SB Nation User Blog: Robert L

Halak, Bergeron and Plekanec Help Habs Pull Off Ridiculous Win

Robert L — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:41:27 -0000

Call the Canadiens 4-3 overtime win against the Thrashers in Atlanta, this: a game of extremities in a season of the same!

All told, it was close to 63 minutes of hockey to baffle every expert, one filled with connundrums to confound, a riddle bag of polar opposites and a bevy of ridiculous notions unfolding before your eyes.

The Thrashers provided the Habs' dominatrix on the evening, but failed to administer the full humiliation. The Canadiens seem intent to place themselves in a position to be bent, chained and whipped, but as shown before, they've either mastered a Houdini slipknot or own the keys to their own handcuffs.

A bunch of things, even at a prolonged glance, simply fail to add up. Just as this team is about to get written off as goners this season, it displays fortitude from the murkiest road trench. It gets shellacked, but the shell shocked goal stands tall. It plays an often small game, but its smurfs and midgets pull off a Gulliver-ish mutiny, turning the master into a slave.

As evidence, the Canadiens are out shot 50 to 23 and goalie Jaroslav Halak is, unbelievably not named one of the game's three stars. This game would have been over about 12 minutes in had it not been for his second stellar performance in as many games.

The Habs have surrendered 90 shots in the first two games of this seven game road trip and are 2-0. Halak has stopped 87 of those and continues to make a case that he's a number one goalie, somehwere if not in Montreal. If GM Gainey is seriously considering trading him, the 360 degree smile on his face threatens to separate the top of his head from his jaw these days. The longer he hangs in, the more Halak's value rises.

Halak's two biggest accomplices in this "wrestled from the jaws of defeat" win were pint sized hero Marc - Andre Bergeron and the genitally reassigned Tomas Plekanec (check this!), indeed a pair of valuable commodities that will cost the Canadiens more dinero next season.

Bergeron's nightly resume included no less than scoring the tying goal in the game's final minutes on a cannon blast and adding the OT winner after receiving a beaut of a pass from Plekanec, steamrolling Thrashers' goalies Anders Hedberg while skating backwards, deking the goalie with a backhand into an open right side.

Earlier in third, Bergeron earned a two minute minor for bowling over the same Hedberg, sweeping in from the corner to flatten the goalie without apology.

A Hab fan seated behind the Atlanta bench, was wearing Guillaume Latendresse's number, possibly as a reminder than Bergy has assumed his spot on the fourth line.

MAB makes $750,000 on a one year, and GM Gainey cannot receive enough credit for this shrewd signing.

Bergeron, who dresses as a forward won't be confused with Chris Pronger anytime soon, but don't look now, he's tied for the NHL lead (with Dallas' Stephane Robidas) for goals by a defenseman with 9 and he's tied for 18th in points with 19. He goes to the net with aplomb as a forward, but can't find fit on the Habs starting 6 D despite the fact that since Andrei Markov's return, the team is surrendering an average of 45 shots a game.

The Trois - Rivieres, Quebec native was an NHL afterthought one week into the season, as 30 clubs passed on his services. The diminutive rearguard is occasionally a defensive minefield, but has made Gainey look like a genius for heaving him off the scrap pile after Markov went down. Now it looks as though Montreal have revived the killer two pronged power play point proficiency of the Markov - Mark Streit duo of year's past.

Who would have thought?

Plekanec minus Kovalev equals superstar?

Tomas Plekanec is far and away the NHL Comeback Player of the Year. In his 38th game, he has now surpassed his 39 point total of last season. After posting a sub par 20 goals and 19 assists in 80 games, he now has 7 goals and a whopping 33 assists in 38 games.

Plekanec has always been an honest and dedicated player, but this type of turnaround requires great examination. As there is little new that Plekanec is truly showing - meaning we've seen this quality before from him, just not in this quantity - one has to wonder how and why it has all come to fore as he blossoms into quite the (expensive?) player. The most astute theory you'll hear is that he has had the burden of playing with Alex Kovalev removed from his nightly duty.

The Kladno native is now tied for second in the NHL in assists, something a Habs player can't likely lay claim to since the heyday of Elmer Lach. Lately Andrei Kostitsyn have benefitted as Mike Cammalleri is covered more closely in recent games. Plekanec prior to gelling with those two, was making any player on his trio look good.

Without the responsability of having to cater his game to Kovalev's weighty style, Plekanec has been freed to use all on ice elements like he rarely has be allowed in the past. It's a revelation to watch him bloom.

