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Game 38: Canadiens complete Florida sweep
posted by Dave Stubbs at 22h04 EST on Dec 28
And a varied scoresheet it was tonight: the Canadiens had goals from Guillaume Latendresse, his 11th; Michael Ryder – yes, that Michael Ryder – with his fourth; and Christopher Higgins, his 16th, all by the time the game was 5:03 old.
Tom Kostopoulos added his third of the season midway through the second on a nifty backhand.
Finally, on their 35th shot of the night, Panthers captain Olli Jokinen found the mark at 10:21 of the final period. before Mark Streit rounded out the scoring on the power play, Montreal's sole man-advantage goal, at 16:57. It was Streit's sixth of the year.
The Habs were roundly outshot, 41-21. Through the first two periods they managed just 12 shots on Vokoun and backup Craig Anderson, who were rotated in and out by Florida coach Jacques Martin, while Cristobal Huet blocked all 26 thrown Montreal's way over the first 40 minutes.
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
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why would you guys want Lats to drop the gloves, he hasn't backed down from anyone, and they haven't gotten him off his game, I hope he plays just the way he is, he'll only get better !!!
Anyone else catch the Red Fisher confirmed interest the NY Rangers have expressed in Ryder? (Spector's Hockey.com) Should be interesting to see in there is a spike in his playing time against the rangers. Put that together with the TSN Ovechkin to Montreal hint last night, (and on this site last week) and I am starting to feel very teased! Hope something comes out of one of these fantasies one day! If Not, we still grow them well on the farm!
Glad to see Chips back in the line-up. Can only assume Huet will be between the pipes...anyone know?
I think Koivu just needs somebody else to take over the reigns of being the number one centreman. The shoes he is asked to fill, I fear may be too big for him.
It,s hard to believe I was watching the same team that stunk the place out in Dallas.The game was alot of fun to watch with guys hustling all over the ice.I really would like to see them maintain that level of play,anything is possible if they do.
One thing I noticed on the team stats is that there are more players in the plus of the +/-. Shows a better 5 on 5 game.
ERRATA...point seven.
7. I forgot to put this one in my post below. Koivu. Something is up with Koivu. I've been saying it for a month now. He's not playing his best, but even so he's still been one of the brighter lights most games. Could be nearing the end of his playing days he's thinking "should I stay or should I go" (to a contender)...and no-one would blame him if he did. If WE'RE frustrated with the yo-yo'ing of this team, imagine him. On the other hand it could be a health concern, could be he's just tired.... regardless, if anyone deserves our full support it's Captain K. So let's give it. No-one currently on the ice has given us more.
________________________________________________________________
Be happy! At least the FUTURE looks bright!
Plekanec, Higgins, Komi, Chips, Lapierre, O'Byrne, K1 &K2, Price
I agree with the idea that he has reason to be frustrated, however, I've not seen any evidence of him looking to make a run somewhere else.
In any case, I will support him to the end. The league need more people like him. We've been lucky to have him.
When I say we... I mean the entire league.
Bang on comment Smart Dog. You definitely get extra kibbles and bits for that one! ;-)
Koivu played with the flu last night, & still contributed offensively. I think he is playing ok as he has 9 points in his last 9 games. Imagine if everyone were contributing at that rate.
Agreed. I think moving Higgins off his line helps both lines. They play too similar a puck-control game. It worked last year when Higgy played with AK and Plek.
Thanks! That's my point. I hate to see anyone criticizing him.
________________________________________________________________
Be happy! At least the FUTURE looks bright!
Plekanec, Higgins, Komi, Chips, Lapierre, O'Byrne, K1 &K2, Price
Robert L.,
just read your letter. You definitely are a true Hab Fan and I salute you for your always interesting and good comments on this HIO site.
So, Yes, the sun was shining for our Habs this week-end and we are all in a happy, cheerful mood this morning.
Re your letter; I see us(bloggers on HIO) as good folks reacting to game results based on our "fan" knowledge and of course emotions.
