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The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Game
Season 2016-2017

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY GAME 19 Montreal 2 Toronto 1

Mitch
Season 2016-2017The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Game
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Habs – Leafs have turned up the heat on their “rivalry”.  It’ll get real when they meet in the playoffs. Maybe by then Mike Babcock will have figured out how to beat Michel Therrien.
THE GOOD

  • Alexander Radulov. He really missed the NHL, didn’t he? Habs really missed him, didn’t they?Want to debate who Montreal’s best RW has been since Guy Lafleur (Radulov, Alex Kovalev, 2-time 50 goal scorer Stephane Richer, anybody else?), fine. But I don’t think there’s a debate about who their best playmaking winger has been since The Flower. Taunting Nazem Kadri following the opening goal after the Leafs centre had run into Radulov seconds earlier was an added bonus. Just part of the continuing saga of one of the more entertaining players I’ve seen in a Canadiens jersey.

  • Shea Weber-Alexei Emelin. I though the speedy Leads would give this duo some problems. But they played a smart, controlled, physical game while also contributing to the offense. It was Weber’s blast from the blue line that Frederik Andersen couldn’t control that led to Montreal’s 1-0 lead (Andersen is not alone among NHL goalies who have trouble corralling a Weber slapper). As the game took on a more physical tone, Weber stepped it up as well – crunching William Nylander into the boards on the side of the ice that is usually his partner’s territory. Emelin, meanwhile, was outstanding. He looked like an NHL all star.
  • Carey Price. Of course he rebounded from a subpar performance against Florida. Of course he dominated the Leafs (21-13-1, .923) on a Saturday night (83-29-16, .931). But after getting bumped by Kadri and elbowed by Zach Hyman it might be time for somebody to send out a message.
  • Alex Galchenyuk. Buried the magnificent pass by Radulov just five seconds after Tyler Bozak was sent to the penalty box for tripping Andrew Shaw early in the second period. Galchenyuk should have had another goal in the first period but he whiffed on a perfect set up by #79. And then perhaps another in the third when he was alone in the slot but decided to get too cute and sent a back pass to Radulov which didn’t work out. Still having trouble on face offs (38%) but for the third time in a week his face off win led directly to a power play goal. His giddy post game meet the media session drives home the point that he’s having the time of his brief NHL life.
  • Jeff Petry & Andrei Markov. Followed up a terrific night in Carolina with another strong effort. But with the coaching staff having little faith in their third defense pair, Markov was forced to play 24:22 in the second half of a back to back.
  • Paul Byron. Keeps going to the net. Keeps poking in loose pucks. What a concept.
  • Brendan Gallagher. Yes he’s in danger of going the entire month of November without putting the puck in the net (13 games) but he looked a lot more like himself in this game. And a better centreman would help.

THE BAD

  • Max Pacioretty. One of several bad penalties the Habs took but this one was especially dumb. On the receiving end of a Matt Martin hit deep in his own zone, Pacioretty decided to grab hold of the non-threatening 4th line winger at a time when the Habs were in control of a 2-0 lead. Not exactly a “take-one-for-the-team-let’s-rally-around-our-captain” moment. Nylander finished off a neat three way passing play with Leo Komorov and Austin Matthews and the Leafs were back in the game. Even worse for Pacioretty was his response. There was none.
  • David Desharnais-Andrew Shaw-Max Pacioretty. One shot on goal. By Shaw. Who also blocked a couple of shots. Pacioretty had just one shot attempt. So much for getting hot after scoring against Florida.

  • Nathan Beaulieu. More brain farts with unforced giveaways and a needless interference penalty.
  • Tomas Plekanec. Dipping into ugly territory. Not scoring. Not setting up teammates. No zip. And while all this is happening the Habs PK unit is starting to suffer, dropping to 18th in the NHL at 82%. There isn’t a more important forward on the Habs penalty kill than Plekanec. Or put it this way – Carey Price’s 5 on 5 save percentage is .964. But his save pct when Montreal is shorthanded is under .900 (.897). And we know he is not the problem.

