The Montreal Canadiens received their first lesson of this young season... Don't take your foot off the gas with the lead.
Your Habs jumped out to a dominating 3-1 after 20 minutes this past Saturday against the Senators of Ottawa while firing 15 shots at aging netminder Craig Anderson. Goals from Domi, Danault, and Byron had the team flying high into the intermission.
***Note: Yes, this is a bit late of a recap but October is crazy busy for me with my weekends tied up by family festivities starting with Thanksgiving, my birthday, and then my sons birthdays on consecutive weekends. Plus I love some fall hiking. Many apologies***
It had to be there and then that they decided to change the game and sit back a bit and it proved to be their downfall. The Sens scored 2 goals around the midpoint of the frame (Boeker and Duchene) to tie it and the 3rd saw nothing change. The Habs had a combined 11 shots in the 2nd and 3rd after 15 in the 1st period alone....
OT saw the Habs struggle, as usual, before a one timed, bar down rocket from Captain Pest Mark Stone gave the Sens an emotional home victory over the hot Habs.
The Habs always seem a bit disjointed in OT and it's clearly not heavily practiced. I understand why, it's a means to close out a game in a fun way before the gimmicky shoot out to send fans home with a definitive result. It's not included in playoff formats either so it's really a chance for teams with some elite stars to shine. Habs kind of lack that Eichel, McDavid, Matthews type player that shines in OT but they definitely sit back a bit more than they should and play it like a PK when the puck heads into their end.
The Canadiens should practice it a bit though as they are proving to be formidable opponents, but we are still getting below average goaltending so games could hit OT more than we want. Perhaps a more aggressive style in all areas would help. Less zone defense and more man on man aggressive defense could help keep constant pressure on puck carriers and keep sticks on opponents sticks.
But WTFDIK, I just watch all the games, pour over stats, and watch as many NHL games as I can...
Reilly and Juulsen continue to shine and the Habs are missing Mete's (hand inj) skating and passing right now, but Alzner has played his role well since coming in for the second year defender. Benn has been serviceable, but he needs to play less than the 18+ he played last night.
Also, why was our hottest F, Tatar, on for only 14:35 mins of ice time? Furthermore, why did Gallagher only play 5 seconds more than that? The Habs either got out coached big time or they tried to hard to maintain match ups and it cost their best Forwards almost 3 minutes of ice time in a game they could have easily put away with a bit more effort.
This game was definitely a learning experience for the players, but I really hope the coaches look at this and take their own lessons too. Play your best to win every game and never remove pressure. The Sens, Leafs, and Bruins are rivalries that are typically always tough games regardless of standings. Never, ever, take these games for granted and never stop the pressure unless you're up by 6 or the final buzzer sounds.
Moving on up! @SCSUHUSKIES_MH (4-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) moves up to #2 in this week's @USCHO DI men's hockey poll! #unleashSCSU #StCloudState #NCHCHockey #StCloudMNhttps://t.co/OVHqVpbKwJ pic.twitter.com/ryhTXidN6u
— SCSU Men's Hockey (@SCSUHUSKIES_MH) October 22, 2018
PLEKANEC TO IR
After playing his 1000th game and having a nice ceremony at center ice to commemorate the occasion Plek has been placed on IR due to a back issue. There is speculation that this was done to accommodate Deslauriers return (and losing De La Rose) and if so then I'm fine with it.
There are teams that extort other teams by taking dead weight contracts for picks and prospects so if we bend the rules a bit for roster space here and there then so be it.
He was the centerpiece of the Max Pacioretty trade in the off-season. Now he has his sights set on leading Team Canada to a second straight World Junior gold. @GinoRedaTSN chats with Nick Suzuki @nsuzuki_37 of the Owen Sound Attack @AttackOHL. Listen here: https://t.co/D0ve2ncOEl pic.twitter.com/hzXfs1dcHx
— JuniorHockeyMagazine (@JuniorHockeyMag) October 22, 2018
UP NEXT, CALGARY FLAMES
The Canadiens next game is against the upstart Flames who are led by diminutive star J Gaudreau and future Captain M Tkachuk. Both these stars are lethal on the PP and Tkachuk can make things happen every time he is on the ice. The game will hinge on the Habs ability to contain these two and getting solid goaltending from Carey Price.
The Flames aren't very good in goal at all rolling with mediocre and aging M Smith and a 26 year old 2nd year back up D Rittich. Rittich has put up great numbers in 2 games, but it's very unlikely he maintains a 1.30 GAA and .962 SP%. The Canadiens must attack relentlessly and put the Flames behind quickly and apply the lesson just learned in Ottawa for best results on Tuesday night.
Aggressive attack and discipline are the keys to next game, we will see how well these upstart Canadiens can execute.
Nick Suzuki chips in with an assist in the @AttackOHL's 5-2 win over Guelph. Has 9 pts on his current 4 game points streak (4g-5a). #GoHabsGo #OHL
— NHL Prospects Watcher (@Prospects_Watch) October 21, 2018
Go Habs Go