Latest News – Eastern Conference Final: Game #5 Preview

Eastern Conference Final: Game #5 Preview – Flyers lead series 3-1

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (41-35-6; 3rd in Atlantic Division, 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, 18th overall)

The Canadiens are facing elimination for the sixth time in these playoffs and they have history on their side right now. The Habs are 5-0 when facing elimination, but are stumbling into Game #5 with a poor effort on home ice on Saturday afternoon. The Flyers have shutout the Canadiens in the three wins thus far in this series, and although they showed a spark in Game #3, they have gone back to not executing the game plan. The Flyers are hoping to close out this series tonight so that they can take advantage of some rest before moving onto the Blackhawks. However, the Canadiens have battled through much adversity in these playoffs and are not going to back down just yet. Should be a fun game to watch tonight either way.

Philadelphia Flyers

Team Trends:
The return of offensive weapon Jeff Carter from injury seemed to spark the Flyers early in Game #4 that carried throughout the game. The Flyers held the Canadiens to only one shot on goal in the second period, and the team was able to shutdown the Canadiens’ offensive attack with a solid team defensive strategy and strong goaltending. The Flyers are rolling a solid four lines right now and the defensive leadership of the likes of Kimmo Timonen and Chris Pronger has carried them thus far.

Keys to Victory:
Game #4 was much of the same as the first two shutout wins in Philadelphia. Solid team defense, allowing the goaltender to see the puck, and limiting the Canadiens chances to the outside, while capitalizing on turnovers leading to odd man rushes. The Flyers have been able to execute on this game plan three out of the first four games and will look to close out this series in Game #5 this evening. Despite the fact that the Habs are 5-0 when facing elimination in the 2010 playoffs, the Flyers are a strong home team and are really playing as a cohesive unit right now. As long as they don’t get too far ahead of themselves looking beyond the task at hand, the Flyers have the confidence to take this series tonight if they can accomplish much of the same as before. Game #3 was a hiccup in terms of execution, but the overall strategy has worked very well overall.

Key Players:
Michael Leighton – Goaltender
Leighton could go for four shutouts this evening and that would be a tremendous feat considering he was a waiver wire pick-up midway through the regular season. Leighton has emerged as the team’s answer in goal, providing steady saves and building his confidence, while quietly having a string of solid outings. He has shown the team management that he is the goaltender of the present and near future, and that should bode well for his long-term career potential in Philadelphia. That being said, Leighton is one win away from carrying his team to the Stanley Cup Finals, and he should be primed to have a solid game tonight to try to clinch this series. The Habs haven’t found an answer to Leighton, as even in the loss in Game #3, he was the best Flyer on the ice.

Jeff Carter – Centre
Even if he is not currently at 100%, Jeff Carter’s return was both inspirational and an aspect of the Flyers overall offensive attack that the Habs had not accounted for as they made adjustments for Game #3. Carter managed to play in 13+ minutes and mustered four shots on goal. He may not be a factor on the scoresheet again this evening, but his presence alone poses matchup issues for the Habs defensively. Carter should open up some ice for his linemates and must be accounted for on faceoffs, which the Habs have been losing many of in the last few periods. Carter should only get stronger as this series progresses, which is not a good sign even if the Habs survive Game #5.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
Looking for another miracle, the Canadiens are reeling after a tough 3-0 loss in Game #4. The Habs looked lost in Game #4, not even able to generate any real scoring chances in the second period (with only one shot on goal), that the team has a lot of questions to answer and only one game to work out the kinks. The only thing going for them right now is the feeling of desperation, something that inspired the team to win five straight games when facing elimination. Much will be needed tonight to overcome this series deficit, but the previous success shows that it can be accomplished. If the Habs can play a desperate brand of hockey for 60 minutes or more tonight, they still have a fighting chance. They need to pull out all of the stops this evening.

Keys to Victory:
Desperation. Once again, the key motivating factor for the Habs which has worked in the previous two series against the Capitals and the Penguins. It might be a case of the team just running out of gas, but Coach Jacques Martin needs to evoke that emotion from his club if they are going to at least survive another game on home ice in Game #6. The Canadiens have battled through these challenges, going 5-0 when facing elimination, with Jaroslav Halak leading the charge. However, unlike the previous series victories, Halak was not alone in his quest for victory, and the team wasn’t having this much trouble scoring goals. Being shutout in three of the four games thus far is a disheartening trend for this team and shows the many holes in the lineup. The likes of Andrei Kostitsyn, Scott Gomez, and Tomas Plekanec have not scored in double digit games. These forwards alone need to step up tonight and for the duration of the playoffs if they are going to have a minute chance of coming back yet again. If they can do so, the Habs still have a chance.

Key Players:
Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
One game at a time, one period at a time, one shot at a time is probably the only way the Habs are going to win this game and comeback in this series. Halak has been dialed in for the duration of the playoffs, but he has shown signs of slowing down in this series, with a lack-lustre opening game, and two mediocre losses. If he can channel his previous success in the first two rounds and find a way to revert back to form from Game #3, the Habs could squeak out a win in the tough Wachovia Center in Philadelphia this evening. At the very least, Halak hasn’t been phased by the stress of the playoffs or being outmatched or outshot, so this confidence built from within is a good sign for the Habs. The Canadiens can rally around this confidence and if he can steal a win in Philly, anything can happen in #6 and #7.

Scott Gomez, Tomas Plekanec, and Andrei Kostitsyn – Forwards
The trio is being called out in this segment as they have each gone missing in this series and for a good chunk in these playoffs. All three players have gone double digit games without scoring goals and each have elite scoring talent and offensive abilities. The power outage has resulted in a dwindling power play, a lack of consistent team speed through the neutral zone, and each of the players trying to do too much from an individual perspective. Unlike the previous series against the Penguins or Capitals, the Canadiens actually matchup quite well on paper against the Flyers, with a solid mix of speed and offensive punch to counter the size and grit of the Flyers. However, the absence of offensive support seen from this trio has led to the Flyers focusing on shutting down Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta, leading to three shutouts in four games. If they cannot breakout of this offensive funk, the Habs will lose this series tonight. However, look for one of the three to at least show some drive and ambition to lead their team. If they can get these three forwards going, this team could overcome this series lead. Let’s see what they can do.

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Latest News – Eastern Conference Final: Game #1 Preview

Eastern Conference Final:  Game #1 Preview – Series tied 0-0

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (41-35-6; 3rd in Atlantic Division, 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, 18th overall)

Not many would’ve predicted this match-up for the Eastern Conference Finals, but both teams have been enjoying a wonderful playoff run. The Flyers are coming off a miraculous comeback in the series against the Bruins, overcoming both a 3-0 Game #7 deficit and a 3-0 series deficit. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are also riding high right now, beating the Washington Capitals in seven games (President’s Trophy winners) and the Pittsburgh Penguins also in seven games (2009 Stanley Cup champions). This series is a toss up when comparing the two teams. The Habs have a slight edge in speed, while the Flyers have a solid advantage in size and grit. Both have solid defensive statistics in these playoffs, but the Canadiens have the better goaltending entering the Conference Finals. This should be an entertaining series to watch as it is a throwback to the rivalry of the 70’s.

Philadelphia Flyers

Team Trends:
Despite the loss of veteran netminder Brian Boucher, the Flyers have not skipped a beat in goal, with the strong play of Michael Leighton leading the charge. The Flyers have a solid defense corps and a strong top six, combining size, speed, and skill amongst the elite forwards on the team. Daniel Briere and Mike Richards are the team’s top forwards right now, but the team relies on a balanced attack to prevent being neutralized to one or two lines. Different from the previous match-ups against the Devils and the Bruins, the Canadiens are much quicker and have solid team speed, something that the Flyers must adjust to in order to be successful.

