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Habs Stumped by Miller, Pittsburgh and Boston Present Biggest Challenges |
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It wasn't exactly a convincing week for the Montreal Canadiens, but you can't really bemoan their efforts in the two losses they suffered to the Buffalo Sabres.
The Habs couldn't buy a bounce Saturday, and Ryan Miller shut the door on virtually all the opportunities they created. There were rebounds that came off of Miller, but he was great on second chance opportunities, and without him, the Sabres would've been blown out of the water by the second period.
Carey Price was asked whether a tough loss like Saturday's will linger, influencing what should be two incredibly tough challenges against Pittsburgh and Boston. The veteran goaltender responded with "we won't be thinking about it beyond this question."
If the Canadiens have been successful this season, a big part of it has been their ability to focus on the task at hand, rather than on trends that could be developing over a string of games.
Another thing they've managed very well is not tailoring their gameplan to match up with any given opponent. The Habs have played the same style against all their opponents, and it's a style that's netted them great success.
Saturday's loss was the 2nd regulation loss in their last 20 games. There wasn't much to cry over, despite the critics out in full force after two losses to Buffalo. Those bounces the Canadiens couldn't manufacture against the Sabres-- those are the bounces Buffalo's been longing for all season, as they've dropped so many one-goal games.
The Habs had to be a little thankful that--simultaneously--the Toronto Maple Leafs were keeping Boston at bay, beating them for the first time in their last 9 attempts--in regulation, no less.
Pittsburgh rolled on the Philadelphia Flyers last night, notching their 12th straight win. Having played two more games than the Canadiens, the Penguins only hold a five-point lead in the standings.
The Penguins acquired Brenden Morrow from the Dallas Stars before the game started. Morrow will make his debut against the Habs, as the Pens go for lucky 13.
There's only so many games you can refer to as the biggest one of the season. To beat Pittsburgh in their building, guaranteeing ground gained in the standings would have to be considered the biggest one. But going up against the Bruins in Boston on Wednesday--well, you have to consider the division race to be of utmost importance.
And Boston will be ready. The Canadiens face one team that hasn't lost in a month before facing another that wants to pound them into submission. The hope for Montreal has to be that Toronto does some more damage to Boston tonight.
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Notes:
-The Habs penalty kill needs some work. Not that there was anything that could be done about that 5-on-3 the Sabres scored on, but clearly, something's not right in this department.
I asked Josh Gorges if the strategy has changed at all from the previous two seasons of excellent penalty killing for the Habs, and he says : "Not at all".
Gorges did however mention that the Canadiens have been a little bit "back on their heels" on the penalty kill, and would like to see them be more aggressive.
Personal opinion:
1. Andrei Markov can't kill penalties like Hal Gill.
2. The Habs faceoff struggles are of obvious influence.
-And that's why the move to bring back Jeff Halpern is a good one. Maybe Marc Bergevin took a peak at what Petteri Nokelainen's been doing in Hamilton (not much) and said to himself that his team needs a better replacement for Ryan White, who suffered a lower body injury against the Islanders.
Halpern can win draws and kill penalties. Seems to be the two biggest weak spots on the team.
-Brenden Morrow is a battleship, and the Penguins gave up a first-round prospect to bring him in. It's a high price to pay, but one Ray Shero was more than willing to, to take his team on a run for the Stanley Cup.
Shero had a brilliant quote about the trade last night: "I don't set the prices...I have to decide if we're going to pay them."
Doubt the Penguins are done. As I mentioned a few blogs ago, they need a bruising, stay-at-home defenseman. They don't have any problems filling the net.
-Another reason Ryan Miller was even better than some were willing to give him credit for: the Sabres were credited for 19 giveaways. I counted 19 by their defensemen alone--in their own end.
Talking with buddy Arpon Basu of LNH.com in between periods two and three, he remarked the Canadiens had won every 50-50 puck in the game. Tough to be down two goals with those results...
-At what point do we label Alexei Emelin an underrated defenseman? He moves the puck very efficiently, and he's become a threat in the offensive zone--in terms of his play-reading ability. Add these facets of his game to the fact that he's a crushing, clean hitter, and this guy may not get as much credit as he deserves.
And of course, his confidence has to have been influenced by partnering with Andrei Markov. It's worked for so many players before him.
-Does Carey Price play both games? Which one does Budaj play if Price doesn't get both starts?
If I were coaching, I'd do one of two things:
1) I play Price in both, and hope this is the opportunity he seizes to really stand above as a leader on the team.
2) I start Budaj in Boston, because he won last time he played there.
-Carey Price's first NHL win--3-2 in Pittsburgh. Called him a veteran goaltender a few lines back. That was October 10th, 2007-- a 28-save performance.
Here's what Saku Koivu told the press afterwards:
"I thought he really looked confident. And if he was nervous he didn't show it at all."
-Marc Bergevin has to respond to the move Pittsburgh made. He'll have to respond to whatever Boston's got cooking (Iginla?)
Some more toughness up front?
Some more help on the blue line?
Your call.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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