Game Thread: Habs Face Yet Another Tough Test Against Washington
by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 5:01 PM EST
in Habs Game Threads
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PrintWashington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens, Jan 18, 2012 7:30 PM EST
The oddities of the NHL's schedule know no bounds as the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals face off for just the first time this season.
With the Caps comes the return former Habs Roman Hamrlik and Jeff Halpern, who both must be thinking they got out at the right time.
The Capitals are coming off of a game last night, but don't expect them to be very tired as they laid down and took it from the New York Islanders last night, getting shut out 3-0 and managing just 17 shots on net. Perhaps they were attempting the Canadiens' 2010 playoff strategy.
The Habs on the other hand are coming off of a solid win over the top team in the Eastern Conference (by record only) after the Desharnais line along with Gomez and Peter Budaj lead them to a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers.
The Habs have only managed back-to-back wins once under Randy Cunneyworth, but the team improves mightily with Gomez in the lineup, even if he's wasted a little bit on the fourth line.
Last season the Capitals went 3-0-1 against the Habs, the only Habs win coming on the back of a 2 goal and shootout goal performance by Brian Gionta as Montreal battled back from an early 2 goal deficit in Washington. Washington outscored Montreal 12-4 in the last season series and shut out the Canadiens twice.
In the continuing confusion of Randy Cunneyworth's interim coaching gig, he keeps throwing Eller into 1st line matchups, only to see him fail as he's not ready for it, and instead of dropping him down the depth chart he benches him. Eller sat out a whole period last game only to be thrown right back out against top line matchups in the 3rd period. And people thought Jacques Martin was bad with youth? It will be interesting to see if Cunneyworth learns from this mistake, or if he throws Eller out against Ovechkin tonight.
The injury list has slowly been getting smaller, but two impact players for the Canadiens are still on the IR. Brian Gionta is likely done for the year after undergoing successful bicep surgery, Andrei Markov is still out for an undetermined amount of time with his knee problems, and Ryan White is nearing return after missing the entire season with a sports hernia.
Interesting note: Nicklas Backstrom was hurt after taking a cheap shot by Rene Bourque (the reason why Bourque was suspended when the Canadiens acquired him), so he may have to pay some sort of trumped up price tonight, probably a fight.
MONTREAL CANADIENS PROJECTED LINEUP
Forwards
Travis Moen - Lars Eller - Andrei Kostitsyn
Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Erik Cole
Rene Bourque - Tomas Plekanec - Michael Blunden
Mathieu Darche - Scott Gomez - [double shift]
Defensemen
Goalies
Carey Price - Peter Budaj
WASHINGTON CAPITALS PROJECTED LINEUP
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin - Marcus Johansson - Alexander Semin
Mike Knuble - Brooks Laich - Troy Brouwer
Jason Chimera - Jeff Halpern - Joel Ward
Matt Hendricks - Cody Eakin - Jay Beagle
Defensemen
Dennis Wideman - Dmitry Orlov
Tomas Kundraek - Roman Hamrlik
Goalies
Capitals vs Canadiens coverage
View from the other side at the great Japers' Rink
In the meantime a Habs-Caps rap battle (Feb 2011) from HockeyGods.com
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If you’re looking for a tough matchup you may have come to the wrong place!
Only way I can see Montreal winning is if the Capitals get too focused on Bourque or Price plays amazing.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
If you’re looking for a tough matchup you may have come to the wrong place!
Hey, that’s our line!!!
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by red army line on Jan 18, 2012 7:36 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe in 05-06 that was your line, but you guys are on track for the playoffs!
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
They might be, but those possession stats are grim and getting grimmer. Red Army Line can tell us more, but the switch to Hunter doesn’t seem to have done much for their underlying numbers.
Washington certainly doesn’t look like the elite team they were.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
Via NGreenberg
Red dot is when Boudreau got fired.
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I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 19, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
WOW. Reactionary moves are rarely good ones.
If you want 30 tweets a day, don't follow me. @ChrisBoyle33
by Chris Boyle on Jan 19, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
Indeed. Wow, what a plunge. And last night<s game can’t have helped, even if the Habs just poured it on trailing by three.
Hmm, y’know what, I’m curious to see what a similar chart for the Habs’ looks like. I’ll shamelessly use Olivier’s data, it shouldn’t be hard at all to just fill the data and have OpenCalc give me a chart with a few dots.
Holy crap.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 19, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
Now, now, Andrew. The Habs have almost all their personnel now and they were awesome early on in the season when they did. Yeah, Randy’ll use the wrong people at the wrong time, but that does mean Pleks and Gomer get to light bottom-6ers on fire.
So we hope. I’m still confidence Randy can mess it up.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:44 PM EST up reply actions
I like Olivier’s line on this: “he has too many good players to mess it up”.