Keys to Victory:
Grit and determination are keys to victory in this series and in Game #1. The Flyers need to get traffic in front of the net and establish an early aggressive forecheck, something that will take its toll as the series progresses. With the Habs defense corps in flux with the injuries to key components, the Flyers need to take advantage of a lack of mobility on the Habs back-end. Although shots on goal were not an issue against the Habs, crease traffic and getting into Halak’s mindset is a key issue to address early on. Playing in the Wachovia Center should help with the latter and staying out of the box while maintaining a strong physical game overall should set the tone for this series.

Key Players:
Michael Leighton – Goaltender
All eyes are on Leighton now. These are the biggest games in his career and he is making a name for himself in the lore of the Flyers fan base. He was a cast off earlier this season as a waiver pick-up from the Carolina Hurricanes and quickly cemented himself as the starter when both Ray Emery and Brian Boucher went down with injuries. Leighton then suffered a high ankle sprain in late March 2010, and was only going to be ready until the second round of the playoffs. In an ironic twist of fate, Boucher went down in the midway point of the series against the Bruins and as luck would have it, Leighton has his job back and is well rested in comparison to Jaroslav Halak. He has played well in the three appearances thus far, with a 3-0 record, 1.54 goals against average, .943 save percentage, and a shared shutout. He doesn’t have to be dominant for the Flyers to have a chance to win, he just needs to remain consistent and not give up early goals or untimely ones. If he can remain stable behind a solid defense corps led by Chris Pronger, Leighton could have a tremendous series.

Mike Richards – Centre
The captain of the Flyers is the key player on this Flyers squad. Next to Pronger, the offense of the Flyers is generated by Richards down the middle, with contributions from Daniel Briere and other secondary scorers. However, Richards sets the tone from the physical side of the puck, with a tremendous puck pursuit, bone-crushing hits, and a relentless penalty kill. If he plays at an elite level in this series as is expected, his leadership alone could motivate others on the Flyers to elevate their level of play. Unlike the series against the Capitals and Penguins, Richards may not be the main offensive threat in this series to neutralize, but the Canadiens cannot let Richards be a factor in these games if they are going to have a chance to win.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
Probably the next biggest surprise to the Flyers making it this far is the Cinderella playoff run by the Habs. Not only have they been overmatched in both rounds on paper, but they have battled back in both series, facing a 3-1 series deficit against the Capitals and a 3-2 series deficit against the Penguins. The Habs have been playing well as a unit and have relied heavily on the superb play of their goaltender, Jaroslav Halak. They have gotten some timely scoring from 2010 playoff goal scoring leader Mike Cammalleri and have gotten the leadership from the likes of Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta. Despite being the smaller team in this series, the Habs have played with a great deal of determination and heart, something that has been inspiring to the fan base nationwide. With history on their side, the Habs could be on a path to the Cup final, but a solid series against the Flyers is expected.

Keys to Victory:
The Habs need their best players to play at a higher level (if that were possible). On paper, the Habs are yet again overmatched in both size, skill, and grit, but have a few advantages right now. They have team speed, they are slowly getting healthier on the back end, and have Halak, which has been enough on some nights. The Canadiens need the likes of Gomez, Gionta, and Cammalleri to be at the top of their respective games, however, they also need some secondary scoring from Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn, who were very quiet throughout the Penguins series. The x-factor in this series is the overall play of the Habs defense. They have been successful suffocating the centre ice and neutral zone areas and have neutralized some great players: Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin. However, the Flyers have a more balanced attack and have an aggressive forecheck, so the defense must make quick decisions and show more mobility if this series is going to remain competitive.

Key Players:
Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
An obvious selection for Game #1. Halak has been red hot in his last 10 games, going 7-3, with a 1.96 goals against average, and .946 save percentage. He is 5-0 when facing elimination and seems to thrive when outshot and kept busy. Halak has benefited from the team being able to keep the crease traffic to a minimum, something that might be an issue in this series. If the Habs can allow Halak to see the shots on goal, he will be primed to stop them. He’s been a workhorse thus far and much will be the same in this series. Playing in Philadelphia is not a welcome assignment for most visiting goaltenders, but Halak could feed off of this negative energy if he gains the confidence early on. Look for the Canadiens to play it conservative early, relying on keeping scoring chances on the outside, while collapsing on rebounds. Same old strategy until further notice, with Halak being the main component of the success.

Mike Cammalleri – Winger
Unlike the first two rounds, Cammalleri will now have to face match-ups against top shutdown defensemen like Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen. Braydon Coburn is no slouch either, but the Flyers will probably keep Richards on the ice whenever Cammalleri is out there. This much focus will definitely open up opportunities for his linemates, but Cammalleri must continue to score the goals that the anemic Habs offense will rely on. He needs to be the team’s best offensive weapon and find the open areas. He might have a target on his back this evening and will be the main assignments of Pronger and Richards, but Cammalleri is on fire right now and could overcome this adversity. If he does, the Habs could steal Game #1 with a solid team game and timely chances generated by their diminutive forward lines. The Habs will get many power play chances in this series, look for Cammalleri to be a main weapon in these opportunities.

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Latest News – Game #7 Preview

Game #7 Preview – Series tied 3-3

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (47-28-7; 2nd in Atlantic Division, 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, 8th overall)

All bets are off tonight as the Habs and Penguins enter a one game playoff for the right to play in the 2010 Conference finals of the Eastern Conference. No one could have predicted that the Habs would’ve eliminated the Capitals, let alone be one win away from knocking off the Stanley Cup champions. Both teams need to play desperate tonight if they are going to win, however, the Habs have the underdog mentality going for them, with less to lose and an entire country backing them now. This game should be a treat to watch, just like the rest of this series thus far.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Team Trends:
The Penguins have shown signs of adjusting to the Canadiens’ defensive scheme of plugging up the middle of the ice and the neutral zone, however, the Penguins have not been entirely successful. They have stopped utilizing their point men to generate offense and the impact of the elite centres on the Penguins have been neutralized overall in this series. Traffic in front of the net has been a proven method to beat Jaroslav Halak, but the Canadiens have been good at maintaining sight lines in front of the crease. No time left for adjustments, the Penguins just need to bring an A level game tonight if they are going to survive this scare from the Habs.

Keys to Victory:
Crease traffic seems to have worked throughout this series, but the Penguins have continued to stray away from a winning formula. In Game #1, the Penguins capitalized on a number of power play chances, scoring mainly on screened point shots from the likes of Kris Letang and Sergei Gonchar. Overall, the play of the point men has not generated as much offense as expected and a lot can be attributed to the lack of offense down the middle with the three elite centres in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal. The Habs have limited the offense generated from centre to the wingers, and since the Pens do not have elite puck handling wingers, the offense has sputtered at times. Traffic in front of Halak might be the only short-term solution to win Game #7 – let’s see if the Penguins can execute.

Key Players:
Jordan Staal – Centre
With both Malkin and Crosby being the focus of the Canadiens defensive scheme, the Penguins need Staal to step up and become a third option down the middle. He has yet to show his dominance on the penalty kill and has yet to use his size to his advantage against the smaller, less mobile Habs defense, in order to generate chances for his gritty linemates. With Crosby and Malkin being kept to the outside, Staal needs to fight through this strategy and generate chances in the tough areas like the slot and at the high circles. Staal may not be the only offensive weapon at the disposal of the Penguins, but he may be the one player with the drive to get it done tonight, since the dynamic duo of Malkin and Crosby have been frustrated by the Habs and Halak thus far.

