Muller93 wrote:

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The habs were just a team without work ethic compared to the leafs last night. No excuse for that effort. Carbo should be benching a few guys after that.

Great game from Abby/Samsonov and Perez...other than that. Terrible.

Rivet rarely looks like a wus. But that third goal he simply did not want to get hit.

Kovalev is always a threat. It sometimes looks like he is actually TOO good for his teamates. must be frustrating for him. But I wish he would produce more. Why...with all that skill does this guy not produce like an Ovechkin????? Man that guy has skills. Frustrating.

Perez...most under-rated hab. when on third line it flys. Then He is with Kovalev...and they start flyin'.

Komi again looked slow and ploundering. Worries me. But he is a physical force.

I know this will sound funny...but the habs are missing the mobility of dandenault these past few games. AND......the cube is a really valuable missing piece.

Begin??? hello?

Murray...ya know this kid looks like that kid you used to coach in minor hockey. You know he sucks royally but you play him anyway because he works so darn hard. But ultimately just useless out there.

latty...oh my. This kid is not ready to play in this league. The speed of the game is the problem. You can see him unable to anticpate yet at this level . Sorry.

-- Edited by Muller93 at 11:53, 2006-10-29

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Muller93, I thought you were spot on your analysis. Throough 9 games, Begin and Latendresse are a combined -11 with no points. Begin seems consistently out of position in the defensive zone. Lats, well at this point he is in over his head. Not strong on the boards, no foot speed. When he goes for the big hit, the opposition player simply rolls off him and has already completed his pass. Through 9 games have yet to see Lats even get one quality hard shot on net. At this stage of his development limited minutes seems the best way to go.

The Habs defense is slow...There seems to be no in between. When the d can make that first crisp outlet pass through the neutral zone the Habs look very dangerous attacking with speed. Unfortunatley at this point the d just can't do it with any consistency. Rivet is playing too many minutes for his abilities, and Niminnaa is too soft and good for a couple of critical giveaways a game.

The positives: the line of Sammy,Kovalev and Perez looked good. For better or worse, Kovy's play picks up when he is with linemates he feels are worthy of his abilties. His statement about playing center if required could have been a not so subtle shot at Pleks not having the capabilties to play on a line with him. Last season Perez and Kovy seemed to feed off each other, hopefully they can do it again to take pressure of Saku. Where would the Habs be without Souray's offense from the blueline? Higgins... even on an off night seems to find the seams in the defence and create a couple of great scoring chances.

Your points are well taken Muller. The lack of work ethic for the past 3 games and the total lack of discipline are inexcusable. My old buddy CJ was lambasted because "it is the coaches' job to motivate the players and get them going". Well Carbo, the puck is on your stick. Get 'er done!