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The Habs thundered off 37 shots but only struck lightning once and sure some will say Niittymaki stole the game but failing to score 5 on 5 all game long is unacceptable; the chances were there but
the fact is Montreal was beaten to the loose pucks in the slot all night and the Lightning escaped certain doom because of it. The first line combined for 17 shots tonight
but only 1 went in; the fact they are getting those chances is great but they must have a higher conversion rate. Carey Price let out a soft rebound at the end of the 1st period and Tanguay scored one of the easiest goals his career and it proved to be the winner.
Scott Gomez (B-) Failed to get any results at even strength although he did pick up an assist on the power play. Gomez and the rest
of the first line need to have a lot more sustained zone pressure. Led the team with 8 shots.
Mike Cammalleri (B) I thought he was able to score at home but tonight he was not. 3 shots and almost 21 minutes he had his chances but his production was ZERO. Martin must be scratching his head or just watching his watch hoping for help from above (Gainey) or some wingers to step up and help Plekanec permanently on the 2nd line.
Brian Gionta ( B+) Scored a goal in the crease and is still battling hard but with the therapy days he has been taking and the fact that he looks a step slower means he is playing with an injury he probably would not usually play with if it were not for the Habs lack of offensive depth.
Tomas Plekanec (B+) – Still the only working entity on the 2nd line, just can not get any help
as Gui and Max just are not 2nd liners at this point. Played with White and Kostitsyn for the 2nd half of the game.
Max Pacioretty (B) – Working well with Metro and Moen but his decision making is leaving a lot be desired. Shoots when he should pass and vice versa.
Guillaume Latendresse ( D) – Can‘t get anything done in any of the three
zones. Benched by Martin in the third.
Max Lapierre (D)– Time for him to go beck to centre because although he has the speed and attitude to be a great forechecker he can not get it done on the 2nd line. Also was benched tonight and although he is not paid to produce offence he needs to do more than he is.
Andrei Kostitsyn (B-) – Looked good enough to get bumped up with White to play with Plekanec for the 2nd half of the game. It looks like he is on the verge of a breakout offensively he is getting back into the dangerous areas and is looking for the puck more. STILL NEEDS TO SHOOT.
Tom Pyatt (C+) – Another effective game but not much different and no better than Chipchura had been playing, was sat in the third and I doubt he plays Tuesday vs. Calgary.
Ryan White (A) – Only Canadiens winger driving the net, playing with reckless abandon and working hard every minute. Looks like he never wants to ride an AHL bus again. Led the team with 4 hits.
Travis Moen (C) – Great in the offensive zone keeping the puck down low. But not getting to the net enough and did not get in Niittymaki’s face at all night, I expect more of that from him.
Glen Metropolit (B) – Great work down low best pressure of any line and
his quick stick is quite incredible.
Paul Mara (C-) – Failed to take the body on the first goal, allowed Malone multiple whacks at the puck. Took two lazy penalties, needs to keep his feet moving.
Mathieu Carle (B+) – Looking very good and poised, not afraid to jump into the play. Very safe 20 minutes.
Roman Hamrlik (B) – Great work with Spacek creating a lot from the back end and picked up 4 blocked shots.
Marc Andre Bergeron (D) – Not impressed and plays like a rookie way to many mistakes and I would rather have Weber, Carle, Subban
or even newly acquired Jay Leach.
Jaroslav Spacek (B) – Moving the puck very well and playing great despite being shaken up last game.
Josh Gorges (B) – Looking pretty strong out there for the most part but needs to improve his puck moving abilities to help alleviate the pressure.
Carey Price (D) – The 1st goal was not his fault but the 2nd was all his as he gave up an awful rebound and then after a solid 5 minutes of pressure by his teammates, he could not bail the team out and sent them to the third where they started the 2nd down
by two. From that they never could recover. Is it time to go back to Halak or
does Price get the Flames Tuesday?
Power Play (B+) – 1 for 1 a good shot resulted in a rebound on which Gionta
batted into the net. But how can this team with so much supposed speed to burn
not draw more penalties in the no clutch no grab NHL.
Penalty Kill (F) Cannot get the job done and have allowed at least one power play goal
against in 11 of their 17 games. What is strange is that their penalty kill looks like they are playing their positions well but the defense cannot clear the net whatsoever.