Marc-Andre Fleury – Goaltender
Fleury needs to play at an elite level tonight and cannot show signs of weakness or uncertainty, which seemed to fester in Game #6. Fleury was coming off a stellar game in Game #5 and allowed the crowd noise and ridicule of the Habs faithful to get to him mentally, throwing off his concentration, leading to the loss in Game #6. Fleury has the home ice advantage right now, but it really doesn’t matter if he gets off to a bad start. Like Halak, Fleury thrives on being busy and facing tough scoring chances to get warmed up. Although he has shown the ability to win the big games, his confidence level might be suspect in this key game as the Habs have identified areas of weakness in his overall game. Fleury might need to win this game all by himself, as what is usually the case in game sevens. In the battle of goaltenders, Halak might still have the upper hand right now.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
The surprise Cinderella story of the 2010 playoffs, the Habs are one win away from entering the Eastern Conference finals, a feat not matched since their 1993 Stanley Cup winning squad led by Patrick Roy. The Habs are riding the hot play of both Jaroslav Halak and Mike Cammalleri, and in a one game showdown, these two need to play even better to motivate others on the team to wake up. Slowly but surely, the Habs are rounding into form and could enjoy a balanced attack from the like of Andrei Kostitsyn or Tomas Plekanec, two players who were quiet in the early part of the series. Cammalleri will be the player of focus tonight for the Penguins, so the Habs will rely on the production from other veterans such as Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta to lead them this evening. A unified team effort is key for tonight’s game… go Habs go!

Keys to Victory:
As was the case in Game #6, desperation should be the key component of every Habs player on the ice and on the bench this evening. With the return of Jaroslav Spacek, and the game time decision to bring Hal Gill back, the Canadiens could be inching closer to full strength on the back-end. However, that being said, the Habs cannot forget what has gotten them to this point – a solid defensive scheme and elite goaltending. Halak may be tired and the defense is beat-up, but in a one game showdown, anything can happen. The Habs need to stay out of the bench and still neutralize offense generated by the Penguins centres. If accomplished, the Habs could find themselves in the Conference Finals.

Key Players:
Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
Halak has definitely made a name for himself in these 2010 playoffs. Not only has his cult following grown since the regular season, but Halak seems poised for more entering tonight’s Game #7. He is no longer unsure of himself and is no longer doubting if he will be starting the next game, something that plagued his game throughout the last two seasons with Carey Price looming over his shoulder. With Halak’s confidence at an all-time high right now, the Habs have rallied around their goaltender, winning games with strong defensive efforts and timely offense. As was the case in Game #7 against the Capitals, Halak was the difference in that game and in the series overall. He needs to be the same here in Pittsburgh and must rely heavily on his defense corps to clean up rebounds and move players in front of the net. If Halak can see it, he’s bound to stop the shot, so that’s the simple strategy for tonight. Since he feeds off of a lot of shots on goal, look for the Habs to remain competitive if overmatched in the first 10 minutes of this game.

Mike Cammalleri – Winger
The elevated play of both Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn has raised the output of Mike Cammalleri in the process. Cammalleri is the only elite goal scorer on the ice for the Habs and he has responded by leading the NHL playoff scorers with 11 goals thus far. He will be the player of focus for the Penguins defensive scheme, however, he has shown the ability to battle through this added attention. He will need support from his linemates if they are going to push through and win, but Cammalleri is dialed in right now and is bound to pot one or two goals tonight as he’s done in the big games in this series. Cammalleri wants the puck right now and it’s up to Plekanec and Kostitsyn to find him on the ice in key scoring areas. If given the opportunity, Cammalleri has Fleury solved and could be the main reason as to why the Habs advance.

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Latest News – Game #6 Preview

Game #6 Preview – Penguins lead the series 3-2

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (47-28-7; 2nd in Atlantic Division, 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, 8th overall)

With the series shifting back to Montreal and the Canadiens facing elimination, questions remain about the depth of the Habs blueline. It is uncertain if any of the following will be 100% for the Habs: Andrei Markov, Hal Gill, and Jaroslav Spacek, so the focus might now be on the other blueliners to step in and fill the void. Might be too much to ask, considering the Canadiens are overmatched on paper with this high flying Penguins squad. That being said, the team has not shown any signs of giving up and the game in Montreal could be a toss up if the crowd becomes a factor as this game progresses. Look for a lot of emotion tonight from both teams and look for the Habs to feed off of the energy from the home ice. Should be a great game to watch this evening!

Pittsburgh Penguins

Team Trends:
The Penguins have finally shown some adjustments to their overall strategy to disrupt Jaroslav Halak and generate secondary scoring chances. With the Habs blueline in flux, the Penguins could take full advantage of a depleted lineup, shoving bodies in front of the net and generating key scoring chances using the point shot. Sergei Gonchar awoke from his series slumber and now might be the opportunity for breakout games from both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Malkin was a dominant player in Game #5, but it didn’t show up with any goals, but Crosby is still a shadow of himself, which is a testament to the Habs game plan overall. Look for a ton of traffic in front of Halak tonight, especially with veteran Bill Guerin’s experience as a goal crease nuisance.

Keys to Victory:
Point shots getting through. As with all of the Penguins victories thus far, Halak has been beaten with point shots and screened goals, either on the power play or five-on-five. They have found the key to victory, they just need to execute on the scoring chances generated with this strategy. Unlike the previous losses, the Habs depleted defense corps might not be physically able to move these tough wingers from the front of the crease. If point shots aren’t blocked and get through, limiting goaltender sight lines will be a key area to take advantage of if the Penguins are going to close this series out this evening.

Key Players:
Evgeni Malkin – Centre
Malkin was an aggressive, puck control centre in Game #5 and the Penguins need more of the same from Malkin if they are going to win tonight, or at the very least win this series. With Crosby on the fritz so to speak, Malkin needs to shoulder the load of this Penguins offense, generating chances for his franchise linemate and opening up the ice for the screened point shots. Malkin is due for a breakout in these playoffs and is primed for one tonight. He should be the focus of the defensive scheme this evening, as Crosby’s poor play of late has probably ruled him out to be the main x-factor this evening. Look for Malkin to have a strong game, hoping to help finish the series.

Sergei Gonchar – Defenseman
Gonchar played his best game of the playoffs and generated a number of scoring chances with his puck control and blistering point shots. If his game is on the rebound, the Habs might be in trouble in the last games of this series as the offensive scheme for the Penguins is based on a puck control defense. Gonchar is the general on the power play and is one of the key puck-moving defensemen for the defensive zone breakouts. More important to recover his game than probably Crosby right now, if Gonchar gets going, the Canadiens will not have any chance to neutralize Gonchar’s point presence in this game.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
The Canadiens played a solid defensive game in Game #5, but the offense was stymied by Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury was the difference maker and being able to capitalize on chances on goal early and often is key for the Habs to move onto Game #7. The Habs have been limiting the scoring chances generated from odd-man rushes and drives to the net, however, they were beaten by two point shots, something that the Habs have been able to limit since Game #1. With the depleted defense corps of returning injured players set to play tonight, the Habs will need a solid team effort filled with crowd exuberance to be victorious. Let’s see if they can muster up that level of desperation for tonight’s game.

Keys to Victory:
Desperation. 60+ minutes of team play, smart decisions, and aggression needs to be unleashed for tonight’s home game. The Habs have battled through multiple injuries, lack of scoring, and every expert writing them off, and yet they still have a chance to win this series. They have not been overmatched throughout this series, but have been victim to wrong players on the ice or poor execution at times. With the injuries mounting, the Habs need their best players to be their best players. The list begins with Jaroslav Halak and moves onto the likes of Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, and Tomas Plekanec. If the desperation of the team can motivate other secondary players or a defenseman to rise to the occasion, we’ll be enjoying a Game #7 final in Pittsburgh fairly soon. Good luck Montreal! Go Habs Go!

Key Players:
Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
There’s nothing left to say about Halak at this point. He has overachieved at times, but has been a stabilizing force for the Habs playoff run and has been the team’s best player throughout the playoffs. The team has truly rallied behind him and the city, its fan base, and the rest of the country believe he can carry this team moving forward, despite what type of adversity he faces. He’s been battled tested and has faced a ton of shots in these playoffs and has yet to show signs of wear and tear or slowing down. His confidence alone has been enough to win games outright and his timely saves have been inspiring to his fellow teammates. Facing elimination, Halak is 3-0 thus far, stemming from the series against the Capitals. Let’s hope he still has some magic left for tonight to push this series to Game #7.

