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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 21:02:56 GMT -5
It may not have been pretty, but you can see how determined this team was tonight. I've seen Plekanec have strong games before but he looked REALLY good in this game. Full props to Parenteau; he looks good.
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Post by Disp on Oct 8, 2014 21:11:44 GMT -5
I'll take a win vs the laffs by any means. Scary first, with occasional brain farts the rest of the way.
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Post by Bones on Oct 8, 2014 21:13:41 GMT -5
Yup not pretty at all as far as execution is concerned, but that can be excused, but i did appreciate the effort, especially as the game went along. 2 points against the leafs is always a good thing.
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 8, 2014 21:14:43 GMT -5
I think Pleks enjoys his line mates! Can truly say we have 3 strong offensive lines, all of them threats with good skills. And a solid 4th line. Nice to see Manny win that late face off with authority!
Boy was that broadcast hard to watch. The leafs third goal was "set up on a beautiful pass by Reilly". And the Habs winner was a bad bounce for the Leafs. the excitement after the Leafs 3rd was over the top. But was it nice to see the air out of the balloons on our fourth AND WINNING GOAL!
The better team won.
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Post by HFTO on Oct 8, 2014 21:14:51 GMT -5
Lucky 2nd but 27 could have easily got that as well but kudos to Plek great game 2 goals 59% F/O that line will only get better....PA was slightly better that line should get better as well...Eller gets a pass pretty rusty but that line had a couple better shifts in the third 4th line was pretty blah as was the D at times. As Matt said they had no quit albeit sloppy especially after a bad first...Price does not get beat with many bad goals when they play better in front of him look out he sees to be at that next level.
Lets go Habs
HFTO
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 8, 2014 21:21:26 GMT -5
The Leafs rode the energy of their home opener outplaying the boys in the first, but the lads played much better from that point onward.
Broke that silly opening night streak against the Laffs. All is good for a night!
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Post by CentreHice on Oct 8, 2014 21:21:55 GMT -5
Happy for the 2 points at the ACC.
Glad I skipped it. I can't tolerate Leaf-homer broadcasting. It will be worse than CBC ever was. The broadcaster has a 37.5% share in MLSE.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Oct 8, 2014 21:22:01 GMT -5
Thanks for picking up the ball Matt ... I guess the guys had to get through that first period before finding their rhythm ... those brain farts Disp referred to cost us two goals ... thought Eller was playing well until he made that bad clearing pass ... the Leafs just worked hard and the puck went in ... anyone else notice how big Pacioretty looked out there ... Bourque seemed to get stronger as the game went on, too ... the Plekanec line spent most of their time in Toronto's end tonight ... thought Pleks was one of our better players ... would have been nice to see Beaulieu score on that ringer off the post ...
Cheers.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 8, 2014 21:23:27 GMT -5
Happy for the 2 points at the ACC. Glad I skipped it. I can't tolerate Leaf-homer broadcasting. It will be worse than CBC ever was. The broadcaster has a 37.5% share in MLSE. Percy or Kozun for the Calder...book it!
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Post by blny on Oct 8, 2014 21:29:05 GMT -5
Any win in TO is a good one. I can say this, for a home opener, first game of season, that was a dead crowd. Of course the suits were late getting back for the starts of the second and third. Nowhere is that as bad as it is in TO. All those grey seats while people are getting beer.
Some good, some bad. Missed assignments, communication issues. Not big surprises.
Weaver got exposed on Leafs first. He went for hit at blue line and abandoned his post, leaving Beaulieu to cover slot against 3 Leafs players.
Did Gilbert draw blood on his high stick penalty? I didn't see any. Questionable 4 minute call imo.
There will be adjustments for Subban as he and Emelin get used to one another.
Liked what I saw from our top 6 in the last 40 mins.
Team did well in faceoffs. I really think Malhotra is going to help Plekanec. Fewer defensive zone draws for Tomas. Less energy spent trying to get out of his own end.