How about this for an extremity? The more pressing it becomes for Bob Gainey to resign the pending UFA, the less likely is Plekanec to be in a hurry. Just weeks ago, it looked like a $4.5M a year renumeration would make for a fine salary fit, but now Plekanec is obliterating arguments that he's worth a cool $6M.

Bob should approach such a negotiation like this:

"Tomas, how much? Sign here!"

Plekanec does it all for the Canadiens. He's a more than dependable front line center five on five with strong defensive habits and awarenesses. He's the pivotal draw man on a first PK unit that has gained gallons in credibility over the past month. He's been the shrewd and alusive centerman on the power play, with no recognizable stigmas for the opposition to stiffle him with. He's taking a beating, but keeps on ticking. As dangerous as he's become with the puck, he's not to be left unguarded without it.

The resume of his night's work against the Thrashers was akin to a platter of served hors d'oeuvres that all tasted uniquely different. His goal and three assists were offered as individual displays of all the things he's been doing so well across 38 games.

On his goal, he streaked to the net with Kostitsyn as a decoy, the second feed option far from the play. He craddled the pass a split second, aimed, and then zipped a wrister into the opposite top corner, catching Hedberg moving the other way. If you blinked, you missed him let up on dashing to the net, just as Cammalleri caught his gaze. It was a subtle but atuned example of one little detail in his game.

He did the grinder horse work on the Kostitsyn power play goal, fighting for the puck along the boards, never caughing it up while being shoved, hacked and handled by an Atlanta defenseman. He hung onto it no longer than he needed to, and just as he was about to draw more attention, he slipped a soft feed to Cammalleri in the corner, who fed pass to Kostitsyn at the crease. The Atlanta focus time on Plekanec was such that Andrei had time for two whacks in scoring the goal.

On the tying goal by Bergeron on the power play, Plekanec was set up in Kovalev's old playground off to the right side board. He was economical in three quick plays, first cultivating the puck as it skinned round the corner board. He then took a split second to place himself, never allowing the Atlanta coverage to settle still. As soon as a Thrasher moved toward him, Plekanec dished off to Bergeron at the point. Just as quick, he received the puck back from the blueline, passing a one - timer cross ice to Markov who fed Bergeron for the blast. On the clock, this took all of six seconds. Kovalev would have used up a minute to paint such artistry, but on Plekanec's canvas, the paint is stil wet.

The overtime winner four on four was a textbook demonstration of what players without the puck must do to create pressure and goals. First, Plekanec took off, flying into open space in mid ice for a feed from Josh Gorges. Receiving the pass, he strode over the red line into the Atlanta zone, twice dragging a skate and pausing briefly to scan the landscape. Stopping inside the blueline, he fed a blazing Bergeron with a pinpoint feed just as he hit the crease's edge. Curiously, had that play broken down, Plekanec had both Gorges and Cammalleri as additional trailers streaking in, with himself poised to handle the back check.

Not making the highlight reel, was a shorthanded breakaway by Plekanec that could have altered the game earlier on.

A similar short handed play with Markov leading on three on one rush died a quicker death when recipient Scott Gomez fired three feet wide without even allowing himself a better look at the netting available to him. Call it Gomez squeezing the stick and being unaccustomed to Markov's space and time creating feeds, but once the Thrashers had come back to retake the lead, this bungled play haunted as a possible turning point. For a team being dominated as such, it can't afford to waste precious scoring chances. The game would have been 3-1 at that point, and the short handed KO would have set the tone for the remainder of the game.

Two final notes on the extremities theme.

It's great to see Andrei K looking like the better of his old selves again, but in a single game he's still quite capable of alertness and fog. On the Thrashers first goal late in the opening period, there must have been a dense mist encompassing AK46 as he was caught in the muck and mire three times in a split second span. As the first forechecker on a clearing play, he simply glided towards center, applying little puck pressure. From there, a coasting semi circle followed, not a gear engaged as a second pass sped by him. He'd lost his wing by this point, committed too far left and inside the Canadiens zone. Realizing he'd blown coverage, he stopped, did a sweep check and turned to find his defenseman Ron Hainsey streaking in behind him in the position he'd vacated. Hainsey skated in deep, unharmed and uncompromized, to feed Kovalchuk at the crease.

Other than that miscue, there have been more confidence inspiring moments from Andrei. He seems to get that in the offensive zone, he has three mandates to fulfill: hit opponents who have the puck in his vicinity; make himself availaable for passes in open spaces, and follow shots briskly to the net. He's a PPG player when he zoned in, no better than a pylon when he's not.

We've seen it time again this season, how the Canadiens own the ability to use their speed assets and turn games on a dime. Does it not make you wonder why, in the team's approach, such strengths are not employed in forechecking the opposition to death in their own end. Wouldn't a "two men deep" philosophy allow players such as Maxim Lapierre and Max Pacioretty, just to name two, to gain more puck time deep in the right end. Plainly said, doesn't puck pressure lead to more puck possession?

