Attention to the detail.

The Canadiens did some things right. Their powerplay hit twice in five
chances and they got two breakaway goals on great passes. The key to
D'Agostini's breakaway goal was the perfect pass given by Lapierre, he
got the puck in full stride and did not loose a step when he accelerated
to the goal. Kovalev gpt the same benefit, when Steve Begin gave him the
perfect pass ower the neutral zone between the opposing defenders and
his shot was perfect, just like the one of Agostini.

The powerplay was moving the puck nicely and got some results, in both
cases the passer was Lang, who has been playing smart game in game out,
and is for sure the best plan B, we could think of.

We have been discussing the depth of the Canadiens, this game showed
some real depth; Sergei Kostytsin and Guillaume Latendresse came from
the doghouse right to the limelight. Almost right from the pressbox to
the stars of the game. Sergei Kostytsin showed that he could be the
triggerman on the point of the powerplay and Lang gave proof to my
claims, that the passing is the key. A perfect pass, will allow for the
perfect shot. Timing, accuracy and not too hard and not too slow.

The reunion of AKostitsyn, Plekanec and Kovalev was not a reall succes,
Plekanec is feeling too much pressure and AKostitsyn missed a part of
the game due to an lower body injury, but Kovalev kept on working and as
he has said, not to worry about the goals, if you work they will come
and if they do not come, there are many other ways to help the team.

Lapierre and Begin continue to work hard and now they got some pressure
in the other end, when on ice with some skill, they got some assists on
their account.

Josh Gorges is responding well to the responsibility and chance to show
what he can do. Now he even got some powerplay time and even though he
is not the canon on the blueline, he did not give the puck away and kept
on giving good passes, not to spoil the flow of the game. If he will
keep on, it allows Carbonneay to keep Brisebois on the ice for the
shorter shifts he is capable of doing. Many of us have noticed that if
Brisebois has to play longer shifts, his concentration and mental
stamina fails him and he makes some bonehead passes. To loose Dandenault
just when he was finding his place and role of the team was unfortunate
and of course a tragedy to the veteran, who has done just what he has
been asked to do.

With Koivu back (hopefully) next week Bob Gainey has an interesting
problem. Matt D'Agostini has been perhaps more than we could hope for.
Carbonneau is pleased with his defensive effort and the numbers speak
for his offensive production and the doghouse team of SKotsistyn and
Latendresse pull up their socks and show what they can do, if they put
their minds on it. If AKostitsyn will be out for a couple of games, it
gives Bob some thime to think and see if the kids are for real, but the
depth we have been talking about can be seen.

The Canadiens are missing the real superstars in the range of Crosby,
Malik, Ovetchkin, there are about 60 players in the NHL ahead of Lang,
Markov and Kovalev in the scoring race. They can not count to win games
regularly by superstars having supergames, they have to play as a team,
play tight defence, capitalize of the mistakes of the other teams. This
does not mean that they have to be a boring team. I do not think that
the victory of Red Wings was boring or this of Flyers.

One way to capitalize on the mistakes is to have a lethal power play.
The mistakes in forechecking or defensive cover gives you a man
advantage for a few seconds, the penalty gives you man advantage for two
minutes. Some have hear said that the fear is a factor, I do not still
believe that Laraque or any other player can be as effective as a deadly
power play. If the Habs can score on the powerplay the opponents can not
take liberties with them and they will have more time and space to
manouver.

This was only one game, but the three previous one goal losses could have
been victories if the Habs themselves had not given the puck away with
poor passes, even the two goal loss to the Lightning was careless
execution of the defensive coverage. Even with so many players
underperforming the Canadiens are in the race, they can still improve.

- Lauri Tarkkonen