Game Analysis: Pregame And Postgame Discussion

[Guest bigsby]

i've noticed pleks being bounced around, the pp not working and guys getting beat to and off the puck but i think what concerned me most about the last two games (and i'm not panicking by any means, there's no reason to) is that, as carbo said, it seems like some guys haven't registered that these are playoff games. where's the intensity and focus we saw in game one? (boston adapted yes but their adjustments should not have shut the habs down completely - and all those open nets we missed seemed like an utter lack of determination...).

i think, or hope, that things will start to click tonight, they don't have much choice, and then only minor adjustments will be needed rather than a lineup overhaul (i don't think people are calling for that but some of the line changes that have been suggested just seem too desperate to me).

team chemistry didn't disappear over night. i think they just have to get their confidence back and then chemistry will follow.

play with fire tonight boys! it works! wooohoooo!

[Guest GreekHockeyCoach]

Just for the record - I am not GREEK!!

Good work GHC and others on our PP analysis. Boston has done a great job in covering the lanes and Kovey!! You have to give them that. This is were the coaching staff have to step in and do thier stuff. If we could find our timing - which has been off (ex: missing the net, passes slightly off, general positioning) - which has served us well all year, we'll get back to the way we know we can play. They did it all year , why stop now. The Bruins have done a great job - we have to admit it - but we are the better team!!

I say - LOOK for something NEW tonight! Look for a new PP pattern - Our Habs know the importance of this game tonight!!

i've noticed pleks being bounced around, the pp not working and guys getting beat to and off the puck but i think what concerned me most about the last two games (and i'm not panicking by any means, there's no reason to) is that, as carbo said, it seems like some guys haven't registered that these are playoff games. where's the intensity and focus we saw in game one? (boston adapted yes but their adjustments should not have shut the habs down completely - and all those open nets we missed seemed like an utter lack of determination...).

i think, or hope, that things will start to click tonight, they don't have much choice, and then only minor adjustments will be needed rather than a lineup overhaul (i don't think people are calling for that but some of the line changes that have been suggested just seem too desperate to me).

team chemistry didn't disappear over night. i think they just have to get their confidence back and then chemistry will follow.

play with fire tonight boys! it works! wooohoooo!

I completely agree with you gentlemen. I would even attribute the some of the saves that Thomas made in the overtime as "lucky" and if not the game would have gone in our favour. I do agree that we need to step it up and play with the same hunger that got us here.

[Guest olddude]

I completely agree with you gentlemen. I would even attribute the some of the saves that Thomas made in the overtime as "lucky" and if not the game would have gone in our favour. I do agree that we need to step it up and play with the same hunger that got us here.

Agreed, when this team plays to its ability (we've all seen it), they can beat anyone. Lets just hope they got the wake-up call after the last game. I expect we will see the Habs of game 1 tonight and maybe even better.

GO HABS GO

[Guest shamrun]

I suggest for the power play to make andrei k or plek bring the puck in or dumb and chase with two men forchecking. Kovalev just sets up for shots from the face off circle or anywhere he feels comfartable (like lecavalier i guess). I think we can try implementing a different play, other then kovalev leading the play, during our pp.

It might not be as effective but if we can get some good chances it might throw the bruins off. Right now the bruins know that Kovalev has to touch the puck on the pp and set up somthing. We have to exploit other players pp ability.

The most important part of our pp in the season is that we always moved and made the right decisions with the puck. Now in the playoffs wee seem to be in a hurry to get a shot off or we just cant gain the zone. This is when Kirk Muller makes a move to offset the bruins strategy. BUt like i said before i like the fact that our pk has been doing a great job.

[Guest old-time Habs fan]

I cannot rest, until I see,

the hungry ruin put off his tea;

if indigestion does the trick,

then I'll request it pretty quick!

GO HABS GO!

[fourtrax]

Well, our power play is still absymal, and what's worse, we're now giving up shorthanded chances like they're going out of style. I honestly don't think it's a scheme issue now so much as a confidence issue. They look completely disorganized, sloppy, and tentative just trying to gain the zone. I give a lot of credit to Boston's PK, but they're not that good. If nothing else, we should at least be able to set up the box and get some quality chances on most PPs. Right now, we're spending most of our time with the man advantage outside the offensive zone!