Centres, especially. They all can play hockey pretty well.
Eventually he’ll put Gomez and Plekanec on Blunden’s wings.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
Be fair though, he hasn’t been using people out of position except moving centers to LW, which is defensible given the C depth.
He’s even making a point not to use a D as a winger.
True, but I won’t put it past him.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:59 PM EST up reply actions
Brian Elliott
Two year extension, at 1.7 and 1.9 million a season
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 7:14 PM EST reply actions
Time for some regression.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
Isn’t it great when a team can regress and still be awesome? Sigh…
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by red army line on Jan 18, 2012 7:37 PM EST up reply actions
I wish.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
Word on the street is...
You guys recorded a podcast breaking down all the craziness of the last six weeks. Is it out yet? I need a analytical counterweight to all the absurd, vitriolic commentary I’ve heard recently.
I’m just trimming the fat of of it right now. Had some tech probs last night. Should be up post game if not sooner.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 7:25 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know how analytical it is. I know I spent the first 20 minutes bitching.
If you want 30 tweets a day, don't follow me. @ChrisBoyle33
I think most of it was bitching from all of us.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
Couldn’t Bourque have fought someone who matters?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:44 PM EST reply actions
At least he got it out of the way early.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 7:44 PM EST up reply actions
We’ll see if Washington lets it go now.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
If I were a coach and I thought I could get away with it I would fine guys who fight players who aren’t ahead of them in the other team’s depth chart.
I feel like taking a superior player to the box with you is the only possible advantage of fighting.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
True enough.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
I was hoping he’d fight Ray Ferraro. I’ll have to settle for this.
On a positive note, Rene did what he needed to do and convincingly, at that.
He definitely pounded him.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
Gomez used to having NHL calibre players on his wing makes a nice play and Blunden notices 5 seconds later. I may have guffawed.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:45 PM EST reply actions
So how long until Eller gets benched then?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
I had a 1 in 3 shot.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
To be positive he at least had the decency to have him backed up by Subban and Gorges. I mean, small steps right ?
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
This is true.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
Looks like Desharnais vs Laich as well. Randy’s using his two best defensive centres in soft minutes.
I just don’t get why. I’m at a loss.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
Option A: Randy doesn’t have a clue about minute toughness and rates players like the average fan. Desharnais scores more lately so he is center #1. Then Eller because of that 5-point game. Then Pleks then Gomez, because they haven’t scored more lately.
Option B: it’s a two-pronged way to subtly aim for losses while developing the younger centres.
I think Option B but I’m not certain.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions
If it was Option B benching Eller doesn’t really makes sense no?
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 7:59 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, so maybe Option A it is.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
He kind of seems to coach like the average fan so yeah Option A. I just hope that doesn’t mean trouble for our young players devellopment. At least, like I said, he has Subban and Gorges backing up Eller, that makes more sense than Emelin and Diaz.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe that’s why so many fans still love him.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:06 PM EST up reply actions
I ran into a rare fellow Habs fan down here, and he was excited to have Bourque in and Cammelleri out.
by Hunter Durfee on Jan 18, 2012 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
And he said Cammy was dragging the team down.
by Hunter Durfee on Jan 18, 2012 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
Unbelievably common for joe fan. HIO had a poll where 77% said they were happy about the Cammalleri trade.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
I’m sort of happy about the trade, but the real winner is the low expectations I’ve developed this season.
I mean it’s a halfway decent trade, kinda.
It’s halfway decent in a could’ve-been-worse sort of way, but Cammy was the designated scapegoat, which skews the perception among Hab fans.
I still think overall we got jobbed there. a few years from now I can’t see Bourque being worth much.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
Well did you see Bourque fight and hit and everything? So much intangibles !!!!!!!
That is sarcastic, just in case. ;)
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
Semin, at least he has youth on his side
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jan 18, 2012 7:50 PM EST reply actions
That won fight got us so much momentum! Oh wait…
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:51 PM EST reply actions
See, this is the thing that’s most amusing in this whole fighting debate. For each fight that generates positive momentum and turns a game around, there’s one that kills momentum and wrecks a game the team had well in hand.
I don’t believe taking a player out for five minutes ever positively contributes to momentum. I think it’s a ridiculous notion. Fighting to defend a teammate is one thing, but fighting to gain momentum? Ridiculous.
I could see it if Ovechkin gets taken for 5 in exchange for Darche or Blunden, that’s about it.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
Well every fight has both teams involved, so whoever gets the momentum after can say it was because of the fight and the other side can be ignored by the pro-fight people.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
Did you see Dellow’s post about the snake oil salesman’s fighting “momentum” findings? A commentator pointed out that it looks awfully like a double coin-flip.
I didn’t. I’ll have to read it.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
Well that theory still works somehow since Wsh got momentum !!!!!!!