Sekac was about half a step behind at times, but I never felt like he was hurting the team out there. We'll see how that third line does. It had a couple of good cycling shifts in the third.
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Post by blny on Oct 8, 2014 21:35:01 GMT -5
Happy for the 2 points at the ACC. Glad I skipped it. I can't tolerate Leaf-homer broadcasting. It will be worse than CBC ever was. The broadcaster has a 37.5% share in MLSE. They weren't intolerable tonight. Kipper, during the 'debate' segment with MacLean in the second intermission, basically told people to get off PK's back. There were only a few in game calls that were blatant homer calls, but on the goals themselves I thought the 'level of excitement' in the call was balanced. There's no doubt that Hughson, Simpson and Healy can laud the Leafs, but they're not as overt as Cherry and MacLean. Without those two, it really is a much better show. Strombo had a 'round table' segment with Toews, Lundqvist, and Crosby. He asked questions that simply would never have been asked before. Can you imagine MacLean or Cherry sitting down with any of them and talking about the concept of when a gay NHLer might finally 'come out'? I think George is going to bring much of the HNIC broadcast into the 21st century. We'll see how he 'manages' the CC segment.
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Post by UberCranky on Oct 8, 2014 21:40:46 GMT -5
It a meeh game that we need to improve on.
Im having a problem with ellers game. Hes not moving forward.
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 8, 2014 21:40:51 GMT -5
I really liked patches and pleky on the pk.... they are a threat for a shortie all the time.
I stated before that PK and Kipper are buddies and I wasn't surprised that Kypreos stuck up for PK.
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 8, 2014 21:42:11 GMT -5
It a meeh game that we need to improve on. Im having a problem with ellers game. Hes not moving forward. He really didn't have much of a pre season. If he's playing like this at game 10 then MT and MB have a problem
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Oct 8, 2014 21:50:46 GMT -5
Strombo had a 'round table' segment with Toews, Lundqvist, and Crosby. He asked questions that simply would never have been asked before. That's Strombo's style ... and the players responded to his personable approach ... Cheers.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 22:02:12 GMT -5
There were stretches in the second that had me thinking, "I think this team has finally found its extra gear." The defense still worries me; Gilbert made some poor decisions, and Emelin hasn't been the same since his knee injury.
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Post by blny on Oct 8, 2014 22:03:14 GMT -5
Strombo had a 'round table' segment with Toews, Lundqvist, and Crosby. He asked questions that simply would never have been asked before. That's Strombo's style ... and the players responded to his personable approach ... Cheers. Very much so. He's older then them, but of a much younger mind set. His ability to have a laid back approach, yet still have journalistic integrity is unique. I'm hoping he's allowed to be the breath of fresh air the product so desperately needs.
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Post by CentreHice on Oct 8, 2014 22:10:16 GMT -5
I think George is going to bring much of the HNIC broadcast into the 21st century. We'll see how he 'manages' the CC segment. Thanks for the notes. But Strombo won't be on Coach's Corner. MacLean still has that duty, no? Unless you mean whether or not Strombo editorializes afterwards…ha!
