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From Koivu to Carbonneau, the Habs Dominate, as a Team! |
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It's always special for me to head into the Bell Centre for a Bruins-Canadiens game. There was a feeling around the arena last night, as if the ghosts, who are displayed in pictures on the ice before the game, were present. Might as well have been the Canadiens of old, because that was as complete of a team effort as I've seen in years!
Everyone brought it, and it's hard to single anyone out, but there are some points I would like to go over...
Two important goals, scored on fantastic faceoff plays. The first, a product of Saku's dominance, cleanly won to Komisarek. With a second's hesitation, and a look over to Markov, Komo put a solid wrister through three bodies as Ryder and Higgins both crashed the crease. Easy tap in for Higgs...1-0.
Plekanec with a quick nod to Kovalev, uses those buttah hands of his to tap one off to the right. Onto Kovalev's stick, off of it and into the net! 2-0.
Not enough can be said about how much better Tom Kostopoulos is as a fourth liner, then he is as a third. Put him with Chips and Begin, and you get goals in two games straight...why? Because they are easily some of the most annoying players to play against in the league. Begin is in your face all night. Kostopoulos, although limited offensively (not that you could tell after his brilliant pass to Begin), makes professional, intelligent, responsible plays. Just when you think you have an oddman rush, back comes Kyle Chipchura, who 9/10 times will clear the puck. Rule of thumb...when Begin scores, Canadiens will usually win.
Anyone watching this game must have felt as comfy as I did the whole time. The Canadiens never led in shots on goal, but were in the driver seat all night. They could've won 1-0, and I wouldn't have felt nervous at any point. Their defense was absolutely dominant. The simple transition from the backend is a luxury the Canadiens haven't afforded themselves in over ten years. The passes out of the zone from Markov, Hamrlik, Streit, Brisebois, Komisarek, Boullion...there isn't a single one among them that can't jumpstart some offense.
Kovalev and Koivu continue to be lights out...each and every night. I was surprised to hear myself saying this last night, but Kovalev has been the Canadiens best player so far, and he's on pace for his best season in the league. It's not about the point totals for me, because frankly if he plays with the intensity he has in each game, it's enough to win me back as a fan. He has been true to the A on his jersey, and the Canadiens have to be happy with that! As for the man who wears the C...he is without a doubt the heart of this team. I didn't check the stats, but I don't think he lost more than 2 faceoffs all night. Notice how Saku's line is much better defensively this year? It's because each time they turn the puck over in the offensive zone, they are like hawks trying to get it back. More often than not, Saku will locate where the exit strategy from the other team is being employed, and he will stifle it with a quick stick swipe. It's the little things that seperate great players from good ones...Saku Koivu is an absolutely great player!
Markov and Brisebois hit the scoresheet. PP goals for these two, and both of them were gorgeous. Tough night for Brisebois. There was a play in the second period where two Bruins were hard on a loose puck, and Brisebois refused to take the hit and make the play, instead he opted to backup facing them, and he got burned, resulting in a slight chance for the Bruins. He knew it was a bad mistake because he was shaking his head afterwards, appologizing to Boullion and Cristobal. Well Breezer was on the bench for the next 8 or 9 shifts, as Hamrlik was shifting with Boullion. After he was taught a lesson, what a great reward to see him head out on the PP, and score his first of the season, thanks to bang-bang passes from Kovalev and Plekanec.
Cristobal Huet made 31 saves in what probably could've been his first shutout of the year. Unfortunately he was beaten by a perfect wrister from 12 feet out in the middle of the slot. Oh well! My friend said to me last night: "If you gave me five more years of Huet and Price, I could guarantee this team is top of the league, and contending for Stanley Cups". Since Huet has been a starter in the NHL he has been fantastic. He is so stable, so calm, and such a team player. He has brought leadership to this team, and he will make an excellent mentor for Carey Price.
Hamrlik and Smolinksi have already proven that they were excellent offseason deals. Hamrlik in particular, who as I was saying all throughout the offseason, would be the stabilizing force to an already improving defense. He has been so solid back there. Everytime he's on the ice he inspires confidence in fans. Smolinski has been rock solid as well, and with each game that goes by, he seems to be dispelling the myths that he is soft. I'd take Bryan Smolinski over Mike Johnson any day! The responsibility factor is the same for both players, but Bryan is a leader, he plays the body, he works hard, and man can he pass a puck! What a beauty he set Grabovski with. These two have some chemistry, let's hope they stay together. Dandenault has been the hardworking compliment to that line, and any other he's completed so far this season. The Canadiens were looking for balance, and that third line gives them more balance then we've seen on the offense all year.
Last on this sparkling laundry list, Coach Guy Carbonneau. You may not like his line combinations, or the way he addresses his players, but you cannot argue with how good the Canadiens look when they play Carbonneau's system. Guess what? The coach has made some essential adjustments. First, he has his team working hard, if not harder than most the opponents they've faced this year. With a defensive zone faceoff late in the second Carbo made another adjustment: Koivu, Smolinski, and Begin...Three responsible players out to end the period. Hard working players are being rewarded, and confidence is building because of it. This is how you coach a hockey team! It'll be key to see if Carbo has the boys prepared enough to go steal 4 points on the road against Carolina and Pittsburgh, respectively.
The Canadiens are off until Friday. They have notoriously flubbed back to back games in the last couple of years, but if they commit themselves to playing the style of hockey they did last night, they may just surprise us all!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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