20 minutes won't cut it

posted by Mike Boone at 14h51 EST on Nov 18


Canadiens took a 1-0 lead into the third period and watched it – I use the verb advisedly – melt away on Goals by Sergei F. samsonov, of all people, and Ray Whitmney.

Two mistakes: a shift that lasted too long by the Lang line, a penalty to Ryan O'Byrne, and the Canadiens rack up another L.

They played one good period.

It wasn't nearly enough. 


Last words from J.T.:


-Kovalev: lousy. Should be scratched next game.

-S.Kostitsyn: lousier

-Higgins: lousiest

-A team that is relying on Bouillon and Breezer in its top-six D is in trouble. What a surprise.

-The Canadiens aren't a very good team. They have talent, but they're not a good team.

-I don't want to watch them. They're no fun anymore.

-Carey Price: a light in this very, very bitter darkness.

3P 00:00:

Sad

3P 00:17:

Pathetic. Price out, no organization in the attack

3P 2:00:

I have nothing to add ...

3P 3:26:

That was Price's 45th save

3P Break:

Gonna take a miracle. This is so disheartening.

3P 4:45:

Good PK work by AK46

3P 6:47:

That was a dive by Ruutu. But another Carolina PP

3P 7:40:

Is Higgins dressed tonight?

3P 8:16:

Brisebois gets crunched on a pinch and it ends up as a faceoff in Canadiens' end.

3P Break:

Tonight's excuse: The new lines need time to get used to each other.

Bill Cowher:

His teams knew how to protect leads

3P 10:00:

Carolina has $# SHOTS in 50 minutes. That's pathetic. You can't win.

3P 10:40:

Kovalev makes one of his genius plays, but Ward saves

3P 11:15:

Kostopoulos plays a great sift, but Canadiens get caught up ice ... again

3P Break:

Their fragile confidence has drained right out of the Canadiens.

3P 13:27:

What's Price to do? As Brunet says, that longLang line shift turned the whole game around

2-1 

3P 14:24:

You knew that penalty was coming

3P 15:00:

Brunet is practically begging the Canadiens to smarten up.

3P 16:00:

Whitney comes very close

3P 16:54:

Tired players turn it over and Samsonov, of all people, ties the game. His first of the game.

1-1 

3P 17:56:

Bouillon hustles to create an icing. great play.

3P 18:30:

I don't like these sloppy, dangerous passes. Gotta make sure, guys

3P 19:00:

That Tanguay turnover at the blueline illustrates how the Canadiens shouldn't be protecting a one-goal lead

Mastercard:

That Bobby Orr scar commercial is brilliant but scary

Tampa Bay:

Down 3-0 to Florida. What a train wreck that franchise has turned into.

3P 20:00:

Twenty minutes of keeping it simple. Chip it out, dump it in, go harrass their D and make them skate 200 feet. It all makes sense, but this style is not a Canadiens forte.

Demers:

says PP more patient. Bouchard says Price is rock-solid, which pumps up his d-men.

2P 00:00:

Ouf! Cullen off the faceoff gets a shot. Then an icing.  And Sergei makes a brilliant play to set up Lang

2P 1:20:

PP is still a work in progress

2P 3:20:

Back on the PP

2P 4:40:

Terrible hook by Lang. Lazy. Must drive carbo nuts 

2P Break:

Hustle by Lang, Gui! and Sergei produces another PP. Good things happen when everyone is moving his feet

2P 6;00:

Good kill ... but tense.

2P Break:

This is a huge PK. If Carolina scores, they'll take over the game.

2P Break:

Horrible start to the PP. Then Pitkanen cross-checks AK into Ward. Sutter gets a breakway killing a 5-on-3. The Brothers are playing well. Then a delayed penalty lasts forever. On balance, a bad sequence for the guys in white jerseys. 

2P 12:37:

What is it with these Ruutu guys?

2P Break:

Amazing what a PP goal can do to elevate energy and effort.

2P 13:20:

The new PP strategy: Shoot, marky, shoot! I like it.

2P 15:30:

hamrlik in trouble and O'Byrne and the forwards are no help. Turns into icing.

2P 16:00:

Gorges block saves a goal off a Hamrlik misplay.

2P 16:50:

great shift for fourth llne again

2P 18:00:

If only Kostopoulos could score ...

2P 18:30:

First lead on the road since Minnesota

2P 18:53:

Good Markov shot right on Ward. Lots of movement, then Kovalev finds Lang and ... FINALLY!

1-0 

2P 20:00:

This PP will be interesting. McGuire says the Canadiens worked on it this morning. I think Breeze should play right point with Markov and the Koivu line up front on first wave. Then Hamrlik and Sergei at the points, with Pleks or Lang, Higgins and Gui! up front

Uh-oh!:

Paul Stastny's agent also represents Higgins and Komisarek

J.T. on the first period:


-Notice the 'Canes PP? They're moving and they don't stop. Remember the Habs'? They're so still you could paint their portraits.

-Price robbed LaRose like Bonnie and Clyde robbed banks.

-The candyass penalties must stop. I wonder if Price can have a sweat lodge ceremony to purge the stupidity?

-Edmonton highlights...I don't miss Souray on D, but man, I miss the cannon.

-There are a lot of red shirts first on the puck. That's got to change or the score will, and not in a good way.

-Andrei Kostitsyn: strong like vodka.

-Begin and Latendresse are rocking it on the fourth line...then the puck goes to Dandy and back come the 'Canes.

-Lang's line is looking promising. But TK with Pleks and Higgins is like antlers on Secretariat.

-Don't want to speak too soon, but O'Byrne looked pretty good in that period. I noticed him doing good things at least twice.

-When they settle down and manage to ever connect on a pass, the Habs'll be in this game. They're trying. It's not working, but they're trying.

Stats:

Carolina: 18 shots, four misses and the Canadiens blocked eight. Thirty chances to score in 20 minutes. Canadiens had eight shots, two whiffs and Carolina blocked two.

1P 00:05:

PP to start the second period

1P 00:40:

Why wouldn't Andrei shoot  there?

