Rocket:
Wasn’t it interesting? The bizarre line combinations of the past two weeks are shelved and suddenly the fog cleared. All of a sudden, the Canadiens looked like a reasonable facsimile of the team that we expect to see. Players were far more comfortable with each other. Passing was better because linemates knew what to expect from each other.
A trained monkey can turn the crank of a bingo machine to determine new, weird and wild line combinations. But after two weeks of that nonsense, we return to square one. The Canadiens still have the same problems that have existed all year long. We were temporarily distracted from those problems but they remain, and reared their ugly head again tonight.
You see, a monkey (even a trained one) has a much more difficult time figuring out breakout strategies, special teams systems, and motivating star players. Those are some of the reasons that coaches are hired in the NHL. I only wish that the Canadiens had one who was doing his job.
Overall, it was a much better effort by a Canadiens team that looked much less bewildered. I actually have praise for most of the team with only a few exceptions. And for the first time, in a very long time, a 4th line showed up to contribute.
Max Lapierre hasn’t played well at all since returning from the press box. Tonight didn’t start well either with Max committing a huge giveaway early in the first. Price bailed him out making a great save on John Sims. And Max had another tough night at the faceoff dot. But Lapierre got his game on track in the offensive zone. He was parked at the top of the crease on Begin’s goal and scored one of his own on a beautiful setup by Chris Higgins.
Chris Higgins was dominant in all zones of the ice and is fully deserving of the first star. Higgins had an assist, 5 hits and 4 takeaways. Andrei Kostitsyn also had a good game. His wrap around goal was called back on a very early whistle for a puck that was never frozen. He and Plekanec were keys to screening MacDonald on Josh Gorges goal. Plekanec had 4 shots and was 69% in faceoffs.
Carey Price was solid again in goal. He made some key saves especially at the start of the game and in overtime.
The minor powerplay adjustments have been an improvement. Markov is much better back on the left point. Sergei Kostitsyn has looked good as a playmaker on the right point but showed that he can shoot as well ringing one off the crossbar early in the second period. SK-74 had lots of PP time and was second on the team in shots with 3.
Overall, special teams are still a huge weakness for the Canadiens. Tonight the powerplay was 1 for 7 (that’s 3 for 34 over the past few games) and the penalty killers gave up 2 goals. At home, the Canadiens power play is 2nd worst, better than only Tampa Bay.
The Canadiens had chances but had a hard time finishing again tonight. Joey MacDonald was looking very beatable all game. Alex Tanguay refused to shoot and Robert Lang showed no patience or determination. And yet again, Alex Kovalev showed little interest tonight. Kovy is making some of the same moves as last year but without speed. His passes lack crispness and his shooting is not sharp. His defensive play in the Canadiens end is awful. After Markov slid into Price and took him down, the puck went back to Park. Markov and Kovalev stood almost side by side screening Price as Park scored. But it was Kovalev who should have moved out to cover the slot but remained frozen in his tracks in front of the net. He has to do much better than that.
In the middle of the third period, the Canadiens were dominating the Islanders. Three straight Habs lines had pinned the Islanders in their own zone and were creating chances. When the Islanders finally cleared, Kovalev took a very dumb penalty which killed the Canadiens momentum.
It was another weak effort for Patrice Brisebois. Five minutes into the game Brisebois hit Jeff Tambellini. A Brisebois hit is about as rare as football games at the Big Owe but that’s not why I highlight it. It is because Brisebois winced in pain and took precisely 29 seconds to slowly make his way to the bench leaving his team shorthanded. If Brisebois had to be immediately loaded onto a gurney and taken for x-rays (which he didn’t as he played the next shift), then I am somewhat sympathetic. Otherwise, it is a selfish move. A week ago, Andrew Ferrence fractured his tibia yet stayed out to play defense before hobbling to the bench. Brisebois certainly could have tolerated a back twinge. Brise is just not up to NHL calibre play.
There will be a lot of media attention on Ryan O’Byrne’s play that led to the tying goal. It was simply a mistake by a young player who is trying hard not to make mistakes. As he develops more confidence (which will come from his coaches) he won’t make those mistakes. I hope that Carbonneau doesn’t dwell on it too much. However, I think that Carbo must say something to his team about communication on the ice (and from the bench). It was their responsiblity to let O’Byrne know that Price was on the bench. Regarding the fan’s reaction to O’Byrne, I think that Higgins said it best calling them “gutless”.
I would hope that O’Byrne’s mistake would not be yet another distraction from the real reasons that the Canadiens lost the game: special teams play, defensive zone coverage and star players who are not putting the puck in the net.
Pre-game:
Latendresse is still out with shoulder injury. Komisarek injured. Laraque – healthy scratch. Dandenault – will play.
Carbonneau promised some sanity with his line combinations tonight:
Higgins — Koivu — Tanguay
Andrei Kostitsyn — Plekanec — Kovalev
Kostopoulos — Lang — Sergei Kostitsyn
Begin — Lapierre — Dandenault
Rocket’s 3 stars:
1. Chris Higgins
2. Richard Park
3. Josh Gorges
(photo credit: AP Photo)