THE UGLY

  • Marc beat me to it.

Previous THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY GAME 17 Montreal 3 Florida 4 (OT)
Next THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY GAME 22 Montreal 2 Detroit 1 (OT)
Mitch

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8 Responses

  2. Pacioretty did make a great defensive play late in the game to save a goal on a rolling puck.

    1. Sorry – I was at Expos Fest fundraising Gala and had too good a time to watch the game when i got home.

  3. All I want for Christmas is for MB to take away MT’s favorite toy somehow or someway and I think the only way for it to happen is to be sent to St.John’s(doubtful). Not a real hater of DD just the way MT uses him which is horrible. How about a novel approach to everyones problems and try Patches with Gally and Pleks and maybe they all will snap out of it. Please stop all the hate for Patches not using his size as he never really has except to use his speed and quick release. As for last night the Leafs are going to be really good soon as they have lot’s of speed up front and a great coaching staff that LET’S the KIDS PLAY. A novel approach I know but they work through their many mistakes without fear of being benched or sent to the rafters on every mistake. Nice post as always but I also missed the Canes post.

    1. Pacioretty is not playing well, whether he uses his size or not. Unless it’s pointing out that he stopped a rolling puck from entering the net after it slipped through Price. It’s come to that?

  4. I’ve been a defender of DD and Max for a long time but no more. DD whether he scored in Carolina or not just isn’t made for this new team. We need more Byrons and Radulovs. Max looks slow physically and even worse mentally. His head just isn’t into the game. Something has to be done. Pleks is in that discussion as well but for now we need him on the PK. Gally isn’t scoring but there’s no lack of hustle and effort. The goals will come but I’ve noticed he’s working the outside and not getting in front of the net. We can’t be playing Markhov like this. Pateryn needs to step up. Marky’s minutes are out of control again. That to me is poor coaching decision. Not sure Hanlon is the answer. Do we look for a trade for a defenseman or make pairing changes? I don’t know but we can’t burn him out especially the way he’s played. We’re going to need him after Jan 1.
    One thing I’ve really noticed is Weber doesn’t get us into trouble. Just a steady, strong mentally and physically player. So glad we have him. The guy is not just a total stud. He’s a really smart hockey player. Isn’t that what a captain should be?
    I really think we were lucky to beat the Leafs – they are good and fast and young and will only get better. And I don’t personally like Babcock but he does apparently know how to bring the kids along instead of the “time-outs” MT imposes on our kids.
    Finally, couldn’t believe Don Cherry defending that Emelin hit at end of game? Doesn’t he realize Emelin is a Russian? Or is Cherry realizing Russians can play this game. Still an unnecessary hit although I can’t argue that a player near the boards can’t put himself in a dangerous situation like that. You can’t face the end wall with your back to the play. You’re asking for trouble!!
    Also wasn’t sure what Carey was doing a few times – seemed to be taking a few too many risks or didn’t seem to be 100% focused. Maybe the defense was not talking to him. He’s our MVP. People, you need to protect him at all times. But that play where he dropped the puck and it left the zone to avoid a faceoff in our end shows you why he is very likely the best goalie on the planet.
    Not to look beyond Ottawa and Caroline (both must-wins) but we have a very tough 5 game schedule coming up starting Saturday. We’ve had so many home games. The road is a killer. We need to be ready and play atleast .500 hockey outside of Montreal. Although if Vancouver keeps playing the way they are when I go to that game in March it will be like a home game.
    Still think MT needs to go. We have kids that are ready to play and we can’t keep them out hoping DD, Max and even Pleks shake loose of their doldrums. I always thought P Roy would have been the best choice when he came into the coaching spotlight. I know he’s a hot head but between Patrick and Kirk M don’t you think that would be a good team?

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