Maybe they want to employ such tactics in their game, but the lack of a second strong scoring line kills any momentum, and the many penalties taken zaps the thrust from sustaining any prolonged, shift to shift attack. Perhaps solving these two sore spots would heighten the Canadien's overall standing, being that goaltending is better than good, the penalty kill is feared and power play has recently added a second cannon.

Cripes, does that constitute a statement of hope after all?

Extremities!

Game shots courtesy of Montreal Canadiens.com

Canadiens vs Thrashers boxscore

Bird Watchers Anonymous

Lions In Winter - Montreal Stars Complete Unlikely Comeback

HIO - About Last Night.....

Darche and Pouliot Star for Hamilton in OT Win Over Rochester

Robert L — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:38:13 -0000

The Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Rochester Americans 5-4 in overtime on Sunday night. Mathieu Darche recorded a hat trick and Benoit Pouliot contributed a goal and two assists to lead the Bulldogs to victory. With the win, the 'Dogs now rank first in the North Division.

Markov Return Sparks Habs

Robert L — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:12:36 -0000

Bring on the hyperbole, the rhetoric, the obvious and the outrageous claims.

Or, keep your feet firmly planted in reality, dim as it often can be.

Not sure if the glass if half full or half empty today, but there are still fears that it is made of disposable plastic.

Last night, the Canadiens ended a five game skid, shutting out the New York Islanders 3-0. The game was highlighted by the return of the Habs' best player.

Yes, it sure is hard not to get caught up in the excitement sparked by Andrei Markov's headline snatching return to play, but there are a few points to consider while floating up to cloud nine, eyes glazing with great expectations.

For starters, never use the New York Islanders as any type of measuring stick. Misleading isn't the word.

Markov's two goal contribution cannot be diminished, but it needs to be underlined that Canadiens' special teams and goaltending were factors one and two in this win.

With Markov added, the Habs PP, already pretty decent without him, just got a whole hell of a lot more fearsome. The PK has been rolling along at a freight train's rhythm for a good spell now. Jaroslav Halak offered up his spectacular, once every second game, standout performance.

But.....

Markov's return is supposed to help set the Canadiens defensemen's minutes and usage to a more appropriate tuning. Playing a little over 20 minutes, such was accomplished. He played a somewhat daring game at times.

The concern, and it's been a constant issue, is how come the Islanders get off 75 shot opportunities in a game where the Canadiens' player's responsibilities have gotten more defined?

That's 40 shots on goal, 24 blocked, and 11 misses - a whopping total not entirely explained by the Canadiens giving the Isles 6 PP chances.

Wouldn't you assume that with Markov back, even though it is the first game, that the Canadiens might just keep the Isles to maybe 30 shots? Was that too much to expect?

The bottom line I suppose, is that there will always be ugly wins, the two points in the standings in this type of season being what matters most for now.

Still, I'll take a bit more comfort in a game in which, say the Habs come up a minute short against New Jersey (or Pittsburgh!), than I can, for now, of a whitewash against the Islanders.

But.....

There is also some good news.

Oddly, Tomas Plekanec took three of the Canadiens' six penalties, depriving the PK of his valuable contibution, and they still made out just fine.

The number of Islander shots tend to tell the tale that the Canadiens didn't enjoy a great puck possession game, but the did do one thing very well when it counted most, which was winning faceoffs on the powerplay.

Get a load of this. For the night, Plekanec and Gomez were 64% and 65% victorious on draws. On the power play, the team as a whole was a wicked 86% on faceoffs in the offensive zone, with NYI only winning one of seven. If you break it down, this just might be where the game was won and lost.

Gomez, I'll admit, is finding subtle ways of impressing me of late. I've made it a point to study him more closely, ot simply concentrating on what he does with the puck in the offensive or neutral zones. I watched a solid performance by him against Jersey and against the Isles he was impeccably placed defensively for the majority of his "without the puck" responsibilities. I think that Sergei Kostitsyn can and will become a more valuable attribute to him once Brian Gionta replaces D' Agostini on that line. Sergei has a knack for puck possession deep, which in time, if kept intact, will manifest into passing options for Gomez and slotting time for Gionta.

Some numbers....

Most shifts taken by a player, both teams: Markov with 30, at a 0:40 second average, a total of 20:25.

Longest shift time average: Mark Streit at 1:08, closest was Kyle Okposo (silent K as Pierre Houde tells) at 0:59. Highest Habs, Georges Laraque and Marc - Andre Bergeron at 0:55 each.