Tomas Plekanec – Centre
Plekanec has been the most enigmatic player for the Habs thus far in these playoffs. As the leading scorer during the regular season (70 points), Plekanec has looked upon for leadership and offensive support that he has been unable to fulfill at a consistent level. He is the team’s top centreman and utilized on both the power play, penalty kill, and against the top opposing centres. However, with his inconsistency throughout these playoffs, some of the important roles have been delegated to Scott Gomez and Dominic Moore at times. If Plekanec was ever to play an important game in his career, tonight should be that night. I am personally calling him out for his leadership and elite play is one of the remaining pieces the Habs need to tilt this series in their favour. He is long overdue and needs to make it count this evening.

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Latest News – Game #5 Preview

Game #5 Preview – Series tied 2-2

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (47-28-7; 2nd in Atlantic Division, 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, 8th overall)

It is now a best of three series and the Habs seem to be gaining momentum. Coach Dan Bylsma should be worried about the collapse at the end of Game #4, in which the Penguins entered the period with a 2-1 lead. The Penguins outshot the Habs (which was no surprise), but the Canadiens offensive zone attack was virtually non-existent throughout the game, until an energy spurt from the Habs that led to the tying goal by Maxim Lapierre and the fluke game-winner by Brian Gionta. This series could easily go seven games as both teams are in a heated chess match on the ice, despite the level of firepower the Penguins hold offensively, in comparison to the lack of depth on the Habs. Overall, both teams are fighting for this chance to enter the Conference Finals and tonight’s game shouldn’t be any different from the first four.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Team Trends:
The Penguins cannot take any solace from playing well for 2/3 of Game #4. They had limited the Habs early surge in the first period and were aggressive on the forecheck and were generating chances. Also, the Penguins got away with a number of non-calls, or the game could’ve been swayed in the Habs favour earlier on with more power play opportunities. That shouldn’t happen again, but the penalties that were missed by the referees almost made this a controversial game had the Habs lost. In the end, the Penguins need to remain aggressive and find ways to penetrate the “bend-not-break” defensive strategy in front of Jaroslav Halak. Although the Canadiens are being outshot, they are not being outchanced as the Penguins have not generated secondary scoring chances and have been trouble getting point shots through on the man advantage. If adjustments are not made soon, this series could become more challenging for the Penguins.

Keys to Victory:
Simple strategy for the Penguins. The team’s best players need to play like the team’s best players. The Penguins are getting solid efforts from the likes of Alex Goligoski, Matt Cooke, Maxime Talbot, and Jordan Staal (despite returning from injury). However, the Canadiens have managed to limit and contain the superstars on this squad, yet get into the mental focus of the team’s elite netminder. Sidney Crosby was a powerhouse in the opening round and has remained quiet in this series. Evgeni Malkin was unstoppable on the power play against the Senators, and despite some surges here and there, he’s been inconsistent as well. Sergei Gonchar is the team’s top defenseman, but you wouldn’t know it on this team right now. And Marc-Andre Fleury has been a “Jekyll-and-Hyde” type goalie in this series, flip-flopping strong performances with mediocre ones. It’s a simple solution in theory, but one that is difficult to execute. If the team’s secondary players continue to carry this squad, they are in risk of being upset in this series in a best of three scenario.

Key Players:
Evgeni Malkin – Centre
Unlike the 2009 Stanley Cup playoff run in which Malkin was named Conn Smythe Trophy winner for playoff MVP, Malkin has yet to carry the offensive load of this team on his shoulders thus far. Both Crosby and Malkin have struggled at times and Malkin has been a non-impact player in many segments of each of the first four games. Malkin and Crosby feed off of each other’s dominance in the offensive zone, yet the Penguins have been relying on the stretch passes and dump-ins, which is against their usual game of generating chances with solid zone passing and puck control. Malkin is not playing hurt (to the media’s knowledge), but he has looked sluggish at times – possibly due to the immense focus of the Habs defensive scheme. Winning against the Capitals might have given the team much to focus upon, with similar weapons on the Penguins. Maybe now that the series has reached the latter half, the proper adjustments have been made to legally slow down the dynamic duo. Bylsma has to make some adjustments to free up some space for their elite players.

Sergei Gonchar – Defenseman
The general on the back-end and the veteran presence of the defense corps, the offensive push up ice for both five-on-five and power play opportunities lives and dies with Gonchar’s overall play. He has not unleashed too many bombs from the point, electing to relegate passes to either Malkin, Crosby or battery-mate Goligoski instead. Gonchar’s point shot has been neutralized thus far since Game #2 onward and this has affected the chances generated by the point men overall. Bylsma’s strategy since taking over this team is generating offense from the point shots entering the zone, to maintain a solid forecheck and puck control with a suffocating high low game. Maybe the Habs have solved this, despite the many minutes scrambling in their zone, they are still in control in most offensive situations – resulting in shots on goal, but not high percentage scoring chances overall. This is an area to watch tonight, as the Penguins seem to be ingrained into this strategy. If they cannot adapt, the Habs could steal this series by adjusting to this game plan as the series has progressed.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
Outshot once again the in Game #4 (35-25), the Canadiens rallied in the third period to steal Game #4 to tie the series going back to Pittsburgh. This might be the dagger blow the Habs were waiting for, as the Penguins were looking to take a 3-1 series lead back to home ice tonight. The Penguins couldn’t overcome the influx of confidence stemming from the Bell Centre faithful, nor could they solve Jaroslav Halak for the tying marker. The Habs have found ways to win and the results have been the same in every win in the playoffs. Stick to the defensive strategy, stay out of the box, capitalize on scoring chances (no matter how few), and let Halak see the puck (no matter how many times). It’s an unorthodox way to win, but ultimately, the Habs are still winning these tough games against better opponents. The city and it’s fan base believes and the rest of the country is following suit… so let’s see if the magic can continue tonight!

Keys to Victory:
More of the same from Games #2 and #3 (despite the loss) and probably an adjustment from Game #4. The Habs didn’t generate much offensive zone chances after the second half of the first period in Game #4 and this nearly cost them the game. A well-earned goal to tie the game by Lapierre seemed to spur the crowd and the team’s confidence. Not only did team leader Gionta score a fluke goal to win the game, but the team seemed confident, generating further chances to look for a fourth goal, instead of just sitting back hoping the Penguins wouldn’t tie. Strong secondary scoring was provided by Lapierre and Tom Pyatt, and much of the same is encouraged from the likes of these role players with limited ice time. The referees almost stole this hard-fought win from the Habs, missing a number of calls on both sides of the ice, but moreso for the Penguins’ infractions. Even the television broadcast team at CBC put a montage of clips together of non-calls that were grossly overlooked, which could’ve been a major source of controversy had the Habs lost Game #4. If the Canadiens stick to the formula that has worked thus far, this could be a tremendous boost of confidence if they can manage to steal a win in Game #5 in Pittsburgh.

Key Players:
Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
I will keep this short for the entire country and the fan base of the Canadiens is aboard Halak’s coattails, hoping he will carry the team to the next round. Halak has been playing at an inhuman level, with a playoff goals against average of 2.43 and a .934 save percentage, leading all of the NHL playoff goaltenders. Halak is leading all active playoff goaltenders in shots against, averaging 34.9 shots on goal faced. He has not been the only one responsible for this, as Coach Jacques Martin has kept the strategy simple. Block shots, clear the front of the goal, and help Halak control or smother rebounds. They’ve given up 50+ shots a couple of times in these playoffs and 30-35+ shots per night is not a quiet evening for a goaltender, however, Halak feeds off of his adrenaline of being busy and active. Many goalies would rather stay mentally focused, but Halak needs to be busy to remain sharp. Something that the Canadiens have been willing to let him do, not on purpose on most nights, but because they cannot stop it from happening, only contain it. Halak is primed to carry his team to the next level and the Penguins are starting to doubt if they can rattle this guy. If he steals tonight’s game, the series momentum will officially be in the Canadiens’ favour. Let’s see if Halak has any gas left in the tank for the last 2-3 games of this series.

