Many good points here, Topham. I could have almost gone on forever in my piece, but I tried sticking to what i felt was most obvious - Kovalev's neutralization.
Your main point that the Canadiens must be more patient on the PP is well taken, but I would add that a better spread out use of everyone on the unit is the way to achieving this quickest. As it stands now, the Canadiens aren't doing enough things well with the man advamtage, and it allows the opposition's pressure to seriously scramble the amount of time they have to work with.
Often, when you have commented on the pieces I have written, reading your take is absolutely enlightening. I should send you my rough drafts - it would make my posts better. You always have a knack for pointing out what I could have clarified more precisely.
When you mention that with Kovalev moving to the point that it might only serve to rotate what already exists by 30%, I would add that it could be that way if he is still played as tightly as he is presently. Where I felt it suited his game better, was in that it not only gave him a wider net to shoot at, but also a better vision of all that is happening in front of it for feeding purposes.
I didn't get into Higgins' role much, but you are dead on in your assessments. His habit of shooting high and wide is a killer. What he does is a perfect example of working hard, but working badly. While Carbonneau might appreciate that Higgins is getting the chances, his role does complement others on the unit sufficiently. The problem there is that we either post a guy who shoots too often and innacurately or replace this with Sergei, a kid who only shoots when a perfect chance arises.
As for Weber, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him get a two game callup, just to see how well his PP attributes are acclimated to NHL speed. I definitely see him as the solution at one point not too far off. Who knows if the time is sooner than we all guessed.
Ditto. Gotta end the piece at some point...
I chose patience as it is what I was most recently frustrated about.
I really like Higgins as a player, but I hate how cheaply he gives away the puck. On the PP, his energy is not as vital, so i feel an experimental sit-down is a must...
Commenting by HaloScan
