Let the opposition adjust!
Jan 20, 2003 7:33:56 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jan 20, 2003 7:33:56 GMT -5
Simon Drouin
La Presse
Sunrise, Florida
As he had requested the day before, Claude Julien occupied the front seat on the plane carrying the Canadiens to Fort Lauderdale Sunday afternoon. On his knees was the team rule book, which he was on the verge of consulting.
The new pilot of the Canadiens is not au courant with all the organization's customs and habits, but he didn't hesitate to impose his style in his first night on the job, Saturday against Toronto.
At the beginning, Julien delegated Saku Koivu's line to play against that of Mats Sundin. Best against best. An approach that one hadn't seen for a long time on the Habs. Later, judging that Yanic Perreault's line was more dynamic, Julien entrusted them with the task of facing the Leafs' best line.
Admittedly, there was the novelty effect, but in reality these adjustments made it possible for the Canadiens to reverse the tide and to gain an invaluable point against their Ontario rivals.
Julien summarized his philosophy well when a colleague asked him whether he had time to study the style of his next opponent, the Florida Panthers.
"For the moment, I haven't taken time to look at the other teams. Of course, there is the preparatory work of my staff, but as I said to the players, it's necessary to put the emphasis on doing what will help us win. It's not necessary to adjust to the other team. We'll let the other team worry about adjusting to us", summarized Julien Sunday afternoon, at the end of practice.
The Canadiens will play the next two games on the road (Florida, Monday and Tampa, Wednesday) and Julien intends to use the time to know his troops better.
"The time is right, said the coach. The last few days were very busy. Being on the road will give me more time to mix with the players. I nevertheless had the occasion of meeting several of them informally. I want that my players feel at ease. Much has already been achieved in that area."
Julien will also use the next few matches to evaluate his on-ice personnel. So, Donald Audette will be in the lineup tonight after an absence of three games. The right winger will play in the company of Doug Gilmour, recovered from his back problem. Mike Ribeiro and Sylvain Blouin will be sitting out. "I want to give everyone a chance to prove themselves", underlined the new coach.
Without a win in their last nine road games (0-6-1-2), the Canadiens must absolutely find their rhythm against the Panthers and Lightning, two teams directly involved in the playoff race. "Several teams have changed their fortunes on road trips. We will try to do the same", concluded Julien.
translated from www.cyberpresse.ca/reseau/sports/0301/spo_103010185441.html
La Presse
Sunrise, Florida
As he had requested the day before, Claude Julien occupied the front seat on the plane carrying the Canadiens to Fort Lauderdale Sunday afternoon. On his knees was the team rule book, which he was on the verge of consulting.
The new pilot of the Canadiens is not au courant with all the organization's customs and habits, but he didn't hesitate to impose his style in his first night on the job, Saturday against Toronto.
At the beginning, Julien delegated Saku Koivu's line to play against that of Mats Sundin. Best against best. An approach that one hadn't seen for a long time on the Habs. Later, judging that Yanic Perreault's line was more dynamic, Julien entrusted them with the task of facing the Leafs' best line.
Admittedly, there was the novelty effect, but in reality these adjustments made it possible for the Canadiens to reverse the tide and to gain an invaluable point against their Ontario rivals.
Julien summarized his philosophy well when a colleague asked him whether he had time to study the style of his next opponent, the Florida Panthers.
"For the moment, I haven't taken time to look at the other teams. Of course, there is the preparatory work of my staff, but as I said to the players, it's necessary to put the emphasis on doing what will help us win. It's not necessary to adjust to the other team. We'll let the other team worry about adjusting to us", summarized Julien Sunday afternoon, at the end of practice.
The Canadiens will play the next two games on the road (Florida, Monday and Tampa, Wednesday) and Julien intends to use the time to know his troops better.
"The time is right, said the coach. The last few days were very busy. Being on the road will give me more time to mix with the players. I nevertheless had the occasion of meeting several of them informally. I want that my players feel at ease. Much has already been achieved in that area."
Julien will also use the next few matches to evaluate his on-ice personnel. So, Donald Audette will be in the lineup tonight after an absence of three games. The right winger will play in the company of Doug Gilmour, recovered from his back problem. Mike Ribeiro and Sylvain Blouin will be sitting out. "I want to give everyone a chance to prove themselves", underlined the new coach.
Without a win in their last nine road games (0-6-1-2), the Canadiens must absolutely find their rhythm against the Panthers and Lightning, two teams directly involved in the playoff race. "Several teams have changed their fortunes on road trips. We will try to do the same", concluded Julien.
translated from www.cyberpresse.ca/reseau/sports/0301/spo_103010185441.html