Montreal 3 Tampa Bay 4 OT (Bell Centre)
MONTREAL, QC.–Besides the hockey game, there were several subplots to follow on Wednesday night.
It was the Habs home opener. Would the Canadiens game day crew continue to show the NHL how pre-game ceremonies are done? It was both nostalgic and innovative. Check. √
(If you missed the pre-game ceremonies, you can see clips here.)
Brian Gionta is a leader to his teammates. How would the new captain connect with fans? In his debut, Gionta bilingually introduced his teammates who formed at circle at center ice. Check. √
How would Carey Price be acknowledged by the Bell Centre faithful? The Habs goaltender received the biggest ovation during the player introductions. Check. √
(Kirk Muller received the loudest cheers when the coaching staff was introduced. So much for those who claim that an Anglophone coach would never be accepted by Montreal fans.)
Former Hamilton Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher bolted for the a chance behind the bench in Tampa Bay, when the Canadiens made it clear that Jacques Martin was staying put. Would Martin prove that his bosses made the right choice? Major fail.
Prior to the game, coach Martin responded this way when asked about the key to beating the Lightning, “We’re best when we’re playing an aggressive forechecking game.”
It sounded like a prepared response learned in a twelve-step program for recovering coaches addicted to pre-lockout game systems.
- Step 1. We admit that we were powerless over passive hockey—that our team had become unsuccessful.
In last year’s playoffs, after falling behind in the series 3-to-1 to Washington, more control of the team was turned over to assistant coach Kirk Muller. The Habs rebounded to beat the Capitals and continue on their magical playoff ride.
- Step 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves, named Kirk, could restore us to sanity.
In the first period of the game tonight, the Canadiens used their greatest asset, speed, to pressure Tampa Bay players in their zone. They were able to exploit the Lightning’s weaknesses, defense and goaltending. The Habs led 2-to-0 after the first period on even-strength goals by Max Lapierre and Tomas Plekanec.
While a two-goal lead rewarded the effort of the players, it was a powerful seductress for the old coach with an addiction. Sadly, Martin suffered a setback and reverted back to coaching to protect a lead. The coach abandoned the forecheck with the Canadiens returning to a passive, read and react system.
The strategy proved to be a fatal error. Boucher is a disciple of Mike Babcock’s philosophy of relentless hockey. Tampa pressured the Canadiens all over the ice causing turnovers.
It wasn’t pretty. For the final forty minutes, the Lightning outshot the Habs 27-to-13.
Being under siege caused the players in red to become undisciplined. That’s where the other component of Boucher’s strategy comes in: a deadly power-play. Tampa Bay scored twice with the man-advantage including the game-tying goal with P.K. Subban in the penalty box.
Carey Price was brilliant facing 48 shots. Several saves were of the spectacular variety.
Price was the best player on the ice but wasn’t happy with the outcome saying, “It’s not about me. It’s about the team. I thought we had a chance to win the game and we couldn’t do it. We just took too many penalties. You can’t do that.”
Tomas Plekanec had no problem highlighting the performance of his goaltender, “He was outstanding. The last two games, Carey is the guy who gave us those points.”
Plus and minus:
▲ Tomas Plekanec had a goal and an assist. His line was the best for the Canadiens.
▲ Andrei Kostitsyn made a slick move to score his first goal of the year. He couldn’t be separated from the puck all game.
▲ Roman Hamrlik and Ryan O’Byrne formed the Habs best defensive pairing. O’Byrne rebounded from an early delay-of-game gaffe to have a strong outing with three hits and a rating of plus-one.
► Max Lapierre, Lars Eller and Jeff Halpern have chemistry and combined for the first Habs goal. However, Lapierre will almost certainly be suspended for a dirty hit on Steve Downie.
▼ Mike Cammalleri was another one of the undisciplined Canadiens taking two minor penalties.
▼ Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta and Benoit Pouliot are not contributing. While Pouliot was credited with five hits, he could not finish after getting a number of chances.
▼ PK Subban played his worst game in a Canadiens uniform. He took penalties, was responsible for giveaways, and was guilty of overplaying the puck.
It was a case of the Canadiens best players, not being their best players this game.
The Canadiens play next on Friday in Buffalo when they face the Sabres.
All Habs game stars:
1. Carey Price
2. Tomas Plekanec
3. Andrei Kostitsyn
Roster notes:
Alex Picard and Mathieu Darche were healthy scratches. Andrei Markov was out with a knee injury.
(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
“So much for those who claim that an Anglophone coach would never be accepted by Montreal fans.”
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That’s all I hate to say about that.
Fantastic read, Rick.
Habs seem very capable of crashing the net. However it’s their own net. I don’t know how many times Price was mauled, bumped or screened by the Lightning, and then interfered by his own teammates–even tripped–at least 3 times (one which lead to the OT goal). Meanwhile Smith barely got tickled by a breeze.
Great assessment of the game, Rick. Boucher’s 1-3-1 system works; he certainly out coached the more experienced Martin. That being said, the Habs contributed to their own demise by taking completely avoidable penalties. Cammy’s new found temper got the best of him, Lapierre’s cheap shot on Downie, Subban loosey goosey with his stick with less than 2:30 minutes in the game. In order for Martin’s system to work, the guys on the ice have to play within themselves and within their roles. It is very difficult to win a hockey game being out shot by over 20 shots on net, digesting 17 penalty minutes and having a top line who is not pulling their weight. The one positive, Carey price looks in top form and it appears as though the tables have turned – he was in a position last night to give his teammates a “Markov”.
Minor quibble: the Habs were never 0-3 against the Capitals in the playoffs, they won the first game – OT goal by Pleks on Theo, remember? =)
‘So much for those who claim that an Anglophone coach would never be accepted by Montreal fans.’
Mostly it’s the media that can’t handle an anglo coach. Most fans don’t give a crap, they just want a GOOD coach.
Which brings us to Martin… what a wreck. Your entire analysis is quite spot on. It felt, and looked, like the team was actually instructed to STOP forechecking aggressively (good thing Andrei doesn’t get english too well and continued throughout the second and third!) as soon as they had a lead. Suicidal way to play hockey, especially against a team with that kind of firepower.
For me, it’s quickly starting to look like THE defining move of Gainey’s tenure as GM will have been this horrendous 4 year contract to Martin. It’s completely stifling the potential growth of this hockey team.
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