All is not lost

JohnM · Guru

All is not lost

Habhead · Veteran Member

I agree with everything you stated, although it's too bad Zednik needs to have his centerman back to "look" somewhat inspired.

I'd like to see the kids played more. I can see the logic if we were winning these close games while shortening the bench, but we're losing 'em. Play the kids, it's the only way they'll get better both as hockey players and in confidence.

The Leafs lost big tonight, 8-2 to Ottawa. It's always a good night when the Habs can gain some ground on Toronto.

AB Habman · Guru

JohnM wrote:

Yes it was another loss but some good things can be seen after tonights game. 1) Huet seems to be a respectable BACKUP and that's what he was obtained for. 2) Murray looked good as a replacement to Begin, he had some spark and was hitting and even killing penalties. 3) Bulis played a great game but he really doesn't belong on the first line. 4) Ryder is a true goal scorer. 5) We were two men down for most of the game and we got a point out of it. 6) Souray has really picked up his game, he almost looks like he's ready to take on the roll as #1 D-Man again. 7) Sak was back! I think he was a little winded but still played alot of minutes. 8) Zednik doesn't seem as lost with Sak back. Kovy is scheduled to be back in the lineup on Tuesday, let's hope we can stay out of the penalty box and beat the best team in the league.

Good post John! Just needed to add that Ribs is coming around as his skill is coming to the forefront and he will keep the point production going! I hope that will overshadow his weeknesses!

Also I thought Huet was great and made key saves that we haven't had in a long time! That first goal that went top shelf, I guarentee that it goes by Theo also especially because he is shorter on his knees. I like Huet's butterfly because he is tall and covers more net. He actually reminded me of Garon! It's too early to tell for the long run but he was an asset tonight!

It was a point well earned against a balanced team!

Ando · Guru

And-o appreciates your optimism JohnM...but the Habs just lost to a glorified AHL team that is captained by Willy Mitchell (whoever the hell that is)!!!

mperra (Admin) · Guru

In the last two games, the opposition has scored winning goals while Michael Ryder was penalized. Do you think Coach Julien will discipline Ryder by benching him?

JohnM · Guru

If you look at the two penalties taken, one for putting the puck out in the defencive zone and the other trying to contain a player while there was an odd man rush, I would have to say no. Both plays were a result of that line being on the ice and not being able to keep the other team in their end. The blame can not only ride on Ryder, Ribs and Dags have alot to do with that.

I believe all four goals last night were caused by that line. 2 while they were actually on the ice and the other 2 with penalties taken while that line was on the ice. Pretty simple coaching move here, to split up that line.

barry33 · Guru

mperra (Admin) wrote:

In the last two games, the opposition has scored winning goals while Michael Ryder was penalized. Do you think Coach Julien will discipline Ryder by benching him?

He tried putting Dagenais and Ribiero on the 4th line last night and then Begin gets the boot and Pleks gets hurt. SO much for that plan.

plouf · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

JohnM wrote: Yes it was another loss but some good things can be seen after tonights game. 1) Huet seems to be a respectable BACKUP and that's what he was obtained for. 2) Murray looked good as a replacement to Begin, he had some spark and was hitting and even killing penalties. 3) Bulis played a great game but he really doesn't belong on the first line. 4) Ryder is a true goal scorer. 5) We were two men down for most of the game and we got a point out of it. 6) Souray has really picked up his game, he almost looks like he's ready to take on the roll as #1 D-Man again. 7) Sak was back! I think he was a little winded but still played alot of minutes. 8) Zednik doesn't seem as lost with Sak back. Kovy is scheduled to be back in the lineup on Tuesday, let's hope we can stay out of the penalty box and beat the best team in the league. Good post John! Just needed to add that Ribs is coming around as his skill is coming to the forefront and he will keep the point production going! I hope that will overshadow his weeknesses! Also I thought Huet was great and made key saves that we haven't had in a long time! That first goal that went top shelf, I guarentee that it goes by Theo also especially because he is shorter on his knees. I like Huet's butterfly because he is tall and covers more net. He actually reminded me of Garon! It's too early to tell for the long run but he was an asset tonight! It was a point well earned against a balanced team!

Ribs may be giving us more production and a better effort, and the odd moment of brilliance, but it's no coincidence that it's his line that gets pinned in our end, gives the opposition chances, puts our defensemen in trouble, chokes at the end of the game, takes penalties to prevent odd-man rushes, etc...

Dagenais needs to be sent far far away, and Ribeiro is a very useful 4th line centre who can contribute on the 2nd power play unit. Enough is enough with this guy.

Of course now that Plekanec is hurt we're going to see a ton of Ribeiro. Let's hope he does better when he doesn't have to try to carry the team (assuming Koivu isn't hurt or anything), since Ribs basically came out and admitted that he's not good enough to be a top-line player.

AB Habman · Guru

I don't think Ribs had a penalty unless Ryders penalties are from his infractions??

If they choke etc. and take too many penalties, they do so as a line and should all be riding the pine or demoted to fourth line, not just Ribs!

-- Edited by AB Habman at 19:35, 2005-12-18

Muller93 · Guru

UHMM. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say if we had a real second line center, we would have a great team. Sorry AB, but Ribs is the achilles heel of this team. Other teams don't even bother TRYING to cover him. He is the league joke.( by the way, the defensive zone coverage relies almost 70% on a lines center...Umm Ribero!).

It's amazing he doesn't score more given the fact that the opposition often taunts him by playing their fourth line against him. Watch the games, it's true.

Which is why I believe BG is letting the clown play just to convince the French Canadians fans that he is useless. Then, when he let's him go...no complaining. To bad though because I'm sure BG knew how overrated he was two seasons ago and could have gotten something in return. Now he would be luckey to get a bottle of water for the guy.

mperra (Admin) · Guru

If this was any other ,market, you think Dagenais would have been off the team by now?

barry33 · Guru

mperra (Admin) wrote:

If this was any other ,market, you think Dagenais would have been off the team by now?

In a word YES. And Ribiero would have been traded. Next time people want to poop on the coach for playing these guys over kids like Perez, take that energy and focus it on the media in Montreal who make many of the decisions regarding playing time. I hate to say it but if Perezhogin was named Goulet (or something similar) he would be getting more ice time.

What baffles me and makes me embarassed to be a habs fan is that why have the fans who booed Brisebois MERCILESSLY not turned on Ribiero and Dagenais.? Same thing with the media. To me Breezer made mistakes but he was twice the player that Ribs and Dags are.