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Bergevin-- the common denominator between conference leaders |
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Tyler Bozak and the Toronto Maple Leafs can complain all they want about a faceoff that dropped out of sequence, ultimately leading to the Habs winning goal. But the fact is that David Desharnais bit on the fake drop as well, and he was prepared to win the faceoff despite the odd timing of the eventual drop. That, in a nutshell, was the difference between Montreal and Toronto last night.
The Canadiens, coming off one of their best efforts of the season--a shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators--came ready to play in this one, and the Maple Leafs clearly didn't. That the Leafs were in this game at 2-2 before the linesman's gaff was a miracle in itself, as Montreal came in waves throughout the first and second periods.
The Habs fired three goals in the third; Gallagher's leading to the win before Max Pacioretty practically dented the back bar with one of the heaviest wrist shots you'll ever see. Brian Gionta scored the easy insurance marker, and this was as dominant of a performance as the one the Leafs turned in at the Bell Centre before the Canadiens established this nine-game streak without a regulation loss.
Specifically, the Habs have won seven games since the debacle against the Leafs in Montreal, and they've lost two--one in overtime, one in shootout. And looking at those losses, you may consider they had more business winning those games than any of the seven they've managed over this nine-game stretch.
So the question is, is it fair to say the Canadiens are exactly as good as their record indicates?
I think we've reached a point in time where that's absolutely a fair assessment. Not to dismiss the fact that this journey has a lot of road to be traveled, and the overall health of the team is a concern with two players now nursing concussions, but the method has been impressive.
The Habs are a very consistent threat in the Eastern Conference. Safe for two games against the Leafs out of the 20 they've played in the East, this team has been the opposite of fun to play against. They're energetic, they're cohesive, they're balanced, they're deep; they're a damn good hockey team.
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-The two best teams in hockey so far, with respect to the Boston Bruins who have about four games to play to enter that conversation (they've been as good as anyone in less games) are the Chicago Blackhawks and the Montreal Canadiens. I'd say the Anaheim Ducks are certainly in that conversation as well.
What's the common denominator between the Hawks and Habs?
I'll give you a hint... it's not Pierre Gauthier!!!!!!!!!!!
-Ok... I'm not saying the Blackhawks were built by Bergevin. Not even saying the Habs were built by Bergevin. But he did a good enough job with Chicago to receive such strong commendation to Geoff Molson, and he has done an exceptional job tweaking the Habs and setting them up for a future that resembles Chicago's.
-Boldest move-- hiring Michel Therrien. No one knew. No one could predict how immediate Therrien's impact would be. No one could've anticipated how large of a stake Therrien's had in the team's success--to date.
-Adding Brandon Prust, Francis Bouillon and Colby Armstrong. All great moves.
Adding Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher-- just to give them the experience, especially after they earned it out of camp--bold!
-Things neither Therrien nor Bergevin have had control over: Andrei Markov's health and play, Alexei Emelin and Raphael Diaz's improvement.
Things they've had full control over:
1. Rene Bourque's approach to the game.
2. Demand over conditioning.
3. Chemistry, line combinations, ice-time management.
4. Buying out Scott Gomez immediately.
5. Parking Tomas Kaberle and his $4.25 million salary.
It's all bold. But it's been calculated, and dare I say, brilliant too.
Off the ice, Bergevin handled the Subban holdout about as well as anyone in his shoes would've. Credit where it's due, he handled it better than most who do fill his shoes around the league--not to mention his predecessor.
The trade for Michael Ryder-- a long-term stroke of genius with short-term benefit.
Bergevin's got a playoff team in a year in which nothing of the sort was expected. He's got a team at the top of the Eastern Conference, with just over half the games remaining. And he's building a winner-- not just a team that can make the playoffs.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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