Most giveaways: Not so good, Hal Gill (5) and Halak (4) counting for 9 of the Canadiens' 15 giveaways.

Most PP minutes: Streit with 7:17 for the Isles and Gomez with 3:35 for Montreal.

Most PK minutes: Gomez and Sergei with 5:32, Gorges with 4:57, Mara 4:42 and Markov 4:15.

Most shots on goal: For the Isles, Jack Hillen with 5, markov for the Habs with 4.

Can Habs' Markov Be Expected To Be The Team's Miracle Man ?

Robert L — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:41:38 -0000

Patience, if Habs' fans have any left, will be required, as Markov is returning to a lineup he is quite unfamiliar with. Discounting exhibition games this past autumn, Markov has played all of 40 minutes this season and there are seven or eight new elements on the team, as well as a new coach, that he has not had time to become accustomed to.

Markov's level of skill foresees that he should quickly become acquainted with Mike Cammalleri, who has essentially upgraded Alex Kovalev on the Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn duo. It is in that regard that a more immediate impact will be expected and felt.

On the power play, it wil be curious to see if he is employed with Marc - Andre Bergeron at his side, or whether he makes the latter's inclusion as a top 6 defenseman on the team somewhat redundant.

Bergeron could see action dressing as a seventh defenseman while getting PP time and work as a fourth line forward.

Coach Martin has stated that Markov could very well make his entrance with Ryan O' Byrne as a partner, a move that resembles his duties alongside the not so mobile Mike Komisarek. Time will dictate if that idea sticks but if such an experiment works, it allows the duo of Roman Hamrlik and Jaroslav Spacek to remain intact with reduced minutes and workload hopefully alleviating their burden. An unhappy sitter will be found in either of Hal Gill or Paul Mara as Josh Gorges remains a sure bet for the third pairing.

As is often the case with players returning from injury, adrenaline will play a part in what should be an exciting and interesting first few games for Markov. There will be setbacks and a slew of rough games, as he's jumping onto the train in mid season, at a time when scheduled games as brisk.

That Markov has his sights set on joining the Russian club for the 2010 Olympics as much as he is invigorated to rejoin the Habs can only be a good thing.

Let us hope that his return is not a moment too late.

It is often said of elite players that they make everyone on the ice with them better players. In the case of the Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov, returning tonight against the Islanders from a season long injury, is it too much to expect him to turn the Habs' season around?

A player of Markov's talent cannot help but have a certain impact, as his contribution in minutes spills from 5 on 5 play to the powerplay unit and to the penalty kill. Markov in top form plays upwards of 25 minutes per game, which alleviates a burden of responsibility from his defensive mates.

Once Markov returns to form, which should honestly taken a dozen games as the rest of the league is in mid season form, he should drastically improve the Canadiens' transition game as he has been known to do in the past.

It could be a case of too little too late, despite the fact that he is returning way ahead of schedule.

World Junior Championships To Be Covered At EOTP

Robert L — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:45:54 -0000

World Junior Championships To Be Covered At EOTP

Congratulations are in order to longtime EOTP reader Bruce Peter, a.k.a. Saskhab, who has landed a gig with Yahoo! Sports for their coverage of the 2010 World Junior Tournament in Saskatoon and Regina. A native of the region, Bruce knows his stuff, and he was quite surprised to be offered the opportunity. As he tells it, it was not one that he solicited in any way. It seems it all started with a recommendation from Greg at Puck Daddy, which surely never hurts.

Talk about a fun way to spend the holidays! Bruce will be filling reports on games and those updates will be linked to here starting on Christmas day.

After the WJC, Bruce will be added to the growing number of contributors to EOTP. Details on that to follow in due time.

In the meantime, you can take a glance at Team Canada's 22 man roster, including 6 returnees from last year's championship team, here.

Fifth Straight Habs Loss Colours 2009-10 Chemistry Experiment A Bust

Robert L — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:58:21 -0000

Many valiant heroes sometimes go down with a ship.

On the 2009-10 Canadiens, there have been consistent and considerable efforts from many elements, but the sum is weaker than the whole of its parts.

There have been great individual seasons and respectable showings so far. One only has to think of the resurgent Tomas Plekanec, the beaten to death but still kicking (until Jersey) Roman Hamrlik, the captivating Mike Cammalleri, the heroic, for a spell, Brian Gionta, and the often maligned and occasionally faultering backbone that is Carey Price.

Give a good grade to Travis Moen for his gutsy play.

A "nice to finally see ya" for Andrei Kostitsyn.

A positive nod to overused warrior Glen Metropolit.

Respect for the mostly consistent Jaroslav Spacek and the dependable Josh Gorges.

