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Post by seventeen on Oct 12, 2014 12:56:38 GMT -5
Had company so watched the game via PVR later, and was surprised in that I was expecting an early part of the game similar to that against Washington, but I didn't think that was so. Emery was hot or we could have had 6 goals last night. the Pleks line continues to impress regardless of who is put at right wing. BC, I don't really think Pleks is riding on Galchy's coat tails. You can see when he gets the puck on a rush, he's driving and forcing the defense to question what he might do next. Galchy's goal last night was in part due to a really good shot by Pleks (Yeah, I don't think it was a pass) and great basics by Galchy for going to the net and getting position on the guy checking him.
It's probably easier to point out who didn't have a good game as most of the team was solid. I though Beaulieu had his worst game of the year. He took a few too many chances and didn't complete good outlet passes to send his guys off and running. On one play in the second, Price had to make a good save when Beaulieu turned it over on an outlet pass near our blueline. PK as well is not playing a relaxed game. Still trying to earn that contract, when there's no need to. Just play your game, we'll be happy with that. I thought, at least offensively, that Patches wasn't very noticeable, though I did see him make a few good defensive plays. Weird.
A few guys who upped their game IMO, were:
Tinordi - after not making any gaffes early on, he made one play that I think will give him a lot of confidence in the future. He carried the puck out of our zone past about 3 Flyers and into the Flyer zone. Unfortunately, the rest of the team was waiting for him to turn it over and were covering, so no one was in the Flyer zone to support him. Or maybe they went on a line change. Poor kid. There he is, playing Larry Robinson, and the rest of his team disappears. He just flipped the puck in and went back to his position, which was a good decision. He still needs practice on accepting passes (or he'll get better as he relaxes). Right now, it takes him too long to settle the puck before moving it, giving the opposition time to get onto him. I still wonder if a shorter stick might not help him out. Anyway, he was much improved.
Weaver was better, making some key blocks and defensive plays, but there was either a communication error when he pinched on Simmonds first goal and no one covered for him, or he made a bad decision to pinch and got caught.
Parenteau was also better. He hustled his butt back on one play removing a 3 on 2. He's not the fastest guy (but it's ok) and he's not physical at all but I think he can play a role. After seeing him a bit, I think we finally replaced Mike Ryder. Very similar guys, both great shooters. That shootout goal last night was a snipe. (oh wait, Ryder's weakness was shootouts, nyet?).
I also thought Eller played much better last night. He was criticized for making that back pass to Bourque no one, instead of shooting. As I saw it, Emery had position on Eller and was moving sideways with him, making it tough to find a hole. Unfortunately, almost Bourque didn't see the same thing and get into position. If so, Bourque wouuld have had a yawning net to shoot into. Mind you, I thought Rene played a decent game otherwise (see, I can be complimentary of anyone if they deserve it).
Can you believe Price has a GAA near 3? Considering the saves he's made it shows you that we need to tighten up in our defensive coverage. One thing that is really clear....we aren't spending nearly the amount of time we used to in our defensive zone. Are there possession stats to confirm that yet? It sure seems we come out of our end much better.
I'm content. We've played ok, but not fearsomely awesome (flashes in the 3rd yesterday), we've shown a lot of character and leadership, and we're 3 for 3. Oil up those floats.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 12, 2014 12:59:30 GMT -5
It's certainly a positive to see a team that has legs in the third repeatedly. We'll see how that looks later in the season, but they certainly have stamina right now. I'd agree that they showed good push back after going down 2 in the first. Still, being down two after one, and the early goal in the second was another hole to dig out of. That will be a lot harder to do against the elite. In situations where Pleks wasn't on for an icing, I'd say that Malhotra is getting a lot of the defensive zone draws. That's the big goal: remove the times where Pleks spends a lot of energy in his own zone. If that means he's consistently fresher in the third, like we've seen, fantastic. They did it against Ottawa last season and they trailed the Bruins in the payoffs until they finally won the 7th game. I agree with you about what Malhotra has meant. Moreover, Bergevin has made other productive personnel moves. What's different is that we've kept doing it despite losing the 'leadership' of Gionta and that yappy Gorges. (I liked Josh, just hated those rah, rah, rah cliches in the dressing room).
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Post by frozone on Oct 12, 2014 13:12:15 GMT -5
These comeback wins show a ton of character. This team clearly wants to win badly. Behind 3 goals with 13 minutes left in the third period and they keep turning up the pressure... that's a great sign. However, I'll be concerned if we keep coming out flat to start the games. Part of leadership is making sure the team shows up to the game ready to play. Another important part of leadership: make sure the team has learned from past mistakes. The boys will turn things around, I'm sure.
