Montreal 2 Washington 4 (Verizon Center)
This should come as no surprise, but I don’t stand behind the bench of the Montreal Canadiens to watch games. Head coach Jacques Martin does. Consequently, it’s normal for us to have a slightly different perspective about what happens on the ice.
As an example, let’s look at the first period of tonight’s game.
There was no score after the first period. Shots were 11-to-3 in favor of the Capitals. Washington outhit Montreal 14-to-5. The Canadiens were outmuscled and spent most of the period in their own zone. The only reason that the game was still tied at zero was the superb play of Carey Price.
Now, let’s hear from coach Martin about his thoughts.
“After a pretty even first period, I thought we lost momentum,” Martin said. “They took the game away in the second period. They were more on the puck, were more aggressive, won more battles.”
Well, I guess the game really looks different from behind the bench.
Granted, the Capitals won more puck battles and were more aggressive but that didn’t start in the second period. How is it that the Capitals can dominate in shots on goal, hits, and time in the offensive zone and Martin calls it “a pretty even first period?”
They say that before a problem can be fixed, it has to be acknowledged. Is it possible that there have been no solutions for the issues that plague the Canadiens because Martin doesn’t see anything wrong? It was game number 44 tonight. Many of the same challenges that we identified at the beginning of the season, still exist.
The Canadiens continue to play a passive system that easily yields the puck, the neutral zone and the blue-line to the opposition. Habs defensemen back in on their goaltender. Hal Gill followed the system so effectively that he was at the crease to deflect in the second Capitals goal and Gill screened Price for the third goal against.
The initial excitement about Benoit Pouliot is being tempered. Pouliot scored his third goal in a Canadiens jersey but he was also on the ice for three of four Washington goals.
The Canadiens top forward pairing of Tomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri continues to look lost with the absence of Andrei Kostitsyn. Plekanec and Cammalleri were also punished physically by the Capitals.
The Habs also miss Ryan O’Byrne in the lineup especially for his physical play. Andrei Markov, Roman Hamrlik, Jaroslav Spacek, Hal Gill and Josh Gorges, combined, registered a single hit. That’s unacceptable for a defense corps that spends too much time chasing puck carriers.
Without the Kostitsyn brothers in the lineup, a spot is open for Georges Laraque. He was on the ice for four shifts totalling 2:42 in ice-time. Laraque had no shots, no hits, and no fights. Which begs the question: what is the point of Laraque continuing to occupy a roster spot?
The officiating crew that included Tim Peel was visible in this game (which is never a good thing), mostly for their non-calls. Mike Knuble slashing Markov’s stick and breaking it was probably the most blatant non-penalty call. A moment later, Tomas Fleischmann scored to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead, and they never looked back.
The shots on goal were 43-to-26 for the Capitals which flatters the Canadiens. Washington dominated in every facet of the game except goaltending. Price’s solid play was the only reason that the result remained respectable.
When taking more than 40 shots, the Capitals are 7-0-1. Perhaps ensuring that the shot total remained under 40 should have been part of the game plan. Of course, that probably looks much different from behind the bench too.
The Canadiens return home to play the Panthers on Thursday night. Given that Florida sits in thirteenth place, expect to see Jaroslav Halak in goal.
Rocket’s three stars
1. Alexander Semin
2. Carey Price
3. Tomas Fleischmann
Material from wire services was used in this report.
(photo credit: Getty)
did anyone see Price sitting there looking pissed after the game? he sat there & stared at every single player that walked passed him..and I could have sworn he broke his stick in frustration…
ugh..
You've got to ask if this is a major part of the reason why Gainey brought in Martin. He speaks as if he actually believes what he says. Which stats make him believe that the first period was at all evenly played?
I'm alarmed at how removing AK46 from the lineup completely neutralizes the 1st line. To depend so greatly on someone capable of being invisible as he was through the first 20 games, then doing a 180° baffles me. It just speaks to the lack of depth this team suffers from, particularly among the top 6. I like Pacioretty, but he's not ready for 1st line duty. I question whether or not he's ready for 3rd line duty. He's young, inexperienced, and it shows in his style of play. He often has his head down and for a boy his size, he gets knocked on his rear far too much. I maintain that he needs more time to mature in the AHL before he gets permanently damaged, either physically, mentally, or both in the NHL.
To be this tight against the cap and to be this mediocre is simply unacceptable. The defense doesn't (or can't) hit, check, or cover anyone, and the forwards are like a house of cards; nice to look at, but pull just one card and the whole thing collapses. This is evident when we lose an AK46 and are forced to replace him with a youngster like Pacioretty.
To be this tight against the cap, and have Plekanec and Price to deal with this summer and Andrei Markov to deal with next summer? What do the Canadiens have to show for their heavy spending? What lies down the road? Whether it's Gainey or some other GM, there is a lot of rabbit-pulling to be done here over the next 18 months. Unless, of course, we enjoy mediocrity. But one should not expect anything different from this team until the system changes. Martin's loser approach paints the target on the goaltender's chest, making it clear to the opposition and angry fans where to direct their assault.
Before Markov's return many Habs fans were certain that most of the problems that plagued the team would cease, or at least be improved. Have they? Though the record with Markov is pretty good, I don't think anyone is silly enough to suggest that the problems have been addressed one bit. For a time, balanced scoring was coming around, and discipline seemed to be improving, but that apparently was just temporary. The disparity in turnovers, shots against, time of possession and scoring chances persist. If, as the saying goes "defense wins championships" holds any value, may the Hockey Gods be kind to us because the Habs are doomed. Markov has improved the puck's path out of the Canadiens zone, but that's assuming he can get the puck on his stick. He's been tremendous offensively, but has not done much to address this team's considerable defensive problems. Again, is it the system, the players, or both?
What now becomes the excuse? Injuries have always been a part of hockey. It's folly to assume that once AK46 returns, the team's problems will be fixed because the top line will find its way once again. We've been down this road already. Guys have come in and out of the lineup, and though they bring spark and life back to the team, they don't truly fix what ails this team.
That's Martin's mess to clean up, and it appears that he does not have any answers. He appears completely incapable of coaching in the post-lockout era and one must wonder if the only reason he was brought in to coach this team was to wrangle in the media and keep them at bay while Gainey searches his bag of tricks for what's next.
In my humble view, things will not change for this group until a new system, if not a new coach altogether is brought in. A coach and system that embraces the today's NHL and that aligns with his players strengths.
After the first period, I was convinced that it was all I would need to see. To quote Michel Therrien, it was "men against boys". What's Michel Therrien up to these days? Wait, nevermind. Forget I asked.
Coach fail. I mean who the hell lets D'Agostini on at the same time as Ovie?
Guh…I can't wait for Guy Boucher… Or if Martin could just learn from Boucher's methods and system…
@Ir – good for Price. His teammates should know – from Price himself – how they are letting him down.
@Number31 – Boudreau was pushing that matchup…wouldn't you if you were him? Martin apparently adjusted as the game went on, but it was too late by that point.
As for Boucher…he's doing great work with the Bulldogs. I just hope we don't get stuck in a situation where Martin is let go before Boucher is prepared for the NHL gig, and then we will eventually turf yet another homegrown coach who will go on to better things elsewhere.
Is it possible that there would be another coach between Martin's firing and Boucher's promotion? Of course, I'm assuming that Martin will be fired, which may be a pipe dream. He's got years left on his contract.
They can't hire Guy Boucher yet. Believe me, if they rush him to the Habs gig and they end up firing him a year or two later, he WILL come back and haunt us. Or glare at us D:
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