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
You beat me to saying that.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
Not much he could do.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
Magically clear Gorges from screening him?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions
Perhaps not set up shop so deep. He was locked in, left room for not on but two beachballs to fly past him. I did not understand that at all.
He was playing odds on a pass. Necessary evil of goaltending.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
I guess that one was too. I have never been sold on Price and tonight is showing me why. He looks disinterested out there.
Oh, you’re one of those.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
One of those who disagrees with you? Yeah, I am. Does that make me bad? Is a different opinion invalid? Oh wait, now is when you tell me to relax and not be so sensitive…I have seen it all before.
Price is overrated. Good goalie, has some great nights but has WAY too many like this one.
Save the advice. I am relaxing now.
Price has proven to be an elite goalie at every level he played, and all of his stats support that notion.
by Hunter Durfee on Jan 18, 2012 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
OK then.
I was going to say you were one of those people who hops on the Price hate train at the slightest hint of poor play, but you took the words out of my mouth.
Not only are you too sensitive, you freaked out at the mere hint of your opinion being challenged.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
lol, wow, so predictable. I know, anyone who dares have an opinion that differs from Your Highness is a jerkoff. I can live with that.
And I do not jump on the hate train. I have felt about Price as I do for a long time now. I just tire of him being lauded like he is the best goalie in hockey. He isn’t. Sorry you can’t see it. Enjoy the delusion.
When did I call you a jerkoff? I didn’t say anything insulting to you at all so stop projecting.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:09 PM EST up reply actions
Oversensitive.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:12 PM EST up reply actions
Still mad?
Why are you so mad? Seriously. No one said anything rude to you. You made a statement that people on this site have conclusively proven is wrong, and everyone replied pretty respectfully and you flipped out.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
um…yeah. ok. “proven.” And if you think that was freaking out, then there is nothing I can do. I spoke, so did you, big deal.
Translation
“I’m going to dismiss all evidence that’s contrary to my opinion because my mind is made up”
Alright then, suit yourself.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:24 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks for translating for me. I never knew that was what I meant. Wow, such a revelation!
High horse, meet Andy. Give it a rest. I did. Can we just move the fuck on?
I tried moving on several times and you persisted with insults and immaturity. It’s totally your choice.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
I see you choose to not move on. Ok then.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
The problem I have is the “looking disinterested”. His style is very economical, so when things are on he’s going to make things look very easy and when things aren’t on he’s going to look lazy/disinterested/nonchalant. Reading into body language is generally not useful at all.
I know nothing about goaltenders but I am open to the opinion that Price is overrated since I think his pedigree is greater than his career performance to date. If I were in Gauthier’s shoes (and not under pressure/meddling from management) I would be exploring the goalie market in the summer in terms of selling and buying.
Someone who is actually open to an different opinion? Say it aint so!
The problem with Montreal is not Price, it is the fact the team is forced to rely on Price more than they should have to. No lead is safe and the coordination around the net is awful sometimes..like tonight. Having said that, since the club clearly does rely on Price more than is fair, he should do a little more than sit in the back of the net and leave a gaping hole.
I have been on here almost every game this season and I have not come close to bitching about Price when ge gives up goals…it happens, and he often is not to blame. I just think tonight, he is not in the game mentally.
I don’t think that the club relies especially on Price, TBH. That was narrative. Under Martin they were one of the best clubs in the league in limiting shots.
Different matter with the Gomez injury/Martin firing, but nonetheless, Price’s importance to the Habs is far more overrated than he is.
Hmm, thats an interesting take. I had not thought of that. It sure seems to me they rely on him more than seems reasonable, but maybe you have a point.
They relied more on him during his “bad” 2009-2010 season than they did last year. But no one actually notices those things since goalies who are heavily relied upon actually don’t get the good stats or the the wins.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:23 PM EST up reply actions
Most goaltenders importance to their team tend to gets overrated.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
Unless they’re a terrible team and the goalie faces tons of hard shots and has a subpar save percentage. Then the goalie “sucks”.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:21 PM EST up reply actions
Did I imply it was? See what I mean by you being oversensitive? Not even talking to you and you’re still being defensive about something not attributed to you in any way.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:23 PM EST up reply actions
That’s pretty much the narrative everyone follows.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:24 PM EST up reply actions
This is an opinion widely shared around here, but I don’t think the team has actually been carried by tremendous goaltending over this season and last. This season the Habs’ problems have been injuries and, since Martin was fired, insane coaching.
Price would have to play at a Vezina-calibre and I’m not sure that’s entirely reasonable of pretty much any goaltender to do year-in, year-out these days. I’m one of those who doesn’t value the goaltending position that much these days though.
