Log in & Sign up
You are not logged in.
Game 16: Price stones Bruins in shootout win
posted by Kevin Mio at 14h08 EST on Nov 5
Tags:
About Kevin Mio
Full Name
Kevin Mio
About
Kevin Mio is a Montreal Gazette editor who grew up playing hockey, watching the Canadiens every chance he could on television and reading articles about the team by some of the people he works with today. He still remembers going to the Forum with his father to watch the Canadiens and was even fortunate enough to skate on Forum ice with his minor hockey team.
From Mats Naslund to Saku Koivu, he has always enjoyed watching the small, speedy and skilled players, while also admiring the gritty players that are essential to any team’s success.
From his one-on-one interviews with members of the team to a look at other coverage of the Canadiens, he will keep fans posted on their favourite team and looks forward to sharing his love of hockey with other passionate fans.
Boone's Online Eeee-mail
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
The Puckcast
Weekly commentary and inside info about the Canadiens straight from the Gazette's experts.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Follow Habs Inside/Out on Twitter, featuring live updates from Gazette feature writer Dave Stubbs.The Other Wing
The Other Wing features regular Habs commentary by some bloggers we like.
The Rules
Habs Inside/Out encourages lively debate, but there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding racism, profanity and behaviour that we deem to be offensive. We will, without warning, ban those who do not abide by this simple rule, so as to maximize the enjoyment of readers and participants of both sexes and all ages.
Habs Inside/Out main RSS feed
Mike Boone's RSS feed
PuckCast RSS feed
Other Wing RSS feed
Site concept and design by User Generation
Most Commented
Most commented posts from the last 7 days:
Resources
Player info: League info:Habs Inside/Out: Absolutely everything about the Montreal Canadiens For editorial inquiries, contact Gazette sports editor Stu Cowan (scowan@thegazette.canwest.com). For advertising inquiries, please contact your Gazette sales representative (gazadv@thegazette.canwest.com). ©2008 The Gazette, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Terms and Conditions Privacy Statement
irma company new arrvail lots Montreal Canadiens jersey,kids Montreal
Canadiens jersey,Montreal Canadiens hats,This is my personal favorite
deal site for jerseys,I would proceed with caution on this one.
www.irmantrade.com
THREE CHANGES THAT WILL GIVE US A WINNING SEASON:
1. Play Halak at home and Price on the road. Halak's at home play is unbelievable - he wins 70-80% of his games. Price needs to get away from the pressure. Play him on the road. (Except in VAncouver.) This alone will win us way more games.
2. Pleks IS our first line center. Put him there and give him more to work with. On the road put him with Cami. And find Pleks what he needs... if he thinks Lats or Laps is they guy, let him continue to try that for the next month or two. If that doesn't work, FIND ONE ELSEWHERE. Just do it. At home keep Gio-Cami-Gomer together since we have the line change advantage. We need TWO scoring lines.
3. Sort out the D. Wheh O'byrne comes back use MAB ONLY on the PP and use Gill less. If we have another serious injury trade a late round pick and/or a lower level prospect for another depth D.
These three things ALONE will put a lot games in the W column and make us a playoff team.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Gomez is a better Center vs. the oppositions best Defenseman. Pleks is doing well, but having him on the top line have mirrored by the Chara's of the world and he becomes less of a factor team-wise. I agree its nice if we could find a couple of pieces for him to work with to beef up line2, but I would be skeptical expecting top line duties out of him. I believe it would re-create a Koivu situation (trying to make a good second line center into a top liner. IMO)
Interesting.
1. OK, why not. Seems to be the pattern so far. But I wouldn't stick to this system just to stick to this system. Give it a try and see.
2. We've tried everything else, why not. I think Ian suggested this last night (or this morning) on another thread.
3. Agree about MAB but Gill is not as bad as many seem to think. Less ice time maybe.
Not sure these are THE answers to success but worth a try.
Good Boy! I agree with 99.9% of your well-thought-out ideas.