1P 1:30:

Carolina outhustles them in all three zones

1P 3:30:

Carolina clears their zone with ease against Koivu line

1P Break:

Where's the help for O'Byrne from the forwards? And what was Higgins thinking on that turnover? Mental errors, all the bloody time.

1P 6:00:

The fourth line is carrying the team

1P 8:00:

Canadiens complete fewer passes than Rex Grossman. They're playing crap ... again

1P 8:50:

Price: a dozen saves already

1P 9:05:

Wow! Samsonov a shot right on.

1P Break:

What a shift for AK46. He's showing signs of being back ... and not a moment too soon. I like him with his brother and Lang. Three guys who are smart with the puck.

1P 10:30:

Eight shots already. carolina on pace for 48

1P 11:00:

Man, Whitney came close. Good set-up for a Tanguay shot.

1P 11:52:

Another icing. RDS guys say penalty killed Canadiens' rhythm

1P 13:04:

bad icing by Gorges, off the glass. Nervous play

1P Break:

Canadiens seem to have a lot of jump, coming off a win and a day off. But that Hurricanes PP was scary

1P 14:00:

Another great shift by fourth line

1P 15:00:

Staal dings the post and then Price makes an amazing save. Might be a good idea not to take too any penalties tonight

1P 17:27:

First lazy hook

1P 18:00:

Fast-paced start. And good forecheck by AK46

1P 19:00:

Koivu line starts fast

Lost in Translation:

Rod A Little Bit of Love

It would be nice ..:

... to get the first goal on the road

Doug Jarvis:

Says PP problem is lack of finish. "We're getting shots, we're getting our chances. We have to finish them." PP is sitting 26th in the league. It was first last season.

James Duthie:

Suggests the Alouettes are the bigger story in Montreal this week. Yeah, right.

Hilarious:

Thanks to SlovakHab for posting a link to this classic. Which Hab wears the most cologne?

http://canadiens.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?type=fvod&id=25034 

Gaston Therrien:

shows plays in which Canadiens forwards leave the defensive zone too quickly, leaving the defencemen under pressure, which can lead to turnovers

Turnovers:

too many. 11 a game: fourth worst in the league, behind L.A., Washington and Colorado. Joël Bouchard says the Canadiens try too many "$100 passes" rather than just working the puck up the boards and making simple plays. The Canadiens force plays that aren't there, and when they don't work, it wears the guys down mentally. He joins the chorus asking for more shots on the PP.

Gorges' stick:

Hilarious footage

Kovy?:

Stash and beard?

Benoit Brunet:

Eric Staal losing one-on-one battles, spending a lot of time falling down ... Sergei Samsonov has no goals in 18 games. When Boston traded him to Edmonton, they got two players and a second-round 2006 draft choice. Yes, indeed: Milan Lucic

Jacques Demers on why the PP has gone south:

He thinks they have to get bodies in front of the net. As for a point shot, Brisebois is best but Markov has to shoot more. For his part, Pierre McGuire says Kovalev has to make plays to move the defensive box: 60 foot passes to the side of the net, then back to the point and a a shot.

Demers is VERY exercised about Maxim Lapierre saying Georges Laraque is telling him how to play. 

Choice of broadcasters tonight:

I really like McGuire and Gord Miller, but I have to stick with my man Joël Bouchard for analysis

Sports Illustrated power rankings:

Canadiens eighth

Second-guessing:

On the CKAC afternoon drive show, Ron Fournier and Michel Villeneuve questioned the wisdom of putting the team's three best forwards all on one line. They also said Plekanec, in a contract year, is not going to be happy with Tom the Bomb, who's a great team guy but can't score. They think maybe Gui! should play with Pleks and Higgins and Kostopoulos with Dandenault and Bégin.

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Submitted by nightmare_49 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 04:53.
Our fearless leader has brought up the turnover stat, though he uses this stat that is reported by humans and is not an exact statement, it does pinpoint one of our weaknesses lately and that's the gap between the 'D' and our forwards when departing our end. This all started when we started to open it up a bit with the stretch passes and now we've gone overboard and we have to adjust. As Mr. Boone stated ....... "Turnovers: too many. 11 a game: fourth worst in the league, behind L.A., Washington and Colorado. Joël Bouchard says the Canadiens try too many "$100 passes" rather than just working the puck up the boards and making simple plays. The Canadiens force plays that aren't there, and when they don't work, it wears the guys down mentally. He joins the chorus asking for more shots on the PP"..... This is very important so we will see how our coaching staff deals with it cuz it's not all the Ds' fault and it is something you don't want to be a habit and bring with you into the post season, if we make it.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 11:19.
m ace - I meant Mr.Boone as our fearless leader, sorry for not being clearer.

Mr.Hazard's picture
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:56.
Apparently this is Plekanec http://images.tsn.ca/Story/Image.aspx?path=http://images.tsn.ca/images/s... (from TSN) Ex nihilo nihil fit

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 05:06.
Mr.Hazard - I noticed you in the comments on the Canes Country blog on Carey Price along with wamsley, harani and SaskHab to name a few, great to see you guys stating your views. BTW there was over 60 comments on that article, usually 6 would be great.

Mr.Hazard's picture
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:57.
BTW it's funny, Mike called the 48 shots half-way into the 1st period... Ex nihilo nihil fit

