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Habs Take Advantage of Garon, and Blue Jackets

November 25, 2009, 9:44 AM ET [ Comments]
Habs Talk
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The insurance marker is rarely the most important goal of the game, but the one that Max Lapierre popped last night might have been among the most important of his career; if only because it served as a reminder of the rewards reaped from an “empty the tank” kind of effort. “I would call it that (his best game of the season). I tried to just work very hard on every shift, and bring my speed. It paid off,” said Lapierre, with a typical grin.

Much in the same way that it paid off for the Montreal Canadiens, after spending the majority of the first half of the game hemmed in their own zone. Persistence is golden in this league, and it resulted in the Canadiens taking advantage of Mathieu Garon, who was weak at best, last night.

And if the man in Columbus’ net was weak, the opposite could be said for Carey Price, who once again can be credited for keeping the Canadiens alive long enough to strike in the second half of the game.

On Price, Jacques Martin said something brilliant last week: “He needs to bring the balance between being laid back and having that fire and intensity that you need to have.” That appears to be exactly what Price has managed over this eight game stretch in which he’s been nothing short of exceptional. He’s calm and collected and into the game from the instant the puck is dropped; this part is evident in his handling of the puck, and in slowing down the play when it requires. He’s intense and even angry when plays aren’t being executed in front of him, and when the other team gets an odd-man opportunity that was given too easily. And what we’re really seeing with this attitude he’s exhibited, is that he’s emerging as a leader. From this, we know he’s reaching a new stage of his career.

Which brings me to an important point: The fire Gainey bandwagon is loaded with ammunition, and the bullets of criticism are largely aimed at the team’s supposed failure at developing their prospects.

Consider the move to hire Guy Boucher in Hamilton as a step in the right direction. Consider the hire of Jacques Martin as reinforcement, in terms of enabling certain players to mature into professionals (on and off the ice). Consider that the players people often site as developmental failures are in their second, third, or fourth years of playing in the National Hockey League. For every Guillaume Latendresse, there’s a Ryan White, or a Max Pacioretty. Consider a desperate situation on the blueline, and the Canadiens unwillingness to throw P.K. Subban and Yannick Weber into the fire—all in the name of proper development. Consider the development of Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak—even if you think one, or both were given too much too soon. How quickly would Price have reached the level he’s at right now had he not been through the gambit of elation and devastation at the NHL level, previous to this season?

When Sergei Kostitsyn made his NHL debut (December 13th, 2007) he was hungry, and he was pissed off. He had a very strong training camp, and as he watched Sam Gagner and Patrick Kane (his linemates in Junior, with the London Knights) get their chances in the NHL, while he was headed to Hamilton. He was the catalyst to a run the Canadiens went on that had them convince the entire NHL and their followers that they were for real—after 95% of the hockey-watching world insisted they would fail to make the playoffs. Somewhere along the way, he forgot what it took to be given such an opportunity, and spoiled himself with the luxuries his new position afforded him. Whether it’s for himself, or for the Canadiens, he’s learned from his latest stint in the minors, and last night, he returned with the vigor, ethic, and humility necessary for him to stick with the big club. A consistent effort in the same regard will generate the result he so desperately yearns for; a job in the National Hockey League.
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- Pretty good officiating last night…ha. Could it have been worse? Two examples: 1) If Travis Moen belts Rick Nash from behind he’s looking at a suspension, let alone two minutes in the box. 2) Ryan O’Byrne destroyed Derrick Brassard in front of Carey Price before Sergei and Max sealed this one.

- Andrei Kostitsyn kept his point-streak alive—now at 5 points in his last 4 games. He might not have played his best, but he’s more involved, he’s shooting more, and he’s using his body to hit and even block shots, like he did with a few seconds left in a game that was already won. Jacques Martin wanted a stronger effort from Kostitsyn, and he’s getting it. And wouldn’t you know, it’s resulting in points.


- Still waiting for Josh Gorges to play a bad game. Hasn’t happened in over a year. Is he the most underrated defenseman in the league? I think so…


- There were too many tears shed over Roman Hamrlik’s contract when he was signed as a free agent two summers ago. The Calgary Flames knew what they were losing, and would’ve paid market value to retain him had it not been for a 4-year offer the Canadiens made. The Flames were offering 2. Whatever the price tag, Hamrlik has been a stabilizing force for 2 of the 3 years he’s been here, and it’s not a stretch to say he’s exceeding expectations this season. He’s been excellent.


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7:00pm start against the Penguins tonight. Will Carey Price get his 7th consecutive start?
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