Post-Game Talk: Habs shut out the Stanley Cup finalists

[nhlfan9191]

For Andy, I knew he couldn't possibility be as bad as last year (and I found a lot of that was bad puck luck/him losing confidence in the beginning). He's not flashy but he skates well in straight lines and plays really well when he's pissed off.

Gallagher I straight up thought he was done. Last season he looked slow, and at his age (especially with his skillset, where he has to work hard for everything he gets), being slow is death in this league. I'm not sure if he switched up his workout routine in the summer or what but he keeps up with the play now and it helps him tremendously.

I haven’t seen any pictures of Gallagher off ice this season but he’s always been built like a brick s***house. I wonder if he’s leaned out a bit.

 

[morhilane]

I haven’t seen any pictures of Gallagher off ice this season but he’s always been built like a brick s***house. I wonder if he’s leaned out a bit.

There was a mention back in like August that he did. He also got married.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Honestly spent the first few hours trying to say someone was less than ok last game and can't think of anyone.

That was a really good game by the team overall.

I noticed the system might be tweaked, or the players understand it better, or the Oilers just can't move the puck around as effectively as other teams, but you didn't see the Habs just constantly chasing people. They were moving, but didn't seem to be chasing. You didn't see dmen following players up to the point and then there's someone down low wide open.

Or there's like 4 players in the corner to battle 3 players 5 on 5, then on the PP they send 2 players to battle 2 players, lose and it gets cleared.

Now, Saturday's game against Vegas will be a true test. However, that will be their 3 game in 4 nights, so the Habs should be able to get the jump on them

If the team can figure things out and the system works, I'll have crow to eat. A f***ing lot.

Two weeks ago i would have been impressed if the Habs could go 2 periods with giving up only 1 goal, let alone 2 games.

 

[VT]

A few thoughts on the game and a few players I posted elsewhere....

‐----------

They played man/man and then on the 5 on 6 zone.

I'm starting to think they have enough processing power to switch back and forth. If they can accomplish that at will, it's a big deal. Although when they played m/m, they were run around on purpose and they lost coverage. Looked like headless chickens.

I'm going to fall off my extra high toddler chair if the guys show that much discipline switching coverage type with a much better team. If they did it with the Wild as an example.

X is coming around. Not happy with his zone exits and losing possession. I don't know where to find the numbers but not thrilled seeing the puck sail down the zone. He seems to fear carrying it and he should be. Not exactly fleet of foot nor particulry great at beating m/m coverage. 17.10 has been the longest ice time in forever. Third highest this season and 3 minutes short of his longest at 20.34.

I'm pissed at the lack of shooting. Is he that wild and hard that the guys in front fear for their bones? He's not even calling for the puck, although he fails to put himself in the open or move himself to a shooting lane. So it may be more of his fault for not reading the ice to get into a shooting lane. There were a few instances where he was the best passing option to shoot yet he was not passed to. If it was me with 107mph canon, i would give him an earful but it seems perfectly normal. Or at least from our limited perspective. OR maybe he's afraid of a bad bounce and a breakaway on him. That where the words "shooting lane" comes in. Chicken and egg problem... at 107mph.

Dach...this is NOT the Dach of last season. WTH is going on with him? We are closing in on quarter of the season and he's still the Chicago Dach. I wonder if he going to wake up when Laine comes back. Laine is going to be a pretty statue in a line of pretty statues if Dach can't be his playmaker. Laine was a ppg with a good center...but not a Chicago Dach.

We are living in interesting Habs times...

If you think that Jenner and winger Roslovic (Jack played center in CBJ) are good centers and playmakers; Peeke, Gudbranson, Berni and Gavrikov in 2022/23 (52 in 55), Peeke, Gavrikov and Bean in 2021/22 (56 in 56) are great d-men, O.K. Only Werenski in 2021/22 (he was injured the whole 2022/23) is excellent. Also he played with Gaudreau in 2022/23 but Johnny made him worse (Patrik made Johnny better). This same, in 2021/22, when playmaker Voráček made him worse (but Patrik him too).

