Habs Close Out 3-point Weekend with Win over Rangers
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 15, 2012 10:36 PM EST
in Habs Game Recaps
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PrintJust a quick recap on a Sunday evening. After losing a game they probably should have won Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, the Canadiens came up with a big 4-1 win over the New York Rangers.
The Canadiens did what was needed tonight.
1. They got on the scoreboard early, and never looked back.
2. They played smart with only one minor penalty.
3. They proved they can work as a team and beat one of the better teams in the conference.
Still hope for the playoffs?
The Habs Two and a Half Men line were the key players tonight, with all three linemates factoring in on three of Montreal's goals.
Max Pacioretty sandwiched a pair of first period goals around John Mitchell's lone marker for the Rangers. David Desharnais had helpers on both tallies, and added the fourth Canadiens goal n the second period. Erik Cole did the dirty work, picking up an assist on all three goals.
Mike Blunden scored the Habs third marker, set up by Scott Gomez, who is proving that his presence on the ice is a major plus for the team, even if he's not in the goal column. take a look at his Corsi numbers for the last two games to back that up.
Newcomer Rene Bourque did not factor in the scoring, but laid out four hits in 20:59 of ice time. His first hit on Carl Hagelin has raised a few eyebrows as a possibly dirty hit. Here it is, so you play Shanny.
Peter Budaj picked up his second win of the season, in a hard earned 28 save performance.
To fuel that always boiling pot of controversy in Montreal, there were reports that Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban was seen spitting in the direction of Michael Del Zotto. Subban denied it, and Del Zotto was unaware of the incident. Let's move on.
The Canadiens are back in action Wednesday, when they host the Washington Capitals. Travis Moen and Tomas Plekanec both suffered minor injuries, but are expected to be ready Wednesday.
Three Stars: 1. Max Pacioretty 2. David Desharnais 3. Erik Cole
Advanced stats: Shift Charts / Head to Head / Corsi and Fenwick
Losing reaction from Blueshirt Banter
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What the heck happened to Pleks?
His possession numbers are kinda wonky: -8 Fenwick despite going 10/13 on the dot (6/8 in D. Zone, 2/2 O. Zone).
Cunneyworth
Says he loved Bourque’s two way play tonight… He got outchanced 8-4 overall. How exactly is that great two way play? What is he smoking?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 15, 2012 11:55 PM EST reply actions
See, he took a lot of good hard shots, so that’s offense. And he took a lot of good hard hits, so that’s defense.
This coaching is hurting my brain.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 16, 2012 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
He was a collateral victim of those two death shifts with Pleks. I certainly didn’t found his defensive zone play spectacular but he seems decently versatile. I also like his rushing speed, this is always nice to see.
But I really disliked that check in the first frame. Hagelin probably saw him and dodged, but going like that after a guy who has his head down… And he’s already at the 5 games threshold…
Hrm.
The check was pretty clear head hunting. I’m not sure why he went for it considering another suspension could be a 15 gamer for him.
He had a couple nice bursts of speed but I didn’t see anything that makes me think he’ll be able to make that trade a good one.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 16, 2012 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
Am I reading the shift charts wrong or did Cunneuworth send Eller back against the Gaborik line in the thrid after the second period benching. That’s just stupid.
About Bourque, I read somewhere that he used to be a tough minutes player about 2-3 years ago, don’t know what happened since then.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 16, 2012 12:33 AM EST reply actions
Even tough I spend most of my time grousing about the man, I am absolutely willing to admit he has an idea of what needs to be done, a plan he acts by and that these are sound and constructive, the very demonstration he is a very good coach.
It’s just that right now I don’t see it. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to Martin’s way.
As for sending Eller back against Gabo… Well, once Pleks was out, it was either Eller, Gomez or DD.
Boucher anyone?
Seriously- did you read Guy’s thoughts after TB’s loss; he’s one frustrated cat right now. TB is is a tailspin. MTL should be doing some dealing with TB: nab LeCavalier for Gomez and Emelin and take Boucher in the summer.
People think Gomez`s contract is bad, but Lecavalier’s is even worse. I wouldn’t trade Gomez for Vinny straight up.
Not alot of sane people would want to but I sure wouldn’t add Emelin to that deal.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 16, 2012 12:55 AM EST up reply actions
I like Emelin too, but I think you’d have to give up a cost-controlled d-man in order for TB to accept Scotty for Vinny. Both of their contracts are bad; but there’s a better chance Vinny plays up to his contract than Scotty. LeCav with 2 of Cole, Bourque, MaxPac and Kostitsyn on his wings would be a mighty fine line. I think TB just might do this deal
There’s not a chance in hell Vinny plays up to his contract in 3, 5, or 7 years. Scott comes off the books in two.
Again, I wouldn’t trade Gomez for Lecavalier straight up.
We need to give up the Lecavalier in Montreal ideas.
Boucher in Montreal, now that is another story.
If you want 30 tweets a day, don't follow me. @ChrisBoyle33
by Chris Boyle on Jan 16, 2012 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
Give 'em a chance -
Playing Gomez with 2 gritty wingers who crash the net and play the body might let Gomez play up to his potential on a solid 3rd line … PG is taking heat and has been erratic, no doubt, but if the Habs end up being a team that’s much harder to play against and Bourque scores 25 goals (vs the 25 we were expecting from Cammy) at half the cost … I’m willing to take a “wait and see” approach.
Speaking of Gomez, with the assist tonight he jumps up to 1.68 points per 60 minutes even strength. It’s not inconceivable that he could close out the season with a top-sixer’s point producing rate.
Writer for http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/
It’s not inconceivable at all, because he has played relatively little, but it would help if the guys around him were more competent scorers.
He’s also handily leading the club in first-assist rate.
It will be interesting over the next 10 games to see if there is a significant possession rate increase with Gomez in the lineup.
Where would this season be had the Habs not fired Martin? I have to believe they would still be within a realistic playoff position.
If you want 30 tweets a day, don't follow me. @ChrisBoyle33
That they fell in the standings and by most reasonable measures of play as if there was a trap door beneath them is a pretty convincing argument.
Writer for http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/
by Stephan Cooper on Jan 16, 2012 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
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