Coach Plays a Hunch; Habs Lose Again

I wore my lucky socks tonight. Actually I don’t have any stats on whether they’re lucky or not..it was simply a hunch. They are the socks with the Canadiens logo on them. I made sure that they weren’t visible to any cameras lest some wannabe sports journalist got the impression that I’m interested in buying the team.

Long story short..the socks didn’t work. But my hunch probably had almost an equal chance of paying off as any that Guy Carbonneau tried.

A Saturday night home game against a conference opponent who many predict will challenge for the top spot? Carbonneau announced that the team’s #2 goalie would start. Any statistics to back that up? No, just a hunch. It was a hunch AND a selfish attempt to divert attention from inept coaching to scape-goating the #1 goaltender for the team’s recent problems.
What about line management? Did the coach utilize home ice to get advantageous player matchups? No, he relied on hunches to determine line combinations and ice time. Consequently, a career coach like Stevens pounced and got the Richards line out against the Lapierre line on several occasions. Carbonneau’s failure regarding line matchups were also a problem against Boston.

Perhaps I’m just more comfortable with a coach who devises strategy matched to his player’s skills, prepares game plans after studying his opponents strengths and weaknesses, and both motivates and protects his players. Instead, I can only look forward to the discussion to come regarding this year’s edition of the lucky tie.

To their credit, the Flyers played a perfect road game. They were patient, waited for turnovers in the neutral zone and capitalized on their chances. Good defensive play in their own zone covered up for an average goalie who has really been struggling this season (Biron 4-5-2 3.33 GAA .888 SV).

Jaroslav Halak can’t be blamed for the two goals he allowed. He has been playing too deeply in his goal so far this season, but seemed to have corrected that tonight. His puck handling skills remain an adventure. Halak wasn’t tested a lot but made 2 good saves in the first period. Halak has been having trouble with his catching hand all season. It wasn’t much of a concern tonight but he still spends a lot of time giving evil looks to glove.

The Canadiens defense was already struggling even while Komisarek was in the lineup. Josh Gorges plays his best when his ice time is about 15 minutes a game. He has had poor outings defensively in each of the two games prior to tonight. I don’t believe he is the answer paired with Markov. Gorges was at a loss with Hartnell in front of the net, especially on the powerplay.

The Flyers first goal resulted from poor defensive play. Brisebois got twisted around by Mike Richards who set up Upshall. Bouillon just watched. I was mildly amused at the pairing of Brisebois and Bouillon. Brise was giving Frankie direction all night perhaps with the caption “do as I say, not as I do”.

Markov and Hamrlik made a bad line change contributing to the Flyers second goal. But on the whole, Markov, Hamrlik and O’Byrne were the only members of the Canadiens defense who played well.

Georges Laraques‘ fight with Gratton early in the game got the fans excited for 20 seconds. It was a selfish act by a guy who is trying to save his job and resuscitate his reputation. All is not forgiven Georges because we don’t forget that quickly. We dont forget what happened to Andrei Kostitsyn, Carey Price, Max Lapierre while you sat on your hands (like Stephane Dion). We don’t forget terrific team guys like Sergei Kostitsyn, Frankie Bouillon, Tom Kostopoulos and Mike Komisarek. Laraque was brought to this team for a purpose, and he has for the most part been a failure.

The first three lines had moments where they played well. Koivu, Higgins and Tanguay were particularly effective. Latendresse played as well as he has all year, in the first two periods. In fact he played far better than when he was the recipient of all those second assists. Now, let’s not overreact. Gui played well for his role on the third line, and that is the best place for him and the team

Carbonneau went to playing hunches again in the third period. Higgins with Lapierre and Begin. Latendresse with Koivu and Tanguay. Plekanec with the Kostitsyn brothers. And no one played all that well.

Begin led the team in hits, but not to any result. At this time, the Canadiens 4th line only offers time for the other three to catch their breath. They aren’t a threat to score and are a defensive liability. They need Kostopoulos back, and an addition or two from Hamilton.

The Flyers just made sure that the Canadiens didn’t get opportunities where they could use their speed. This is a well-coached team.

Matt Carle is a good addition to the Flyers defense. Holmgren made a nice move to strengthen his team at the same time ridding them of problem-child Steve Downie.

Having St Louis on the schedule tomorrow is a gift. They have been struggling. Carey Price should start but who knows what Carbonneau will do? I’ll be spending tomorrow afternoon looking for the creativity area in my house (whatever that is). I will move my TV there before the St Louis game for luck. I hear its a feng shui thing.

Pre-game:

Habs wearing vintage sweaters (circa 1940’s), part of the 100th anniversary. I have always preferred white jerseys at home.