Author: Dose

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Remontée: Corey Perry stood up in the locker room after the 1st period to motivate the Oilers

In Montreal, we got to know Corey Perry.

He quickly became a fan favorite because he gave it his all, night after night.

Oh, and his leadership qualities also charmed everyone in town. Today, at 40, he continues to help the Oilers in his own way…

The veteran has been scoring goals (9) since the start of the playoffs, but his impact is even greater than that.

Because yesterday, after the first period, when the Oilers were losing 3-0 to the Panthers in Game 4 of the final… Perry got up to talk to his boys.

He may well have changed the story of the game, because he made it clear to his teammates that he didn’t like the way they had responded in the first 20 minutes.

The result?

The Oilers rallied to tie the game at 3-3 and scored in overtime, when the score was 4-4.

Great Corey Perry.

After the game, the Oilers’ top players made a point of throwing him flowers.

Leon Draisaitl praised him, saying that Perry is such an important part of the Oilers on and off the ice… and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had something similar to say :

He’s a guy that everyone in the dressing room respects enormously because he’s been through it all. So when he speaks, it means a lot and I think we reacted well. – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

It’s often said that the presence of veterans and guys who have already won within a club is important.

And seeing Perry act like that and help his teammates keep their heads is a wicked good example.

So much the better for the Oilers, if Perry is able to help the club at this level.

And that’s why I’d like to see them win the Stanley Cup – for McDavid and Draisaitl… but also for Perry, who deserves to lift the trophy one last time before he retires.

Overtime

– Times change!

– Good point.

– To be continued.

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Martin St-Louis sang the praises of Arber Xhekaj

This season, Arber Xhekaj was left out a few times.

There was a certain surplus of defensemen in Montreal – especially on the left – and this didn’t work in the Sheriff’s favor.

Arber even had to watch two games of the series against the Capitals from the top of the catwalk, while his club was getting shuffled around…

But according to Martin St-Louis (who appeared on the Missin Curfew podcast) Xhekaj has what it takes to become an important player in Montreal, because he has some really useful assets.

The Habs head coach sang his player’s praises: according to St-Louis, Arber “doesn’t just fight” because he has a well-stocked tool bag.

Martin St-Louis speaks of Arber as a youngster with “great potential” and clearly wanted to give him some love:

We’ve heard some people say in the past that Martin St-Louis doesn’t like Arber Xhekaj.

That said, we understand that the Canadiens’ coach wasn’t about to go and plant the defender in the public square… but when you hear him talk, you can really believe that St-Louis likes what he sees in his youngster’s progression.

Because that’s what it’s all about: you can’t ignore the fact that Arber Xhekaj has really progressed in the last two years. He’s learning to become more complete instead of always thinking about throwing down the gloves, and perhaps that’s why St-Louis is stricter with him.

He wants to see him learn, and we know that Arber is working hard to improve too.

By giving him time, it could help #72 understand certain things even more… and if Xhekaj becomes responsible in his zone, improves his decision-making and continues to have a good first pass, it will help him succeed in the National League.

Martin St-Louis is able to put himself in his place because he went through some tougher times early in his career.

And the Habs head coach is perhaps the perfect person to teach the little things to Xhekaj, who has the qualities to become a key player in Montreal.

Overtime

– Attention all interested parties:

– No surprises here.

– Interesting.

– He wanted in on his race.

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Jonathan Marchessault and Alexis Lafrenière: the latest rumours about the Québécois

Right now, two Québécois are the talk of the town: Jonathan Marchessault and Alexis Lafrenière.

Both guys are seeing their names circulate on the market because their respective teams, the Predators and Rangers, haven’t necessarily had seasons that lived up to expectations.

Who here saw both clubs out of the playoffs?

But just because the two men’s names are circulating doesn’t automatically mean they’ll be traded. In fact, at the moment, it seems to be the opposite.

David Pagnotta is of the opinion that Marchessault is not, barring a drastic change, on the way out.

As for Lafrenière, Renaud Lavoie, who spoke to TVA Sports about the subject, doesn’t exactly seem to believe in a move away from New York for the first pick of the 2020 auction.

He’d be very surprised to see him go, in any case.

Elliotte Friedman, in his 32 Thoughts, made a similar point: if Alexis Lafrenière is ever available, it’s not the most widely known fact across the NHL.

So we can probably expect him not to be traded between now and the draft or July 1. And often, big trades don’t necessarily happen at the end of the summer.

It’s important to remember that things can change quickly, but the way things are going, it would take a change of course (i.e., a big, unexpected offer) to make the Rangers or Preds change their minds.

Stay tuned this off-season, though.

overtime

– Speaking of the Rangers.

– Interesting.

– Jonathan Toews in Tampa Bay?

– A name to keep an eye on, in any case.

– Mérité.

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Chris Kreider file: the Maple Leafs have been left behind

I’ve said it before: the Maple Leafs had to get Chris Kreider this summer.

Why? Because the Queen City club needs help up front in terms of players with character who can make a difference in the playoffs.

