Post-Game Talk: Habs lose in OT 4-3
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Saxon
Registered User
- Mar 9, 2015
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Lafleurs Guy
Guuuuuuuy!
- Jul 20, 2007
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Nylander just signed a 10 mil contract and is producing at a very young age. If KK produces at this level that quickly I'll be very happy. Did you see that shot last night? What the heck are you talking about man?
sheed36
Registered User
Petry made a couple of rushes last night that were great to watch. His skating is so smooth.
donghabs98
Moderator
A few thoughts on last night's game
1. Despite the loss, the Habs did a good job matching the Leafs in terms of offensive chances and physical play. It was very even in that regard. Defensively though there was much room for improvement. Our inability to clear the puck from our zone against faster teams showed. The 4th line in particular struggled which led to the Zaitsev goal. These turnovers just can't happen when going up against really skilled teams as they will make us pay. Board play too was a bit problematic as the Leafs tended to win key board battles which resulted in long periods of possession or defensive breakdowns such as the Johnsson goal.
2. I'm beating a dead horse here but the PP needs to become at least semi-effective because right now it is more damaging than taking a penalty which shouldn't be the case. The 4 minute should have resulted in good scoring chances being generated at the very least while the 4 on 3 PP should have ended the game or generate momentum. Failing to do both resulted in the Leafs to gain momentum and inn the case of overtime, a victory. The biggest faults I have with the PP are:
-The Habs entries are not good as if they try skating it in then usually the defending team just pressures the entering player and forces the turnover or the Habs lose the chase when dumping the puck in.
-It is too stagnant: Players are basically standing still in their preset position which allows defending teams to adjust and take away passing lanes or easily block off shooting lanes. The passing too is often slow and players take too much time holding onto the puck instead of moving it to generate a flow.
We have the personnel who can at least give us an average working powerplay but the execution is simply not there. There is no flow or movement to the PP which results in a PP that generates few chances or momentum. While I'm assuming that Muller is still fully in charge of the PP I think it is time to give the responsibilities to someone else. Even if its not Muller's fault, its clear that his message is failing to connect with the players. Considering this is the easily change to make it should be done.
3. The 4th line as we know is a problem and adding Weise at the very least should make it better than it currently is. What is really needed on that line in my opinion is a 4th line center as Chaput and Peca simply are not players you can trust on the time when there is a big game. Chaput can win faceoffs but that benefit is counteracted with the fact he struggles to move the puck out, generate any real offensive pressure and tends to make costly mistakes (We all remember the puck over the class penalty against Boston). While Peca has speed and can cycle the puck a bit, he is a bit too inconsistent in terms of faceoffs and is not strong enough to win board battles which is important in the playoffs. Ideally, Bergevin needs to go out and grab a veteran 4th line C who can win board battles, win faceoffs and can at the very least cycle the puck in the opposing zone.
4. Our Top 4 LHD hole was quite apparent to me yesterday and will tend to stick out against strong teams. I found Reilly to be overwhelmed at times from facing the Leafs top lines which is reasonable considering he is not an established top 4 guy. The problem is we don't have any other option that is better. Kulak is good as a bottom pairing guy but he wouldn't provide any major upgrade over Reilly and Benn struggles on the left side and against faster teams. Getting a top 4 LHD is mostly no doubt but if Bergy can find a non-rental player who is relatively young (24-27 range) then it would be ideal because Romanov will take a few years until he is fully ready for the role in my opinion and there really isn't much else in terms of players who can fill that hole. At the very least someone who is in their mid-20s will still be in their prime and effective when our younger players develop.
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1. Despite the loss, the Habs did a good job matching the Leafs in terms of offensive chances and physical play. It was very even in that regard. Defensively though there was much room for improvement. Our inability to clear the puck from our zone against faster teams showed. The 4th line in particular struggled which led to the Zaitsev goal. These turnovers just can't happen when going up against really skilled teams as they will make us pay. Board play too was a bit problematic as the Leafs tended to win key board battles which resulted in long periods of possession or defensive breakdowns such as the Johnsson goal.
2. I'm beating a dead horse here but the PP needs to become at least semi-effective because right now it is more damaging than taking a penalty which shouldn't be the case. The 4 minute should have resulted in good scoring chances being generated at the very least while the 4 on 3 PP should have ended the game or generate momentum. Failing to do both resulted in the Leafs to gain momentum and inn the case of overtime, a victory. The biggest faults I have with the PP are:
-The Habs entries are not good as if they try skating it in then usually the defending team just pressures the entering player and forces the turnover or the Habs lose the chase when dumping the puck in.
-It is too stagnant: Players are basically standing still in their preset position which allows defending teams to adjust and take away passing lanes or easily block off shooting lanes. The passing too is often slow and players take too much time holding onto the puck instead of moving it to generate a flow.
We have the personnel who can at least give us an average working powerplay but the execution is simply not there. There is no flow or movement to the PP which results in a PP that generates few chances or momentum. While I'm assuming that Muller is still fully in charge of the PP I think it is time to give the responsibilities to someone else. Even if its not Muller's fault, its clear that his message is failing to connect with the players. Considering this is the easily change to make it should be done.
3. The 4th line as we know is a problem and adding Weise at the very least should make it better than it currently is. What is really needed on that line in my opinion is a 4th line center as Chaput and Peca simply are not players you can trust on the time when there is a big game. Chaput can win faceoffs but that benefit is counteracted with the fact he struggles to move the puck out, generate any real offensive pressure and tends to make costly mistakes (We all remember the puck over the class penalty against Boston). While Peca has speed and can cycle the puck a bit, he is a bit too inconsistent in terms of faceoffs and is not strong enough to win board battles which is important in the playoffs. Ideally, Bergevin needs to go out and grab a veteran 4th line C who can win board battles, win faceoffs and can at the very least cycle the puck in the opposing zone.
