The Canadiens face New Jersey on Thursday and the season hasn’t
started well for the Devils. They’ve gotten only three of a possible 12
points (one win in overtime, one loss in overtime) and have surrendered
21 goals, tied for the second worst in the league. For all the talk that
they’d assembled two top notch offensive lines, they’ve only scored 10
goals, lowest among Eastern Conference teams.
Ilya Kovalchuk,
whose new
contract is worth almost as much as Jeff
Vinik reportedly paid for the Tampa Bay Lightning, leads them with 2
goals and 3 assists. He’s also a minus-3 and he’s not been the
dominant, game-changing force that, for example, Marian
Hossa has been for Chicago.
The early season experiment of
shifting Kovalchuk to right wing on a line with Travis Zajac and Zach
Parise didn’t work. Most recently, Kovalchuk has been skating in
practice this week, still on the right side, with Patrik Elias on the
left side and 19 year old rookie Jacob Josefson, a 2009 first rounder,
between them.
Zajac and Parise are with Dainius Zubrus. Jason Arnott is between
Jamie Langenbrunner and Rod Pelley, an energetic fourth liner who has
impressed new coach John MacLean. Pelley replaces David Clarkson, who’s a
minus-6 and has been shifted to a line with pesky Tim Sestito centered
by veteran Adam Mair, signed by New Jersey last week.
Some
critics believe Kovalchuk can’t be as effective as a right winger
as he is on the left side. First-year head coach John MacLean shifted
him back to the left side during the Devils last game against Boston,
with Josefson and Clarkson, but obviously wasn’t happy with what he saw.
Marty Brodeur has had more pucks go through him in five
and
two-thirds games than he normally surrenders in a couple of months. His
save percentage is .887, and that includes a shutout one week ago in
Buffalo, the team’s only victory. He is 38-16-5 all-time against
Montreal with a 1.78 average.
At some point, time will catch up
with Brodeur but it’s not clear if that time has arrived yet. Watching
some of the goals he’s surrendered, it’s clear he’s been facing many
more quality scoring chances than he has in the past. Some of that is
because the Devils under MacLean are not the same defence-first club
they’ve historically been and some is because this team has a lot of new
parts and MacLean is still trying to fit them together and find the
right chemistry.
“Everybody thinks we’re all offense, but you know
what? Our offense
right now is not working,” the 38 year old Brodeur said last week
(quoted by Tom
Gulitti blogging for The Bergen Record). “We have to get it back to
playing a solid defensive game and we’ll get more opportunities
(offensively). I think the past is a good thing to look at because we
know that when we had solid defensive teams we usually had really good
offensive teams. So, we have to get back to playing really smart
hockey.”
Both MacLean and GM Lou Lamoriello have downplayed the
offensive struggles, saying the Devils have been getting chances but
they haven’t finished them. The Devils have averaged 35 shots a game
over the past four outings. But they’ve only scored five goals while
surrendering 10.
After losing to the Bruins 4-1 last
Saturday, MacLean kept the doors of the dressing room closed and
expressed his disappointment in his team’s start. With their six games
played over nine days, they’ve spent the last few days practicing and in the words of
Henrik Tallinder, “maybe try to learn each other more on the ice and
off the ice.”
Tallinder was brought in during the offseason along
with Anton Volchenkov to rebuild the defence corps that lost Paul
Martin and Mike Mottau (although the Devils weren’t interested in
keeping
Mottau). But Volchenkov is currently injured, out indefinitely after a
puck struck his visor and broke his nose, and Bryce Salvador is out with
a concussion.
So, largely because of their salary cap limitations, they’ve played three rookies on defence, Matt
Corrente (who is projected as a top shutdown blueliner), Matt Taormina
(a good, but smallish, puck mover) and Alex Urbom (also a defensive
defenceman). Urbom didn’t work out (he was minus-3 in six games) and was
sent down to AHL Albany this week, replaced by
another rookie, Olivier Magnan-Grenier, who is a physical player with
some mobility limitations.
