Comparing Players: Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins
Nov 22, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Gregory Campbell (11) fights with Montreal Canadiens right wing Dale Weise (22) during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
So in this 2nd installment of player comparisons we’re going to compare the current Montreal Canadiens with their arch-rivals the Boston Bruins. The stats were taken before the Habs and Bruins last couple of games. These two Atlantic division foes have had many moments both glorious and inglorious, both on and off the ice. Let’s get started.
Remember the purpose of this series isn’t to see what player is better, or even what team is better for having them. Instead it’s a look at a certain set of players and how they stack up in value on their current roster. I’m going to try to be consistent in picking the number of players, but those players will change from article to article (because there is only so many times I can write how great some players are!).
The players we’re going to examine today are the following;
Patrice Bergeron / Tomas Plekanec
Brad Marchand / Brendan Gallagher
The criteria for this matchup was who was the best 2-way threat, most effective pest, stud defencemen, up and coming defencemen and finally we’ll always have a goalie showdown. Should you have any ideas for the next set of criteria for the upcoming matchup, please leave a comment and I’ll take them into consideration.
May 3, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save on Montreal Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec (14) during the second period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Patrice Bergeron vs Tomas Plekanec
If I had to start a team with choosing my shutdown center first, these are some of the premier choices out there. What I’m looking for is faceoff percentages, tenacity, points, and the intangibles such as grit, pedigree and class. A great 2-way pivot doesn’t need to be your first line scoring threat, but he does need to put up significant numbers while denying the opposition.
Patrice Bergeron has literally done it all. From winning the cup, World Junior Championship, or Olympic Gold, the man literally has a trophy case of rings. He’s won not one but two Selke Trophies (2012, 2014) proving at his position there are few, if any better than him. He’s also one of the premier faceoff specialist in the league.
Tomas Plekanec is a man on a mission most nights. He’s never won a Selke Trophy, nor does he have a cup to his name. But he’s also won a World Junior championship, and has picked up a silver and two bronze medals for the Czech Republic at the world championships. He’s played in 2 Olympics and was caption of the Czech team at the 2014 winter games.
Statline
The Question becomes more of what do you prefer? The faceoff specialist who played with broken ribs and a punctured lung during a playoff run, or the classy vet who has had more linemates than most teams have wingers but still manages to get the job done?
May 8, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) and Boston Bruins center Gregory Campbell (11) collide during the first period in game four of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Marchand vs Brendan Gallagher
Put yourselves in the shoes of a GM for a moment, and if you had a spot on your team for an effective pest who puts up decent points, from a list who would you chose? I honestly can’t think of many who are generally as effective as both of these players. What I was looking for was a willingness to get dirty, points, penalty minutes, and gumption. Some are tangible while others aren’t, but what else are you looking for in your pest? You need someone who other teams are going to want to punch in the face and draw a penalty for his efforts.
Brad Marchand is a proven winner, but he was young when the Bruins won their cup. He’s proven to be able to score if given the chance, but has the penchant for taking the dumbest of penalties at the worst time possible. Sometimes I feel that he thinks he’s a goon instead of a very talented hockey player and his antics cost his team points. Still there is his upside which is the ability to produce points at the rate of a first line player. He’s plagued with inconsistency, but he’s still very young and could develop into a rare mix of skill, grit and gumption.
Brendan Gallagher has a smile that will light up a room, or make you punch him in the face for standing over your goalie. There are zero players in the NHL currently have more goaltender interference penalties than him, and he pays for it every time. His willingness to go to the “hard” areas is evident as is his drive to win. He doesn’t have the pure talent that Marchand has, but what he lacks in pure skill he makes up for with determination. I don’t think he’ll ever blossom into a first line winger, but a solid second line agitator who contributes nightly to his team’s success.
Statline
So who do you prefer? The skillset with a temper, or the determination to be a factor every night?
Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) cross checks Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic (17) under the eye of linesman Michel Cormier (76) during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Every good team has a pillar on defence. Really great teams have two or more. Yes, the Bruins have Chara, but he’s been injured most of the season, and he’s lost a step or ten, and isn’t the pillar he once was. When determining how to rate a stud on the backend I looked at icetime, points, goals, powerplay points and finally how they affect the flow of every single game. There aren’t many true studs on the backend but some teams seem to find them like the Bruins when one gets older.
Dougie Hamilton was acquired in the Phil Kessel trade from Toronto as what seemed a throw in at the time. He’s blossomed into the type of defencemen that teams would kill for. He’s steady and tough, and is able to handle big minutes. His shot isn’t what Chara has been decimating goalies with for years, but it’s above average and he hits like a truck. He does have the bad habit of poor pinches, but that is youth and not hockey sense gone awry. Chara going down was literally the best thing that could have happened for his development.
P.K. Subban has already won a Norris trophy, and an Olypmic Gold medal. Some might dispute the medal, but he was there, and if not for some insane bias he should have played a much larger role. He’s quickly developed into a top tier talent in the NHL with his shot, speed and hands which are better than most forwards! Does he sometime get caught out or have a bad turnover? Yup. But since he has the puck on his stick for almost half a game, I would say that it’s bound to happen. His offensive flash has been curbed by Therrien, and he doesn’t drive end to end as much anymore, but there is no denying his talent level.
