Rocket:
A gritty win by the Canadiens but an odd game. I felt that the usual flow was missing. Coming into the game, the Habs had outscored their opponents 8-1 in the first period. Tonight, they came out a little flat.
Maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Canadiens seem to lack finish around the net. Eight defensemen were dressed with two playing forward on the 4th line for at least part of the game.
The Canadiens are still finding their way on the powerplay. In the playoffs last year, the Flyers solved the riddle of the Habs PP. Since then the Canadiens coaching staff has done little to adjust. There have been changes but that is still a work in progress with Tanguay on the point. Markov is clearly much more comfortable on the left point but that means that a very stationery Brisebois is cemented at the blueline on the right side and the usually effective rotation is lost. Philly may have figured out the Habs powerplay but other teams are quickly copying the antidote. The Canadiens PP has become predictable and it can be muted by filling the shooting lanes.
The other concern is something I have been mentioning all year. It is breakdowns in defensive zone coverage. The Canadiens cannot continue to give up, on average, 32 shots per game. Price and Halak have been great so far, but the forwards have to do a better job of coming back. While Latendresse has improved his game in the offensive zone, he is still having problems keeping up with the opposition when they go on the attack in his zone. All forwards should be reminded of their responsibility to defense.
Halak had to make 3 terrific saves in the first period all due to forwards not maintaining their checks in the defensive zone. Speaking of Halak, he had a much better game after a little bit of a shaky start in Toronto. Tonight he still had some trouble with rebound control and his glove hand but overall Jaro had a solid game and was deserving of tonight’s second star. He certainly gave his team an opportunity to win.
Halak had to make 3 terrific saves in the first period all due to forwards not maintaining their checks in the defensive zone. Speaking of Halak, he had a much better game after a little bit of a shaky start in Toronto. Tonight he still had some trouble with rebound control and his glove hand but overall Jaro had a solid game and was deserving of tonight’s second star. He certainly gave his team an opportunity to win.
I was impressed with the line of Lang, Kostopoulos and Chipchura. They did a good job of cycling the puck, kept the Panthers pinned down in their own end and created chances. Chipchura is a smart player and his effort showed the coaching staff why he belongs with the big club. He is also very responsible in his own zone.
Sergei Kostitsyn didn’t look out of place at all on the top line. There was good puck movement by the KPK line but at times, Kovalev displayed his frustration. He was quite feisty!
Ever so briefly, the ‘line’ of Markov, Koivu and Tanguay looked terrific. What a pass by Markov for Koivu’s goal! Saku has been the Canadiens best and most consistent forward so far.
Latendresse and Kostopoulos led the team in hits. I especially like Gui’s 3-way collision with the Panther defenseman and Vokoun. Okay, not exactly bullet trains but perhaps locomotives.
Lapierre can be so frustrating to watch. He was all over the ice throughout the game and playing with passion but then took a dumb penalty at the end of the third period which could have been costly. Perhaps its time for another chat with Carbo.
I want to give kudos to the Canadiens defense who are really making good decisions about when to pinch in the opposition zone. Markov, Hamrlik, O’Byrne and Georges have been particularly effective at this. I’m sure that Bouillon will be added to that list once he gets a few more games under his belt. Nice shot by Frankie for the winning goal in his first game of the season. (Good work on that shift by Dandenault, Kostopoulos and Chipchura) O’Byrne seemed to be fighting the puck a little but even after a giveaway I like how he battled to regain possession and clear the puck. Ryan plays best when he gets lots of icetime and the coaches show confidence in him. Unfortunately, his icetime was limited tonight.
As usual, I’ll mention the opposition player that caught my eye. Tonight it was Jay Bouwmeester. He is a smooth skating, puck moving, physical defenseman who does a good job quarterbacking the Panthers powerplay. Being in Florida, he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
Florida has been a nemesis to the Canadiens in the past so this is an important win.
Pregame:
Andrei Kostitsyn will recover and sit this one out. Begin still has the flu(?) Higgins may have reinjured his groin. Laraque sits. Chipchura up from Hamilton. Bouillon is ready.
Rocket’s 3 stars:
1. Andrei Markov
2. Jaroslav Halak
3. Tomas Vokoun
(photo credit: AP Photo, The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)