I just believe the inclusion of Belle would have a major impact on our D corps, Bergie does not belong, nor does Gill half the time.
Additionally, Plex is back to the way he was playing 2 years ago, and then some. BG needs to SIGN HIM NOW!!!
------------------------"Let this be a reminder that this organization will not tolerate failure." Dr. Evil
AGREED! And yeah, Belle may be worth a good look-see. I'm not saying these things need to happen immediately (except for the first thing, the longer that is put off the worse for everyone). But I'd like to see the team focusing on these three issues. I don't mind Lapi on the 2nd line - in fact I suggested him there and he's done quite well. So maybe he is part of that solution. But I'm worried that MAB is playing too much, and that other priorities are messing things up. WE have 4 great top six guys and some good depth guys. A solid two top lines and a little tweaking are all we need up front.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
I agree about belle. Hes getting into his late 20's so its either time to see what hes got, or write him off once and for all as a career minor leaguer.
I thought carle played a really solid game last night. I think his first game at the BC he just had some jitters, but he seemed very poised last night, and made some big plays. I certainly didnt notice him for the wrong reasons, and when it comes to defenseman, thats always a good sign.
ok ive been on prices case a long time but ill admit it he played great last night, stopped 42 of 43 shots, poke checked the last shootout shot away,looked way more confident. also helps when the dmen are blocking shots. our defence looked a lil better but still giving up 43 shots is bad. like pierre mcguire says manage expectations. i say were a 500 team give or take a few games. goaltending is questionable,defence is weak with injurys now, offensively were a one line team. there are still alot of do nothing floaters here, koz sr, lats,dags,lappy,have verrrrrry few points if at all. seems as though theres still no system in place defensivly or otherwise. seems players are confused what there individual roles are on this team. thats jacky martins job. go habs go
I think the fact that were .500 without markov is mighty impressive considering how absolutely useless we've been in the past without him. We didnt win a game last year after he went down, we should be happy that were still a .500 team!
Thats a pretty glass half empty approach.
I prefer looking at it that we still got one point more then they did!
latendresse gets either praised by some or bashed by some...reality he has scored 16,16 ,14 goals a year...he is what he is ...he will score 2-3 goals every 16 games on average...
Maybe Carey's issue is playing in front of fans. Seriously. He's stunk it up at home, at the all star game and in Vancouver where his whole family was watching.
He might be our go to guy on the road though.
The only flaw with tha theory is that as a visiting team the Habs draw better than anyone else. Heck, playing in Buffalo or Toronto is almost like playing a home game with the amount of Hab fans in attendance. And two of his best game s this year were in... Buffalo and Toronto.
_____________________________________
I have H1N2. Always the bridesmaid...
Still not the same. You're home - in front of a lot of people you know...in a familiar setting. Or you're away - in enemy territory. I actually think the adversity of road games is what wakes Price up.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
EXACTLY.
And Halak's record at home is OUTSTANDING. On the road he is not good. So it's perfect if only Martin would freakin' see it. Really, Halak is almost perfect at home. I wish they would just listen to me and get in this cycle! We could dominate if they would.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
The Rock smells what you’re cookin & it smells rather good. So. Do we go with the same in the playoffs? CP on the road & JH at home?
"If ya smell what The Rock is cookin"
Sure. Go with works brotha. That's all that matters.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Playoffs are you kidding me? Defense is seriously lacking here and the Princess seems to play when he wants to, playoffs???
Boston was short three stars last nite and still outshot and outplayed us. Another S/O win is not a reason to print tickets for the playoffs.
Kepp it real guys!
Smabs are Pretenders and have been for 2 decades!
