barry33 wrote:

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As a coach, I tend to anylize the coaching styles and see what I can learn and use on my own team. One thing that is pretty clear to me is that Gainey and Julien are not that much different. Gainey is pretty calm back there. Many of you used to say that CJ needed to be more excited, holler at the refs back there, etc. Geesh BG looks like he needs his heart shocked with the electric paddles back there lol. In other words, not much difference in their demeanour. If the refs are picking on the habs because the coach is not vocal enough...don't expect that to change with BG Gainey seems to like the same line combinations as CJ, although he has been using Ribiero more wisely, at least at first. Although the last 2 games BG seems to be back to using Ribs like Julien did. Defence combinations are pretty much the same. Although Gainey's recent additions of Ivannis and Downey show more of a desire for toughness I noticed that CJ seemed to talk to his players more back there..Gainey seems to prefer the strong and silent approach (although Carbo is a yapper) Julien is certainly a more technical coach. Constantly taking notes..drawing diagrams. Although And-O will be very happy to see that BG seems to be a fan of the long awaited time out. Although the first period one he called against Vancouver did not do much good lol Both coaches will switch the lines around when things are not going well..which is most of the time lately Unlike Kovalev, I do not see a difference in how the defence move the puck. Looks pretty much the same to me..slowwwwww Power Play looks better under BG. I see more shots from the point and more puck movement. BG likes to use the points more and Julien liked to keep the puck down low. I like BG's method better Days off- many whined about Julien giving the team a day off after a bad performance. Gainey gave the team off yesterday and they all went to a movie together (I think they went to see Jose and the Pussycats). I think this was a good move. Gainey realizes that the team is not close at all and he is trying to do some bonding.

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Good analysis, Barry.  I note a lot fewer shots from the Habs under Gainey.  Is he instituting the trap, perhaps?  (I wouldn't recognize a trap if it bit me on the toe!)

 

I agree that the power play looks better and it may relate to the team using the points more. But I wish that those point-men would stop blasting the puck straight into the legs of the opposition! How many times a game does this have to happen for the D-men to get the idea that if they can't get shots away quickly, it might be better to pass? Or, God forbid, move a little and try to create an opening for someone.

Markov gets this, which is why people think he's so good. He's definitely our best defenseman offensively, but that ain't saying much.

Too many blocked shots -- which almost always destroys any momentum a power play unit has.

Les Canadiens Sont La