 

[Rapala]

I am referring to David Jiricek

I remember having questioned his brain power when he was so highly touted during the WJHC.
This was when I saw him try an individual play 1 against 3 where he blew out his knee...
a simple dump in was called for. I didn't know how bad he was hurt but the play was dumb.

 

[Apfel Struble]

Having a heavier bottom 6 makes a big difference. Between Anderson, Armia, Heineman and Condotta, that's a lot of meat and it's not like Gallagher isn't a physical presence either. Dvorak would be the only one that I'd say isn't a physical presence. I love that that their physicality is different too. Armia doesn't hit a lot but his puck protection is an annoyance in the neutral zone and on the forecheck. Heineman hits everything and has been a real difference on the bottom 6

When Laine comes back, it's gonna make ripples on line up. I'd give him either Dach's or Newhook's spot. I'd be partial to try Dach with Gallagher, I feel like he would benefit from Gally's jam

 

[Rapala]

No structure, disorganized, fire Marty!

Am I doing this right?

Yeah it only took like 15 games to find some semblance of a solid 5 man defensive structure.
The most notable change is the responsible play between the blue lines it helps at both ends of the rink when executed properly.
Marty talked about it post game as well. It's so much easier to defend when play is held up before giving up the blue line.
This isn't even close to what they gave us during that stretch.
So if anything this supports what many have been saying all along hopefully they will acknowledge the improvement.

 

[The Real Timo]

Yeah it only took like 15 games to find some semblance of a solid 5 man defensive structure.
The most notable change is the responsible play between the blue lines it helps at both ends of the rink when executed properly.
Marty talked about it post game as well. It's so much easier to defend when play is held up before giving up the blue line.
This isn't even close to what they gave us during that stretch.
So if anything this supports what many have been saying all along hopefully they will acknowledge the improvement.

I acknowledge. Team played better in the last 2-3 games. Let's see if they keep it up. I still hate the second line. And Dach needs to be off the first line.

But, they already exceeded by Nov expectations.

 

[le_sean]

No structure, disorganized, fire Marty!

Am I doing this right?

We beat the oldest and slowest team in the league. Nice win, but it doesn’t negate the fact the team is 31st in goals against.

 

[The Real Timo]

Lol... Habs still dead last in the conference 3 points out of playoffs spot (Bruins) with a game in hand. LFG!!!! I want DA PLAYOFFS!!!!

We beat the oldest and slowest team in the league. Nice win, but it doesn’t negate the fact the team is 31st in goals against.

All Monty needs to do is pitch a few more shutouts. Shouldn't be hard. Gros Dave va manger da pucks and Monty will stop everything else. Habs will be middle of the pack by end of the year.

 

[Rapala]

The disappointment in the contract and Gallagher’s play the last 3 years had made me forget why he was loved for so many years. It’s nice to see him turn back the clock a little bit and have some success.

Under rated defensively...
When he has gas.
We tend to forget just how good Tatar Danault and Gallagher were at their peak leading the league 5v5 in +/- was a mean feat.

The greatest improvement he's made is the quality of his shifts are back close to where they were then.
His skating and stamina is so much better this season it enables him to get on the end of far more plays.

 

[Captain Mountain]

We beat the oldest and slowest team in the league. Nice win, but it doesn’t negate the fact the team is 31st in goals against.

We're leaving the part of the season where people need to relearn that sample sizes are a thing and entering the part where people need to relearn that consistency (both good and bad) doesn't exist.

Montreal's shown clear improvements defensively the last 5-ish games. Whether they keep it up or not is another question, but we can acknowledge the improvement.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Lol... Habs still dead last in the conference 3 points out of playoffs spot (Bruins) with a game in hand. LFG!!!! I want DA PLAYOFFS!!!!

It's insane how tight the race is for that 2WC spot. Boston holds onto it with 19 pts.

Isles and Flyers have 18 pts.
Sens, Sabres, and Pens have 17 pts.
Jackets, Wings, and Habs at 16 pts. Those are 9 teams separated by 3 pts.

There is also Tampa who is 3rd in the Atlantic and are at 19 pts. So even the 3rd spot in the division isn't far off.