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:29.
The Habs are still a very young team, with 11 of their regular lineup, including players in very key roles, (the Kostitsyns, Halak, Price, Gorges, Komisarek, Higgins, Plekanec, Latendresse, Lapierre and O'Byrne) 26 years old or younger. Compare this the number of players 26 years old or younger on recent Stanley Cup winning rosters : Detroit - 5 (Filppula, Hudler, Kopecky, Lebda and Kronwall) Anaheim - 5 (Kunitz, Perry, Getzlaf, Beuachemin and Moen) Carolina - 7 (Staal, Williams, Cole, Commodore, Larose, Ladd and Ward) Tampa Bay - 6 (Richards, Lecavalier, Fedotenko, Kubina, Sarich and Afanasenkov) New Jersey - 8 (Elias, Friesen, Gomez, Gionta, Tverdovsky, White, Bicek and Rupp) In the year following their Stanley Cup victories, Carolina (the team whose roster most resembles this year's Habs in terms of number and importance of its young players) missed the playoffs, while New Jersey, Anaheim and Tampa Bay were all toppled in the first round. I bring this up because when one looks at the Montreal line-up, the striking thing is the number of young players that have been placed in key roles: 5 of the top 9 forwards, 1 of the top-pairing defenders and both goalies. A young line-up is going to have growing pains. I believe that what we are seeing right now are some of those growing pains...they are a necessary by-product of trying to develop a team from within. I point out recent Stanley Cup winning rosters to illustrate that even very good teams like Anaheim and New Jersey can go from Stanley Cup winners in one season to first-round ousters the next in today's NHL. Young, inexperienced teams like Carolina or Tampa Bay can make a run to the Stanley Cup one year and have all the fans questioning how it ever happened for the next few seasons. In both these cases, you could argue that good teams got hot at the right time and played above their typical level long enough to win 16 games. This is one of the signatures of league-wide parity. In my opinion, the NHL today is to a large extent a crap shoot come playoff time...anybody in the show can win it. Yes some franchises like Detroit, New Jersey, Dallas and San Jose are in the mix year after year. What separates those franchises are that their veteran players commit to a well designed and implemented team system, both offensively and defensively, and they receive outstanding goaltending. Even with those formidable systems and goaltenders, these teams fail just as often as they succeed. There can only be one Stanely Cup champion each year. I think the Canadiens' problems stem from two things: a relative lack of experience, which leads to very ugly play for extended periods such as what we are currently seeing, and the coaching staff's inability to devise a system that works for the team's personnel and/or convince the players on the team, particularly the veterans, to buy into a defensive system. I still have every faith that the Habs can identify and implement a system that properly uses the unique talents on the roster. Combined with some roster tweaks (particularly a PP trigger man from the point), I still think that this team, if it can get hot at the right time, has as good a chance as anybody else in the playoffs. Sorry about the length and thanks for reading!

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 04:21.
Chris - A very interesting read with many great points, now a days with all the advanced scouting and video breakdown every system will hit it's firewall. So, many systems will have to be played with discipline to achieve our goal. PP's are studied to no end so variety in attack there is essential as our PP found out in the playoffs even with Streit. It's still very early and most teams are assessing personnel now as we are and let the tinkering begin in mid-December and beyond.

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 08:46.
No question about it: video breakdowns and pro scouting (unlike the amateur scouting department, I think many of us pointed out last year in the playoffs that pro scouting was a real deficiency for Montreal) have made the NHL a much more difficult league. Combined with the fact that many of the Habs are slumping, the end result is what we're seeing now: disorganized and disheartened play on the ice. Will it last all season? I'd bet quite a bit that it will not, but stranger things have happened of late. I do think Carbo and his staff might have to go back to the drawing board and change some of the ways they do things: the old PP system was set up around a huge point shot on the right point, and everything fed into that shot and off the ensuing chances. In the absence of that point shot and with the players the Habs up front, I think they should probably look at gearing their PP from down low more.

likehoy's picture
Submitted by likehoy on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:57.
how young is toronto's team and how come they show up to every game with lots of hustle?

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 08:36.
Partially because nothing was expected of them, so they really have very little to lose. When your top players are guys like Matt Stajan, Nik Antropov or Mikhail Grabovski, banishing a top player to the press-box to make a point isn't really big news. But if Carbonneau were to try that same move with an Alex Kovalev, Saku Koivu or Andrei Markov, it might accomplish more harm than good. That being said, I think he has given too long of a leash to some of the younger players on the team that need to understand they are not playing smart: Sergei Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre, Andrei Kostitsyn, Tomas Plekanec, Guillaume Latendresse, Mike Komisarek and Chris Higgins have all at various times got away from what makes them successful. Some of them have been sat for a couple of games to get that point across, but not all. But as he said, the team has its hands tied a bit: calling up players from Hamilton would be very difficult to do under the salary cap rules.

The M's picture
Submitted by The M on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 02:18.
because they're on a tighter leash, if you suck your gone

Xtrahabsfan's picture
Submitted by Xtrahabsfan on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:51.
Well ,if you as me ,we have room for five more young guy's and a new coach!

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:54.
I think the Habs will have room for D'Agostini, Chipchura and perhaps Matt Carle by season's end due to injuries, trades, etc. But there really is no huge rush, and from a salary cap point of view its not particularly feasible to do it right now anyways.

La Croyante's picture
Submitted by La Croyante on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:39.
Great post, I think all of us lose sight of the fact that we have such a young team on our hands. In particular, I find a lot of unfair pressure is put on Latendresse. I'm always amazed when I go back and realize that he's only 21! He's one of the youngest players on the team and yet he's treated as though he's a seasoned veteran that isn't playing where he should be playing. He's no Crosby, no doubt, but that's an unfair comparison and we shouldn't have such high expectations for such a young player. He's played plenty of games in his young career so far, but he's still very much developing as a player and as a person. He just became a father at a young age, he's a francophone player in hockey-mad Montreal, and other guys his age are still pulling prank phone calls and stressing over mid-terms. Talk about pressure. He's nowhere near his prime yet, I still think Latendresse is an important building block for the Canadiens of the future. I know there's a certain je-ne-sais-quoi in the air for the centennial season, but that doesn't mean a Stanley Cup must be delivered this year. Maybe next year will be the year, or the year after. This is a young team with a lot to learn and much more to become.