4. Our Top 4 LHD hole was quite apparent to me yesterday and will tend to stick out against strong teams. I found Reilly to be overwhelmed at times from facing the Leafs top lines which is reasonable considering he is not an established top 4 guy. The problem is we don't have any other option that is better. Kulak is good as a bottom pairing guy but he wouldn't provide any major upgrade over Reilly and Benn struggles on the left side and against faster teams. Getting a top 4 LHD is mostly no doubt but if Bergy can find a non-rental player who is relatively young (24-27 range) then it would be ideal because Romanov will take a few years until he is fully ready for the role in my opinion and there really isn't much else in terms of players who can fill that hole. At the very least someone who is in their mid-20s will still be in their prime and effective when our younger players develop.
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- Jun 24, 2012
- 83,921
- 151,210
Can't they use the Maim Forums for that? Whenever I see "coming in peace", I have my scroll down arrow ready.
Coming in War would freak them out. 
I almost posted that they should go home, the game's over; I guess I just did.
I almost posted that they should go home, the game's over; I guess I just did.
- Jun 24, 2012
- 83,921
- 151,210
Can't believe no one at RDS is shutting these atrocities down.
Lafleurs Guy
Guuuuuuuy!
- Jul 20, 2007
- 75,238
- 45,147
4th line is a serious problem for us. Seems like everytime the puck goes in the net they're on the ice. Thought this was interesting...
The Canadiens fourth line problems are affecting them at two levels
We need a Bargainbin special for the 4th and soon.
The Canadiens fourth line problems are affecting them at two levels
We need a Bargainbin special for the 4th and soon.
- Jun 24, 2012
- 83,921
- 151,210
Good enough for me, going to be at bridgestone.
Any other hab fans making the trip? It's a there and back so I don't have time to carouse but wouldn't mind saying "hey"
- Jun 24, 2012
- 83,921
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OT is a limited opportunity to strike first, where speed is at a premium Use your best skaters who can score as often as you can. Never stack your trio with defensive minded forwards. I don't care if the other team has superstars. The idea is to get to their net and convert before they do. Your skating guys give you a fighting chance.
Spring in Fialta
A malign star kept him
- Jun 24, 2012
- 83,921
- 151,210
If they were so superior, the game wouldn't have gone to OT. We can more than hold our own.
- Jun 24, 2012
- 83,921
- 151,210
They are mistaking the offence brought by Matthews, Tavares and Marner as a license to offend.
The90
Registered User
- Feb 27, 2017
- 6,106
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LaFloater
Registered User
Haven't posted in a while (TBH haven't even watched in a while). I feel almost like an objective neutral watching the Canadiens these days. Anyway, for what its worth I thought the Habs should have won that game last night. The Leafs are vastly overrated just like their coach. If you listen to the Toronto media, the Habs shouldn't be shining the leafs shoes let alone being on the same ice as them. The Habs were the better team but made a lot of naïve errors which burned them throughout the game. Price to me looks better than last year but not the game stealing goalie he sometimes was and is supposed to be . The PP at the end of regulation and overtime should have sealed it but was completely botched. Can you blame the coaches for that or poor execution by the players? Finally, Price should have never let in that goal in OT. Tough to play a backhand especially from a guy like Tavares but either don't go down so early (Which Price is always going to do) or at least come further out to get the angle right. It was just a killer goal that Price has had a bad habit of letting throughout his career. I would love to see the Habs and Leafs meet in the Playoffs if only to derail the Stanley Cup Parade and give those insufferable Leaf fans their comeuppance.
HockeyDBspecialist
Habs 2019 cup champ
Nylander started in the NHL at 20... big difference
Nylander at 18 would not even touch an NHL ice.
I was in Nashville last year during the playoffs. Really cool town! Bridgestone is at one end of their main strip, on Broadway, and is a beautiful arena. Have a blast, check out the blocks and blocks of live music clubs, and enjoy the food. Just abandon whatever healthy diet you're on.
ive seen the habs lots of places in the states, bridgestone is by far my favorite. there is nothing better than at the end of a game walking out of the arena and being in the heart of the celebrating/drowning one's sorrows
You have a seriously fast young team, that forecheck was pretty relentless. Was funny to see the first Domi in a Montreal jersey and it’s always nice to see Price getting back to being Price. Even though though he let in four he was pretty damn good last night.
While I’d love to meet you guys in the playoffs, I’m not sure this board and mod team or country could handle it.
Cheers.
While I’d love to meet you guys in the playoffs, I’m not sure this board and mod team or country could handle it.
Cheers.
Lafleurs Guy
Guuuuuuuy!
- Jul 20, 2007
- 75,238
- 45,147
We're talking about their 4th best forward. If you want to get hung up on KK vs Nylander go ahead, they are still super stacked and the idea that we have a bunch of prospects that are that good is crazy.
Whitesnake
If you rebuild, they will come.
- Jan 5, 2003
- 89,457
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Missed the game....my kid was too busy winning a gold medal in trampoline....
. So in resume....how was it? Too lazy to go through everthing....
. So in resume....how was it? Too lazy to go through everthing....
- Jun 24, 2012
- 83,921
- 151,210
He came in peace.
He didn't announce it.
Did the post happen? We may never know.