Rugged veteran Colin White remains a
steady presence on the Devils back end.
Despite their record,
there doesn’t seem to be any panic in New Jersey. They’ve been joking
around, keeping the mood light, even during the hard practices this week
MacLean has put them through.
“I think they understand the
situation,” MacLean said Tuesday. “These two days,
I’ve been very happy with how they’ve practiced. They’ve worked. We have
another one tomorrow and then we have to get ready to play the
Canadiens.”
Loading ...
Stalberg got his 2nd tonight.
How many for Versteeg?
Just askin…
Decadently yours, I recline as
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Minority Owner of the Habbalicious Bubble-Gum Emporium, Proprietor of the Flanneltop Pop Shop, and Beaming Tenant in Mama’s Basement, i.e., Habsbros Central: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
On average per season Gomez currently makes 100,000 for every point he has scored…
Ovechkin 83,333 per point
Patrick Sharp 100,000 per point
Jerome Iginla 98,591 per point
Lacavalier 108,830 per point
Gaborik 122,950 per point
Kessel 105,882 per point
Vanek 117,098
Its like a broken record with this GOMEZ CONTRACT SUCKS… blah blah blah… We went to the Conf Finals in a season plagued with injuries and without our best player for half the games… Gomez was a HUGE part of that…
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
The painful truth about the NHL and its pensions – by Allan Maki. (good read).
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/the-painful-truth-about-the-nhl-and-its-pensions/article1766100/
That was enough for Walt Poddubny. He figured he had to do something. He was going to tell his story so that the NHL and its players would do more for those who helped the game grow and had stumbled on hard times.
Two months later, the former Toronto Maple Leafs forward and 40-goal scorer went to sleep in a bedroom in his sister’s home. He had split with his wife, couldn’t work because of the pain he endured and needed extensive surgeries. He closed the bedroom door and collapsed. He was likely dead before he hit the covers. (much more)
the pp should be much better even without markov….we lose so many draws at the beginning of the pp and that kills 30 seconds…martin does not like a forward on the point and if the first unit does not score it looks like he rather be conservative and put out 2d who most nights will not score
All will be forgiven indeed.
Full Breezer 4 Life
well he got the game winner vs pitts, he’s okay in my books.
Dear heavens— Haven’t seen much pessimism on here lately. Thanks for the reminder of the yin and the yang.
I expect you’ll be wrong though— we just need to get Eller up to that line and make sure it has zero defensive responsibility.
Matt Carkner – watch him – he is much much better than OB..might actually have to give something up for him but I’d do it…
hamrlik and darche for campoli and kovalev =)
…until he sets up or scores the Stanley Cup-winning goal.
Centre Hice: One fan’s attachment to the Montreal Canadiens
Murray is neurotic – nothing is guaranteed
Regin always looked good to me. He seemed to get a bunch of goals last year, against the Habs anyway. Campoli is a decent d-man who can move the puck and play the PP. And he would likely come quite cheap as I hear Murray doesn’t really like him. (my bro-in-law plays summer hockey with him and fixes his dog) Please no one answer “Kovy” to this open question.
Clouston turned that team around and put them in the playoffs last season despite shaky goaltending and weak offensive depth, his job is safe for a while.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.
http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
Khe… how long before Murray cans the coach and goes behind the bench? That will be even more times than Bob Gainey pull the same move.
at 8 mil a season Gomez will be a total bust for the rest of his ridiculous contract.
Mudvayne?
Got the old “got to be me” blues.
Hear you dude!
MAB comments are allowed as long as they do not outstrip Breeze comments on the all-time HI/O most popular comments list.
Only AFTER we pick him up.
Centre Hice: One fan’s attachment to the Montreal Canadiens
What, do you put a sock in your mouth or mittens on your hands?
wasn’t he last year?
I loooove how he takes Kovy’s chicken sh!t play and makes chicken salad out of it.