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:50.
I share your thoughts regarding Latendresse. I don't think he has played particularly well so far in his career, but I remain one of his biggest supporters. He plays a style of game that takes a long time to develop...giving up on him at 21 years old would be ludicrous. I've pointed out in many posts over the past year how Latendresse's progress to date compares VERY favourably to many comparable players that Habs fans would die to add to the lineup...I support him not on what he is now, but on what I think he can become moving forwards. I would love Montreal to win this year, and I think that perhaps some of the sense of urgency stems from the fact that both Koivu and Kovalev, the two leaders of this team, are entering the twilights of their illustrious careers. Because of this, it is easy to assume that the "window of opportunity" for this team is now or never. When one sees that the core of this team is in fact VERY young, one could more realistically argue that winning the Stanley Cup this season would be a very pleasant surprise. If more fans would keep this in mind, I think this season would be infinitely less stressful and depressing to them.

twocents's picture
Submitted by twocents on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 02:37.
Chris, I know I am pushing this tonight, but isn't there a problem when we talk of a player like Kovalev as a leader. He was never considered that on any other team he played with. Nor was he one on this team until last year, when he seemed very motivated and had a successful year. It speaks of weakness when a single season catapults a player into a leadership position. This team has had a leadership deficit for a long time and I don't think Koivu's the problem at all. We just have not had enough leaders to create a solid structure. I think Komisarek is getting there, but really this has been a problem for quite a while. I wonder if moving some 'A's around would help. It seems Hamrlik could do it justice. Maybe even Gorges, he shows up every night.

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 08:31.
I'm not sure that moving the assistant captaincy around will accomplish much...to a certain extent, the A's are more rewards for long-time tenancy on a team than anything else. That being said, Kovalev was great last year with the Russian contingent on the team: he was a mentor to them and also led by example. He is also one of the guys that faces the music after the games when some of the other guys are scrambling to get out of the dressing room. I think there are enough leaders on the team, to be honest: Koivu, Kovalev, Bouillon, Gorges, Higgins, Komisarek and Kostopoulos have all shown through the past couple of seasons that they are players that care. Sometimes, they care too much and try to do too much. Its a natural reaction, but the older guys should have enough experience to know that it rarely works.

twocents's picture
Submitted by twocents on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 10:35.
Chris, I appreciate you point of view. However, and I could be wrong here, I have never been convinced Kovy actually acted as a mentor last year. He was playing brilliantly, was on cloud nine most of the time, was/is a very magnetic presence that certainly draws people's attention(including younger players), but was he consciously setting an example or merely enjoying a great ride and exuding a kind of confidence that is very attractive. The other side of people like that can be very ugly when things go bad. You know one thing that I have noticed over the last few years? Kovy never refers to Koivu in his many moments with the press. He talks about his teammates in a general sense and will name his line mates on a regular basis. You sometime get the impression that his line is the whole team in fact. But few other warrant mention from him and the captain's name, despite his consistent efforts, almost never comes up. Does that smell like someone who is envious and a disturbance to team culture to you? It does to me. Here's another moment that stuck with me this pre-season. He was asked if anyone on the team reminded him of himself when he was breaking in. This is such a subjective question that it can be answered from numerous viewpoints. A mentor is always cognizant of his position vis-a-vis his teammates and should posses a certain generosity toward his proteges. He could have said he sees the intense competitive spark he had in the young S.Kost. or he could have pointed to the brilliant set of skills that his older brother possesses. Instead he choose to say, very dramatically and emphatically, no one. In his mind no one is as great or powerful as he, no one should be afforded a measure of his sunshine. The fact is Kovy, you are not exactly a slam dunk hall of famer and you have never lead a team to the promise land, despite playing on some very talented ones. You should show some more humility. In the end the ironic thing is, I hope he's right, and that none of the young players are like him. I am not sure a team can bear more than one of his sort at a time. In fact, I am not sure that a championship team can even accommodate one, not when their role is so central to it's success. You know, I am moved to write more and lay out another example of his brand of self delusion., but I'll stop. The fact is, right now this team needs him to step up or step off.

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 11:38.
Nice reply...lots to think about there and I agree with a lot of what you mentioned. I have also noticed that there is a distinct chill between Kovalev and Koivu...I am not sure who is to blame there, but I do think it is real. That being said, I do think Kovalev went out of his way to work with the Kostitsyn's last season...many of the photos from practice saw him hanging out with the brothers, and you frequently saw him discussing the play with both Andrei Kostitsyn and Plekanec when they were back on the bench. At the end of the day, Kovalev is extremely talented and can make his linemates better. In my mind, he has failed to do so thus far. I posted the other night that both Plekanec (5 G, 11 A in 20 games by Nov. 19 last season)and especially Andrei Kostitsyn (3G, 4A in 16 games by Nov. 19) got off to relatively slow starts last year as well. On the other hand, Kovalev already had 10G and 8 A in 20 games by Nov. 19, so he's definitely a bit off his usual clip. Those three guys can still turn their seasons around and suddenly the Habs look a lot better.

twocents's picture
Submitted by twocents on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 12:29.
I agree that those three can still turn it around and if they do, we are a totally different team. Kovalev needs to lead them in the right direction though. Having said that, it would be a revelation and a blessing to the team if Pleks could lead the way and drag Kovalev along. I have a feeling though that Kovy hasn't done much following in his life and that Pleks might not have what it takes. A military man once told me and I have since heard it from others; a good leader needs to learn how to follow, because if he doesn't, how can he really know what his followers require of him. I think this team would be in much better shape if the secondary player leadership all took their cues from Koivu. Kovalev is the only one who seems unable to do that. Which only makes me more uneasy about his influence on the young Belorussians. Remember what his 'leadership' did for Samsonov and Perezhogin the year before? When Vinny was captain, Koivu often spoke highly of him. I remember back in the mid nineties when Sundin joined Toronto and, I can't believe I am referencing him but, Cherry said Gilmour and Sundin could not co-exist. He said they both desired to be the alpha male and that wasn't good for the team. There are many talented veterans out there that can defer to their team captains and still be strong leaders. So far, there is little evidence that Kovalev can.