Let's be honest, 3 shots, 3 goals, and 12 shots after two periods. In plain language, we got the breaks and we, for once, took advantage of it all.
They embarassed us in Montreal and we embarassed them in Miami.
That pass from Gorges to Ryder is one of the best I've seen in many, many years. I thought Lafleur was back the way Ryder picked it up and flew
down the wing in one motion. Has Ryder turned the corner like Murray did in Beantown ? Will see soon enough !
The line juggling is driving some fans nuts and that is just fine with me. Carbo said it himself earlier this year "Every day I ask myself, who do I play tonight, who sits" .
Bottom line is, like you mention in your letter, we will always complain when the Habs lose and then jump like kids when they put two more points in the bank.
The complaining is also fine. I mentioned in an earlier post that --losing is one thing, HOW you lose is another--. How can the whole team, not one or two players taking the night off, collapse at once. I use the word "fragile" to describe our team sometimes but I truly believe it can be fixed with the right approach from coaches.
I, as an older fan, recall water-cooler chats during the last Habs dynasty (remember those 8 games we lost during the whole year...what a shame it was) "What wrong with Engblom, Jarvis lost that face-off in our end and they scored, Shutt missed the net three times etc etc..."
I never ever thought these words would come out of my mouth " I hope we make the playoffs" - but that's the way it is nowadays BUT we definitely are heading in the right direction and we all certainly deserve it.
Now, let's gang up on Timmins and make sure he orders every Habs scout in the world to focus on FORWARDS ONLY for the next couple of years.
Have a good day and may 2008 be a great year for all Habs fans...
cheers
Happy Holidays Ladies and Germs! Nice to see that Santa got our letters and brought us a couple of wins. For once the bad bounces seem to be on our side.
A few observations.
1. Let's all give thanks that Huet has been the goalie he can be. Without him locking the door - we realistically might be 0-2 in Florida or at least 1-1.
2. Great to see Higgins moved. Somehow playing with Koivu didn't seem right this year - several of us said it - maybe it's that he wants to lead and being the top player on his line lets his on-ice leadership out of the barn. Great games by him - I think there is more to come.
3. Chipchura. Many have complained that he is sitting. We all know he belongs in there - let's hope that Carbo let him know this too.... and let's REALLY hope this doesn't mean anyone thinks this hard-working and clever playmaker is expendable. He is gold. But to sit a few games for reasons of line-up changes... no need to panic. Sitting a game here and there for a rookie especially should be no big deal.
4. Lats. The kid belongs on the ice - no question. Strong on the score sheet, good in plus-minus. Brings it.
5. K1 & K2. Something about having these two young creative brothers on the ice just elevates this team. People talk about a team's identity. I think somehow bringing up K2 has helped shape our identity - a young, skilled, hard working play-making team at the front... a strong (Hamr, Komi, O'Byrn), tough, aggressive D at the back.
6. A concern. Not to be negative - and let's hope TradeRyder is wrong about MR (though he seems to have seen something we didn't early on) but while there is reason for alittle rejoicing we were certainly badly outshot last game. It still seems odd that our defense-focused game let's that happen. And let's hope we can win consistantly without the bounces and with only good goal-tending. Certainly in the coming years, but yet to be seen.
Arf!
________________________________________________________________
Be happy! At least the FUTURE looks bright!
Plekanec, Higgins, Komi, Chips, Lapierre, O'Byrne, K1 &K2, Price
Hi Smart
-re paras 1 and 6; how many of those Panther shots would you qualify as quality shots ? They crash the net and bang away. I did not see many laser shots from them but you are absolutely right about Huet. He and Price bailed us out many times this year.
-re para 4; Let's hope Tender gets more ice (he's averaging 12;43 per game) compared to some with 20+ . He's doing really well for a 20 year old.
Hey Hoe ;)
True about the shots from outside... but still, we get outshot most games. And Huet was outstanding - that kick-save was beautiful!
Lats seems to be becoming the player they hoped - a big power forward who is hard to push around and has a knack for stuffing/tipping/slapping the puck where it belongs!