Talk to the Habs: they can make the difference…

Finally, the Maple Leafs saw the Anaheim Ducks pick him up. They were on his no-trade list, but the club managed to convince him to say yes and move.

According to Elliotte Friedman, Joel Quenneville’s presence made the difference. Having a veteran coach like him can really make a difference for the California club.

And now we understand that the Maple Leafs did indeed have their noses in the matter.

But according to David Pagnotta’s report, the Ducks were too far advanced in the file and were able to table a decent offer, which the Rangers – and the main interested party – accepted.

Would the American have wanted to go to Toronto? History doesn’t say.

But to me, there’s no denying it: the club had to push harder to get Chris Kreider’s contract from the Big Apple for two years and $6.5 million a year.

With Mitch Marner on his way out, it’s clear that the club would have had room in terms of payroll. And he fits the identity the Maple Leafs are trying to find.

Better luck next time… especially with Sam Bennett likely to elude them, as he’s likely to stay in sunny Florida. So, how will the club change its identity?

overtime

– A page turns in Toronto.

– Coming up.

– Interesting.

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Another Canadiens target: a scorer for the middle trios of the line-up

The Canadiens are looking for a second-line center. No one’s denying that.

In an ideal world, the Canadiens are also looking for a defenseman who can eat up the minutes David Savard was able to take last year.

But that doesn’t mean they’re not looking for something else. And it doesn’t mean that a more “minor” addition should be ruled out.

In fact, as David Pagnotta and David Bernstein reported for The Fourth Period, the Canadiens are also evaluating their options for something else.

Like what? Like a goal-scoring midfield winger (i.e., second or third line).

Clearly, in an ideal world, the Canadiens would add a little scoring help. After all, scoring goals hasn’t been the Habs’ greatest strength this season.

If only Patrik Laine could be a reliable solution…

If the summer plan doesn’t change too much, a player like Kirby Dach or Alex Newhook could play on the wing with Laine, Ivan Demidov, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson and Emil Heineman.

Adding a marker wouldn’t be a luxury.

Whether it’s playing with Ivan Demidov on the top-6 or on the third line, Martin St-Louis is going to need goals to repeat the feat of making the playoffs.

We’ll see what happens.

overtime

– Good morning, Taylor.

– Makes sense.

– To watch.

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2025 Series: Calvin Pickard has a 7-0 record

In the first round, Stuart Skinner lost the first game against the Kings and also lost game #2. Calvin Pickard replaced him.

The result? Pickard won four straight games against the Kings to knock the L.A. club out of the playoffs. And then he went on to win the first two games against the Golden Knights.

By then, he had a 6-0 record in seven games. But on the first of those games, the loss went to Skinner.

The regular then picked up his net and won seven of the next nine games: two against Vegas, four against Dallas and the first game of the final, against the Panthers.

In some of those games, he looked invincible.

But since then, it’s been tough. He started every game in the final, but lost games two and three… and let’s just say it wasn’t thanks to him that the club won yesterday. The goalie change paid off.

So yes, Calvin Pickard now has a 7-0 record in nine games. He wasn’t involved in the decision in game #3 of the final.

When you look at the stats of the two guys, you realize that it’s not that different since the start of the playoffs. In terms of average and efficiency rate, it’s relatively similar.

The proof?

  • Skinner: 2.99, .891
  • Pickard: 2.69, .896

The difference between the two, however, is that Skinner’s ceiling and floor are higher and lower, respectively. In other words, when he’s good, he’s good… but when he’s bad, he’s bad.

Pickard, on the other hand, is more stable. What you see is what you get, as they say in the language of hockey.

Pickard (7-0) is more reliable than Skinner (7-6) at the moment. He hasn’t been pulled from his net once, which is different from the three times Skinner has been pulled.

Pickard isn’t the best goalie in the world, but he’s more stable. And right now, the Oilers need reliability.

To me, there’s no doubt that Skinner can’t start Game #5. Pickard helped change the momentum last night and he deserves the chance to play tomorrow night’s game.

Because even though hockey is won and lost as a team (Corey Perry’s speech after the first period and Leon Draisaitl’s goal in overtime are proof that it’s won as a team), the goalie remains important.

overtime

– Coming up.

– Notice to those who want to read more about the draft. [NYT]

– Ahh, the streets of Montreal…

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A post shared by MTL Blog (@mtlblog)

– Ouch.

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Oilers tie series at two in extremis

Last night, the Oilers and Panthers faced off in game four of the final series.

Florida, at home, could take a 3-1 lead in the series and, thus, be one win away from the Stanley Cup.

But Edmonton won another game in overtime (5-4) to tie the series at two.

It was a rather last-minute victory for Connor McDavid’s team.

After one period, they were down 3-0.

After the third goal, Stuart Skinner made way for Calvin Pickard.

The second goalie did well in relief, stopping 22 shots and allowing just one goal. If I were the coach, I’d send him into the fray on Saturday.

It’s the first time in history that a team has won a Cup Final match after trailing 0-3 after one period.

What a comeback!

