HabsWorld.net --
It was a good end to the season, at least in terms of getting the goal scoring back on track. Typically for this year, Ryder was the catalyst and that augers very well for the future. In light of this being the last, and most meaningless game of the season for the Habs, this final regular season write-up will be short, sweet and to the point, since even writers have to celebrate sometime.
~~
Notes:
Theo: He wasn’t at his sharpest, but he didn’t need to be. Good, not great, but enough for the victory. B
Bouillon: Looks healthy again and has re-added that offensive dimension. B+
Brisebois: A solid, if not brilliant game, but one that’s a good launching point for the playoffs. B
Rivet: Dunno what hurt him, but I hope he was pulled in a precautionary measure. N/A
Quintal: Against a team that didn’t have the energy or will to attack with speed, he was solid. B-
Souray: I think the most gratifying thing to me were the lack of winces on his shots – and he had a few. B
Markov: Confidence is rising despite little errors here and there. He cut out more than a few plays. B-
Langdon: Please let him play in the playoffs. There is a place against TO and
Dowd: Nice goal, nice placement, nice defence. A little more hair and he’s Alfie Senior. B
Ward: Not as effective as the last two games, but he has the right to a gimme when there’s nothing on the line after his last two. B-
Begin: Nice to see him back, and he looked darn good. B+
Juneau: All of a sudden he doesn’t look like he can pass the puck. I’m somewhat concerned as this is bad timing. C-
Kovalev: Continued his slow adaptation and showed even more tonight. Barely missed on a couple of chances. B-
Dagenais: If only we could get that out of him every night… Then again, when the goalie looks *that* bad on your shots… A
Ribeiro: The points will give him confidence stepping into the playoffs, now it’s up to him to step up the rest of his game. A-
Ryder: I’m sure there’s a roof for his talents, I’ve just yet to see it. A
Zednik: Has to play that way in the playoffs or we’re dead. Scored one, could have had four. B
Bulis: Some less than great choices with the puck – you do have point men, you know. B-
Koivu: Solid game, nothing special. I’d say he has to step it up, but he knows, and he’s not one to disappoint when the games mean more. B
Julien: Nice to see he didn’t drop down to the classless level of the opposing coach. Ruff: great coach, poor sportsman.
PP/PK: They both worked tonight. If they continue at the clip in which they produced tonight we’ll go far. Is 33% for the PP asking too much? B+
Team: Not really challenged, but did what it took. At least they weren’t flat in this one, despite it meaning nothing. B
~~
Well, here we are, at the end of one road and heading to the highway. Toronto or Boston. Doesn’t bother me either way as they both suffer from speed deficiencies in places, and that’s our biggest asset. We shouldn’t get blown out, anyhow. Now, stop reading and go celebrate. See you in the playoffs!!
