Habster:

How does an NHL team give up a 4-1 lead with only 7:34 remaining in the game? ANSWER: BAD GOALTENDING, WAY TOO MANY GIVEAWAYS AND A TEAM THAT DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO PLAY WITH A LEAD!!!!!

The Canadiens are a struggling team right now without focus and clueless when it comes to protecting a lead. They need to change their approach when they have a lead especially a three goal lead, they shouldn’t be playing the game to shut down their opposition but rather to make their opponents shut them down….have a “pedal to the metal” mentality.

Unfortunately, the Canadiens have not been able to win the puck possession battles the last 5-6 games which is the only way a team can pressure the other team in their zone……if you don’t have the puck, you can’t produce offense, simply put!!!! It’s not rocket science, folks!!!

The Nashville Predators never let up on the pressure and dominated in the puck possession game. They outshot the Habs 44-26 with a 19-5 margin in the third period which is unacceptable when you’re ahead 3-0 going into the third period.

Let’s be honest, some Canadiens fans will tell you that Nashville robbed the Canadiens of a victory and were luck to win but I’m one Habs fan who disagrees. The Habs were lucky to leave the first period with a 2-0 lead after scoring two weak goals against Mason while the Predators were getting the better scoring chances with numerous breakaways (two in the first period lone), 3 on 1 and 2 on 1 opportunities. Nashville could have easily been leading the game at that point if it wasn’t for Huet playing well in the first period and Mason not.

There is no crutch to lean on at this point in the season for the Canadiens poor play of late……no flu virus, no major injury problems and no poor goaltending (until last night’s third period!!!). The players have to look in the mirror and realize they need to maximize their effort level, playing hard every shift……simply put: NO PASSENGERS!!!!

If their effort level doesn’t pick up against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday then it won’t be a pretty sight, Hab fans,….. it might even get downright ugly.

Game Points:

• Don’t you wish NHL goaltenders were like baseball relief pitchers and could be pulled/changed before a shootout began. I know it’s possible to do (Bob Hartley did it with Kari Lehtonen in Atlanta a couple of years ago) but it’s really unfair to both goalies especially the relieving goalie who would be cold and somewhat unprepared for the situation……but wasn’t there a part of you wishing Carbonneau would yank Cristobal Huet and put Carey Price in his place for the shootoout. I think Huet has had a good season overall but was weak on the third and fourth goals last night. He is also not very good in shootouts and once again looked weak on both shots by Bonk and Radulov. NHL shooters are very aware to wait until Huet drops early and then find the “five hole” or go high with the shot.
• I’m starting to think Bob Gainey has to make 1-2 call-ups from Hamilton to shake things up a bit. If shuffling the line combinations didn’t work then maybe having Maxim Lapierre, Sergei Kostitsyn or Ryan O’Bryne with the team will make players be more cognitive about working harder every game.
• What I’ve been noticing the last few games is that quite a few teams are taking away the cross ice pass on the powerplay. Some of these passes have been intercepted, giving the other team some PK scoring chances.
• Patrice Brisebois has played better than anyone expected so far this season but with that being said, there are more trademark “Breezeby” moments occurring each game. He has made some bad decisions with the puck on giveaways and has also made some bad pinches at the point the last two games which led to 3-4 odd man rushes for the opposition. Brisebois played 21:26 which is too much for a 36 year old defenseman who had back problems and surgery. I also don’t think Josh Gorges is the solution as he loses a lot of battles for pucks along the boards…..welcome to Montreal, Ryan O’Bryne!!!!
• The Plekanec/Kovalev/Higgins line played a solid first period with 5 points and were +4 on the night but were less noticeable the remaining two periods. I was also impressed with the work of Saku Koivu and Mark Streit on the 1st/2nd/3rd????? line(s). They worked hard the entire night and displayed a lot of speed especially Streit (though he was a -2 on the night) who had numerous scoring chances.
• There was nothing “special” about the special team units who had a bad game allowing three goals: 1 short handed goal allowed, 2 powerplay goals allowed on only 3 PP chances while going 0/5 on their own powerplay opportunities……not a good night’s work!!!
• Is there a more selfish player on the Canadiens than Michael Ryder when he has the puck on his stick? I think not……..I understand he wants to score goals and start producing but there were better scoring chances for his linemates had he passed the puck to them instead of shooting when there was a low percentage shot.
• The Canadiens did score four even strength goals which is one of the few encouraging things to come out of this game.
• The Chipchura/Latendresse duo had solid games and combined for 4 points. The biggest difference in Latendresse’s game the last three games is that he is going to the net with authority and using his size along the boards or near the net. Wouldn’t Maxim Lapierre or even Sergei Kostitsyn look a lot better on that line than Mathieu Dandenault?
• Brain Fart moment of the game (part 1): Smolinski taking a stupid hooking penalty from behind the Predators net ( a mere 150 feet from the Habs net area).
• Brain Fart moment of the game (part 2): HUET WILL YOU STAY IN YOUR %&$#* NET……OH WHAT THE HELL……FUCKING NET!!!!! STOP TRYING TO BE A CAREY PRICE WANNA BE!!!!! The Jed Ortmeyer shorthanded goal when Huet misplayed the puck and was out of the net certainly gave Nashville the energy they needed……my turning point in the game!!!!
• Can you say “defensive breakdowns”: I counted 5 breakaways, 3 goal posts, at least 5 or 6 odd man rushes for Nashville. If it wasn’t for Huet playing well in the first two periods, it could have been a blow out for the Predators.