Of course, it was Leon Draisaitl who sealed the win in overtime. His fourth overtime winner of the playoffs.

An NHL record.

With just under 6:30 left in the game, Jake Walman gave his team the lead for the first time.

What a shot!

But Sam Reinhart, late in the game, sent everyone into overtime.

Edmonton may have won, but Paul Maurice’s team deserved the victory.

Out of 500 simulations, the visitors won this game 12.2% of the time…

Both teams return to action on Saturday in Canada, 8pm.

The series is now two of three.

Extended

– Matthew Tkachuk has had his hat trick stolen.

– What a shot!

– Scorers from game number four.

(Credit: NHL.com )
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According to Tony Marinaro, Sidney Crosby must offer himself in a transaction

There are many teams in the NHL’s Eastern Association that will be competitive next year. Many are looking for major pieces, and few teams are willing to sell their best players.

This is the case for the Penguins, who find themselves at a crossroads. They should sell their best players to get excellent returns, but perhaps Kyle Dubas will decide to give his aging group of veterans one last chance.

Tony Marinaro, who spoke to Jean-Charles Lajoie about the situation. The analyst believes that Sidney Crosby should request a trade for the Penguins to begin a rebuild.

“The best thing that could happen to the Penguins organization is that Crosby goes to the owners and says, ‘If you want to trade me, trade me.’ That way, they can trade everyone and start their rebuild.” – Tony Marinaro

He’s right. If Crosby asks for a trade, it will automatically mean the end of a cycle and the start of a rebuild. Plus, the Penguins could get the moon for his services considering the current market.

Malkin and Letang could follow and it would become interesting for buyers. For what it’s worth, I don’t think the Canadiens can compete if Crosby is ever offered to teams.

The price will be way too high and considering the fact that Kent Hughes doesn’t want to touch his future, a deal seems unlikely at this stage, but you never know.

Marinaro added an interesting point about teams that don’t want to end up like the Sabres and therefore want to get out of a rebuild quickly.

This is undoubtedly what drives teams like the Anaheim Ducks to want to pick up veterans like Kris Kreider to advance the cause quickly.

Overtime

– Will the price be right?

– It’s a real advantage,

– Lane Hutson honored once again.

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A 3rd place vote at the Vézina for Samuel Montembeault

Samuel Montembeault had a great season for the Habs. Despite some mid-season lows, he took his team to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Yes, Jakub Dobes gave Montembeault a break in the second half of the season with some good performances, but it was the Québécois goaltender who took charge.

This evening, we learned that he had received a 3rd place vote for the Vézina Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s best goaltender.

Unsurprisingly, Connor Hellebuyck took top honors with 31 of the 32 first-place votes.

Andrei Vasilevskiy and Darcy Kuemper rounded out the podium.

Note that general managers vote for the Vézina Trophy, not journalists.

Montembeault was the 4th most-used goalkeeper last season, with 60 games played. He maintained a 31-24-7 record with an average of 2.82 and an efficiency percentage of 0.907.

He didn’t have the best statistics, but it was clearly his attitude in front of the net and his late-season performances that earned him third place.

He’s worked very hard since being taken in the Habs’ waivers. He’s become a sure thing in front of the net, as we saw in the playoffs when his absence hurt the Habs.

But does that mean we should give him a third-place vote? It’s debatable, but it shows that his performances are respected throughout the upper echelons of the NHL. I can’t wait to see what kind of season he’ll have next season.

Overtime

– Excellent start to his career.

– He practices hard so he doesn’t slow down.

– Files to follow.

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Hart: Nick Suzuki received more first-place votes than Connor McDavid

Nick Suzuki has had an extraordinary season.

And that season has been rewarded with a playoff appearance, a top-5 finish at the Lady Bing and now, a top-10 finish at the Hart Trophy, awarded to his team’s most valuable player.

The Habs captain finished ninth and received a first-place vote. That’s one more first-place vote than Connor McDavid, who also finished with 26 points.

Connor Hellebuyck was the obvious winner.

He’s the first goalie to win both the Hart and Vézina in a single season since… Carey Price.

But coming back to Suzuki, who also received one second-place vote and nine fifth-place votes, he finished his season with 89 points in 82 games.

By definition, the Hart is awarded to his team’s most valuable player. There’s no doubt that Hellebuyck was very important to his team. But the Canadiens… without Nick Suzuki? He wouldn’t have finished among the top eight clubs in the East.

I don’t think he deserved the trophy, but in my opinion, he was more useful to his team than a couple of guys ahead of him on the ballot. I’m thinking of Jack Eichel, Zach Werenski and Alex Ovechkin…

Leon Draisaitl and Nikita Kucherov rounded out the podium with 1209 and 973 points respectively. Nathan MacKinnon finished with 972 points.

In addition to the number 14, another Bleu-Blanc-Rouge player was honoured on Thursday evening. Lane Hutson was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team. The opposite would have been surprising.

Overtime

– Samuel Montembeault received a third-place vote for the first All-Star teams.

– Really?

– Carey Price had more playoff success.

– Ah well.

– Of course you would.