Wilde Horses
- The best forward on the Habs this year, for me, is David Desharnais. He has taken a player whose career everyone thought was over in Fleishmann and in Weise, a player who has never had more than 10 goals in his career, and has powered them to one of the best lines in the NHL. Desharnais is a marvel this season. People want to say he faces easier opposition and that's true, but how about concentrating on rejuvenating one career and making another man hit a pay day he never dreamed of when he becomes a UFA in July?
- Dale Weise around the net again all night. He couldn't get it to drop for a change but he sure has the will to get dirty. He got collared hard a couple times but kept coming back to the dirty areas. Weise’s numbers are elevated for sure at eight goals when 10 is his career high, but he deserved one against the Bruins.
- Jeff Petry is quietly outstanding this year. He breaks up plays so easily. Using his confidence in his speedy skating to not be beaten, he stands up at the blue line and thwarts play after play after play.
- A nice hit on rookie Vatrano to welcome him to the league and overall improved play this season (thanks in strong part to his D partner Petr), Alexei Emelin is a pleasant surprise this season after a bad year last year.
- The Desharnais line for me is once again the best line. It is two weeks now that Desharnais, Weise and Fleischmann are the best trio. And the best of the best is Desharnais. He is at his very best right now: excellent vision, superb passing, a nose for the net, and surprising puck winning ability.
- Nathan Beaulieu had another strong game. He seems to really know when to pinch on the attack in Therrien's system. Beaulieu also was behind the play after a foray offensively and he gained four strides on the attacker and caught the Bruin at centre ice. Beaulieu continues to be my underappreciated player year after year.
Wilde Goats
- Collectively, the Habs had an undisciplined night. They seemed to be the Boston Bruins while the Bruins were playing the role of the Canadiens. Montreal never won games by being the aggressor and they've used pace all year to win games. so I am not sure why they built a different ark in this one.
- The Habs are firing well so far this year and it is really hard to find any criticism overall but the second line is suffering without Semin. I know he is not Therrien's style of player but no one is working there at all. They weren't lighting it up with Semin but they had a lot of good shifts with shots and chances. With the parade of humanity on right wing instead of Semin, the line is generating very little. Galchenyuk is at centre which was the plan, sure, but to let him flounder there is not helping the transition. After six games without Semin, ask the two and they'll tell you they certainly want the Russian back on their right. The goal in the third changes nothing in my hypothesis. They scored on their only chance in the entire game. It is not on Smith-Pelly either. He just does not work on that line. That line needs a finisher. Eller is the puck winner. Galchenyuk is the passer/playmaker. Semin is the finisher or at least he would be if he shot a little bit more when the chance is there.
Wilde Cards
- Claude Julien went to Gustavsson instead of Rask, who is overwhelmed by the Bell Centre, and the coach deserves a nod tonight. He had his team prepared, ready to come in with the singular goal of shutting down the Habs transition game by neutralizing their speed. We just aren't seeing the Habs freewheel as much, even though the club is still winning a lot of games. You couldn't expect teams to not adjust and they are.
- Great save by the fans midway through the second as the puck lay in the crease from here to eternity. They let out a loud cry and Condon looked back in time. Also, good play by Beaulieu to keep tying up his man until he heard a whistle.
- The Gallagher-in-the-crease ruling was the right call as he interfered with the goalie while in the blue paint. Here is the vital point on it: Gallagher went into the blue on his own. It is now his responsibility to get out of the blue before he interferes with the goalie. You're all saying Chara wouldn't let him out which is bloody smart by Chara. If Gallagher can't get out and he's trying so hard that Chara commits a penalty, then Chara gets a penalty. However, when Gallagher goes into the blue on his own, Gallagher must get out or suffer the consequences of prohibiting the goalie from going to his left. Chara stopped him from getting out without taking a penalty. Good for Chara. Right call.
