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Serge Savard: Caps target Carrier because he’s CH’s most complete defenseman

Tom Wilson was at it again last night. Talk about Alexandre Carrier… who was hit solidly by the Capitals forward.

Was the check legal? Whether the answer is yes or no, it doesn’t change the fact that the contact was really solid.

And it was the CH player who paid the price:

But even before last night’s game, Carrier had also been targeted since the start of the playoffs.

Capitals players are constantly targeting him to annoy him, and Serge Savard knows why.

If that’s the case… it’s because Carrier is the CH’s most complete defenseman (according to Serge Savard) :

It was easy to see that Capitals players were targeting Carrier. And why?

Because he’s the Habs’ most complete defenseman. – Serge Savard

Serge Savard is right.

In the playoffs, a team’s good players are targeted by the opposition because they contribute to their respective formation’s success.

That said, Alexandre Carrier is perhaps the most important piece of the Habs’ defensive brigade right now, because he does everything on the ice.

He’s more than effective defensively, he’s a good rebounder, he’s capable of being physical… and on top of that, the CH defenseman (two points in four games) can produce offensively when needed.

And I’m not taking anything away from Lane Hutson or Mike Matheson – who are good offensively – but it’s true that Carrier is more complete because he’s so good in his zone.

For example, news flash: the Capitals won’t stop hitting Habs players because they feel sorry for them.

And that’s whythe CH is no match for the Caps right now.

The Montreal club doesn’t have what it takes to compete at this level, and it showed in the first four games of the series. And if Carrier is unable to continue the series, the Habs will have to work hard (extremely hard) to win in the Quebecer’s absence.

Breaking news

– Ouch.

– I love the energy.

– Please note :

– News from MLB:

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4 in 9 on the A.N. for two games: Ivan Demidov on the 1st unit, that gives results

The Canadiens lost 5-2 last night.

And it should be noted that both of the CH’s goals were scored on the powerplay.

It should also be noted that since Patrik Laine’s absence, the Habs have had nine powerplay opportunities. And they’ve converted four of those chances…

It’s only a small sample, since it’s only been two games, but Ivan Demidov really seems to have revitalized the first power-play unit.

In the CH’s last two games against the Caps, the five-man attack is more dynamic – and, above all, less predictable – because Demidov moves around a lot with the puck.

This creates passing lanes, frees up other teammates… and makes you realize that, right now, the five young players on the power play are really doing their job.

Hutson, Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf and Demidov are dangerous when they get on the ice together.

And Nicolas Cloutier makes a good point in his article: all these players are 25 years old or younger.

Has Martin St-Louis found the perfect recipe?

Time will tell.

But the Habs coach knew he had “a new card up his sleeve” to use, and in Laine’s absence, he’s not hesitating to trust Demidov on the power play.

So far, it’s working.

And that’s why some people – including Alain Crête – believe that Demidov is taking Laine out of Montreal…

We’re seeing just how dynamic the new unit is, and we’ve also seen that Cole Caufield looks really comfortable after finding his spot on the first unit.

He was the one at the top of the circles last night – Laine’s usual spot – against the Capitals. And if Laine has a good shot… the same can also be said of Caufield, who managed to beat Thompson by scoring a real maverick goal :

Clearly, it’s too early to come to any official conclusions.

But what we’ve seen from the top power play over the past two games is encouraging. Especially as these guys are young and part of Montreal’s future.

That’s promising for the coming years, in any case.

In a gust

– Wow. But to get there, the Oilers’ goalies will have to be more solid…

– Ouch.

– The Stars vs Avalanche series continues tonight.

– News from CF Montreal training :

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Alain Crête : Ivan Demidov is getting Patrik Laine out of Montreal

Ivan Demidov is starting to find his feet in the NHL.

He wasn’t used much in the first two duels of the series against the Washington Capitals, but since Patrik Laine’s absence, the forward has been playing some good field hockey.

After all, yesterday we saw him have a really good game. Demidov was creative with the puck and finished his night’s work with two assists, both on the power play.

In Laine’s absence, Demidov is getting more ice time – especially on the power play – and the results so far have been interesting.

