Author: Dose

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Johnathan Kovacevic got scratched by Sheldon Keefe

For a second year in a row, Jack Hughes will have played only 62 games for the New Jersey Devils. Injured after a heavy fall against the boards in a game against the Golden Knights at the beginning of the month, the 23-year-old American will miss another opportunity to participate in the playoffs in 2025.

After a harvest of 112 points in 2022-2023, the Devils had a relatively disastrous season, compared to expectations, the following year, and now find themselves in a decent situation, on the eve of a return to the playoffs, but without their best player.

After losing 6 of their last 10 games, tensions are rising and yesterday, the head coach lashed out at Johnathan Kovacevic.

It’s a rare phenomenon to see a coach throw a player under the bus, but that’s exactly what he did, and it’s hard to understand why when listening to the defenseman’s comments.

“We’re in a battle that, I hope, will bring us into a playoff mindset, 10 or 11 games from the playoffs, which will translate into playoffs. Obviously, the results are tough, but we’ll fight and we won’t give up.”

– Johnathan Kovacevic

Is that okay, so far?

A journalist from New Jersey reported to Sheldon Keefe that his defenseman had wished for the team to adopt a playoff mindset, and he responded with something that looks a lot like “stop talking and play better.” In reality, Keefe simply replied that “Kovacevic should play better, that would help.”

The comment is all the more bizarre since Kovacevic signed a new 5-year, $20 million contract with New Jersey just two weeks ago.

Some Devils fans have also questioned, with reason, where the same attitude is from the coach with other players who are producing. The team may have conceded 16 goals in their last 4 games, but they’ve also only scored 2.5 goals per game.

I don’t listen to Devils games assiduously, but the statistics sheet tells us that the former CH player took a penalty last night and had finished two games at -2 in the last four games. But come on, the guy is still +12 on the season and constantly one of the team’s most stable defensemen.

Here’s the opinion of a journalist on the beat in New Jersey.

In short, the coach is frustrated, and he’s taking a shot at one of his best defensemen.

I’m sure that will help the atmosphere in the locker room.

In Overtime

– Great start to the season for McLaren.

– Xavier Villeneuve in the mold of Lane Hutson, but some humility is needed. [RDS]

– New contract for Alejandro Kirk in Toronto. [PassionMLB]

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4 points in 3 games: Without the three comebacks, the Habs are not in the playoffs

It’s not on a Wednesday night in January that we differentiate good hockey teams from bad ones. A chance, some might say. In extreme cases, a confrontation can give us a good idea. However, it’s in the spring that teams from the series stand out, when hockey becomes more intense and the stakes gain importance. Not all teams in the mix are made for this kind of pressure.

The young Tricolore has repeatedly shown that it has the energy, cohesion, combativeness, and talent to turn the corner.

Despite the two losses, this week has been a perfect example of the fighter character that embodies Martin St-Louis’ team.

Because one thing is clear, and that is the following. If the Canadiens don’t pick themselves up when they lose 3-2 and 4-3 against the Senators, 3-1 against the Islanders, and 4-1 against the Avalanche, all in the third period, Montreal wouldn’t be in the series this sunny and optimistic Sunday morning.

In a parallel universe, the NYI picks up two points in Montreal, the Canadiens don’t force overtime against the Avalanche, and lose to the Sens. Result? A tie with the Blue Jackets at 71 points, while the Rangers and Islanders would be tied at 74.

And for coach Martin St-Louis, the team’s recent comebacks serve as motivation and a benchmark. His comments from last night are like “you’ve done it, you can do it again,” and I imagine the impact must be significant on the team’s confidence.

“I love the combativeness of our guys. I know that after the Avalanche’s fourth goal, almost everyone thought it was over. I reminded the guys after the second period that we scored five goals in the third period against the Ottawa Senators […]. We scored two goals in the third period against the Islanders. We can create plays. […]. It’s a big point. I’m proud of the group and our combativeness.”

— Martin St-Louis after the game

The Habs scored no less than 10 of their 13 goals this week in the third period, including one into an empty net.

