5 Reasons Carbo should play Ryan O’Byrne in Game 2 (and beyond)

Rick Stephens

17 years ago

Rocket:

First let’s look at game #1 and the performance of O’Byrne’s replacement in the line-up.

Yes, Patrice Brisebois got his name on the score sheet. Not in the ‘hits’ category though…that hasn’t happened since the Leafs won the Stanley Cup. He got one assist but we should be careful not to skew his overall game evaluation by this.
Brisebois directed a shot from the point in the opening seconds of the game. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time. I’m sure that Habster, myself and most of our readers could have put more velocity on the shot but the puck managed to find its way to the skate of Aaron Ward who was doing an effective job of screening Tim Thomas. Thomas made the save on the re-directed shot but surrendered a big rebound which was cashed in by Sergie Kostitsyn.
On a Canadiens power play, #71 tripped trying to turn at the Bruins blue line and took down a line mate (sorry PB, friendly fire doesn’t count on the hits tally). This set up a shorthanded chance for Boston. Running into your own player is the type of mistake a player might make if he is nervous from making his first playoff appearance, not someone whose only asset is playoff experience.
Brisebois, a Bruin and Hamrlik (in that order) were chasing down a puck in the Montreal zone for an icing call. Even though PB had a lead, it was clear even to Hamrlik, that Brisebois wasn’t going to be first to touch the puck. So, Hamrlik stepped in, push his head down and skated down the puck for the icing touch.
It doesn’t seem that the Bruins have any respect for Brisebois’ playoff experience. Shawn Thornton made a big hit on Brisebois as he was caught admiring his own clearing pass. Is this what Guy Carbonneau had in mind when he chose Brisebois who he said could move the puck more quickly than O’Byrne?
In the third period, Kovalev put the puck back to the point to Hamrlik but it hopped over his stick. Brisebois was covering but Marco Sturm outskated PB for the puck and went in all alone. Price had to make a great save.

In game #2, the Bruins will undoubtedly try to be more physical. They will also try to put more bodies in front of Carey Price. Brisebois does not play the body at all and is often outmuscled in front of the Canadiens net. This is where Ryan O’Byrne excels. O’Byrne is young and does make the occasional mistake, but as noted above, errors are not confined to youth. O’Byrne’s contributions to the team far outweigh any errors.

Ryan O’Byrne is 6’6″, 240lbs. and an intimidating presence in front of Price. He clears the front of the net.
O’Byrne led the team in hits on most nights while Komisarek was injured. He is a punishing physical player but rarely puts himself out of position.
O’Byrne is a much better skater than Brisebois and makes a good, crisp, first pass to clear the zone.
O’B also blocks shots, something that PB does not.
O’Byrne has developed chemistry with Carey Price.

The last point is important and something confirmed by Bulldogs coach Don Lever. O’Byrne is better able to communicate with Price on defensive positioning. He also has a better idea what to do when Price plays the puck.

Regarding playoff experience, O’Byrne responded “I’ve been in playoffs every year since I was 13”. A lack of NHL playoff experience didn’t seem to hurt the Kostitsyn brothers, Price, Kostopoulos, and Lapierre in the first game of the series. After game one, Carey Price smiled and said “Now we’re all experienced. We’ve all played a game.”

It was clear that Komisarek was not 100% in game #1. Fortunately, Hamrlik picked up his game. Still, in game #2, it would be smart to have another physical player in the line-up. O’Byrne has really matured, has played well when paired with Hamrlik and should not be wasted in the press box while a liability like Brisebois plays in his place.