Montreal Canadiens: Usual Suspects Lead The Way

The result was what Habs fans expected out of game 1 this season, a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The usual suspects lead the way to get us this win. They played their roles as scripted. The big question is, how did everything else pan out?

We’ll touch on both of those things as we reflect on Game 1 of the 2015-16 season.

Montreal Canadiens: Usual Suspects Lead Way

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Tomas Plekanec: 6 shots, 41% FO% (4 for 8 OZone, 2 for 5 DZone, 3 for 9 NZone), 18:29 TOI

Pros: Plek played his usual pesky 2-way game in this one and was especially effective in the defensive zone.
Cons: Could have done better on Offensive Zone and Neutral Zone face-offs. Should be better next time around.

Oct 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec (14) gets off a shot on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender

Jonathan Bernier

(45) as defenceman

Dion Phaneuf

(3) looks on at the Air Canada Centre. Montreal defeated Toronto 3-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Max Pacioretty: 2 goals, 5 shots, 18:07 TOI

Pros: Scored the opening season goal for the Habs and put it on ice with his open net goal. The Captain led by example throughout and had a strong game.
Cons: N/A

Brendan Gallagher: 2 PIM, 2 shots, 13:56 TOI

Pros: He was able to help make the first line its usual effective self in the offensive zone as they were the strongest line throughout.
Cons: He wasn’t particularly pesky in this one and he went long periods without doing much.

P.K. Subban: 3 assists, 1 shot, 4 blocked shots, 24:35 TOI

Pros: Although many will point to Carey as being the main source of the win, there wouldn’t have been any scoring without P.K.’s vision on the ice. He led the team in ice time, made his impact felt throughout, and started the season off on the right foot overall.
Cons: He needs to take more shots. I’m not sure how we get him open more often, but there’s got to be a way for the team to set him up – particularly on the PP.

Carey Price: 36 saves on 37 shots

Pros: He carried the team throughout and made some outstanding saves. There’s no doubt he’s starting the season off as he left it last year – as a Vezina winner. He’s heroic. What a guy.

THE SECOND LINE

Oct 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward

Alex Galchenyuk

(27) leads his teammates to the bench after his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Montreal defeated Toronto 3-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Galchenyuk: 1 goal, 70% FO%, 14:35 TOI

Pros: If there was any doubt about Alex’s ability to handle centre, at least some of that should have been alleviated in this game. He handled face-offs well, he was everywhere he needed to be while on the ice. and he managed to use some sniper instincts to score his first goal of the season. I can’t emphasize how important it is to get his confidence up early in order to get him set on the right path this season.
Cons: N/A

Alexander Semin: 1 hit, 16:05 TOI

Pros: I actually heard the announcers say that he hadn’t done very much at some point in the third period. I don’t know what game they weren’t watching, but he was doing all of the right things. He back-checked hard, he fore-checked effectively, and he worked well with Eller to support Galchenyuk throughout. I was impressed with his work ethic and puck handling skills overall.
Cons: He didn’t get on the scoreboard, but I think it will come quickly.

Lars Eller: 2 hits, 14:21 TOI

Pros: Eller did well on the wing and was a presence in front of the net. He won both face-offs he was forced to take making his line the most effective at the face-off circle by far. Thought he supported the play well overall.
Cons: Like Semin, he didn’t get on the scoreboard but that should come soon.

DEFENSIVE PAIRING 3

Nathan Beaulieu: 14:27 TOI

Pros: Beaulieu often took control of the play inside the defensive zone when he was forced to cover up mistakes made by his partner. That shows an ability to stay with the play instead of over-anticipating the play and heading up ice.
Cons: I’m not sure if it was a lack of trust in Gilbert, but he seemed to rush the play up-ice often when he got the puck.

Oct 3, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

Tom Gilbert

(77) tries to settle the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Gilbert: 14:19 TOI

Pros: He worked very hard all night long and never stopped working despite making numerous mistakes.
Cons: Someone has to re-teach this guy how to exit the zone, how to get away from pressure behind the net, ect.. This is carrying over from last year, but I can’t stand watching him continuously have his outlet passes blocked or knocked down by opponents who get second and third chances in the Habs zone. With his level of experience, he shouldn’t be making such simple mistakes. Without Carey Price behind him, he would have been responsible for 2 or 3 goals in this one. He can do so much better. We need better from him, or the Habs may want to try Greg Pateryn in his place.

COACHING: MICHEL THERRIEN vs MIKE BABCOCK

Oct 3, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock diagrams a play during a break in the action against the Detroit Red Wings at the Air Canada Centre. Detroit defeated Toronto 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Here we go. Therrien was severely out-coached in this one. I don’t want this to come off as Therrien bashing since his lines were fine, PP units were great, ect.. What I’m talking about is how quickly Babcock has been able to install a system in Toronto that makes his team so much better than their talents indicate. If we based this game on talent alone, there’s no way it should have been anywhere near as close as it was last night. The Leafs have an extremely young defensive team, lack a scoring touch, and aren’t overly physical or fast. As it was, their set plays were able to create opportunities that made the Habs look soft and foolish. That’s what REAL coaching can bring to the table. Therrien relies on talents to surface and find its way, while Babcock recognizes what players can do and builds plays to bring out their best abilities at the right moments.

OVERALL

I hate to say it, but if this game showed us anything it’s how vulnerable the Habs really are. If they play this close to the vest against the Leafs, how’s it going to pan out against the Lightning or Blackhawks? If the Habs are going to be a true contender they’re going to need to play better than they did in this one. If not, it’s going to be a very long season for Carey Price as he’ll have to continue being heroic.
Having said that, it was nice to see the usual suspects show up, to see the second line being effective, and to know they – and Price – are healthy and ready to go. If we could just get some coaching now…..

Next: Montreal Canadiens: Are Therriens' Lines Set?

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