For those who like stats, that’s 14% of the goals scored this season in the third period, during only 4% of the games played this season. It’s also more goals in the third period in three games than in the last 13 games. And while we’re at it, fun fact: the Flyers only have 9 goals in the third period over the last two months…

Let’s stay in the NHL.com stats section for one more thing. Without saying it was a problem, the Canadiens hadn’t particularly stood out in the third period until now. Before the game against the Sens, Montreal was 29th in goals scored in the third period, one goal away from the last place in the league, a three-way tie between the Canucks, Oilers, and Preds.

In other words, if it works, so much the better, because it hasn’t always been the team’s strength.

Meanwhile, hats off to Christian Dvorak, Brendan Gallagher, and Josh Anderson, who probably had their best week of the season and thus (perhaps) saved Montreal’s possible participation in the series. 5 points each for D-Vo and Gally, and 2 goals for Andy, and you’ll have guessed it: all, except for Dvorak’s McDavid-like goal against Ottawa, were scored in the last 20 minutes of the game.

In Overtime

– Arber Xhekaj’s comments are going in the same direction.

– The Hutson-Makar duel was appreciated last night.

– Eventful morning in F1.

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Top-5 : the Islanders and the Rangers continue to roast the Canadiens

The Habs have managed to avoid a loss in regulation time in their last six games, but they are not solidifying their position as the second wild-card team in the East. In fact, Martin St-Louis’ team has lost only one game in regulation in their last 13 games, earning 20 out of a possible 26 points.

The problem is that the teams closest to the Habs in the standings are not slowing down. Despite earning a point against the Avalanche, the Habs’ position in the standings is not more encouraging than it was the day before.

1 : The Rangers are just one point behind Montreal, the Islanders earn a point

The Habs’ direct rivals played teams in similar situations yesterday, but in the Western Conference.

We may have a tendency to underestimate the Rangers because they have two games in hand, but they are on a roll and not slowing down. The Canucks gave them a good challenge on Saturday afternoon, but Alexis Lafrenière helped set up the winning goal by Johnny Brodzinski just 37 seconds after Brock Boeser tied the game.

The 31-year-old, who has spent the last 10 years between the American League and the NHL, scored his 23rd and 24th career goals in the third period.

 

The Flames-Islanders game was just as important for both teams, and they both came out with at least a point. The Flames earned the extra point when Nazem Kadri ended the game in overtime on a pass from Rasmus Andersson. Jonathan Huberdeau also had a big game with a goal and three assists.

With the Red Wings and Bruins losing, the Eastern Conference standings look like this this morning.

(Credit: NHL.com)

In the West, the Blues won in Chicago to maintain their lead, and the new Mammoth beat the Lightning to stay in the hunt. This is what the standings look like this Sunday morning.

(Credit: NHL.com)

Hockey in March is getting hot.

2 : Two big points for the Senators

Although they remain in sight of the other teams in the playoff hunt, the Senators are still in a different class, sitting in 7th place in the East. Ottawa earned two big points against the Devils on Saturday night.

However, it was a close call, and the game almost went to overtime. Linus Ullmark was completely out of his net, leaving a intense battle in front of an empty net in the final seconds of the game. It was defenseman Artem Zub who saved the day, preventing Stefan Noesen from putting the puck in the net.

3 : Sixth loss in 10 games for the Maple Leafs

While the Capitals beat the Panthers, earning their ninth win in 10 games and moving 14 points ahead of their closest pursuers, the Maple Leafs lost again on Saturday night, failing to take the top spot in the Atlantic.

And it wasn’t against just anyone: Filip Forsberg, Luke Evangelista, and the struggling Preds won 5-2.

Carlo Colaiacovo believes it was the most embarrassing loss of the year for the Maple Leafs.

4 : RNH takes charge in the absence of the Oilers’ stars

While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are nursing their injuries on the eve of the playoffs, the Oilers are still fighting for a favorable position in the first round. In the absence of the team’s stars, it’s the other former first overall pick, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who took charge with a hat-trick. Not naturally, even if the 5-4 final score doesn’t suggest it, as the Kraken came back in the game with a second attempt at an empty net.

5 : A hat-trick before the middle of the game

In a convincing win, Tomas Hertl had a blast, joining the 30-goal club with a hat-trick completed before the halfway point of the second period.

