Back from the game...

[Jacques_in_FL]

Good to be a Habs fan this evening. I'll start at the beginning.

Pre-game setting: traffic, humidity, pleased to be in Sunrise (despite its general ugliness) after a day of watching my wife shop in Miami, at least I found a few cold Presidente's during that ordeal. Happy to go inside the empty arena around 6:45. By the way, there were not 14,600 for this epic struggle, maybe 10,500.

The Game: when there is room to breath, unusual for Habs, possible to focus on variety of game's points:

1. Gilmour line plays hungry and synchronized by the day. Zednik improving how he finds open pieces of the scoring zone. Score more when you know where to go. Probably not the next Bondra but he can create chances and really appears to enjoy hockey. Gilmour and Petrov, with different tools, pleasure also to watch -- and what bargains, no?

2. Berezin is not, however, a pleasure to watch. The more I see, this seems Savard took a sensible gamble that will not work out. He used to scare goalies (I dreaded his explosive rushes when he was a Leaf), but now he looks a step slower and his sniper's aim not here, bad news for a one dimensional player.  

3. Third line made some chances in 1st period. Kilger would surely learn much from apprenticeship on Juneau's LW, but I like him more at centre. Besides, Bulis has done well in his schooling as a solid two-way winger. Bulis was great last visit of Habs to Tampa and I hope to see him Friday. For me, he done what was asked of him -- his pts per game are identical to Dackell. I hope MT reunite our 3rd line.

4. Plenty of ice time translated into nice performance. Lindsay is certainly abrasive and Asham was dynamic. Van Allen, well, the guy works hard with marginal skills, but considering he has no future here I think Kilger with Lindsay and Asham makes more sense.

5. The D was more composed, but hey the Panthers are not loaded with firepower. Dykhuis was talking on the bench and he can be effective when the focus is there. Rivet's wrist looked like object of concern on bench twice that I noticed. Markov has the tools, I just hope the staff helps him develop. I think suspesion is likely now. Traverse scares me (Is Hainsey healthy?).

6. Theo has improved so much from two years ago. Strong positions is the norm. And what he has mentally will set him apart. If Habs go to playoffs, he's an MVP candidate.

Driving home I had visions of the playoffs and Saku taking the ice again. My wife thinks hockey is a strangely Canadian and masculine ritual. But the journey to the promised land goes through moribund places like Tampa, so I'll be there Friday.        

[clear observer]

Outstanding Jacques!

Thank you so very much for that. To have a "man-on-the-scene" with the ability to write as well as you do is truly a blessing for our community.

Looking forward to your next "on-the-scene" post!

Thanks again,

CO

[habwest]

Thanks a bunch Jacques, much appreciated.

Yes, watching on TV it all seemed a bit strange, I mean the Habs actually being in control of a game from beginning to end. As you say the opposition had a lot to do with it but at least the team had the good sense this time to capitalize on it. I hope it continues in Tampa.

Gilmour's line is fun to watch. Zednik impresses me more as I watch him, not only scoring but with how strong the guy is on his skates.

Had the same impression on Berezin, he may just be playing himself out of Montreal as if the Habs sign him another draft pick goes to Phoenix. Right now I think that I'd rather have the pick and give a chance to a younger player from the Cits if Berezin doesn't pick it up considerably.

I'd like to see Kilger at center too, if only as a checker 'tho I wonder how much of a play maker he is. And Asham this season seems to belong, something I didn't feel in the previous two years.

I expect to see Traverse if Markov is suspended. Oh well, at least we're not playing any top teams.

Cheers.

[Cranky]

Great report Jacque.

Is Traverse with them on this trip? If he isn't, then there is hope they will call up Hainsey (fingers crossed).

"My wife thinks hockey is a strangely Canadian and masculine ritual."

Sorry bud, but you're not doing a good job of selling the game to her. Tell her is ballet and acting combined. Something like the Good the Bad and the Ugly performed on a frozen Swan Lake. That, and 4 pints of beer oughta do it.

Thank you for the report Jacque.

[GNick]

I never watched last night's game but from what games I have seen I'm beginning to think there is something wrong with Berezin's vision. He shoots the puck right at the goalie's pads or body and he makes blind type passes in his on end. He also has trouble stickhandling thru traffic. He may have tunnel vision or something

[Doc Holliday]

Thanks J,

Much appreaciated report, I couldn't get the game last night except for odd radio feed.  Having the reading of a guy live that actually watches the game (unlike media people) is great.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Is it possible for "Les Habitants" to be outshot in 60 games this year and to have outshot the opposition in only 11??? Doesn't add up but that's what I heard on Fox Sports last night?
My theory is that Theodore is great with his right hand in the crease but his left hand on the stick is a liability when he tries to shoot the puck.

