Below is an excerpt the Sportsnet/CP article:
“Hopefully we’re going to realize soon that if we want to be a top team, which everybody expects us to be, the way the game is played, it’s not about who has the best offence,” said Saku Koivu after Montreal’s 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
“A lot of times it’s about who’s the most disciplined team, who’s the best defensively.”
The goals have been there, but even before being outshot 41-20 by Toronto, the Canadiens were playing far too loose, surrendering an average of roughly 30 shots a game.
Forget firewagon hockey, Koivu wants to see the Habs simplify their game.
“I don’t think there’s any doubts we can score two, three goals a period, but I think the question right now is to get back to gritty hockey and making simple plays, keeping it boring in a way and wait for the opportunities,” he said. “Right now, I think we’re forcing things, we’re hoping the play is going to happen for us and that’s just not the way it goes.