I was very happy with Tinordi's play. Not perfect, but he wasn't panicky. At this stage, I'm just hoping he can undo the damage sustained to his confidence when he was demoted undeservedly early last season.
Our roster could use a Wayne Simmonds. If McCarron and Crisp can develop into Lite versions of Simmonds, I'll be happy.
Parenteau has been bounced around on all 3 top lines, which he hasn't deserved imo. Great to see that he can be effective on all 3 of them.
Oh yea, and Markov is a beauty.
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Post by frozone on Oct 12, 2014 13:22:25 GMT -5
Tinordi - after not making any gaffes early on, he made one play that I think will give him a lot of confidence in the future. He carried the puck out of our zone past about 3 Flyers and into the Flyer zone. Unfortunately, the rest of the team was waiting for him to turn it over and were covering, so no one was in the Flyer zone to support him. Or maybe they went on a line change. Poor kid. There he is, playing Larry Robinson, and the rest of his team disappears. He just flipped the puck in and went back to his position, which was a good decision. He still needs practice on accepting passes (or he'll get better as he relaxes). Right now, it takes him too long to settle the puck before moving it, giving the opposition time to get onto him. I still wonder if a shorter stick might not help him out. Anyway, he was much improved. I noticed that play too! It was weird... he was composed, had his head up, kinda seemed like he was waiting for the rest of the team to support him somehow on the attack. I think once he figures out what plays he can "get away with" at the NHL level, he'll be just fine. Let him make his mistakes and he'll adjust his limits accordingly. He had 15 minutes last night, and I think MT will start to increase that if Emelin stays out. JT was on the ice with 2 min left in regulation if i remember well.
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Post by UberCranky on Oct 12, 2014 13:46:31 GMT -5
We won three in row....cardiac arrest style. I'm thrilled, I really am..
But....and there are two butts in every story...
Price is not playing at elite level. He is making some really good saves but he is also letting I some pedestrian goals. Sure, the team is raising their game to bonafied contender by the third period. Not good enough. The Fleas had no business beign up by three, but we hardly pinned their second rate (third rate?) defense in their zone the first two periods. Why? Why was it so easy and so one sided in one period? The same DelZotto played the entire game.
What I am really worried about is a team that becomes over confident in their ability to come back and doesn't focus from the get go. I rather we come out like contenders and make the other team take chances in their third then us fighting for our lives.
This better not be a trend....
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Post by stoat on Oct 12, 2014 14:07:56 GMT -5
Price's GAA is mediocre (although he won both his games). However, neither Rask nor Bernier is in a position to boast at this point in the season. The Habs didn't give Price much support early in the game against the Flyers. There have been some relatively high scoring games in the East. What the Habs have shown so far is the determination to come back after each of their opponents took a lead. It's encouraging to see that Plekanec hasn't lost his scoring touch when given good line mates and tha Galchenyuk is showing his offensivge ability. The Habs still don't look like SC champion but I like their chaances of winning more than one round in the East.
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Post by stoat on Oct 12, 2014 14:16:23 GMT -5
We won three in row....cardiac arrest style. I'm thrilled, I really am.. But....and there are two butts in every story... Price is not playing at elite level. He is making some really good saves but he is also letting I some pedestrian goals. Sure, the team is raising their game to bonafied contender by the third period. Not good enough. The Fleas had no business beign up by three, but we hardly pinned their second rate (third rate?) defense in their zone the first two periods. Why? Why was it so easy and so one sided in one period? The same DelZotto played the entire game. What I am really worried about is a team that becomes over confident in their ability to come back and doesn't focus from the get go. I rather we come out like contenders and make the other team take chances in their third then us fighting for our lives. This better not be a trend.... Ordinary teams can take early leads but can lose them quickly (witness the Flyers). The ability to come back (shown in each of the three games) is encouraging.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 12, 2014 14:53:46 GMT -5
What I am really worried about is a team that becomes over confident in their ability to come back and doesn't focus from the get go. I rather we come out like contenders and make the other team take chances in their third then us fighting for our lives. This better not be a trend.... True, we need to get better at not falling behind. It's easier to play from in front. BUT, as a wise man once said, there are two Butts in every story, I'd rather have a team that has faced adversity and overcome it, than a team that has had it easy and only faces adversity at a crucial time (the playoffs). We have to learn how to get the lead early and how to play with the lead. We've already learned how to come from behind.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 12, 2014 15:30:14 GMT -5
Yeah it is not a good trend, but they have countered that with three never quit wins. This is why the Berg was comfortable moving Gorges and not resigning Gio. Plenty of leadership in that room so far this early season.
Still things to improve upon, but six points after three games on the road are points in the bank.