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 17:43.
You are probably right, although I still hope that it is not the case. I have never been a big fan of Kovalev. Like everyone else, I am often amazed with his skill level, and I have certainly enjoyed his tenure with the Canadiens. But he is just so maddening...you know that he has the ability to completely dominate the game, yet he doesn't do so anywhere near enough. The advice from the military man is spot on. And Kovalev has a long and established track record, dating back even to his rookie season with the Rangers under Mike Keenan, of marching to his own beat. That he has done so well is a testament to his skill and drive, but I think he could have been (and still can be) so much more. I don't think it is a lack of effort or a lack of passion, which are often cited in his case...he just sees the game in an entirely different way and has never really figured out how to mesh his amazing skillset and abilities with his teammates for a prolonged period of time.

twocents's picture
Submitted by twocents on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 23:21.
That's an interesting analysis of Kovy's frustrating behavior, and I have never thought of it that way. What I see, and have pieced together over the years, is a player who is strongly motivated by the adoration of the public. He more than any player I have ever known, feeds of this love for the largest part of his motivation. He receives much love due to his astounding skill level. Unfortunately, this can become a vicious cycle for him because, if he falters for a stretch, as all athletes do, he is not provided with the adoration that he needs to get back on track and things can spiral. He then becomes so self absorbed that he alienates his teammates and coaches. It's a very tough cycle to break out of and if anything it seems to me that it has worsened as he ages: evidenced by his season two years ago and what seems to be happening this year. Even last year can be understood through this lens as his play was so consistently strong everything was self sustaining. Because of his skill, his team relies on him greatly and he just isn't reliable, because the team's best interests are simply not his primary ones.

La Croyante's picture
Submitted by La Croyante on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:13.
As fans, we seem to pass a lot of judgment on the coach, but no one seems to criticize Bob much. I'm not trying to insinuate anything, but is it possible that Bob may have gotten the wrong pieces to the puzzle rather than Carbo not being able to put them together properly? Just throwing it out there. Price has been and probably will be Bob Gainey's greatest contribution to this franchise and even he was a result of the luck of the draw and the work of Trevor Timmins. Aside from Price and you can make a questionable case for Tanguay, Bob hasn't added players that can really make an offensive difference on a consistent basis. Lets face facts, we don't have a Ryan Getzlaf, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin, or Marian Hossa that can consistently rank among the league's best and dictate the scoresheet night in and night out. Kovalev may be talented, but he's far from consistent. Markov is one of the best defensemen in the league but his job isn't to find the back of the net. You can blame the Montreal media, the fans, the taxes, whatever you want - but they're just excuses. Players are in it to win and will be attracted to victory, and evidently the Habs still haven't shown that they're a winner. I'm sure Sundin is sitting pretty in Sweden, happy with the fact that he didn't jump the gun on Gainey's offer. Maybe the team wasn't built the right way from the ground up. A championship team is built from the net out and it seems like Carey Price was the last major piece that Gainey added. Perhaps the drafting policy of choosing the best player available is not the way to go and its time we draft according to need and team-building philosophy. Once again, its just a way of looking at it rather than blaming the coach. No one is ever entirely to blame for failure, but no one is exempt from criticism either. How long will we continue to trust Bob?

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:44.
I agree with your point about not drafting the best player available going forwards. However, I think drafting that way was a necessity because the minor league system was completely barren after the latter part of the Serge Savard regime and the entire Rejean Houle debacle. The Habs basically needed talent at every position, so drafting the best player available made sense. Now, Montreal needs to identify its team identity and start drafting/signing players based on needs. The team is in good shape talent-wise at the NHL and minor-league levels, which gives some flexibility going forwards for trading and signing free agents.

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:29.
We have not a single power forward of substance right now. My suggested overtime format and other sports talk

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:39.
To be completely honest, I've always thought the "power forward" label is grossly overused. Who are the power forwards on Detroit? Tomas Holmstrom is 6'0" and 200 lbs. and averages 20-30 goals per season. Johan Franzen is 6'2", 207 lbs. and averaged 10-12 goals until his breakout last season, when he scored 27 goals. I don't really think of either of those guys as Cam Neely types so much as Dino Ciccarelli types: they go to the front of the net and gladly pot the garbage goals. Detroit does not win because of its power game (nor did New Jersey, for that matter). They win because they, far more often than not, execute their gameplan and system much better than their opposition and have a pair of game-breakers in Datsyuk and Zetterberg and the best defenceman of our generation in Nicklas Lidstrom.

Mr.Hazard's picture
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 01:02.
We played better before we had the full roster. Remember back in the 8-1-1 days? Ex nihilo nihil fit

Habbu's picture
Submitted by Habbu on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:22.
on a positive note if they keep playing like this we'll have a good shot at drafting Tavares

BIG-D's picture
Submitted by BIG-D on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:18.
The leafs have more heart than the Habs..... They fight hard every night........... Now if the leafs had any luck, they would be way above the Habs in the standings.....

BIG-D's picture
Submitted by BIG-D on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:16.
The leafs have more heart than the Habs..... They fight hard every night........... Now if the leafs had any luck, they would be way about the Habs in the standings.....

Ian Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:24.
Big-D, you make your own luck in this game , and you right they are far more entertaining and I love there work ethic, damn it!! But it takes a strong coach and Wilson sure has them going.

Ian Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:17.
They have about as much emotion and hunger to play for this franchise as a turd in the outhouse. It could have been another 6 to 1 score except for Price wanting to play tonight. These guys and that includes the coaches better understand that we are in a financial recession. If these fat cats don,t start earning there bucks soon they are not only going to miss the play offs, sponsors and high price tickets are going to become an issue. We have the horses to do the job if they bring to the rink some pride and passion, but for me Boston on Saturday will decide how the rest of the year will go. If there is no response, in a huge way, to the beating they gave us in Boston, this season is a write off.

Submitted by Dougie on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:15.
Oh, and is the coach doing anything about it? Doesn't look like it (but none of us is in the room)

Submitted by Dougie on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:13.
Let's see, • Team has only played one solid, 60-minute game so far this year • Team takes way too many dumb – and costly – penalties • Special teams – notably the power play – are a black hole of suck • Team has rarely played with sufficient intensity and passion. Could we be talking about the Habs? We could. Would these problems normally be occupying space on the coach's desk? They would. 'Nuf said

t1tan5's picture
Submitted by t1tan5 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:12.
At least it can't get any worse.