However, Habs aren't playing until Saturday. So in the next 3 days, the standings might have a slightly different look.

 

[Habs]

clearly we should offer Dvorak, Gallagher and Barron for McDavid

 

[Rapala]

Gallagher and Anderson have been awesome almost the entire season - and I say that has someone who has ragged on them constantly.

Recently, I find they set the tone with their intensity and pace. The exact type of game you want to see from your 3rd line. Kudos to them for redefining themselves - or in the case of Gallagher, finding some rejuvenation.

It's curious how both Dvorak and Evans picked up their games when they no longer found themselves on the 4th line.
Go back to the first year Monahan played with us Evans was terrible until he got bumped.
Coincidence I think not.

 

[LaP]

Honestly spent the first few hours trying to say someone was less than ok last game and can't think of anyone.

That was a really good game by the team overall.

I noticed the system might be tweaked, or the players understand it better,

I think it's mostly just the vets playing better and Guhle back from injury. Outside of the Gallagher line the vets were pure trash for the first 10 games or so.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Lol... Habs still dead last in the conference 3 points out of playoffs spot (Bruins) with a game in hand. LFG!!!! I want DA PLAYOFFS!!!!

We could miss the playoffs by six points and still draft in the top 5. Such is the growing effect of parity in the league.

 

[rik schau]

Look at that, 2 wins in a row. Only saw the highlights but will make an effort to see the next one. Looked when it is and it's only on Saturday. What's with the scheduling, long time between matches, silly buggers.

 

[LaP]

We're leaving the part of the season where people need to relearn that sample sizes are a thing and entering the part where people need to relearn that consistency (both good and bad) doesn't exist.

Montreal's shown clear improvements defensively the last 5-ish games. Whether they keep it up or not is another question, but we can acknowledge the improvement.

They don't really relearn it. It's just that we are getting to the point where the Kastelic and Lohrei of this world are back on earth. In a few weeks it's going to be Eric Robinson's and Paul Cotter's turn. But the fans never learn it's going to be the same story next season. It's the Chris Kontos syndrome. It's been there every years since since the NHL was created.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

clearly we should offer Dvorak, Gallagher and Barron for McDavid

But who would replace Barron in the lineup???

 

[Trabdy2]

Really liked how our 4th line played, really worked the Oilers defence in zone and made some plays too. Heineman was just crushing guys.

Probably Xhekaj's best game this year? Hopefully it's a stepping stone to continued higher level play that would cement himself a position in our bottom pairing.

We need to find a way to keep Evans. Yes he's 28 and there's limited offense, but he's a really solid bottom six center that plays so smart defensively and I think he can be a part of the solution going forward. He should hold value to be traded in the future if we develop someone to replace him, but we are having SO much trouble finding/developing reliable centremen.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Good game. Good coverage from Amazon. They delivered.

Oilers are fun to watch. Love the movement in the offensive zone. The Habs weathered the storm.

 

[Tyson]

I remember having questioned his brain power when he was so highly touted during the WJHC.
This was when I saw him try an individual play 1 against 3 where he blew out his knee...
a simple dump in was called for. I didn't know how bad he was hurt but the play was dumb.

Yeah it appears Columbus doesn't trust him and he may not last long there.

 

[Habs]

Good game. Good coverage from Amazon. They delivered.

Oilers are fun to watch. Love the movement in the offensive zone. The Habs weathered the storm.

Took my kids to watch the Oilers/Canucks games 5&7 last year in Van, told them to appreciate the greatness of McJesus, he's the Mario/Wayne of our generation. Last night when he circled around the Montreal zone, that speed.. what a treat to watch.

Leon is a douche though

 

[BLONG7]

We beat the oldest and slowest team in the league. Nice win, but it doesn’t negate the fact the team is 31st in goals against.

Oilers are the oldest and slowest team in the league?? Not sure if that's correct, but hey to each is own...............team effort did it, and Monty who has been as bad as Primeau, was very steady last night.

They have been pretty decent for the past 5 games.....winning 3 of them.
They need to go on a run of sorts, to get back in the mix.....for me, I am seeing improvements, and the GA which is a team stat, does rely on the goalies playing well when needed.