Game 1: Montreal 0 Toronto 2 (Air Canada Centre)
Written by Rick Stephens, AllHabs.net
MONTREAL, QC. — It was a new season and fans were brimming with optimism. Their beloved Canadiens were full of promise — favorites Max Pacioretty and Josh Gorges were welcomed back into the fold. Erik Cole was added as the big power-forward that had been missing from the top-six for many years.
On paper, the team’s fortunes seemed bright.
One can’t blame those who had expected the 2011-12 version of the Canadiens to be much improved. With time, it’s possible that view will be proven right. But during the pre-season and in the Habs first game against Toronto, fans witnessed a carry-over of the flaws of last year — raising early-season concerns.
The first period started well, or did it? While the Canadiens had a 14-to-4 advantage in shots, most were from the perimeter with Andrei Kostitsyn being one of the few Montreal players who ventured into the scoring areas for his three chances. Toronto did their best to gift-wrap opportunities for their guests with a bevy of giveaways that the Habs could not convert.
The turning point of the game came 33 seconds into the second period when the Maple Leafs took advantage of a disorganized Canadiens power-play and sloppy defensive coverage for a shorthanded goal by Mathew Lombardi. With their confidence buoyed, Toronto turnovers dried up — and with it Montreal’s transition game. Without a system that supports sustained forecheck the Habs were unable to generate offense.
Discipline was a problem beginning in the second period with three second period penalties. One of the infractions was a bench minor for too many men — a category in which Jacques Martin‘s team led the league last season.
The Canadiens were anemic when they got their opportunities with the man advantage, and curious personnel choices were, at least, in part to blame. For the first two periods, Cole was not deployed on the power-play while David Desharnais and Mathieu Darche were sent out on the first wave.
While everyone admires Darche’s character, he is a fourth-line limited-role player, and Desharnais has not yet proven that he is an everyday NHL guy. Players with the size to go to the net, and the hands to finish, like Kostitsyn, Cole and Pacioretty were under-utilized. The power-play spent too long trying to gain possession of the puck with Desharnais winning only four of his fifteen faceoffs.
Let’s summarize:
- No forecheck pressure.
- Shots from the perimeter.
- Lack of discipline.
- Questionable bench management.
These bullet points were all major failings for the Canadiens last season, and look to be a problem again this year. Montreal relied on special teams and goaltending in 2010-11, and so far only the latter looks to be at top form. Carey Price was the only reason the score remained close.
Plus / Minus
▲ Carey Price: He was solid and made several saves to keep the game close including a spectacular glove grab off Joffrey Lupul.
▲ Andrei Kostitsyn: He looked good on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri. Kostitsyn also used his size effectively, even knocking down Leaf tough-guy Mike Brown.
▼ Raphael Diaz: Carey Price was abused by Leaf forwards no fewer than three times during the game. When Tyler Bozak knocked Jaroslav Spacek and Price into the back of the net, Diaz watched and did nothing. Regardless of his size, he is obliged to come to the aid of his teammates.
▼ P.K. Subban: He finished the game at minus-2 and was the worst player on the ice. Subban has returned to the selfish and irresponsible play that marked the first half of last season.
The Canadiens head to Winnipeg for a matinee on Sunday with the Jets.
All Habs game stars
1. Carey Price
2. Andrei Kostitsyn
3. Yannick Weber
