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Post by CentreHice on Mar 5, 2015 0:49:42 GMT -5
Might as well have been another shutout.
Two terrible PPs when we were down only 1-0.
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Post by seventeen on Mar 5, 2015 0:56:56 GMT -5
Not much has changed. We lose too many battles, our PP needs a huge overhaul and we lack that #1 centre (maybe). Our system for coming out of our zone is predictable and easily stoppered. And we only scored one goal....when the game was out of reach with one minute left. Other than that, everything's great.
I thought some of our newer guys were ok. Flynn and Mitchell didn't get much ice time, but they looked fine. Petry had a good game and I thought Gilbert was decent as well, despite playing his off wing. Gallagher was terrible until he was dropped to the 2nd line and then looked better.
I don't have any solutions for the lines. We eigher get a really good centre to replace DD on the first line, or we get a good Right Winger to put there and play Galchy at Centre on that #1 line. NO matter how I look at it, we need a better scorer to move everyone down the line.
I don't have any confidence in Desharnais. He's being asked to do more than he can provide. I thought he played well (and scored) as the 3rd line LW, but that didn't last long. That's where I'd put him.
We really need to fix the Power Play. It could solve a lot of our issues.
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Post by CentreHice on Mar 5, 2015 0:59:44 GMT -5
Yes, it's nothing personal against DD. I've made my opinion clear numerous times.
He's simply miscast.
Galchy should've been developed and ready at this point.
That failure, like the Sekac treatment, points to MT.
No?
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Post by Disp on Mar 5, 2015 1:01:10 GMT -5
I've seen them score more with less chances. Normally we'd have potted at least a couple of those. Gibson was very good.
The pp is a mess, still. So predictable and slow.
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Post by habsorbed on Mar 5, 2015 1:02:45 GMT -5
Sure glad we got bigger up front at the deadline Did Sekac beat us with his skill or his size? Maybe it was his heart? Markov needs a rest. Still don't see Petry as a top 4. Not even sure he's top 6. We could have used Pateryn or Tinordi tonight. We were constantly being run in our own end. Only positive was seeing Chucky with Max and DD. Thought that line looked good in the third.
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Post by folatre on Mar 5, 2015 1:06:52 GMT -5
It is not that Montreal played bad, but this feels like a predictable result.
With exception of Pacioretty and Galchenyuk the collection of forwards are too ordinary.
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Post by habsorbed on Mar 5, 2015 1:08:42 GMT -5
It is not that Montreal played bad, but this feels like a predictable result. With exception of Pacioretty and Galchenyuk the collection of forwards are too ordinary. You mean we could use a guy like Sekac now and in the future?
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Post by Disp on Mar 5, 2015 1:09:28 GMT -5
Galchy should've been developed and ready at this point. That failure, like the Sekac treatment, points to MT. No? If you ignore the fact that Galch isn't comfortable playing center and doesn't want to, therefore reality, yes, it is entirely MT's fault.
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Post by CentreHice on Mar 5, 2015 1:14:40 GMT -5
Did Galchy actually say that? Or was that MT's explanation? If you draft a big-bodied, skilled #1 Jr. centre at THIRD OVERALL...you develop him there....ESPECIALLY when it's a huge hole. He didn't play centre in Year 1 or 2....and so perhaps that's why he doesn't feel comfortable. And whose fault is that? Would it have made sense for the Islanders to put John Tavares on the wing because the coach preferred Frans Nielsen and Richard Park?
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Post by Disp on Mar 5, 2015 1:25:12 GMT -5
MT said that was what Galch told him. I don't have an irrational hate for MT, so I have no reason not to believe it. I guess if you want, you can believe that MT was lying, but let's think about that for a second. How do you think that would play out in the room? Not well I suppose. Just doesn't seem like something an nhl coach would do.
He doesn't feel comfortable or like it now, he was less ready for it when he came into the league.
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Post by UberCranky on Mar 5, 2015 1:28:30 GMT -5
If you are going to go out and trade for some cheap grit at the deadline, why the hell do you trade Sekac for grit?
Stupid trade.
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Post by CentreHice on Mar 5, 2015 1:35:10 GMT -5
MT said that was what Galch told him. I don't have an irrational hate for MT, so I have no reason not to believe it. I guess if you want, you can believe that MT was lying, but let's think about that for a second. How do you think that would play out in the room? Not well I suppose. Just doesn't seem like something an nhl coach would do. He doesn't feel comfortable or like it now, he was less ready for it when he came into the league. What are the chances that a #1 Jr. centre, scouted and drafted 3rd overall by a team in desperate need of #1 centre, comes into camp and tells the coach he doesn't want to play centre....and the coach accommodates his wish? I'd say the chances are zero. I'd say the chances are much greater that MT put him on the wing in deference to DD, Pleks, and Eller. Therrien is happy with the game. " We liked the way we played tonight. The Ducks an elite team...and we had chances...and their goalie was the difference. We have to look at the big picture...and we did a lot of good things."