Jeff, The Rock Says: "KNOW YOUR ROLE & SHUT YOUR MOUTH JABRONI"
"If ya smell what The Rock is cookin"
No question. If JM doesn't get with the 3 things I posted above, we may not make it to post-season. Last night was a real struggle. Good thing they were short some guys... and yeah, that doesn't look good on us.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
All Carey needs is a couple of performances like last night every month to seal the deal on the Molson Cup every for the year! :)
month --------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
we do need to start winning in regulation time as o/t results usually even out...lets also be realistic the same people who are praising the habs for winning in o/t would be bashing any of our rivals if their 7 wins were in o/t . goaltending and d can be improved and i believe will get better...hope i am wrong but goal scoring will remain the same as our line up is full of hard working but very limited goal scoring forwards. we do not have any young forward on the team that has shown in the past or with the main team that they have consistent goal scoring ability...one or two may go on a streak of scoring but that will be offset with a streak of non scoring...
One thing I've noticed is how good our 2 first OT lines are at puck possession. Pleky-Cammy and Gomer-Gionta kept the puck away from the Bruins for over 4 minutes of the 5-minute overtime last night. In the end, that's going to translate into a lot more OT wins than losses. So, no, I don' thtink it's likely to even out in the end. Montreal has been excellent in OT.
And as for shootout wins, well if Price plays like he played last night, we should get a lot of those, too!
100% agree Andy. I liked what I saw in OT. Circling, passing, great puck control. At one point I think it was Gorges and Hamrlik leading a rush into the Bruins' zone with the forwards covering for them on defence. And that is why we are undefeated in extra time. Four man units working very well together. I think it is a good sign. On the other hand, blowing leads and an inability to win in regulation time is not a good sign. I think (hope) that can be corrected though with some reinforcements on defence (O'Byrne, and eventually Markov) and some tinkering with the forwards.
What are you guys drinking? Puck control against a very poor team who hadn't scored in almost three games, NO WONDER!
The Bruins are in very bad shape at present, they'll kick our asses when they are healthy.
Puck control....right.
Smabs are Pretenders and have been for 2 decades!
You gotta admit though there was a lot of bullc%^p reffing in that game last night. Moen bumps Thomas so the goal is disallowed but Moen doesn't get a penalty. So how is it he interfered? I didn't get that one. Then the UBER BULL call of intentional offsides that lead to the Bruins only goal which, coincidentally, was the EXACT same bumping of the goalie that was called off earlier.
Usually I don't buy the "the refs screwed us" theory, but last night they almost did.
**not to mention the ref getting in the way of the puck and negating TWO possible 3 on 2 breakaways.
We need to split up our 1st line when we are on the road. Last night Chara stopped our 1st line either down low or in front of the net. Our "2nd line" looks like a checking line with no offensive threat. The 3rd line looks good and has good chemistry. The 4th line consists of 2 checkers and AK's one man show.
Cammalleri should play with Plekanec when we are away. Gomez and Gionta in the 1st line.
I think I understand what caused AK's slump. It started when Martin benched him after he made a bad pass. He got nervous and is afraid to make mistake. The last two games he started to play within himself. I would leave him one more game in the 4th line and let him shake off all the nervousness before putting him back in the top two lines.
I'd like to repeat once again. On the rosters of both Habs and Dogs, the candidates for top two lines are: Cammi, Gomez, Gionta, Plec, AK46 and SK47. 'Hold on, you said SK74?' Yes, SK74. He is supposed to be on top lines.
If BG and JM don't believe SK74 can, just trade him for a good player onto the Plec's line.
Lavie, I believe SK74 will be a top 6 forward. Right now, he's played himself into the minor leagues though. The Habs this year are all about hustle. SK74 was floating a little to much through training camp. He has a sense of entitlement as evidenced by his demands for a trade. The Habs brain trust just made a decision to bring up Pyatt and White and give them a try. They fit into the Martin system and mindset quite well. But they were replacing Stewart and Chipchura. I didn't see either of them on the top two lines.
Sergei now has 2G 4A in 8 games with the Bulldogs. But he's in Hamilton due to his attitude. I think he will be called up in November and he will stay with the Canadiens. I have confidence in BG, Martin and Boucher to recall him when he is ready. No question SK74 has the skill, just like his brother. The K Brothers complete our second line, potentially. We need to show patience with these two.
