Jacques Martin is a professional coach. He has a reputation that his teams are dull, but I am not buying it.
Most nights the Habs have entertained, and more importantly, most nights they have overachieved.
This is a roster with more than half of the players on it seeing action in the AHL last year. How then do you explain the fact the Habs held the East's best team by record and most goals to just 13 shots for over 55 minutes, if not for some excellent coaching?
Sure the Habs lost with some bad luck, a poor penalty by Mara, a lost draw by Plekanec, and a misplaced paddle on a rebound by Price that all conspired to allow the late tying marker. Just one of those things doesn't happen and the Habs win. Take away that misfortune and it's another win over a high quality opponent.
I keep thinking one of these nights they are going to lose by seven. They should. Hamilton isn't supposed to beat Washington in the U.S. and take them to OT in Canada.
So give credit to an outstanding system designed by the coach for maximum benefit considering what he has to work with.
Also credit, of course, almost forty committed, determined, and focused players who are giving more than anyone expected.
That goes back to the coach too. I have seen a lot of coaches wonder why they couldn't get much out of talented players. Martin might be wondering the opposite: How am I getting so much out of this group?
Last year, the Habs couldn't win after the All-Star break. That team had twenty bona-fide NHLers and they were horrible.
Despite the loss Saturday, I still maintain that what has happened here for a quarter of a season is a tremendous achievement.
Best defenceman. Gone opening night.
Highest paid player and first line center. Gone.
First line winger. Gone.
Add a half a dozen more injuries to regulars. That's a recipe for disaster.
If the Habs can stay in the playoff hunt until Markov comes back and then get healthy, they will make the playoffs. No question in my mind. And I predict they will surprise everyone in the playoffs by going far.
They just have to stay in the mix until the Olympic break.
As much as this is obviously a glowing blog about overachievement in the face of adversity, I actually don't think they can stay in the mix until February.
Its one thing to stay competitive with half of the Bulldogs on your roster for twenty games, but 55 games is another matter entirely.
These young inexperienced kids are supposed to feel the grind of the game at this level. They are supposed to get worn down. It should happen soon.
I think it will happen soon, but then again, they shouldn't be 500 so far. Hell, they shouldn't be 400.
Who knows? They're surprising so much already, maybe they will continue to defy hockey logic.
If they do, you will want to rave about the players, but don't forget to credit the coach.