At least, Demidov has done enough to prompt Alain Crête to say that, right now, the kid is taking the veteran out of Montreal.

Alain Crête, who appeared on BPM Sports’ morning show, really thinks it’s the end for the Finn in town with what we’re seeing from Demidov :

I don’t think the CH needs Laine anymore […] I’d be very surprised if he’s back with the Habs next year. – Alain Crête

Patrik Laine is useful to the Habs when he scores on the power play.

But that’s not always the case, and yesterday it was clear that Demidov is capable of helping the CH when the club finds itself with a man advantage.

That said, it’s really the body of work that’s forcing some to think that Laine has to go.

Because all season long, the same things have been said: he’s not involved enough, he doesn’t look like the guy most interested in playing, he’s soft… and ultimately, that affects the team’s success too.

Seeing Laine – injured or not – be so nonchalant in the first few games of the series against the Capitals was the last straw for many.

And with Demidov enjoying success in #92’s absence, it’s safe to assume that the Habs already have what it takes to get by without Laine in the lineup.

On the other hand, it’s not as if the CH have many quality options to replace Laine on the 2nd line.

If Laine doesn’t come back for reason X (trade, buyout or whatever), they’ll have to find a replacement… because if Kent Hughes wants his group to move forward next season, he has to have a 2nd string that can give more offensively.

Maxime Truman made it clear in his article of the day: the CH can’t continue with a single trio. And like it or not, Laine – imperfect as he may be – has the tools to fill that chair if need be.

At that point, it’s a question of whether the Habs want to move forward with him or not…

Gossip

– Bravo!

– Several files to keep an eye on.

– Bon.

– Really?

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Samuel Montembeault in Washington on Wednesday: “We’re forgetting about it”

Martin St-Louis spoke to the media this afternoon.

The main thing to remember is that Martin St-Louis believes in his group. He believes the club needs to build momentum (he’s said that many times) to try and get back into the series.

But he also mentioned, on another note, that the club had no update to give regarding Samuel Montembeault or Alexandre Carrier. Tomorrow,” he said.

Right now, these are the CH’s two most important issues, and they have no room for manoeuvre.

On this subject, Renaud Lavoie was questioned on the BPM Sports morning show . He was asked if there was a world in which Monty could play Wednesday’s game.

His answer? No.

He doesn’t believe the CH will be able to test him until he jumps on the ice to test his right leg – or groin, depending on where he’s injured. So he doesn’t see him playing in Game 5.

In reality, it really feels like it’s going to take longer than that to get Montembeault back. If Jakub Dobes doesn’t get the CH out of the first round, the chances of seeing Monty again are slim.

At the very least, they seem slim.

Of course, if Dobes gets the CH through to the second round, he could still get the net despite the Quebecer’s return. But that’s something that won’t happen right away.

My prediction? The Canadiens are a few days away from being eliminated, and we’ll only see Monty again at the next camp.

gossip

– The 2021 experience is important.

– Interesting stuff.

– Of note.

– Really?

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Sidney Crosby: we wonder if he wants to leave now that Mike Sullivan is gone

One has to wonder what effect Mike Sullivan’s departure from Pittsburgh will have on the coaching market.

At the moment, we understand that the Bruins and Rangers are strong candidates to welcome the experienced coach to town. Those are two strong possibilities, at least.

But will other clubs welcome him? Will other clubs consider a coaching change now that the American pilot is available to everyone? Who knows.

But hey. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, there’s uncertainty. From top to bottom of the organization, people seem to be wondering what the Penguins will become in the next few years.

I imagine Kyle Dubas is keeping Sidney Crosby in the loop on the game plan, but I also imagine Sid the Kid has questions and concerns.

And on that subject, it’s interesting to wonder whether the departure of Sullivan, who clearly had a good relationship with Crosby, might make the captain more inclined to ask for a trade.

On this subject, it’s worth recalling that Louis Domingue, speaking on the Stanley25 podcast, said that Crosby would be perfect for Montreal and that he would thrive under Montreal pressure.

