Canadiens vs Rangers: Excuses are for the Weak

Montreal 3 New York Rangers 6 (Madison Square Garden)

MONTREAL, QC.– New York Rangers coach John Tortorella is as subtle as a battleship. With nine regulars out of the Canadiens line-up, it was slim pickings for Jacques Martin as the Canadiens sent out its current ‘top’ unit to start the game — Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta and Travis Moen. Tortorella countered with the Brian Boyle line, albeit one important change.

Boyle normally centers Marian Gaborik on the right side and Ruslan Fedotenko on the left. Tortorella held back Gaborik and replaced him with Brandon Prust who lined up on his off wing next to Moen. Sean Avery (who was a scratch) leads the Rangers in penalty minutes but Prust is a close second.

After some yapping prior to the opening faceoff, Prust and Moen fought just one second into the game. While Moen held his own, Prust had delivered the message of intimidation that his coach had intended. One tick off the clock and it was already Tortorella 1 Martin 0 — with an assist to the NHL.

Why the NHL? Do you remember the staged fight rule?

“If two or more players should enter into a fight, prior to, or at the drop of the puck at the commencement of any period of a game, then such player(s) shall be assessed an automatic game misconduct in addition to any penalties assessed, the Member Team shall be fined $500.00 and the player(s) suspended for one (1) game.”

Sounds like an effective deterrent to the nonsense we witnessed at the beginning of this game, doesn’t it?

Well, the above rule is from the Ontario Hockey League — the Western Hockey League has a similar rule. The NHL tried to curb staged fights in 2008 but a proposal from the GM’s never got past the Competition Committee. One of the biggest opponents of the NHL rule was Georges Laraque — who rarely fought without exchanging engraved invitations — and who is still on the Canadiens payroll (and next year too).

The message was sent to the Habs and the tone of the game set. The Rangers were executing Tortorella’s game plan to perfection.

Meanwhile, this was overheard on the Canadiens bench: “Coach, let me get this straight. I understand the part where we are supposed to sit back and read the play. It’s the react part that seems to be a problem. Before I can react, I’m peeling myself off the boards.”

New York’s aggressive forechecking was resulting in Habs giveaways and botched defensive coverage. Toss in some crease-crashing by the Blueshirts and it was quickly 3-1 for the home side. It was an ideal time for a timeout to settle down the troops — unless you’re coach Martin.

Even the captain thought it would have been a good time for the Canadiens to regain their composure. “I thought we lost focus after the third goal. If we had been able to get out of the first period trailing 3-1, I think we would have gotten better,” said Gionta.

Carey Price was abandoned by his teammates and was under siege in the Canadiens net. Following the Rangers third goal it only took 1:07 to add two more. Marian Gaborik took advantage of a David Desharnais turnover followed by a fatigued Roman Hamrlik making a bad pinch to setup a 3-on-1 and the fifth New York goal.

While some thought coach Martin should have started Alex Auld, it wouldn’t have made any difference. Goaltending was not the issue. Auld stopped all but one of 19 shots but by then the Rangers were on cruise control.

The Habs made it interesting with goals early in each of periods two and three. Their never-say-die attitude is to be admired — but there would be no comeback on this night.

Sure, it was the Canadiens third game in four nights. And yes, the lineup’s bottom-six was made up of AHL-caliber players. But there are no try-ers badges in the NHL nor do teams get an asterisk beside losses sustained with regulars in sick bay.

Montreal has ten games left in the regular season. Each point is precious. And as Detroit’s Mike Babcock is fond of saying, “You have to make the best of the hand you’re dealt.”

Coach Martin would be wise to take a lesson.

Plus/Minus

►  Lars Eller had the co-lead in hits with four and was the Habs best in the faceoff circle. But he also took two minor penalties.

►  Fans might have expected Nigel Dawes and Ryan White to make an impact in a physical game. Both were very quiet and had limited ice time.

▼  Mike Cammalleri may be dealing with injuries but his struggles are a drag on current linemates Eller and Andrei Kostitsyn.

▼  It was a tough game for David Desharnais. While he picked up an assist, he was on the ice for three first-period goals by the Rangers committing costly turnovers.

All Habs game stars

1. Brian Gionta
2. James Wisniewski
3. P.K. Subban

Roster notes

Hal Gill was suffering from the flu. Tomas Plekanec, Jeff Halpern, Brent Sopel, Max Pacioretty, Mathieu Darche and Jaroslav Spacek were out with injuries. Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges are out for the season with a knee injuries.

(photo by Getty)