scared tonight, we were intimidated, we were unsure of ourselves and worst of all we refused to play our game. For some reason we thought that the middle of the playoff-pack Ducks deserved some kind of respect since they are the Cup holders. This, unfortunately, is the same way we play against all of the 'big' teams. We refuse to stick to our plan as we skate around in awe of their players. We are the Montreal Canadiens, we have won 24 Cups, we are the ones people should be intimidated by. Until we get over our fear of beating successful teams we will never become one ourselves.
With the score at 1-3, with less than 4 minutes to play we got a Power-Play. We knew that nothing was really working all night, but instead iof changing anything up we just kept at it. In order to score 2 and force OT we were going to have to get lucky, because that was all we had left. The best way to increase your luck in cases like these are to increase your odds of scoring and that can be quite easily achieved by increasing your players on the ice. Carbo should have pulled Price to give us a 2-man advantage and give us a serious chance to get back within one. Unfortunately the guide to being a standard NHL coach doesn't have a chapter on creativity, thus we did not see this happen. I love having players that get creative, fancy and take risks, I just wish that the coaching staff would occasionally follow suit..
Date: Sunday March 9th, 2008
Opponent: Anaheim Ducks
Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Team Stripes
Final Score: 1-3 - Loss
Habs starting goalie: Carey Price (L)
Opposition starting goalie: Jean-Sebastien Giguere (W)
Habs goalscorers: Alexei Kovalev
Opposition goalscorers: Todd Marchant, Chris Kunitz, Samuel Pahlsson
2007/08 first
There's a first time for everything, so they say. What they didn't tell you is that every game, something happens for the first time, you just have to look harder in March...
1st Game that Plekanec has missed all season
Play of the game
The play you're straining to see on the press catwalk monitor...
Grabovski made the most of Plekanec's absence tonight by figuring in on the play of the game - our only goal. Mikhail skated behind our net and left it there for Hamrlik and then sprinted up the ice. Hammer hit Kostitsyn (A) with a perfect pass and Andrei just simply directed it back towards Grabo. Grabovski then skated in, accelerating past perennial Norris Trophy winner and NHL fastest skater Scott Niedermayer, and drew a penalty. Instead of giving up on the play and waiting for the whistle he deked out Giguere and got the keeper to fall to his knees off to the side of his net. Then, instead of shooting Mik did a tight turn to the right of the net and hit a wide open Kovalev who easily put the puck in an equally wide open net.
Game puck
Trophies are for the end of the year, play well in the game, you get a lovely puck...
Carey Price
Price faced 37 shots tonight and without him back there this game wouldn't even had been this close, never mind being tied with 7 minutes to play. He was often hung out to dry by his teammates and he did really well given the circumstances. I thought he made a lot of smart plays with the puck, but he was also smart about leaving the puck to the defence when it was a close call.
Dome hockey team
We're going into the last minute with these 6 (and they're attached to the ice, so they're not coming off)...
Forwards
Mikhail Grabovski
- I once again was impressed by the play and poise of this young prospect. He was asked to fill some big shoes tonight in Plekanec's absence and I thought he didn't look out of place one bit. He was fast, creative and was a constant threat for Giguere
Alexei Kovalev
- Kovalev scored his 30th tonight, a mark that tells us yet again the kind of season he is having. He was explosive out there and was one of only a handful of Habs who didn't seem intimidated by the reigning champs
Tom Kostopoulos
- Tom is doing all that he can to keep his line-up spot as he put in a second straight impressive effort. He had 5 of our 21 shots on goal, the second most by a Hab tonight. He played a physical game along the boards and in the offensive zone; it was the type of game we need from him on a constant basis
Defencemen
Andrei Markov
- Markov didn't have his greatest game of the season, but was still one of our top 2 D-men tonight. He skated very well and his passing was as good as ever. Tonight Komisarek wasn't too sharp and that simply meant our top combo was not as opposing
Roman Hamrlik
- With 70 games in the books for the Habs you really start to see what certain players are made of. Hammer played another solid game tonight showing us that he is a player built for the stretch and hopefully the playoffs. He would have finished in the positive tonight if he didn't have the misfortune of being teamed with Breeze-By for a second straight game - it was Patrice's pathetic attempt at defensive zone coverage which allowed Anaheim to take the lead
Goaltender
Craey Price
- Normally when Price loses it is because of poor play on his behalf. It is a rarity to see this year's Habs only put up one goal and to show so few signs of life. He deserved a better result tonight as I thought he gave an undeserving bunch a serious chance at winning. It will be interesting to see where Carbo goes from here, because we all know if tonight's game was Halak's (or Huet's before him) there would definitely be a goalie switch. Will we see win and you're in, lose and your out or will the Habs stick with Carey and you're in, anyone else and you're out
Eyes on Kovalev
Did he flit and float? Someone ought to keep track...
As predicted Kovalev had a solid game. Unfortunately it seems that the rest of his team were not quite up to the challenge of beating the Cup Champions. He made Grabovski look very good this game as they clicked with each other as though they were long time linemates. He has 12 games left to get us to where we want to be. It is now up to him, Saku, Hammer and all of the other veterans to take charge of this team and make sure we get the job done.
Kovalev's Assessment - Very Good
Overall Comments
If you missed this game and want to know how we played all you have to do is remember back to when we last played Ottawa or Detroit. We were scared tonight, we were intimidated, we were unsure of ourselves and worst of all we refused to play our game. For some reason we thought that the middle of the playoff-pack Ducks deserved some kind of respect since they are the Cup holders. This, unfortunately, is the same way we play against all of the 'big' teams. We refuse to stick to our plan as we skate around in awe of their players. We are the Montreal Canadiens, we have won 24 Cups, we are the ones people should be intimidated by. Until we get over our fear of beating successful teams we will never become one ourselves.
With the score at 1-3, with less than 4 minutes to play we got a Power-Play. We knew that nothing was really working all night, but instead iof changing anything up we just kept at it. In order to score 2 and force OT we were going to have to get lucky, because that was all we had left. The best way to increase your luck in cases like these are to increase your odds of scoring and that can be quite easily achieved by increasing your players on the ice. Carbo should have pulled Price to give us a 2-man advantage and give us a serious chance to get back within one. Unfortunately the guide to being a standard NHL coach doesn't have a chapter on creativity, thus we did not see this happen. I love having players that get creative, fancy and take risks, I just wish that the coaching staff would occasionally follow suit..
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