Centre Hice: One fan’s attachment to the Montreal Canadiens
Did you just say Neil is as productive as Gomez?
8 seasons Neil has 168 points. Thats 21 points a season…
Gomez has 732… 73 points a season…
Wait. Your joking??? You must be. If not, its one of the dumbest things i have ever heard.
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
Gomez: 12 goal/82 games, 2 years in a row. damn pathetic!
My fav. is this one against the flyers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruxhzZf8Ndk
I think nick foligno will also fall into the untouchable category.
I’d take Neil. He is as productive as say… Gomez but more physical and can fight and hit and play a pretty tough style of hockey.
I should be allowed an occasional MAB reference. You have no idea how many times I have to physically restrain myself from making MAB comments.
with Bryan Murray pushing the panick button in Ottawa – who on that team would you take and for what? there are obvioulsy some untouchables (maybe 1 in Mike Fisher) but I say everyone else is fair game.
how huge a mistake was that Gonchar signing?? wow.
yeah the atlanta goal, i was screaming “HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT”
unfortunately it was the exact same night this happened
so… good on nash
>:(
+1
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Don’t pollute the water.
-1
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Don’t pollute the water.
I know we don’t have much cap space, I know the unsigned can be a crapshoot. it’s just that the ongoing comments here tend towards a) promoting guys who aren’t ready, b) demoting guys who have the experience we need and c) blaming the coach for everything except the weather. Just wondering wat forwards are sitting out there, working out on their own, knowing they could be a contributor and just waiting for a phone call.
die hard Rangers fan…..
Lee isnt coming back til Game 7. But Texas will take game 6 so Lee can rest up for a Texas/SF match ( i feel SF!)
I know, that’s what concerns me
Those MAB responses were serious.
And no MAB jokes? Excellent, thanks!
http://www.atdhe.net
Does that means Wilson thanked Boogard after their game with the Rangers for not destroying Orr in his first game following a concussion from an Engelland punch to the kisser?
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880
Dave – http://www.nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.php ……………… it’s fairly accurate.
… in the entry draft in 2003 if we had picked a big center instead of AK46 ………… SK24.
Thanks for the info, i was not aware of that!
There was a link i got here back in the preseason. I would love to have that one again.
BTW: Roy’s has three Conn Smythes
I asked earlier and only got silly MAB responses.
Anyone got a link to a site listing the available unsigned players?
I wonder can you come up with anything on you’re own? Case Closed is what I said to you and you try and spin it back on me lol. Do you have any logic when you try and do any research on topics you talk about or do you copy and paste from what other people have to say on here?. I find you’re simplistic, Condescending armchair regurgitated talk insulting to people with class. School is out now run along and try and fix you’re very dysfunctional life, maybe one day you will understand what it is like to have class.
Lots of ugly tattoos, but none of them were of the glorious CH. Those are always beautiful.
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
NHL.com has a free trial going. It’s very good.
By better half is partial to Ogilvy’s.
Centre Hice: One fan’s attachment to the Montreal Canadiens
THAT I Like!!!
Centre Hice: One fan’s attachment to the Montreal Canadiens
You watch a compilation like that and it’s not hard to wonder why the Habs drafted him when they did. He’s got size and is willing to throw it around, can skate, and has an incredible release on his wrist shot.
He’s also got quiet hands… sometimes he doesn’t even look like he’s stickhandling, and–bang!–he’s by his check. Same goes with his shot release.
Can we get Benny to room with him on the road?
Centre Hice: One fan’s attachment to the Montreal Canadiens
Geez, no hockey for 4 days and everyone’s acting like they’re coming down from mega caffeine highs.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.
http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
via James Mirtle twitter:
Ron Wilson: “Everybody thinks that there’s codes that you live by [in the NHL]. You ask a tough guy, if there’s codes. There aren’t.”
The Belacrushin
Yeah, rolls right off the tongue. LOL
———
Listen to the SmartDog. He knows his poop!
