by Chantal, AllHabs.net
MONTREAL, QC — The Montreal Canadiens have hit the road. In the next few days, they will face the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. They will do so without Max Pacioretty, who was handed a three game suspension on Monday. Here’s what you need to know about the Habs’ next opponents, with the help of my friend Dennis Bernstein. Dennis is Senior Writer for The Fourth Period, Executive Producer for The Fourth Period LIVE on Sirius/XM Radio NHL Home Ice and member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks currently sit 29th in the league with a record of 6-13-4. They are winless in their last seven games, have only one win in their last 14, and two wins in their last 18 games played. They’ve had a tough start to the season, and here are some of the reasons why:
Dennis: “The players are tired of Randy Carlyle daily yelling. Ryan Getzlaf is mysteriously in a season-long funk as he’s not injured. Jason Blake, although not a big point producer, is sorely missed on the Ducks 2nd line as his speed and chemistry with Koivu and Selanne made them dangerous. This is a subpar defensive team even with the presently injured Lubomir Visnovsky on ice and if a trade that is begging to be made is done, it has to be one of their top end players for a stopper on defense. Jonas Hiller got paid and hasn’t performed to a level of a $4.5 million goaltender. Other than that, everything is Ducky.”
Although they have been struggling, there are a few players Habs need to be aware of on the ice.
“Corey Perry is still a closer in front of the net; not likely he’s getting 50 goals again but put him down for 35-40. Teemu Selanne is amazing, leading scorer at 41 years old and while the Ducks are bad, this future Hall of Famer hasn’t lost a step and is a pleasure to watch, even as against your team.”
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are ranked 10th in the league with 27 points, 7th in the Western Conference. They score an average of 2.76 goals per game, 12th in the league. Their power play ranks them top five in the NHL, and is especially efficient at home where they have scored 10 goals in 42 power-play opportunities.
“Expect a lot of Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, all dangerous dudes with Pavelski arguably their MVP. Thornton will set up shop a la Gretzky behind the net and Marleau hasn’t lost anything off his shot. Brent Burns finally gave Dan Boyle a legitimate running mate on the blue line and they will eat up close to 75 percent of power-play time.”
This might be a good challenge for Habs, who will have to remain disciplined, but also for San Jose as Habs penalty-kill on the road is at 96.2 per cent.
What to look for in this matchup:
“Speed, speed and more speed defines this school of Sharks. Marleau hasn’t lost a step, Logan Couture has shrugged off the dreaded sophomore jinx and Anti Niemi will match Carey Price save for save in a season that could result in a Vezina nomination. Todd McLellan is an excellent coach, his team doesn’t turn over the puck and doesn’t beat themselves.”
Los Angeles Kings
This is a meeting I’m looking forward to. Kings have a record of 12-8-4, are ranked 6th in the Western conference, and have gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. Head Coach Terry Murray has been suffering from a case of Jacques Martindinitis recently and has been shuffling his lines a lot.
“It’s stunning to see a team that basically refuses to shoot. The team’s mentality is to make the perfect play, overpassing is in vogue. Murray’s been free giving opportunities to all 12 forwards to jump up to top six but few are producing. He’s given little choice but to do all this shuffling given their performance 5-on-5.”
Kings have recently called up centerman Andrei Loktionov and defenseman Slava Voynov because of injuries. Loktionov might be sent back down before Habs make their way to Staples Center if Dustin Penner reinserts the lineup.
“Voynov is clearly the better of the two, certainly an NHL defenseman at the age of 21. He has not produced the same impact after his second recall two weeks ago. Loktionov is lost playing on LW, his natural position is C and despite speed and skill, he hasn’t demonstrated goal scoring ability in the big show. Could be a chip dangled in a trade for a big scorer Kings still need.”
While we all know Anze Kopitar can be a dominant player, Habs need to keep an eye on someone else out there..someone they know fairly well.
“Yes, Anze Kopitar is their best player but Mike Richards has shown why he’s the best move of the Dean Lombardi era. He’s been brilliant in the past few weeks. When the team needed scoring, he went on a goal scoring tear. This is a winning player and he will do whatever it takes to do so. He has done it in all three facets of the game: even strength, power play and penalty kill. Jonathan Quick is lining up for a big extension with his play, and the Kings recent mediocre play has little to do with his performance between the pipes.”
If you don’t usually stay up for late night games, these three will be worth it. Don’t pass on the chance to see former Habs captain Saku Koivu, soak up the ambiance of the Shark Tank, and watch my favorite western conference hockey team, the LA Kings. While everyone expects physical matchups out west, the speed may surprise you.
While Scott Gomez stayed home, Chris Campoli and Andrei Markov have made the trip. Chris is skating but hasn’t been cleared for contact. As for Markov, he is expected back in the lineup on Wednesday, although Jacques Martin refused to confirm this morning.
Maybe the boys can bring us back a little California sunshine? And a few points too.
You can follow Dennis on twitter @DennisTFP and read him at TheFourthPeriod.com
Hope Leblanc gets some icetime and does well.
If Markov is playing he should do well in first game or 2 back, before fading for a week or 2 and then up to speed.
If dressed, I believe Leblanc will have limited ice time.
As for Markov, I agree. Fans will need to be patient with him.
Thanks for commenting Don.
Leblanc will look good. He is the type who wants to shine on a big stage and can pull it together for short periods of time. It’s unfortunate that the Habs brass haven’t learned from the Latendresse debacle — in another organization Leblanc wouldn’t be getting a callup until he had learned and proved more at the AHL level — maybe 15 months from now. In addition, more deserving players sit in Hamilton.
Who would you have called up first ?
It was my understanding Leblanc was first called up as a precautionary measure only to find out today St.Denis is playing as a forward and Palushaj sits.
Facepalm.
This road trip is very important for the Habs. Going to the West coast is never easy, but it’s a good way for the team to really come together.
As for LeBlanc, I’m still not convinced that he will be anything more then a 3rd line player. He’s still small in size and needs to bulk up a little. He does have great hands, but I really do have my doubts.
Great preview Chantal.
Hi Serge.
I agree about Leblanc. I’ve heard the same from a lot of people. Maybe expectations of him being a first line guy because he’s a first round pick need to be reviewed.
I do think he will become a very efficient, intense player. I am however a little disappointed they are making him play wing in Hamilton. What else is new, eh ?
Thanks for the comment, always appreciated!
I agree Serge. Leblanc proponents falsely describe him as a potential first line power forward. He doesn’t have the size nor the skating ability to fulfil that role. A third line winger is much more probable.
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