I am with you.
By all means we must keep the Sisters!
Unbelievable?
Smabs are Pretenders and have been for 2 decades!
this is not meant to come off as 'fightin' words'... but, if SK74 is so clearly a top 2 line NHLer, how come he isn't absolutely running things in the AHL?
SK was sick and also had a shoulder injury. He came off a rehab during the summer. His physcial condition is still lacking.
We have redundant checkers in the big league and in the Ahl. SK brings a different skill set to the club. He has a good pass and sees the play well. I am not sure Martin wants him back because of his attitude. Is his heart still with the HABS? AK could be a factor. In any case, Bob and Martin needs to have a long discussion with SK one way or another.
Je suis
Sieur Bugs Potter, écuyer. Major-général du dépôt de munitions Fort Gainey, contre-amiral du torpilleur de classe-II Sainte Flanelle, et sous-secrétaire du ministère de la Défense Tricolore.
SK74 in Dogs, GP8, G2, A4, PTS6. Plus, he has proved himself TWO seasons ago that he is a NHLer.
JM didn't try him even once! That was sth beyond Hockey (SK does have some personality issues that I don't deny).
Play him or trade him.
Although I agree SK should likely be learning to play hockey in the NHL, proved himself may be pushing it a little and his current stats don't win him any brownie points either. I like that he is down there for now and hopefully seriously straightening himself out.
Some observations:
1. Price was a wall in the shoot out but was clearly out of position on several occasions thatBoston was unable to take advantage of throughout the game. The tying goal he was doing what he often does, staying down and still hoping the puck will find him.
2. Pleks is awsome. Too bad he has no one to play with.
3. Metro was awsome again. Too bad he has no one to play with.
3A. Josh Gorges was awsome. Made some great offensive and defensive plays.
4. The newbie played very well, Carle in particular made some outstanding defensiveplays.
5. AK46 looked much better than he has recently.
6. MAB needs to sit. He makes so many mistakes. PP time is all he should get but then he has trouble holding the line. Is Mat Schneider working yet? (joke).
7. Pierre M. is a ***. I like what Lapierre is doing out there and I'm betting that JM doesn't have a problem with it either. If Laps drops his gloves fvor that in a 1-0 game, JM would have benched him or worse.
A win is a win but man these nail biters are hard on me.
Go Habs Go
Heck, I got out of position going from my chair to the fridge last night.
"Price was a wall in the shoot out but was clearly out of position on several occasions thatBoston was unable to take advantage of throughout the game. The tying goal he was doing what he often does, staying down and still hoping the puck will find him."
Give me a break! The kid allowed ONE goal on 42 shots over 65 minutes of hockey, and you're still complaining?! If it wasnt for him, we lose that game, hands down. The bergeron goal was a screen shot with 6 boston players on the ice. There was no man to cover bergeron, and thats why they scored. Carey price was a force last night, and I found he was a lot more engaged, and didnt just stay in position, but did whatever it took to make the big save. Thats what I've said I want to see from him, and that's exactly what he did. We should all be really proud of the way Price bounced back last night.
Agree with all points. A couple of thoughts on your comments.
Price is a big goalie. If he gets his positional play perfected he could afford to go down and hope the puck hits him. He might not look as flashy as the smaller guys making the bigs saves (for example, Theo in his hayday with the Habs) but he will get the job done. He needs some more work and time to get there though.
Is it just me or does everyone cringe watching MAB on skates...which is not a good thing for a hockey player I suppose. It seems like he either has weak ankles or doesn't tie hit skates tight enough or something. He is ok skating in a straight line but anything else and I am nervous.
Pierre M flip flops more than John Kerry. Last year he loved Laps, this year he is one of his whipping boys. Sometimes he has insight into the game that I appreciate but most of the time I listen and laugh at him because he is so awkward.
mab..is scarey for sure. falls down, out of position and he is so small tiny little guy. like a ping pong ball out there getting hammered all the time.
