In hockey, 6-5 games are often the most spectacular. Think of the ultimate encounter of the Century Series. To the 1987 Canada Cup final. To the Canadian’s improbable five-goal comeback against the New York Rangers in 2008. The stress is mounting. The twists and turns keep coming. Adrenaline is through the roof.
Who has the chips, kids?
I need the bag.
STAT!
The first clash of the season between the Canadian and the Maple Leafs, won 6-5 in a shootout by the Torontonians, was no exception. It was exciting. Panting. Exciting. Encouraging, too, if you are a Habs supporter. Five goals from CH on the road, against one of the powers of the NHL, we haven’t seen that often in recent months. On the other hand, giving six or more goals to the opponent becomes a bad habit. It was already the 13e time this has happened since last October.
This lack of cohesion in defense worries me. Because if I can anticipate an increase in offensive production this season, I have difficulty imagining how the CH will resolve its problems in its territory. On Tuesday, we reviewed several elements that undermined the team’s performance last season. More than 40 shots allowed. Ineffective units in numerical inferiority. And a goalkeeper, Jake Allen, too generous towards his opponents.
Allen, preferred to Samuel Montembeault for the opening match, made good saves in overtime, notably against John Tavares and Auston Matthews. However, if the match went to overtime, it is because earlier in the match, he gave two bad goals. One to Noah Gregor, on a routine shot. The other to Matthews, on a shot from a very, very acute angle. If you find that Allen is too much in the menage a trois with Montembeault and Cayden Primeau, tell yourself that his performance against the Leafs will not encourage any professional scout to pick up the phone to recommend him to their boss. Especially since it comes after a difficult end to the season. Last March, Allen maintained a 4.55 GAA and a save rate of just 86%.
Another worrying aspect is numerical inferiority. For two years, the Habs have been second to last in the NHL short of one or two men. Again on Tuesday, he conceded two goals in these circumstances, in less than six minutes. It will take solutions – and quickly. Especially since the Canadian is one of the most undisciplined teams in the league. We saw that too on Tuesday, with three penalties in the offensive zone (one of which, that of Alex Newhook, was undeserved).
I reassure you, I also saw positives in this defeat. Several players stood out, notably three attackers acquired by the new administration. Juraj Slafkovsky, Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, united within the same trio, made Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes look very good. Slafkovsky played one of his best matches in a CH uniform. I appreciated his physical involvement. It was also one of his battles won along the boards that allowed Newhook to score his second goal of the game. Overall, the Canadian did well at even strength, and he was at best in numerical superiority.
This is definitely a club that will score more goals than last season.
His challenge will rather be to give less.
The North star
PHOTO MATT BLEWETT, USA TODAY SPORTS
Édouard Julien
At the same time as the Canadian was starting his season, Édouard Julien was finishing his. His team, the Minnesota Twins, lost in four games to the champions of the last World Series, the Houston Astros.
In the defeat, the Quebecer shone, with a circuit in the opposite field and three presences on the trails. In total, in the playoffs, he reached the goals 45.5% of the time. A remarkable result for a rookie. Its future is promising. Its potential? He has what it takes to become the best Quebec-trained hitter in history.