Post Game Thread | Ducks vs. Habs | 12/10/05

Habhead · Veteran Member

RE: Game Thread | Ducks vs. Habs | 12/10/05

Nil d · Guru

That second period might have even been worse than the first. The only guys who showed up at all are the youngsters - Perezhogin and Plecanec. The entire defense is terrible tonight, and the forwards are all timidly going about like they're afraid of getting hit. The puck is bouncing just out of reach all night Wow - totally unacceptable effort by our guys so far.

(7 posts to go.....)

Habhead · Veteran Member

Well, I guess the good thing is we aren't playing an Eastern Conference team that could be battling us for the final couple of playoff spots.

Plus . . . the Leafs are LOSING TOO! But they actually have more of a legit shot to come back than us

murphy · Veteran Member

Someone forgot to tell the Habs that the week off was over. Sad display of hockey and all, with the exception of Theo(he was down on the 3rd goal although he had just made a great save), are to blame. The Bulldogs would have played a better game even without all the players that have been called up. Habs had better get their act together or they will be in last place when they return from the road trip.

Desi · Senior Member

We're losing this game tonight at both ends of the ice -- and especially in the neutral zone. The Ducks are playing a beautiful trap tonight, and our guys are so lame they don't even have to check us much for it to work. Without the Brothers K, the team is showing a real lack of imagination in terms of finding ways to beat this Anaheim defensive set-up. And their passing tonight would make a Pee Wee coach cringe. Let's hope this is not a season-long trend.

Les Canadiens Sont La

davidb · Guru

They better get use to not having the Brothers K, because it will be a while before they get back

-- Edited by davidb at 21:20, 2005-12-10

-- Edited by davidb at 21:41, 2005-12-10

Nil d · Guru

Desi wrote:

We're losing this game tonight at both ends of the ice -- and especially in the neutral zone. The Ducks are playing a beautiful trap tonight, and our guys are so lame they don't even have to check us much for it to work. Without the Brothers K, the team is showing a real lack of imagination in terms of finding ways to beat this Anaheim defensive set-up. And their passing tonight would make a Pee Wee coach cringe. Let's hope this is not a season-long trend. Les Canadiens Sont La

Good synopsis, Desi. It was a pitiful performance tonight. The score was actually flattering. The Habs were never in this one.

Interesting move by Julien to pull the goalie with the Habs on the power play with 2 1/2 minutes to go. I would have waited until the penalty was over. The Ducks could fire away at the open net without fear of an icing.

But in the end it was academic. Sheesh................

(6 posts to go.........)

Nil d · Guru

davidb wrote:

They better get use to not having the Brothers K, because it will be a while before they get back -- Edited by davidb at 21:20, 2005-12-10 -- Edited by davidb at 21:41, 2005-12-10

Well, Koivu should be back next game (boy did they ever miss him!), and I hear Kovalev is ahead of schedule on his program, so do not despair, dave. It has to go uphill from here!

(5 posts to go....I'll save them for tomorrow....)

Johab · Guru

RE: Post Game Thread | Ducks vs. Habs | 12/10/05

Habhead · Veteran Member

I was talking about the fourth goal . . .

I suggest you relax . . .

- As taken from NHL.com . . .

197 2 07:30 SHOT ANA EV 17 HEDSTROM, Slap, 35 ft
198 2 07:32 GOAL ANA EV 17 HEDSTROM, A: 26 PAHLSSON, 33 DIPENTA, Snap, 22 ft

As you can clearly see, I was talking about the fourth Anaheim goal, the one where Theo made a nice save but kicked it out right onto the shooters stick. An easy shot for Hedstrom.

Theo has a "rebound" and "going down early" problem, that doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Maybe we need a new goaltending coach, as we're fast appraoching '06.