Expect Lapierre to drop the gloves in the next game.
Possibly at practice with one of the Smurfs.
Smabs are Pretenders and have been for 2 decades!
Doesn't the morning coffee taste better after a win?
i can see gainey making a move some time during the season by peddling some guys in hamilton/recent call ups for a top forward or dman. way to much pressure on the dman and forwards.not possible to have the 3 little big men handle all the scoring.we have lots of pluggers and not enough finish. team a work in progress with some players still dogging it.
i am happy the country club atmosphere is over.
I think, at this point in time, Pleks has shown himself to be more deserving of quality wingers than Gomer. Pleks, Cammi and Akost on first line. Gomer, Gio and Lapierre on second.
We should be happy that we have 3 stable and productive centers, Gomez, Plec and Metro. Chemistry is the key factor when designing the lineup.
pleks had always impressed me. my one and only visit to the belle centre was last year and he looked great. watching him play in person you can see all the movement he does away from the puck. he is one of those underrated guys.... someone mentioned earlier (hate to be a debbie downer) he will be deserving some coin soon and the habs may not have it......
secret mod
I disagree. Don't screw with what works. Gomez works his *** off day in and day out. Plekanec is awesome, but breaking that line is a no no and they just plain score. Plekanec is our go to 2nd liner and that's that.
Try AK46 with Plekanec and Gui next game, let's see what happens. 3rd line can be Metropolit, Lapierre, Moen.
enjoy the comments after a win. i do not get to see many games. i watch the hilites on tsn.ca ... is there another news source that provides hilites for free?
appeared price made some great save - i won't get into whether he stole the game or not, but over 40 saves and 1 GA counts as taking a game.
can't wait for AK46 to be next to pleks on the second line....
secret mod
I'm happy with the win but anybody notice a trend here. Goal in the last minute. 2 goals let in against the Laffs in the last 4 minutes. Winning goal against the BlackHawks with 4 minutes left. So instead of gaining 2 points on the B's, we gain one. Great game by Carey and AK 46.
I notice this and it sucks. We need to improve our power play. This game could have been over when we had our 5 on 3. Another goal there and it's 2-0 which changes things.
Andrek needs to graduate to the second line I think. Price did great and I am sure he got a little confidence boost. Also, I am happy to see many young players in our lineup getting some NHL experience. This team still isn't able to bring the hurt in the powerplay though, and that is terrible because we are a small team and we need that powerplay to keep the goons in check.
You are right. A good PP is so important in today's NHL. The defensive awareness, good goaltending and parity make it very hard to score 5 on 5 these days. Our PP is really a joke. Hard to watch really. If we had a top 10 PP this year, I bet we would be 11 - 5 instead of 8 - 8.
Are we 7-0 in tiebreakers?! I think that says a lot about the heart and character of this team.
-We are really missing Markov back there to make that first pass, and get the offense going.
-Mathieu Carle played a great game last night, and looked like he belongs in the NHL. He was engaged, and he was playing smart.
-Andrei Kostitsyn was a beast last night. He was making things happen, and if he plays like that with non-ahl linemates, he'll be back on track in no time. We desperately need him to pick it up and get into a rhythm.
-Our defense as a whole still wasnt very good, and that's against a boston team who's been useless on offense lately. Boston was desperate and played hard, but we have to limit the number of shots, although we did keep a good amount of them to the outside or made sure Carey could see them.
All that being said, on to Mr. Carey Price. We all know he's got the talent, and i've questioned his passion and engagement in this space. There was NO question about his play last night. He pushed defenders and opposing players aside to see the puck, didnt shy away from throwing his body around, and did EVERYTHING he needed to do make the save. Basically, he did everything I said he wasnt doing during his losing streak. Good on Jacques Martin for taking a chance and going with Price again (although i think gainey had something to do with it). A VERY well deserved win, and a win Carey desperately needed. Good on you Carey, Keep it up kid!