Brian Gionta – Winger
Probably the best player on the Habs right now outside of Halak, Gionta has been the true leader of this squad, battling in front of the Penguins net for loose pucks, forechecking on defensemen that look to be much bigger and taller, and rallying his teammates despite lapses of poor play. Gionta alone has made up for the lack of scoring from other veterans in the lineup expected to shoulder the load and the Penguins know that they need a way to counteract the determination and grit exuded by Scott Gomez and Gionta. Former duo from the Devils of years past, the 2/3 of the former “E-G-G” line have replaced Patrick Elias with Benoit Pouliot. Not as skilled and fleet of foot as Elias, Pouliot has been tasked to forecheck and create size mis-matches along the boards, causing confusion and loose pucks for the Gomez/Gionta duo. Gomez and Gionta have been all over the Penguins zone and more of that should continue this evening.

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Latest News – Game #3 Preview

Game #3 Preview – Series tied 1-1

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (47-28-7; 2nd in Atlantic Division, 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, 8th overall)

After a tired effort in Game #1, the Canadiens had a more unified team effort, resulting in a hard fought 3-1 victory in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon. The Penguins were dominating in the second half of Game #2, fighting for puck possession in the Habs zone, however, as the team got outshot and outchanced, the game momentum swung into the Habs favour with timely goals from sniper Mike Cammalleri. Back to the Bell Centre, in which the Habs haven’t been very strong overall in the 2010 playoffs. The Penguins will look to bounce back tonight and although the final score wasn’t in their favour on Sunday afternoon, their level of play outside of goaltending is at a high level at the moment.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Team Trends:
The loss of Jordan Staal didn’t seem to phase the Penguins as the right players stepped up to fill the void. The top line on Sunday afternoon was the Maxime Talbot, Pascal Dupuis, and Matt Cooke line, which is generally a line filled by the towering Staal. As a result, this pesky energy line created a number of mis-matches in the Habs defensive zone, even leading to a quick goal. More of the same is needed from these support players if the Penguins are going to recapture the momentum in this series.

Keys to Victory:
The Penguins need to stay out of the box and rekindle the dominance of their power play from Game #1. Although the Habs only scored one power play goal, this is just the tip of the iceberg if the Penguins continue to give them opportunities. On the flip side, the fatigue factor seemed to be at play for Game #1, hence the Habs penalty kill was back to top form in Game #2. This is an issue that Coach Dan Byslma needs to address, as the power play success may become skewed with those four power play goals in the first game. The aggressive forecheck and utilization of team speed is still in the Penguins favour. They need to take full advantage of the fact that the Habs are tentative on the first pass from the defensive end, not having either Andrei Markov or Jaroslav Spacek to pass up the puck quickly. The focus should be on rookie P.K. Subban, who is the most mobile of the remaining defensemen for the Habs. If they limit his mobility and space on the ice, the Habs will have a difficult time moving the puck through the neutral zone.

Key Players:
Marc-Andre Fleury – Goaltender
Despite being a winner in Game #1, Fleury has looked shaky at times through the first two games of this season. Maybe the thought of playing his childhood team is affecting him, but this would be a silly excuse for poor positioning and execution. A better reason could be the fact that most of the play in the first six periods of this series has been in the Habs defensive zone. Similar to Jaroslav Halak, Fleury feeds off of being busy. With the forecheck dominance in the neutral zone and the Habs back end, Fleury has been sitting idle at times for long stretches in both games. That being said, this doesn’t excuse his poor play thus far, and as a result, he needs to be better. He’s looked sluggish thus far and fatigue cannot be to blame here, more just a lack of focus. If the Habs have a chance to beat the Penguins, it’s because of the poor play of Fleury overall.

Matt Cooke – Winger
The focus of the Bell Centre faithful will be on the disruption of the focus of both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the team’s best players. With that much attention being put on these players, the hate and animosity would be better served on the shoulders of the Penguins’ pesky player, Matt Cooke. Not only was Cooke responsible for the legal hit that knocked Markov out of this series, but Cooke’s exploits in the 2009-10 season make him a marked man every night. If the Habs fans lose their focus on Crosby and Malkin, they will move onto Cooke. He has been a tough opponent to play against and his aggressive style is useful to cause turnovers and generate chances for others. His third line play is much stronger than anything that the Canadiens have been able to match-up, so his presence is definitely an important factor in this game. If Crosby and Malkin are shutdown, Cooke could be the catalyst that can spark this team, either with a big clean hit, or a scrappy goal. Let’s see if he elevates his game to those expectations.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
As previously mentioned, the Habs looked really tired in Game #1 and Game #2 was not much different, but the team was more focused and the adjustments by Coach Jacques Martin were apparent. Apart from a bad line match-up that led to the only Penguins goal (pairing the fourth line players with the last defensive pairing), the Habs played a solid team game, scoring timely goals and keeping the Penguins’ chances on the outside. Once again, Halak played a great game when being outshot, so although this seems counter-productive, it is a strategy that has worked thus far. Keeping him busy seems to be a way for his adrenaline to match his skill level, so look for the Canadiens to evoke a similar approach tonight.

Keys to Victory:
With Markov out and Spacek likely still not available, the Habs have been riding four defensemen in this series, but they need help from the bottom two to bridge the gaps. Both Ryan O’Byrne and Marc-Andre Bergeron are playing more important roles and many of the chances generated have been when they are on the ice. This duo needs to step up and be defensively responsible and be confident to move the puck up ice. Bergeron is a welcome asset on the power play and O’Byrne is a strong, steady stay at home type. This pairing should work, but maybe unfamiliarity and a lack of confidence is starting to affect their level of play. Outside of this pairing, the Canadiens need to accomplish a more effective zone exit strategy, utilizing the mobile defenseman Subban to generate a north-south direction. The Habs have team speed that hasn’t been maximized, and the zone breakout is the culprit. Look for adjustments to be made to address this issue.

Key Players:
Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
How many shots does Halak need to face to get into the game? The Canadiens are only allowing this strategy to continue as they have found no way to reduce the number of shots on goal. Even when they block a number of opportunities, the Habs have allowed at least 30 shots on goal to squeak through. Continued diligence on rebound control and limiting crease traffic have allowed Halak to remain busy, but be confident in each game, which was something lost in Game #1. I am personally glad to see that the Habs coaching staff didn’t flake this time and switch to Carey Price. Barring injury, Price should remain on the bench until further notice as the team really trusts Halak right now and any change just sets them back a game or two again. Eventually, fatigue will catch up with Halak, but his level of play is something that cannot be ignored. He has been the best player in this playoff run and will continue to be the reason the Habs win each game. Let’s hope this trend continues!

Scott Gomez – Centre
Quite possibly one of the better forwards in the Habs lineup right now, the Penguins are having major difficulties containing Gomez. On a line with Benoit Pouliot and Brian Gionta, Gomez has allowed Pouliot’s aggressive forecheck and size to cause turnovers and generate chances for the former Devils duo. Gomez has a feel as to where Gionta will be and their chemistry has been apparent more so in this series than the first round. Pouliot has been a nice complement to Gionta and Gomez. Not only has Gomez raised his game offensively, but he has shown immense speed and vision on the ice, and has gotten back to being an annoying presence to play against. He is not afraid to mix things up and get into the corners and in front or behind the net, so Gomez is really leading this team right now. With Gionta and Mike Cammalleri playing at the expected levels that they need to win… it’s only Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn that the team needs to wake up right now!