-- Edited by Habhead at 22:31, 2005-12-10

Johab · Guru

Can you blame me for getting a little worked up. everytime i come back to this board ( win or lose ) people are bashing Theo about letting in goals. Its gonna happen. Rebound control and going down to early. Im sorry but i dont here that ANYWHERE but on this board. The rest of the league KNOWS how good theo is. Other teams in interviews before the game always say they will have to lay alot of shots and get rebounds because its hard to beat him on the first shot. And if your talking about the 4th goal. What would you like theo to do better for that specific shot? Put a pocket in his pad? A low shot to the left of theo, he got a pad on it made the initial save but couldnt get over fast enough to cover the hole on the side. Like it or not, if a shot hits a pad, there will be a big fat juicy rebound and it is the defensemans job to make sure the rebound is cleared away and or the goalies to try and deflect the shot to the corner. Neither of those happens and theres a goal. IT WILL HAPPEN. See i probably wouldnt get so worked up over this if i wasnt a goalie but i mean some of you guys have analysis on EVERY goal theo lets in and because he lets it in hes a crap goalie? Name me one goalie in the league that was perfect EVERY game...please. This will settle this whole thing for good.

plouf · Guru

Johab wrote:

Can you blame me for getting a little worked up. everytime i come back to this board ( win or lose ) people are bashing Theo about letting in goals. Its gonna happen. Rebound control and going down to early. Im sorry but i dont here that ANYWHERE but on this board. The rest of the league KNOWS how good theo is. Other teams in interviews before the game always say they will have to lay alot of shots and get rebounds because its hard to beat him on the first shot. And if your talking about the 4th goal. What would you like theo to do better for that specific shot? Put a pocket in his pad? A low shot to the left of theo, he got a pad on it made the initial save but couldnt get over fast enough to cover the hole on the side. Like it or not, if a shot hits a pad, there will be a big fat juicy rebound and it is the defensemans job to make sure the rebound is cleared away and or the goalies to try and deflect the shot to the corner. Neither of those happens and theres a goal. IT WILL HAPPEN. See i probably wouldnt get so worked up over this if i wasnt a goalie but i mean some of you guys have analysis on EVERY goal theo lets in and because he lets it in hes a crap goalie? Name me one goalie in the league that was perfect EVERY game...please. This will settle this whole thing for good.

Wait now, giving up rebounds or not giving up rebounds IS a skill. A goalie who is on will give up less rebounds. It's not just random. Thibault gave up more rebounds than Theo does. Some goalies give up less rebounds than Theo does, or at least seem to be doing so now. Theo's playing ok; nobody said the loss was his fault. In fact, most of the posters absolved him of blame specifically. Somebody complained about one of the goals. I don't see what the big deal is.

Here's the quote from "a concerned fan". Now, I didn't see this particular game, so I can't confirm. But this seems to sum up many of Theo's games this year:

"Theodore: You could argue he kept the team in the game with some of the saves he made. You could equally argue that he made a few errors that cost the team some momentum. $5 million should get you more. B- "

The reason a lot of the onus is on Theo is because he's the highest paid guy on the team. Simple as that. He expects the pressure too, I'm sure. And if you asked him if he thinks he's played well this season, I'd be surprised if he didn't admit he's been below expectations.

-- Edited by plouf at 23:05, 2005-12-10

Habhead · Veteran Member

Hmmm, interesting considering Theodore is ranked 32nd out of 42 goaltenders (whom must be projected to play in a minimum of 27 games) with a .891 save percentage . . . not including tonights game stat's that is

You love Theo, that's fine with me . . . I had my hero's too when I was a kid. The fact is, he's been nothing more than average while being paid a superstars salary. I'd like nothing more than to see Theodore play in a consistent, high quality fashion for the rest of this year and many years to come. But I don't see it happening, at least with the status quo, that's why I think possibly a goaltending coach change migh tbe in order.

