Carbo: More urgency needed in Game 7

posted by Dave Stubbs at 18h54 EST on Apr 20


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Guy Carbonneau takes a question this afternoon at the Bell Centre.
John Mahoney, Gazette

From The Gazette's Herb Zurkowsky, who was at the Bell Centre this afternoon when coach Guy Carbonneau and players met the media on the eve of Game 7:

Guy Carbonneau admits it: things came too easily for the Canadiens in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series against Boston. So now, after losing two straight and three of the last four, Montreal’s faced with a seventh game against the Bruins Monday night at the Bell Centre.

“We were lucky to go up 3-1. That gave us a cushion and allowed us to lose two,” Carbonneau said this afternoon. “We don’t have that cushion now. We haven’t had that urgency to close it off. We all know the importance of this game. As a staff, we’ve got to get them ready to compete. There’s a limit you have to push. We did it in Games 1 and 4, and now we have to find it again. We have to play on the edge but stay focused. We have to play with more urgency.”



Carbonneau has plenty of things – problems undoubtedly – to contemplate heading into Monday’s crucial one-game showdown.

His team has allowed four third-period goals in two successive games. Also, rookie goaltender Carey Price has surrendered five goals in each of the last two contests. And the Canadiens’ power-play, lethal during the season, has gone cold in the playoffs, connecting on two of 29 opportunities.

History, if it means anything, is on the Canadiens’ side.

This marks the seven time a series between Montreal and Boston has gone to a seventh game; the Canadiens holding a 4-2 advantage. The Canadiens have been involved in seventh games 18 times in franchise history, going 10-8, including 7-3 on home ice.
The Bruins are 10-6 in Game 7, but have lost three times on the road.

Also, leading 3-1 in a series, the Canadiens have never lost in 26 playoff rounds. But it also marks the first time they’ve been pushed to seven games when winning three of the first four.

“I have to feel confident,” Carbonneau stressed. “We went to a lot of challenges this season. We weren’t supposed to be in the playoffs or finish first overall. We always found another level.

“We always responded well to what’s in front of us, and I don’t think it’ll be different tomorrow."

This marks the first seventh game the Canadiens have hosted since 1992. That season, they defeated Hartford 3-2 in double-overtime at the Forum.

Carbonneau said his team is healthy. That means captain Saku Koivu, defenceman Francis Bouillon and Mark Streit, who can play defence or forward, should all be dressed. The trio all returned from injuries on Saturday.

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Comments

Scotty90's picture
I see determination and resolve!

Corio's picture
HAHAAH you can't read expressions too well can you?

Scotty90's picture
Corio.... its part of my job... and after last night's showing, I guess I was right!

Corio's picture
Gotta tell you, Carbo's face in this pic says it all. He looks like a man without any answers, a man who has had his confidence torn from his loins.. Let's go boys you can do it! Have some heart out there!

One of the things we as armchair coaches forget is that these guys already know how to execute, and now it's all mental. Skating their butts off in a practice at this time of year, when they play every 2nd day will only leave the team more tired and susceptible to injury...you do those types of things during the regular season, when you're trying to build conditioning, when you're trying to get the team to convert to 'a system'. The players all know that their backs are against the wall, that it's "do or die" time, that things haven't gone the same as the season; they are professionals and do have pride. The best thing the Habs management could have done would have been a light cardio workout (to flush lactic acid from the muscles) then put everybody on a bus and go play mini-putt...take their minds off the game for an hour or two.

HABZ24's picture
HELP !! i dont get it !! we dominate the bruins all year, we play our hearts out with passion and hard work and effort all year long. now we get to the playoffs and fold up like a cheap lawn chair? i dont get it. i blame carbo, he's WAY TO SOFT on the players.ya hes a players coach we know. after that 5-1 loss a few games ago, id have the whole team up at 7am next day skating there azzes off. oh no not carbo, its an optional skate, its a long playoff we need our rest. guess what guy it maybe over tonight!! kick there azzes, scream, yell get there attention !! theres no urgancey here at all, just a bunch of lazy guys goin for a skate out there.drives me fn crazy!!!!! pedal to the medal habs!! WIN THIS GAME!! WE HATE THE BRUINS. go habs gooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! now!!!!!!!! there is no tommorrow.

wd40's picture
It's down to the wire, folks. In our previous poll on April 6th, not a single person thought the Habs would need more than 6 games to dispose of the Bruins. Here we are, some 2 weeks later, fighting for our playoff lives in Game 7. Who woulda thunk it? So here we go: Will the Habs beat the Bruins in Game 7 tonight? vote here: http://hiopolls.blogspot.com GO HABS GO

