It's crazy how quickly everyone hit the panic button just a few days ago when it came to the Montreal Canadiens. All hope seemed lost when they recently got rocked 7-2 by the New York Rangers. Everyone was calling for the firing of head coach Martin St. Louis, but thankfully, reason prevailed and it only took going back to basics to head in the right direction.
Sometimes, in hockey, you must dig deep and return to the little things to see where you can improve. St. Louis decided to do exactly that and spent a few days diligently reviewing recent game film to tweak his plan of attack.
The Canadiens' new emphasis on better passing, execution of offensive plays, and tightening up on defense has put them back on track. Yes, it's still very early in the season, but to see the Canadiens bounce back and be at the .500 mark after some tough (and embarrassing) losses goes to show that St. Louis has this team following his coaching and guidance.
Martin St. Louis was smart to focus on game film to fix all the little things
Trust is a big deal in the player-coach relationship. If a head coach can get his players bought in, the sky is the limit. If not, the season will unravel and head south, which nobody wants. It's a good thing the Canadiens were faced with this kind of adversity early on to nip this in the bud before it became an ongoing problem throughout the regular season.
Patience is key when it comes to St. Louis and this team because it's important not to jump the gun until it's the only option to move forward in a winning direction. Even though many wanted St. Louis fired, again, patience is needed, considering this is still a young team trying to find its identity. There is still a ton of hockey left to be played, and one better believe the Canadiens will only continue to improve over time.
Like anything, it's best to take things one day at a time. Such is the case with the Canadiens, who are taking this season one game at a time. They're currently on a two-game winning streak, and thanks to St. Louis and keeping coaching simple, they're well on their way to continuing this momentum. Focus on fixing all the little things, and let the hockey on the ice do all the talking.