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Canadiens Looking to Focus on Positives, Habs V Panthers |
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The Montreal Canadiens host the Florida Panthers this evening at the Bell Centre in what will be the most important preseason game in the history of preseason games. Until the next one.
The Florida Panthers come into tonights game knowing it’s their last of the preseason. Many Canadiens fans are likely begging for this preseason to end so we can stop talking about these games as if they taking place in March. Regardless, going 0-6 in the preseason is going to get attention in a Canadian market and its very likely that the only other team capable of having half its fanbase turn on them for meaningless games is the Maple Leafs. It’s a gift and a curse. It’s great to have a fan base this passionate and engaged with all things Canadiens. On the other hand, having to hear people calling for the coach and GM to be fired and seriously suggesting trading Carey Price makes me sigh and shake my head.
Have the Canadiens played well? Yes and no. I would argue that aside from everyone piling on Galchenyuk because he isn’t playing at full speed, the only thing to be concerned about is the lack of depth on defence. Schlemko hasn’t been able to play yet due to a hand issue and it sounded as though the coaching staff had him pegged for top 4 minutes. Everyone expected more from Davidson, and to be fair he hasn’t played very well. Last game I wouldn’t fault Price if he gave him an earful afterwards. Taormina and Morrow did not impress. Juulsen broke his foot after having a very good rookie camp. Gelinas hasn’t done much, and Lernout may be the teams best call up option. Add to that Streit has looked bad and all the D changes Bergevin made in the offseason aren’t looking better than Markov, Emelin, and Beaulieu.
Thanks to Twitter user, John Wilson (@TheEagleDares) for transcribing some Bergevin quotes from Antichambre last night. Give him a follow, good fan. Probably one of you guys in the comments section.
I would expect that this game and the following one against the Ottawa Senators will feature a different level of intensity ( I would hope). All of the established guys know these games are not the time for them to go 100%, especially after the injury issues last season, but they also must focus on learning the new system. The Habs have played pretty good in all but one of these preseason games. There’s been quite a few posts hit too. Unlucky for sure, but that’s hockey. The important thing to focus on will be building scoring line chemistry and finding suitable D pairings.
Tonight’s line up will look like this.
Hudon - Plekanec - Lehkonen
Byron - Danault - Shaw
Galchenyuk - Holland - Scherbak
Martinsen - Froese - McCarron
Alzner - Petry
Mete - Benn
Davidson - Jerabek
Lindgren
Fucale
Great to hear Lindgren is good to go, not just for Laval and as Price’s possible back up, but as a potential trade chip.
This appears to be the final exam for Mete, Davidson, and Jerabek. Mete with Benn is completely a test for Mete to show how he can play away from one of the best defenseman in the league. While it certainly seems likely that Mete being on the opening night roster is the worst kept secret in town right now, it’s important to ensure he can hold his own. The mental side of his game must be tested and with all due respect to Benn, Shea Weber-like he is not. I don’t think it’s fair for Mete to be judged too harshly at this point considering all the promise he has shown, but this test is important data for the team to collect.
I’m hoping that the pair of Davidson and Jerabek is being used to determine who is staying up and who’s being sent down. At this point, Davidson hasn’t done anything to show he should be on the roster. His mistakes have directly led to goals or A+ scoring chances and he’s been very soft on the puck. I don’t want to come across as a writer trying to make his name by being a massive, critical Richard, but I also don’t want to lie in my assessments. Davidson, to this point, has been a liability. Jerabek has played better than Davidson and if it were up to me he would start as the #7 D taking turns subbing in and out for Mete, when needed. I hope his game is good enough to overcome his partner, if Davidson turns in another rough night.
I was surprised to see Scherbak called up so quickly and have to wonder if management was just trying to shock the kid. Take his mind out of the place of “pressure” and steer it towards a place of “opportunity”? Only the staff know that, but it seemed strange the way Scherbak has been moved around.
I’m just happy this preseason is almost done and we can start talking about starting lineups and games that mean something. I mean, the Canadiens haven’t won a game since I started writing these articles (blogs?) and I’m starting to wonder if I need to head to church for splash of Holy Water and light a few candles (with a donation of course).
Let’s see what tonight will bring and see if it gives any clarity to the Mete, Davidson, Jerabek situation. Davidson needs to have a solid defensive game or I think he will soon be joining Chris Terry on the waiver wire. After all these defensive question marks lately I’m wondering if the guy Montreal may be chasing in Colorado is on defence?
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Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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