Max Pacioretty is a kid that is coming around at 20, slowly but sure.

When properly employed, Hal Gill's a good guy to have around.

Sergei Kostitsyn has his moments, competes but fails to complete.

Paul Mara has delivered what was expected of him in terms of toughness.

For the rest....

On this Canadiens team, there are plenty of good intentions to go around, but it all comes back down to the weak sum of the parts.

A crooked and twisted notion, is that these Habs strike no fear. They aren't difficult to play against, as was billed and hoped. They give it their all, but cannot win many individual battles. When they attempt aggressiveness, they spend the game parading to the penalty box. On the offensive, they buzz around like mosquitos without stingers, rarely drawing blood, nevermind fouls.

They are in sum a team that can't win the puck, that can't maintain possession of it , and cannot back down opponents.

In a word....screwed!

A hockey player is alot like a child. They are gonna be what they are gonna be. When it comes to habits, traits and tendencies, it is easier to change players than it is to change a player. The most depressing note on that, is that such a cleaning of house was what got this team here in the first place.

Wanting a passive player to be more aggressive's kinda like wanting a blonde to be a brunette. A shift ot two might offer a different colour, but the roots always grow back in.

I don't want to see this team blown up for a second year running. We tried that already and it has been a giant step sideways.

Scott Gomez, the first player added to the mix, has been everything cement is supposed to be.

Cammalleri and Gionta have balls bigger than the pucks they fire, but will never be the difference makers in the trenches.

Plekanec, surely the Habs most rounded player, is a containable asset when not surrounded by players with more killer instinct.

Andrei K, playing his best hockey while the team is all achors, is the poster boy for several other enigmas on the team.

Price, with the right kind of team in front of him, has all the attributes to win and win big. On this team, in this city, his best friend will be his psychologist.

These Canadiens may work very hard, but they work badly because they haven't the required skills, the physical composition, or the mindset to sustain the type of effort required to win more games than they lose. That, and no discernable leadership, does not help.

All the individual attributes of the players add up to one very ordinary team. One many fans couldn't get excited about from the get - go.

The game of hockey will always be one of unstoppable forces versus immovable objects. It's down to speed versus size, and too much of one without enough of the other doesn't cut it.

The top teams in the NHL are always prepared to suffer in order to win. Size, and perhaps the fear of further injuries, prevents these Canadiens from becoming a top team.

The most depressing notion is that they cannot shed their shin, just as a blonde cannot ever truly become the brunette they wished they were.

Remember that old "OFF" repellent commercial, where the dude sprays his arm with the chemical and inserts it into a plexiglass box and the insects lay off?

What constructive evidence of the 2009-10 Habs testifies that they can draw blood?

Remember Bob Gainey's playing card analogy of a few years back, something to do with a hand loaded with deuces and threes making it hard to bluff, or something along those lines?

In a hockey reality of aces and kings....oh just nevermind.

The mid season point is starring this club down with more dread than hope.

A seven game road trip, on the lip of a five game losing streak, hangs like a death knell over this season.

On the road against clubs this Canadiens edition could conceivably beat - Islanders, Thrashers, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Senators, Lightning and Panthers - the Habs must win at least 6 out of 7 or its all over folks.

The Canadiens have a combined home and away record of 7-5 against these foes so far this season.

I'd love to find a positive spin to offer on the next 14 days of this Canadiens' season, but I don't believe in miracles, voodoo, ghosts, kewpie dolls, spells, magical creams, Quebec virgins, luck, Zimmerman, the return of Markov, global warming, superstition, lotions, copper bracelets, pyramids, prayer, the power of positive thinking, faith healing or hypnotism.

And I'm a fuckin' optimist!

The 2009-10 Canadiens chemistry experiment has been a bust. Would you prefer that it is admitted now, or in three years time?

It's meat, my friends. Time to stick a fork in its butt and turn it over.

Robert L note: Sorry for not bothering to post a single pic or link with this post, but I felt this one needed to be delivered in plain old black and white.

Vintage 1934 Video Clip Of Howie Morenz

Robert L — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:36:12 -0000

All Habs' fans are well aware that Yvan "Roadrunner" Cournoyer and Guy "The Flower" Lafleur were lightning quick on skates. Fans aquainted with these and other Canadiens' greats have seen these legends fly across the ice numerous times and we all have our own favorite highlight reel goals from years gone by.

Unfortunately, video clips of the Canadiens first half century aren't aplenty. Indeed, video imagery of Rocket Richard is rare enough to behold.

So imagine my delight when a reader sent in a link to a You Tube clip featuring the great Howie Morenz dashing across the frozen surface of Madison Square Garden in 1934.

