Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

A Missed Match-up

December 17, 2018, 10:13 PM ET [510 Comments]
Karine Hains
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Normally, the Canadiens - Bruins games are intense and so entertaining, the teams loathe one another and it shows...Normally. Tonight, it's not even possible to say that the Habs came out flat, they just didn't come out. In fact, it looked like they had forgotten they still had one game to play at the Bell Centre in 2018 and were already on their way to Denver for Wednesday's game. What's even worst is that this was not only a rivalry match, but a huge match-up against a divisional foe who just happened to be one point behind Montreal in the standings...well, not anymore.

There was however one positive point in this pathetic display, Carey Price was dialled in and kept his team in the game for as long as he could but as we've often said, he cannot score goals. Tonight, even the Habs forwards couldn't score against Jaroslav Halak, that being said, it's hard to score when you shoot 5 times in the first, 7 in the second and 10 in the third. Halak saw more shots than that in a single period of his magical 2010 playoffs run.





It doesn't happen often but tonight, Gallagher just didn't have a good game. He lost his man on the second goal and offered the turnover that led to the Bruins' 3rd goal early in the 3rd period. At the final buzzer, he even broke his stick on the Canadiens' net and in his post game comments, he went as far as to say that this was his worst NHL game. That being said, it wasn't a better night for his linemates, Tatar had 3 giveaways in the first 5 minutes and in insight, it was a fair preview of what was to come. He ended his night with 4 while Drouin had 3. As for Philip Danault, it's becoming more and more obvious that he just doesn't have the talent to keep up with his wingers. It's becoming more and more obvious that it's time for Claude Julien to move Kotkaniemi up to the second line but that seems obvious to everyone but the Canadiens' bench boss.

As for the D, Schlemko and Juulsen (the 3rd defensive pair) were the only ones to not end the game with a minus ratings of course they didn't have as much time on-ice but it was worth mentioning. The Canadiens were just unable to compete with the Bruins tonight even though there was no Patrice Bergeron and no Zdeno Chara wearing the black and gold...shameful.

As for the power play....well, I don't think I need to say anymore...it's 0 in its 23 opportunities, that says it all.

Shortly after the game, the Canadiens called up Mete and shipped Juulsen to Laval...Not much of a solution but what else can they do right now?

The team will try to forget about their atrocious performance and be ready for 2 games in 48 hours against the Avs and the Coyotes before a 4.00 PM start against the Golden Knights on Saturday. Chin up Habs' fans it could hardly be worst than it was tonight.
Join the Discussion: » 510 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Karine Hains
» Reinbacher Incoming
» In Hainsight: A Meaningless Loss in the Grand Scheme of Things
» Pregame Canadiens vs Flames
» In Hainsight: It Bodes Well for the Future
» Pregame: Canadiens vs Bruins