But he also said that Crosby was loyal and that he couldn’t see him leaving Pittsburgh.

So the question is this: is Sullivan’s departure the kind of thing that could erode Crosby’s loyalty to his team?

My feeling is that the answer is no. But in Montreal, a lot of people are surely waiting to hear what he thinks.

That said, if we’re asking ourselves whether Crosby thinks the Penguins have a chance of making the playoffs in 2026 without Sullivan, we may be looking at a possible departure for Crosby, who will want to get back to the playoffs while he can still dominate.

If I had to guess, I’d say Crosby might want to wait another year before considering a trade, in view of the final year of his contract.

But who knows what he really thinks?

in gossip

– Of note.

– Interesting.

– He’s got to get up.

– The trial opens.

– Unbelievable.

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Arber Xhekaj (and the Canadian) fined for an event that occurred before yesterday’s game

The NHL sent a message to the Canadiens and Capitals before Game #4: no outbursts before the game, during breaks or at the end of periods.

And clearly, the league is taking it seriously.

Arber Xhekaj and Dylan Mcllrath (who did not play in yesterday’s game) were both fined for events that occurred during the warm-up period. Both received the maximum fine allowed for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the Sheriff’s was more severe.

The CH and Caps were also fined $25,000 each.

The NHL wanted to prevent outbursts during the warm-up period, but that just raised the temperature of the fire during the game. From there, it was all over the place.

The referees didn’t put their pants on during the match, so it all spilled over. And Tom Wilson did whatever he wanted on the ice, including a blow to Alexandre Carrier’s head.

But that went unpunished by the league and the on-ice referees. Do you think the NHL is hitting the wrong nail on the head? To me, the answer is pretty clear.

Xhekaj kept a low profile throughout the match.

Yesterday, Sportsnet broadcast images of Xhekaj before the game, during the warm-up period. He got the chew, but that doesn’t mean he should be fined? Not in my eyes.

Details to come…

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David Reinbacher’s name refuses to die on recall

Will Alexandre Carrier be able to play in Washington on Wednesday? Who knows.

The Habs won’t be practicing today, and it’s safe to assume that Martin St-Louis, when he speaks to the media, won’t provide a medical update on his right-handed defenseman.

I have a feeling it’ll be a relatively long time before we know more. And if that’s the case, it will open the door to speculation.

If Carrier can play, it’s safe to assume that the defensive corps won’t change for the next game – unless Arber Xhekaj is forced to make way for Jayden Struble.

But what if Carrier can’t play?

Even without a recall, the CH could send Kaiden Guhle alongside Mike Matheson and insert Jayden Struble with Lane Hutson on the team’s defensive top-4.

But will the CH want five left-handers – everyone except David Savard – in uniform? In the playoffs, will the Habs want to do what they’ve sometimes done this season: go on the road with no extra at the blue line?

We don’t know… but we doubt it.

That’s why the door is open right now for the CH to recall a defenseman. We don’t know if all the Rocket guys jumped on the bus this morning to go to Cleveland…

Right now, if there were to be a recall, the names of David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux, two right-handers and two first-round picks of the Canadiens, come up quite often.

Especially the European.

I don’t think the Habs want to bring on David Reinbacher right now, whose knee has been playing tricks on him since he returned to action a few months ago.

I think it would be too much pressure… especially for a defenseman.

Renaud Lavoie talked about it this morning on BPM Sports: he doesn’t expect Reinbacher to play for the CH. The club wants to be careful with him, and that’s normal.

In his eyes, if need be, Struble will come in, and that’s that.

in gossip

– The finalists for the Vézina.

– Does the CH still have gas in the tank? [JdeM]

– Maple Leafs captain at rest this morning.

– Obviously.

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The Canadiens are no match for the Capitals (literally)

Yesterday’s defeat hurt. And it still hurts this morning.

The Habs led 2-1 with less than six minutes left in the third period… and ended up losing the game 5-3.

The Bell Centre could not have been hotter, but it quickly cooled down following Brandon Duhaime’s goal (and the other two in empty net).