TheMock780's picture
Submitted by TheMock780 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:06.
This team's give a rip meter has plummeted through the floor for some reason recently. Consistently throughout tonights game and the past few weeks, the opposing team has always been on the body and on the puck first. The Habs look like the NY Rangers pre-lock out: A bunch of super skilled, high pay-check underacheiving INDIVIDUALS. They're playing like individuals and not a team out there. Kovalev has gone back to the lazy, "I'm just happy to collect my 4.5 million dollar paychack" player he was two years ago. He obviously isn't cut out to be the #1 guy on a team and never has been. And this year he's dragging down whatever linemates he does have with him into his lazy stupor. Then again his comments about playing Boston and Toronto as just regular old games should be an indication that this guy just doesn't get it. Sergei Kostitsyn looks like Sergei Samsonov circa 2006/07 out there. What happened to the physical playmaking young player we saw last season? He seems to be the one fighting a concussion. Maybe a trip to the press box or even a trip to Hamilton would set him straight? Either way one of the two has got to happen soon. Why Carbo benched Lapierre who actually does some nice things before SK74 right now is beyond me. And now the defense. Andrei Markov, Norris trophy? HA! How many give aways can one 5.75 million dollar defenseman make in one game? O'Byrne got deked out of his jock on one goal and was in the box for the other. He doesn't hit or drop the gloves this year for some reason so he's pretty much useless out there. Boullion has aged and isn't the same player anymore and Hamrlik and Gorges can't do this temselves. And before he got injured Komisarek was playing like he wasn't playing for a new contract. His play has been spotty at best. Now that all that negativety is out some, but few positives: Andrei Kostitsyn and Carey Price. Price was the star of this game for sure and if he'd even had the New York Islanders in front of him he'd probably have won this game. He will just keep getting better with age and will ascend to the top of the goaltending ranks. AK46 has bounced back nicely from his wonky cranium and was probably the Habs best player on the ice the last couple of games and nearly had a couple of goals glove side tonight. At the end of the day, the leadership and intestinal fortitude of the team now need to be severly examined and questioned. And where's out Tuomo Ruttu? Milan Lucic? heck even our Nik Antropov right now!?!? Bob needs to take a long hard look at this team that he put together and possibly a heart transplant might be in order.

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:13.
A lot of great points. In the end, perhaps Bob is not as great a GM as people make him to be.

MikeL's picture
Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:06.
We need a midseason call up....something to shake up the room a little.....it helped us last year with Sergei and Ryan O'Byrne. Max Pac and Webber or Carle? And before someone says D'Agostani...we don't need to add another offensive forward with little grit.

Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:05.
And while Price is a hell of a goalie he needs some work with his black magic voodoo wizard jedi crap.....his ritual of Gorges breaking his stick actually led to Gorges breaking his stick in the game. Next time he should take Gorges stick and score a goal with it before the game!! Remember Claude Lemieux scoring in the other teams nert before the games...that was classic.

howtathor's picture
Submitted by howtathor on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:04.
Max Pac or Mat Dag would sure look good on the line with Higgins and Pleks. Weber can't be any worse than Markov on the right point. At least he can hit the net. We need some new blood to stir the mix. Time to shed the Breezer, Dandy and Beige. The team as it stands is not working.

Submitted by krob1000 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:52.
Showey made a god point the other day that went unnoticed on here.....we need someone who makes the top three lines worry about dressing on a given day. Rotating 5 fourth liners amongst three spots doesn't put any pressure on the top guys. Sergei and Laps made us better for that reason. I don't expect a D'Agostini or MAx Pac to make an impact onthe ice as much as I think the impact would be felt once some seasoned veterans seriously worried about having to choose between watching the game and making paper airplanes. I thin that might help us as well. By the deadline I expect this team to have added at least one new dman, either signed or be carrying a new top nine potential guy and shed at elast one of the fourth line rotation. The top end is too cozy and Laps has to take his turning sitting out although he is one of the few that has been working hard IMO.

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:03.
It is only one of many many problems pluggin the team right now, but most of them still come down to coaching and management. I mean, does anybody else here think that if this team was detroit red wings of last year, they would be the stanley cup champions under carbonneau? Didn't think so.

Submitted by New on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:10.
Who were the nominees for coach of the year last year? He would make a great scout though. Do they have a league 12 hrs and half the world away?

Submitted by Yeats on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:52.
That goddamn fourth line has to 'er like get off their collective asses! WTF!!! I mean we all spend hours of time discusing you guys and Carbo walks the floor at night trying to get the "right" mix. You have to bring it or the Habs are as doomed as doomed can be. Come on, there are no more dangerous forwards on the planet than those they might get sent down to Hamilton. Sieze the moment, be the Rockets that you all yearn to be!!!

Submitted by New on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:08.
Time for the whole team to pee into a little bottle.

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:54.
There's the Yeats explosion I was waiting for earlier... :) And I agree with your sarcasm.

Submitted by Yeats on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:57.
Is it me, or is this season already too long?

Submitted by Yeats on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:56.
They really are ...ful. Awful, dreadful, woeful.....

Submitted by krob1000 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:59.
lol No, but they are playing awfully heartless, dreadfully gutless and woefully disinterested.

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:09.
Cheer up guys. They flat out stink right now. But there's always the chance they stop flat out stinking and get back to what was successful last year. But even if they don't, it actually happens more often than we admit to good teams. For example, a decent Anaheim team stumbled out of the gate and never really recovered. Montreal has racked up enough points, and benefits from the East being a bit easier than the West, that even with their recent stumbles they are in decent shape. As long as they stop the stinkage soon. :)

Y's picture
Submitted by Y on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:50.
I agree with JTs last word. If they don't care why should we? There's enough going on in people's lives, no need heap on more worry about some millionaire underachievers. Lowered expectations indeed. Mr. Roy might even witness a deja vu on Saturday night.

joeybarrie's picture
Submitted by joeybarrie on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:49.
The blame is to be put on the players. I do not see any desire. We need to hit more and be more aggressive. We lose the puck with weak play in our defensive zone, and the neutral zone. So frustrating, But we arent doing all that bad. A few wins and we will be right back in it...

Submitted by New on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:05.
Wasn't that what Saddam Hussein said?