The Maholtra addition is paying dividends, both in rolling four lines but as many have mentioned, freeing up some defensive zone Pleky time. I think we are just starting to see the tip of the iceberg for Chucky. A breakout season in the making.
The young D have fit in. Beau was very solid in the first two games and big Tinner looked just fine last night. Booboo who?
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Oct 12, 2014 15:37:29 GMT -5
We might as well forget the 3-0 start ... we've got Tampa and Boston (home opener) next ... two very necessary measuring-stick games ...
Cheers.
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Post by GNick99 on Oct 12, 2014 16:29:14 GMT -5
I am downloading the torrent now. Can't wait to see the comeback. Think I will skip right to third period. I turned game off last night after first period
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 12, 2014 17:48:53 GMT -5
I am downloading the torrent now. Can't wait to see the comeback. Think I will skip right to third period. I turned game off last night after first period gnick, where did you find the torrent?
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Post by UberCranky on Oct 12, 2014 17:49:17 GMT -5
The Maholtra addition is paying dividends, both in rolling four lines but as many have mentioned, freeing up some defensive zone Pleky time. I think we are just starting to see the tip of the iceberg for Chucky. A breakout season in the making. The young D have fit in. Beau was very solid in the first two games and big Tinner looked just fine last night. Booboo who? The Malhorta additions is like the Stajan addition i was talking about last year. You can make an entire front line up more effective by one versatile third line addition. As for Beau and Terminator, great stuff. Any time you can add ywo defenseman in one season that can be top 4, its HUGE step forward. Beau is going to make Markov retireable or disposable and Tinordi is the Komifailure that never developed. Onwards and upwards....
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Post by CentreHice on Oct 13, 2014 9:26:30 GMT -5
When our PP gets going, it'll be another boost….even though it's nice to not have to RELY on it (so far).
We're 0/10 to start the season.
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 13, 2014 11:32:17 GMT -5
When our PP gets going, it'll be another boost….even though it's nice to not have to RELY on it (so far). We're 0/10 to start the season. Hard to believe with the talent we have upfront and now on both D pairings. It seemed to me it struggled in the preseason as well. I'm blaming Price - how many points has he got?
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Post by franko on Oct 13, 2014 12:14:01 GMT -5
When our PP gets going, it'll be another boost….even though it's nice to not have to RELY on it (so far). We're 0/10 to start the season. Hard to believe with the talent we have upfront and now on both D pairings. It seemed to me it struggled in the preseason as well. I'm blaming Price - how many points has he got? well, at least he isn't a minus player
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Post by seventeen on Oct 13, 2014 14:29:31 GMT -5
Habse Eye on the Prize has been keeping a statistical eye on Tom Gilbert, not because they don't like him, but because he seems to be a focus for fans who don't appreciate his style of play. Here are some of the latest thoughts on Mr Gilbert from EOTP.
Gilbert Watch
Apparently this has to become a regular feature since so many people seem to have it out for him. Tom Gilbert has played three real games for the Canadiens. In those games, he has started in the offensive zone on just 31% of his non-neutral zone faceoffs, started over 50% of the team's defensive zone starts at even strength in total, and still put up a sparkling 57.1% Fenwick.
To put it very simply, Michel Therrien trusts Gilbert. He trusts him a lot. And Gilbert has rewarded that trust by being one of the Habs' best players through the first three games. When he's on the ice, the puck goes towards the other zone, consistently.
When Gilbert struggles, and he will, because all players do at times, then he should be criticized. But for right now, Gilbert has been phenomenal
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Post by CentreHice on Oct 13, 2014 14:49:12 GMT -5
Bergevin and his staff certainly seem to be doing a fine job of identifying weakness and finding a competent, affordable player for the job. Very important in the cap world.
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Post by Disp on Oct 13, 2014 15:45:21 GMT -5
Habse Eye on the Prize has been keeping a statistical eye on Tom Gilbert, not because they don't like him, but because he seems to be a focus for fans who don't appreciate his style of play. Here are some of the latest thoughts on Mr Gilbert from EOTP. Gilbert Watch
Apparently this has to become a regular feature since so many people seem to have it out for him. Tom Gilbert has played three real games for the Canadiens. In those games, he has started in the offensive zone on just 31% of his non-neutral zone faceoffs, started over 50% of the team's defensive zone starts at even strength in total, and still put up a sparkling 57.1% Fenwick.
To put it very simply, Michel Therrien trusts Gilbert. He trusts him a lot. And Gilbert has rewarded that trust by being one of the Habs' best players through the first three games. When he's on the ice, the puck goes towards the other zone, consistently.
When Gilbert struggles, and he will, because all players do at times, then he should be criticized. But for right now, Gilbert has been phenomenalStats schmatz, Gilbert still reminds me a little too much of Breezer.
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