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Post by UberCranky on Oct 8, 2014 23:00:02 GMT -5
Im not sold on Strombo. I watch hockey to be entertained....and i dont need discussions on "social issues". Period.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 8, 2014 23:05:13 GMT -5
It a meeh game that we need to improve on. Im having a problem with ellers game. Hes not moving forward. He's been injured for the last what, week and a half and this is his first action since then? I think I can call it rustiness and let it go for now. I wasn't crazy about the goal that went in off him, not because of the bounce, but because he made some really good moves to throw off the forechecker and then instead of continuing to carry it, as he had no pressure on him, he made the pass to PK who had a forechecker right on top of him and the pass wasn't an easy one to pick up. If he carries it, a couple of passes later and we're out. Crap happens. He'll get better. I knew the Leafs first goal was offside the second I saw Kozun not bring it in over the line and sure enough, they get a goal out of it. As well, it looked in the first period at least that they had Galchenyuk playing centre in the defensive zone. He didn't get his positioning right and Bozak was wide open for the shot. I'm just about to watch most of the 2nd that I missed, to see if they continued doing that. Galchy's going to get a lot of points this year. He creates something on most shifts. One play, he went around a leaf on the right boards, turned and set up Gally with a soft pass and Gallagher hit Bernier with the shot. On another play he cut in just like Patches and missed the net up high on an eerily similar play to our first goal. He got a point, though, so he's on pace for 82. Other observations - Markov was terrific, PK merely very good. Emelin very rusty with his passes, mostly. Weaver and Beaulieu were ok. Gilbert was ok too. The thing you notice most with him is that he usually makes a decent pass out and doesn't get stuck in his own end chasing the other team. (Cube, Murray). He made some mistakes though and he's a pretty soft kind of player. But he seemed to hold his own and I think he'll get used to Markov who makes every partner look like a #2 defenseman. I'm not that crazy so far about Parenteau. Speaking of soft, he sure looks that. But as long as he maintains some chemistry with DD and Patches, he'll be ok. DD played really well. He's the motor that makes that line go. He and Patches really compliment each other. The set up man and the finisher. I chuckled at few times when the announcers (Healy?) kept saying that the 4th line ices it again. I kept thinking, "So what, Malhotra's going to win the draw anyway". That's such a novel recent feeling. Brings back the Carbonneau and Jarvis days. Love leaving Toronto with 2 points.
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Post by UberCranky on Oct 8, 2014 23:12:51 GMT -5
It a meeh game that we need to improve on. Im having a problem with ellers game. Hes not moving forward. He's been injured for the last what, week and a half and this is his first action since then? I think I can call it rustiness and let it go for now. I wasn't crazy about the goal that went in off him, not because of the bounce, but because he made some really good moves to throw off the forechecker and then instead of continuing to carry it, as he had no pressure on him, he made the pass to PK who had a forechecker right on top of him and the pass wasn't an easy one to pick up. If he carries it, a couple of passes later and we're out. Crap happens. He'll get better. He didnt have that much pressure on him......and made ahl level decisions. Not good. Mthead didnt trap late in the game with a lead....may it is possible for a donkey to learn new dance moves.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Oct 8, 2014 23:49:54 GMT -5
Brings back the Carbonneau and Jarvis days. Just a few Leaf-related triggers about Carbonneau and Jarvis ... Jarvis was originally drafted by the Leafs in the 1975 Amateur Draft ... he was traded almost immediately to Montreal for Greg Hubick ... a few years later the Habs had to make a decision on who they'd keep between Guy Carbonneau and Dan Daoust ... they decided on Carbonneau and they traded Daoust to Toronto ... how's that for post-game karma ... Cheers.
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 9, 2014 0:36:25 GMT -5
He's been injured for the last what, week and a half and this is his first action since then? I think I can call it rustiness and let it go for now. I wasn't crazy about the goal that went in off him, not because of the bounce, but because he made some really good moves to throw off the forechecker and then instead of continuing to carry it, as he had no pressure on him, he made the pass to PK who had a forechecker right on top of him and the pass wasn't an easy one to pick up. If he carries it, a couple of passes later and we're out. Crap happens. He'll get better. He didnt have that much pressure on him......and made ahl level decisions. Not good. Mthead didnt trap late in the game with a lead....may it is possible for a donkey to learn new dance moves. I'll give Eller some slack given his play off run last year and his recent injury but i've always felt that he, like Bourque, has a great skill set but a poor hockey IQ. They are very frustrating to watch. Eller had some easy plays to clear the zone tonight and nada. That's not what you want from your 3rd line centre. My only consolation is that if he fails AGal will move to centre and then look out. Problem will be how does MB shed the new Eller contract. Anyway, hopefully Eller will come around as if he does we got 3 solid lines and one of the fastest and least liability 4th lines in the league.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 9, 2014 0:52:02 GMT -5
Eller will come around.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 9, 2014 1:34:11 GMT -5
melnickblog.blogspot.ca/ THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY 2014-15 TAKE 1 If you're looking for omens, the Habs will be fine - as long as they stay out of the penalty box. And the "new look" Leafs might need an immediate intervention, discovering in a hurry that old habits are hard to break.
