Prime Minister Koivu Posted December 30, 2024 Author Share Posted December 30, 2024 Tough night for our top line but I thought Suzuki did all kinds of great stuff - Slafkovsky not so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 Couldn’t watch this one due to frantic prepping for a house party 🙄 but all I can say is: wow. VERY impressive to go 2-0 in back to back nights against the Florida teams. With the system in place, Laine on the roster, and Carrier quietly helping on the back end - not to mention Evans on another planet and Heineman and Armia abetting him so well - this is a different team than the one we saw in October. I love all the comments on this thread about how we have a legit chance to “be in the mix.” 👍 Agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 9 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: With the system in place, Laine on the roster, and Carrier quietly helping on the back end - not to mention Evans on another planet and Heineman and Armia abetting him so well - this is a different team than the one we saw in October. Indeed different. So, what has changed since then? Laine returned from injury Carrier has stabilized RD in a way that Barron was not able to Xhekaj has played as well or better than he did last year after returning from Laval Team is internalizing MSL's system Anderson is playing a style that suits him, and makes him effective Guhle is back on the left side, with Matheson on RD Armia-Evans-Heineman has found great chemistry--and is getting enough TOI St-Louis is not juggling lines (easier to avoid when team is playing well) Primeau has barely played since October Really, there are many small positives that are adding up. Are there negatives as compared to October that we should be including on the list? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfredoh2009 Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 11 minutes ago, tomh009 said: Indeed different. So, what has changed since then? Laine returned from injury Carrier has stabilized RD in a way that Barron was not able to Xhekaj has played as well or better than he did last year after returning from Laval Team is internalizing MSL's system Anderson is playing a style that suits him, and makes him effective Guhle is back on the left side, with Matheson on RD Armia-Evans-Heineman has found great chemistry--and is getting enough TOI St-Louis is not juggling lines (easier to avoid when team is playing well) Primeau has barely played since October Really, there are many small positives that are adding up. Are there negatives as compared to October that we should be including on the list? great summary, 100% agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 I think someone here said watch for the team to master the hybrid defensive system in late December/early January and the defence to look much better. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 4 minutes ago, Commandant said: I think someone here said watch for the team to master the hybrid defensive system in late December/early January and the defence to look much better. Indeed. But switching sides for Guhle/Matheson, arrival of Carrier and the resurgence of Xhekaj have also contributed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanes World Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 3 hours ago, Commandant said: I think someone here said watch for the team to master the hybrid defensive system in late December/early January and the defence to look much better. Watching them in their own end is pretty impressive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 2 hours ago, Lanes World said: Watching them in their own end is pretty impressive. One underplayed aspect of this adjustment to the system is that it strongly bolsters MSL's coaching credentials. We know that he is popular with the players and seems pretty good at relating to player issues and motivation. What we've now seen is that he can successfully teach systems. That bodes well for his long-term viability in the role. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IN THE HEARTS OF MEN Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 MSL actually said that this hybrid system is played by many teams and not hard actually. He said quote the team needed to work harder and do better with risk management. Thats what the team is doing right now, and it coincided with a healthy roster (finally) for the first time in 3 1/2 seasons. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 1 minute ago, IN THE HEARTS OF MEN said: MSL actually said that this hybrid system is played by many teams and not hard actually. He said quote the team needed to work harder and do better with risk management. Thats what the team is doing right now, and it coincided with a healthy roster (finally) for the first time in 3 1/2 seasons. As I said at the time, Florida installed the same system two years ago. Went from winning the Presidents trophy the year befor to struggling. They were a lottery team in December. Eventually took off, made the playoffs and went to the final (losing to Vegas). Then last year they won the cup. Not saying the Habs will do the same. They arent as talented as Florida. But they were also going to need a couple months to learn the system. The proof is there on the ice in two cities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanes World Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 11 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: One underplayed aspect of this adjustment to the system is that it strongly bolsters MSL's coaching credentials. We know that he is popular with the players and seems pretty good at relating to player issues and motivation. What we've now seen is that he can successfully teach systems. That bodes well for his long-term viability in the role. Truly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfredoh2009 Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 20 hours ago, tomh009 said: Indeed. But switching sides for Guhle/Matheson, arrival of Carrier and the resurgence of Xhekaj have also contributed. putting defensemen in a spot more suitable for them has made a great difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 2 hours ago, alfredoh2009 said: putting defensemen in a spot more suitable for them has made a great difference. Aside from Matheson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 37 minutes ago, DON said: Aside from Matheson. Matheson on the right is still better than having Guhle there. Guhle has been excellent since moving back to the left, and I don't think Matheson's play has suffered that much from playing on the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 5 hours ago, tomh009 said: Matheson on the right is still better than having Guhle there. Guhle has been excellent since moving back to the left, and I don't think Matheson's play has suffered that much from playing on the right. Again, any left-hander suffers to some extent playing his off-side; be it making/taking long passes on backhand, or stopping puck at opposing blueline along the boards on their backhand, wouldnt you say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 4 minutes ago, DON said: Again, any left-hander suffers to some extent playing his off-side; be it making/taking long passes on backhand, or stopping puck at opposing blueline along the boards on their backhand, wouldnt you say? Yes, absolutely. But Matheson seems to be able to handle the opposite side better than Guhle, so the current arrangement is a net win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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