Jennifer B Cutler: Habs end road trip with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Blues The Montreal Canadiens went .500 on their road trip as they loss to the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in overtime. David Desharnais was lost to injury and Mark Barberio has been sent back to the Ice Caps. Puck Props & Flops.

The Blues do have the 10% more PK attempts than anyone else in the league on home ice, yet they still have the 2nd best PK % in the league on home ice. On home ice, Coyotes have a better PK % but have been short handed less than 2/3 as many times as the Blues.

Some of their PP struggles might just be because the Blues have one of the best PK (2nd overall) in the league.

2 great backhand goals in the game - Plekanec and Schwartz both with very good backhand goals.

The Blues do have the 10% more PK attempts than anyone else in the league on home ice, yet they still have the 2nd best PK % in the league on home ice. Obn home ice, Coyotes have a better PK % but have been short handed less than 2/3 as many times as the Blues.

Some of their PP struggles might just be because the Blues have one of the best PK (2nd overall) in the league.

2 great backhand goals in the game - Plekanec and Schwartz both with very good backhand goals.
- Jason Millen

Cheers Jason

It definitely did not help the Habs that the Blues PK is so strong but they didn't do themselves any favors either...

Those two backhanders were beauties though! Love Schwartz, might just be my favorite Blues player.

Great blog as usual Jen!!

The only good that can come from Chucky's and DD's injuries (if long-term) is if it finally forces MB to address the lack of centre depth. We are AHL level up the middle and is directly correlated to our poor FO%.

The only problem is that the moves/players we need will seriously deplete the shallow pool that we do have?

We may be first overall right now, may make the playoffs......but not a serious contender yet.

We're in a very unique position because of years of mismanagement and poor drafting.

Great blog as usual Jen!!

The only good that can come from Chucky's and DD's injuries (if long-term) is if it finally forces MB to address the lack of centre depth. We are AHL level up the middle and is directly correlated to our poor FO%.

The only problem is that the moves/players we need will seriously deplete the shallow pool that we do have?

We may be first overall right now, may make the playoffs......but not a serious contender yet.

We're in a very unique position because of years of mismanagement and poor drafting.
- Snots33_77

I really think the poor drafting is confirmation bias more than anything else... their drafting is probably average given how often they're in the playoffs and getting a crappy pick. But yeah, they're in an awful position because they're supposed to be contending but are missing so many pieces.

I really think the poor drafting is confirmation bias more than anything else... their drafting is probably average given how often they're in the playoffs and getting a crappy pick. But yeah, they're in an awful position because they're supposed to be contending but are missing so many pieces.
- apex123

Fair point!!

It's such a weird position to be in really? Hard to explain the complexity and series of dumbfounding events that led us here???

Letting the likes of Souray, Koivu...even Streit, to a lesser extend, walk without getting anything in return?? I know I'm missing more, but that was Gainey and his "We don't negotiate during the season" BS that started the deterioration of an already shallow prospect pool.

And of course making the playoffs somehow and affecting our draft spot.....

I'm sure we could go on and on.......this has been talked to death I'm sure....

I really think the poor drafting is confirmation bias more than anything else... their drafting is probably average given how often they're in the playoffs and getting a crappy pick.

I completely agree with that. I keep hearing from people that the Habs drafted badly, but we are one of the few team who were able to go near contending for a cup without the usual 3-4 years of tanking and finishing last to draft top-three. I also remember reading this report that said Habs were amongst the best teams for the % of their draft picks making the NHL regularly, especially for the later rounds.

Here it is

The bigger problem seems to be that we kept trading them or not signing them back when they become UFA.

Also I hope Hudon can get back soon (I thought he would be out longer if his injury was indeed a fractured sternum). That's his big chance to get into the regular lineup with all the injuries at center. He need the chance, the kid is nearly PPG in the nhl right now. Don't think he will keep that pace in the long run, but still.