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Post by Disp on Mar 5, 2015 1:53:10 GMT -5
Well, he was an 18 year old kid who hadn't played in a year.
Yeah, sure, should have thrown him right into it. If he hated it or didnt want to do it, like he does now, just be a hardass and tell him to suck it up. I'm sure that would have worked.
I think he'll be a center eventually. He is only 21.
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Post by CentreHice on Mar 5, 2015 2:04:21 GMT -5
Well, he was an 18 year old kid who hadn't played in a year. Yeah, sure, should have thrown him right into it. If he hated it or didnt want to do it, like he does now, just be a hardass and tell him to suck it up. I'm sure that would have worked. I think he'll be a center eventually. He is only 21. Good point about missing a year with the knee injury. But that didn't make him into a winger. I'm not saying he should've been the #1 centre right away....but developed and groomed into it. I fully concede....what do I know? Ha! I'm just going by what I think is common sense.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Mar 5, 2015 6:49:18 GMT -5
I've seen them score more with less chances. Normally we'd have potted at least a couple of those. Gibson was very good. The pp is a mess, still. So predictable and slow. That's what I thought as well. They had 38 shots, it was a good Corsi night, our top lines played pretty well in terms of zone time and shot attempts. We just didn't convert, Gibson was solid and Price wasn't spectacular. I would certainly take that effort again.
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Post by jkr on Mar 5, 2015 7:20:59 GMT -5
Sure glad we got bigger up front at the deadline Did Sekac beat us with his skill or his size? Maybe it was his heart? Markov needs a rest. Still don't see Petry as a top 4. Not even sure he's top 6. We could have used Pateryn or Tinordi tonight. We were constantly being run in our own end. Only positive was seeing Chucky with Max and DD. Thought that line looked good in the third. Sekac had an assist on the second goal, true. But he had less ice time (8:54; 55 seconds on the PP) then any player on the ice last night on either team. In the 50 games he played for MTL he was only below that number twice according to espn.com. And it appears he's not playing with Getzlaf/Perry. Sekac didn't beat the Habs. Good Ducks goaltending & the usual awful PP did that.
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Post by jkr on Mar 5, 2015 7:22:00 GMT -5
If you are going to go out and trade for some cheap grit at the deadline, why the hell do you trade Sekac for grit? Stupid trade. You can't judge a trade by 4 or 5 games.
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Post by Disp on Mar 5, 2015 8:03:49 GMT -5
If you are going to go out and trade for some cheap grit at the deadline, why the hell do you trade Sekac for grit? Stupid trade. You can't judge a trade by 4 or 5 games. Very true. Early returns aren't great, but got to be patient. There are some things to like about DSP's game, people are so negative about this trade they can't see it.
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Post by BadCompany on Mar 5, 2015 8:21:09 GMT -5
I only saw the first period, but it looked like we were the better team for most of it. Or at least the second half of the first period anyways. I thought that the Ducks came out hard, but as the period wore on Montreal gradually gained control. Anaheim's goal seemed to be a break down involving a few new players who didn't quite know where they were supposed to be going. Hopefully just a "system error" and not a sign of things to come. I just wanted to weigh in on the Galchenyuk thing though. Galchenyuk has played a lot of his career at wing, as opposed to center, and I'm not just talking about in the NHL. He was drafted into the OHL as a winger, but was moved to center once there. Of course he then tore up his knee, and once he came back he went back to wing on a line with Charles Sarault and Reid Boucher (Yakupov was in the KHL at this point). Some proof: www.sarniasting.com/article/sting-announce-alex-galchenyuk-as-1st-pick.. Sting head scout Jim Debenham was impressed with Galchenyuk the first time he saw him play. The first time was at the Nike Bauer Tournament in Chicago. This big winger went by and just blew me away...He is a left-winger, but does like playing the right side.thereuschblog.com/?p=20669Galchenyuk came to Sarnia three years ago as a right winger. Jacques Beaulieu, the Sting head coach, converted him to centre probably because it was easier to move Galchenyuk to centre than right winger Nail Yakupov. With Yakupov now in the KHL this season and probably with some input from the Canadiens, Beaulieu moved Galchenyuk back to the right side on a line centered by Charles Sarrault with Reid Boucher on the left side.This isn't to say that he can't, or shouldn't, play wing, but it's not like we took Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky and moved them to wing. Galchenyuk has probably played just as much, if not more, as a winger than as a center.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Mar 5, 2015 8:24:58 GMT -5