The season opener featured Montreal's best players outplaying - badly at times - Toronto's best players. If only the rest of the season was that simple.
THE GOOD
Thomas Plekanec. Best player on the ice. Has to be re-energized playing with line mates who's combined age is younger than Jaromir Jagr. It should be noted that while Plekanec is known mostly for his strong play at both ends of the ice and for his playmaking he has had seasons of 70 points (29 goals) and 69 points (25 goals). So maybe a 164 goal season is not out of the question. P.K. Subban. A little slow out of the gate, once Subban found his legs so did his team as they dominated play over the final two periods. "He played like a quarterback", said coach Michel Therrien who had Subban on the ice for the final 44 seconds to protect a one goal lead. Got that? After game one THERRIEN PRAISES SUBBAN. And P.K.'s defense partner was pretty good as well. Alexei Emelin. As expressed on the air last week I have zero concern that Emelin is going to struggle this season. He's now a full year removed from reconstructive knee surgery and back to playing his more natural left side. Partnering with Subban is an obvious advantage but it's Emelin's time to blossom, as he would have had he not blown out his knee following a hit on Milan Lucic late in the 2012-13 season. Nifty lead pass to send Plekanec in alone for his first goal of the night. Andrei Markov. Suberb effort, especially in his own end. Bailed out his defense partner a number of times. Played a game high 26:17 to Subban's 25:45. David Desharnais - P.A. Parenteau - Max Pacioretty. Can't start a season any better than this trio did with Pacioretty making Dion Phaneuf look like Hal Gill and beating Jonathan Bernier with the Habs first shot of the game. Parenteau flashed great hands and hockey sense, seemingly making something happen almost every time he had the puck. Desharnais was in mid-season form. Already has as many points as he did through 19 games a season ago. Carey Price. If it's possible to play a perfect game while allowing three goals, Price did it. All three goals were the result of forwards left unmolested in front of him, including one of his own. Game saver with his left pad on Phil Kessel with less than 10 seconds to play. Manny Malhotra. Anchored a solid performance by 4th line with Dale Weise and Brandon Prust. NHL's best face off man won 69% of his draws. Tongue was hanging out of his mouth in the third period. Don't think he can keep playing nearly 14:00 per night. Hasn't played that much since last January.
THE BAD
Tom Gilbert. An adventure in his own end. Good thing he had Markov with him. Get used to this from Gilbert who will get the puck out of his zone and help the second power play unit. But when opposing teams target his side of the ice he'll need a lot of support. Jiri Sekac. Chalk this up to nerves. Fired blanks across the board in his NHL debut. I expect a much better performance in Washington. Lars Eller. It wasn't just Sekac's fault. And Rene Bourque was actually ok. Helped Toronto to the tying goal - not so much with the unlucky bounce off his chest but when he lost possession of the puck which led to the goal. Special teams. The power play (0-2) will be fine. But I don't know about a P.K. unit that lost two of the best in the NHL in Josh Gorges and Brian Gionta. Mike Weaver will have to pick up where he left off last spring (he didn't in this game) and Subban will have to relearn a role he excelled in prior to the arrival of Therrien.
THE UGLY
Miss TSN yet?
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Post by blny on Oct 9, 2014 5:45:44 GMT -5
I think George is going to bring much of the HNIC broadcast into the 21st century. We'll see how he 'manages' the CC segment. Thanks for the notes. But Strombo won't be on Coach's Corner. MacLean still has that duty, no? Unless you mean whether or not Strombo editorializes afterwards…ha! LOL. You may be right. Perhaps it was my subconscious lol. I know MacLean will be doing a grass roots hockey story as part of the Sunday night broadcast, but I can't recall whether or not he'll be part of the HNIC first intermission.
