Category: Uncategorized

Categories
Uncategorized

The players are out of juice: Kent Hughes’ inaction hurts

The Montreal Canadiens are no longer in the playoffs as of last night, while the Columbus Blue Jackets took the last spot in the East.

They won a big emotional game, where they showed a lot of character and intensity to overcome two big deficits (0-3 and 3-5) and get two big points in a shootout.

At the Habs, it’s the opposite this week, as in three games, we showed no intensity and no character at the worst time of the season.

However, during the three games of last week, the Tricolore had shown everything the Blue Jackets showed last night.

The Habs had shown a lot of character to come back from behind against the Senators, Islanders, and Avalanche.

Why is it not the case this week?

Well, because the players are clearly exhausted and have no more energy in the tank.

We can really see it in each of the last three games that all the players on the team just don’t have any more juice, except maybe Lane Hutson.

The Habs’ comebacks in big games have greatly taxed the players, and we’re seeing the consequences now.

The players are tired, and this is transferring into a lack of cohesion, mental errors, little intensity, few scoring chances, and mediocre defensive play.

In short, the players are out of breath for the final sprint, after having given it their all to get back into the playoff race since the Olympic break.

The players have given it their all, but they didn’t get any help from their general manager, as the lineup was already very limited.

The top trio carried the team for a while, but now everyone is exhausted, and that’s where the Habs’ lack of depth really hurts.

However, Kent Hughes could have gone out and gotten some help at the trade deadline, but he didn’t.

One can seriously wonder if Hughes regrets not making the acquisition of a few depth players to give his coach more options and ammunition to finish the season.

Joel Armia, Josh Anderson, and surely several other players are playing hurt, and this is hurting the Habs’ performance.

So, adding one, two, or even three depth players to the lineup would have clearly helped the Tricolore.

With all the draft picks at his disposal, Hughes could have clearly gone out and gotten guys like Ryan Donato (who scored a hat-trick last night), Nico Sturm, and/or Mark Jankowski.

These are depth players who would have taken some pressure off the Habs’ current players, which would have allowed St-Louis to roll his lineup more.

In short, Kent Hughes chose not to make a choice between buying and selling, and this could hurt even more if the Habs don’t make the playoffs and finish in the “No Man’s Land”.

However, the players will still grow from all this experience and the mix that Kent Hughes wanted so much.

If we only think about that, this season is a success, given that the objective of the mix was achieved.

Let’s see if the players will be able to bounce back with 10 games left in the season.

Overtime

– The Chicago Blackhawks are signing two of their top prospects. They should play in the NHL this season.

– To read.

– Maybe.

– To follow.

Categories
Uncategorized

Overuse by Martin St-Louis: Mike Matheson (at 25 minutes per game) hurts the habs

In this horrible slump of the Montreal Canadiens, we can establish several clear facts that lead to the team’s current failures at such an important moment.

The first line is no longer producing, the team is lacking opportunism, the powerplay is no longer working, Jake Evans’ line is completely dry, Arber Xhekaj and David Savard are struggling, the goalies are not helping the club, etc.

These are all facts that lead to the Habs’ lamentable failures this week.

However, for me, and for many Habs fans, the one that stands out the most, and hurts the team the most right now, is one that I didn’t even mention earlier.

This fact is that Mike Matheson is playing too much.

Again last night, the Quebec defenseman had a bad game, as he cost his team a goal at a crucial moment, in addition to making many mistakes and playing poorly throughout the game.

It’s clearly not an easy season for Matheson, but seriously, it’s even worse over the last few games, when the Habs would need him and good performances from him the most.

Matheson has been costing his team almost a goal per game lately, and this is unacceptable from such a veteran.

Last night, as we can see in the sequence, he played nonchalantly and tried to do everything himself, when he could have simply and easily cleared the puck from the zone.

Result: he was easily stripped of the puck, and this led to a great scoring chance for the Hurricanes, forcing Lane Hutson to take a penalty.