What I noticed last night was that the synchronization of the dump-in with the wingers giving chase seems to be off. On a good PP, the dump-in is made while the forwards are in full stride at the blueline, allowing them maximum acceleration to regain control of the puck. Currently, the player doing the dump-in hesitates for a fatal second, forcing the rest of the unit to come to a stop to stay on-side, so that when the dump-in actually occurs, they have no momentum to enable them to beat the defenders to the puck.

If I were Carbo, I'd change the first and second PP units.

1st unit: Markov, Brisebois (why not ride his current wave of productivity?), Kovalev, A. Kostitsyn, Higgins

2nd unit: Hamrlik, S. Kostitsyn (point), Ryder, Plekanec, Latendresse (get a big body in front of the net and shoot, shoot, shoot from the point)

[Guest bigsby]

Well, our power play is still absymal, and what's worse, we're now giving up shorthanded chances like they're going out of style. I honestly don't think it's a scheme issue now so much as a confidence issue. They look completely disorganized, sloppy, and tentative just trying to gain the zone. I give a lot of credit to Boston's PK, but they're not that good. If nothing else, we should at least be able to set up the box and get some quality chances on most PPs. Right now, we're spending most of our time with the man advantage outside the offensive zone!

What I noticed last night was that the synchronization of the dump-in with the wingers giving chase seems to be off. On a good PP, the dump-in is made while the forwards are in full stride at the blueline, allowing them maximum acceleration to regain control of the puck. Currently, the player doing the dump-in hesitates for a fatal second, forcing the rest of the unit to come to a stop to stay on-side, so that when the dump-in actually occurs, they have no momentum to enable them to beat the defenders to the puck.

If I were Carbo, I'd change the first and second PP units.

1st unit: Markov, Brisebois (why not ride his current wave of productivity?), Kovalev, A. Kostitsyn, Higgins

2nd unit: Hamrlik, S. Kostitsyn (point), Ryder, Plekanec, Latendresse (get a big body in front of the net and shoot, shoot, shoot from the point)

you're right. the pp looked awful and downright terrifying at times. i was too caught up in the emotion of it all to see what was going wrong so thanks for breaking it down - the dump was definitely not working and i also thought i noticed that instead of using their passing game they were forechecking (which isn't bad but they were so busy hitting guys that they forgot to get control of the puck ).

i've wanted sergei on the point for a while but i've noticed in the few times that he has been there that he's more effective up front. he worries to much about backchecking that he doesn't get as involved in the play. when he's along the boards, kovy-style, he's a lot more dangerous, imho. but i agree with you, i'd switch it up a bit. streit is having a lot of trouble out there.

[fourtrax]

i was too caught up in the emotion of it all to see what was going wrong so thanks for breaking it down

No problem.

i also thought i noticed that instead of using their passing game they were forechecking (which isn't bad but they were so busy hitting guys that they forgot to get control of the puck ).

Excellent point. I think they forgot that when you're on the power play, all you have to do on the dump-in is establish puck possession. Too often, three forwards would be clumped together out of position behind the net, so when the puck squirted to one side or another, there was no one to take it and pass it back to our point men.

i've wanted sergei on the point for a while but i've noticed in the few times that he has been there that he's more effective up front. he worries to much about backchecking that he doesn't get as involved in the play. when he's along the boards, kovy-style, he's a lot more dangerous, imho. but i agree with you, i'd switch it up a bit. streit is having a lot of trouble out there.

I think Sergei just needs time on the point. He's played the position enough in junior. I hadn't noticed the backchecking thing but I'll pay attention the next time he's on the PP. Streit is a complete write-off on the power play, and is in fact dragging the unit down with poor decisions at the blueline. He's completely lost his confidence and needs to rotate out if we're to regain our PP form.