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Latest News – Game #1 Preview

Game #1 Preview – Series Tied 0-0

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (47-28-7; 2nd in Atlantic Division, 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, 8th overall)

The Canadiens enter the second round against the Penguins as the underdog, but are riding an emotional high coming back from a 3-1 series deficit against the top team in the NHL, Washington Capitals, to win Game #7 2-1 in Washington. The team has started to gel together with timely goals and a solid team defensive scheme, but will have to elevate their game further against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Penguins didn’t have much trouble against the Ottawa Senators, winning 4-2 in the series, but showed some gaps in their overall game. Goaltending and team defense seem to be issues right now, so both teams are more evenly matched at this point in the playoffs than on paper and during the regular season.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Team Trends:
The Penguins have been off for awhile and are coming off an early test against the Senators. The Sens gave them a fight early on in the series, but the elite players on the Penguins took over by series end. Sidney Crosby has been playing better than ever, and leads all playoff scorers with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in only six games, while Evgeni Malkin is not far behind with eight points (four goals, four assists). The team has also received balanced scoring from the top two scoring lines and has also received timely goals from their third line, something that the Habs cannot match up against right now. Goaltending seems to be the biggest stumbling block for the Penguins right now, but Marc-Andre Fleury has experienced back-to-back runs to the finals and should be thrilled with the opportunity to play his hometown team (as Fleury is from Sorel, Quebec).

Key Match-ups:
The Penguins are flying high on offense right now and this is one of the key areas of concern for the Habs and Coach Jacques Martin. The Pens have scored 24 goals in six games (averaging four goals per game) and are clicking on the power play, with a 25.0% success rate (seven goals on 28 attempts). However, as good as the power play has been, the Pens are not able to kill off many penalties, with a 68.2% success rate (seven goals allowed on 22 attempts), which is a major concern for Coach Dan Bylsma. This inability to kill penalties shown in the first round could be the Penguins achilles heel as they are an aggressive forechecking team and have gritty forwards that take inopportune penalties. If the Habs get their power play going as they did against the Capitals, this aspect alone could be a key match-up to watch.

Key Players:
Sidney Crosby – Center
All eyes will be on Crosby tonight as the team enters the second round, hoping to quell the Canadiens momentum. Crosby has been playing at an elite level for the 2010 playoffs thus far and is on a torrid pace. Viewed by many as the best player in the NHL, Crosby has shown the ability to raise his game to higher levels when it matters most, something that will be an area of focus for the Canadiens. Unlike Alexander Ovechkin, who still shows a level of selfishness in his overall game, the Habs will have to adjust the game plan to neutralize Crosby in order to limit his chances, as his style of play generates opportunities for others instead. Crosby will be a tough player to contain, but look for the Habs to match-up the likes of Tomas Plekanec and Scott Gomez with the responsibility of keeping tabs on Crosby, with either Josh Gorges and / or Hal Gill being on the ice every time #87 is.

Marc-Andre Fleury – Goaltender
After a mediocre showing against the Senators, Fleury needs to step up his game if the Penguins are going to make another run for the Stanley Cup. With all of the other top seeds out of the Eastern Conference, the Pens are now the favourite to represent the Conference. Fleury has shown signs of weakness in the first round, mishandling pucks, playing out of position, and flopping around at times on lateral passes cross-ice. He is currently 4-2, with a 2.75 goals against average, and .890 save percentage, which are all numbers below his 2009-10 season statistics (37-21-6 record, with a 2.65 GAA, .905 save percentage, and one shutout). Fleury should get an added incentive to play well, considering he is playing a team he followed as a Francophone growing up in Quebec. These factors alone should lead to a stronger series for Fleury, but he is the one aspect of the Penguins game that the Habs need to take advantage of in the short-term to make this a competitive series.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
The Martin game plan seems to be working thus far, as the Habs have unified as a team, to overcome the 3-1 series deficit, beating the Capitals in seven games. The game plan since Game #5 has been to allow outside scoring chances, limit rebounds and scoring opportunities in front of the net, keep traffic out of sight lines for Jaroslav Halak, and let Halak do the rest. Not included in the game plan has been finding a way to generate scoring chances and to not play a solid game through 60 minutes. On paper, the Canadiens do not match-up well against the Penguins, but on the ice and in the city of Montreal, the confidence of the team is at an all-time high. The Canadiens are being adopted as Canada’s national hope to win the Stanley Cup, as they were the last Canadian team to do so in 1993. That being said, the Canadiens have a tall test in front of them as the strategy to compete against the Penguins must be different than that used against the Capitals. Riding a red hot goaltender will win a game or two and even the series, but the team still needs to find balance to win outright.

Key Match-ups:
As mentioned earlier, the Penguins power play is going well, but the Habs penalty kill thus far has been airtight. The Habs can take pride in limiting the Capitals power play to one goal in 33 opportunities (3.0% success rate), while on the flip side, the Habs power play has been successful on six goals in 30 opportunities (20.0% success rate). Special teams can become a major factor in this series, as the Habs will get more opportunities with the man advantage with the Penguins having a more aggressive lineup on the ice. Short-handed opportunities were an issue midway through the Capitals series, which is more-so against the Penguins who have the likes of Jordan Staal killing penalties. Speed is another factor that the Habs have as an advantage, but the Penguins match-up well against the Habs team speed up front, as the Penguins defense corps is more mobile in comparison.

Key Players:
Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
Not much more needs to be said of Halak at this point. He has not only carried his team back from a 3-1 series deficit, but he has been stone cold in his last three starts. He stopped 131 of the last 134 shots he has faced, allowing only three goals in the three wins to finish the opening round. At a save percentage of .978 in his last three starts, and averaging more than 40 shots on goal per game, Halak has truly flourished when busy. How long can he keep this up? In his short career and in these playoffs, Halak has played better when the team has been outshot or when he has faced more than 40 shots, so until this trend changes, Martin can rely on this strategy to continue. The Penguins distribute the puck much better than the Capitals, so adjustments need to be made to ensure that rebounds, traffic, and secondary chances are limited. However, Halak alone could be a major source of confidence, as the fan base in Montreal is starting to believe that he can rekindle the magic of previous goaltender lore in the team’s history (dare I mention Ken Dryden or two heroic playoff runs from Patrick Roy?). Probably still a bit early for those comparisons, but people are beginning to take the Habs seriously and Halak could well become the current hero if this level of play continues tonight.

Mike Cammalleri – Winger
In the games that Montreal won or remained competitive, Cammalleri was the best forward on the ice. In the games that they lost or were overmatched, Cammalleri was nowhere to be found, both on the scoresheet and in the mix of things. Cammalleri is the one true elite player that the Habs have outside of possibly Andrei Markov, and he has shown glimpses of that thus far, leading the team in scoring (five goals and five assists) with 10 points. However, Cammalleri needs to rise to the occasion and match the scoring capabilities of both Malkin and Crosby. The Habs relied heavily on the timely goals provided by Cammalleri against the top players on Washington, so much will be the same in this series. If Cammalleri elevates his game to his true capabilities in this series, the Habs could be a tough match-up for the Penguins, worthy of a risk to upset yet again.

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Latest News – Game #3 Preview

Game #3 Preview – Series tied 1-1

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Washington Capitals (54-15-13; 1st in Southeast Division, 1st seed in the Eastern Conference, 1st overall)

Entering Game #3 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals, the Habs are back in the confines of the Bell Centre, hoping to use the home crowd to their advantage. The Habs squandered a 4-1 Game #2 lead, losing to the Capitals 6-5 in OT, but the Canadiens did manage a split in Washington, to capture home ice advantage, despite a tough loss. The strong play in the first two games has shown that the Habs matchup well against the Capitals, but need to channel the success from Game #1 as part of their gameplan tonight. The team cannot get into a shootout type of game again, as they do not have the firepower to keep up.

