Post-Game Talk: Winless in Minnesota est. 2011

[PhysicX]

It's going to get worse before it gets better

Besides injuries, it cannot get any worse than this. We're last in the standings. On the positive side, we're looking at another year of high-end drafting with two first-rounders.

I'm seeing improvement in our defensive coverage, players are hopefully buying into that facet of the game, even a little too much at the expense of their offensive production. It's fine really, no team should be getting blown out every game. Next up for the players will be to find a better balance, but the focus should remain in improving the defensive aspect of their games and getting accustomed to the coach's system.

Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but I'm more than fine with how this season is going presently. We're not as bad as what the standings show, and our farm team is cooking. If we can score one top prospect out of our two first rounders, I'll be satisfied.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Doubt we beat Utah, they just handled Carolina easily and Carolina are light years ahead of us…

Columbus? Maybe. I was shocked they beat Buffalo to be honest so I suppose anything is possible.

I’m just so done with Marty Saint John hockey. No systems, no accountability for some and far too much for others, little to no development, toughness non existent.

It’s like being forced to listen to the opening theme for “Coronation Street” on repeat.

Utah was home, and Carolina's goaltending was shit, while Utah's goalie had an epic performance. That happens. It's a one-off type game.

Utah is 3-5-2 in their last 10, and is not particularly good on the road. It's a winnable game.

Montreal's structure was fine last night. They played a really strong defensive game. Offense wasn't doing much, especially the PP.

 

[Seven7]

MTL is tanking, it's just clear as day.

Or Marty is just a very bad coach.

 

[mitchmagic]

Can't win when you don't shoot.

 

[Tuggy]

32nd overall and rightfully so.

Just a bad team right now.

 

[Theodore450]

What was last night excuse for MSL?

 

[BLONG7]

MTL is tanking, it's just clear as day.

Or Marty is just a very bad coach.

Could be...................a bit of both.

Can't win when you don't shoot.

Amazing how this team just passes the puck, and almost never shoots.......

 

[BLONG7]

Utah was home, and Carolina's goaltending was shit, while Utah's goalie had an epic performance. That happens. It's a one-off type game.

Utah is 3-5-2 in their last 10, and is not particularly good on the road. It's a winnable game.

Montreal's structure was fine last night. They played a really strong defensive game. Offense wasn't doing much, especially the PP.

The habs just can't seem to put it all together...............even in their wins, albeit not many this year, have they played a good overall game? Maybe the 4-1 win over the Senaturds.....?

 

[OldCraig71]

We played much better defensively, it was probably one of our best efforts of the season. The real issue is the drop-off at center after Suzuki, Evans is a 4th line center and Dvorak is awful. That guy would struggle to put up 30 points in the AHL, he makes so many bad mistakes at both ends of the ice. We would be much more competitive with a 50 point NHL center behind Suzuki.

 

[hvac412]

MTL is tanking, it's just clear as day.

Or Marty is just a very bad coach.

I would go with the latter ,it’s pretty obvious,not saying he’s not smart but it takes more than hockey knowledge to coach,one of the greatest players in the game (Gretzky) couldn’t coach or be a decent Gm .The odds were not in our favor when we started this rebuild but then again we also have a ROOKIE Gm who put this green coaching staff in place.

 

[eklund the clown]

MTL is tanking, it's just clear as day.

Or Marty is just a very bad coach.

or both

 

[WeThreeKings]

We played much better defensively, it was probably one of our best efforts of the season. The real issue is the drop-off at center after Suzuki, Evans is a 4th line center and Dvorak is awful. That guy would struggle to put up 30 points in the AHL, he makes so many bad mistakes at both ends of the ice. We would be much more competitive with a 50 point NHL center behind Suzuki.

They need to get Dach back to form and back at center, until that happens, yes, it's going to look like this.

Laine coming back and Dach getting his confidence back would give us a legitimate 2nd line, and they'll play themselves out of the bottom.

Also agree that it was their best defensive efforts of the year, that's a Minnesota team that's scored a lot of goals this year. They really looked organized most shifts, were playing up on pucks and sticks.

Definitely a sign of a young, fragile team, they can get a good defensive effort out but then the offense dries up, or they can score goals but the defense and goaltending is porous.

 

[OldCraig71]

They need to get Dach back to form and back at center, until that happens, yes, it's going to look like this.

Laine coming back and Dach getting his confidence back would give us a legitimate 2nd line, and they'll play themselves out of the bottom.

Also agree that it was their best defensive efforts of the year, that's a Minnesota team that's scored a lot of goals this year. They really looked organized most shifts, were playing up on pucks and sticks.

Definitely a sign of a young, fragile team, they can get a good defensive effort out but then the offense dries up, or they can score goals but the defense and goaltending is porous.

Struble made a few gaffs, but for the most part, the defense made good plays—to the point I was saying it out loud, lol. There was very little drama and less chasing in our end. Posters are commenting that we didn't get many shots, but the same can be said for the Wild. We held them in check save for a few mistakes. The Dvorak pass was beer-league bad. I can accept losses like that one.

We established a cycle game but couldn't get to the middle which is always tough to accomplish without talented power forwards. Slaf needs to impose his will more but I think he isn't that kind of player.

Dach needs to pay attention to detail and have more awareness of his linemates, he made the same mistakes last night that he has made since joining us. Most of them are careless and he wont thrive at center playing that way.

