Another great post Tobalev. However, I have noticed some distinct differences in the way some of the stats have been listed on several different sites. Yours and RDS both have the total number of penalties to both sides as 2 whereas the NHL and TSN all report (what I recall as well) that each team had three penalties assessed against them. Also, Andrei Markov has been credited with two assists on some sites but I only recall him getting an assist on the game winner. Did he infact touch the puck on the short-handed goal?
Anyhow, all statistical errors aside, it was a very tense game with lots of action at both ends of the rink. I think that a lot of credit is due to the two referees, they called one hell of a game, not interfering with the flow of the play by calling bone-headed (and often non-existant) penalties (Kerry Fraser, I'm looking at you). For all of their belly aching, the Philly fans really need to be reminded of what does and does not constitute a penalty. If you trip a guy, it's a penalty - whether you trip him with your knee, your stick or even your retarded tongues hanging out of your mouths (yes Philly fans, that means you). Also, when a goalie claims to have seen a puck get deflected in with a high-stick so vociferously as Biron did, it might actually help to have your eyes on the puck and not facing the entirely wrong way. Oh wait, I forgot that Marty Biron has eyes on the back of his head.
That is all.
Go Habs Go et Ça Sent La Coupe!
Andrei Markov had 1 assist. Whatever sites list him as having 2 are incorrect.
As for the penalties - yes each team took 3 penalties, but 2 were incidental minors, so each team only had 2 power-plays.
I think that should clear some stuff up, thanks for the comments
Thought we had a decent game with some lucky breaks both ways, though I would (and did) argue that there were more for Philly than for us. Was concerned by unfinished checks in the late 2nd/early 3rd, Price's JUICY rebounds and the continuing presence of the passively sucking Dandenault and the actively sucking Brisebois on the ice. Can't figure out why we won't trade them in for Grabovski (or god forbid Latendresse) and O'Byrne respectively.
Overall I felt we dominated for most of the game and outweighed them heavily in terms of viable scoring chances. Have to agree that the officiating was very good, and was glad to see that Richards got called on a very dangerous play. Hell of a faceoff stat for Koivu, especially for a team that has had trouble in the circle all season. Loved Kostopolous/Begin/Smolinski as well, we have 3 dangerous lines to beat Philly with. And we heard hardly a word about Briere and Prospal....
Go Habs GO!!!!
Thanks Tobalev, I was pretty sure that Markov only had one assist although I surely won't complain to one of my pools.. an extra point is an extra point.
As for the penalties, I entirely forgot about the coincidental minors. That certainly explains the 1/2 pp stats for both teams. I'm just glad that they weren't calling any "dives" last night. That one game against Boston when we got about five diving penalties was obscene - especially when you consider that the Bruins were diving just as much, if not more than we were.
I agree with Ian that Dandy and Breezer should be sat down, and soon. Dandenault always comes back really strong and generally scores after he's been benched. Breezer, well... he's just Breezer - I think that he's just about used up his allowable gaffes, especially with his best McCabe impersonation last night. I think the best idea would actually be to bench them for the first game in Philly, give Ryder or the Marshmellow and O'byrne a shot. I think the Flyers will be hitting a lot harder on Monday and having O'byrne instead of the Breeze would go a long way to padding our hopefully 2-0 lead. As for Ryder, it certainly couldn't hurt to have someone who can pot the *cough* occasional *cough* goal and I like that Ryder has brought a pretty good physical game as well into the playoffs and I think it's a shame that Carbo has his ass stapled to the pressbox. Not exactly encouraging Ryder to even think about resigning with us (not that I particularly want that but hey, he's been a good team-player this year and hasn't complained once and I don't think it's exactly the kind of statement you want to send to any other potential free agents. Although the rioting in the streets certainly didn't do anything to our outward appearance either).
Long-winded, I apologize.
Go Habs Go!!!
No need to apologise for long-windedness Tru7h, you're right at home with us here...
I think the pulse of this blog is for Ryder and O'Byrne to play. But let's not forget Streit is better (and was last night at the end of the game) a good defenceman.
Personally, I move Brisebois out. Call it a rest if you want. Streit moves back and Ryder moves into the lineup. I also think Dandenault, who has made absolutely no positive contribution in a reasonable memory span should take a seat.
The brave move would be to put Grabovski in. The conservative move would put Latendresse in. The more interesting moves still would have Stewart or Chipchura see playoff action.
I think we all know this won't happen since we won. Carbo is too conservative to change a "winning" formula, no matter how incontrovertible the evidence for change is. But as I was saying to Tobes, I'd take a win any day over Carbonneau making the lineup changes I asked for.
"I'd take a win any day over Carbonneau making the lineup changes I asked for."
Truer words have never been spoken, especially in the playoffs!
Personally, I think that Grabovski is just too much of a featherweight for a match-up with Philly. If he were able to get steamrolled like Sergei did and still hang on to the puck, then I would agree with you. In this series, I think that most of the work happens in the corners where guys like Ryder or Lats are just more likely to come away with the puck.
The aforementioned issue is what really bothers me about the current third line - they constantly throw away the puck. I vividly remember yelling at my TV each and every one of the past few games for them 'HANG ON TO THE PUCK DAMNIT!!!' Disturbing play in all three zones leaves me itching for a change in that line. Moving Streit back to D for Breezer would work for me, but as I said earlier, just bench Dandy already.
Go Habs Go!
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