Bonjour/Hello, and Welcome to : La vie en Tricolore
3-0 Well my friends, Montreal Playoff Hockey fever is in full swing. Not six days ago, many of us, (myself included - tabernac) were saying that the Sens were the worst first-round opponent for the Habs; possibly even worse than the third ranked Lightning (which couldn't happen anyway, so...).
So, three games in, Les Habitants are three games up. What are Habs fans to think? Premature celebration? That's never a good thing. It's never satisfying and often a sign that the team has not fully matured. There have been a couple 3-0 comebacks in recent years, so all is not yet won. There are no lovely ladies warming up their luscious larynges. This is a closer league, top to bottom, and most fat ladies don't start warming up until a goalie gets pulled. MT has indeed stuck to preaching his system, and his team is hammering it home, finally shooting from all angles instead of looking for the perfect pass. And we have the desired results. Throughout game three, it looked as though Anderson would get the shutout. But then fourth liner (??), Dale Weise, the Dutch Gretzky, happened.
Traded as a spare part from Vancouver, Weise is now a most coveted addition, a sparkplug, the kind that can fire up a championship caliber team. During his time in Montreal he has proven himself to be that special kind of player... the one who really comes alive for the playoffs. When the drive requires fire his intensity burns brightest. Through last years' run, and this year’s first series, Weise is writing his name in the headlines. What a reality… to play on the 2015 version of his boyhood dream team, and winning games - in OT baby! But there's hockey to be played.
Game Four Preview As in game three, the Senators are going to come out flying to the hum of the home town crowd and hit everything in that moves. There's just no way a Dave Cameron coached team is going to fall flat. Not now. They've been playing since December for this very game. For all intents and purposes, this should be the most intense game to date. To counter that energy Montreal will have to stay the course that’s worked so far. Their powerplay? A great big question mark. Could be the worst I've ever seen. No one seems to want to consistently bother the goalie, and everyone is in a passing lane! Leaving the Sens to box out all the shooting lanes! It's been far too predictable…with results hovering at 7.7%, this part of their 'strategy' is absolutely unacceptable.
My genuine concern would be a blowout loss in which the Sens go all Rangers '14 and crash the net, à là¡ Chris Kreider. While it may be of concern, I suppose it’s not pressing. The Habs must know this is coming, and after losing him in two consecutive playoffs, I do hope they can protect him a little better.The back end is bigger and more mobile this year, and should be able to handle whatever is thrown their way. However, I really do think we'll see another tight, athletic game with the outcome undecided until the final whistle. I hope that even the Habs wouldn't use bush league tactics like this. No one wants to see the Cup won with the best players watching from the press box. Or a hospital bed.
Sampling Some Satiating Statistics As expected, the Sens' top defensive unit gets majority average ice time, split between Marc Methot's 26:12 and Erik Karlsson's 29:48, respectively. Same situation on the other side, where Subban logged an incredible 33+ minutes in game three but is averaging 23:44, due in part to his game one ejection.The General has averaged 26:06 of ice time, and looks as solid as ever. In terms of series' goal scoring, Dale Weise's torrid two-period affair nets him a share of the lead with a pair. Barely twice as many as any other man on the team (lol- I joke)! For Ottawa, it’s that thorn MacArthur in our collective side, also potting two past Carey. For real standouts though, it has been rare to see any sustained excellence (I know we're nit-picking the fastest game on earth here), however, the Hamburgaler came in raw, or overcooked, underseasoned... etc while Craig Anderson has been spectacular. He was incredible. His win percentage when facing 30 shots is crazy. His record in 40+ shot games is even better! Price has been, well, Price. Pair an unbeaten record over three games, a .959sp, with a 1.88gaa and wow, I still can't believe we have the best goalie in the world. He's like a live action how-to-be-a-goalie instructional video. But it's not all about the individual leaders.
Besides...It’s a Team Game Both teams are fast, well conditioned, physical, and fairly disciplined. They're also sticking to their guns system-wise. Overall, these teams are quite evenly matched, and have produced fantastic hockey to date. However, something will have to improve where the Habs power-play is concerned. It’s almost embarrassing to watch, (and that’s no joke). Like any playoff game, this could come down to a bounce or two favoring either team. This is a game where one team has nothing to lose, and the other doesn't want to make a mistake on 'D'. If the Habs go with dump & chase tactics, I forecast an evening of long icings.
Final Note While looking forward to the start of this years' playoffs, I wanted to turn my eye to Devante Smith-Pelly. Whether he was injured, or adjusting, or otherwise, he just didn't look like he fit on the team. Anywhere. He wasn't scoring for a top liner. He wasn't bangin' for a bottom liner, and he was skating in what suspiciously looked like quicksand. But, true to Bergevin's words, some players get you “to… the playoffs, and others get you “through… the playoffs. While he insisted this was the type of player we were getting with Devante Smith-Pelly, many were skeptical. His regular season play seemed to prove the doubters right. But when Pacioretty missed game one, my eyes were opened! He's been a playoff hockey wrecking ball! His intensity and bodyweight create a mass of hockey playing inertia tumbling beautifully from end to end! Its only three games, but it's fun to watch. And right now I'd take DSP over that Cakes guy for this playoff run, who, according to NHL.com at least, is not on the Ducks playoff roster.
For A Habs Sweep Stick to the gameplan, shoot from all angles, crash the net, and fix the powerplay.
For A Sens Win Be better disciplined, outhustle them to every puck, hope Therrien plays little known third-stringer Shu Tertooter.
For Clifford G Robertson, with Love.
MR d'Awe