I have been a Habs fan since the 40tys but i think the heavy sleding has got to a lot of the players.They havent the experience to handle it. I think next year is our year but I certainly quite satisfied with the results of this year .Still hoping for a win tonight

mjames's picture
I posted the following on another thread. Maybe it belongs here. I sincerely hope the Habs can pull this out. Unfortuantely my confidence is not what it was at the beginning of this series. I am not pointing fingers at any one player or coach but I will say that unless we counter that two man forecheck and curtail the Bruins diagonal cross ice outlet passes we are dead. For some reason we played the last period of Game 6 like we played earlier in the season. I hope Carbo and the players have found an answer. My solution would be to counter their two man forecheck with our own. If we sit back like we did in the last period of game 6 we could be in trouble. Good luck. mjames

The Cat's picture
The habs have looked awful, and really no hockey expert can be thrilled with Montreals chances tonight. I dont like Carbonneau but I dont think this can be all pinned on him; coaching in Montreal seems to be more of a consensus effort (Gainey, Jarvis, Muller etc) than in say a place like Calgary... For the habs to win: Koivu will have to be the hero and begin cementing his place in Montreal folklore, and I will be the first one to say that I have been wrong about him.

tony d's picture
ahhhh...urgency, so there's our secret weapon good strategy, wait till possible elimination to motivate your team.....brilliant!!!

cunningdave's picture
Hey, you know what the nice thing about finishing first is? We get to play at home in Game 7. Habs are winning tomorrow, mainly cause we have the better team. I appreciate the effort that everyone has put in with their reverse jinxes... muttering about early exits and no more hope. It's a good effort, guys, but unnecessary. We will win on merit. Koivu will win the faceoffs, Higgins will bury the rebounds, and Kovalev will find his game tomorrow. GHG.

Expy's picture
Canadiens have been the worst team since game 1 (minus game 3). If anyone deserves the win on merit alone, it's Boston.

our D needs to play a strong game. Everyone please say a prayer for the habs

Some players like the Kostistyns are great regular season players, but not meant for the playoffs. If you're not willing to pay the price, and get hit, then you can't win in the playoffs. It has absolutely nothing to do with experience. It's all about heart and grit. Just ask all the inexperienced bruin players with very little talent, but loads of heart and grit. Boston is going to be better than the habs next year, and I think we'll slide behind them.

mjames's picture
You are so far base that you are in another zip code or postal code (whatever you call it in Canada). The two K's did not lose the game. Nor did Kovelev or Streit or Brisbois, etc. Boston beat us with a two man forecheck in the third period. This forced our D men to sit back and chase the puck in our end. If the same happens in Game 7 we are in deep trouble. The two K can play like superstars but if we sit back Boston will beat us. Instead of calling out players post something that has something to do with the game. mjames

Mike T's picture
Go back to the drawing board...the Kostitsyns may have fallen off...but they scored the first two goals of the playoffs for us...Sergei has 2g's and 2 a's....Andrei setup Brisebois's game winner in the shutout....If theres a player to be called out on this team (one whom i traditionally worship) is Alex Kovalev. He was the leader all year, he was checked hard all year because he was the most dangerous on the Canadiens. Boston didn't just figure this out. History means little in this situaion...but Kovy is 7-0 in game sevens, im sure he'll come to play. If you honestly are a habs fan and you believe that Boston will slide ahead of the Candiens next year with 'very little talent'...you need to go back to the drawing board, you're upset, we all are. Tomorrow night after the series has been wrapped up you will be an excited habs fan again. We can do this. To the 21,273 going to the game tomorrow night: Be positive and cheer as loud as you can, those habs are going to make us proud.

TripleX's picture
This is a great week for the NHL. Three of the teams that most exemplified the boring neutral trap style of play were eliminated. The Ducks, Devils and Wild are thankfully gone from the Stanley Cup playoffs, and good riddance. Hopefully this is the burgeoning of a new era, where skill, speed and offense become the new mantra of the NHL. It especially looks good on Burke, Lamoreillo and our old friend Lemaire.