________________________________________________________________
Be happy! At least the FUTURE looks bright!
Plekanec, Higgins, Komi, Chips, Lapierre, O'Byrne, K1 &K2, Price
My only concern so far with Lats is that sooner or later he'll have to drop the gloves and earn some respect. He's backed down on every occasion so far this year and needless to say the word gets around.
Umm, Lats did get into a fight with Chara, although brief.
I think he's being smart, did you see how he yelled Sergei during one of the scrums against Tampa to stop him from escalating things?
Turned into a 4 minute PP for us.
Re Chara; how could he back down, Chara was all over him before he could react. Anyway, he's smart as you say but if his numbers keep increasing he'll definitely get more attention from those making a living with their gloves off.
Hahaha! I agree! but he did fight him!
I'd rather have a smart player who draws penalties than having a goal scorer who sits in the box for 5.
Agree - I too am still not excited by our passive forechecking style. I do give Carbo full marks for his line changes. He seems to have elevated this team.
Mjames
This is for G-Man. As one of those who has often doubted Carbo, (not his coaching ability, mind you, but rather his ability to motivate the players), let me be the first to eat a small, qualified slice of crow. I liked the new lines as soon as I saw them, with the exception of Chipper sitting out. When I saw them on the ice, I really liked them, especially the so-called third line. So, Carbo, kudos to you for the stroke of genius you had in putting them together. I just hope you will leave them for a while, and I also hope you will stop calling out individuals every other game. That sort of thing only divides and demoralizes players. It must be used very sparingly. So, G-Man, will that do for an apology, qualified though it may be? :)
Let me tell ya, Gumper, that Kovalev guy has made me eat so much crow this season I've created new recipes. (BTW- crow does not taste like chicken!) It's nice to read that you're not being stubborn about it just to hold to your opinion. Kovy has changed my mind, maybe Carbo will change yours, too.
Happy New Year!
Gilbert
gumper, its nice to see one of the doubters come on and 'fess up, rather than just disappearing until the next lose. I too liked the new lines as soon as I saw them, with the exception of Chipchura. However, you say you doubted Carbo, not his coaching but rather his ability to motivate the players. If player motivation isn't a big part of the coaches job, what is? Anyway, you look good with crow in your mouth. That is the price you pay for making some strong statements. Let's hope they keep playing well, firing on all cylinders, as they say.
Gumper I see not need for you to apologize. Yes I agree Carbo gets full marks for the line changes which seem to be working. He seems to have three lines with some offensive potential. I would not necessarily call them 1st, 2nd and 3rd lines. They are all pretty equal. I hope he keeps them as is. I also agree that Chips should be worked into the 4th line.
I think communication and motivation are large part of a coach's job. That is what the gets the team up to play. This is an area in which our esteemed coach needs work. He needs to show more respect for this team. Lastly I am still not enthused about his passive forechecking style. I have yet to see it work with the upper echelon teams.
Full marks to the coach and team for their play in Florida.
mjames
Agreed. Line changes seem to have generated positive results but there is still much room for development on Carbonneau's behalf.
Sidenote - mjames - Are you a sculler? I used to row as well for a few years but sculling and sweeping. Your picture brings back fond memories.
Latendresse leads the team in even strength goals.
...and Huet is leading the league in save percentage.
As someone mentioned a couple days ago, I think we should sign Huet to 2-3 year extension.
Ok..how much would that cost us?
Given Huet's stats 4+ mil;lion per year sounds reasonable.
given that Price is capped at 875K for next two years a 2 year deal could work leading us to spend 5.5 mil on our two goalies for the next 2 years after this season.
However, Higgins and komi are UFA's after next season I believe. would you keep Huet and risk the chance of losing either of those players to a large signing offer because bob didn't have enough money to keep them?
Yes, Kovy's contract is up after next season also which saves 4.5 off the books. So is Koivu's I believe?
Options, options!!!
and BTW, the team is about 50/50 in plus minus...