The clip is from the movie "Manhattan Melodrama" featuring Clark Cable, and in different scenes the characters in the movie are spotted in sporting settings such as a racetrack and at this game involving the Rangers and the Habs at MSG.

The two quick clips come within a 20 second span and are brief, but they capture the essense of the player Morenz was 10 years or so into his Canadiens' career.

The embedding of the clip has been disabled by request, so it cannot be posted in full here.

Then again, you're not here to check out Clark Cable's scenes, right?

The You Tube link is here, and you should scroll to about the 3:40 mark on the progress bar to see Morenz in action.

The first part of the clip shows Howie carrying the puck up the ice, dashing and muscling his way past the Rangers' players, when defenseman Ching Johnson almost flattens him and he goes for a good slide.

This, evidentally, is what had to be done to stop the Stratford Streak!

In the second part of the video, you see Morenz blazing back into the Canadien's zone on the forecheck. He surpasses pretty much every player in his path to catch the puck carrier, who he then neatly pokes the puck from.

Textbook backchecking and passion, from the best of the best from the era.

Historically speaking, the 1934 season was not the Canadiens nor Morenz' best, but as you can plainly see, the man had wheels.

I'm pretty thankful to have been sent the clip. It's precious stuff! I've seen Guy and Yvan, and now I can say that I've also briefly caught a glimpse of Howie.

Man was Morenz fast! A blur, really. I must have watched the clip a couple of dozen times already.

In order to facilitate the viewing, I filmed the clip off the comp screen with my camera and posted it. The quality is just a tad darker, but it helps to have this minus the movie scenes as it makes viewing more often a whole lot simpler.

Habs Bedevilled In Jersey

Robert L — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:31:57 -0000

I'm starting to think that it is pure fate. Each time the Canadiens put a little victory string together, tease us with some solid all around games, the bottom falls out. Losses rarely seem catastrophic, but are just dismal enough to slash through promise.

It's like the brain gets stuck between "they'll win the next one" and "what the hell can go wrong next?"

So the Canadiens last night, did the minimum number of good thing last night to be in a game for 58 minutes. In fairness, they were far from horrendous, quite honestly. But maybe it is just the way this season is meant to be, because with just a few minutes left on the clock, there was more of a sense of looming doom than there were prospects of overtime heroics.

Discipline again, ate away at good intentions early into the game. Four first period penalties - a bench minor and a delay of game call to Carey Price included - gave the Canadiens penalty killers ample icetime to flex their muscle.

Fortunately, this not only didn't knock the wind out of their sails in this game, it actually helped in providing a lead, as PK stud Travis Moen backhanded a softie past Martin Brodeur than could have been stopped by Terry Sawchuk's ashes. 99 times out of a 100, Brodeur makes that save.

After 20 minutes the shots are 8-7 Devils, the score 1-0 Montreal, and I'm counting horseshoes and rabbit ears. The Devils aren't on their game it seems and the Canadiens are playing hungry at times.

A win in Jersey, such as this one in Jersey in 2008, could really boost this team, but hell's pitchfork found a way to do the Habs in once again, coming in the form of the weirdest goal I've seen scored on a Canadiens goalie in ages.

Some fifth stringer Finn with too many "K's" and vowels in his surname beat Price over the head actually, with a shot whose trajectory couldn't be tracked by the goalie. It's my guess only that defenseman Marc - Andre Bergeron's stick helped the shot to flutter, as it wasn't obviously apparent why it turned into a knuckle ball. The shot came in at Price arms length over his head and Price went to trap it with his catching mit with his arm forming a 210 degree arc from left to right. In visual terms, his left hand looked to be behind the right side of his head when the puck bounced off, hit the corner cross bar, then the back of his leg, all the while Price having of idea of its whereabouts as his skate heel pushed it past the red line.

What damned luck!

A strange goal that remended me a bit that one playoff goal Brodeur surrendered that caromed in off his dropped stick and through his legs a few years back.

My first thoughts, other than crying, were of the goalie's mit I put on my hand a few weeks back at the Bell in the event of a Habs used equipement sale.

If you haven't had the chance, put a modern goalie glove on some day. I don't know how a goalie is supposed to catch a puck with such a bulky contraption. The things seem to weigh about 15 pounds and are more designed to protect the wrist, palm and backside of a hand than it is to catch a puck. The padding is chunky in places inside the mit itself, as if to ensure that a puck caught at high speeds is not dropped from a closed hand. But of course, the makers might not have created it with the intention of goalies catching bloopers behind their heads at weird angles.

