For a 4-0 game I didn't think that was terribly fun to watch. The Habs got two early goals then contented themselves with spending most of the game probing the Florida defense waiting for an opening. This resulted in the Habs not getting very many chances, but Florida got even fewer because they barely kept the puck longer than the time it took to clear their zone. A perfect tactic for Montreal, up 2 goals on the road against a much less skilled team, but it didn't exactly make for exciting hockey.
I don't have the counts, but too my eye it seemed like Montreal had few scoring chances and Florida even fewer. Montreal was opportunistic though. We'll see if that impression turns out to be true when the scoring chances numbers are out.
It had a few moments -- MaxPac and AKost dinging each post one right after the other was a highlight -- but for the most part Montreal was happy to play the low-event game and Florida completely lacked the horses to prevent the Habs from dictating the pace of the game.
Pleks and Gomez played a quiet game against what few NHLers Florida had, and that left Eller and DD facing AHLers -- guys they could dominate.
But is that surprising really? Going in, Florida's best hope by far was for Vokoun to steal the game, and that didn't exactly work out.
I just noticed something. Does anyone know why Plekanec's ice time went down so sharply in the last two games? He played 17min @ATL and only 16min @FLA compared to at least 22min in the three games prior.
I just noticed something. Does anyone know why Plekanec's ice time went down so sharply in the last two games? He played 17min @ATL and only 16min @FLA compared to at least 22min in the three games prior.
Likely just seeing how much they can afford to rest pleks and to see how much of the weight the other centers can handle. I noticed that I didn't see Subban that much tonight either. Didn't check the numbers though.
I just noticed something. Does anyone know why Plekanec's ice time went down so sharply in the last two games? He played 17min @ATL and only 16min @FLA compared to at least 22min in the three games prior.
JM's probably resting him.
Another thing, Gomez didn't practice yesterday and this morning... but was the forward that played the most tonight.
Habs are now on pace for 97 pts. Win the next game and they're on pace for 98 pts. I'm guessing 98 pts should be good for 5th seed and 100 points get's you at least 4th spot.
Much needed win. I know 5 in a row is a lot to ask but I would love to see them beat the Lightning, and I really, really want them beat the Bruins next week.
For a 4-0 game I didn't think that was terribly fun to watch. The Habs got two early goals then contented themselves with spending most of the game probing the Florida defense waiting for an opening. This resulted in the Habs not getting very many chances, but Florida got even fewer because they barely kept the puck longer than the time it took to clear their zone. A perfect tactic for Montreal, up 2 goals on the road against a much less skilled team, but it didn't exactly make for exciting hockey.
I don't have the counts, but too my eye it seemed like Montreal had few scoring chances and Florida even fewer. Montreal was opportunistic though. We'll see if that impression turns out to be true when the scoring chances numbers are out.
It had a few moments -- MaxPac and AKost dinging each post one right after the other was a highlight -- but for the most part Montreal was happy to play the low-event game and Florida completely lacked the horses to prevent the Habs from dictating the pace of the game.
Pleks and Gomez played a quiet game against what few NHLers Florida had, and that left Eller and DD facing AHLers -- guys they could dominate.
But is that surprising really? Going in, Florida's best hope by far was for Vokoun to steal the game, and that didn't exactly work out.
It'll be a painful end of season for the Panthers. If tonight's game was any indication, I have a hard time seeing how they'll be able to win more than the occasional game. They'll have to start putting tickets on the windshields of cars in parking lots to hope some people will go watch such a low level team.
I agree, it was one heck of a boring game. Not much happening, we dominated but didn't get a bunch of chances either. Clemenson didn't make one great save all game, and he even let in quite the softy from Desharnais.
Price had to illustrate himself even less.
I often visit this site but I still can't understand how can more than 8 teams have more than 50% chances of making the playoffs.
Well, the total sum of "change of getting into playoffs" within Eastern Conference is exactly 800%, just what it needs to be considering that there are 8 playoff spots to go around.
Basically the ninth team with more than 50 % change to get in represents the change that any of the teams currently sitting on a playoff spot starts spiraling and falls out of playoffs.