[Guest FREDDYBEACH HAB]

Pure excitement and energy on Thursday should be enugh to pull the team through to the next round. The team really needs to win this next game, so that they get in some practice time and work on what the Bruins have been doing to break them down. You can be sure that Philly is watching and taking notes. I'd also like to point out that while everyone is complaing about the lack of scoring, it is very difficult to score when the Bruins clog up center ice, and I for one think we are doing great. The fact that the number one and 2 lines aren't scoring as much is because the Bruins are so focused on those two lines and it's lets our third line score. Thats fine with me, eventually other teams will have to focus on them as well and that just means another line will become free. It's a team effort, and it just shows our depth. After 4 games we have now proven that we are scoring threat on 3 lines. For every team left out there, defend that! With the eventual call ups from Hamilton what a fourth line we can put out there. I for one am very excited to see what comes next.

Cheers

[Guest GreekHockeyCoach]

Pure excitement and energy on Thursday should be enugh to pull the team through to the next round. The team really needs to win this next game, so that they get in some practice time and work on what the Bruins have been doing to break them down. You can be sure that Philly is watching and taking notes. I'd also like to point out that while everyone is complaing about the lack of scoring, it is very difficult to score when the Bruins clog up center ice, and I for one think we are doing great. The fact that the number one and 2 lines aren't scoring as much is because the Bruins are so focused on those two lines and it's lets our third line score. Thats fine with me, eventually other teams will have to focus on them as well and that just means another line will become free. It's a team effort, and it just shows our depth. After 4 games we have now proven that we are scoring threat on 3 lines. For every team left out there, defend that! With the eventual call ups from Hamilton what a fourth line we can put out there. I for one am very excited to see what comes next.

Cheers

My sentiments exactly Freddy. Good post.

[Guest GreekHockeyCoach]

Well, our power play is still absymal, and what's worse, we're now giving up shorthanded chances like they're going out of style. I honestly don't think it's a scheme issue now so much as a confidence issue. They look completely disorganized, sloppy, and tentative just trying to gain the zone. I give a lot of credit to Boston's PK, but they're not that good. If nothing else, we should at least be able to set up the box and get some quality chances on most PPs. Right now, we're spending most of our time with the man advantage outside the offensive zone!

What I noticed last night was that the synchronization of the dump-in with the wingers giving chase seems to be off. On a good PP, the dump-in is made while the forwards are in full stride at the blueline, allowing them maximum acceleration to regain control of the puck. Currently, the player doing the dump-in hesitates for a fatal second, forcing the rest of the unit to come to a stop to stay on-side, so that when the dump-in actually occurs, they have no momentum to enable them to beat the defenders to the puck.

If I were Carbo, I'd change the first and second PP units.

1st unit: Markov, Brisebois (why not ride his current wave of productivity?), Kovalev, A. Kostitsyn, Higgins

2nd unit: Hamrlik, S. Kostitsyn (point), Ryder, Plekanec, Latendresse (get a big body in front of the net and shoot, shoot, shoot from the point)

you're right. the pp looked awful and downright terrifying at times. i was too caught up in the emotion of it all to see what was going wrong so thanks for breaking it down - the dump was definitely not working and i also thought i noticed that instead of using their passing game they were forechecking (which isn't bad but they were so busy hitting guys that they forgot to get control of the puck ).

i've wanted sergei on the point for a while but i've noticed in the few times that he has been there that he's more effective up front. he worries to much about backchecking that he doesn't get as involved in the play. when he's along the boards, kovy-style, he's a lot more dangerous, imho. but i agree with you, i'd switch it up a bit. streit is having a lot of trouble out there.

Excellent observations Gentlemen. What I'm surprised is that they didn't pick up on the dump-in not working and try and skate it in the zone. We have alot of talented guys that can carry it in. I mean, the simplest way to break a neutral zone trap on the penalty kill, which is what Boston was doing and then standing us up at the blueline, is puck support. F1 carries the puck while F2 supports right behind him, quick drop pass to F2 who then hits F3 going wide. If you noticed, even on the penalty kill, the Bruins had both their defensemen at the blueline and both forwards were jumping on the puck carrier creating easy turnovers.