Here is the thing, if my original comment had not just been dismissed as “one of those” – I think Price could end up as an elite goaltender. He sure has size and his tending down low is among the best I have seen. But, his reflexes are just mediocre. I absolutely hate shootouts, but Price is owned in them for a reason. Sure, part of it is just a slump (because he was not this helpless in the shootout last season) but part of it is his skillsets. I trust Price most of the time, but I have seen many games where his body language is not just “cool and calm”, and tonight sure looks like one of them.
It wasn’t dismissed, it was a joke and you flew off the handle. But keep playing that card.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:22 PM EST up reply actions
i keep trying to move on from your 6-year old girl games, but you won’t stop. So, I will. Babble on all you want about it now. In the end, you will remain the deluded princess you always have been on here. And I will be some dumbass who made the mistake of saying something Andy doesn’t like. Big deal.
I believe slinging insults like you are now would be the definition of behaving like a child. Keep at it, you’re making yourself look so intelligent.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
Hah, now Price’s noted calmness is being called disinterest.
by Hunter Durfee on Jan 18, 2012 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
Gotta love confirmation bias.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
First and only time I'll say this...
From a Florida fan to you guys..
GO HABS GO!
by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:56 PM EST reply actions
Great start.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 7:58 PM EST reply actions
Or keep it on, I don’t know what we’re rooting for anymore.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
That’s like the people who call Desharnais a great defensive player because he has one of the highest +- on the team. I really wonder if those people actually watch the games.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
NO worse than the Media making issue over English coach, or lack of faith in a GM who fires people on game day, nor any other issue the media comes up with
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jan 18, 2012 8:05 PM EST reply actions
Better at this current system anyway.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
Or just in general. He gets closer to the net to shoot, which is no small part of why he scores more.
I have a hard time saying Weber is better considering Subban’s league leading PP goal totals for defensemen last season. Weber has been better at the current setup, but overall Subban has produced a heck of a lot more. Not to mention he’s better at other things like holding the line or finding open players, and getting back on shorthanded breaks.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
Was Subban playing the powerplay closer to the net last year. I don’t remember that but he was pretty good no? I do know that his shooting % is way down from last year too.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
He shot more from the top of the circle last year on the PP, took more risks. It’s notable how much the coaching staff has told him to not take risks.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:17 PM EST up reply actions
Wich makes sense on even strenght since he and Gorges have to carry the defence but not taking risk on the PP seems weird since it worked so well last year.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions
I’d like to see them try Weber and Subban together on the PP and let them be creative, but they refuse to try it. Oh well.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
With regards to the win a fight- get momentum argument
There’s an article in the Journal of Sports Economics in which the authors test this hypothesis using “game level data” from 2007-2008. They found no significant evidence that winning a fight influences the outcome of a game. They also tested the theory of home ice advantage (which exists) and game to game momentum (which kinda exists, but not really).
Very interesting. I wonder if home ice advantage varies in effect between cities to any measurable degree.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:32 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not thinking noise, I’m thinking more like; does a team like Montreal have an advantage at all because teams always want to play there.
Or does the better ice in Edmonton, Calgary and Montreal give the home team an advantage or the away teams who are used to inferior ice?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:37 PM EST up reply actions
Scorecasting attributed it to referees giving more penalties to the visitors. Essentially the human nature that results in appeasing home fans. I talked to a former NBA referee and he said it isn’t really a conscious decision, but it is something that he would not deny as a factor.
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I can see that for sure. I’ve also seen refs out of spite give penalties where none exist after being booed.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
Like I said — maybe, but the advantadge likely will be so tiny it will be impossible to tease it out from luck. Assuming you want a statistical demonstration, of course.
Yeah that’s kind of what I figured, but would be cool to read a study.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
They cited increased powerplays and faceoff wins at home as the biggest contributers to home ice advantage.
As for arena breakdown, they didn’t get into it.
In the study, they used a win prediction metric they dubbed possession efficiency
Which was Shots on Goal relative to Faceoffs Won + Takeaways. I was interested in getting your thoughts on that one compared to Corsi/Fenwick.
I’m wary of anything which includes takeaways since they’re very unreliably counted.
I’m curious: Does anyone have a hypothesis as to why Shots relative to Faceoffs won would be a better win prediction metric? Is it because faceoffs wins in a single game are impacted by luck too much and thus impact shots more than “team skill” should in a single game?
by Simon Lamarche on Jan 18, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
Important to note that they coupled that metric
with save percentage. They used possession efficiency to measure offensive input/effort (since they are economists by trade), save percentage to measure defensive input/effort, and a dummy variable (don’t ask me, I just got a C in STATS 2000 last semester) to test their fighting, home ice, and momentum hypotheses.
It would have to be several seasons long to get into arena by arena breakdowns I’m guessing.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:38 PM EST up reply actions
As for the rationales behind increased PPs and faceoff wins at home
The rule that the home player gets to put his stick down last on faceoffs was given as well as various things for PP such as referee bias, increased adrenaline for home team players (discovered in a British Soccer study), and potential to get good matchups via the last change.