Since the start of the series, both teams have scored 11 goals against one goaltender (the Capitals have added three in empty net situations).

The Canadiens have taken 119 shots and the Caps 111.

The Montrealers handed out 140 checks and the Caps, 131.

“In short, we dominated the Capitals, Max?”

Not necessarily!

In fact, we dominated the Capitals in Game #3. Nikita Kucherov would say we won our Stanley Cup on Friday night, even though we’re in danger of losing the series 4-1. You know, when your fans rip down traffic poles after their team’s only playoff win..

In the other games, we managed to stay in the game – which is a feat in itself when you’ve finished 17th overall and you’re playing against the second-ranked team – but we just couldn’t make our mark.

“That’s because of the referees, Max!”

Yes… but no. I’m 43 years old and I’ve been told since I was old enough to talk that, in the playoffs, the NHL brings out a new rule book. A much slimmer book from which most of the pages have been removed.

I know it… you know it… your father knows it… in the playoffs, referees put away their whistles.

Do I think that’s right? No !

But that’s the way it is. Strong teams have an advantage, as was the case for the Montrealers in 2021. That’s the way it’s always been, and that’s not going to change any time soon. Gary Bettman likes to see the best referees in the world manage their games this way. Even if it means handing out $5,000 fines and warning both teams’ executives to look good the next day..

Blaming the referees for the Habs‘ losses is like blaming Valérie Plante for your three flat tires this spring. It may make you feel better, but there will still be potholes as big as craters in April 2026..

A wise old man once told me: “Max, in life, you have to have the courage to change the things you can, the serenity to accept the things you can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

We’re not going to change the referees, but there are a number of things about the Habs that need to change if they’re to succeed in the playoffs in the years to come. Because playoff field hockey is a completely different sport from regular-season field hockey. Small, talented teams may succeed in the regular season, but they collapse 99 times out of 100 in the playoffs.

Jeff Gorton lost his job in New York because he built a team filled with talent, but whose toughness and size weren’t playoff caliber. I hope he’s taking notes now, because some of his players are excellent right now, but they need better support.

What does the Habs need to succeed in the playoffs?

1. You can’t rely on just one offensive trio. Yesterday, when Nick Suzuki’s trio wasn’t on the ice, you knew the Habs weren’t going to score. Evans, Newhook and Demidov are not a quality second trio. Neither are Dvorak, Gallagher and Anderson. You need a real second trio. Good playoff teams rely on two or three offensive trios, not just one.

You’re going to need a real second center alongside Ivan Demidov and possibly a big winger to balance it all out. Is Kirby Dach that winger? Josh Anderson? I have my doubts..

In both the regular season and the playoffs, the Habs have really been “led” by their young players: Slafkovsky, Suzuki, Caufield, Hutson and so on. This is extremely promising for the future… but we’ll have to surround them better.

We just have an offensive trio. An o**i good trio, but still, just one! And at the end of the game, when you’ve been using all three guys all night, don’t be surprised if there’s no gas left in the tank..

2. We’ re going to have to beef up the group. On average, each Capitals player is two to three inches taller than the average Canadiens player, while weighing three to five pounds more.

I don’t know of any contact/physical sport where size and height aren’t competitive advantages. Soccer, boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling, judo, you name it.

Yesterday, Tom Wilson handed out – with the CH leading 2-1 – a check that turned the game on its head. And probably the series too..

Did Wilson’s feet leave the ice? Looks like it..

Was it the check to the head? At the very least, it was a hit to the neck, not the shoulder. But Wilson is much taller than Carrier… and the referees aren’t going to change. It’s up to Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes to adapt this summer, with the financial baggage they’ll have on hand.

Alex Ovechkin destroys Jake Evans early in the game..

And Connor McMichael clearly tried to hit Cole Caufield in the face with his elbow..

Yes, maybe the Canadiens’ players handed out more checks than the Capitals’ last night, but when it comes to the big hits that really hurt and affect the game, the Capitals clearly had the edge.

Admittedly, the presence of Arber Xhekaj didn’t stop Wilson, Ovechkin and McMichael from having a field day on the Bell Centre ice. Wasn’t he supposed to be the Sheriff?