[Guest rocksays6]

I agree that the dump ins were not working, but when the pk is standing you up at the blue line you must dump it in, but must have a winger chasing it down on the oppostie side... I found that eveytime we dumped it in, everyone was watching the puck carrier shoot it in and then reacted form a stand still to try and retrieve the puck. What would happen is the best they could do is lay a body check on the defencemen, but would not get possesion back. Even if one forward is skating hard towards the side boards at the blue line and then fires in after the puck once its shot in, I think they would have a much better chance of regaining possesion of the puck. This goes for 5-5 as well as pp. I hope this gets straightened out - I would love to enjoy an easier atmosphere in game 5 if we get an early and safe lead. On a possitive note, I was really impressed with the discipline the team showed in the 3rd last night positionally. It was a little boring to watch if you are not a biased fan, but nevertheless very effective in running out the clock. excellent job to the coahing staff and players for executing it to perfection!!

[Guest GreekHockeyCoach]

I agree that the dump ins were not working, but when the pk is standing you up at the blue line you must dump it in, but must have a winger chasing it down on the oppostie side... I found that eveytime we dumped it in, everyone was watching the puck carrier shoot it in and then reacted form a stand still to try and retrieve the puck. What would happen is the best they could do is lay a body check on the defencemen, but would not get possesion back. Even if one forward is skating hard towards the side boards at the blue line and then fires in after the puck once its shot in, I think they would have a much better chance of regaining possesion of the puck. This goes for 5-5 as well as pp. I hope this gets straightened out - I would love to enjoy an easier atmosphere in game 5 if we get an early and safe lead. On a possitive note, I was really impressed with the discipline the team showed in the 3rd last night positionally. It was a little boring to watch if you are not a biased fan, but nevertheless very effective in running out the clock. excellent job to the coahing staff and players for executing it to perfection!!

I agree, that was a huge positive.

[Guest Me_Habs_Fan]

Those / our turnovers were awful. Laps lost the puck so many times, I thought he should put bubble gum on his stick. Some of the guys missed the net on close in shots. GHC -- Right, we do have some good stick handlers with good speed and I agree. We got to carry it in and use this talent against them. AK is good at it, but wasn't exactly great at doing so last night. He showed he could do it a couple a times, but that was about it. I got to give Boston defense & backcheckers some credit, cause they were constantly getting in the way of our guys. Laps wasn't the only one who was losing it off his stick, a lot of them were. I'm wondering if some of it was nerves? Anyway, it must have been exasperating for our guys. Maybe we need to be like those Russian teams of yesteryear? They would all turn back into their own zone and then try another rush. Most of the time or eventually, they would be successful at getting in and getting a good scoring chance. They often did just what you mentioned - F1, F2 and F3. One thing for sure, they wanted to control the play and keep puck possession. Their passing was tape to tape and the stick handling was just magic. I think it was game two of the Pens / Flyers series, when the Flyers tried to take the head off Crosby. Evgeni Malkin was pretty P'ed off about that and the next shift he gave the Flyers a lesson in stick handling. He made it look easy when he went right around 3 Flyer players. Kovi can stick handle with the best of them, but its been pretty hard for him with 2 guys on his back. Since we don't have Saku, I would try Grabovski. I think he could carry the puck and create havoc in Boston's end of the ice.

Speaking of Evgeni Malkin, how would he look Habs uniform?

[Guest rocksays6]

Those / our turnovers were awful. Laps lost the puck so many times, I thought he should put bubble gum on his stick. Some of the guys missed the net on close in shots. GHC -- Right, we do have some good stick handlers with good speed and I agree. We got to carry it in and use this talent against them. AK is good at it, but wasn't exactly great at doing so last night. He showed he could do it a couple a times, but that was about it. I got to give Boston defense & backcheckers some credit, cause they were constantly getting in the way of our guys. Laps wasn't the only one who was losing it off his stick, a lot of them were. I'm wondering if some of it was nerves? Anyway, it must have been exasperating for our guys. Maybe we need to be like those Russian teams of yesteryear? They would all turn back into their own zone and then try another rush. Most of the time or eventually, they would be successful at getting in and getting a good scoring chance. They often did just what you mentioned - F1, F2 and F3. One thing for sure, they wanted to control the play and keep puck possession. Their passing was tape to tape and the stick handling was just magic. I think it was game two of the Pens / Flyers series, when the Flyers tried to take the head off Crosby. Evgeni Malkin was pretty P'ed off about that and the next shift he gave the Flyers a lesson in stick handling. He made it look easy when he went right around 3 Flyer players. Kovi can stick handle with the best of them, but its been pretty hard for him with 2 guys on his back. Since we don't have Saku, I would try Grabovski. I think he could carry the puck and create havoc in Boston's end of the ice.