The Golden Knights maintain their lead in the Pacific, three points ahead of the Oilers, who have played one more game. The Kings are just two points behind the Oilers, having exploded the Hurricanes’ eight-game winning streak with a 7-2 win. Will the Oilers start the playoffs on the road?

Overtime

– The top scorers of the night.

(Credit: NHL.com)
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The Canadiens lost in shootout despite the comeback in the third

The Habs may have lost in overtime to the Islanders on Thursday night, but the team could have found its way back to victory tonight, at home.

But for the occasion, they faced one of the best teams in the circuit, the Colorado Avalanche.

Here are the lineups:

The visitors, like their game in Ottawa, started strong.

Two defensemen who aren’t Cale Makar scored one after the other.

The Habs had a much better end to the period, but they were stopped by a red-hot Mackenzie Blackwood.

In the second period, Arber Xhekaj tried to wake up his team. He knocked out Keaton Middleton.

This didn’t prevent Colorado from scoring the next goal.

On the powerplay, Martin Necas tripled their lead.

But a few seconds later, Montreal responded with the best possible reply.

Juraj Slafkovsky deflected Jayden Struble’s shot. He shouldn’t lose his spot when Kaiden Guhle returns…

Even though the Habs held on until then, Colorado did a lot of damage to the locals by scoring a fourth goal.

Brock Nelson fooled Samuel Montembeault with a deflection.

Did you think that goal sealed the deal?

Wrong. Montreal scored not one, not two, but three goals (in a little over four minutes) to tie the game, which seemed over in the first period and at the start of the third.

Wow!

The Habs came back from a 1-3 deficit on Thursday in New York and a 1-4 deficit tonight against Colorado. This team never gives up.

After that goal, the fans chanted Blackwood’s name several times.

What an atmosphere at the Centre Bell. I wish I was there.

Even overtime couldn’t determine a winner. On to the shootout!

Here’s the summary of the shootout:

Cole Caufield Save

Charlie Coyle GOAL

Nick Suzuki Save

Valeri Nichuchkin Save

Patrik Laine GOAL

Nathan MacKinnon Save

Christian Dvorak Save

Brock Nelson GOAL

Final score: 5-4 for the Avalanche.

The Habs will be back in action on Tuesday in St. Louis. A big point picked up nonetheless.

Overtime

– Absolutely.

– Well…

– Stupid.

– Somewhere in the United States, Marc Bergevin is smiling.

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Nick Suzuki was also the captain under the former Montreal management, or more specifically the captain under the former Montreal GM, or in french former DG but in this case it should be translated to former GM. Thus the translation is: Nick Suzuki was also the captain under the former Montreal GM

In September 2022, the first summer of the Gorton-Hughes-St-Louis era, Nick Suzuki was named captain of the Habs.

In retrospect, it was the best decision.

But in an interview with JiC with Dominique Ducharme, the plan of the former management was also to name him captain.

It’s interesting to know that, on this, the two managements were on the same wavelength.

Because on different subjects, it was not the case.

The last game of Shea Weber with the Habs and as captain of the team was on July 7, 2021, in the Stanley Cup final. Ducharme and the coaching staff would not have named Suzuki captain the following year, but they probably did not want to rush things. Because yes, retirement had rung for Weber and the coaching staff even thought of naming Corey Perry.

The forward ultimately signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the summer of 2021, so the team’s plans fell through.

In the interview, Ducharme said there was a buffer period between the captaincy of the defenseman and that of Suzuki. After all, the number 14 had just completed his second season in the Bettman circuit…

If we see the best of the Canadian captain at the moment, his former coach believes he can still improve. In 68 games this season, he has 71 points. He should finish the season with at least one point per game. Imagine if Ducharme is right and Suzuki can reach the plateau of 90, or even 100 points, eventually!

In Overtime

– It’s official.

– Houston is serious.

– Thanks to the Flames.

– All is well in Laval.

– Easy.

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Adam Engström scores a spectacular goal in a dominating win by the Rocket

Last night, the Laval Rocket lost its duel against the Cleveland Monsters. The farm team was trying to avenge its defeat this afternoon with a rematch, still at the Place Bell.

Note that David Reinbacher, even though he took part in the warm-up, did not play today.

And visibly, the Rocket wanted to send a message today… because after 40 minutes, the score was 5-0 in favor of the Rocket.

Nothing less.

