Rocket:
Minnesota Wild came into this game with a potent powerplay ranking #3 in the NHL in this young season. The Canadiens gave the Wild the gift they desired: 10 powerplay opportunities including three 5 on 3 PPs. The final 8 of 9 penalties were assessed to the Habs. But on this night, the Wild would be introduced to the Canadiens best PK player: Carey Price. Consequently, the Wild went 0 for 10 with the man advantage.
Price was sensational all night. He was lightning quick, played exceptional positional goal, and was extremely focused as he tracked deflected pucks. Price foiled the Wild’s hot scorer Mikko Koivu on several occasions from point blank range causing the usually mild-mannered Mikko to vent his frustration near the end of the game. Price also made a spectacular leg save on Brunette, a slide across save on Pouliot and was solid on a breakaway by Belanger (set up by #71).
Price’s only goal against was a nice shot by Brent Burns with Francis Bouillon caught out of position. Bouillon quickly made up for his miscue with a nice goal from the point. Alex Tanguay took a hit to set up Bouillion and would later grab another assist on a terrific shot by Andrei Markov.
In addition to Price, the Canadiens penalty killers such as Plekanec, Higgins, Lang, Kovalev, Koivu all deserve a great deal of credit for their hard work on the PK. The defensive corp was terrific as well especially given that only 5 NHL-calibre defensemen were in the lineup. Markov, Komisarek and Gorges logged a ton of short handed icetime. Markov had 10:24 of icetime in the 2nd period alone!
Tomas Plekanec is having trouble scoring so far this season but that hasn’t discouraged him from working hard on every shift. Plekanec was the Canadiens best forward at both ends of the ice. He even delivered an impressive hip check to end the game.
In each game this year, the opposing team has run the Canadiens goaltenders. Tonight, Mike Komisarek did his best to keep the Wild players off Price but he needs help from guys on other shifts. Ryan O’Byrne is the only other Canadien defenseman who has the physical presence to clear the front of the net. For this, and many other reasons, O’Byrne should be in the lineup every night.
Mikko Koivu along with Antti Miettinen were the best forwards for the Wild. Each player had 6 shots on Price.
Something to watch: Andrei Kostitsyn took a hit to the head from Stephane Veilleux near the end of the third period.
The Canadiens worked hard to overcome some undisciplined play. This should be a topic for discussion leading up to the game against the Islanders on Saturday. Oh, and add another agenda item. It’s something that this author has been harping on all season: poor defensive zone coverage. The Canadiens are still giving up too many shots against and too many good scoring chances to players parked in the slot.
Pre-game:
Tuire and Jukka Koivu are in the stands to witness their two sons, Saku and Mikko, both captains of their respective teams, face each other tonight.
Former Habs, now Canadiens and Wild team brass:
Gainey, Jarvis, Carbonneau, Muller vs. Risebrough, Lemaire, Tremblay, Lapointe
O’Byrne out. Brisebois in.
Pavel Valentenko leaves the Bulldogs and signs a 3 year contract with Moscow Dynamo.
Rocket’s 3 stars:
1. Carey Price
2. Tomas Plekanec
2. Andrei Markov
3. Mikko Koivu
(photo credit: AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Hey man. Can’t comment much on the game since I didn’t see it. However, just wanted to stop by and comment (if only to show that someone is reading) about your O’bryne comment.
Even if Breezer doesn’T have a bad game, you’re not gonna let him rest, right?
Oh and technically, you’re wrong. At 6-2, 210 pounds, Hamerlik is big enough to do the job. We obviously don’t see him as a doorman like Komi and O’byrne but he should be able to help.
Take care man
Hmmm…you didn’t see the game but I’m wrong? Well, that’s interesting.
I do appreciate you letting me know that you read the article by leaving the comment J-F. Your comments are always welcome.
But, had you watched the game, you would know that Brisebois didn’t play well at all. His errors were limited only by his lack of icetime. Even Carbo isn’t crazy enough to put him out there in a short-handed situation, and the Canadiens were shorthanded most of the second period.
Players like Price, Hamrlik, Plekanec and Koivu spent a good deal of time covering for Brise when he was on the ice. His giveaway that set up Belanger’s breakaway was pathetic.
I actually thought that I gave Brise a break in my review. I didn’t mention him once by name.
You are correct about Hamrlik’s stats but height and weight don’t automatially correlate with style of play. Hamrlik is solid defensively but he does not play with the ‘edge’ that Komisarek and O’Byrne have shown. Only rarely will Hamrlik combine the physicality and emotion necessary to clear the fron of the net and protect his goalie. It’s not a criticism, it’s just not his game. And the Canadiens need the two defenseman in their lineup everynight who possess those characteristics.
Besides, I think that it’s missing the point to focus on Hamrlik. Patrice Brisebois adds precisely zero to the lineup and at the same time is a huge liability for his team.
Thanks again for the comment J-F. I hope that you get to see the game versus the Islanders.
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