Theodore actually played a very good first period as a whole, but he's much like the Hab's team in general that can't put a sixty minute game together for the life of them.

barry33 · Guru

Habhead wrote:

Hmmm, interesting considering Theodore is ranked 32nd out of 42 goaltenders (whom must be projected to play in a minimum of 27 games) with a .891 save percentage . . . not including tonights game stat's that is You love Theo, that's fine with me . . . I had my hero's too when I was a kid. The fact is, he's been nothing more than average while being paid a superstars salary. I'd like nothing more than to see Theodore play in a consistent, high quality fashion for the rest of this year and many years to come. But I don't see it happening, at least with the status quo, that's why I think possibly a goaltending coach change migh tbe in order. Theodore actually played a very good first period as a whole, but he's much like the Hab's team in general that can't put a sixty minute game together for the life of them.

Guys- I know you are all looking for a scapegoat. I am fully waiting for And-O's fire the coach rant tomorrow. Fact is that our defense finally showed their true colors tonite..really slow. Theo is partly to blame yes. But I can tell you that our d was horrible tonite. And for all of you people who are Begin lovers.... How many horrible penalties has he taken lately? Blame it on coaching if that makes you feel better but to me this guy is showing lately why he was a free agent..D U M B

Habhead · Veteran Member

Sorry, I'm not looking for a scapegoat - I call it like it is . . . to MY EYES!

I agree that Begin has taken a few bad penalties, but man, I watched the Leaf/Stars game tonight at the same time as the Habs (dual tuners in the TV), and the Leafs get away with murder compared to most of the calls on Begin. I'm not absolving Begin of responsibility, but it's damn hard to know what to get away with when the refereeing is all over the place.

I feel Julien must be held accountable for the incredibly slow starts Mtl has had in the past month. It seems like almost every game we're behind the eight ball when the first period ends, mostly due to lackluster play.

My post about Theo's "stats" was in direct reply reply to the post above saying basically Theodore was looked upon as a top goalie and almost unbeatable on first shots by opposing teams . . . I don't think so. It's obvious they know his weaknesses which he (and Rolie) have yet to address.

We're all Habs fans, that's why we're here . . . but if we're unable to state our views on what is wrong, then what's the point of saying anything. There's nothing wrong with stating what is perceived to be weak with the team, and trying to figure out ways to improve the situation.

barry33 · Guru

Habhead wrote:

Sorry, I'm not looking for a scapegoat - I call it like it is . . . to MY EYES! I agree that Begin has taken a few bad penalties, but man, I watched the Leaf/Stars game tonight at the same time as the Habs (dual tuners in the TV), and the Leafs get away with murder compared to most of the calls on Begin. I'm not absolving Begin of responsibility, but it's damn hard to know what to get away with when the refereeing is all over the place. I feel Julien must be held accountable for the incredibly slow starts Mtl has had in the past month. It seems like almost every game we're behind the eight ball when the first period ends, mostly due to lackluster play. My post about Theo's "stats" was in direct reply reply to the post above saying basically Theodore was looked upon as a top goalie and almost unbeatable on first shots by opposing teams . . . I don't think so. It's obvious they know his weaknesses which he (and Rolie) have yet to address. We're all Habs fans, that's why we're here . . . but if we're unable to state our views on what is wrong, then what's the point of saying anything. There's nothing wrong with stating what is perceived to be weak with the team, and trying to figure out ways to improve the situation.

I do not disagree with you at all Habhead. My point is this. I really feel that our problems lately are too deep to point the finger at any one guy or even the coach. I see alot of things wrong out there. But what has become painfully obvious to me is that we have a lack of depth and talent. This needs addressed. Bottom line is that last night we were outshot and outchanced. We looked tired and disinterested. Having said that maybe it is time for a coaching change. I do feel that this would be a short term fix however. The team will start performing, trying to impress the new guy. But after a couple weeks the same old issues will arise. Porous defence, inconsistent goaltending and lack of scoring.

brooklynhabfan · Guru

Barry's hit it on the head again. If you've made bad soup, you've got to start again, and unless this problem is approached as a whole, nothing will get it tasting good again

thompstar · Veteran Member

now that i think about it i don't really need to add my two cents of negativity about the game....you guys did a good job summing it up so to save everyone some time i'll just say this;

BRUTAL