 

[BLONG7]

We played much better defensively, it was probably one of our best efforts of the season. The real issue is the drop-off at center after Suzuki, Evans is a 4th line center and Dvorak is awful. That guy would struggle to put up 30 points in the AHL, he makes so many bad mistakes at both ends of the ice. We would be much more competitive with a 50 point NHL center behind Suzuki.

Dach has to be the guy behind Suzuki, but he seems to be playing scared of sorts, or very disinterested. He looks very tenative out there on the ice.......I understand the whole let's put him up on the 1st to get him going, but it's not happening.

Laine getting back could be huge for Dach....................unfortunately at that point in a couple of weeks, the season could be toast again....

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

We played much better defensively, it was probably one of our best efforts of the season. The real issue is the drop-off at center after Suzuki, Evans is a 4th line center and Dvorak is awful. That guy would struggle to put up 30 points in the AHL, he makes so many bad mistakes at both ends of the ice. We would be much more competitive with a 50 point NHL center behind Suzuki.

Said before the season that Dach was a huge part of our plans. If he gets hurt we need to look at other options…. He’s playing like he’s afraid of getting hurt.

If he can’t be counted on to handle second line duties we need someone who can. The team has been patient but we can’t wait forever. It’s make or break for him. We’re not even using him at center anymore so…

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I would go with the latter ,it’s pretty obvious,not saying he’s not smart but it takes more than hockey knowledge to coach,one of the greatest players in the game (Gretzky) couldn’t coach or be a decent Gm .The odds were not in our favor when we started this rebuild but then again we also have a ROOKIE Gm who put this green coaching staff in place.

In his defense, the D is green and Dach crapping the bed means no second line. He’s moved CC to try to help spread the offense but I don’t see how this works. He’s trying to make something from nothing.

Matheson should be dealt. We should work to acquire a vet RD. I would put Dach at 2nd line center come hell or high water.

 

[OldCraig71]

Dach has to be the guy behind Suzuki, but he seems to be playing scared of sorts, or very disinterested. He looks very tenative out there on the ice.......I understand the whole let's put him up on the 1st to get him going, but it's not happening.

Laine getting back could be huge for Dach....................unfortunately at that point in a couple of weeks, the season could be toast again....

They would have a rough time defensively, neither is good without the puck. People are excited to see what Laine will do but he isn't the same player as the guy being compared to Ovechkin early in his career. If anything he will need to be with Suzuki for the first 7-8 games to get his timing back.

 

[OldCraig71]

Said before the season that Dach was a huge part of our plans. If he gets hurt we need to look at other options…. He’s playing like he’s afraid of getting hurt.

If he can’t be counted on to handle second line duties we need someone who can. The team has been patient but we can’t wait forever. It’s make or break for him. We’re not even using him at center anymore so…

I wonder if he's afraid of getting hurt or if he's feeling discomfort in his knee and is playing tentatively because of it. LG, he looks more like a winger to me, not enough defensive awareness to be a center, has a tough time with faceoffs and isn't the greatest puck distributor.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

You guys are so doom and gloom , last night was a great loss

 

[ArtPeur]

They would have a rough time defensively, neither is good without the puck. People are excited to see what Laine will do but he isn't the same player as the guy being compared to Ovechkin early in his career. If anything he will need to be with Suzuki for the first 7-8 games to get his timing back.

I'm expecting Laine to be similar to Dach as far as point production goes. Expectations on Laine are way too high

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I wonder if he's afraid of getting hurt or if he's feeling discomfort in his knee and is playing tentatively because of it. LG, he looks more like a winger to me, not enough defensive awareness to be a center, has a tough time with faceoffs and isn't the greatest puck distributor.

If he's a winger, then we really need to go get a 2nd line center. Newhook is not that and I don't think he ever will be. I'd have Newhook on the wing.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

You guys are so doom and gloom , last night was a great loss

We've tightened up. We've also seen that teams who use the trap are very effective at stymying our offense.

 

[Andy]

The habs have really tightened up defensively since the Calgary game IMO (even in Buffalo, that was the goalies).

It was a boring game, but the habs played SUPER well as a team.

The offense is not there. Dach being so far away from where he was two years ago has really hurt the team.

 

[Yep]

Marc Denis said something worrying about Dach during last night broadcast. Something along the line that Dach was almost cheating, showing lazy habits especially when far away from the puck and off camera (line changes, backchecks, etc.). Denis and Houde agreed that something was off with him and his level of interest in the game. I would have kept Monahan just to groom him, as Money was a hero to Dach and a very positive influence.

Also, I want Hutson to man the first PP. At least 50% of the times. I can't explain why we shouldn't especilally when the first unit members (especially Dach and Matheson) are not getting the job done.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

We've tightened up. We've also seen that teams who use the trap are very effective at stymying our offense.

Yeah we tightened it up a bit , we also could have put Hutson on PP1 and get back into the game but what do i know

Marc Denis said something worrying about Dach during last night broadcast. Something along the line that Dach was almost cheating, showing lazy habits especially when far away from the puck and off camera (line changes, backchecks, etc.). Denis and Houde agreed that something was off with him and his level of interest in the game. I would have kept Monahan just to groom him, as Money was a hero to Dach and a very positive influence.

Also, I want Hutson to man the first PP. At least 50% of the times. I can't explain why we shouldn't especilally when the first unit members (especially Dach and Matheson) are not getting the job done.

Yes I was suprsied Marc called out his willingness to engage and his overall intensity on RDS