Editorial – Power Outtage

My apologies to my readers… there has been a slight glitch on the Fanball Sports Network recently and I only regained access to the blog site over the weekend.  Unfortunately, with work and personal events in my life, I was tied up with other things.  However, I didn’t forget to keep a watchful eye on the Habs this week.

Looks like the Habs are starting to get solid goaltending again… this time it’s from the tandem of Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak.  Both netminders are pushing each other in practice and this enhanced level of competition has built up the recent confidence of both Price and Halak.  Despite the strong push from the goaltenders, the team as a whole is still playing up to potential.

Every week there seems to be a new wave of adversity the team has to address.  In October, it was key injuries and sub-standard goaltending, first week of November saw poor defensive play and special teams… halfway through November, we have a lack of scoring.  The Habs sit 22nd overall in the NHL in team scoring with 46 goals for = average of 2.3 goals per game in 20 contests thus far.  The team has only improved on the offensive side of things, for example, they are now ranked 23rd overall on the power play, with a 16.7% success rating.

A positive sign that things may start improving is the penalty kill.  The Habs were near the bottom at the start of November, but have now climbed to 17th overall, with a 79.5% success rating.  This may also be related to the fact that they’ve played some lack-luster power play units recently combined with the tandem of goaltenders limiting goals scored on special teams.

A concern at this point is the lack of scoring on all levels.  The power play and top two scoring units have hit a collective slump and the defensive schemes have not worked, as the team is still giving up a ton of shots on goal and quality scoring chances.  Montreal has given up 613 shots on goal thus far, which equates to an average just under 31 shots on goal per game.  Thankfully, Price and Halak seem to be working out the kinks between them and their responsibilities between the pipes – let’s hope the team wakes up from this funk because I’d hate to see another 50+ save performance from any goaltender go to waste.  Halak was pretty good this week too… it’s just too bad that no one else but the two goaltenders competed at the expected level of play this past week.

The Habs have been abysmal in terms of generating quality scoring chances and despite Coach Jacques Martin’s surprise practice on Sunday, it doesn’t look as if this might wake up his team.  From what I read about the results from practice, it looks like the entire team was in a bad mood and they took it out on Price and Halak – who both got shelled in practice.  I think Martin’s efforts might’ve just backfired, angering both netminders in the process.

This brings me back to my online debate – Is it time to break up the top line and spread the scoring around?  Or is it too early to make wholesale changes to the top unit?

I’ve been asking this question for two months now and many of you believe that you know the answer.  Although the top trio of Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez, and Brian Gionta have generally been the best forwards in Montreal, the team does not have much beyond that in terms of scoring potential.  When lines like these get cold, the team hurts in the scoring department even more… which brings me back to my question – should they be playing together?

Yes and No.  Yes for the power play as the trio has developed a strong chemistry.  Yes when they need a spark after a lack-luster effort after two periods of scoreless hockey.  No if the team wants to develop a solid group of six scoring forwards instead of three.  The team needs to balance this lineup, the short-term growing pains might be difficult to watch, but the long-term benefits should be warranted.  Mike Cammalleri is a natural center and Gionta and Gomez are missing a speedy winger.  The trio are great together, but the team could be better if kept apart.  I don’t want to speak for Martin or GM Bob Gainey, but please find someone to play with Gomez and Gionta… Cammalleri will be great on any line.

As for options – don’t know.  I cannot really predict who works well with these guys.  There are some disappointing players on the team right now and there are some guys battling some nagging injuries.  Cammalleri could get double shifted, which would be a stop-gap solution for the short-term, but in the long-term, the team still needs an elite forward to join this group or short scoring droughts will continue to plague this team.

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Tags: Bob Gainey, Brian Gionta, Carey Price, Fanball Sports Network, Jacques Martin, Jaroslav Halak, Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez