Happier Habs Rediscover Talent & Winning Ways

Rocket:

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to your 2008-09 Montreal Canadiens. For a multitude of reasons (most of which stem from coaching), the Habs have been MIA for about 20 games or so.

For fans, writers, media, coaches and others who have been trying to convince the rest of us that the Canadiens have been playing well but haven’t won for a variety of reasons, we will try to refrain from saying ‘we told you so’. We will gladly forgive you if you admit that tonight’s version of the Habs is closer to their potential than what we have been forced to put up with for the past month.

The difference tonight was dramatic. The Canadiens looked motivated. But why?

Was it because the KPK line was reunited?

Was it because Mike Komisarek was in the line-up for the first time since November 22nd?

Was it because Guy Carbonneau promised next week off if the team earned it through effort?

I’m not sure.

What I do know, is the following:

Tomas Plekanec has played hard all season, but he is much more valuable to the team as a 1st line center than a 3rd line center. Plekanec was terrific tonight (including faceoffs).

The power-play still needs work but is much better when using skilled players and set lines. As I have been saying for some time, Sergei Kostitsyn is a viable point option. Josh Gorges was serviceable too.

Someone should tell Carbonneau that it is not a good idea to have the team’s hottest scorer, Matt D’Agostini, on the bench for the power-play. After 9 games, D’Agostini is the Canadiens impact forward. He makes things happen and is always involved in the action.

Josh Gorges is more comfortable and effective when used on the third defense pairing.

Alex Kovalev is more inspired to play well when he has chemistry with his linemates. Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn are more effective when they play with skilled players.

Guillaume Latendresse plays his best games as a 4th line winger. Kelly Hrudey agrees “Latendresse plays better with simple linemates. It makes his game (role) really easy to understand.”

The game didn’t start well for the Canadiens. Halak bobbled the puck. Jaro gave the puck to Gagne. Laraque’s giveaway went right to Richards. Damn. It wasn’t looking good.

But then an energetic shift for D’Agostini. He used his speed to penetrate the Philly zone and made a shot to the net. Tanguay had a chance on the rebound. Later, D’Agostini drew a penalty as Alberts went for interference. The KPK line came over the boards with Gorges and Markov on the point. No goal but some chances on the power-play with much better puck movement.

Then Kovalev took a penalty. Had we seen this movie before? But this time, on the 4 on 4, D’Agostini used his great speed to go in alone and with a good shot made the score 1-0. D’Ags was set up by a nice pass from Max Lapierre.

On their next power-play the Canadiens took a 2 goal lead on an accurate shot from the point by Sergei Kostitsyn. The team seemed to gain confidence and played very well after that.

Some kudos:

Matt D’Agostini provided a spark on every shift and was the Canadiens best forward for the first two periods. D’Ags had several chances for a second goal. He showed great patience followed a quick release ringing one off the post after Alex Tanguay had created a turnover in the Philly zone.

Mike Komisarek provided leadership, protected Halak, blocked shots and made solid hits.

Sergei Kostitsyn had a goal and an assist and looked very good when substituting for his injured brother on the 1st line.

Each member of the KPK line played well. Andrei Kostitsyn was playing a good, aggressive game with 4 hits until he left with an injury.

Steve Begin in addition to 5 hits, made two skilled plays, a deflection for the Canadiens third goal and a terrific stretch pass to spring Alex Kovalev for their 4th goal. It was Kovy’s 900th career point.

Robert Lang played well with 2 assists.

Guillaume Latendresse had a goal, an assist and 6 shots. As mentioned earlier, this was one of his better games playing with north-south linemates. He still needs to work on his defensive game as he was on the ice for both Flyer goals.

Guy Carbonneau deserves mention for using a timeout strategically in the third period.

I almost had the opportunity to add Patrice Brisebois to this list. He made a very good play to keep the puck in at the Flyer blueline during a power-play, but then immediately turned over the puck to create a shorthanded chance for Hartnell. Truth is that Brise was out of place in this game. He was knocked around all night. O’Byrne would have been a much wiser choice.

As far as Jaroslav Halak, using a positive spin, I can say that the puck hit him 29 times tonight. Everytime the Flyers shot the puck near the net, they had an opportunity to score. It wasn’t pretty but Jaro got the win. He really struggled with rebound control, his glove hand and seemed to have a hard time tracking the puck. He should handle the puck as little as possible outside his crease. Get well soon Carey!

The Flyers were 12-1-2 in their last 15 games coming into tonight. This was a huge victory and a statement game for the Canadiens. In upcoming games, they need to remember what it took to win.

Comic Relief:

Mike Milbury, the hands-down winner as the worst GM in NHL history let HNIC viewers know the players he would and wouldn’t build a team around.

Pet Peeve:

My favorite anthem singer of all time is Roger Doucet. Not only for the Canadiens, but league-wide…probably my favorite in any sport. When I heard his voice a few weeks ago, it brought back some fond memories.

Having said that, enough with the Roger video. Bring back Prevost-Linton. Nikki Yanovsky would be even better. The problem is that there isn’t a recording with Doucet singing the Canadian National anthem. What is being played is the goofy version with a 1970’s variation on the words.

Pre-game:

Koivu, Price, Higgins, and Dandenault are injured. Komisarek and Laraque return to the line-up. O’Byrne is a healthy scratch. Maxwell is returned to Hamilton.

Andrei Kostitsyn, Plekanec and Kovalev are reunited.

Kovalev will wear the ‘C’. Komisarek and Markov get the ‘A’s.

Rocket’s 3 stars:

1. Mike Komisarek
2. Matt D’Agostini
3. Sergei Kostitsyn

(photo credit: AP photo)