Good comeback but sheesh ...

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Can we maybe leave Theo on his own a little more? I know Florida was guilty of it too, but I couldn't believe the defensive laspes on our side.

Everyone seems to like Robidas as a whipping boy of late. I might be a Robidas supporter but even I have my doubts as whether or not he should be on the ice sometimes. But NOBODY points out how Craig Rivet is playing these days. I've heard he might be playing injured. Well, the mistakes I've seen this guy make are usually the result of a bad decision. Sure he's the last one off of the ice to congratulate or encourage his teammates as they leave, but the defensive mistakes he makes normally end up as an odd-man rush for the other side.

And somebody enlighten me please. How does a team with two small defensivemen get them on the ice at the same time? I just don't get how that happens.

CO mentioned in the chat a little earlier that the Habs were called for too many men on the ice again. How does that happen?

Don't get me wrong guys, I thought the comeback was the mark of a good, hustling team that just didn't know when to give up. But what would have happened had they played a team that knew what they were doing? We simply have to beat teams like Florida in order to make the post-season.

BC pointed out that the March schedule favours the Habs in that there are many beatable teams. As a coach it has to be frustrating to see your team play to the level of their competition and not much more. I know we were only playing the Panthers, but maybe that's the attitude les boys had as well. We certainly had our chances but we gave the Panthers too many chances also.

Ah well, have to see what happens next I guess. I won't be betting for the Habs on the Pro Line sports lottery. They're just too unpredictable.

Cheers.

[BadCompany]

Caught the last two periods.

Gotta say, I thought we were outcoached again. I don't want to sound like a broken record, or like somebody with an axe to grind, looking for anything to grind it on, but their just seems to be so many things going wrong, things that shouldn't be going wrong.

• There was in fact another too many men on the ice penalty. In fact, we got lucky, as there could have been another one called as well. Last time I checked, we were in the top 3 for this category, and for a team with so little margin of error, we do not need this extra confusion. Generally its a sign that the coach is giving out confusing commands, late commands, or is changing commands too often.
• Pulling Hackett after the 1st period I thought was a mistake. 2 goals on 9 shots certainly isn't great, and the 1st one (from the highlights) he might have been able to stop, but giving up a powerplay goal to Victor Kozlov, Pavel Bure and Sandis Ozolinsh is certainly no reason to yank a goalie. It ticked off and embarrassed a veteran who deserved better after the Carolina game (now I betcha we start to hear some grumblings from the goalies about the way they are being handled) and it threw a cold Theodore in there, unprepared. I would bet good money Theo had no idea he was about to go in until Therrien told him. Sometimes a backup will know he is about to get the call, if the starter is being hammered or clearly outplayed, but I did not feel this was the case today. As it was, Theodore's numbers were worse than Hackett's.
• The dressing and usage of Gino Odjick, Reid Simpson and Shaun Van Allen. The Panthers are a big team, the most penalized team in the NHL, and I can certainly understand Therrien wanting to get his big boys in there to protect his players. However, Van Allen played just under 6 minutes, Odjick played just over 4 and Simpson played a mere 3 and a half. Compare that to the guys they were suppose to be playing against, the guys they were supposed to be counteracting - Jason Wiemer played over 13 minutes, Peter Worrell close to 8 and a half, Bill Lindsay 7 and a half. Those three guys had 12 hits on the night, while our protectors, riding the pine for most of the afternoon, had 2. That says to me that Therrien was unwilling, or more likely, unable to get his 4th line out there as much as Mike Keenan was. Considering that Marcel Hossa sat in order to make room for these guys, and then they weren't used...
• The Robidas - Bouillon combination, is, as you say, just silly, especially considering how the Panthers were knocking us around.
• Once again the boys started really slow, and didn't pick it up until at least half way through the second period.

I don't know. It just seems like the team isn't being used to its full capacity. Why dress three tough guys and then not play them? The Panthers have a lot of very, very fast forwards, and guys like Kilger, Hossa, or heck, even the AHL-demoted Patrick Poulin - could have been used to counter-act them. They certainly couldn't have done any worse than Reid Simpson did in his three minutes of ice time, now could they?

And another thing that bothered, and it was a shame, because he had a great game otherwise, was Yanic Perrault trying to carry it in over the Panther blueline with a minute left in the game - he was pokechecked, and the Panthers sealed it with the empty netter. Its a simple play, especially when you are up an extra attacker - hammer the puck in around the boards, pin it there, and then use the extra body to dig it out. When Perrault tried to dipsy-doodle his way in, he negated the whole point of having the extra attacker, because nobody could enter the zone until he did, thus they were all standing there watching him. In the meantime, all five Panthers were lined up at the blueline, just waiting for him. Hammer it in! Make them turn around and chase! Overwhelm them with the extra skaters and gain control of the zone!

Sheesh.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

The very first thing that popped into my mind was, "why the heck couldn't you just dump the puck in?"

Rivet getting caught pinching in, AGAIN! Robidas being out-muscled, AGAIN!

