|
Canadiens Lose Nail Biter To Maple Leafs, California Dreaming... |
|
|
|
|
|
October is traditionally known as a month where we embrace the scary and macabre. So I suppose the horrifying start of the Montreal Canadiens shouldn’t be too surprising. Unfortunately, the Canadiens aren’t trying to scare us with their play…. To be fair, they haven’t played poorly the last three games either. It’s the play of their best player that has been giving us nightmares at night.
Carey Price is one of the NHL’s best players and arguably the leagues best goaltender. When he was injured in recent seasons the Canadiens became instantly weaker, like virtually all teams would after losing their best player (imagine the Oilers without McDavid). The good news is Price is healthy, the bad news is he is off to a bad start.
After a spirited game against the Leafs where Montreal controlled most of the game, it was a couple knuckle puck shots that ended up keeping them from grabbing their second W of the season. The final score of 4-3 made it seem like it was a close game, but in reality if Price plays to his average, then this game never makes it to OT and the Habs would have had a much needed win. The nature of the goals, aside from the slick shot by Matthews on his first of the game, are the ones concerning the Canadiens at this point. One on a flukey play by Van Reimsdyk and the other on the OT winner by Auston Matthews. These kinds of shots are difficult for any goalie to read so I don’t want to fault Price too much on them. Matthews can shoot the puck and any free space in front the net with the puck will likely end up in your net. But, the goal by Marleau was an example of how Price’s start has been, he looked lost and the goal was weak.
Now, I want to say that I’m not trying to start lighting everyones torches and handing out pitch forks to head over to Price’s house. I’m simply pointing out the truth. The Habs are playing well, but Price hasn’t performed to his standard. He provided that kind of honesty right after the game in the media scrum.
Over the years I’ve come to expect that whenever Price puts in a regrettable performance, he bounces back with an above average one. I know he is the leader on the ice and in the room. He is the back bone of the Montreal Canadiens and demands the best of everyone, but himself most of all. I have full confidence he will bounce back and when he does the team will start stacking wins with the way they have been playing.
The Canadiens have been outshooting and out chancing their opponents since the Capitals blow out. With Price currently pitching a .885 SP% and 3.45 GAA it’s clear that once he knocks the rust off the benefits will run throughout the team. The forwards and defence have played better every game, early worries are becoming old news. When Price finds his sweet spot things will turn around.
Positives from last night were the incredible play of Victor Mete. If he was putting up points he would be an early season Calder candidate (right now I think the Devils Will Butcher is running away with it though). Last night he played 22:26 which was second only to freak of nature Shea Weber (27:16) and he played effectively at both ends of the ice. His current Corsi For % is 58 and his PDO is 93.8. So advanced stats followers know that he is playing extremely effective hockey despite having some terrible puck luck.
Another good story from the game was seeing Jonathan Drouin deftly deflect in his first goal with the Canadiens. Drouin was a force last night. He has adapted very well to his role as center and has played very well at both ends of the ice. The only knock on his play is his face-off ability. On the season his Face Off % 45.8, but last night it was an abysmal 18.8% as he won only 3 of 16 draws. If he can get closer to 50% he is going to be one heck of a center.
In fact, I liked the play of the whole team aside from one thing that drove me nuts. When a Canadiens player has the puck down low heading towards the corner, the other two attackers stop driving the net and wait for a thread the needle pass. Literally both supporting players glide in a row waiting for a near impossible pass. The Canadiens player with the puck will throw it across the front of the net in the open ice, but because the first guy in line stopped skating the puck is lost. That player has to “Gallagher” his way to the front. Stick down, pushing the Leafs player back into his own net minders path. The second guy can glide into the slot area waiting for a pass or fortuitous bounce. This kind of play, with the front of the net hail Mary pass, could result in deflections/own goals/goal mouth scrums/opening up the second glider. I hope this is something being talked about by the staff because this is how you need to score in todays league. Goaltenders and defences are too good, pucks need to be mucked in front to cause chaos. You cannot adequately practice chaos because the puck bounces unpredictably. It seems simple to me, drive the net with your stick on the ice. Other than that the Canadiens are playing well in my opinion.
Well, everyone but one player. Ales Hemsky. Hemsky is coasting through his shifts. Either he has no speed left at all after his injuries or he just doesn’t care enough. Either way, seems like a good idea to let him play in Laval and give a shot to someone who wants it. Scherbak (possibly injured unfortunately), McCarron, Terry, Carr, Waked, Froese. All have had fantastic starts in Laval and clearly they want to play. Send Hemsky away and bring up a hungry player. I don’t want to get to negative so I’ll leave it at that.
The Habs have out shot their opponents 189 to 140. Take out the Buffalo game and its 149 to 95. The effort is there and the dam will break.
That said…..
The next 3 games have the Canadiens taking on San Jose, Los Angeles, and Anaheim. This is typically reserved for December and typically they walk away with 1 point or less of the 6. Not to be pessimistic but I’m prepared for more pain this coming week. My hopes are after this, Price will be back on track and the team starts seeing the results they deserve because they definitely deserved a better fate the last 3 games.
Perhaps with the Canadiens starting completely opposite to their last 3 seasons they will achieve a different result than we are typically used to in California? Dreams are free folks. At least we will likely see what Schlemko can bring to the team, but with Davidson actually playing pretty well (compared to his preseason play) I don’t know if the California trip is the best time to start messing with the part of the team that has played well.
Streit Terminated
In other news, defence man Mark Street and the Canadiens have started the waiver process necessary to facilitate a mutual contract termination. Speculation is that Streit will go play for a club that will not block his chances to participate in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
It’s unfortunate that Streit couldn’t find that last hurrah, but it is fairly obvious that his role on the club was non existent aside from being a good team guy in non game related activities. I wish him the best and I also wish he never left Montreal during his first go round.
Let’s see if the suns rays can right the way for the Habs.
Follow me on Twitter @BrandonSmillie where I mostly stick to hockey stuff.
If you have interest in advertising in this space message me through the HockeyBuzz PM system or through Twitter.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»