That all seems pretty logical.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:55 PM EST up reply actions
I wonder if the off-ice stuff this season has anything to do with our home record.
by Hunter Durfee on Jan 18, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
PODCAST
Here’s an advance link to the January EOTP Podcast.
It’s 47 minutes long, but full of good content.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 8:37 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
One big change on the PP since Cunneyworth took over is it’s ALWAYS dump and chase.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
Aaaaaaand it’s not working. At all.
When Cammy said something about “keeping it simple and working hard” and how you had to make things happen sometime, I can’t help but think he meant things like this.
Absolutely agree. It’s part of the reason I was upset at the trade, everything he said was true.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:43 PM EST up reply actions
And when you think about it, Montreal’s successes in the past have always been with someone who can carry the puck in (such as Kovalev).
A strong PP requires multiple options. The Habs PP sends it back to the point and hopes for a one-timer to go in.
When they lead the league there was the point shot, Cammalleri/Kovalev off the half boards, Markov back door as well as generally banging in junk.
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Has to be variety available that’s for sure.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
Nice little break by Bourque, but he shot like Cammalleri.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:44 PM EST reply actions
Would anyone be surprised if Bourque hit posts for the rest of the season? This team doesn’t get breaks.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
I’m counting on you to keep us updated!
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
I can’t guarantee I will watch every minute of every game for the remainder of this wonderful season. But I’ll try to keep count because I love stupid stuff like that.
Could anyone guarantee that? I don’t think Cunneyworth could even guarantee that.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
Are you going to use the machine that goes “Ping!” ??
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
Ferraro commenting about Washington’s lack of shots. They’re above 50% in Fenwick in this game and they’ve led for a while.
He’s also saying he’s surprised at the lack of offense, which means he’s expecting the true talent of the Caps is the 09-10 version.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:48 PM EST up reply actions
Even Marty Turco as a rookie colour guy is pretty good.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
Everyone seems to think that and are confused that Washington isn’t the biggest offensive juggernaut of the post-lockout history.
Tough to have career years every year I guess.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
The third period is not even started. Maybe we’ll have a trade frenzy like last week!
by fsaintjacques on Jan 18, 2012 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
And in comes fsaintjacques to remind us all how unpredictable this team is! Anything could happen hahaha.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I’m wondering if this is even worth watching.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
Thinking of doing the same. I’m almost done the scoring chance data.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
Spent most of the first setting up the podcast.
Just followed the game here and it’s convinced me to do another project. LOL
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
OK, I know the team is probably too good for a lottery pick, but there has to be a way to get something out of this season. Come on Randy, I believe in you, you can take this team down to places no one else can!
Calm down buddy, we’re 4 points from Edmonton. There is still hope.
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by fsaintjacques on Jan 18, 2012 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
At this point the best we can hope for is that he doesn’t do too much damage to some player’s devellopment. Watching his usage it’s getting kind of scary.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
This is not a team playing like they need to win games.
I told my wife tonight we should expect some seriously intense hockey for a few weeks while Montreal desperately tries to get to at least 8th place. I am stunned how poorly they are playing tonight. Coverage is sloppy, shots are anemic…they are gonna lose games, but this is embarassing.
Yeah, I don't like the Bruins, but I HATE the Flyers!
Bourque - Hendricks
Link to the fight, in case you missed it.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 8:54 PM EST reply actions
Ya know… its not the game that sucks the life out of me some games, its the constant negativity coming from the ‘contributors’… be fans…. you can’t be GMs, or coaches… some times a game sucks, but stop whining about it. Or at least stop ‘contributing’ to it.
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jan 18, 2012 8:56 PM EST reply actions
I’m just upset because for a second there a Gomez goal seemed like a possibility.
by Hunter Durfee on Jan 18, 2012 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
That would have been nice for the 5 second reprieve from criticism he would get.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
You’re correct. My bad.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
I have not one but two Gomez jerseys. I love the guy and it is painful to watch him not score. But he brings a lot to the line he is on and bashing him for his “struggles” is silly. There are a dozen more issues ahead of Gomez on this team.
Yeah, I don't like the Bruins, but I HATE the Flyers!
I agree.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry, tone is hard to interpret over the internet. I meant that in a purely positive way, because I believe Gomez is an asset to the team and want people to shut up about him for at least a little while.
by Hunter Durfee on Jan 18, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
I had made the comment that Gomez reminds me of Coutnall… interesting a guy with the moniker Courtnall has 2 Gomez jerseys… ;)
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jan 19, 2012 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
Well, as a fan for 35 years, I reserve the right to speak the truth :) I will always love the Habs, but it is sad to see this franchise in a state where winning is a bonus.