Chuck's picture
Hopefully we'll soon be able to add the Bruins to that list! . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

I hope the habs watch the tape from tonights game between Anaheim and Dallas. Dallas played super defensively and eliminated Anaheim. If the habs defence could play like that, habs will win. You know what worries me? Next season habs will have in their lineup, AGAIN, both Kostistyns and Plekanec. So how can I get excited about the future of this team? It's not like to can teach heart, grit, or effort Either you have it or you don't. It's INBORN! So I'm quite worried about the same thing happening next year.

TripleX's picture
Although I have never been shy about criticizing either the coach or specific players, I think your comments are a bit misguided. The players you have mentioned, are exactly what they are. In the sense that they are skilled, finesse players on the small side, basically your perimeter type. They were never the type of players that would go into traffic and muck it up. I agree the team is lacking, it is lacking the same component that has plagued the Habs for as long as I can remember. A big prototype POWER FORWARD, someone like an Iginla. Of course a player like Iginla is rare indeed, but GM after GM have failed to acquire a big guy up front.

We already have a "power forward" in the making, but we insist on turning him into a defensive specialist. Latendresse (yes, he of 'slow skating' ability, who actually keeps up with almost everybody on the team) will NEVER, I repeat NEVER be a checker like Lapierre, and that's NOT why we drafted him; he's big, he's strong (both along the boards and in front of the net), has soft hands and a heavy shot...so use those abilities.

I agree with you that we NEED a power forward but they're hard to come by. Iginla is in a class of his own. Not many teams can claim to have a player of his calibre. As much as I hate the guy, Lucic is gonna be the next big power forward. Nobody should knock the habs. We've far exceeded expectations and who knows, maybe now we'll be able to obtain a big power forward via free agency or trade. But the way us Montreal fans call for all of our players heads who you've praised when we are WINNING, no wonder nobody wants to come here. Sure we have rich history on our side, blah blah blah, but that was another generation ago for most of us. The point I'm trying to make is when are we ever going to enjoy the club and support them? Even if we won the cup this year, when if we get into a funk next season? We will all turn on them again. When will we ever be satisfied? We can't win the cup every year! We have a young club. Sure its frustrating to watch this series unfold to this. Show some class, people! We have a solid nucleus to work with here in the years to come. I feel like I'm alone here saying carbonneau did a hell of a job this year. Its way too easy being a backseat driver fan and looking in hindsite. I think carbonneau knows a thing or two about hockey and winning. Trust and support him and our team. Go habs go!

ice_queen's picture
I am totally with you. When the going is good, there aren't enough great things that can be said about the team. When things turn sour, it's time for a fire sale. Everyone is useless! The coach is an idiot! Trade them! Fire them! You're right, with an attitude like that, it's hard to find people who want to play here because they know that if they have a couple of bad games and they are toast. I've said it before, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Some might think I've got my head in the clouds and am not realistic. "These guys are paid millions of dollars for what they do" - is that an excuse to berate and call for their heads when they don't meet our very high expectations? I think that everyone deserves a fair chance if they at least try.

Big Bird's picture
I'm sorry but I disagree with you. This team would not have even reached the playoffs, much less first in the Eastern conference, without the players you named. This is the first full season for Andrei Kostitsyn (he played 34 games in the previous 2 seasons) and is only 23 years old. Sergei Kostitsyn is 20 years old, a rookie and fresh out of junior hockey. Plekanec is 25 years old and had his first break out season. We weren't supposed to even make the playofs according to most. We have the 6th youngest team in the NHL. The pipeline is stocked full of prospects. We may lose to Boston and that would indeed stink. But to our future looks very bright given the masterful job by Gainey and Timmins. And the three players you mention are very much part of that future.

We need a new coach.

Then you obviously cant differentiate between talented rookies and experienced yet untalented veterans. Thank god you arent GM. S Kots is trying, Plekanec is getting better. A Kots has some work to do. Young players get better. Veterans get older. Crucial difference that is often overlooked. If you cant see that S Kots and his brother are going to be stars very soon and that Plekanec has evolved into a front line center its too bad that you cant recognize talent. Kosto will never be more than a fourth line guts guy, same for Begin. Lapierre is never going to be more than a journeyman third liner.

Expy's picture
If the Kostitsyn's and Plekanec weren't Habs, we'd probably not have been in the playoffs.

dandy and breezby better be benched this game!

Expy's picture
Lapierre needs to get the press conference treatment and join his buddy Latendresse, and why don't we send Bouillon up there as well (pretty bad on Kessel's goal). Insert Ryder, O'Byrne, and Grabovski/Stewart.

I guess you can locate Grabovski. No one else can. Hasnt been seen in three weeks. My guess is he isnt still bed ridden, but is likely in Russia or eastern europe right about now.

