Laval’s 4-1 loss on Sunday wasn’t all bad news. It saw the return of a key prospect and showcased the skills of many others. There are a dozen or so prospects that Montreal Canadiens fans have their eyes on as the Laval Rocket make their bid for the Calder Cup. Six of them stood out from the rest in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Cleveland.
Oliver Kapanen
This is who I, and many other Habs fans, was most excited to see, and he didn’t disappoint. Kapanen had five shots on Sunday, and in my opinion was the Rocket’s best player. His skating was noticeable from the first shift, especially in the defensive zone. At four-on-four, he was active defensively, cheating near the blue line hoping for an outlet one second, cutting off a seam pass the next. His stick was fantastic, offensively and defensively. He created at least three turnovers in the offensive zone on Sunday, and had even more in the defensive zone.
He also looked really comfortable down the wing. With Beck playing the right side, Kapanen wasn’t afraid to get switched around, and had a couple of golden chances off the rush on the right wing. He played centre with the Canadiens this season, but they could use him on the wing as well (although Kapanen was great in the circle on Sunday).
Overall, he looked like a veteran out there, always in the right place. His timing was impressive, punctuated by his fantastic two-way play. He will continue to be a difference-maker.
Owen Beck
What Beck brings to the third line is invaluable. Grinding along the boards, fighting in front of the net, and moving the puck through the neutral zone while playing the two-way game at an above-average level. Offensively, Beck was mostly sound on Sunday, but I thought some of his reactions looked a little slow, specifically on a couple of plays in the offensive zone where he was a second late reacting to loose pucks.
I think he has more in him. I want to see a little more meanness and a little more physicality. Laval was doing a good job of finishing its checks, but I’m not sure if Beck was as committed to that mentality. He was effective along the boards, but more in the style of Joel Armia, holding the puck versus playing the body.
David Reinbacher
Reinbacher is a fantastic skater. Watching him power through the neutral zone into the offensive end is a treat. His skating, paired with his high IQ, lets him correct his mistakes in the defensive zone effectively. He lost his man briefly below the right circle twice on Sunday, noticed almost immediately and cut his path to the net. When you add in his long reach, it results in very effective shutdown play.
He played a tough game on Sunday afternoon, always battling in front of the net. I would have liked him to be a little better on the boards, where he looked a bit unsteady.
Logan Mailloux
Between Mailloux and Reinbacher, the size and skating are incredible. That being said, Mailloux’s weaknesses were still hard to ignore. He looked frantic at times in the defensive zone on Sunday, and he still struggles to defend the rush when attacked with speed.
He was great in front of the net and was effective in the corners. When he connects on the hits he throws, the result is explosive. When he misses, it blows up in his face.
Mailloux is an offensive weapon, and he knows it. He called for the puck often and loudly. That being said, he did something effective with it 90% of the time. Still, it was a little more noticeable the other night than it has been. He wants to take control of the game, and I’m not saying it as a bad thing.
Joshua Roy
Joshua Roy looked dangerous in the offensive zone on Sunday. He finished with four shots and could have easily had a goal in all three periods. He was noticeable on the power play, and whenever he had space in the offensive zone he put it to good use. He had a couple of really good opportunities from below the left circle that were thwarted by Cleveland goaltender Jet Greaves (who had an unbelievable game).
I wish Roy moved with a real sense of urgency. I think he could also get engaged in the corners a little more. If he’s going to make a living as a bottom-six NHLer, he needs to learn how to turn up the grit in the playoffs. I’m not sure we’ve seen it yet.
He just looked too lacklustre on Sunday. His weak dump-in on the power play was a good, all-encompassing example. He needs to turn it up on Tuesday and show more than opportunistic offence.
Sean Farrell
Sean Farrell was the smartest player on the ice for most of Sunday’s shifts. However, in the playoffs, smarts can only get you so far. He made a few fantastic one-touch passes along the boards to set up plays in front of the net. He was also extremely dangerous on the rush, almost always making the right decision. He doesn’t really force anything because he doesn’t need to. He read the game at an elite level all night long.
His high IQ lets him avoid the vast majority of physical altercations. At his size, that’s a good thing. But this is the playoffs, and I’m not sure an NHL team would accept a player who avoids physical contact in the playoffs, no matter his build. I would have been really excited if I had seen some more grit from Farrell on Sunday. I’ll use the same argument for him as Roy: if he wants to be a bottom-six winger in the show, he needs to play the body significantly more.
Cayden Primeau
Sunday’s loss was not Cayden Primeau’s fault. He made 22 stops and was generally solid. Additionally, you can’t expect to win a game while scoring only one goal. That being said, Cleveland’s quick start did seem to shake him a little. He looked a bit panicked until the 15-minute mark of the period, settling down after making a few confidence-building saves.
His side-to-side movement looked fantastic all night. He made an unreal save in the second period, pushing from left to right to rob a Cleveland forward with his pad. His glove also looked nice, and he wasn’t out of position too often.
Primeau played a solid game on Sunday and did all you could ask of him; he gave the Rocket a chance to win.
An additional thought
I believe that Primeau should have gotten the start in Game 2. He earned his place as Laval’s starting goaltender with his play this season. Sitting Jacob Fowler for Game 3 was a difficult decision, I’m sure, but Primeau’s performance on Sunday was solid enough that you could argue it was the right call.
That being said, I’m a lifelong fan of the ever-cheesy Scotty Bowman quote: “There are players who get you to the playoffs and players who get you through the playoffs.” I’m not saying that Primeau isn’t the latter, but I wholeheartedly believe that Fowler is. I still believe Primeau should get the start on Tuesday. The crease is his until he loses it.
The Rocket will get another chance to close out this series tonight at Place Bell. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM ET.