Jared Davidson and Laurent Dauphin each scored two goals (Tyler Wotherspoon scored the other)… and Dauphin’s second goal was a beauty.

However, what really caught our attention is what happened in the third period. In a game that was already in the bag for the Rocket, Adam Engström decided to show off a bit of magic.

The team’s defenseman allowed himself a rush… and he deked everyone in his path, including the opposing goalie.

It’s really a spectacular goal.

After today’s game, Engström now has five goals and 26 points in 60 games. For a defenseman in his first year in America, it’s not a bad haul.

Obviously, all the congestion on the blue line in Montreal makes it difficult for Engström to become indispensable… but with sequences like this, he’s giving himself arguments.

In the end, the Rocket won 6-0. Filip Mesar had two assists in the win, while Connor Hughes (11 saves) earned the shutout.

Let’s recall that the Rocket is well established in first place in the AHL. It’s another win that allows the team to distance itself from the rest of the league, then.

In a lot of news

– Jared Davidson almost suffered an injury similar to Kaiden Guhle’s. Luckily, he avoided the worst.

– Ah yes?

– It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s the Canadiens’ representative.

– Jared Bednar, a big fan of the Bell Centre atmosphere.

– Wow!

– Dalibor Dvorsky recalled by the Blues.

– What do you think?

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Wayne Gretzky : his statue in Edmonton was covered in feces

Last month, at the 4 Nations Confrontation, Wayne Gretzky became a highly polarizing figure in Canada. In the context of an economic war, some felt he was sympathizing too much with the US team.

His ties to President Donald Trump were also criticized.

And even in Edmonton, where Gretzky was a great player, people are upset. A petition had been launched to rename the street named after Gretzky, which had broken the heart of #99.

However, it seems that all this is not over: in recent days, Gretzky’s statue in Edmonton has been vandalized…

In fact, it was covered in feces. Nothing less.

It was only yesterday that the vandalism of the statue was discovered. Some fans went to the statue to take photos, and that’s when they reported it to the Oilers’ owners, who also own the statue.

The police are not involved in the case at the moment.

Obviously, all this reminds us of the public outcry against Gretzky in recent months. Because the other possibility is that an Alex Ovechkin fan took the race for the record of most career goals very much to heart…

What is clear, however, is that Gretzky is angering people in Canada right now. There are those who are upset and want to express their discontent by venting their anger.

It’s understandable that this is a rather extreme way to protest, let’s say.

We’ll see if these protests will continue, but it’s clear that some people are trying to get their message across right now. And to see this in Edmonton, where Gretzky was a true legend as a player, is a strong message.

In Overtime

– This is not ideal for the Canadiens.

– Patrick Maroon announces that he will retire at the end of the season.

– Wow.

– Well done.

– A first Michigan in the PHW.

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Ivan Demidov : a fifth game in a row without a point to finish the season in the KHL

Today, the SKA played their last game of the regular season. On this occasion, Ivan Demidov was back in the team’s top-6… and this, after being left out in the last game.

The return to the game of Evgeny Kuznetsov, with whom Demidov has good chemistry on the ice, may have tipped the balance.

However, before today’s game, Demidov had not scored a single point in his last four games. And clearly, he wanted to put an end to this drought… but despite some great plays, he didn’t succeed.

In a game that wasn’t bad for Demidov (who spent 14:23 on the ice), the young forward was still left off the score sheet. And by doing so, he ended his regular season with five consecutive games without a point.

Let’s recall that the young player hasn’t scored a goal since January 28. He even got a shootout chance that he couldn’t capitalize on.

The SKA still won 3-2 against Torpedo (Bogdan Konyushkov’s team)… and now, the team’s attention turns to the playoffs. And it’s worth wondering if Demidov, the team’s top scorer, will get a chance to participate.

We know that Roman Rotenberg stated that Demidov needs to practice more to play more physical hockey (it’s up to you to believe it or not), and the forward’s recent drought could give the coach another reason to leave Demidov out.

That being said, the return of Evgeny Kuznetsov changes things. We know that the veteran likes to play with Demidov, and we know that Rotenberg likes to pair the two players. Will it play in favor of the Habs prospect? Possible.

