The 'W' Is All That Matters

Gorges wrings out Sami Kapanen. (THE GAZETTE/Allen McInnis)After getting two shots past Flyer’s netminder Martin Biron in the opening minutes (but not those dang posts), the Habs were put onto their heels because of an own-goal by veteran rearguard Patrice Brisebois (it just haaaaad to be Breezer, didn’t it?). All evidence of a good start was then erased when ex-Hab Jim Dowd was left alone in the slot with enough time to ponder the meaning of life and rocket one past Carey Price. After that, the Habs didn’t really look like the Habs, and yet still somehow managed to escape with the “W”.

Not all of les boys played poorly (although some did) – a few put in strong performances.

Josh Gorges – He was great. I think he played good, positional hockey and the 23 year-old looked to be pretty calm out on the ice when many other guys were panicking. He played the man, he helped clear rebounds, and made a few good hits.

Andre Kostitsyn – Looked like he was the only Habs forward trying to score for about half of the game. He finished with 1 goal, 3 shots, and an even (+/-) rating, but he created a lot more chances by leading the rush up the ice. He made a great move on the penalty shot, but Biron stayed with him.

Carey Price – He had three goals scored against him, but none of them were his fault. The ice-breaker was Breezer’s deflection, the second was Dowd’s blast, and the third hit the net after a couple of lucky bounces off of Joffrey Lupul’s glove and skate. It’s a shame that Price didn’t get the votes for the Calder trophy nomination.

Saku Koivu – Everyone said at the NHL trade deadline that Montreal needed to find someone who could win them face-offs. Well, Saku won 17-of-24 last night and has won 40-of-59 (67.8%) face-offs in his last three games.

Alex Kovalev – This wasn’t necessarily his strongest all-around performance, but you wouldn’t have known that after he potted his 2nd of the night and men everywhere (or at least in my living room) professed their philotic love for the Russian magician.

Tomas Plekanec – Fast.

Begin/Smoke/TK – From now on they are no longer individuals, but one unified line. Overtime game-winner. ‘Nuff said.

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While the Habs got the win it wasn’t convincing and it wasn’t easy. Mike Komisarek played well but looked very frustrated out there and his penalties were unnecessary and costly. He’ll need to settle down – just a bit – for Saturday’s game. The Flyers powerplay was smokin’ during the rgular season and has only gotten better during the playoffs. Everyone has been saying that the Flyers have to stay out of the box in order to compete, but the same goes for the Habs.

Guy Carbonneau, Kirk Muller, and Doug Jarvis need to figure out how to deal with Philly’s forecheck. The Canadiens offense starts with that first pass, but the Flyers were doing a good job of pressuring the defense and clogging up the neutral zone, making it tough for the Habs to get their attack going.

The Habs trouble-makers need to put a little more pressure on Martin Biron. Maxim Lapierre, I’m looking at you.

For Saturday’s game, I’d like to see a line-up change. Nothing drastic, but maybe insert Ryan O’Byrne for Brisebois, or perhaps Michael Ryder for Mathieu Dandenault. I’d like to see some fresh legs out there. Any ideas?

Oh, and did anyone else hear Don Cherry give Bangladesh the put-down yesterday?