I really think the poor drafting is confirmation bias more than anything else... their drafting is probably average given how often they're in the playoffs and getting a crappy pick. But yeah, they're in an awful position because they're supposed to be contending but are missing so many pieces.
- apex123

Being 1st overall is not being in an awful position and they're not that many pieces away from being top contenders if they're not already...

hahaha! We just beat the team leading the NHL in points! Sure, it took overtime, their top center being out, the guy taking his spot on the top line to get hurt, and their best in the world starting goalie to be getting a day off... but forget all the that, the Cup will be ours this year for sure!!



Seriously, sorry to see Desharnais will miss time.

Being 1st overall is not being in an awful position and they're not that many pieces away from being top contenders if they're not already...
- obie

I mean awful in the sense that they have to go for it now with the window closing in a few years, but they are still missing a lot of pieces. I'd consider a top 6 LW, a second line center, and a LH Top 4 D alot, wouldn't you? It is just about impossible to trade for all of that.

I mean awful in the since that they have to go for it now with the window closing in a few years, but they are still missing a lot of pieces. I'd consider a top 6 LW, a second line center, and a LH Top 4 D alot, wouldn't you? It is just about impossible to trade for all of that.
- apex123

Add one with a contract beyond this year now and a rental at the deadline and it's pretty close...good teams have players filling roles they were not necessarily meant to, like Panik in Chicago

hahaha! We just beat the team leading the NHL in points! Sure, it took overtime, their top center being out, the guy taking his spot on the top line to get hurt, and their best in the world starting goalie to be getting a day off... but forget all the that, the Cup will be ours this year for sure!!



Seriously, sorry to see Desharnais will miss time.
- Antilles

You must be the only guy who's sorry Desharnais will miss time, I'm more concerned with the other guy who's gonna be missing time

You must be the only guy who's sorry Desharnais will miss time, I'm more concerned with the other guy who's gonna be missing time
- obie

Lol he has to be joking if he's seen our board at all. If you're new to the habs forums though Antilles Desharnais sucks.

Add one with a contract beyond this year now and a rental at the deadline and it's pretty close...good teams have players filling roles they were not necessarily meant to, like Panik in Chicago
- obie

Fair enough, the team doesn't have to be perfect to win. If they could even get 2/3 out of the three pieces needed to be a sure contender it would a long way... but getting those pieces is going to difficult and certainly very expensive asset wise.

I completely agree with that. I keep hearing from people that the Habs drafted badly, but we are one of the few team who were able to go near contending for a cup without the usual 3-4 years of tanking and finishing last to draft top-three. I also remember reading this report that said Habs were amongst the best teams for the % of their draft picks making the NHL regularly, especially for the later rounds.

Here it is

The bigger problem seems to be that we kept trading them or not signing them back when they become UFA.

Also I hope Hudon can get back soon (I thought he would be out longer if his injury was indeed a fractured sternum). That's his big chance to get into the regular lineup with all the injuries at center. He need the chance, the kid is nearly PPG in the nhl right now. Don't think he will keep that pace in the long run, but still.
- Popofjc

Interesting article. That McDonagh trade was so brutal though, especially now that they need a player just like him

Cheers Jason

It definitely did not help the Habs that the Blues PK is so strong but they didn't do themselves any favors either...

Those two backhanders were beauties though! Love Schwartz, might just be my favorite Blues player.
- Jennifer B Cutler

Jennifer

Are you in Montreal? If so, is Les Deux Singes de Montarvie still a great place?

You must be the only guy who's sorry Desharnais will miss time, I'm more concerned with the other guy who's gonna be missing time
- obie

Agreed. If not for the galchenyuk injury, Desjarnais lose would mean squat. Heck. That was his 25th freakin' game and his FIRST credited hit for the year...and he got hurt on it. Please!!!! That is beyond ridiculous.

NO. Desjarnais won't hurt the habs one bit, and will actually give some young fella a chance. Galchenyuk out...now THAT is a bad one. That guy was just rounding into form as a first line center. Not a fan of the Habs, but I like that guy as a player. He will be missed!

Jennifer

Are you in Montreal? If so, is Les Deux Singes de Montarvie still a great place?
- Jason Millen

I am! I've never been but I've heard good things about it...