Did Galchy actually say that? Or was that MT's explanation? If you draft a big-bodied, skilled #1 Jr. centre at THIRD OVERALL...you develop him there....ESPECIALLY when it's a huge hole. He didn't play centre in Year 1 or 2....and so perhaps that's why he doesn't feel comfortable. And whose fault is that? Would it have made sense for the Islanders to put John Tavares on the wing because the coach preferred Frans Nielsen and Richard Park? Galchenyuk went to Therrien and asked to be moved back to the wing (edit: PTH/BC/Doc all quoted their sources earlier) ... that was a few weeks back and it's in either in one of the game threads or post-game threads ... Cheers.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Mar 5, 2015 8:32:52 GMT -5
I've seen them score more with less chances. Normally we'd have potted at least a couple of those. Gibson was very good. The pp is a mess, still. So predictable and slow. That's what I thought as well. They had 38 shots, it was a good Corsi night, our top lines played pretty well in terms of zone time and shot attempts. We just didn't convert, Gibson was solid and Price wasn't spectacular. I would certainly take that effort again. I thought getting 38 shots was pretty good when you consider there were four players in the lineup who weren't there a few weeks ago ... DSP, Flynn, Mitchell and Petry haven't been with the club all that long and all of them were in the lineup last night ... that's more than just a simple adjustment ... that has to do something to the club chemistry ... not blaming anyone for that; the guys have to get into the system as quickly as possible, but it might have something to do with the loss ... 38 shots ... not bad given recent circumstances ... Cheers.
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Post by franko on Mar 5, 2015 8:49:17 GMT -5
a bit of a blip. it happens.
(signed)
the kinder, gentler franko
but they'd better not "blip" for too long!
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Post by Willie Dog on Mar 5, 2015 9:37:54 GMT -5
a bit of a blip. it happens. (signed) the kinder, gentler franko but they'd better not "blip" for too long! I expect another blip tonight
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Post by Polarice on Mar 5, 2015 9:43:53 GMT -5
I know everyone here has said it a billion times, DD has to be taken off the 1st line. I would switch him with Eller. He's bigger, better faceoff guy, and he's hard to move off the puck.
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Post by Douper on Mar 5, 2015 10:35:59 GMT -5
It's California, not sure the last time we had a positive record out west.
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Post by CentreHice on Mar 5, 2015 10:50:58 GMT -5
I just wanted to weigh in on the Galchenyuk thing though. Galchenyuk has played a lot of his career at wing, as opposed to center, and I'm not just talking about in the NHL. He was drafted into the OHL as a winger, but was moved to center once there. Of course he then tore up his knee, and once he came back he went back to wing on a line with Charles Sarault and Reid Boucher (Yakupov was in the KHL at this point). Some proof: www.sarniasting.com/article/sting-announce-alex-galchenyuk-as-1st-pick.. Sting head scout Jim Debenham was impressed with Galchenyuk the first time he saw him play. The first time was at the Nike Bauer Tournament in Chicago. This big winger went by and just blew me away...He is a left-winger, but does like playing the right side.thereuschblog.com/?p=20669Galchenyuk came to Sarnia three years ago as a right winger. Jacques Beaulieu, the Sting head coach, converted him to centre probably because it was easier to move Galchenyuk to centre than right winger Nail Yakupov. With Yakupov now in the KHL this season and probably with some input from the Canadiens, Beaulieu moved Galchenyuk back to the right side on a line centered by Charles Sarrault with Reid Boucher on the left side.This isn't to say that he can't, or shouldn't, play wing, but it's not like we took Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky and moved them to wing. Galchenyuk has probably played just as much, if not more, as a winger than as a center. I was going by the C beside his name on hockeydb. Mine was not an argument from total ignorance….but with the facts, it will now cease and desist. Thanks BC. You saved me from a lot of unnecessary frustration. But it doesn't take MT off the hook for not putting together the best possible line combos. Last night, with about 10:00 left in the game, he decided to put Galchy with DD and Max. It resulted in more energy and chances. MT should stick with Galchy and Max together (remember the hat-trick against Carolina?). DD at centre? No sir. I'd try Reaper's suggestion: Eller. I would try this Top 6….especially against Arizona on Saturday night. We have to have a legit #1 line that can WIN BATTLES. With the additions of Flynn, Mitchell, and Smith-Pelly we should be able to ice a solid bottom 6 as well. Pacioretty - Eller - Galchenyuk (The opposition's focus for "marking" is no longer solely on Max. They now have to keep an eye on Galchy….and Eller just might be re-invigorated. Worth a try, IMO.) De La Rose - Plekanec - Gallagher (DLR has been showing fine hockey sense and vision…and can dig and bang in the corners…..give him the shot!) Those two lines are also defensively responsible. Defense first is fine….but we're going to need goals!
