This is a rough translation of the article from Marc De Foy in Journal de Montreal.
Saku Koivu said after the humiliating loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday: «We are lucky to have that many wins and points»
The Captain is right. When looking at the first 12 games, the Habs didn’t look like a Cup Contender. While the results are there, it’s no reason to put our head in the sand. Let’s look at those games.
October 10th: Canadiens 1, Buffalo 2 (SO)
Carey Price stops 34 in regulation and give his team a point in OT.
October 11th: Canadiens 6,
The power play had fun in this game with three goals in six attempts.
October 13th: Canadiens 5,
The Habs trailed 2-1 in the third period but scored three unanswered goals to get the W. Without Price solid play in the first two periods, they would have lost this one. Simon Gagné scored to get the Flyers back within one but Begin scored in an empty net to seal the win.
October 15th:
Guy Carbonneau’s soldiers start their home opener strong, leading 3-0 after the first period against the Bruins.
Claude Julien’s soldiers slowly but surely came back and tied the game in the third.
Alex Tanguay saves the day with a shootout goal.
October 18th:
A flawless victory against the young Coyotes. The Habs was leading by four after two periods.
Guillaume Latendresse, Saku Koivu and Alex Tanguay get a six points night.
Carey Price loses the shutout when Shane Doan scores in the middle of the third period.
October 20th:
This was the first regulation time win against
October 25th:
Guy Carbonneau has five days to work with his team on defensive coverage and mid zone play. The payoff isn’t there as the Habs lose to the Ducks despite 51 shots on Jean-Sébastien Giguère.
Jaroslav Halak has an off night and is replaced by Carey Price after allowing 4 goals on 12 shots. The loss goes officially to Carey Price.
October 28th:
The Canadiens beat the Hurricanes for the first time in more than four years in front of their home crowd.
But they had to work hard despite the Canes missing five players and without Erik Cole, traded, who used to play his best hockey against
November 1st: Canadiens 5, NY Islanders 4
The Islanders have it easy in the first two periods, leading 4-1.
Infuriated, Guy Carbonneau talk to his players during the second intermission.
Message received. The Habs scored four unanswered goals to steal the victory.
November 7th: Canadiens 3, Columbus 4 (SO)
Despite a good first period, the Canadiens are tied 1-1 with the Blue Jackets.
But their lack of discipline complicates their own life afterwards. Sergei Kostitsyn scores with 41 seconds to go to get his team at least one point but the Habs still lost in shootout.