SIDENOTE: Anyone who lives in Montreal and hasn't been to Champs sports bar on St-Laurent for a habs game doesnt know what they're missing. I was there for the game last night for the first time, and what a great atmosphere.
It's funny, when we lose the comments here make me want to kill everyone. But when we win I agree with everything that everyone says!
I would say win or lose I tend to be consistent in my comments. I just call it like i see it.
I do agree with you though, how when we lose its "fire gainey! fire the coach! Trade price!" and when we win everyone backtracks. I especially enjoy the people who bash a player, and then when that player comes out and plays a whale of a game, they still find a way to bash him!
Fire Gainey, trade Price, sign Plex, sign Plex, sign Plex.
------------------------"Let this be a reminder that this organization will not tolerate failure." Dr. Evil
Price looked great last night. What a positive sign that is for this team.
GO HABS...
Price's glove save in OT is the best save I've seen this year. SICK.
He put some extra mustard on that save, but when youre a goalie, thats just part of the mind games you have to play.
WOW is Lapierre a PUSSY. Im embarrassed to have him on my team. He is useless to us. He is lucky Lucic was not there. I hate the habs rep of being pussys. Martin better have a talk with this guy.
“Well, he’s a thoroughbred, and maybe your wife doesn’t recognize that, but then again, I can’t bake bread all that well. We all have different skills.” ...Bob Gainey "Classic"
Wow, listen to the Lappierre bashing. Agitators choose their spots to fight. Lappierre does drop the gloves just rarely, his role is to make the other team angry at him to distract them. He does his job well. Why should he have fought last night? He did not hit anyone from behind or give someone a cheap shot? Look at players like Kaleta, Lucic, Ruutu, Avery....etc they all do the same thing. They do not always scrap, they pick their spots. The fact that Pierre Dumb Dumb McQuire says he should fight means nothing. This is the same guy that said Avery fights after running his mouth.....WRONG. Avery only fights people who are smaller than him, he never steps up. I can't stand pierre McQuire....the guys is such a putz
I don't care that Lapierre didn't drop 'em. I just don't think he's playing too well this year. He should be a 3rd or 4th line player, no doubt. Although, it's not his fault the Habs have nobody else to play with Pleks.
The secondary scoring is an issue. A trade will be needed to rectify that. We don't have anyone else to pick it up. I don't see the point of having Paccioretty on the fourth line either. Keep him in the minors and let him develop. He is supposed to be a power forward and we are just using him as a grinder for a few minutes a game. We have a ton of players who can play that role.
I would package off the Sergei and BGL and try and get something. BGL is the biggest waste of money it is funny.
The real irony of it all is that McGuire is a proponent of removing fighting from hockey altogether...talk about not knowing how to take a stand! :)
The guy is a boob. he is always talking out of both sides of his mouth, That is why I can't stand him
Lapierre is not a fighter, he's an agitator. A poor man's Jarko Ruutu. His job is to draw the opposing teams players to drop their gloves and take an instigator penalty.
Yeah it was embarrassing. But maybe the coach told him not to fight (just kidding). As I recall Lucic loves to pound on guys and McGuire loves to talk about him being a monster with his toughness and all. Untill BGL called him on and he hid behind his coach.
GO HABS...
How do you know he DIDN'T talk to him, telling him not to fight? Lapierre is not a wimp, he's taken on several people. Without knowing what they said on the ice or what Martin told him I don't think we should jump to conclusions.
I agree... Lapierre has dropped the gloves before, that's why I was surprised he let himself get so embarrassed last night. Even if he received a talking to from Martin about not fighting - that was an instance where he needed to drop'em to save face within the league.
Laps' job is to agitate the opposition. Why did he have to drop 'em last night and not every other time?_________________________________________________________________________
Beliveau- his legend is 600' tall and growing...
because in 'every other time' the opposition was not clearly calling him out (aside from a scrum, litterally, all eyes on that moment), and having Lapierre bow out.
