Playoff Bound Canadiens in the Eye of the Hurricane
-- by Mario Perrazzino; GOHABS.com
Habs make the playoffs! Habs make the playoffs!
After 195 days, with peaks and valleys that at times resembled a roller coaster ride, Habs fans can rejoice now that the Montreal Canadiens (42-31-9 : 93 Points), the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference will be advancing to the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canadiens will open up their 2006 Stanley Cup quest on the road facing the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes (52-22-8 : 112 Points)
False expectations were put on the Canadiens at the start of the season when the team got off to a 15-3 start. But after some key injuries, and lethargic play by Jose Theodore, the team began to tailspin. To the point that Coach Claude Julien was fired in early January. Guy Carbonneau was brought in from Dallas to assist interim Head Coach Bob Gainey, who moved from his 7th floor Bell Centre General Manager office to coach the team. (Carbonneau will become the team’s next Head Coach following the conclusion of this season).
Oh yes, if that wasn't enough, the Canadiens pulled the biggest trade at the trade deadline trading their much-maligned goaltender Jose Theodore to Colorado. Theodore's game fell apart both on ice and off ice this season. The smaller equipment rule changes affected his confidence, and his off-ice rumour mill was churning more stories than a tabloid daily. The Canadiens had had enough.
Sure the team was blessed with the emergence of goalie Cristobel Huet, who at age 31, enjoyed his best season ever leading the league in save percentage; second in shutouts, and fourth in goals against average. You would think that would solidify Huet as the team's no. one goalie heading into the playoffs?
Well not quite. This is Montreal after-all.
GM/Interim Head Coach Bob Gainey waited 48 hours before the start of Game 1 of the playoffs to announce his decision. Cristobal Huet, and not David Aebisher will start in goal. Let’s face it, even if Montreal gets swept in four games, it’s four more games the Canadiens will play than if José Theodore was still with the team would have provided. And Huet, despite no NHL playoffs experience, is largely responsible for getting the Canadiens in this position..
Canadiens goaltending against the Hurricanes this season has been anything but spectacular. Both teams faced each other four times this season, with Carolina winning all four games. They outscored the Canadiens 25-9. To further complicate matters, José Theodore started in three of those games, giving up 14 of the 25 goals (and one empty net goal). Huet appeared in relief in two of Theodore’s three starts, games giving up 5 goals. Aebisher started the fourth game, and conceded five goals.
Their opponent’s net minder, Martin Gerber, as struggled of late giving up a combined 20 goals in last 5 starts, and having won just one. And he too has limited playoff experience registering 20 minutes in the 2003-04 playoffs.
But this series won’t be decided on goaltending alone. There are many intangibles to look at. Carolina is a much faster skating team, with fire power. Rod Brind’Amour is the big centre-man every team covets. In addition to Brind’Amour’s physical presence, Montreal has to content with 100 point man, Eric Staal.
Not to be outdone, Montreal will continue to rely on Alex Kovalev’s stick-handling and sharp-shooting abilities, Sheldon Souray’s blasts from the blue line, Saku Koivu winning key face-offs, and the clutch goal scoring of rookie sensation Chris Higgins.
Special teams will be another key area. Canadiens Power Play is ranked 5th in the league heading into the Playoffs, vs Carolina’s 17th ranking. Penalty Kill, relatively even. Montreal is ranked 21st verses 19th for Carolina.
And if anyone is keeping score, since the Olympics, Montreal’s record is 16-9-1 whereas Carolina is 13-8-4.
This leads me to my prognostication. Montreal wins in 7.
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