Submitted by krob1000 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:46.
Don Cherry used to tell his Bruins to let Guy LAfleur skate around and not hit him.....for fear of waking him up. Until our guys get feisty again and some guys stick up for one another...guys like Kovy, Sergei, OB, etc this is going to continue. Last year there was a game against Boston and one against Ottawa where guys got involved physically, guys who don't normally drop the gloves dropped em. Kovy was involved in scrums, the fringe guys battled. We need a spark and we have the perfect set of games upcoming to get it. Ottawa and Boston, two huge rivals and both of whom we have real enemies on in Ruutu and Lucic. I would love to see us show some heart and have about four or five fights in one of these games. I don't care if we win them but these guys have to remember what it is to be a team again. You have to play for the guy beside you as well as the guy in the mirror. We need a unifying game that usually comes in an ugly all out war. That is my wish for this week.......screw the lines, the coach, the laziness, the pp, the pk the pms, screw it all. These guys need to play like a family...you f&*K with one you F*&k with all. That will get them working again. I don't care if we lose 9-0 and give up 8 powerplay goals......a loss is a loss but that 9-0 loss could be the turning point of the season. BGl seems to have given everyone the impression they no longer need to battle. We need some heart....ever noticed how well the Kosty's, Koivu, Kovy and Pleks play when they are pissed off? We need to get mad

Submitted by New on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:02.
By the same token we saw that in last years playoffs. Both Boston and Philly got aggressive. The Habs folded. I think the team is just confused. Guy Lafleur, I am told, was often a nervous wreck before games. Chain smoking, waiting. And somewhat prone to party hardy syndrome. But Guy Lafleur, as did so many Habs palyers of that time, could come up big. Lemaire, Robinson, Savard, Gainey. The Habs need a victory they can be proud of. Where everyone works with each other, it is hard earned, and deserved. Or a big change. But half these players have changed in the last two years (no not just gloves), they are young, and often playing the wrong (for them) side. Anyway they require motivation.

Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:13.
I really didn't see us fold as much as I saw Marty Biron play the best hockey of his career and RJ Umberger do his best October Brian Savage impression during the playoffs. I also thought we tried to change our game and stopped using our offensive approach and played with two scoring lines instead of three. In the physical games our speed led to more penalties against us and there was nothing as gratifying as suckering them into a dumb pnenalty and then scoring on the pp.

Submitted by New on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:27.
Well, whatever they did it didn't work in the playoffs and it isn't working now. If it is deliberate then one guy needs to go. If it is not deliberate then a couple guys need to go.

Cape Breton's picture
Submitted by Cape Breton on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:51.
That's exactly why a guy like Darren McCarty would fit in on this team: He has heart. Sign McCarty,Bob. Otherwise Lucic & co. are gonna run us right out of our own building.

Submitted by New on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:03.
I'm surprised it hasn't been already mentioned.

Submitted by krob1000 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:56.
I think Mccarty would just be a sixth man added to the fourth line rotation unofrtunately. We have the hearts, we proved it last year,these guys need to battle again. They are too comfy in their skin right now. Who knows maybe Carbo is trying to rip them apart and then build them up...I dunno but whatever is happening or should I say isn't happening is very frustrating. There were few games last year like the first 17 of this season. Last year I didn't mind losing because we lost hinestly.....losing without effort is infuriating. Something has happened in that locker room, maybe the pressure? the annointment of them as a contender? I don't know what bu tit has to change and fast.

TripleX's picture
Submitted by TripleX on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:43.
This team is not working out! BG cannot fire the whole team. It is too late to make any significant changes in the lineup. There is no ONE player in Hamilton that will make a difference now. REPLACE Carbo, he has lost the locker room and the players will not put out for him. Whatever the reason for this situation, the only answer must be to rid the team of Carbo. Like him or support him it is the only logical move to save the season. Will it work? I don't know, but the current situation will not be allowed to continue. A loss on Saturday would be a total disaster.

Moey's picture
Submitted by Moey on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:42.
My feelings on tonight's game, http://moeymusings.blogspot.com/

Will Longlade's picture
Submitted by Will Longlade on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:50.
That game should help clear up any misconceptions anyone had about the chemistry of two of the four lines. Here's my sober take: Lang with the Brothers K: This line combination has put AK46 back in the offensive mix. He's an underutilized weapon as Kovy's opposite winger. Pleks w/Higgins and Kosto: Pleks has been playing in a little bit of a fog that is only eclipsed by the fog Higgins is playing in. I really like both of these players, but their weak play of late is killing me. I wonder whether Higgins is still nursing his groin injury? Never saw him have such an off night defensively, his forte. Begin w/Dandy & Lats: Played w/lots of energy tonight, generated lots of chances but couldn't convert. By far the Hab's best line on the night, but Begin is still prone to the occasional braincramp (even though he got away w/one). May be in need of someone w/softer hands than Lats. Koivu w/Tanguay & Kovy: Too much talent leads to too many $100 passes. I agree w/Joel Bouchard. The Habs need to simplify their game. They also need to outskate, outshoot and outwork their opponents. Skill alone will win some games, but in the intensely competitive Eastern Conference it probably doesn't get you a berth in the playoffs.

Cape Breton's picture
Submitted by Cape Breton on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:40.
Why not? We need balls here. Someone to light a spark under these prima-donnas. The guy's won a Cup or two as well. Sign McCarty, Bob.

Submitted by Yeats on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:39.
You know, if Carbo would just focus on getting the third and fourth line combos working and the 5th and 6th d-men on track, we wouldn't be pissing away points like this. Yea, beautiful, f'n beautiful!!!

otisfxu's picture
Submitted by otisfxu on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:37.
This could get real ugly quick - Ottawa, then Boston after a 30-40 minute ceremony. This team is lacking direction right now and Carbo is out of his element. Lines are so screwed, time to go with same lines for awhile, good or bad. But I also think this line matchup stuff is crap anyways. This time next week these clowns could be out of a playoff spot. Man did we get sucked in with last year's performance!!! There is no go to guy - not one who you can count on game to game. Tough to watch.

Submitted by MNaslund26 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:37.
i am out. no more habs for me. they don't wanna give an effort. why should i? signing off with dismay, mnaslund26

Gary320's picture
Submitted by Gary320 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:42.
Because it's what being a sports fan is all about. Ive cheered for this team when the team was crap in the earler millenium. When people in MTL were getting ready to turn its back on this mediocore team.. I dont plan on getting off the bandwagon anytime soon either. Its about being a sports fan for any team.