Speaking of Evgeni Malkin, how would he look Habs uniform?

I think that carrying the puck in is the best way to keep possesion (obviously) but not always available, unless we do like you said like the russians of yesteryear, we need to get the puck around the boards coming up the other side with 2 guys charging in at the same time to retrieve it, IMO. If try to carry it in and lose it - well we seen what can happen with speedy guys like sturm, lukily the guy can't score.

[fourtrax]

Whatever they do, they need to execute. Plain and simple. If they dump it in, they have to time the dump-ins properly and skate like maniacs to the puck, then work their tails off to regain possession. If they carry in over the blueline, their skating, stick-handling, and passing have to be crisp and sharp. Sloppiness almost wrecked us last night: by my count, we gave up three legit scoring chances (not just shots, mind you, but scoring chances) while we were on the power play! A more offensively talented team would have buried us.

[Guest rocksays6]

Whatever they do, they need to execute. Plain and simple. If they dump it in, they have to time the dump-ins properly and skate like maniacs to the puck, then work their tails off to regain possession. If they carry in over the blueline, their skating, stick-handling, and passing have to be crisp and sharp. Sloppiness almost wrecked us last night: by my count, we gave up three legit scoring chances (not just shots, mind you, but scoring chances) while we were on the power play! A more offensively talented team would have buried us.

perfectly said

[Guest bigsby]

Whatever they do, they need to execute. Plain and simple. If they dump it in, they have to time the dump-ins properly and skate like maniacs to the puck, then work their tails off to regain possession. If they carry in over the blueline, their skating, stick-handling, and passing have to be crisp and sharp. Sloppiness almost wrecked us last night: by my count, we gave up three legit scoring chances (not just shots, mind you, but scoring chances) while we were on the power play! A more offensively talented team would have buried us.

YES!

this thread is quiet today are we confident or nervous?

my fear for tonight: the habs rely on the 7th man and play sloppily while the bruins utterly ignore the fatigue and go full throttle.

my wish: the habs are the hungrier team and use their talent and chemistry to exhaust the bruins (as they tried to do in game 4). i would like to see a plethora of well-timed shots instead of near misses. i wish every player in the ch uniform an outstanding game tonight - so much so that the press name the coaches the three stars .

[fourtrax]

YES!

this thread is quiet today are we confident or nervous?

my fear for tonight: the habs rely on the 7th man and play sloppily while the bruins utterly ignore the fatigue and go full throttle.

my wish: the habs are the hungrier team and use their talent and chemistry to exhaust the bruins (as they tried to do in game 4). i would like to see a plethora of well-timed shots instead of near misses. i wish every player in the ch uniform an outstanding game tonight - so much so that the press name the coaches the three stars .

I understand both your fear and your wish.

However, considering how close games 2-4 have been, I don't think anyone on our team will be taking Boston for granted. The Bruins have played desperate, tight playoff hockey for 3 games. Everyone knows by now that they are not going to concede an inch.

[amp73]

If the boys play on Staurday like they have the last 4 games , see you all at the Bell Centre Monday night

If not for Price this series would have been won by Boston already

The Team needs to play better

[Guest thefooligan5]

If the boys play on Staurday like they have the last 4 games , see you all at the Bell Centre Monday night

If not for Price this series would have been won by Boston already

The Team needs to play better

Without question.

I will commend Boston for altering their game plan for the playoffs as they have compleyelt shut down the big guys for the habs. The habs can barely get a shot through to the next because they are always collapsing in front of the goaltender.

