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Canadiens Smell Blood In The Water In San Jose + Sergachev/Radulov Notes

October 17, 2017, 1:54 PM ET [709 Comments]
Brandon Smillie
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Canadiens enter unfriendly waters tonight at the SAP Center in San Jose where the 1-3-1 Habs take on the 1-3-0 Sharks. In their last 15 games at the SAP Center the Canadiens have only won 2 times. 2…. And the last win came before the new millennium, 1999 to be precise. So keep expectations low tonight folks and maybe we will be pleasantly surprised.



Thank you Bob, for being a voice of reason in these trying times.

But, this seems like an opportune time to add a win number 3 in San Jose as the Sharks have stumbled through the starting blocks this season. Their aforementioned record is almost identical to Montreal’s and they have almost matched the Canadiens 8 goals for/17 against putting up their stat line of 8 goals for/14 against.

The battle of the under achievers is on tonight and could provide the perfect opportunity to gain some confidence while slaying a shark-faced demon. Everything will center around Montreal’s ability to contain familiar foes Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, and Joe Pavelski will always be difficult but they have to add a couple more names to that list tonight. Two new faces to watch for are the 21 year old, second year NHL’ers Kevin Labanc, who leads the team with 3 goals and 4 points in 4 games, and Timo Meier. Both of these players have been hot for the Sharks so far and Montreal may have a tough time contained San Jose’s top two lines if the other aforementioned stars shake off their early season rust.



The Canadiens lineup hasn’t changed from last game according to their practice lines. Lehkonen is getting an extended look on the first line while Galchenuk remains slated for a fourth line role. I think we all know we will see Galchenyuk on the PP and possibly the first line RW slot here and there, depending on the performances of he and Lehkonen tonight.

Pacioretty - Drouin - Lehkonen
Byron - Plekanec - Gallagher
Hudon - Danault - Shaw
Galchenyuk / de la Rose - Mitchell - Hemsky

Mete - Weber
Alzner - Petry
Benn - Davidson
Morrow

Price
Montoya


The return of David Schlemko was delayed again as he is still nursing a hand injury despite being called up by the Canadiens after his conditioning game in Laval. There is some confusion as to what the nature of the injury is with some media saying his hand was broken and some saying it was a type of bruise. All that matters is he obviously can’t adequately hold a stick and if thats the case then don’t rush him. Davidson has actually been playing well in a bottom line role, which is a completely welcome surprise to me. Victor Mete has played very well also and Petry is regaining form. The defence issues, in my opinion, are moving more towards the lack of offence instead of being detrimental defensively. I’ll take it at this point.



If Montreal is going to succeed tonight it hinges on two things: Price’s ability to be his average self, and the Habs ability to maintain the offensive pressure they have put forth this season. At some point something will give and the Canadiens will score 3-4-5 goals, possibly as soon as tonight, but Price can’t play like he has been so far. We need an average Carey Price. A Price that will post a .915 SP% on 24 shots so the Canadiens can keep some momentum if they score first again. The Habs two best games were derailed by allowing 2 goals in around a minute in two straight games and sucking all the confidence and momentum out with them. It can’t happen again if they want to erase the early hole they’ve put themselves in, standings wise, in a expedited manner.



The Habs are out shooting and out chancing their opponents in their last 3 games so either tonight they continue that and finally get their reward or they give up goals early and start preparing for the toughest game of the next 3 against a hot LA Kings team.

I’ll try to stay up to catch the game and give some proper insight tomorrow, but I will say that my entire household has been under the weather and it’s my little guys 1st birthday tomorrow, so if I don’t get something written before noon I apologize and you will likely have to wait for my insightful opinions until Thursday. I know this courteous group will understand.

OVERTIME

Mark Streit and the Canadiens have official terminated their agreement. Streit will likely head to a lesser pro league as the NHL is too quick for his diminished skills. All the best Mark.

Of note, Sergachev and Radulov have been off to incredible starts for their clu…. Oops. I misread a couple things. Seems like they are struggling a bit, but Sergachev did recently provide an incredible Rock’em Sock’em highlight by being on the receiving end of the most beautiful, clean hit I’ve seen since Subban ass-checked Marchand.



Sergachev’s last three games have seen his ice time cut significantly as he doesn’t appear to be earning the trust of Lightning coach Cooper. Sergachev played 8:37 against the Red Wings last night, 10:27 against the Blues, and 5:22 against the Penguins. In that time he has one PP assist, is a -1, and has put up 3 shots to go with that stunning GIF above. Let’s all hope he stays up so the Habs don’t have to lose that 2nd rounder, but at this point it’s looking like the man some hockey media said is on the path to win multiple Norris trophies (Maguire I believe?) is likely heading on a path to the minors to adjust to NHL speed and strength.



Radulov has provided 2 assists and a -1 in 5 games with the struggling Dallas Stars and is helping his team achieve nothing but disappointment so far. At least he got paid, which may be all he was concerned about when he came back from the KHL. I know, I know, he will turn it around… probably.



Nate Beaulieu has also had a rocky start to his Buffalo career and has recently been moved from first pair to third pair. Don’t be surprised if he ends up in the padded pair… of seats in the press box. …Is this thing on?

Can someone monitor how the Toronto media will report on this?



I’ve read about how they all felt about Galchenyuk’s movement in the line up. Curious if this will be met with similar criticisms, and pitch forks, or if this will be brilliant coaching and development. A part of me feels like I know the answer already.

Last note is an important one from Stanley Cup Champion, Phil Kessel.



Take care of yourself and your loved ones folks, never a bad idea to do both.

Go Habs Go.


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