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Post by Boston_Habs on Mar 5, 2015 10:54:44 GMT -5
I know everyone here has said it a billion times, DD has to be taken off the 1st line. I would switch him with Eller. He's bigger, better faceoff guy, and he's hard to move off the puck. I have a love/hate relationship with DD. He's not a true #1 centre but he's actually having a pretty good year and isn't our biggest problem on offense. He benefits from Pax and Gallagher driving the play in the zone but his passing complements them well. Here are some Corsi stats from last night. This is even-strength shot attempts for, sgainst, net %, and % of offensive zone starts while those players were on the ice. Sorry my chart skills are awful on this board. CF CA C% ZS% Gallagher 26 12 68% 75% Eller 24 15 62% 43% Pleks 20 13 61% 67% Pacioretty 19 13 59% 71% DD 18 13 58% 71% DSP 13 12 52% 57% DLR 10 11 48% 50% Galchenyuk 9 13 41% 64% Weise 6 9 40% 57% Prust 7 14 33% 75% Mitchell 5 13 28% 57% Flynn 5 15 25% 43% Gallagher was a beast last night in terms of net shot attempts with him on the ice. And there was the much maligned Lars Eller doing what he has done most of the year, which is driving positive shot attemps while taking less than 50% of his draws in the offensive zone...... and not scoring. With the exception of Galchenyuk, our better forwards pretty much outplayed Anaheim at even strength, while the bottom guys (including the new guys) were awful. But you don't expect the 4th line to be able to drive possession especially on the road.
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Post by seventeen on Mar 5, 2015 11:13:24 GMT -5
Sure glad we got bigger up front at the deadline Did Sekac beat us with his skill or his size? Maybe it was his heart? Markov needs a rest. Still don't see Petry as a top 4. Not even sure he's top 6. We could have used Pateryn or Tinordi tonight. We were constantly being run in our own end. Only positive was seeing Chucky with Max and DD. Thought that line looked good in the third. Sekac had an assist on the second goal, true. But he had less ice time (8:54; 55 seconds on the PP) then any player on the ice last night on either team. In the 50 games he played for MTL he was only below that number twice according to espn.com. And it appears he's not playing with Getzlaf/Perry. Sekac didn't beat the Habs. Good Ducks goaltending & the usual awful PP did that. That goal was generated by Sekac. He put a hard forecheck on PK, causing a turnover, then went to the net and took at shot that Price had to stop, but Rakkel stuffed in the rebound. He did that while with us too, but we didn't finish often enough. It was a good goal. That line may not have played much, but it was very effective each time it was out. Sekac also hustled back on a Patches shorthanded breakaway and got his stick up near Max's elbow as he shot. He may have distracted him enough that Max didn't get it quite where he wanted it. Max was also at the end of his shift so he was a bit tired or Sekac wouldn't have gotten close enough to him.
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Post by seventeen on Mar 5, 2015 11:14:45 GMT -5
You can't judge a trade by 4 or 5 games. Very true. Early returns aren't great, but got to be patient. There are some things to like about DSP's game, people are so negative about this trade they can't see it. I thought that was Spelly's best game with us.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 5, 2015 11:16:43 GMT -5
Just glad we don't play in this division. Winning a seven game series against these big Cali teams would not be too likely.
The guys faced a hot goalie last night, but didn't make it as hard on him as other teams do on our goalie. Still not enough action in front of the net, to screen or to pounce on rebounds (as good as Gibson was, there were a few juicy rebounds that just skated safely away). These teams are playing in-your-face, take time-and-space-away hockey from us, and we are a bit overmatched. These teams are already in playoff hockey mode, and we are still playing on the perimeter and getting hemmed in our zone due to heavy forecheck.
Now, there was the big time zone difference, travel, and the newbies in the lineup. But, there is still a gap between the top of the West and where the Habs are right now. It has been a very good season points wise this season, and we are going to be headed to the post season. I think we are in better shape than in the past as far as a lineup that can play those tougher, grinding playoff series. I still worry about a top two centre combo of DD and Pleks though. DD has the fight of the lion in him, but that only goes so far against much bigger opponents who have their way physically with him shift after shift. Pleks is a great two way centre, but still too much of a perimeter guy for a long haul in the playoffs. And when Max does not score...
LA next. Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
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