The Teacher's picture
Timo, we know you think we're going to lose. My only hope is that they prove you wrong again :) "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Yeah... I've been carrying this team all year long. Unfortunately just like the bruins I think I am bound to be right (win) at some point. :) But you know that nothing would make me happier tomorrow than having to eat my own words once again.

I'm not a religious man but John 3:16!!! Montreal fans at bell centre better be louder than they've ever been. And we better give the habs a long standing ovation if we lose. They really deserve it. I grew up in Montreal and used to be one of those fans who EXPECTED excellence each and every season because I was spoiled with the habs past cups and winning tradition but guess what the NHL is different. Its much tougher now to win cups now then it was (with the exception of the laffs...its ALWAYS been tough for them). Teams don't repeat anymore. Anyways, what I'm getting at is Montreal fans are the best fans when the habs win, but when we lose we suck! Living in the bay area I've experienced loyal fans who support a team and aren't bandwagoners. Granted, sharks fans are kinda dumb and don't know the game like WE do, but they support the team and uplift them and applaud them and don't talk a lot of trash about the coach, etc. What if the habs players read this page (which some probably do) what kind of thoughts you think they have of us fans? Don't be surpised that no top free agents want to sign here!

sidhu's picture
Pronger, class act, taking a cross-checking penalty with 90 seconds to go in the third. He's a complete a-hole.

jimbo82's picture
Anyone else tired of seeing 2 defencemen play forward? I know he doesn't wanna sit any of them but come one, it's just useless.

doug's picture
Anyone watching Dallas storm back? What a performance. And what a game by Stephane Robidas!

Should I give the Flames some credit for winning game 6 at home or do the Sharks suck, have too many players with no heart, were out coached and have no chance in game 7 .

What you should recognize that no team has been solidly outplayed since game one. Montreal lucked out two of their three wins. Kovalev stole their second win with a stunning PP goal in OT, and the third win Price came up with a shutout to win a game in which the offense only scored one goal. What you should also recognize is that the last game is the only one since the 1st that Montreal has been a threat to score. However, after each go ahead goal they sounded the retreat and quickly gave up tieing goals. If you can demonstrate instances in the last four games where Montreal did more than just hang on it would be appreciated.

Wow, coach Gui is a very very wise man. More urgency?! No?!?!? Who would have guessed? I guess this is why they pay him all that money.

Timo, its so bloody obvious I cant believe you arent getting it. Its urgent that the first forechecker let the outlet pass happen, its urgent that the other two forwards go and stand on the blue line with the defence. Its urgent that no hab lay a hit on a Bruin as it may leave him unable to stand on the blue line. Its urgent that Guy's best buddy Breezer get to relive the glory days while OB eats hot dogs. Its not that the game plan or roster is faulty, its just not being carried out with enough urgency.

Lol :)

yathehabsrule's picture
Well we saw how they played with less urgency in the last two games... It sounds to me like Carbo is indirectly calling his players out that they slacked off in the last 2 games and showed no killer instinct..... http://www.bleacherreport.com/users/2098-Kevin_van_Steendelaar

I thought the lack of intensity and urgency was apparent since game 2. As somebody who had played in his share of playoff games carbonneau should have picked up on that. And what's with not making these guys practice again? The defense is falling apart and he is giving them a day off again? Kinda illogical since Habs played less than intense hockey for 5 games now. Perhaps a good run you into the ground practice would wake some of stiffs on this team up.

Chuck's picture
That's the feeling that I got, too. . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

The Teacher's picture
Well duhh, I thought that was understood. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

doug's picture
A request for good luck - all HabsInside/Out posters go to the avatar used during the good times this season. Yes, it's pathetically superstitious. . . I'm SO HAPPY I finally was able to delete my Mr. Bean/Markov curse. We will win!

Ed's picture
Way to go doug! Let's hope it works. It has to after you put all that time and effort into trying to change it, plus you have spent a lot of time writing today. Great posts!

doug's picture
Thanks, my friend. It was cathartic. Will have my game face on tomorrow! Best, Doug

ebk's picture
ok, doug but if they don't win, zac is going to be pissed!

