Montreal Canadiens

[ericdaoust]

Bournival skated after practice. Just an FYI as I think he'll be AHL-bound when he's back healthy.

[rufio.85]

Interesting article by TSN on shot attempts ratios favouring the Habs, as we recently discussed in this thread:

http://www.tsn.ca/undefeated-habs-pl...t-way-1.379620

"The core of the Canadiens, though, are winning the SAT battle at rates that are so vastly different than their career averages: Brendan Gallagher (63 per cent), Max Pacioretty (63), Tomas Plekanec (60), Lars Eller (59), Petry (59), Alex Galchenyuk (59) and Alexei Emelin (58).

Of those players, only Gallagher (54) and Pacioretty (53) have a career average better than 50 per cent."

[rainydrinkwater]

Per Friedmans 30 thoughts

20. It always helps when you have an impenetrable force in net, but Ottawa, the Rangers and Pittsburgh all praised Montreal’s structure in front of Carey Price.

“They do a great job of angling you to where you don’t want to go,” one opponent said. “Much improved. Very disciplined.” Another added that, in a league where “bang it off the boards” gets your mouth washed out with soap, the Canadiens aren’t afraid to do it. “Their philosophy is, ‘Spend as little time as possible in your own zone.’” One of their advantages is their speed, so they’ll take a chance with the footrace if the pass isn’t there.”

[ericdaoust]

Another solid win. The Blues really brought it. Price was outstanding as usual.

[rangerfan2430]

How do they keep winning? This is starting to get insane lol

[yougo]

How do they keep winning? This is starting to get insane lol

Easy. For the last two seasons, the Habs strategy was collapse around Price and let him do the first,second,third and fourth save. This year, they are actually doing real zone-exit breakout passes (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

When they have the lead, they're not sitting back (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

And YES, this team is coached by Therrien. Man I'm confused.

[ericdaoust]

And YES, this team is coached by Therrien. Man I'm confused.

It's like he learned something...

[rangerfan2430]

I always thought the Canadiens would get nowhere under Therrien but you can't deny a 7 game winning streak

[newfcollins]

Price has been amazing. He hasn't even allowed three goals in a game yet.

[rangerfan2430]

Price has been amazing. He hasn't even allowed three goals in a game yet.

Isn't he always amazing

[newfcollins]

Isn't he always amazing

Yes, but he can be a slow starter. Last year he let in three-plus goals in each of his first four games. And in both years previous to that, he let in three-plus goals in four of his first eight. So a great start out of the gate is awesome.

[rangerfan2430]

Yes, but he can be a slow starter. Last year he let in three-plus goals in each of his first four games. And in both years previous to that, he let in three-plus goals in four of his first eight. So a great start out of the gate is awesome.

True. I wonder when Price will have his first bad game of the season this year? Never lol

[ericdaoust]

http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/...last-night-307

Some interesting stats:

• Jeff Petry and Alexei Emelin logged 24:53 and 23:11, respectively, compared to 23:33 for P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov’s 22:25.
• David Backes had 11 hits.
• Alex Galchenyuk was 12-7 on faceoffs.
• Petry, Emelin and Nathan Beaulieu each had four giveaways … mostly early in the game.

[rufio.85]

Also a well-deserved goal for the 4th line!
They look fast and they're hungry on the puck.
DSP is waaaay quicker than last season, he's become very effective on the forecheck.

[ericdaoust]

Also a well-deserved goal for the 4th line!
They look fast and they're hungry on the puck.
DSP is waaaay quicker than last season, he's become very effective on the forecheck.

It's funny that Mitchell and Flynn were acquired for last season's playoff run yet they're actually helping the team more this year.