[MPLABBE]

Jacques_in_FL said:

Good to be a Habs fan this evening. I'll start at the beginning.

Pre-game setting: traffic, humidity, pleased to be in Sunrise (despite its general ugliness) after a day of watching my wife shop in Miami, at least I found a few cold Presidente's during that ordeal. Happy to go inside the empty arena around 6:45. By the way, there were not 14,600 for this epic struggle, maybe 10,500.

The Game: when there is room to breath, unusual for Habs, possible to focus on variety of game's points:

1. Gilmour line plays hungry and synchronized by the day. Zednik improving how he finds open pieces of the scoring zone. Score more when you know where to go. Probably not the next Bondra but he can create chances and really appears to enjoy hockey. Gilmour and Petrov, with different tools, pleasure also to watch -- and what bargains, no?

2. Berezin is not, however, a pleasure to watch. The more I see, this seems Savard took a sensible gamble that will not work out. He used to scare goalies (I dreaded his explosive rushes when he was a Leaf), but now he looks a step slower and his sniper's aim not here, bad news for a one dimensional player.  <br>
3. Third line made some chances in 1st period. Kilger would surely learn much from apprenticeship on Juneau's LW, but I like him more at centre. Besides, Bulis has done well in his schooling as a solid two-way winger. Bulis was great last visit of Habs to Tampa and I hope to see him Friday. For me, he done what was asked of him -- his pts per game are identical to Dackell. I hope MT reunite our 3rd line.

4. Plenty of ice time translated into nice performance. Lindsay is certainly abrasive and Asham was dynamic. Van Allen, well, the guy works hard with marginal skills, but considering he has no future here I think Kilger with Lindsay and Asham makes more sense.

5. The D was more composed, but hey the Panthers are not loaded with firepower. Dykhuis was talking on the bench and he can be effective when the focus is there. Rivet's wrist looked like object of concern on bench twice that I noticed. Markov has the tools, I just hope the staff helps him develop. I think suspesion is likely now. Traverse scares me (Is Hainsey healthy?).

6. Theo has improved so much from two years ago. Strong positions is the norm. And what he has mentally will set him apart. If Habs go to playoffs, he's an MVP candidate.

Driving home I had visions of the playoffs and Saku taking the ice again. My wife thinks hockey is a strangely Canadian and masculine ritual. But the journey to the promised land goes through moribund places like Tampa, so I'll be there Friday.        

Thanks!


1:yeah, Zednik is improving.He ain't Bondra, but he is a solid 25-30 goal scorer who could score 40 in a career year.Imagine what his numbers would be if he would have played with the Gilmour we are seeing now and Petrov since the start of the year? remember, his first 6 weeks were wasted playing that bum Rucinsky and Bulis a center.Man, did we ever rob Washington in that deal...


2:You are correct, Berezin doesn't have that great speed.I dunno if it's his knee injury, but now all he does is come in the neutral zone and tries to stickhandle through the defenders instead of dumping it in or turning on the jets and flying by the defence.I love it when GM's admit they made errors and turn the page.Mike O'Connel in Boston did just that when he dealt one of his UFA pickups, Scott Pellerin a few months after signing him.Or when he dealt Traverse and Nazarov barely a year after getting them.However, AS HAS NOT showed this ability as a GM.How Traverse is on the team is beyond me, if he re-signs Berezin, it will be a joke.When one of your pickups isn't working, cut bait...don't hope he will turn it around.


3:Yeah, Bulis was awesome in that game in TB.The guy just turned 24...he will be OK.


4:Van Allen did an excellent job on the PK.Lindsay played his game and Asham played like we want him to play.Let's just hope Gino calls it a career so we don't ever see him again!


5:Man, I didn't see what Markov did...but I hope he isn't hit with a 4-5 game suspension.Traverse is scary in any situation and having him on the 1st pp unit is downright terrifying .By the way, I think Hainsey is healthy now.


6:Jose...what else can you say...dude is a stud!

[MPLABBE]

Habs_fan_in_LA said:

Is it possible for "Les Habitants" to be outshot in 60 games this year and to have outshot the opposition in only 11??? Doesn't add up but that's what I heard on Fox Sports last night?
My theory is that Theodore is great with his right hand in the crease but his left hand on the stick is a liability when he tries to shoot the puck.

Yup, it's true...


Theo sucks when he tries to handle the puck...one of these days, it will cost us.