Washington Capitals

Team Trends:
Speculation abounds, but it looks as if Coach Bruce Boudreau has decided to start Semyon Varlamov in favour of Jose Theodore. Theodore played well in Game #1, but was atrocious in Game #2, resulting in the switch to the young netminder. For those that recall, Varlamov was thrust into a similar situation in 2009, replacing Theodore against the New York Rangers. Not only did the team rally around the goaltending change, but Varlamov finished with a 7-6 record, with a 2.53 goals against average, and .918 save percentage. The Capitals are hoping for the same result, starting tonight. If Varlamov catches fire, he will be a tougher opponent for the Habs as he has a calm demeanor.

Key Match-ups:
The Capitals showed that they have had secondary support scoring outside of Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. John Carlson, Eric Fehr, and Tomas Fleischmann were all key components to victory from Game #2. The Habs will continue to focus on Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Mike Green, so the added scoring from secondary options will make things more difficult for the Habs team defensive scheme. If the Capitals can begin to create these mis-matches from other scoring lines, the Capitals could overcome this early adversity.

Key Players:
Nicklas Backstrom – Center
Still the best offensive player on the ice for the Capitals, the Habs have yet to find a way to control Backstrom. Backstrom has had the ability to be in the right place at the right time. He has also elevated his game to a higher level, which has given the Capitals a solid offensive attack. Backstrom is going to be a key area of focus for the Canadiens defensive adjustments, which should open up some free ice for other linemates, including Ovechkin. For the long haul, Backstrom playing at a high level right now bodes well for the Capitals playoff run.

Semyon Varlamov – Goaltender
The Capitals are hoping that Varlamov can create some magic between the pipes. He has been injured throughout the 2009-10 campaign, which allowed Theodore to retain the starting gig. With a 2009-10 record of 15-4-6, with a 2.55 goals against average, and .909 save percentage and two shutouts, Varlamov can help stabilize the goaltending for this team in the short-term and long-term. At only 21 years of age, he still has a long career ahead of him and is considered the goalie of the future in Washington. In a desperate move in the 2009 playoffs, Boudreau turned to Varlamov to right the ship. Boudreau hopes to do the same with this move.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
Similar to the Avalanche in the Western Conference, the Canadiens are giving the Capitals some strong competition in the first two games of the playoffs. Both games have been close OT matches, and Montreal should have come out of Washington with a 2-0 series lead instead of 1-1. This aspect alone should not be lost in the confidence of the team and its coaching staff. The team has played well throughout the first two games, with some untimely penalties, lucky bounces, and mental lapses to blame for the OT loss in Game #2. Jaroslav Halak continues to be one of the better players on the ice for Montreal, but the team needs to rally around him in order to properly channel his confidence.

Key Match-ups:
Simple as it may seem, but defensive zone coverage in five-on-five situations is a key component for the Canadiens to address. Halak was peppered with 37 shots on goal in Game #2 and should expect a similar barrage tonight. Only difference from Game #1 and #2 was the Habs were able to control rebounds and clear out traffic in front of the net, something that they didn’t execute in the latter half of Game #2. The Habs will need to ensure that they elevate their physical play to compensate for their diminutive forwards and must limit the traffic in front of the Montreal goal.

Key Players:
Andrei Kostitsyn – Winger
Kostitsyn is starting to warm up at the right time right now. He currently has five points (3 goals and 2 assists) and should be a key member of the forward lines to complement the strong play of Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez, and Brian Gionta. Kostitsyn missed 20 games due to left knee surgery in 2009-10, but at the time of his injury, he was one of the hottest players in the league. Upon his return from injury, Kostitsyn just didn’t play at the same level like before his injury, partially due to constant line shuffling from Coach Jacques Martin. By reuniting Kostitsyn with Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec, Martin is hoping to capture some of the dominance Kostitsyn briefly showed before his injury.

Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
This is still Halak’s series and can influence his importance to the city for the short-term and long-term. As a free agent at the end of 2009-10, Halak could easily end up somewhere else next season or be resigned in Montreal. Although he has a stronger record than Carey Price, he still isn’t a dominant goaltender, but just one who may still be benefiting from confidence from his teammates. Many believe that is half the battle, as goaltending is still a position that stems from a strong team approach. That being said, Halak wasn’t entirely to blame for an off night in Game #2 and despite doubts from the media, Halak is still the starter. If things go awry quickly in the remainder of this series, Price may be a last ditch option, but for now, this is Halak’s series to lose.  In the media, Ovechkin tried to feed this fire by quoting that Halak looked nervous after the team tied up Game #2, suspecting a loss of confidence in the netminder. As an avid Halak follower, I’d be happy to see Halak prove the critics and Ovechkin wrong.

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Latest News – Game #2 Preview

Game #2 Preview – Montreal leads the series 1-0

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Washington Capitals (54-15-13; 1st in Southeast Division, 1st seed in the Eastern Conference, 1st overall)

Entering game #2 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals, the Habs have taken home ice advantage away from the Capitals and are hoping to commandeer a 2-0 series lead going back to the Bell Centre. Questions were swirling around the poor level of play of Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin, who played in over 26 minutes in Game #1, but didn’t register a shot on goal – a game in which the Capitals peppered Jaroslav Halak with 47 shots on goal. The Caps should be flying high tonight, so the Habs need an even tighter game on team defense and in goal, with the veteran leaders driving the offense. Despite the loss, goaltender Jose Theodore did in fact play well for the Capitals and should start in Game #2.

Washington Capitals

Team Trends:
During the regular season, the Caps are 8-3-4 after a loss. With the best home record in the NHL at 39-8-7, the Capitals will be looking for a solid team game to even the series at one game a piece. There were mental lapses in the first game that led to chances by Montreal and the goals for the most part were caused by poor zone coverage and bad decision making. Theodore and Nicklas Backstrom were the best players on the ice for the Capitals, but on a team built with a variety of elite players, more is expected from the Caps in Game #2.

Key Match-ups:
Apart from not scoring and inopportune chances given up in their own end leading to the goals scored by Montreal, the Capitals did have a strong game offensively, but couldn’t solve Jaroslav Halak. The Capitals generated a lot of scoring chances and shots on goal, but Halak was up to the test. On special teams, the Caps went 0-4 with the man advantage and gave up one powerplay goal. These statistics would need to improve throughout the duration of the series. The Habs were able to neutralize Ovechkin in Game #1, with all eyes on him tonight, he may elevate his game.

Key Players:
Nicklas Backstrom – Center
With the lack of offense generated from Ovechkin in Game #1, Backstrom stepped up for his captain and had a strong game on both sides of the ice. As the second leading scorer on the team with 33 goals, 68 assists, for 101 points, Backstrom may shoulder some of the offensive load thrust upon Ovechkin. Backstrom takes a lot of shots and many of his goals are generated from rebound chances from playing alongside Ovechkin. Look for Backstrom to build upon a solid Game #1, as he might be the forward to watch in Game #2.

Jose Theodore – Goaltender
All eyes remain on Theodore tonight, not for any flaw in his play in Game #1, but because he has a bad history of poor playoff series on the whole. Theodore was by far one of the best players for the Capitals in Game #1, but like his resume showcases, Theodore has the inability to win big games. A loss in the opening round shouldn’t be something to panic about, but similar to 2009, Theodore was pulled in favour of Semyon Varlamov to recover from an early round scare against the New York Rangers. If Theodore has a strong game and still loses tonight, Coach Bruce Boudreau is not afraid to make the switch if it means waking up his team. The stage is set for a big game in the Bell Centre in Game #3 – let’s hope Theodore gets the chance to build upon this intrigue.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
Despite being the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, the Habs played a solid game in Game #1, with a strong team effort across all fronts. Coach Jacques Martin juggled defense pairings throughout the night to find a duo to play against the top line of the Capitals, seeking the veteran presence of Jaroslav Spacek and Hal Gill to remove the free space of Ovechkin and company. It worked, as Ovechkin seemed human despite playing in every scenario. Strong play from the duo is expected again tonight, combined with leadership from the cast of veteran forwards in the lineup: Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, Tomas Plekanec, and Mike Cammalleri. All four played key roles and showcased their speed and determination throughout Game #1. The same is essential to build a 2-0 lead in this series.

