Habs STRESS TEST After Losing In Detroit Late!

The Montreal Canadiens fall 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings in a crucial Atlantic Division matchup.

Despite a strong effort, the Habs couldn’t close it out as Alex DeBrincat took over late, scoring the game-winner and adding an assist to lead Detroit. Juraj Slafkovsky provided the lone goal for Montreal on the power play, while Jakub Dobes made several key saves to keep the Canadiens in it.

Shaun Starr and Marco D’Amico break down everything from this game:

What went wrong for the Canadiens

Another big moment from Slafkovsky

Goaltending performance from Dobes

Missed opportunities and special teams impact

What this loss means in the playoff race

With both teams battling for position, this one had a playoff feel — and the Red Wings came out on top.

Make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and join us LIVE for more Montreal Canadiens coverage!

#GoHabsGo #Canadiens #NHL

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

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SPEAKER_05 2:18

Hard to kind of bounce back after a game like that, eh?

SPEAKER_00 2:22

Yeah, that was a you know, it's one of those where you're like, what the, what the, what the, what the hell happened?

SPEAKER_05 2:27

You know, you're not gonna win a game when you only score one goal.

SPEAKER_00 2:30

No doubt, man. And of course, ironically, it's a power play goal where they went into that one, like one for their last 12 on the man advantage. Slavkovsky gets his 25th, his 13th on the power play. Yep, and maybe it was a sign of things to come. I'm bruised and battered today. I fell down my stairs yesterday morning when I was leaving leaving my house, my shoulders all buggered up. But the day, but Marco did get better, and I want to start with uh a couple of gifts because uh one of our amazing sponsors, Little Bear uh Pets Pet Supply, Chuck and Evie and their outstanding staff, uh they loved our last episode where you busted out the Italian D'Amico license plate for us, and so as a direct result, we have an Italian and a Canadian toy stuffy for you, and it doesn't end there because um they also brought out Italian and Canadian cat food for your kitties at home with Italian and Canadian themes uh to them and flavors, and that's the kind of treatment we get from Little Bear Pet Store, and that's how you can treat your pet. So um when we see each other on March 29th at McLean's, uh, we've got some gifts, courtesy of Chuck and Evy and uh and Little Bear. So I wanted to start on a positive. That's hilarious. Yeah, it's awesome. Uh, he he loved the he loved the episode. He loved that you brought up the license plate. Um, so yeah, go check out uh littlebear.com and you can browse their vast selection of toys and whatnot. But um, that was an interesting game, you know. Mark, I want to start, Marco. I want to start with the positives, what I liked about that game. I love the intensity, I loved how the Canadians were able to draw penalties by going to the net. I love the lack of tolerance despite the JT Comfort goal. I like the lack of tolerance. Jakob Dobish was feisty, the guys in front of him were feisty. For me, those were kind of standout positives from the Montreal Canadians, despite losing in regulation. Do you got anything positive from that 3-1 loss last night?

SPEAKER_05 4:24

Well, the top line continues to be the top line.

SPEAKER_00 4:27

Well, that's also a negative because they're now a one-line team again.

SPEAKER_05 4:30

Well, you know what? We'll get into that because I do have like my statement of the day. Uh it's a pretty damning one. Okay, great. When it comes to what I enjoyed, I mean, listen, Hudson and um Jaden Strubel, once again, a pretty solid game, in my opinion, in terms of those two going and continuing to play the the way that they have. Um, you know, I thought that that was a solid enough base and that it didn't require Jacob Dobish to stand on his head as often. So I really did enjoy Hudson and Struble as a pairing. Um, what I would I think the positive is also Jakob Dobish. I mean, he's still only it's the first time the Canadians lose in regulation this season when a goalie has over a 900 save percentage. So it definitely wasn't on Dalbish. He did his job, and boy, so too did John Gibson. Um, I think you know, I I I liked what I saw from some of the wingers as well. Like I felt like Alex Texier was doing all the right things, just couldn't put it all together. Um, but you know, the to me, there's there's a whole lot more to look at on this team that requires significant attention, and significant attention in the sense that I feel the Montreal Canadians are exactly where they were a year ago, right now. They nothing has changed, yeah, absolutely nothing has changed. The only difference maker that they have is that the office isn't solely going through Lane Hudson. You have Noah Dobson, but they have made no changes at forward, other than trying to you know filter in rookies and then proceed to bench them at the first moment's notice on the road.

SPEAKER_00 6:24

And it's the second game in a row, is it not? We go back to the Boston game, the overtime win there, where uh Newhook and Kapan were less than 10 minutes. You look at uh 93's ice time, Demidov's ice time, he got close to 12, but the difference there was he got pretty much two minutes of the power play time. So there's the two-minute gap between his other linemates and what 93 ultimate ultimately ended up providing. And um I want to get this, I want to get this picture up, right? To your to your point about sorry, can I just can I can I just take this comment?

SPEAKER_04 6:56

Do you mind, Sean?

SPEAKER_00 6:57

No, no, you're go ahead. Oh my god. Oh god almighty.

SPEAKER_05 7:03

Uh if I have to see one more, I will straight up ban the the fan.

SPEAKER_00 7:09

I'm gonna straight up lose it.

SPEAKER_05 7:12

Arbor Jackey would not have made the difference last night, and that conversation period.

SPEAKER_00 7:17

100%. I I I wish I wish I dis I wish I disagreed with you just to create just to create something.

SPEAKER_05 7:22

Jesus, a sec a sixth or seventh defenseman is the difference maker. Not the fact that they couldn't score more than a goal.

SPEAKER_00 7:29

Exactly.

SPEAKER_05 7:29

Um for once defense wasn't the issue.

SPEAKER_00 7:33

I want to put this picture up if I can. I want to show you something. I'm sorry I wasn't more prepared for this. Uh I fell down the stairs yesterday. I'm gonna use that as an excuse. