Rocket:
“We weren’t ready for the first couple of shifts. They really came hard.” Those were the comments of Saku Koivu after tonight’s game and a pretty accurate assessment of the first 10 minutes of the game during which the Habs were outshot 7-0. Is it really possible to be outcoached by Peter Laviolette? Seems so, at least on this night. The Habs head coach isn’t really known for his pre-game preparation but the lack of a game plan for the Hurricanes may have set a new low. The Canadiens seemed genuinely surprised by the aggressive forecheck of the Hurricanes, who, at times were sending four guys across the blue-line. As result, the Canadiens passes were forced, not crisp, and generally off the mark. Alex Kovalev summarized “We were not making good decisions”. Tough to make good decisions when being pressured so hard.
Due to some solid goaltending by Carey Price and pretty goals by the Alex’s: Kovalev and Tanguay (on a penalty shot no less), the Habs surprisingly had a 2-1 lead after one period.
So did the Habs coaching staff come up a scheme between periods? Apparently in-game adjustments are not their strength either. Hurricanes, using a modified trap, continued to pressure the puck carrier. Except for some entertaining powerplay puck movement, the second period was a yawner. “It was a slow game…strange pace. The first 40 minutes it was like a soccer game. Nothing really happening. All the play in the neutral zone” was Alex Kovalev’s assessment.
The Hurricanes controlled the play in the third outshooting the Canadiens 11-4 helped by a number of powerplays. They tied the game on a goal by Matt Cullen due to miscommunication between Price and Markov. It was Price’s first soft goal of the year in an otherwise solid effort. Carolina’s first goal deflected off the stick of Koivu. Price faced 33 shots with most of them being tough saves and several great saves in the third. The team must do a better job limiting shots but also protecting their goaltender who was run at least 4 times by Carolina with only one goaltender interference penalty called. Carey Price was perfect in the shootout!
Kovalev, Koivu, Tanguay, and Higgins each played well tonight. Captain Koivu scored the winner on a nice shootout move for a five-hole goal on Cam Ward. The reunited #1 unit played well at times especially controlling the puck and pressuring the ‘Canes on the powerplay. Koivu said “We had chances tonight but didn’t finish. If we score on half of the open nets…” I think Saku would also like a left winger who can skate. Latendresse spent most of the game hanging out at the Hurricane blueline reading his positive press clippings.
It was good to see Dandenault back in the line-up. The 4th line had several spirited shifts. Komisarek led in hits and tied with Markov for blocked shots. Andrei Markov led the team in shots but his points streak came to an end.
I can only shake my head in bewilderment regarding coach Carbonneau decisions. Ryan O’Byrne only had 10 shifts and 8 and a half minutes of ice time. He was playing well in the first but is on an incredibly short leash. He didn’t see much action after his delay of game penalty. Unjustifiably so, it seems that Ryan O’Byrne is Carbo’s whipping boy for 2008-09.
The most visible Hurricane was Ryan Bayda. He was generally creating havoc dishing out solid hits or being a pest. He did have a great scoring chance in the third when left all alone by Latendresse. From the slot he blasted a one-timer forcing Carey Price to make a great save. (By the way, thanks for the suggestion of Rod Brind’Amour to occupy this slot. Sure he was 99.674% on faceoffs, but nothing new there.)
Snow is forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Perhaps with the golf courses closed the coaching staff will be able to focus on a strategy to limit shots against and devise a proper game plan for the Minnesota Wild.
Pre-game:
Recognition of the three greatest Canadiens coaches who were added to Builder’s Row.
Dick Irvin 1940-55 3 Stanley Cups
Toe Blake 1955-68 8 Stanley Cups
Scotty Bowman 1971-79 5 Stanley Cups
Rocket’s 3 stars:
1. Alex Kovalev
2. Matt Cullen
3. Carey Price
3. Saku Koivu
(photo credit: AP Photo)