The goal didn't sap the Habs, but it did give some momentum to Jersey with about four minutes left in the second period. Price had played well to that point and afterwards as well, but the Canadiens began being outmanned and outchanced.

The third period was all Devils, as they limited the Canadiens to three measley shots. With less than three minutes, Bergeron and his mates were caught up ice, giving Patrick Elias a clean path to Price, who made the first save but couldn't prevent the second as it was lifted over him as he sprawled.

The Canadiens may have lost Roman Hamrlik in the process, who injured himself in a fall as his feet were caught up in Price's pads.

A strong game, I felt, was played by Scott Gomez, who battled hard and more often in places that he's rarely seen doing so. It was a strong effort by him on a night when the Devils tossed a blanket over Tomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri.

In the end, it all feels so despairing, as the Canadiens, while hardly being able to do enough to win, did just enough to lose by the skin of their teeth. Against the Devils in Jersey, this could be encouraging, but I just can't find that type of hopeful notion so easily anymore.

About Last Night...

Lions In Winter

Canadiens vs Devils boxscore

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It's like the brain gets stuck between "they'll win the next one" and "what the hell can go wrong next?"

If Halak Could Be On The Move, It May Be Due To Cedrick Desjardins Continuing To Defy The Odds In Hamilton

Robert L — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:50:37 -0000

When Canadiens fans consider the top prospects in the organization the first thoughts usually center around pivot Louis Leblanc, who was cut today from the Team Canada junior camp. Other names crop up, such as defensemen P.K. Subban and Yannick weber as well as center Ben Maxwell, but a name often overlooked and seldom caught on the radar is goaltender Cedrick Desjardins, currently burning up the AHL statistically.

Desjardins is the subject of a column today by Mathias Brunet of La Presse, who reports that the Bulldogs stopper is on fire of late, having surrendered but one goal in his last four games.

Call it food for thought, but could this be why Jaroslav Halak trade rumours are heating up at the moment?

Consider the following: Desjardins' record is 8-4-1-4 with a 1.45 GAA. His save percentage is .944, second best in the AHL behind Dallas Stars prospect Brent Krahn. He recently came within minutes of topping a 1957 Johnny Bower AHL record for consecutive shutout minutes.

Those are the kind of numbers that turn heads in a league!

For Canadiens' fans unacquainted with Desjardins, it may be due to the fact that he was a somewhat unheralded free agent signing in 2006. After getting his start with the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL during the Sydney Crosby era, Desjardins moved on the Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts, winning the Memorial Cup in 2006.

He has come a long way from being drafted 200th overall by the Halifax Mooseheads of the Q in 2002. His first season in junior has hardly a success, winning only one of 23 games he appeared in.

By the 2004-05 season, he had moved on to Rimouski, earning the starters job. It was a season of growth playing alongside Crosby, and the Oceanic made it all the way to the Memorial Cup final, which they lost to the powerhouse London Knights 4-0.

At 20 years of age, and undrafted at the NHL level, Desjardins did not despair in his search for a professional contract. He signed on with Roy's Remparts as an overaged junior, and Quebec rode his hot hand all the way to the league championship, which was lost in six games to the Moncton Wildcats. As Moncton for the host team for the Memorial Cup that season, Desjardins and the Remparts, as finalists, were given a bye into the Canadian junior final round robin.

It was there that Desjardins truly made a lasting impression, as he guided the underdog Remparts to the Memorial Cup title. He was stellar under the gun in the final game as the Wildcats fired 48 shots in his direction, beating him only twice as Quebec cruised to a 6-2 upset.

Later that summer, Desjardins was invited to the Chicago Blackhawks training camp, but eventually signed a contract to play with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

With goalies Carey Price, Jaroslav Halak, Cristobal Huet and Yann Danis all ahead him on the Canadiens depth chart in goal, Desjardins was assigned to the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones in October of 2006. He was twice called to Hamilton first replacing Halak when he was called up to Montreal and a second time upon the trade of Huet to Washington.

In 2008, following the Bulldogs missing the playoffs, he was returned to the Cyclones just in time to lead them all the way to the Kelly Cup title in 2008.

Like he done in the Quebec league prior, Desjardins was once again named playoff MVP.

Last season, desjardins split time in Hamilton with veteran Marc Denis and has shared the load this season with Curtis Sanford.

A high point in his career in the Canadiens organization came at the Habs' camp in 2008, when he was put in goal for the third period of an exhibition game against the Detroit Red Wings. Desjardins allowed no goals in his 25 minutes of play including overtime, and promptly shut the door on the Wings snipers in the shootout in backstopping the Habs to the win.

