( Photo credit: Bernard Brault, La Presse)
Habster:
I’ll let Big Brother and Rocket break down the Canadiens 2-1 loss to the Flyers as they are better at game reviews than myself. I do want to ponder and answer some questions about tonight’s game though in less details than BB and Rocky will…..here we go:
- The Canadiens were getting away with playing only 20-30 minutes of a game earlier in the season against inferior opponents. It’s starting to catch up with them now. They aren’t working hard enough and are giving up tons of neutral zone turnovers (insert Kovalev here).
- Is it me or does it seem like every other team has a better, harder working fourth line than the Habs? They get a jolt of energy from their fourth line while the Canadiens get players constantly moving in and out of the lineup.
- When Big Georges Laraque isn’t throwing punches, shouldn’t he at least be throwing more body checks? BG just seems to be floating out on the ice these days…..no rhythm or reason.
- Will the real AK-27 please stand up!!?? After watching the first 15 games of the 2008-09 season, I’m starting to believe the Alex Kovalev from the disastrous 2006-07 season has started to creep back into the “great” AK-27 from last season. Kovy is once again overhandling the puck, making far too many turnovers and looking more like a figure skater or Chubby Checker doing the twist than the great stickhandler we’ve come to appreciate. He needs to go south/north instead of east/west and get Plekanec and AK-46 more involved in the play……Don’t reach for the 2006-07 season light, Kovy…..don’t reach for it!!!!
- Does Guy Carbonneau really understand how to make in game adjustments? I sometimes think my All Habs co-collaborator, Rocket can be too hard on dear old Carbo, but with that being said, I have to agree with him when he says Carbo isn’t very good at making these adjustments during a game. How hard is it to break down a neutral zone/left wing lock system which most teams like the Flyers utilize. Maybe this team simply can’t play a dump and chase type of game or have forwards who are willing to help their defensemen with puck support and quick breakout speed needed to break a trap system.
- Do you think Pavel left too early? With Mike Komisarek potentially out of the Canadiens lineup for an extended period of time and no defenseman with a tough/physical edge to his game in the system ( please don’t say Shawn Belle, Chad Anderson, Dan Jancevski or Alex Henry), wouldn’t it have been interesting to see what Pavel Valentenko could have done if he was still in Hamilton. I’m not insinuating he would have replaced Komisarek, far from it, but he could have replaced Komy’s physical play on the third pairing instead a timid Brisebois.
Well this may be a first. 6 for 6. I’m 100% in agreement Habster! All are good points.
I watched the 4th lines of the two teams in Boston and wondered if Laraque could have scored Thornton’s goal. The answer came quick..not a chance! Both Philly and Boston are getting much more out of the 4th lines yet the Canadiens devote a larger than normal amount of their budget to their 4th liners. That’s why I would be happy to see what a few Bulldogs could do.
I too, wish that Valentenko had gotten the message that he was going to play a role with the Canadiens this season. The only team that Brisebois belongs with is the Cyclones.
Fourth line need three players. Laraque is NOT. Although, he got 4 hits tonight. They just didn't count much.
"Don't reach for the 2006-07 season light, Kovy…..don't reach for it!!!!"
I laughed so hard… you now officially owe me clean underwears.
"Maybe this team simply can't play a dump and chase type of game"
They can. They just think they don't have to.
And I agree that Pavel is missed right now. To put pressure on Brisebois AND O'Byrne (you guys have to hide this hard-on you have for the kid). We miss him, but it would have been good for his career if he could have showed he can do the job replacing Komo. In the end, f*%& him.
Oh and I'll ask another question: Isn't Halak lucky that on his little adventure around the goal it was Aaron Asham in front of the net? Outside of Laraque, I don't think anybody else on either team would have missed an opportunity like that
Hey Guys,
Wow!!! Rocket is in 100% agreement with me and I made Big Brother crap his underpants…….a good night’s work!!!
BB, I’ll be sending you a package of Hanes…….are you a boxer or briefs guy??!!……TMI!!!
Rocky, I totally agree with recalling Chipchura from the Bulldogs. I would even bring up D’Agostini and play him on the fourth line with Chipper and Lapierre, they have played together on the same line in Hamilton and were really good (I watched a few games on Sportnet last year).
Too many players are comfortable knowing they practical have a guranteed NHL roster spot. If the downward play continues the next few games, I think there needs to be some minor tinker done!!
Quite a laundry basket on the blog this weekend…socks and underwear. Gotta be honest though…it does creep me out a little when you two are sharing details about briefs!
Adding Chipchura and D’Agostini sends a message that 4th line players must work hard to crack the lineup.
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