The Teacher's picture
Well, that definitely can't happen, so I'm real confident at this point. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Gr8stFranchizEvr's picture
Coach Guy... do you really think that now is the time when the team needs more intensity? Hmmm... (please excuse my sarcasm) Coach, the killer instinct has been missing for a couple of games now and I'm not so sure the team knows what it is, save Koivu and a couple of 4th liners. I'm also doubting your ability to coach a team to finish off a series. Sending in one forechecker and playing a quasi-trap style when holding a one-goal lead, and not taking any timeouts when your team is reeling is feeding my doubtfulness. Perhaps you could anonymously email Julien for some timely tips on winning when all odds are against you? ----------------------- Also, historical series stats don't mean squat. Does it matter that the Habs have history on their side when it comes to the odds of winning this series??? This is a different and unique team, bearing very little resemblance to any playoff series vs. Boston even in recent years. Statistical odds mean little. Great coaching, solid effort from every player, heart-hunger-courage, and a determination to win mean everything. Our 07-08 Canadiens are now swimming against a strong current, or should I say waterfall of momentum. Let's hope they have the strength and drive of the salmon to stave off extinction...

Habs-Fan-In-KY's picture
Here is my dream prediction: The score is tied late in the third period and Boston takes a too many men on the ice penalty. Kovalev loses his helmet, steps and rockets a shot past Thomas for the winner, finally getting the redmeption! Don Cherry then proceeds to have a heart attack and dies! We can all dream can't we?

Norm0770's picture
That is awesome! Thanks for the laugh!

a big problem has been Markov. people forget that he was an all star who finished i think 3rd in the league in denfencemen points. our offence starts from our quick defencive transition and Markov is besides kovi the most important on the pp. Somethings wrong with him because hes been invisible. He must be hurt

The big problem is that Kovalev is not playing like shown on our avatar. He does not hit. If he had delivered an elbow like that on Lucic a couple of times early in the series, he may have gotten a bit more space or at least created a few more chances for himself. Our team needs its best players to be its best players, and save a couple (Hammer and Koivu in game 6) that has been about it. Rest of the "big stars" are in hiding.

While I agree he hasn't looked quite himself, I think a lot has to be said for the way Boston clogs up the middle. Markov can make tape-to-tape transition passes all day, but as long as the B's are standing the Habs up around centre, the passes go for naught.

Expy's picture
"We haven’t had that urgency to close it off." Way to not sense the urgency to close it off earlier Carbo. If he's serious about that comment, then everyone else must be blind, because I think almost everybody knows that Montreal's been outplayed since Game 1 (maybe with the exception of game 4).

JB_15's picture
A lot of people are saying that its been 88 games and we've made excellent progress relative to our performance last year. But oddly enough, lsat year's team was tested by one game, and they fell short. When push came to shove, one game, with the loser going home, we lost. Tomorrow night will be an excellent indication of how far this team has really come. Yes I know, it's one game, in the regular season we were miles ahead of last year, etc. But really, no one expected us to do well. We played with hardly any pressure. This game, people expect us to win. We are the favourite. Lets see what happens.

Gr8stFranchizEvr's picture
I don't believe we are the favorite anymore... but, I hope against all odds that the team plays like they are!

I am just sitting here reading. No one has said it more eloquently and with more meaning. Either we play or we do not. And we have a chance to go pretty far if we want... My personal addition. Just please do not lose to Boston. You are playing an actual team, not just a gathering from some large square thing west of Long Sault....

wd40's picture
as our friend Gary said below, this is a one game series. or rather, the entire season, 82 games plus the last 6, is distilled into this final magical drop called game 7. both teams will feel the pressure to win, and nobody on either team wants to wake up Tuesday morning with the dreary dull ache of a premature exit from the Playoffs. i don't know about you, but i believe our team is going to show up tomorrow night and play a great game. i simply have to believe it. GO HABS GO

The Teacher's picture
Nice to see you back after a brief hiatus also. Time for a new poll? Habs win? Habs lose? "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

It's an L for me.

doug's picture
Anyone know Yeats off-line? Hasn't been here for quite a while. Hope he's okay - not like him to disappear.

The Teacher's picture
He posts in J.T.'s blog. He either got banned or chose to leave. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

I haven't seen J.T.'s blog. Could someone post a link?

The Teacher's picture
http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com/ "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

RH's picture
Teacher, I don't think people get banned on here. Well, there was that whole Gilles Poisson thing, which was kinda weird but, banned? Nah! I liked Yeats. Very quick witted and didn't take any crap from anybody. He got carried away sometimes but, who hasn't?

The Teacher's picture
I didn't mind him, but he took it way too far in the end. Cournoyer12 for one has been banned. Banning does happen. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"