The Montreal Canadiens are off to a perfect 4-0 start to the 2015-2016 season as they beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 Tuesday night to spoil their opponents home opener. Fans are eagerly planning the Stanley Cup route down the usual rue Ste-Catherine as each time of the three previous times that the Habs have opened the season 4-0 (1955-1956, 1970-1971, 1977-1978), they went on to win the Stanley Cup. While 4 wins does not make a season, there is a lot for the Canadiens and their fans to feel good about as they return home to open the Bell Centre on Thursday night against the New York Rangers.
4-0-0 starts in #Habs history
1955-56: Won Stanley Cup
1970-71: Won Stanley Cup
1977-78: Won Stanley Cup
2015-16: ???
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 14, 2015As for the Canadiens win against the Penguins, here are my Props & Flops:
Props:
Marc Bergevin - The Canadiens general is not getting enough credit for the Habs hot start to the season. After being outplayed in the playoffs and bowing out in the second round, Bergevin did not panic. Rather, he tweaked his roster and made important decisions internally. His free agent priorities of signing Jeff Petry and Torrey Mitchell before they had the opportunity to hit the open market were spot on. These two players make such a difference to the Canadiens as they bring stability, speed and character. He signed Alexander Semin as a low risk high reward move although the jury is still out on that one. Bergevin did get Michel Therrien on the same page as him and finally gave Alex Galchenyuk the opportunity to play center full time as well as getting Eller to buy in as winger. While trading the popular Brandon Prust was I’m sure a difficult decision, the much improved play of Smith-Pelly has made fans forget about Zack Kassian and his troubles. Bergevin gave Fleischmann the opportunity to prove himself during training camp and so far bringing the veteran in has proven to be a positive experience. Finally, he backed up his words that he will always make way for a young player if they prove themselves. Goaltender Mike Condon was not on anyone’s radar as the rookie most likely to make the roster out of training camp. Condon has stepped up with every opportunity and earned a win in his first NHL start. The season is still young, but hats off to Bergevin on providing all of the tools necessary for the Canadiens to be as successful as they’ve been thus far.
Props:
Carey Price - While the Canadiens limited the Penguins to just 4 shots in the first period, Pittsburgh came alive and played desperate hockey in the second and third. By the end of the night they would score 2 goals on Price but he was there to shut the door in the 3rd period and keep the Penguins and Sidney Crosby in the cold. Crosby was visibly frustrated as he was not able to get one by Price.
Flop:
Alex Semin - He has shown flashes of his past self but against the Penguins he had the third least playing time for a Canadiens forward, ahead of only David Desharnais and Dale Weise. Is the leash getting shorter? Semin seems to be hesitating with the puck and not displaying the same confidence and quickness he had during training camp. Against the Penguins Semin did not have any shots on goal and only attempted one. The problem is that who takes his place next to Galchenyuk if Semin does not start producing/contributing?
Props:
The Powerplay - Max Pacioretty scored his second of the game on the powerplay. The Canadiens only had two opportunities and the first one was cut short when David Desharnais took a minor. Brendan Gallagher screened Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins gave enough room to Pacioretty to move with puck and get off a quick shot. Perhaps less opportunities is the way to go with the powerplay as it avoids disappointment if the Canadiens only go 1 for 8…
Props:
The Pacioretty-Plekanec-Gallagher line - Vincent Damphousse came down hard on Brendan Gallagher for having a quiet training camp. That was a big mistake as one should never doubt Gallagher’s heart and will. Gallagher didn’t need to waste his energy in the preseason. Through the four games this season, Gallagher is back to himself - parking himself in front of the Goalie and creating space for his linemates. His pass to Pacioretty on the first goal was a beauty, perfectly timed as well as sharp and crisp. On the second goal as mentioned, he was there to distract Fleury. Plekanec for his part had 5 shots on net and won 55% of his faceoffs. This line is truly the Habs #1 and are playing like it. They are taking on the tough assignments of playing against their opponent's top lines and still managing to contribute with goals and help the Canadiens win.
Flops:
Allowing 33 shots - After stifling the Penguins in the first period, the Canadiens knew that Pittsburgh would come out playing hard and desperate. In the second period things opened up a little too much and the Canadiens lost control of the game for a period of time. Max Pacioretty’s powerplay goal should have halted Pittsburgh’s momentum but instead the Penguins came back to score a goal and tie the game just a little more than a minute afterwards.
Props:
Tomas Fleischmann - His first goal in a Canadiens uniform proved to be the game winner, a moment he won’t soon forget. He was involved and shot the puck more when he had a chance rather than look for an open man. His play tonight is reason why he earned a contract after coming into camp on a professional try out.
Props:
Alexei Emelin - This was vintage Emelin as he had 7(!) hits against the Penguins. Half of his hits were of the bone-crushing variety. He is playing his best hockey in a long time and a lot of that has to do with his partner Jeff Petry.
Big hit by Emelin on Malkin: pic.twitter.com/OFQqVxJp0k
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 14, 2015Flops:
David Desharnais - While he had a nice assist on Fleischmann’s goal, he was on the ice for both of Pittsburgh’s goals and he took a penalty to negate the Canadiens first powerplay opportunity. The Canadiens fourth line of Brian Flynn-Torrey Mitchell-Devante Smith-Pelly was used more often than the Desharnais line as coach Michel Therrien showed his trust in them instead. Desharnais is a serviceable player, however eventually he will be replaced by the likes of either Charles Hudon or Michael McCarron. These are prospects that are capable of contributing but are more defensively responsible than Desharnais. With time, one of those players will be the Canadiens 3rd line centerman.
Neither here nor there:
- I asked this question heading into the game but when will Therrien get Greg Pateryn or Jarred Tinordi into a game? It’s a tough conundrum that the coach is faced with. You don’t want these players to get rusty by not getting into real games but the way that all six of his top defencemen are playing, it is hard to justify taking anyone out. The Canadiens need Nathan Beaulieu in the lineup as he contributes on the powerplay and Tom Gilbert is playing very good consistent hockey now that he is not being asked to do too much…
- It’s hard to imagine any changes to the lineup when the Canadiens open their season at home on Thursday. I imagine Therrien will reward the players who have gotten them through their 4-0 start.
- The Penguins have every right to be frustrated with their start. With the firepower they have up front, they should be a high scoring team. I thought that their defence would be their biggest problem heading into the season but Fleury and the defencemen are doing their part. When the offence does wake up, will they be back among the East’s elite?
Cheers & Follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler