Post-Game Talk: Habs lose to 'Kings' on the tail end of the back-to-back.

[Trabdy2]

It was really hard to take many positives away from last night's effort. But there were a couple worth mentioning:

Beck looks sharp. He just gets the game. A few of things that continue to stand out are his overall strong mobility, awareness on the ice as he scans around, and his shot release. He doesn't need much time or space to get the puck towards the net, and it goes with velocity. He didn't take a lot of draws, but he was 71% on them (winning 5 out of 7, I believe).

I liked Newhook's effort. He skated hard, and made some good plays with and without the puck.

Laine, Dach and Slafkovsky all had poor games in my opinion.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

It was really hard to take many positives away from last night's effort. But there were a couple worth mentioning:

Beck looks sharp. He just gets the game. A few of things that continue to stand out are his overall strong mobility, awareness on the ice as he scans around, and his shot release. He doesn't need much time or space to get the puck towards the net, and it goes with velocity. He didn't take a lot of draws, but he was 71% on them (winning 5 out of 7, I believe).

I liked Newhook's effort. He skated hard, and made some good plays with and without the puck.

Laine, Dach and Slafkovsky all had poor games in my opinion.

The difference that is obvious when Habs face LAK is Habs don't have a system that works. On the other side LAK are playing a system that always ends with a win vs Habs. Their efforts are rewarded and we don't know how the goals will be scored but at the end they always win. It's kind of depressing cuz LAK are not really a top nhl team. LAK went thru some roster changes, they had the bad experience of PLD and they just keep playing an overall good game and every year they qualify for the PO.

Since last month Habs have always many players who have a bad night. Opposite teams just have to worry about the Suzuki line and the rest of the team doesn't score much except Evans and Armia. Yesterday the 3 goals were from defensemen. Habs needs desperatly a good second center to help building some secondary scoring, like any team "in the mix".

 

[habbubba]

Montreal was lucky that they were not blown out more than they were,the Panzer is all fueled up and ready to go.

 

[habbubba]

The first 2 minutes of the game were something else. 8 shots in total by the Kings.

It was such total domination by the Kings it was impressive. Looked like Montreal were standing at a bus stop.

 

[Whitesnake]

Your thoughts and prayers didn't work boys and girls.

 

[ReHabs]

It doesn’t have to be an ‘evil scheme’ to be disingenuous. Saying that’s the case is…again disingenuous lol

I didn't describe him as a topX dman because one of you would've jumped out of your cushions for either over-selling or under-selling Guhle.

I don't think Guhle's a top-pairing d-man, but he is in that chair for the Habs. His loss shouldn't see the team crater, but it does... because [and this was the point of my initial comment, in case you missed it]... our roster is bad-to-mediocre and lacks talent. Hope this helps.

 

[habdynasty]

Guhle is a first pairing d man. That’s easy to see. Man the team misses him big time.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I doubt that. A pp specialist on a 3rd line on a good team, with 50% retained will be worth at least a late 1st.

No chance

 

[ChesterNimitz]

It's nice to see in his 1st AHL season. A good sign yes. I will let him prove he can be better than a 3C before I label him. I understand his game well. He's a great skater with solid size/weight and a competitor. A true center type that plays a 200' game. I just don't see him being that 2C offensive type.

I’m an optimist. If we have two centers who are better than Beck in two years then we’re cooking.

 

[Habs10Habs]

I doubt that. A pp specialist on a 3rd line on a good team, with 50% retained will be worth at least a late 1st.

A couple of weeks ago, I might have agreed with you. If his slump continues, I can't see us getting much for him.

 

[ReHabs]

A couple of weeks ago, I might have agreed with you. If his slump continues, I can't see us getting much for him.

It's not a slump -- it's the wall! He's not fit. He's out of shape. The adrenaline has worn off, he has a weak knee, he's not at 100%.

I see so many people make excuses for mystery, secret, undeclared injuries for their favourite players during their slumps but the guy who openly says he hasn't focussed on fitness for the better part of two years is not included in this amnesty for some reason. I expect a lot more from him and it's sad that he's not showing it but this is why we got paid to take him as a cap dump. His fitness was in the pits AND he took a big knee injury just as the season started.

Guhle is a first pairing d man. That’s easy to see. Man the team misses him big time.

On a contender team I think he's a great 3. On the Habs he was top-pairing but not a big point producer -- only 14 in 44, on pace for 27... not necessarily top-pairing in the modern NHL. I like him a lot, he's a stabilising presence and I think he'll be a force as the years go on.

 

[Whitesnake]

It was really hard to take many positives away from last night's effort. But there were a couple worth mentioning:

Beck looks sharp. He just gets the game. A few of things that continue to stand out are his overall strong mobility, awareness on the ice as he scans around, and his shot release. He doesn't need much time or space to get the puck towards the net, and it goes with velocity. He didn't take a lot of draws, but he was 71% on them (winning 5 out of 7, I believe).

I liked Newhook's effort. He skated hard, and made some good plays with and without the puck.

Laine, Dach and Slafkovsky all had poor games in my opinion.

Newhook never has any problems with his efforts. Newhook should develop into what Lehky was for us. A 3rd line pain in the ass in the forecheck player who should also play the PK. But he's not a top 6 player for us now. Imagine when we will have to be much stronger to compete.

 

[Habs10Habs]

It's not a slump -- it's the wall! He's not fit. He's out of shape. The adrenaline has worn off, he has a weak knee, he's not at 100%.

I see so many people make excuses for mystery, secret, undeclared injuries for their favourite players during their slumps but the guy who openly says he hasn't focussed on fitness for the better part of two years is not included in this amnesty for some reason. I expect a lot more from him and it's sad that he's not showing it but this is why we got paid to take him as a cap dump. His fitness was in the pits AND he took a big knee injury just as the season started

Agreed, I used the word "slump" as a brief description of his recent play. But when you factor in his knee injury, improper training, lack of endurance. It's easy to see that yes he has hit a wall.

It's easier to do that, since you don't want to just admit that your favourite player, just doesn't have it anymore. I've gone through that personally with Gallagher. Who I've finally admited has lost a step or two, due to the punishment he's taken over the years. In Laine's case, I don't think he's lost a step. Which is why I"m in no hurry to trade him.

I still think he can be a top 6 player on a contender, when fully healthy. Which is again why I'm willing to be patient. Give him time to get his endurance back. Plus even though he was cleared to play. I still don't think his knee is 100%. Which inturn is messing with his confidence.

 

[OldCraig71]

This crash back to earth might suggest that the rebuilding will take several more years. We need an upgrade on the second line; we need a good veteran 50-point stopgap center for a few years till the kids are ready. Dach can play wing and Newhook can stay there or drop to the third line. As for Laine, I think his issues are physical and psychological.

Our defense needs help as well, 250 cent is too slow and Matheson is too high on the totem pole. Guhle and Carrier are the steadiest two. Xhekaj has warts and Hutson needs more time, he will be a star but he needs time. As for Struble, see Harris and Barron.

In nets I think we are fine for now, defensive lapses are hurting our goalies more than anything.

Also, coaching could use an upgrade, and I'm not suggesting that MSL needs to go, but I do believe he needs some help. Does Big Bird currently work for another organization?

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

A couple of weeks ago, I might have agreed with you. If his slump continues, I can't see us getting much for him.

He has 12 goals in 26 games. GMs aren't overwhelmed by recency bias like fans are. They're overwhelmed by reputation. He's a goal scorer and has scored a lot since coming back despite his re-adaptation period.

Again, i need to reiterate. 50% retention. That's 4.35 cap space for a 30-40 goal scorer, with only a year remaining on his contract.

 

[ReHabs]

Agreed, I used the word "slump" as a brief description of his recent play. But when you factor in his knee injury, improper training, lack of endurance. It's easy to see that yes he has hit a wall.

It's easier to do that, since you don't want to just admit that your favourite player, just doesn't have it anymore. I've gone through that personally with Gallagher. Who I've finally admited has lost a step or two, due to the punishment he's taken over the years. In Laine's case, I don't think he's lost a step. Which is why I"m in no hurry to trade him.

I still think he can be a top 6 player on a contender, when fully healthy. Which is again why I'm willing to be patient. Give him time to get his endurance back. Plus even though he was cleared to play. I still don't think his knee is 100%. Which inturn is messing with his confidence.

Laine's not remotely my favourite player, it's more like I refuse to believe the 26 year old with phenomenal natural hockey skills is a write-off. I agree, trading him now is pretty dang stupid! He has negligible value and we don't need to move him.

Maybe it's naive of me but I think he has enough runway to take off again. We'll see next year, that is when it'll actually matter. That last injury was really unfortunate.

a 30-40 goal scorer, with only a year remaining on his contract.

Hey, we could use one of those!