Jacques Martin Has Lost His Grasp of Reality
How can a coach say that there was no lack of emotion in a 7-0 spanking at the hands of the Boston Bruins? Given everything that has gone on with this team, from the 8-6 fight fest on February 9th, to the Max Pacioretty incident on March 8th, there was an emotional overload that came across this city. If his players didn’t feel it, they must have had their head buried in the sand, or some darker place filled with excrement.
Here are his comments post-game:
There’s a point where a coach has to take accountability of his players. With Martin claiming a lack of execution, it means that his players screwed everything up. Let me remind “Uncle Jack” that inserting four returning players to the lineup in the same game, let alone this one, shows a complete failure to understand the human condition. Do you expect Tomas Plekanec, Mathieu Darche and Jeff Halpern, all having suffered from apparent groin injuries, to suddenly morph back into what they looked like prior to going on the DL? Can Brent Sopel really play single-handedly? It’s unheard of. While I can appreciate the coach’s desire to get his top players back in the lineup, why did it have to be this game?
In a game that held so much emotional meaning to the fans in Montreal, Coach Martin and his merry band showed nothing. I wonder how Max Pacioretty feels right about now? This game was supposed to be for him, and from the performance of his mates tonight, it seems they don’t think much of number 67.
Fear Factor – Habs Edition
One has to think the Canadiens were intimidated by the city of Boston tonight as a whole, not just by the Bruins. They played like a win would lead to a lynching. Isn’t it funny that just two weeks ago, we thought the same would happen to the Bruins as they left the Bell Centre? So, if nothing happened to them, what do you think would happen to us? Nothing. Like all fans in this league, and the players, what happens on the ice stays there. With the exception of a few rotten apples in every market, Boston fans are a passionate and respectful lot. Too bad I can’t say the same about some of the media in Beantown.
Pin The Tail On The Gomez
While he did show some signs of life in yesterday’s contest, Scott Gomez was still up to his old tricks. He continues to play his game along the perimeter (mind you, he wasn’t the only one,) stopping and delaying inside the offensive blue line, expecting the parting of the Red Sea. Does he actually think that other teams haven’t figured him out yet? His pay is as bad as Martin’s coaching. He tries the same thing over and over again, thinking it’s going to work. I understand, to an extent, that he’s attempting to allow his linemates to catch up to the rush, but couldn’t he try different things?
In his younger years, Gomez was a master of cutting up the middle and then pushing the puck to the outside. In doing that, he would attract opposing defensemen to chase him, opening up the mid-ice lane for the trailer on the play, while giving the weak side winger to drive the net. Nowadays, he just goes straight to the outside, and refuses to engage the middle of the ice. A little video of his success with the Devils might serve his failing memory.
Post Game Interviews:
Brian Gionta claims the Bruins aren’t in the Canadiens’ heads.
Tomas Plekanec downplays the lack of effort and says he was ready to play. Really?
Et Cetera
- While the New York Rangers lost 2-1 in a shootout against the Ottawa Senators, they gained a valuable point on the Canadiens. The Rangers stand at 85 points, just two points from the sixth place Habs.
- Tomorrow should be an interesting day on Montreal Sports Radio, so listen in to the Team 990 for a day I assure you will be filled with anger and frustration from callers.
- The Canadiens haven’t scored a goal in over 126 minutes.
Check out Causeway Crowd, and expect Shawn to rip into the Habs like a hot knife through butter.
To get over the ass-whooping from yesterday, take a look at HabsChick‘s latest rib ticklers.
To get ready for Saturday Night’s game against the Ovechkin-less Capitals, log onto Capital Outsider.
And, as always, take a look at Too Many Men On The Site, where the team from Fansided writes about all things NHL.