A Winning Habit
Fansided

Positives and negatives for the Montreal Canadiens to grow and correct

By Omar L

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 28: Cody Ceci #83 and Frederik Andersen #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs react after Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens scored a goal in the second period during an exhibition game prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on July 28, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. Tatar celebrates his goal with Nick Suzuki #14 and Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 28: Cody Ceci #83 and Frederik Andersen #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs react after Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens scored a goal in the second period during an exhibition game prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on July 28, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. Tatar celebrates his goal with Nick Suzuki #14 and Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
TORONTO, ONTARIO – JULY 28: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /

2) Good – Speed is the answer

A lot of Montreal’s best chances were created from speed. Paul Byron was a good example, especially on the penalty kill. The Habs’ used their speed to get out of situations, and that needs to be the answer, especially against the Penguins.

At the same time, timing is everything. They need to know when to go and when not to go, when to pinch and when not to pinch, or when to move and when not to move.

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3) Bad – Second and third chances

Carey Price allowed four goals on 23 shots sporting a .826 save percentage. Yet the second and fourth goals of the game are an issue the Montreal Canadiens need to clear up.

Starting with the first Alexander Kerfoot goal, which was short-handed, Kasperi Kapanen drives the zone, and Price makes the first stop. Nick Suzuki and Shea Weber chase Suzuki down and stop seeing that Price saves it, but don’t do much to impede Kerfoot trailing in behind. There are three Habs in the area, including Tomas Tatar, and not enough was done there to make it more difficult.

Something similar happens on the Morgan Rielly goal. Zach Hyman skates the puck in with Tatar covering him. Hyman gets the puck to Rielly, who takes a shot that Price stops, but the rebound comes right out to him and he scores. Jonathan Drouin needs to do more on Rielly there, but it’s also confusing why the Habs appeared to be outmanned despite having more players in their zone and being on the powerplay.

Awareness all-around needs a boost, and that will come with comfort on the ice. It’s one thing to participate in practice, but playing against actual competition is another. Hopefully, the Habs get up to speed on that front.

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