Key Match-ups:
The Habs scored one powerplay goal on four chances in game one and shutdown the high powered Capitals powerplay in their four chances. The Habs were able to avoid dumb penalties and were strong in zone coverage and closing out secondary scoring chances around the net. The solid play of the shutdown pairing of Gill and Spacek made the difference in limiting the scoring chances of not only Ovechkin, but the top line throughout the game. These matchups on special teams and on team defense need to continue if the Habs are going to be successful throughout the series.

Key Players:
Scott Gomez – Center
Gomez has shown glimpses of being an elite forward throughout his first season in Montreal, and Game #1 was no different. He was driving plays forward and creating scoring chances for himself and linemates Benoit Pouliot and Brian Gionta. Pouliot has fit into the role as the other winger on 2/3 of the former “EGG” line from New Jersey, and as a result, the chemistry couldn’t be better. This line could become the team’s elite option as the playoffs progress and Gomez could be a major factor in the playoffs if he continues to build upon this type of early success.

Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
Halak looked shaky at times, but overall, he was steady. He was one of the difference makers in Game #1 and although it is early to believe that the Habs have the ability to win this series on paper, Halak is an x-factor that could become a major thorn for the Capitals. Facing 47 shots on goal in Game #1, Halak only allowed two goals, stopping 45 shots, and finishing with a solid .957 save percentage and 1.64 goals against average. Yes – it is only one game, but as shown by his results during the regular season, Halak thrives on an abundance of shots on goal and only gets stronger if he’s busy. Look for the Capitals to feed into this strength, so Halak needs to continue his strong play tonight.

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Latest News – Game #1 Preview

Game #1 Preview

Montreal Canadiens (39-33-10; 4th in Northeast Division, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 19th overall) vs. Washington Capitals (54-15-13; 1st in Southeast Division, 1st seed in the Eastern Conference, 1st overall)

Entering game #1 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals, the Habs should be happy with the surprising results of the first night of the 2010 playoffs. Not only did the Flyers, Avalanche, Senators, and in some circles the Coyotes win the first game of their respective series, no one thought all of these teams would be up 1-0 after the first night. The Canadiens are facing an uphill battle against the Capitals in the first round. Stumbling in the last week of the season, resulting in the team dropping from as high as sixth in the Eastern Conference to eighth, the team has got to pull things together if they are going to compete against this high octane team.

Washington Capitals

Team Trends:
The Caps are heavily favoured in this matchup and are expected to steam roll over the Habs. They have the best home record in the NHL (30-5-6) and have a solid record against Eastern Conference opponents (44-10-10). The team is the highest scoring team in the NHL with 318 goals for, however, their one true weakness is team defense, ranking middle of the pack (16th overall) with 233 goals against. Pundits have identified Jose Theodore as the one true weak point of the squad, but he finished the regular season on a tear. Despite his fading star status as an elite option, the Capitals propped up Theodore’s record, resulting in a 30-7-7 record, 2.81 goals against average, .911 save percentage, and one shutout. He might be the player of focus in this series for Washington, depending on how sharp he is early on in the series.

Key Match-ups:
For tonight, the Capitals will want to use Alexander Ovechkin as often as possible. It is a simple gameplan for the Capitals, let Ovechkin loose and let the Habs handle the pressure of dealing with him. With his presence on the ice freeing up space for the other elite forwards such as Alexander Semin or Nicklas Backstrom, the Capitals should find secondary scoring beyond the top line. Speed, grit and determination are key factors for this team, but the one matchup that may be difficult to address is Mike Green. Not only was he the leading defenseman in NHL scoring (19 goals, 57 assists, 76 points), Green brings an added wrinkle to an already high-powered Capitals offense. The Habs ability or inability to matchup against the key offensive weapons on the Capitals should be the main focus of Game #1.

Key Players:
Jose Theodore – Goaltender
All eyes will be on Theodore tonight. He has bounced back from a devastating start to his 2009-10 with the death of his infant son and has gone on to be a consistent netminder for the Capitals. Although no longer showing elite form, Theodore does not have to be brilliant on this Caps squad to be successful. He just needs to make the key saves at the right times. Playing against the team that developed him into a Hart and Vezina trophy winner long ago should add more drama to this matchup, but if Theodore struggles in Game #1, he still has a short leash with Coach Bruce Boudreau.

Alexander Ovechkin – Left Wing
Hard to ignore his importance to every game the Capitals play, but all of the offense will be funneled through Ovechkin. A mainstay on the power play and finding minutes on the penalty kill as well at times, Ovechkin is usually double shifted throughout the game, taking full advantage of mismatches against slower defensive pairings or fourth line players. Ovechkin’s biggest asset is his powerful and accurate shots on goal, creating havoc in terms of rebound control and player traffic. His aggressive forecheck is questionable at times and could lead to penalties, however, this also creates fear amongst many opposing forwards. His skill will make all players alongside him better, so limiting his impact will be key for the Habs to remain competitive in Game #1 and for the duration of the series.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Trends:
Stumbling into the final slot of the Eastern Conference, the Habs finished the season 3-4-3, showing many holes against weaker teams. The team has yet to find chemistry amongst the forward lines and despite a solid core of players, the team has no defined leadership. The defense pairings have been strong and goaltending has been one of the stronger areas for the team overall, but this team will have trouble scoring, even against a shootout type of team like the Capitals. With only one forward breaking 70 points in the regular season (Tomas Plekanec), the team doesn’t matchup well on the score sheet.

Key Match-ups:
The Habs have an ace up their sleeves and could take full advantage of it early in this series. The Habs do hold the 2nd best powerplay in the NHL (21.8%) and although the Caps ranked 1st overall (25.2%), the Habs penalty killing is far better (83% vs. 78.8%). The Habs might get more opportunities with the man advantage as the Capitals forecheck is quite physical. However, if the Habs cannot get the powerplay going and give up too many man advantages in return, the series could be a short one. Team speed is not a problem for the Habs, but size and grit could still be an issue. The team needs to play a tight-checking affair, focusing on limiting chances, while capitalizing on those given. Theodore vs. Jaroslav Halak should be interesting to watch, as both have big question marks on their backs right now.

Key Players:
Mike Cammalleri – Winger
Although Plekanec and Scott Gomez may be viewed for leadership alongside Brian Gionta, Cammalleri is the only elite scoring option that the Habs possess right now and he may be looked upon to carry this team against this offensive juggernaut in the goals department. Cammalleri has been battling injuries this season, so his statistics do not show his true dominance (26 goals, 24 assists, 50 points), but he could be the game-breaker the Habs need to create momentum for others to follow.

Jaroslav Halak – Goaltender
Like Theodore, there is a short leash on Halak for this playoff series. Halak was nearly traded at the NHL trade deadline and is unlikely to be re-signed in favour of Carey Price. However, throughout 2009-10, Halak has been the better goaltender, despite the division amongst the fan base in Montreal. Halak was 26-13-5, with a 2.40 goals against average, .924 save percentage, and five shutouts in 45 games played. Although he faltered near the end, he has shown that he can handle a workload worthy of a number one netminder, so this showing at the playoffs made add to his overall stock value. A solid showing at the Olympics and at the AHL level should give him the experience as a playoff netminder, but the spotlight will be on Halak tonight if he falters.

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