Yeah, I don't like the Bruins, but I HATE the Flyers!
The worst thing is, they’re not actually bad. Before this game they’d actually outscored their opponents.
It’s just… not working.
No, there is a lot of talent on this team…some of it injured of course. But there is something missing, that intangible of chemistry. They just cannot seem to put it all together consistently enough to have ever been a threat this year. Sad, because I thought they could be one of those pesky 5-6 place teams.
Yeah, I don't like the Bruins, but I HATE the Flyers!
Bourque’s decision making with the puck in the offensive zone isn’t very good.
Seems like for him to be effective he needs to either be on a breakaway or banging in a rebound.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:57 PM EST reply actions
It could be, but lots of blind passes.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
Habs now positive in Fenwick but Moen-Eller-Kostitsyn (when with those two, I assume) are getting killed.
Eller’s line is still against Ovechkin’s isn’t it?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
Why does RC continue to do that?
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
It always comes down to two possibilities: either cluelessness or trying to develop him and not caring about winning.
I don’t think it’s good for devellopment tough, I mean that’s how perennial bad teams stay bad no? Pushing young players in role they aren’t ready for because they don’t see a use for veterans to handle those roles while they devellop.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
Thing is, this isn’t Edmonton. The veterans Randy needs are right there. This is entirely unnecessary.
Exactly! I mean the only explanation is that the guy is using hockey forums’s fans opinions to coach.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
If Cunneyworth somehow manages to screw up someone I saw as a sure thing to be good as much as Eller…
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
I live in Rochester and Cunneyworth was trhe coach of the Americans not long ago and did quite well. But he had a great roster and not a lot of injuries to plague the team. So, I did not expect he would just turn this ship around.
But I have to say…I have NO idea what he is doing sometimes.
Yeah, I don't like the Bruins, but I HATE the Flyers!
He’s coaching like a good AHL coach might be one way to put it.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
I’m hoping that Eller is beyond ruining, but who knows.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:06 PM EST up reply actions
That’s what I meant. I mean, I saw him as such a sure thing. At least he seems to have the character and maturity to survive but this is kind of scary.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed, very worrisome situation.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
Gill-Weber also sharply negative which is… interesting. Has Randy been backing The Eller line with those two?
Earlier on he was backing the Eller line with Gorges – Subban, but I’ll admit that I haven’t paid much attention since it was 3-0.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
Looking at the shift-chart Gill faced Ovechkin’s line a few times but it hasn’t been anything near a regular matchup.
On home ice and he’s not even matching?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions
It looks like he is matching. Eller’s been matched hard against Ovechkin, Gill just got caught out a few times against Ovechkin.
Oh I see what you’re saying.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
Is the shot clock broken?
21 total shots?
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:13 PM EST reply actions
Watching a different broadcast, let me know if there are any gems.
by Hunter Durfee on Jan 18, 2012 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
I laughed at that too. “You’re fired! Into a GM role!”
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:19 PM EST up reply actions
Ferguson?
After that bang-up job he did in Toronto.
They got Loiselle, almost 3 weeks after Robert mentioned it right here.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Ready to scream, guys?
Eller didn’t record a shift after Ovechkin scored. He was benched for 9:16 of gametime. Nevermind that he was killing a penalty at the time. He’s doing it again.
He’s not developping the kid. He is just completely, utterly clueless.
AK got a few shifts, mostly with Gomez and Blunden looks like.
Randy seems to have put together a 27-14-32 line and started matching that against the Ovechkin line. About 30:44 minutes too late.
UGH
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
So he doesn’t get it. Jesus. He might somehow manage to screw him up. Can the season be done before there is too much damage.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
I just looked at Ovechkin’s goal and I’m not sure why Eller was benched. Bourque really messed up the clearing (why is he killing penalties?). Eller didn’t move up to challenge Ovie enough, but he was really high.
You know what would be funny. If Randy decided to demote Eller against 2nd or 3rd line comps for the next few games as a punishment. So naturally Eller will play much better since he won’t be overwhelmed and then he’ll promote him back to first line comps after 4-5 games. Rince. Repeat…
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:34 PM EST up reply actions
Dreger GM Candidates
Jacques Martin (haha)
Julien Brisebois
Doug Risebrough (please no… not impressed with Minny)
Claude Loiselle (toronto Assman),
John Ferguson (jr? SJ director of Pro scouting)
Pierre McGuire (called it)
Marc Bergevin (Chi Assman)
John Ferguson Jr???? Are they drunk?
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by Chris Boyle on Jan 18, 2012 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought for a second it was a different guy but no. No way he’s getting another GM job in a media heavy enviroment. Even if he is competent to do the job now there would be too much backlash.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
I couldn’t believe he was even mentioned.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
Brisebois is intriguing, even though I have absolutely no notion how he’d run the team. A tech-savyv, numbers-minded outsider: I think that’s the wave of the future.