I completly agree...and did you hear what Pierre Mcguire was saying about lapierre last night? wow pretty intense
That's where McGuire belongs. In a tent, under the big top. Why? Because he's a clown.
_________________________________________________________________________
Beliveau- his legend is 600' tall and growing...
well said
The panel on RDS including Bergeron and Demaers were saying it also.
I missed the game and post commentary but I did see the Laps replay. I think he is a good instigator...but at times you gotta drop them so people respect you. What was the take by RDS?
2-1 in a shootout? Now who predicted that score? I scare myself. Carey was terrific. The only goal allowed with one of his defencemen in his lap. Timmy Thomas has my respect. He's damn good. Anyone old enough, should be reminded of Johnny Bower, both with awkard but extemely effective styles. Mike Cammaleri is looking better every game. Nice to have a pure sniper instead of a moody griper aboard for a change. Go Habs!!!
Pure sniper vs moody griper ROFL
If you put typewriters in front of 1000 monkeys and wait long enough, eventually one of them will randomly create the complete works of Shakespeare. But that was a nice 2-1 prediction anyway. ;-)
The Boston goal was a perfect example of what happens when you park a HUGE body in front of the opposing goalie.
Carey The Priceberg was strong for us tonight. Andrei The Lion is discovering his real potential. Glen Metropolit continues to lead his charmed life. The Scattered pieces of the CH are being sewn together again.
The only better waiver pick up i can think over last season and the beginning of this season than Glen Metropolit is Rich Peverley.
What a pick-up for us!
Good game by Price...Hamrlik was a stud, if he continues to play like this and O'Byrne returns in full shape there could be some light a the end of the tunnel. Carle i thought played very well also.
otherwise i think our D looks ...aweful. With MAB you cannot help but be scared everytime he is on the ice. he looks small and just isn't a nhl defenseman imo.
poor Pleky on the second line.. no support whatsoever from lapierre and latendresse, they just don't belong on a second line.
had to watch the game on NESN, and boy these Bruins announcers anoy the *** outta me. all you hear is how the habs are manhandled and how the Bruins are so superior yadayada. and they hate lapierre with a passion hehe.
Good to see Price playing well and getting a win but I wouldn't go as far as saying that he by and large stole the game for us. The 43 shots is a deceiving number as I would say that the defence did a better chance tonight of limiting shots from the slot area and keeping the passing lanes closed in front of the net (something that killed us against Atlanta). I still think he played great and kept us in the game, but the 43 shots makes it seem like we were being dominated which I don't think was the case at all.
We need a second line. It was really apparent tonight that other teams know that they can just concentrate all their effort on containing our top line because the 2nd offensive line is non-existent. They were invisible all night. Kostitsyn should be put back with Pleks, he's not playing his A game yet but he's at least shown a willingness to get involved physically and backcheck. Latendresse and Kostitsyn both are inconsistent and prone to disapearing for shifts at a time, the only difference is when Kostitsyn is at the top of his game he's a dominant scorer and Latendresse is a marginal 2nd liner. Lapierre is clearly out of place on that line too, I'm sure Plekanec is getting tired of having to skate into pointless scrums that he causes in front of the other teams net 10 times a game. Pacioretty should maybe get bumped back up to one of those lines, he's playing with more confidence and making more room for himself. The first few games, he seemed to skate around with his head down get wrecked by a big hit at least once a game but for the last few games he's been good with the puck.
"...when Kostitsyn is at the top of his game he's a dominant scorer...". You're kidding, right? Dominant scorer? 26 goals as a career high doesn't make a player a "dominant scorer".
I meant more along the lines of he has the talent to be a dominant scorer, but rarely plays with intensity for long periods of time. There was a stretch last year where Kostitsyn had like a 5-6 game goal scoring streak but he cooled down shortly after and did little else for the rest of the year. That's the kind of thing I'm talking about.