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Post by frozone on Oct 9, 2014 6:27:24 GMT -5
Galchy's going to get a lot of points this year. He creates something on most shifts. One play, he went around a leaf on the right boards, turned and set up Gally with a soft pass and Gallagher hit Bernier with the shot. On another play he cut in just like Patches and missed the net up high on an eerily similar play to our first goal. He got a point, though, so he's on pace for 82. I noticed last night that Galchenyuk creates a lot of chances from the right side. Gallagher on the other hand was creating plays mostly on the left side. I haven't paid attention in the past so I don't know if this is a recurring theme, but it might be worth it to try Galchy on the right wing with Gallagher on LW. The thing that bugs me about Gilbert is that he seems afraid of intense hockey. I would be worried about him lacing up the skates in the playoffs. Parenteau fit in pretty nicely on the first line. He can't match Vanek's vision, but he hustles and backchecks more than the big Austrian. At the very least, Parenteau looks like he can play on the same level as Max and DD, and that's all we need, really.
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Post by halihab on Oct 9, 2014 6:53:41 GMT -5
Happy for the 2 points at the ACC. Glad I skipped it. I can't tolerate Leaf-homer broadcasting. It will be worse than CBC ever was. The broadcaster has a 37.5% share in MLSE. Welcome back everyone. Hope everyone had a great summer. Luckily I got to watch on TVA. Looks like a very good Sports station. The post game show looks quite entertaining as well. The "DM" Dave Morristte show had Michel Bergeron, Patrice Brisebois, Josee Theodore, and Enrico Ciccone. (love that name). Too bad I don't fully understand french, but I will take that any day over watching a bunch of idiot hockey minds in Leaf nation. Thought the Habs got stronger as the game went on. Leafs came out strong in the first. They will have a much better season than last year. Habs can be really good with a couple tweeks here and there. On to Washington - As Carey said, one game at a time - simplify things.
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 9, 2014 7:10:57 GMT -5
Pierre LeBrun @real_ESPNLeBrun Therrien says Tokarski will start Thursday night in Washington
Carey Price said one of the real vocal leaders in the Habs room tonight: Manny Malhotra. Helps fill the void with Gorges/Gionta gone.
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Post by BadCompany on Oct 9, 2014 7:52:35 GMT -5
Geez, I had a player-by-player analysis all set to go this morning (in my head anyways) but when I come here everybody has said pretty much what I was going to say. Some random thoughts: * I thought Subban had a bit of a rough start, but settled down and was his usual self. * Desharnais can be criminally underrated sometimes - for a guys his size he occasionally surprises people along the boards and gets the puck. Like he did last night. * ACC was dead. D-E-A-D. * Not impressed with Sportsnet. Hopefully it was first-game jitters, because otherwise I thought they were terrible. Only 12 more years to go. * Gilbert will be interesting to watch this year. Sort of a litmus test in the "eye vs analytics" debate. I thought he looked terrible at times, but then he would make a smooth pass out of the zone. I couldn't find the advanced stats for yesterday's game (the site was down) so I'll be curious how he looked there. He was a guy who according to the numbers guys was a star in Florida, but according to the "eyes" guys he was worthy of being bought out in Minnesota. * Speaking of smooth passes, Galchenyuk made some really sweet ones. Not end-to-enders like Emelin's, but there were a couple of times when he would get herded off to the boards with the puck and he would make this super-sweet little touch pass through some legs or something to keep the play going. Really nice. If he and Plekanec continue to play like they did last night we shouldn't have too many problems scoring goals. * Third line was iffy. I thought Bourque, of all people, was the best player on that line, but he has such tunnel vision it's incredible. * Markov was a beast. My first star. * Having said that, overall I was concerned with the defense. We gave up the blueline waaaay too easily in my opinion, and gave up a lot of unobstructed, free shots at Price. Shots where the shooter just wasn't pressured enough. I guess you can get away with that with a goalie like Price against a team like the Leafs, but I would like to see them tighten that up. First game, on the road, we won. Onwards and upwards!
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