Speaking of numbers, I would really love to see a young guy like Bylsma as our coach. Someone who actually fucking looks at the deeper stats, because I feel like Cunneyworth and Martin haven’t given a crap about them.
Martin at least coached sensibly by the stats. Most of the time.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
Martin at the very least looked heavily at scoring chances, which is better than nothing.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:24 PM EST up reply actions
Most of the time, sure. But then there’d be nights when he had Nokelainen and Darche playing more than Pleks and Cammy.
There was this one time where Darche was on the third line due to injuries, and ended up with 30 seconds more ES icetime than Pleks. Pleks had tons more total icetime. It was just a side effect of the lineup.
Randy, amusingly, does it all the time and has yet to be called on it.
No one cares if he does that with Blunden since Blunden hits a lot. Hitting a lot= Good.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
Martin was keeping track of that stuff. I don’t know how much he looked into it, but he certainly did some research.
Well, except on power play lines….cough Darche over Cole…
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll throw a name I would like to be considered but wont…
Jarmo Kekalainen. The guy that help build the sens and the blues.
He used to be Ass Man in St-Louis and left when he wasn’t offered the GM role.
He’s a great outside the box name thats started to circulate. Break up the North American monopoly on the jobs.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
good one
TSN needs to hire you…ASAP!
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
That would be cool to see.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:33 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe Dreger thinks John Sr is still alive.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:23 PM EST reply actions
So that GM candidate list just killed my interest in the 3rd period. I’m going to go huddle in a corner and cry in fear.
Darche
That`s taking one…or two, for the team.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:31 PM EST reply actions
Neuvwirth
Looks very slow moving to his right, based on that rear camera sequence.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:33 PM EST reply actions
I hate hate hate Cunneyworth’s refusal to use Subban’s one timer. Why is he always on the god damn right side on the PP?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:34 PM EST reply actions
That’s a penalty on Pacioretty? The puck was right there. Should he just let Brouwer get a goal?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:35 PM EST reply actions
I’m not sure why I’m still watching.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:37 PM EST up reply actions
Gluttons for punishment.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
Ferraro
Just said ``Neuvwirth made his 19th stop of the period.``- Sigh
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:35 PM EST reply actions
I'm...
…so looking forward to Cunneyworth being fired.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
He won`t. It`s an interim position, so it`s a formality.
Besides, who else are they gonna get at this stage?
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
I mean at the end of the season. He’s gone, forgone conclusion.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
IS there any confidence that we don’t get a rehash hire?
To hire a good coach, you need a GM who understands what a good coach is.
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Did you hear? Cunneyworth doesn’t like Subban’s “antics”.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
Then someone (Gill or Cole) needs to sit down with Subban and set him straight. We can’t continu trading talent away because of character issues
Isn’t it funny how players always mysteriously devellop those issues here and we don’t hear a word about those same issues before they get here or after they are gone. sigh…
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
We did hear about Mike Richards & Jeff Carter party issues…
But I agree. Most kids are not ready to handle the pressure of Montreal media and when they get traded, everything is so much easier that they start playing better.
I don`t think it has anything to do with pressure and everything to do with kids just getting better as kids do, and the Montreal media/fans having trouble recognizing a good player when they see one.
Yes, maybe all those guys who miraculously got better when they left didn’t actually suck in Montreal. It’s sort of amazing how when faced with an ex-canadien doing well, the media and a good chunk of the fans can’t apply Occam’s razor and instead conclude that Montreal sapped the precious fluids from the players.
That’s mostly what I meant. If most fans can currently think Subban is a bad defensive defenceman…
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
The problem isn’t Subban, it’s Cunneyworth.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
I know that and you know that but the fans somehow think Subban is terrible and Cunneyworth is a genius for unleashing Blunden on the NHL. I want to cry…
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
Penalty is declined...
Guy can dream, right?
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:45 PM EST reply actions
As amazing as this sounds they still have a positive goal differential with the man advantage.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
I have no idea how Subban didn’t get a slashing penalty now.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:46 PM EST reply actions
two sticks to block passing lanes, tons of passing lanes and that is the shot he chooses?
Sigh.
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At least Subban was brilliant in creating that situation.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
Pacioretty
Already top-20 in missed shots, adds to his total point blank.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:47 PM EST reply actions
Eller's on the ice!!!
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:48 PM EST reply actions
Eller gets a rare shift and a scoring chance.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:48 PM EST reply actions
Didn’t score, so I guess he’s done for the night.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
Probably.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve so had it with Randy.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
Trying to up is value. Then, they’ll trade him for Lecavalier.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
(I assume you’re joking) but I wouldn’t trade Gomez for Lecavalier and a first-round pick if Lecavalier would waive his NMC to come to Montreal. That contract is as worse than the worst things everyone says about Gomez’s contract.
