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)