And on this powerplay, the Hurricanes scored their winning goal, on a play where, again, Matheson played poorly and lacked intensity to go get the puck in the corner.

Against the Flyers, Matheson also had a bad game, especially on Matvei Michkov’s second goal.

In short, clearly, the Quebec defenseman is hurting the Habs right now, and this is quite constant, at a crucial moment in the season.

So, of course, we can blame Matheson, but is he the only one to blame for his struggles?

No, he’s not.

We have to give a large part of the blame to the coaches, who insist on continuing to overuse Matheson, even though he’s clearly not keeping up and is making too many mistakes.

Rather than reducing Matheson’s ice time, St-Louis and his team (especially Stéphane Robidas) continue to play him 25 minutes per game.

The guy is clearly exhausted and at the end of his rope, but we keep playing him as much as the best defensemen in the entire NHL.

Matheson has already given a lot to the Habs, and he has helped the team a lot, especially last year, and all this while he’s not even a number one defenseman.

It’s time to give the 31-year-old veteran a break, because seriously, it’s sinking the Canadiens’ season.

It’s not a quality and an advantage to have a defenseman who can play 25 minutes per game if he’s hurting the team more than anything else.

Matheson has had a lot of success in Montreal, and expectations for him have risen significantly, but now, it’s too much, and Matheson has become a defenseman who should play around 17 minutes on a second pair.

Let’s see if the coaches will stop overusing Matheson, especially now that Kaiden Guhle is back.

Overtime

– The most frightening moment of Kaiden Guhle’s life has left a big mark.

– The Rocket will be back in action today.

– The Habs need a win from the Lightning against the New York Islanders.

– Amazing.

– CF Montreal’s first game since Laurent Courtois was fired.

Categories
Uncategorized

Five consecutive losses: the Canadiens’ streak arrives at the worst time

The Montreal Canadiens have been taking us on an emotional rollercoaster this season, and even more so over the past few weeks.

By getting back into the playoff race in style, the Habs have generated huge enthusiasm in Montreal, as the playoff fever has taken over the city and especially the Centre Bell.

Unfortunately, this playoff fever did not travel well abroad this week, as the Habs were unrecognizable on the road.

The Habs lost all three games on the road this week, stringing together three horrible performances, which is completely opposite of what the team had been doing in the previous weeks.

It’s too bad, but the Habs are really playing very poorly right now, and you can see that the team is really running out of steam.

It was therefore a discouraging week for Habs fans, who saw their team go from being in control to being lost and mediocre.

Nothing is working for the Habs this week, and the two overtime losses just before this trip hinted that a slump was coming.

In fact, the losses to the New York Islanders and the Colorado Avalanche last week seem to have had a significant impact on the Canadiens.

Counting those two losses and the three losses on the road this week, the Habs are on a five-game losing streak.

Let’s just say it’s really the worst time for the team to be struggling, but as fans, there’s nothing we can do, and that’s what’s extremely frustrating, especially after the incredible emotions of the past few weeks.

Nothing is working for the Habs, from defense to offense to goaltending.

The Habs can’t score, and they’re giving up goals in bunches, just like they did earlier in the season when opposing teams would spend long minutes in the Habs’ zone.

Giving up 24 goals in five games is way too much, especially when you’re a team fighting for your life and a playoff spot.

In short, with their five consecutive losses and their horrible road trip this week, the Habs have gone from having almost 50% chance of making the playoffs to now having only 25%.

That’s a huge drop, and the team’s playoff chances have been cut in half in just one week.

What’s even worse for the Habs is that the three main teams they’re competing with for a playoff spot now have just as good of a chance, if not better, according to MoneyPuck.

(Credit: MoneyPuck.com)

So, it’s really a nightmare for the Habs this week, but despite everything, we mustn’t give up.

After their last game on the road this Sunday afternoon in Florida against the Panthers, the Canadiens will return home to the Centre Bell.

The fans will be there, and they’ll be ready to cheer on their team, which is still very much in the thick of the playoff race.

