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Habs lose 1-0 to the Red Wings and McCarron sent back to St. John's |
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The Montreal Canadiens followed up their entertaining 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday night with a complete 180 on Monday afternoon as they lost 1-0 to the Detroit Red Wings. The rare weekday matinee game had both teams sluggish as there were many moments when it seemed as if they were only going through the motions. The Canadiens and Red Wings combine for just 38 shots on net and not one team had more than eight shots in a period. While Carey Price and Jared Comeau were both stellar in nets, the number of high quality scoring chances was low for both teams. Thomas Vanek scored the game’s only goal late in the second period as the puck deflected off of him and into the Canadiens net.
Puck props and flops:
Carey Price - It was a shame that Price’s best performance in five games came in a 1-0 loss. Despite only facing 20 shots on net, Price looked to be in fine form as he made himself big again. It was obvious that Price had been off of his game as of late. While the Canadiens may have lost to the Red Wings, it was a game that Price can certainly build off of.
The Canadiens first line - Alex Galchenyuk, Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov were the only Canadiens trio that displayed any signs of life as they were constantly dangerous and pressed for that elusive goal. In only their second game back reunited since Galchenyuk’s return from injury, the first line continued to re-establish their chemistry. Their timing might still be a little off at times but they once they truly get going they have the potential to be amongst the the top first lines in the NHL.
Flops:
NHL Scheduling - While both teams had to deal with preparing for an unusual weekday afternoon game, it is a shame that the Canadiens had to play during a Canadian work day thus making it very difficult for their fans to be able to watch the game live. Although, perhaps fans who were not able to catch it are thankful that of all games they missed this sleepy one. Either way, the Red Wings should have faced another American opponent on Martin Luther King Day or the game should have been played in the evening so that it would have been more accessible to all.
Decisions regarding Michael McCarron - After playing his first really bad game since his call up fifteen games ago, McCarron was benched in his hometown in favour of Jacob De La Rose. Usually head coach Michel Therrien is very cognizant when it comes to players playing where they grew up or against former teams. It is somewhat hard to believe that that the Canadiens were so impatient with McCarron after one poor game playing on the wing. In an even more surprising move the Canadiens sent McCarron back to St. John’s after the game. I suppose that at least they gave him an opportunity to visit his family… If McCarron is not going to play with the Canadiens it is certainly better for his development to be playing nightly in the AHL. However, perhaps the Canadiens could have given him at least one more opportunity on the wing to let him get comfortable or let McCarron play center and Torrey Mitchell play the wing?
Other thoughts:
Some may have criticized the Canadiens for having an intense practice on Sunday with Monday's matinee on tap but in truth the team needed to work desperately on their defensive zone coverage and the penalty kill. With the Canadiens playing Pittsburgh on Wednesday, today is a day off so that they will hopefully have fresh legs against the Penguins.
Brendan Gallagher was back on TSN 690 radio on Monday morning and he had an interesting suggestion regarding goaltender interference calls that are challenged. He thought that rather than continue to suffer through the referees inconsistent judging, that there should be a team in Toronto who makes the decisions on all challenges. It should be the same 4 or five people who make that big decision on if a goal should count or not. That way there would be more consistentcy and a better understanding rather than the various referees who may interpret a play differently on any given night.
Cheers and follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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