nhlfan9191
Registered User
- Aug 4, 2010
- 20,023
- 18,237
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.
Post-Game Talk: Habs shut out the Stanley Cup finalists
- Thread starter expy
- Start date
There was a mention back in like August that he did. He also got married.
Gaylord Q Tinkledink
Registered User
- Apr 29, 2018
- 33,608
- 36,843
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.
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.
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).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.
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
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
Last edited:
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
Registered User
- Jun 18, 2019
- 16,941
- 20,940
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
Registered User
- Oct 21, 2006
- 42,020
- 45,176
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
Registered User
- Jun 18, 2019
- 16,941
- 20,940
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!!!!
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.
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
Formerly Captain Wolverine
- Jun 6, 2010
- 21,136
- 15,275
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
Registered User
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.
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
Registered User
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
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
- 5,841
- 12,686
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.
LaP
Registered User
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
Like and reply
Trabdy2
Registered User
- Nov 30, 2018
- 704
- 875
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.
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.
Habs
It's going to be a long year
- Feb 28, 2002
- 22,859
- 17,689
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
Registered User
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.