The 24 year old from Edmunston, New Brunswick has made a career of defying the odds against him. From Brunet's La Presse article, current Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher had this this to say:

Everywhere Cedrick has played, he was tagged as the goalie who most assumed would not lead. He was the guy in nets by default or circumstance. With the Oceanic, he came into the team plans as a third string goalie but performed well enough to play regularly. In time, he became the starter, but we weren't sure of winning with him, so the team aquired a 20 year old to take the helm. Cedrick soon outperformed him as well. We won the President's Cup and made it to the Memorial Cup final that season. Crosby and Desjardins were incredible in those playoffs.

Boucher goes on to answer in theory why Desjardins had continuously flown under the radar.

As a goalie, he does not have an imposing presence about him, nor is he looked upon as having abundant natural abilities. But, he's a ferocious competitor. He's extraordinarily strong on second and third rebounds. He pulls rabbits out of his hat it seems. At any given time, when he looks beaten, he'll surprise and make the stop. It's not luck. He's extremely quick and very athletic.

Brunet goes on to say that Boucher and his assistants helped in refining Desjardins' technique.

In Rimouski, as an assistant coach, I was in charge of handling Desjardins' psychological approach in games. I've known him well for some time now and we have put in a lot of time together. We've worked on patience together. The biggest difference between junior and pro or the East Coast League is that the initial shot on goal becomes much more important. In junior, that first shot is easier to stop because it is not as hard. At the pro level, shots are fired without warning. Pro levels goalies who are having difficulties adjusting are the ones who have the most trouble with that first shot. What Cedrick had to learn was to concentrate singularly on that first shot instead of worrying abou the consequences of a rebound. He had a tendency to try and predict what he would be doing next rather than focusing on the first task. Now he more concentrated on the first chance and as aggressive on rebounds.

In talking of Desjardins and his season, Boucher would not yet term either he or Sanford as the team's number one goalie. Sanford has been equally strong, but his wife has recently given birth and Desjardins' performances have come during the veteran's lightened workload. The goalies had been alternating until recently, but as Desjardins gained the hot hand, Boucher felt it best to ride it out.

The coach was non-committal as per Desjardins short or longer term prospects with the Canadiens. That talk was not up for discussions as Boucher would not want such scenarios hampering his goalie's focus at the present time.

He must continue to focus uniquely on the next game and not about what comes along in two weeks time. Not on whether in six months he'll be the number one. In Hamilton, our goals are to help the players reach the NHL level and Cedrick has always taking things a step at a time. For now, his challenge is to demonstate the consistency required from being a number one AHL goalie.

Lack Of Discipline Costly As Canadiens Come Up Short Again

Robert L — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:00:35 -0000

The Canadiens penalty kill has been, well, killer of late.

Not sure of the exact numbers, but it's something like 2 goals scored against in the last 40 opportunities. They recently went 33 kills in a row without a goal surrendered.

While that is one awesome facet of team play, is there a downside?

Apart from pooping out the PK participants, could it be that the Habs' players faith in themselves and their proficiency when it comes to snuffing out foes man advantages be having the adverse effect of creating indiscipline on the ice.

It seems that in the last three contests, as the PK gains prominence, the team is taking more and more penalties.

It's the type of calls, careless fouls and outmanned deeds, that lead me to thinking that some players are losing sight of the bigger team picture.

The Canadiens are not a slow footed team, but they are getting into trouble because certain players are consistently being outworked.

Ryan O'Byrne and Glen Metropolit have been guilt of late, taking penalties on plays where scoring chances weren't in play. Each took three penalties against Buffalo last night. The Gomez slash was no brighter.

This team needs to realize that its margin of error is thin.

It's only thing to be looking ahead a little too soon to Andrei Markov's return thinking he's the season's savior. It's another to be all well and fine, dazzled by the performances of the Tomas Plekanec, Mike Cammalleri and (finally) Andrei Kostitsyn trio, but one line firing can't save the team's collective butt on a nightly basis.

Even goaltending, as great as it can be at times, won't carry the team.

Every single player's contribution on this team is needed, and it's often a case where what some player's don't do that is the difference maker.

It's all good to have a solid PK, stud goaltending, and offensive guns cocked, but if the smaller details aren't managed it all goes for waste.

Of 18 Canadiens losses so far, 11 have been by one goal. Reverse a couple of those results over a long season....

The bottom line is, the indiscipline is the effect and not the cause. Mike Boone nails it succinctly when inferring that the penalties are of the lazy variety. Holding, hooking and tripping calls are the result of being outworked.

And that's what this team needs to work on most, otherwise those awesome PK units will be in for a long hard ride.

If the tide doesn't turn, such a thing will wear a team down by mid season, negating the boost brought upon by Markov's return.

It ain't pretty.