But what does that say about the habs and their coaching staff? It appears that they have not tried adjust to the style of hockey quite prevalent in the playoffs. They are practically doomed to fail from the get-go trying to play a speed game when boston has so effectively employed the trap since game 2. I've stated this before but I do not think it is only a matter of coincidence that the best lines for the habs have consistently been the 3rd and 4th. These are the only two lines honestly willing to get their noses dirty. They expose the fragility of the bruins' defense with their forechecking yet they lack to true hockey skill to pot a number of goals. They are grinding but until the rest of the teams follows suit I think the habs are going to be relying solely on Price to win them games and with a rookie nothing is a given so they had better get their act together and start intimidating the hell out of Boston with fierce fierce forechecking next. Make them ice the puck all night, I don't care. They simply need to take away their time and the opportunities will start coming. And once they do, we've all seen how awful Thomas is at controlling rebounds so if the boys can tune their noses for the net the habs are in business.

I wait with baited breath.

[Guest bigsby]

I understand both your fear and your wish.

However, considering how close games 2-4 have been, I don't think anyone on our team will be taking Boston for granted. The Bruins have played desperate, tight playoff hockey for 3 games. Everyone knows by now that they are not going to concede an inch.

i hope to heck they took the bruins for granted because otherwise our boys are in serious trouble.

i admire and respect what the bruins have done to stay in this series but they are not that good! we are defeating ourselves out there at times.

there is an upside: price was due for a rookie mistake. it happened. it's not the end of the world and i have no doubt that can bounce back from it but he needs the help of this rookie team to move forward. our vets, as expected, are getting the job done. the youngens should be taking notes.

and for all those who want to see the bulldogs callups in the lineup - and i understand the excitment so i'm not belittling anyone's opinion - our vets have been saving our bacon on most nights. experience is keeping the habs in the series right now.

[Guest Grabovsky's friend]

I’m sure Habs will win series vs Boston if not in 6-th game then in 7-th. Now THIS is not the main thing. The main thing is how we will be successful against Flyers or Rangers the next round with SO PLAY (performance) ???

After the 1-st Boston’s becoming better and more confidence game-by-game, but Habs couldn’t show his game and no any improvements…

We have proverb in Belarus «the games’re won by players, but lost by coach». So, IMO the one responsible for what is going on is Guy Carbonneau. What has he done as a Head Coach since 2-3 games when the Habs problems are obvious? Nothing. Everybody only hopes on Kovalev or Price or ASAP Saku return. We can over with Boston (objectively the weak rival) rely upon only these factors. So then what?!

Carbo must COACH (change something). Boston has already got accustomed and knows how to play and win TODAY’S Habs. Carbo has to:

1) shake up and kindle players’ passion (while Koivu is absent, and Kovalev can't do it instead)

2) of cause change lineup, mix players, insert new power – talented rookies, wishing to prove and be able to be great . I don’t mean Grabs (Misha of couse able!!!!!, but Carbo never give him a chance). Why not try to insert Stewart, Chipchura or somebody else? It is necessary to make unexpected reshuffles and changes to Boston.

Carbo doesn’t has enough experience OR may by enough courage? But he still could risk, we have 1 handicap game. If this will take us nowhere in 6 game, could turn back in 7 and win at home. If it will just great in 6, we have a chance to strength play and to face the future (raund 2 vs Rangers/Flyers)

[fourtrax]

Higgins centering the second line is proving to be an abysmal failure. They aren't big enough to consistently establish presence in the offensive zone, and don't seem to have any chemistry. Higgins isn't a good enough playmaker to feed his linemates, Sergei is struggling big-time with penalties, and Ryder is not shooting or even getting himself in a position to shoot. At this point, I do not see how inserting Grabovski and removing Ryder could be anything but an improvement.

[Guest j2c]

Higgins centering the second line is proving to be an abysmal failure. They aren't big enough to consistently establish presence in the offensive zone, and don't seem to have any chemistry. Higgins isn't a good enough playmaker to feed his linemates, Sergei is struggling big-time with penalties, and Ryder is not shooting or even getting himself in a position to shoot. At this point, I do not see how inserting Grabovski and removing Ryder could be anything but an improvement.

I totally agree with you!! We need Grabovski or Stewart might be an improvement! Carbo has to do something about the lines next game. The key players should be performing and they are not!