It depends on the way you see it. He would be the big center everyone thinks the team is missing `(has if thsat the only thing missing)
Lecavalier in montreal wouldn’t play until he’s 40, the media would force him into retirement in 3 years, then is contract would be of the book.
But for now Gomez might be more useful to the team than Lecavalier ever would.
I am joking. But don’t go on HF some people there would trade Subban for Lecavalier.
I would be tempted by your deal for the first tought.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
It seems Cunneyworth’s plan of keeping it simple wasn’t something to start with and build off of, but the end goal itself.
Gomez with Cole and Pacioretty now?
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:52 PM EST reply actions
Well that makes sense as a line at least. Problem is Randy doesn’t know why it does.
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
You know one thing I never got, even with Martin except for one game in the playoffs, is why no coach is trying 51 on the wing. I guess this year Martin never really had enough centers for a long time to do so but now that Gomez is back it should be tried. Altought Cunney seems to think DD is a top line center while Plekanec is a bottom six one so…
by Statsfanatic81 on Jan 18, 2012 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve seen more finish in a Danish schoolyard.
Pretty much the theme this season; a steady stream of opportunities in and around the net and nobody with the hands to consistently cash. Making nightly stars out of opposing goalies and has killed the PP.
Their 5-on-5 shooting percentage is pretty good.
The PP’s problem right now is fixing what’s not broken. They’re not getting chances anymore, this dump-and-chase doesn’t let them set up.
Looks like they’ve backed off from that and are feeding an accelerating puck carrier through the neutral zone.
It’s not like they haven’t been getting their chances on the PP. Lots of traffic around the net, pucks on sticks, and then low-percentage shots into traffic or missing the net altogether.
If you think back, the same thing was going on before RC took over. The lack of finish around the net has been a steady trend this year, most noticeably from the one guy whose only role was to cash.
Useless stat via Gord Miller:" Bourque has 4 goals in his last three games vs Canadiens."
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 9:56 PM EST reply actions
Most of that was destroying them in the Heritage Classic.
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LOL
Yeah two of them
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
Johanssen
Wow Habs blew it picking Leblanc over him in ’09, eh?
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 10:00 PM EST reply actions
The guy I wanted was Chris Kreider. Big guy that can skate and score.
Still hasn’t turned pro though!
His numbers aren’t particularly inspiring either.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
Brutal
We should have joined the SOPA blackout..
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 10:04 PM EST reply actions
LOL
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
Gonna have to watch this one on-demand, painful as it may be, to figure out if it was the Habs being bad, or just yet another game where the percentages went bonkers against them.
Scoring chances
How many of those 17 third period shots were legit scoring chances?
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
12 minutes of PP time
and nothing.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 10:10 PM EST reply actions
Well
I’m done for the night.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jan 18, 2012 10:10 PM EST reply actions
As am I.
Guys the Podcast will have an official post up in the morning, but there’s an advance link for the faithful commentariat, a few comments back. Worth a listen from the EOTP boys.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jan 18, 2012 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
I stopped listening after I said Nu-cue-lar.
I unleashed my inner George Bush!
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by Chris Boyle on Jan 18, 2012 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
The stuttering and weird sentence structure isn’t stage fright. It’s me in real life.
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by Stephan Cooper on Jan 18, 2012 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
defending Gomez bashing.....?
I know this site prefers not to hold the bat to bash Scott Gomez and his goal scoring woes. While that bothers me its not my reason to be riled. My reason is the 2 way play. I know its been said here that Gomer is great carrying the puck up the ice. He moves it across the blueline and then things start to come off the rails. My concern usually starts from one of the bad options happening down in this end. The turnover and Gomer’s actions thereafter. Tonite during the 2nd period on TSN – Aaron Ward perfectly illustrated my frustration point. He showed a clip of Gomer coming back and trying to back check. He pointed out in long stretches Gomer is not moving his legs and at the end with the puck deep in our end he is positioned behind the other team’s defensemen. It always bothered me that on this Martin “Defense First” team….why was Gomer always getting away with this behaviour but a young player who makes a positional mistake would be nailed to the bench. It seems that under RC’s rule nothing has changed.
"It's only through change we learn to grow".
by Canadian Jet on Jan 18, 2012 11:27 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Regardless of the stats that other teams’ players don’t get while Gomez is on the ice.. in old time hockey talk ’he’s a floater who can’t gut out good shifts either offensively or defensively". We can talk about the anomalies til we are blue in the face, but Gomez having the puck isn’t an issue…he skates his sack off when he has it. Its the non-puck carrying moments that his abilities get butchered.
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jan 19, 2012 11:47 AM EST reply actions
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