Over the course of the next few days and weeks, we will have an opportunity to carefully review and disect the season that finished last night. For now, let’s have a quick look back at the Canadiens’ individual performances during 2009 playoff series with Boston.
Goals
Only four Habs scored in the Boston series.
Two goals each from Higgins and Kovalev.
Weber and Andrei Kostitsyn each had one goal.
Points
Top five scorers (in order): Kovalev, Koivu, Higgins, Metropolit, Weber
(zero points from Lapierre, Latendresse and Plekanec)
Special teams
Canadiens ranked last in the NHL playoffs in both special teams categories.
No power play goals.
(3/5 of first unit was injured: Markov, Schneider, Tanguay)
Only 75% penalty killing efficiency.
Faceoffs
Winning percentage:
Plekanec 66.7%
Koivu 51.5 %
Lapierre 46.0%
Metropolis 40.0%
Penalties
Laraque had four minutes in penalties (no fights)
(Lapierre and Latendresse led the forwards in PIM)
Performed at or above expectations
Higgins, Kovalev, Koivu, Metropolit, Weber, Dandenault, Komisarek, O’Byrne, Price
Performed below expectations
Lapierre, Latendresse, Kostopoulos, Plekanec, Hamrlik, Gorges
I feel really bad the Habs didn’t win I really was hoping they would bring home the cup. Maybe next year they Sens or the Habs can do it. What is even worse is their own fans let them down and treated them with no respect at all. What ashame I’d am finanually straped tight for cash and I’d love to have a chance to go see a hockey game regardless of my team losing. It is very sad fans need to learn to appreciate what they have in a team. Incouragement would have helped your team and a few caring words.
I didn’t watch all of the series by any means, but what I saw, Lapierre was one of the best players on the ice. Metropolit did absolutely nothing. He is a complete waste of space and they have to pay him $1 million next season. I realize the “performance” section is completely subjective.
To me the only players that performed at an acceptable level were Kovalev, Koivu, Metropolit, Higgins and Weber. I can’t give anyone else a passing grade.
I can’t give Price a pass with his .878 save percentage. In saying that, he’s NOT the reason the Canadiens were swept. But at some point you’ve got to expect your goaltender to steal a game for you. Brodeur made 44 saves for a shutout last night, Ward has been brilliant in his team’s wins, Biron stole a game to keep the Flyers alive, and 20 year old Simeon Varlamov has been terrific for the Capitals since replacing the lousy Jose Theodore.
Yes, Price received little help and was victim of some god-awful turnovers, but still, your goalie needs to rise above that in the playoffs and lead the charge.
In my mind, the 2nd line was unforgiveably bad. Plekanec (or “little red riding hood” as I have now heard him referred to) was a complete and utter failure. He has some serious soul searching to do.
The 3rd line of Lapierre/Latendresse/Kostopoulos enjoyed some success as the season drew to a close, but were relatively ineffective in the series. They had some good shifts and played hard, but in the end contributed next to nothing.
Bob, or the next GM should make it a priority to build a tougher (especially mentally!) team with character and discipline. I think that’s the top gap on this team. Get guys who care. Wins will follow!
Certainly, if toughness, character, and willingness to compete, are your priorities, Lapierre has to be near the top of the list. He was skating, checking, and sticking his nose into the fray as much as anyone. He has passable puck skills for a third liner as well, and at 23 still has some upside. But Metropolit, Kostopoulos, Laraque, Hamrlik? Those guys are ineffectual as it is, and all are into their mid 30s. The team is stuck with Hamrlik and Laraque for a couple more seasons as well. Brutal managerial/pro scouting decisions.
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