Why didn’t he go and give Ovechkin, Wilson or McMichael a message?

I’m repeating myself, but we’re going to have to grow the group, and not just dress a big guy. Playoff field hockey is a different kettle of fish… and not every player in the club has the courage of Josh Anderson.

Extended

– Alex Ovechkin has three goals and one assist in four games ( plus-3 rating). And he’s the player with the most body checks (16) of any two teams. He’s having quite a series, even if some will try to tell you otherwise..

– The Canadiens must now try to win three games at best in the East, without Samuel Montembeault and probably Alexandre Carrier, and with a young team that lacks depth and energy in the tank. It’s all over now.

– Unlike Richard Labbé, I’m incapable of summing up yesterday’s game in bad bounces. I know Richard doesn’t like the physical aspect of men’s ice hockey, but I believe the game was decided by the Capitals’ strength, size and depth. Not on bad bounces..

– I hope Jeff Gorton finds a way to add muscle to his bottom three and the blue line. You can’t expect to win in the playoffs with so many small players: Caufield, Suzuki, Newhook, Evans, Gallagher, Hutson, Carrier, Struble, Dvorak at the limit..

Right now, the Habs don’t have the size. Literally..

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Logan Thompson was knocked out on Friday, but played yesterday: what concussion protocol?

What concussion protocol?

That’s the question you might ask after seeing Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stunned in Game #3 of the series against the Habs… before coming back in Game #4.

Because yes, the main man confirmed that he felt dizzy on Friday night. That’s why he left the game at the Bell Centre.

But last night, there he was, looking as fresh as a daisy. He even helped his team win last night’s duel and take a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

But two days before, he was so stunned he couldn’t stand up.

It’s a good thing he’s feeling better and was able to play, because concussion symptoms are dangerous. But you have to wonder how seriously the protocol was taken. And we say that for the guy’s long-term safety.

Anyone who’s ever felt so dizzy that they lost their balance will tell you: two days later, playing sports is intense. And that’s even though we know that all concussions are different.

The main person involved said it looked worse than it really was. But still: it’s intense to see how quickly he’s recovered from a blow like that.

In today’s podcast, Elliotte Friedman mentioned that someone close to Thompson told him that as soon as he received the blow, he knew he’d be back on Sunday. Why would he do that? Because he’s made it big… or because he’s sold it well? #Blague

I really wonder how the goalie is feeling this morning.

And I really wonder if Alexandre Carrier, who was knocked out yesterday, has gone through the concussion protocol. After all, it hit him pretty hard.

in a row

– Good question.

– A lot of uncertainty in Pittsburgh.

– Interesting.

– Oh?

– Of note.

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Mike Sullivan no longer Penguins coach

Big news in the NHL.

Mike Sullivan and the Pittsburgh Penguins have decided to part ways. The club announced that Sullivan, who won the organization’s last two Stanley Cups as a pilot, was no longer on the job.

Not a huge surprise, although he could have stayed on.

One wonders how much of this was the club’s or the pilot’s decision. After all, while I don’t doubt that both wanted a change, one brought the subject to the table first…

So it’s a big page of history that’s turned in Pittsburgh. And I really wonder how Sidney Crosby, who played for Sullivan for a long time, sees it right now.

Does it make him want to leave?

So, there’s another opening in the NHL. The Rangers, Kraken and Ducks are also looking for a coach, while the Bruins, Flyers and Blackhawks have interim pilots. And the Canucks and Islanders are in limbo…

I have a feeling that the Rangers are one to watch…

Without Sullivan, who arrived in Pittsburgh in December 2015, only four coaches have more experience than Martin St-Louis with their current team.

  • Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay: March 2013
  • Jared Bednar, Colorado: August 2016
  • Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina: May 2018
  • André Tourigny, Arizona/Utah: July 2021

extension

Remember that Mike Sullivan was the American coach at the Four Nations Confrontation. And he’ll be piloting the American team in 2026, alongside the Olympic Games.

He’s respected: he won’t be out of a job for too long.