Playing at home will do the Habs some good, and hopefully, it will wake them up.

Overtime

– Wow!

– To be continued.

Categories
Uncategorized

Top-5 : the Blue Jackets bump the Habs out of a playoff spot

With the current playoff race completely crazy in both the East and the West, every NHL hockey evening is crucial.

So, it’s essential to closely monitor each of the other teams’ results to see the updated standings afterwards.

Last night, there were some big games, and they had a direct impact on the two playoff races.

1. The Blue Jackets win a crazy game and overtake the Canadiens

With a fifth straight loss last night, the Montreal Canadiens had to rely on other teams once again to keep their playoff spot.

And lo and behold, after several very lucky evenings where the Canadiens’ opponents in the playoff race lost, what was bound to happen did, as the Columbus Blue Jackets overtook the Habs.

In fact, thanks to their 7-6 shootout win in a completely crazy game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Jackets joined the Habs at 75 points, but since they’ve played one fewer game, they moved ahead.

(Credit: NHL.com)

The Habs are therefore out of the playoff picture for the first time since March 17. Martin St-Louis’ team had held the last playoff spot in the East for nearly two weeks.

The Blue Jackets are indeed back in the mix, and compared to the Canadiens, they put on quite a show for their fans, demonstrating incredible fight and intensity to come back from 0-3 and 3-5.

In short, the Habs are currently out of the playoffs, and it’s entirely deserved when you look at how the team has been playing this week.

Of course, nothing is set in stone, but the Habs will have to bounce back quickly if they want to avoid sinking even lower.

2. The Rangers escape with a big point against the Anaheim Ducks

After seeing the Blue Jackets win, Habs fans had to at least hope that the Rangers would lose to the Anaheim Ducks later in the evening, and that’s exactly what happened.

The Rangers lost in overtime by a score of 5-4, and thus earned only one point, which keeps them behind the Canadiens, even though they also have 75 points.

They’ve played one more game and will be back in action tonight against the San Jose Sharks.

We can thank Mason McTavish for his winning goal in overtime, and also Olen Zellweger, who tied the game with less than two minutes left in the third period.

3. Connor Hellebuyck’s seventh shutout this season

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck added to his impressive resume and is further establishing himself as the lone frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper of the regular season.

Last night, Connor Hellebuyck earned his 7th shutout of the season, as he stopped all 24 shots from the New Jersey Devils in a 4-0 win.

Seven shutouts is a franchise record for the Jets, which is another argument for Hellebuyck to win the Vezina Trophy.

4. Hat-trick for Ryan Donato

Here’s a player who was at the center of several trade rumors on the trade deadline, but ultimately stayed in Chicago.

And since the trade deadline, Ryan Donato has continued to shine and is surely making several teams regret not acquiring him.

Seriously, Kent Hughes must really regret not adding him as the second center.

Last night, Donato scored a hat-trick, as he netted all three goals for the Blackhawks in their 5-3 loss to the Golden Knights.

In short, let’s just say the Habs could have really used such a finish in their last few games, and a 28-goal scorer would have really helped the team in their playoff push.

It’s too bad, because Donato wouldn’t have cost the moon as a rental player.

< script>

5. Sam Bennett does a lot of damage to the Utah Hockey Club

The playoff race is starting to fade away in the West, as the St. Louis Blues are pulling away, and meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club is falling behind the pack.

With several consecutive losses, Utah is struggling, and last night, Sam Bennett pretty much nailed the coffin shut on Utah’s hopes with two goals in the Florida Panthers’ 2-1 overtime win.

Brad Marchand also earned his first point with the Panthers on the winning goal, and that was in his first game with his new team.

Here is the updated standings in the West.

(Credit: NHL.com)

Overtime

– Here are all the results from last night.

– Here are the top scorers from last night.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– On the schedule today: 11 games.

(Credit: Google/NHL)
Categories
Uncategorized

The Rocket officially qualifies for the playoffs

The Canadiens may have lost tonight against the Hurricanes, but the Rocket allowed the habs fans not to lose face on this Friday night.

