Alexdaman
Wolfman
well it was bound to happen, we ran up against a hot goalie, first real good team we faced all season, the boys didn't have their best. Our overall defensive game was to blame for this one IMO, defensman making low percentage pinch plays trying to force the forecheck, i think that style works against teams with less talent but when you meet a strong offensive team it can kill you....not too mention no Price to bail you out. Lets move on, at least the door is wide open to get PK back, and Patches get well soon. go habs.
System was good, problem is that only the Plek line did a good enough job to get scoring chances. White's penalty came at a crucial moment in the game and when facing the #1 PP team in the league it's no big surprise we got scored on. Budaj will need to come back stronger when he gets another shot. PK will replace Bouillon on the PP and that's going to be a game changer.
Ottawa didn't outplay us that much at 5 on 5, they basically went into shut down mode in the 3rd.
What we need to be a playoffs contender this year is...
#1 DD, Cole, Eller/Pacioretty/Moen/... To have good shots on net and play more confidently.
#2 To have an healthy D core that can improve the team's transition game and keep the PP strong.
#3 Price needs to keep what he's doing and be more alert when he plays games where he gets less shots on goal i.e game vs Winnipeg. Budaj to come out with a few strong games to keep the pressure off Price.
#4 Gradual evolution of Galchenyuk and Gallagher to hopefully by the end of the season be able to play 20mins per game.