I was actually impressed by Tanguay tonight. All summer, I actually fretted that Tanguay would turn into another Samsonov, and would be the focal point of disappointment. While Tanguay did not do much offensively, he was terrific away from the puck. He was aggressive on the forecheck, and was actually involved in coming back and helping out in his own end. Already, that is more than what we saw in Samsonov. Tanguay actually seems like a hardworking player who has skill. I was afraid, because I also had the perception that he was another soft, complementary player who is one dimensional, and doesn't work hard off the puck. That was completely off it seems. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of him.
I thought the Canadiens looked rusty tonight. Their PP needs some work, as they used so many different players out there. I actually thought that even Brisebois was utilized as a Streit type player. Also, we got such a bad bounce literally on the Vanek goal, as the puck hopped over Komisarek's stick, and the play just unraveled after that. Otherwise, I thought the team was good defensively, and Price played very well. Begin was a downer tonight. On that one shift, he was lucky not to get three or four calls against him. Just didn't play the game smart, and lost his head at that crucial time during the game.
I have to acknowledge that Buffalo is a tough team to play against. They don't have any superstars (I don't think Vanek is at that level yet), but really buy into Ruff's system. All of their players can skate, and are aggressive on the forecheck. It makes a puck possession game like the Canadiens play a difficult proposition. I think the Sabres will challenge us all year, and won't make it easy.
Oh and I miss Chris Higgins. Latendresse was decent on Koivu's wing, but Higgins is by far a better finisher, and it would have been nice to see some hands tonight.
Tanguay is going to need some adaptation, but I don't think he'll fit with Koivu. Lang could complement him well though. He was not playing his game there... needs to adapt to the system and all... He was so-so, but clearly not as bad as some people say. He made a couple of nice passes, and broke a couple of plays on defense. He was also great without the puck. He'll be fine.
Latendresse is by far more physical... More speedy, more solid on his skates, but needs to drive the net even more.
Koivu... I'm not going to talk about him. Let's say he didn't seem to want to ruin Rivet's first game as a captain.
Kovalev... Amazing as usual. Missed a couple of GREAT chances, but it will come along.
A. Kostitsyn... Didn't see him much tonight, but played OK...
Plekanec... Wasn't the most visible player.
Lang... WOW! This guy has some good hands. Had his post gone in...
S. Kostitsyn... Decent. Played better than in preseason, but still... room for improvement IMO.
Kostopoulos... I want this guy IN the lineup. He makes things happen shift after shift.
Bégin... Great energy, but this guy just gets too emotitional sometimes... Then he makes mistakes.
Lapierre... Great game as far as I'm concerned. Great hustle.
Dandenault... is Dandenault... decent, but doesn't add anything to this team.
Komisarek... played shaky in the beginning but was getting better, especially in the third.
Markov... Great game.
Hamrlik... Great game.
O'Byrne... Great game.
Gorges... His own self.
Brisebois...
Price... Great game. Was sharp, and both shutout goals were just perfect. Rollie will fix it.
Overall... we were maybe a couple of missed sure goals away from a 4-1 win tonight. Lang scores instead of touching the post, Kovalev scores on his rush to the net, Hamrlik could have scored on Tanguay's feed, S. Kostitsyn one times it, and it's not the same game.
Nothing to worry about. We had the better chances. We missed a lot of shots, so don't let the shot totals fool you.
Oh. I forgot to mention. Latendresse often has the idea to take weak shots from every possible angles, anywhere on the ice. Of course, this can sometimes work but I think he should be a little bit more patient with the puck since one of his strengths is that he can protect the puck easily with his big body. That will give him better chances to score and he will develop into a better player like that.
wow this game sucked ass
finished work early and see that our suckers (begin/dandenault/brisebois) still like to **** us every chance they get
cant we get rid of them ?
Price was very sharp tonight. Shootouts are a crapshoot but we wouldn't have got there if Price didn't have his A-game tonight. I was also impressed by Gorges. Kovy didn't seem to care until near the end.
I'd like to see Chipchura in and Begin out tomorrow in Toronto.