So what’s better? The dependable up-and-comer who seems to chew rocks for breakfast or the happy-go-lucky speedster?
Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (28) fights with Boston Bruins forward Matt Fraser (25) during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Every team should have a couple of prospects that are either just becoming established or are in the midst of trying to establish themselves. The young guns need to push out establish players and prove to their coaches that they can be trusted with important minutes. Sometimes it happens due to injury, while other times it happens because the prospect can no longer be denied. What I’m looking at is willingness to get the job done, points, minutes, role and effectiveness.
Torey Krug doesn’t get the respect he deserves on his own team. He may be undersized, but he’s easily the Bruins best puck moving defenceman. His vision is extraordinary and he has the mitts and skating skills to complete the package. He wouldn’t have to fight so hard for ice-time or respect if he stood over six feet tall, but sometimes good things really do come in small packages.
Nathan Beaulieu is the perfect example of a young player trying to break into the lineup when there is a logjam in front of you. He’s more than good enough to be eating important minutes for the Canadiens, but he’s constantly finds himself riding the bus down to Hamilton. He’s got good vision and speed, and makes one hell of an outlet pass. He has all the tools to be a top 4 defender, but getting his chance is something that is slow in coming for the youngster. You sometimes forget when watching him skate that he’s not a small prospect at 6’3”, and his size is something that should be a precious asset to the Habs.
Statline
What is better to have? A diminutive established young gun who has already proven able to put up points, or a bigger player with loads of talent but hasn’t established himself yet?
May 14, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save on Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37)during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
What do you get when you compare one of the best goalies in the league to another one of the league’s best goalies? A pretty tough stalemate. When comparing goalies I look at team performance, average shots against, save percentage, special teams saves, special teams overall, GAA and shutouts. Why do I focus so much attention on special teams? Well most goalies can make a save at 5 on 5, it’s when you’re being peppering with horrendous chances against is when a goalie will prove their true value. I also like to look at how many close games a goalie has to play in. It’s much easier to be the goalie with the 3 goal lead, than the goalie who has a team that struggles to score 2 goals a game.
Tuukka Rask is a proven commodity who has won a cup (as a backup) but has his personal struggles against the Montreal Canadiens. If there are five great goalies in the league, Rask is one of the five on my list. He’s deceptively agile and controls his rebounds while playing behind a steady defence. I don’t fault him in the slightest for playing on a good Bruins team for the last few years, but I can fault him on some of his collapses. If there is anything for him to improve on, it’s the stuff between his ears that sometimes falls between the cracks.
Carey Price is basically the reason that the Montreal Canadiens are even in most games. He’s easily their best player and arguably the best goalie in the league. He hasn’t won a cup, but he has won at everything other level he’s played at, which includes a World Junior Championship, A Calder Cup, and an Olypmic Gold Medal where he was the starter. Carey has great rebound control, has quicker feet than you would expect on a larger goalie and seems to always be in perfect position for a shot. What creates havoc for him at times is his laid back attitude that can be misconceived as him not caring.
There really isn’t much of a difference between the two goaltenders, so choosing one or the other is really feels like a choice between affiliations. Who would you choose?
Next: And the winner is???
Nov 22, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Weaver (43) knocks down Boston Bruins center Carl Soderberg (34) during the third period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
My Picks
Here are my picks and again it was much closer than I originally though it would be. If I had to choose between most of these players I would be a very happy GM indeed.
Patrice Bergeron / Tomas Plekanec
I don’t think there is a classier player than Tomas Plekanec, but Patrice Bergeron is simply the better player hands down. It’s not his pedigree that makes me think that, it’s his skillset and I’ve been a huge fan ever since the playoffs where he played with a punctured lung. That’s a player I want on my team. A guy willing to sacrifice everything for the crest on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back.
Brad Marchand / Brendan Gallagher
I absolutely love the skillset that Brad Marchand can bring to the table. But that’s the problem with him. He doesn’t always bring it to the table. I would take a Brendan Gallagher over him any day of the week and twice on weekends. He doesn’t quit, and although his skillset isn’t as impressive, he really is the little engine that could. That kind of heart just doesn’t come around every day.
This one was easy for me as P.K. Subban right now is the better player. That’s takes nothing away from Dougie Hamilton, but he doesn’t get me up out of my seat like PK can. Some players make your team better, others make the game better. PK does both.
Torey Krug is the real deal. He’s managed to earn his spot on what was once a much deeper Bruins defence corps. I still think that he’s underutilized, but that kind of vision will beat out size every time. Nathan Beaulieu just hasn’t shown me enough yet to prove he’s the better player. He could be, and he comes with the added bonus of size, but until we see more… I wouldn’t bet my farm on him.
Oct 16, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save against Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Two of the best goalies on the planet, and I don’t think that there is a wrong answer to this one. What I will say is that Carey Price has to play well every game for the Habs to win, and Tuukka Rask can get away with a lot more stinkers, not that he has many of those. For my money I would go with Price over Rask.
So for the second time I have the Montreal Canadiens coming out on top. Again in a squeeker, but it does prove that the Habs have talent in different places up and down the lineup.
How did you score them?
152. Final. 2. 70. 3