Montreal 2 Buffalo 1 OT (HSBC arena)
The initial reaction to the Scott Gomez trade was that Bob Gainey overpaid in terms of assets and taking on a big contract. But when revealed that Gomez was the key to Brian Gionta, Mike Cammalleri and others signing with the Canadiens, the premium was definitely worthwhile, if the first two games are any indication.
The on-ice chemistry was evident again tonight as rebound from the stick of Gomez was knocked out of the air by Brian Gionta and behind Ryan Miller for the overtime winner. Gionta is displaying the give-it-all-on-every-shift attitude that we were accustomed to seeing from Saku Koivu.
Travis Moen, another excellent Gainey free agent signing, continues to prove his value with another solid game. Moen led the team in hits and scored his second goal in consecutive games on a great individual effort taking the puck to the Sabres net.
But the star of the game was Carey Price. The Canadiens were out shot badly again: 35-17. Price kept his team in the game making several brilliant saves. In two games, Price is sporting a .951 save percentage.
After the game coach Jacques Martin said, “The chances aren’t as bad as the shots, but we have a lot of work to do. We’ll take the two points, but at the same time we know we have to improve in certain areas.”
Martin shortened his bench in an effort to spark the offense and also by necessity. Glen Metropolit and Ryan O’Byrne both left the game with injuries. Max Pacioretty, Georges Laraque and Greg Stewart saw limited icetime with Stewart only playing just over three minutes.
Reports are that O’Byrne has a sprained knee and will not accompany the team out West. Metropolit has a rib injury after colliding with Patrick Kaleta and will be re-evaluated when the team gets to Calgary. Waiting in the wings is Kyle Chipchura who has been cleared to play but has not had any game action.
Tomas Plekanec continues to play hard but isn’t getting any help from his line mates. Andrei Kostitsyn has yet to get on track.
The francophone media may be thrilled that Scott Gomez is learning how to speak French. I would prefer that he spent the time learning how to win faceoffs. Gomez was a pitiful 27 per cent at the faceoff dot.
Other than one good shift the third line is still missing in action. Guillaume Latendresse and Maxim Lapierre aren’t playing well at either end of the ice. Over the summer it would appear that they forgot how to make and receive a pass.
The Canadiens are not sustaining any offensive pressure. The Habs only had one shot on goal in the third period, and that was with the benefit of two power-play opportunities. The power-play went 0-for-6 tonight and needs a lot of work. Calling up Yannick Weber from Hamilton could provide immediate help.
You may not know it if you were watching RDS but Hal Gill and Paul Mara played better tonight. Roman Hamrlik showed some signs of rust but played a solid 24 minutes. Jaroslav Spacek had five blocked shots and for one game played like a number one defenseman. The Habs defensemen continue to have trouble clearing the zone but deserve credit for collectively delivering a stand up effort despite depleted numbers.
Former Hab, Craig Rivet was noteworthy for the Sabres. Rivet had an assist and led the Sabres in shots with five.
The Canadiens continue their five game road trip on Tuesday with a game in Calgary against the Flames.
Pre-game
expected lineup:
Gomez, Gionta, Cammalleri
Plekanec, Pacioretty, Andrei Kostitsyn
Lapierre, Latendresse, Moen
Metropolit, Stewart, Laraque
Hamrlik, Spacek
O’Byrne, Gorges
Gill, Mara
Carey Price starts in goal for the Canadiens; Ryan Miller for the Sabres
scratches: Chipchura, Markov, D’Agostini
Rocket’s three stars
1. Carey Price
2. Travis Moen
3. Craig Rivet
(photo credit: Getty images)
Hard to complain about a team that is 2-0, but this is not the NFL where 2-0 is considered a big deal. If not for Price, this team would be 0-2 and people would be in a state of panic before the team plays its first home game.
It's to be expected, but this team has a ton of work to do at both ends of the ice. Being outshot 81-44 after 2 games against "mediocre at best" opposition (some would say inferior) is quite a cause for concern. But as long as Price continues to shine like this, he may give his mates time to get their act together.
I thought Gill and Mara did play better. Hamrlik is a welcome addition in Markov's absence, and Gionta seems to be a little dynamo. Moen is earning his paycheck so far, but sadly, others are not. Kostitsyn looks like he's out to lunch yet again and if he doesn't snap out of it, he's going to drag the entire 2nd line down with him.
The injuries are already piling up, which just adds another layer of complexity to this puzzle. O'Byrne was looking like he was ready to come in to his own, and Metropolit has been terrific through 2 games. They're both replaceable at this point, but I hope the team doesn't have to test their organizational depth too often.
Big Western road swing coming up, which will be very difficult at best. I'm not sure what the Habs record is in Alberta and BC, but I'm sure it isn't very good.
Time for Martin to get this team playing balanced hockey before Price's save % drops beneath .930.
At this point I like Martin's coaching moves and the way he is handling his players particularly the goaltenders. Price has all the tools to be an elite goaltender. The only thing he needs from his coach is support, something that was completely missing last season.
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