Submitted by MNaslund26 on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 00:00.
but i'm not a sports fan. i'm a habs fan. and when its obvious they are not giving 100% in their fucking 100th season when all other teams including the leafs are pressing, it really um... grinds my gears.

t1tan5's picture
Submitted by t1tan5 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:40.
Never give up, man. Never.

rp25's picture
Submitted by rp25 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:39.
see ya next game?

Submitted by MNaslund26 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:41.
yeah maybe! just discouraged...

Cape Breton's picture
Submitted by Cape Breton on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:34.
Does anybody agree that Darren McCarty would be a decent signing right about now? Some life is needed here before she all goes to da dawgs. sign McCarty, Bob.

likehoy's picture
Submitted by likehoy on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:37.
mccarty can't fit in detroit..so he fits in montreal? we have kostopoulos, begin, BGL, lapierre who can do what mccarty does... i say we get antoine vermette or mike fisher...they're not as talented scorers as some of our top 9...but they work a hell lot harder.

Norm0770's picture
Submitted by Norm0770 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:37.
A guy who has player 13 games in the last 2 years and has 2 points and 22 PIM? What do you think he can do that someone in Montreal or Hamilton can't?

Submitted by jimbo on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:35.
No and it doesn't matter how many times you post it either.

Submitted by LatheDog on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:29.
I don't think Carbo is to blame but would it be wrong if Gainey were to join him behind the bench temporarily just to send the players a message? What am I going to do? I already bought tickets to the Wings/Habs game to be played in Detroit. I bought them a month ago when the Habs were on fire. I hope it doesn't backfire on me now. Please pray that I don't get humiliated at Joe Louis Arena. Thanks everybody!

Blitzen's picture
Submitted by Blitzen on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:33.
If Gainey steps behind the bench, Carbo won't be there. If he were, it would effectively cut his balls off. I think we're more likely to see Muller and Jarvis go. _____________________________________________________ Mad Pax...Beyond Powerdome

Submitted by New on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:35.
Ok, but could they still cut his balls off?

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:32.
I would not dress in a Habs jersey for that game.

RiverviewCanadien's picture
Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:29.
This site rocks, so many opinions, so many solutions. It's great reading all these posts from die hard fans, the passion for this team is amazing. One thing we ALL agree on is the feeling of losing, geesh this sucks!

Submitted by 1010 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:28.
There were stretches tonight where they would make four or five rushes and on every one of them would lose the puck because of indifference and a total lack of work effort. At least that's how it appeared. During one such sequence it led to the Canes first goal. A Kostitsyn turnover. They had chances to take a two goal lead and kept giving the puck back to the Canes. And they weren't being pressured into these turnovers. Do they really not care? Obviously, it's not the dog days of February so something is wrong. They should be flying out their with all the hype and excitement being generated in that town. They look like they don't give a damn! Gainey must be upset about what he's seeing. This team just doesn't have - it would appear- what it takes to go as far as they did last year. It's time to stop raising banners about the glorious past, that always seems to generate even less enthusiasm from this listless squad, and start kicking some ***. They look terrible! GO HABS.

Cape Breton's picture
Submitted by Cape Breton on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:27.
My apology, Koivu is not soft. He's the only euro that isn't. Sign McCarty, Bob.

LongIslandHabsFan's picture
Submitted by LongIslandHabsFan on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:24.
Can Carbo now admit that these new lines are not working? Koivu, Tanguay and Kovy: 3 guys that all like dipsy doodling with the puck - which one of them is battling it out in the slot to score on that line? Higgy, Pleks and Tom The Bomb? TOM THE BOMB??? Is Carbo trying to give Pleks a nervous breakdown by centering one guy that continually blows scoring chances (except for one night against Ottawa) and another that has a giant heart but no hands? Lang and the (no longer) flying Kostitsyns? Lang's not to blame for the fog these 2 are in. The ultimate insult was SK74 botching that game winning 3 on 2 and letting Samsonov (of all people!) score. Lats, Begin, unDandy: Begin and Dandy should be eating hot dogs and Lats should be back with Koivu and Tanguay (even if he wasn't scoring, they were). In a game like this, we needed BGL to beat some respect into Sutter and Ruttu for what they did (Lord knows nobody else would). What was so bad with the lines we were playing when we were winning? The team certainly had some issues, but not like this!!!

rp25's picture
Submitted by rp25 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:47.
sk tried to make a cute little 4 ft. pass to a player that wasn t in position to accept it!He should have blasted a 10 footer top shelf.. he s young and learning ..i hope..

twilighthours's picture
Submitted by twilighthours on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:33.
Nice post. I chuckled at the bit on Plex's line.

Blitzen's picture
Submitted by Blitzen on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:31.
Higgins came back is what happened and Carbo wanted to fit him in. The lines haven't worked real well since. _____________________________________________________ Mad Pax...Beyond Powerdome

LongIslandHabsFan's picture
Submitted by LongIslandHabsFan on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:39.
You're right, Higgins coming back has not been a benefit to line chemistry.

Taipei 101's picture
Submitted by Taipei 101 on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:22.
Wow. I'm honestly speechless. I guess I've been thinking that every team's been preparing for us by watching tape and figuring out what we do 5 on 5, power play, etc. Tonight was, outside of Carey Price, one of the most lacklustre performances I've seen in Habs jerseys since 1995...and that's saying alot. I'm not going to call out names...but there weren't too many bright spots in front of Price tonight. VEEEEEERY curious to see what transpires in the next 2 weeks here...3 games away and 3 home against Boston (revenge?), Ottawa (their revenge?) and Detroit (gulp!). Gut check time...or we could see some moves to the farm?

ButJohnnyLovesHockey's picture
Submitted by ButJohnnyLovesHockey on Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:21.
I'm not one to suggest "trade X trade Y fire Z" but how about... Higgins, 1st and Maxwell for Kovalchuk? Kovalchuk and Higgins are about the same age, one is about four times better than the other. Other (even crazier) option Get Lecavailer out of Tampa. I know I sound like a bozo but maybe he is discontended there, with the crappy team and worse ownership. Lecavs could be had in exchange for Higgins, Komisarek and O'Byrne.

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