If we're going to have any chance at a playoff race, we have to beat teams like Florida; Pavel or no. I admit that the Panthers had their fair share of defensive lapses, but heck, they're the Florida Panthers, n'est pas?  

Just a sec ... then that would make us ... the Montreal Canadiens.   Cheers.

[clear observer]

...one can add to that, Dis and BC. I agree wholeheartedly with your observations.

One wonders what must be going on in Savard's mind when he sees the way his team is being handled from behind the bench. He's no dummy. An ex-player (and a very good one) of many seasons and someone who also resided for a cpl of years next to Jacques Martin in Ottawa, one would assume, no, one would bet, that he sees these constantly-occuring blunders being executed by Therrien. So, therefore, in my estimation, it's obvious that since Therrien was NOT his man to begin with, rather Mons Boivin's, the awarded contract extension to Therrien was simply a vehicle used by Savard to institute a tranquilizing effect over the boys. An assurance that there will be no scape-goat this season. Having said that, I'm also certain he realizes that a move such as that can only get you so far. I'd bet my butt he's biding his time until someone more suitable to whom HE wanted is available, say, JM from down the road?

Gosh, golly, I hope so,

CO

[habmeister]

bleep happens guys.  every team has one or two games a month where they play way under their heads.  this was one of our games ala detroit being beat by the canucks 4-0 a couple of weeks ago.

How they respond in their next game is what i'm curious to see.  I can't believe that Therrien yanked Hackett after two goals though.  As if to tell him "theodore is waaaaay better than you so if you slip up at all he's going back in"

Therrien should watch more baseball and how starting pitchers are handled.  Many a time a guy will get rocked in the first inning for 2 or 3 runs and then pitch a gem the rest of the game.  Hackett letting in two goals in the first period and then getting pulled is bush league coaching.  Does Theodore have to start looking at the bench if he lets in two in the first period of his next start??  I think not.  Yes Theodore is the #1 goalie now, but if we want to get full value for Hackett when we deal him then he needs to get full confidence back.

This Therrien guy reminds me a lot of a guy that drove St. Patrick out of town.  Savard should fire his useless butt before he pisses off the players anymore.

[Doc Holliday]

Seemed like it was a frustrating game.  A weird one for sure, when you get 4 past Theo in 2 periods and 6 past Luongo, you know it had to be one of those...  Couldn't catch it I had this work thing..

Hat trick for Yannic, it's a shame he had to waste a perfect night with a dumb play at the end.  Still one has to salute his performance.

Again we couldn't fire from all guns, it seems that there's always a line not working out.  

Agree on the Simpson/Van Allen thing, why play those guys when you can ice Kilger/Hossa?  Obviously that "big" 4th line had no business playing in this game and so they didn't play.  Wrong choice of players right from the start.

I could only catch the last bit of the game on the radio and can't really complain about Therrien, but his line change timing is also very weird some times.  

I've said it before, Bouillon is a nice depth dmen, prime quality at that, but when you start thinking he's a real top 6 guy that can play with your most struggling dmen (Robidas), you're in trouble...  Just like when trying to use a good stopper in baseball to start some games and win it for you.  And again, why mess up with something that worked?  Quintal and Bouillon were doing just fine, why break them up to play Robidas??

0 hits from our checking line...  That's also gotta be a concern...

As they say you can't win hem all, at least they never gave up.

[habwest]

 
Well, I'm not one to disagree with Bad Co (well hardly ever, or at least not too often) but with the unpredictability of this team it's hard to say anything favours the habs. Having said that it is true that the opponents in March aren't as formidable as those the club has been seeing for a good long stretch. Let's see, only the Bruins, Leafs and Stars (one game each) from among the elite. To that you can add 3 vs Carolina, 1 vs the (sinking) Rangers and 8 vs teams with a worse ranking than the habs. Nine of the 15 are at home. Looks good.

The problem, beside inconsistency, is February and April. Only 6 games in Feb. but it's home vs Pens, Wings, Sens and on the road at NJ, Leafs and Hawks. Ouch. In April it's a home & home with the Sens, at Phili and NJ, plus the Pens, Columbus and Buffalo. Not quite so bad but still pretty tough.

The other factor, and this one is out of Montreal's control, is what the other clubs are up to. If the Devils and Caps suddenly start to play to form that would spell real trouble. Now if the Habs split the last 4 games in January (Caps, Sens, Sharks, Bruins- here I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt) that will give them 53 points. Since nobody's yet really burning up the track at the lower end of the scale in the East let's say 87 points to get in.

That means 34 points from 28 games or .607 hockey, going 17-11-0 in effect. If its 90 points or if they don't get those 4 points coming up this month, then it would be something like 18-9-1. That's pretty close to Red Wing numbers.

Nothing the habs have done to date would inspire me to think that they can do this I'm afraid. They're just too inconsistent defensively, in a team sense, and on whether or not they show up to play. Today's game is a good example. Plus our dmen, as a group, aren't really all that good; that's probably the club's achilles heal if you can point to any one specific area.