Honestly guys, I'm more worried about Koivu than Tanguay. Tanguay admitted himself that he was not the player who had great starts. I remember in 2006-2007, he had 4 points in the first 12 games, the same as Samsonov. He finished with 81 points that year.
For some reason though. NOTHING works for Koivu's line since one year now.
I don't think Tanguay looked bad tonight... and I saw he was a special player (lots of talent) tonight. When battling for the puck, he was most of the time the guy winning it. He also has a very good vision of the game; very good pass to Hamrlik at the end; I also noticed some good passes to his linemates Koivu and Latendresse. Though, he didn't produce tonight... but don't worry, when he will get adequate linemates, he will produce.
I like what I've seen of Lang. He will have very important roles for the team this season. I think think Koivu shouldn't be playing with Tanguay... 2 good playmakers together is not a good idea. I'm happy O'Byrne is playing a more important role too; he made some mistakes tonight but he will get confidence if it continues like that and it will reflects on his play. Too bad Price couldn't have saved the 2 shots in the shootouts, he had an excellent game. I liked Lang's linemates too tonight. Great game for Kostopoulos and S.Kostitsyn. As for the Sabres, wow, Vanek is a great player.
I don't think Tanguay looked bad tonight... and I saw he was a special player (lots of talent) tonight. When battling for the puck, he was most of the time the guy winning it. He also has a very good vision of the game; very good pass to Hamrlik at the end; I also noticed some good passes to his linemates Koivu and Latendresse. Though, he didn't produce tonight... but don't worry, when he will get adequate linemates, he will produce.
I agree... This is all about getting used to new linemates for him... he's so talented.
I don't know if he's with the good guys, though. After having seen what Lang will really bring to our team this year, I think he'd be great with Tangs.
Oh come on! While I agree that Tanguay wasn't extraordinary, he wasn't terrible. I don't recall seeing him do a bad play the hole game. Quite the opposite, I thought he was doing a lot of good passes.
I thought Begin, Tender and lappy weren't so great. I want them to play well but... tender was mostly dumping the puck and giving it away, begin, self explanatory, and lappy, a part for the trouble he was stirring at the end, very meh.
Lang was awesome, if he had more speed he'd be so dominant. He was motivated tonight and that's the only thing I wanted to see from him, the goal was a plus. Kosty-Pleky-Kovy had some pretty good shifts but the pp wasn't so convenient. The 2nd line was horrible to say the least, Tanguay looks way smaller then I thought but he was not there tonight. He won't compliment Koivu well but it's only a game, this line needs Higgins. When Lats is gonna be demoted to the third line with Lang and Kosty it's not gonna be bad but will they be good in their zone? I doubt it. The defence was pretty good overall, Brisebois had some pretty bad moments but I liked what I saw from O'Byrne. Price was good and couldn't do much more. We should have a better game tommorow.
Honestly guys, I'm more worried about Koivu than Tanguay. Tanguay admitted himself that he was not the player who had great starts. I remember in 2006-2007, he had 4 points in the first 12 games, the same as Samsonov. He finished with 81 points that year.
For some reason though. NOTHING works for Koivu's line since one year now.
Koivu has games were he stops moving his feet in the neutral and defensive zones. Tonight was one of those game. I don't know if it's endurance or what, but he was never like that in the 90's.
Oh come on! While I agree that Tanguay wasn't extraordinary, he wasn't terrible. I don't recall seeing him do a bad play the hole game. Quite the opposite, I thought he was doing a lot of good passes.
I thought Begin, Tender and lappy weren't so great. I want them to play well but... tender was mostly dumping the puck and giving it away, begin, self explanatory, and lappy, a part for the trouble he was stirring at the end, very meh.
I think some people may have the expectations that Tanguay will dominate the play a la Ovechkin...
Tanguay came accross to be as a very reactionary player with an ability make great assessments of the flow of the gameplay around him
I will not go over the points the previous posters brought up. They were very good points.
I am again irked that we were so badly outshot. Last season we were one of the worst teams in allowing shots on goal. I think it is important we diminish this.