Laval won 4-1 against the Toronto Marlies and with this victory, Pascal Vincent’s club qualified for the playoffs.

It becomes the seventh LAH club to obtain a ticket for the spring tournament.

It’s funny, because the Rocket has more points than all these teams.

The north division is so competitive that Laval took more time to qualify.

(Credit: AHL.com)

With this victory, the affiliate club now has 42 wins and 88 points.

With 10 games left in the season, we can say that it is well established in the first rank of its division. This is the next step for Vincent’s troops, who want to win the Calder Cup, nothing less.

In tonight’s 4-1 win, David Reinbacher did not play. Don’t be afraid, his withdrawal from the lineup is part of his return to 100%. The Rocket plays tomorrow against the Flyers’ affiliate club and the defender could play.

On this Friday night where the habs did not look good, Cayden Primeau was brilliant, he stopped 31 of the 32 shots directed at him.

In the attack, Alex Barré-Boulet led the charge with two goals.

Good game for Lucas Condotta, who also collected two points (two assists).

Overtime

– Welcome to Florida, Brad.

– A first with the Mets.

– Not ideal.

Categories
Uncategorized

A disastrous second period sinks the Canadiens

I don’t know how you felt at the start of the game, but with the recent Montreal sequence, I didn’t have much hope for this big duel against a power team.

The habs were in Carolina to face the Hurricanes.

Here are the lineups :

Both teams started on fire. From the 23rd second, Josh Anderson opened the scoring.

But a few seconds later, Jason Blake tied the score.

The celebrations were short-lived…

Until the end of the second period, the habs held on.

But two quick goals hurt a lot. Firstly, after a Mike Matheson turnover, followed by a Lane Hutson penalty, Taylor Hall found the back of the net on a powerplay.

And Sebastian Aho doubled the lead for his team.

I don’t know what Arber Xhekaj was trying to do on that play…

After two periods, the Canes had only four fewer shots (3) than the habs had goals (7)…

Unacceptable.

The visitors finally finished the game with 15 shots, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Canes.

Final score: 4-1 Carolina, who added an empty-net goal.

The habs will try to end their ugly losing streak (five) on Sunday afternoon in Florida.

Another big test ahead.

Overtime

– It was close.

– Nice pass.

– Yeah.

– He must be tired.

– It seems so.

Categories
Uncategorized

Kaiden Guhle : “I would have never thought I’d be back so soon”

Tonight in Carolina, the Canadiens are playing with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

The reason: Kaiden Guhle is back.

I never would have thought I’d see him again so soon. He didn’t think so either. Before the game, in an interview with Patrick Friolet (RDS), the defenseman said he didn’t know when he would return, but never thought it would be so soon.

Guhle also thanks the medical staff and surgeons who did a great job with his injury.

The team’s best defensive defenseman hasn’t played since January 28 against the Winnipeg Jets. That evening, the 4-1 loss was even more bitter than usual: not only did Montreal lose its third game in a row, but it also lost one of its pillars on the blue line.

At first, we were even afraid of losing him for the rest of the season.

Fortunately, we are in late March and in a frantic race for the last playoff spot, Martin St-Louis’ team needs its defenseman.

(Credit: NHL.com)

In 44 games, the 23-year-old left-hander has four goals and 10 assists.

The player with a plus-2 record isn’t recognized for his offensive support anyway. He remains highly important to his team.

Remains to be seen if the Habs will be as cautious with him as they were with David Reinbacher.

Overtime

– Good question.

– Heavy loss.

– He’s playing excellent hockey.

Categories
Uncategorized

Pascal Vincent should interest Daniel Brière and the Flyers

Yesterday morning, the Flyers decided to fire John Tortorella, after another season of misery for Philadelphia.

The rebuilding process is not moving at the same pace as in Montreal, and it was no longer working. Tortorella himself put an end to his time in Philadelphia with his comments to the media.