Another thing that troubles me is Hackett's play. I didn't see the game today so I don't know how poorly he played but you have to wonder if Therrien is losing faith in him. If so that puts a lot on Theo's shoulders. He could get a bit tired which is when he seems to let in the odd weak goal. And this team needs the goaltending to be nothing but great pretty well every night to have a chance of winning.

So does the team have a chance? Sure. There are some positive things that can be pointed to  support this: Theo, Gilmour, Petrov and the young guys at forward, perhaps Perrault coming alive, heart to fight back after disappointments, a "soft" schedule in March, NJ and the Caps seemingly not in sinc (looks like NJ lost again tonight), the Rangers falling.

Is it a good one? I'd say no because of the Feb and April schedule and because, dare I say it, in a way things have been going Montreal's way so far and they haven't been able to capitalize. By this I mean that NJ and the Caps have played poorly yet Montreal hasn't put any distance between us and them. They haven't won several games that they should have and could have. Loss today, that earlier loss at home to Tampa etc. Really, the habs could be 6 up on NJ. I wonder how long these other teams will keep treading water along with Montreal. Maybe the rest of the season but that's expecting a lot.

Is it 50-50? IMO that's debatable but I'm still inclined to say no. I could of course be wrong (have been many times before-wouldn't it be nice to see such a great finish by the team?) but if I were a betting man I'd say the odds are still against them.

Still, every time I'm inclined to leave them for dead they come steaming out of the gate again. So, a hectic finish with the team staying in the race, at least "mathematically" until fairly late in the season. Just keep sticking those pins in the Caps, Devils and Rangers dolls.

[seventeen]

I can't seem to get a handle on Therrien.  I've been critical of him and then the team goes on a decent streak, and there seems to be good chemistry so I lay off and say, "Maybe I'm wrong".  Then he goes and does some weird things that make me want to round up a posse, (you in HA?), and run him out of Dodge City.  Take today for example and I make one caveat...I didn't see the game but have read some posts of the game and believe these are facts.  
1) he pulls Hackett after 1 period in which 1 bad goal is given up.  This is a vet and MT's not Mike Keenan, so why the shennanigans.  A poster elsewhere stated that in a post game interview, Hackett replied to a question on being pulled by saying "it's the coach's decision".  Theo allegedly said he thought he was starting.  (Discord in goalie land?).  
2) Early in the 3rd after the Habs scored to narrow the gap, he puts out the 4th line and they immediately get scored upon.  You'd think being behind, he would shorten the bench.  As Doc says, the 4th line didn't get much time anyway, so it's hard for them to get in any rhythm and then the coach lets them destroy any momentum.  
3) Another too many men penalty.  If we're 3rd in the league, who's in 1st and 2nd?
4) As has been brought up, Bouillon and Robidas together.  Don't tell me he had Petrov, Gilmour and Savage on at the same time?  Trying to set a new record for smurfness?  Is his favourite novel, Gulliver's Travels?  

Yeah, maybe we were just due for a bad game (again).  

[Psycorp]

Hi guys

Dis, you surely noticed Bouillon was our more physical defensemen since his come back from Québec.

I better like the (Bouillon - Robidas) combo than
The (Robidas - Rivet) one

Yes Rivet is bigger but Bouillon hit more, and is more sound defensively.
Robidas Struggle a lot right now, Therrien is trying to help him get back on track.

We know this one likes to make experiences  

Cheers

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

open throttle = loss. choke down = win. simplistic yes, but we can't run and gun.

oh yeah, hat-trick = loss. guaranteed.

feeling a little too smug after tampa i'd say.

[Vichab]

Pulling Hack was bush league and makes me wonder about the coach as you all are. This is my take. I think MT wasn't sure whether to start Hack given Theo's play but thought he would go for it and give theo a rest and let Hack get some playing time. He got cold feet after two mediocre goals and started to second guess himself so made the switch. DUMB move for many reasons: 1, He destroys Hack's confidence which is still pretty fragile. Now everytime Hack lets in a goal he's looking to the bench. 2, Hack has been a trooper in these difficult times but doesn't need this treatment and MT may have just upset the chemistry ala Mario. 3, Theo obviously wasn't ready to come in. 4, Although Theo wants to play every game he still needs rest especially as he can nolonger rest on the All-Star weekend.5, If we need to show case Hack to get a good trade pulling him is the worst thing for Hack's confidence and other gms will note that he was pulled and assume he was playing badly even though the goals weren't that bad. 6, If we're questioning the coaches decision you can bet the players are shaking their heads too. What do you think Gilmour is thinking?

While anyone who follows sports will tell you that it's the mental errors that hurt the most, it's particularly painful when the coach has a brain cramp. While there were other probs. with the Boys game today, it was MT's decisions that really hurt as it not only hurt our chances in the game it will have a long lasting impact on Hack, Theo, and the players. DUMB-DUMB-DUMB!