Do you ever contribute anything? Short answer. No!
I’ve yet to hear one intelligent thing come out of one of your posts. Not one thing informative. Not one thing researched. Not one thing funny. Plenty of insults, snide comments and self promoting.
Bugs on the other hand posted something quite funny. So it goes to figure that you’d turn his post into something lewd. And you claim to have class? You have no class sir, just pretense.
Case closed!!
Summit Steve – As far as shopping goes it depends on what your wife is looking for, retro or conservative or kinky etc., but i have a suggestion for you. While purchasing your first Harps at Hurley’s descretely add a nice tip then ask the barmaid that question, instant results.
Sorry to see that Shawn would rather hit a frozen golf ball than have a cool high ball in Montreal.
Now that your wife will be with you at the summit you’ll have an excuse to keep your long standing record of being the first to bed on both summit nites. Also looking forward to meeting you and the better half and what impresses me about AK46 is his improved defensive play, see you soon.
… in the entry draft in 2003 if we had picked a big center instead of AK46 ……………… SK24.
Hey guys and girls.
Whats a good site to stream the games from?
I usually cant even sit through 30 seconds of youtube crap highlights but that was good. The goal against Washington was amazing..and the Thrashers.
————-
http://www.easports.com/media/play/video/42186790
2 on 1 Fake pass deke
Yes it is a full moon tonight.
Tips … on molecular bio? How about “go back in time and take something else”?
Full Breezer 4 Life
Bugsyboy…….. Is that the best you have? I was hoping for a little more out of you. I find it funny that you are the most disliked person posting on the hockey news website. I see you try and hide the drudgeries of you’re dysfunctional life by saying grow up kid to make yourself look clever but you look more and more like a petulant crybaby.
+1 on the nickname.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.
http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
Please. Ottawa has NOBODY we would want. Especially to fit in cap.
Jim-out. I BELIEVE!
You got it. I know that The Gazette staff have issues with Global (and rightly so) but I do enjoy Global’s Toronto news team.
Haha. I just mean the unchangeable ones that people can’t control. Laziness or brain cramps are always fair game.
I’ve got this saved to my YouTube favourites along with a few other player compilations, he keeps this up and AK/Pleks/Cammy could be our impact line for the season.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.
http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
Hardhabits only a simpleton would use the word douche when talking about someone, Shows your lack of class. Case Closed. Your head is still very empty inside get some help with that.
Just took a look at Boones Email section, man the Halakites are out in full force tonight and they are ANGRY!…is it a full moon?
“I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”
- Bilbo Baggins
Around the NHL: (injuries).
-The Coyotes placed forward Martin Hanzal (“lower body”) on injured reserve and recalled forward Andrew Ebbett from San Antonio of the AHL.
– Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis is sidelined due to a wonky foot.
– The Blue Jackets officially placed defenseman Mike Commodore (thumb) on injured reserve and recalled defenseman Nick Holden from Springfield of the AHL.
– Hip surgery will sideline Flyers defenseman Matt Walker 10 to 12 weeks.
Hey Bryan – Long time, no see. I trust that all is well with you and yours. My wife and I (Shawn has a golf tournament that weekend) are looking forward to seeing you during the Summit weekend. She’s not a hockey fan, but she would appreciate some hints on where to shop in downtown Montreal.
P.S. This could be the year that AK46 finally breaks through. I certainly hope so and I will be the first to acknowledge his success. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
I’m speechless. Flyers rule. Go Bruins. Of course. Wow.
If not. — Ottawa ready to deal ——————– – - – - – - – - – http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=338047
Belarussian Bulldozer!
“It must be love!”
Refresh my memory please. I owe you pint? You’re a crafty one.
OK I just found this compilation. We all know that THIS is exactly how we want AK46 to play all year. He’s a bloody tank when he wants to be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQkGTP2uGWk
Jim-out. I BELIEVE!