It’s now time for interviews for Daniel Brière, the General Manager of the team. Could he look to the habs for help?

Tom Lapointe, a former sports journalist, raised the possibility that Pascal Vincent, the head coach of the Rocket, could take the place of “Torts”.

He’s doing an excellent job in Laval and could be a great option for Brière. He didn’t have the expected start in the NHL, but he didn’t have ideal conditions, far from it.

The Rocket is first in the AHL and could confirm a playoff spot very soon, which is quite incredible given that expectations were not so high at the beginning of the year.

Vincent has worked well with young players like Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj, who have very important roles despite their age.

I’m one of those who believes that Vincent should be considered. It would be a big loss for the habs if he left, but he deserves to be considered. He’s an underrated coach who hasn’t rushed his way to where he is.

He could be a good option if Martin St-Louis doesn’t deliver in the next few years. But if Vincent continues to have success, another NHL team will surely offer him an interview.

Overtime

– The return is doing him good.

– It will take time to get used to.

– Good start for the Rocket.

Categories
Uncategorized

Kaiden Guhle back in the game tonight

The Habs will welcome back Kaiden Guhle to the game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes.

This will be a more than welcome help for the Habs who are going through a sequence of 4 consecutive losses. For the occasion, the Habs will play with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen. Joshua Roy will be left out.

The Habs’ defenseman tore his quadriceps on January 28 in Montreal against the Winnipeg Jets. He had undergone surgery and the prospects of seeing him return in 2024-2025 were slim.

Martin St-Louis played it coy this morning by not wanting to reveal the details of his lineup. However, Joshua Roy was skating with the extra players, which put everyone on notice.

Guhle is unfortunately accustomed to serious injuries. He will have to find a way to stay healthy so that he can be part of the team’s core for the next few years.

He has undeniable talent and energy, and what it takes to become a rock on the Habs’ blue line for the next ten years. The #21 has 14 points in 44 games, but it’s his defensive solidity that sets him apart. He is capable.

Overtime

– A great prospect.

– The Rocket in action.

– Many unclear things.

Categories
Uncategorized

Only 44% of Newhook’s attempted shots have hit the net this season

From the start, I want to say this.

Alex Newhook has found his way lately. He’s been using his speed even more since he started playing center and it’s giving interesting results.

The habs forward scored a nice goal last night, by the way. He used his kick to free himself from the defenders and fooled the goalkeeper with a perfectly aimed shot:

But there’s a particular problem with him.

It seems like Newhook is not capable of shooting at the bottom of the net. He’s constantly looking for the perfect shot and he’s missing golden opportunities.

If he didn’t miss that many, he would definitely have more than 14 goals on the counter this season…

Since the start of the campaign, the habs forward has 230 shots attempted towards the opposing net. Only Cole Caufield (383), Mike Matheson (327), Nick Suzuki (295), Brendan Gallagher (256), Lane Hutson (247), and Juraj Slafkovsky (244) surpass him in this area.

But where it gets interesting is when we see that only 103 of his 230 attempts actually reached the net.

This gives a rate of 44%… And that’s not enough to score regularly.

Alex Newhook has the skills to become a 20-goal scorer per season in the NHL.

However, he has never exceeded the 15-goal mark in a single campaign… and he’s been missing the net more often since his arrival in Montreal in the summer of 2023:

  • 130 shots on target out of 203 attempted in 21-22 (Avalanche) – 55% rate
  • 116 shots on target out of 192 attempted in 22-23 (Avalanche) – 60% rate
  • 85 shots on target out of 181 attempted in 23-24 (Canadiens) – 46% rate

The good news is that this aspect of the game can be worked on.

Newhook needs to be able to hit the net more often to give himself more chances to score because he has a heavy shot.

If he can correct this flaw, the Canadiens will have a good offensive player on their hands.

Overtime

– I have the feeling that it doesn’t look good for tonight…

– To be continued.

– Jacob Fowler and Boston College won in the first round of the NCAA championship.

– Some news in the MLB: