A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: 24 Thoughts On Habs Finally Beating Bruins

By Ken MacMillan

Nov 11, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) splits Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron (52) and teammate forward Alex Newhook (15) during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) splits Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron (52) and teammate forward Alex Newhook (15) during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Montreal Canadiens came off an overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings which snapped a four game losing streak to take on the top team in the Eastern Conference.

The Boston Bruins were not supposed to be this good after losing Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Taylor Hall in the offseason. But here they are, atop the conference yet again with an 11-1-1 record as the puck drops and they face the Canadiens for the first time this season.

Here are 24 Thoughts on the latest installment of the old rivalry between the Canadiens and Bruins.

First Period

So, Sportsnet is having the Vancouver Canucks announcers do a Canadiens vs. Bruins game on Hockey Night In Canada? Interesting, they introduced the game as Canucks vs Bruins…. good start Sportsnet.

The Canadiens allowed a goal 22 seconds in against the Tampa Bay Lightning recently and it did not go well, but they are trying the same strategy again! Allowing a goal 36 seconds is a bold strategy, we will see how it works out!

Juraj Slafkovsky hard on the puck in the corner and slowly moved up the boards waiting for teammates to get open. He kind of got tied up with the ref which knocked the puck loose but he immediately jumped on his horse and created a turnover that led to a Christian Dvorak scoring chance. It is so easy to see what kind of player he has the potential to become and that is a terrific puck possession monster who dominates opponents with his size, puck protection and passing ability as well as the option to drop his shoulder and drive the net at any moment.

Slafkovsky again just dropped Hampus Lindholm twice along the boards in the offensive zone. If you just get off Twitter and watch the games, this is not difficult to see, but it will take a few years for him to reach his potential.

Mike Matheson does a lot of great things for the Canadiens but almost all of them are in the offensive zone. His defensive game leaves a lot to be desired. For example, handing the puck over the David Pastrnak, one of the best goal scorers in the world, in the slot in the defensive zone is not a good idea, but the Habs got away with that one.

Okay, so Slafkovsky made a bad read and turned the puck over trying a cross ice pass leaving his own zone. I never said he was perfect. At least not yet. He did get back defensively and break up the play showing good recovery on the play.

Johnathan Kovacevic was really a no-name when he was claimed off waivers but boy did the Canadiens get good value on that one. He makes so many subtle defensive plays that keep the puck from ever entering the Canadiens zone or allow the team to quickly get it out. He may never score another NHL point but he doesn’t have to do that to be a positive influence on the team.

Overall, a pretty good period for the Canadiens against one of the NHL’s best, especially considering they fell behind early. Got away with a couple of turnovers but created as many chances as they allowed, came on strong late in the period but just couldn’t convert.

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