Rocket:
I liked the recent postings of my colleagues and I agree with each of them on certain points. The rest? Well, we’ll just have to agree to disagree.
I suppose that I fall into ‘the best defence is a superb offense’ category. I don’t necessarily subscribe to that universally, but I feel that it is the best game philosophy for this team, at this time.
The Canadiens this year and last are best when they are a puck possession team. That means quick breakouts via crisp, accurate passing and using their speed to gain the opposition zone. It effectively mutes the opposition forecheck and creates odd man situations.
The Canadiens have the skill and the speed to be a effective puck movers on their first two lines, for certain. Where the Habs have ran into problems so far this season is when the opposition employs an aggressive forecheck. Teams have been sending 2, 3 and 4 (during one game) players across the Habs blueline to forecheck and have overwhelmed the breakout.
It is a change from the way most teams played the Canadiens last year which was more of a sit back and trap system. Now this is where good coaching comes in. The Canadiens coaching staff have to instruct their forwards where to play to help out the defense. With such an aggressive forecheck, the opposition should be vulnerable to giving up odd man situations which the Canadiens can exploit with their speed.
I’m not convinced that the Habs have someone on their coaching staff that can effectively breakdown the video of opposing systems and devise a strategy to capitalize on it. I’m thinking of an Andy Murray type.
It would seem that the present coaching staff gets along and works well together. In the absence of a head coaching change (which could occur at the end of this season), perhaps what’s needed is an addition to the staff of the type of person that would fill the hole mentioned above.
In addition to making improvements in the way the Canadiens move the puck out of their own end, I agree that they must start employing a more aggressive forecheck of their own.
I don’t believe in the old-fashioned method of designating two lines who’s role is primarily a checking one. I think that the team is better served by great two way players like Koivu, Higgins, Sergei Kostitsyn, Kostopoulos and Dandenault. Other members of the team must improve their two way game like Tanguay has done so far this year.
It is clear that the Canadiens are giving up far too many shots per game. Limiting shots does not mean focusing on defense and having everyone back in. Rather, it means moving the puck quickly and spending less time in your own end.
As far as ‘grit’ on this team, other than Kostopoulos, we haven’t seen any from the expected sources. It has been a pleasant surprise that, other than the time surrounding the injury, the Kostitsyn brothers have been playing with a definite ‘edge’ that we haven’t seen consistently before. It is absolutely essential that the Canadiens protect their best players, especially Carey Price.
As mentioned in an earlier article, there are a few passengers on this team right now. Adding some Hamilton call-ups would help them get their game back as well as sending a message that there are no free rides. Stewart is playing better now, but had a poor pre-season. Pacioretty, Chipchura and D’Agostino (in that order) may be the players who could rotate in and be effective.
The Canadiens 4th line crew (on ice and press box) has played well on only a few occasions and are certainly not earning their expensive price tag right now. Adjustments to this group could result in a dedicated checking line.
Add to the above improvements, players who are committed to better discipline (also a team characteristic that is coachable) and you have a formula for extracting the best out of a very talented group.