Let’s also recall that if the SKA is eliminated quickly, Rotenberg has not ruled out the possibility of sending Demidov to finish the season in junior hockey in Russia. No, he won’t join the Canadiens to finish the campaign.

In a lot of news

– Lane Hutson is looking forward to facing Cale Makar tonight.

– Jared Bednar praises Martin St-Louis.

– Kiefer Sherwood sets a new record for most hits in a single season. And there are still 12 games left in the Canucks’ season.

– Quinn Hughes, a special talent.

– Good reading.

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3rd game in four days: David Reinbacher’s knee is visibly healed

At the last training camp, David Reinbacher suffered a significant knee injury. At the moment, it was relegated to the background given that Patrik Laine suffered the same fate a few minutes later, but the young defenseman suffered the most severe injury.

What was supposed to be his first full season in the AHL became a season of long rehabilitation.

That being said, Reinbacher recovered a bit faster than expected. We saw him back in action in February, but under a strict return-to-play protocol: he didn’t play the second game when the Rocket played two games in two days.

The club wanted to play it safe to avoid overloading him.

Now, you’ll notice that I’m talking about all this in the past… because today, all this seems to be in the past: Reinbacher will play a second game in less than 24 hours.

This will also be a third game in four days for the young defenseman.

And that’s excellent news for the Canadiens. If the club had any doubts about the young Austrian’s health, he would have watched today’s game from the stands… but he’s back in uniform.

So, there’s reason to be reassured: the defenseman’s knee seems to be holding up.

The timing to end this protocol is still quite particular, considering that last week, Reinbacher had missed a few games due to discomfort in his knee that had been operated on. He returned to play on Wednesday (after Kent Hughes stated that the defenseman’s knee had no structural problems), and he’s been in uniform for the third time since then.

He’s playing big hockey when he’s on the ice… and he’s even giving himself Shea Weber-esque airs at times.

This is good news for the Canadiens, who see their defenseman getting better. There’s no longer a need to limit his workload in the short term, and that’s a good sign regarding the state of his knee.

Let’s hope it lasts.

Overtime

– Talking about the Rocket.

– Habs fans: here are the teams to cheer for today.

– J.T. Miller will face the Canucks today.

– She’s very good.

– He’s never played in this position in the majors during his career.

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Samuel Montembeault will face the Avalanche tonight

With the Habs in the midst of a strong playoff push, the team is relying heavily on their number one goalie, Samuel Montembeault. He has played a lot of games, and was seen playing the last three games of the team, which were all very important.

And what we also notice is that in his last two starts, he allowed goals that he would like to see again. And inevitably, that raises the hypothesis of fatigue in his case.

In the context where the Habs hoped to win games against direct rivals (Senators and Islanders), it was Monty who got the last two starts. But tonight, against a Western team, we wondered if he would finally have a night off.

But it won’t be the case: Montembeault will be in front of the net tonight against the Avalanche.

This will be a fourth consecutive start for the Quebecer.

We know that the Avalanche is a big team, and we can think that in the context where all games are important, the Habs want to give themselves a chance to get the two points by relying on their number one goalie. And that, even if it’s been a bit more difficult for him in the last two starts.

Meanwhile, note that Martin St-Louis was asked at a press conference if he thinks his goalie is maybe tired, and he noted that the team wouldn’t be where it is now without Montembeault. We can feel that despite his last two more difficult starts, the goalie still has the confidence of his coach.

The question now is to wonder when Jakub Dobes will be back in the net. The Habs’ next game is Tuesday against the Blues, and we’re talking about another Western team (which is not a direct rival), but also a team that is really on fire.

We could still see Montembeault that night… and on Thursday, the Habs will face the Flyers. It could be a good time to bring in Dobes.

Right now, the Habs need important efforts from their best players in their playoff push. And that includes a heavy workload for Montembeault, the team’s number one goalie.

It’s up to him to respond tonight.

Overtime

Meanwhile, note that this morning, Kaiden Guhle skated with the rest of his teammates. He was wearing a jersey that prevented him from receiving contact, but he looked like a guy who is more and more comfortable on the ice.

In a press conference, Martin St-Louis noted that there is no change in the schedule for Guhle’s return to the game. The plan is still to see him possibly return within two weeks if everything goes well (and the Habs don’t collapse in the standings by then).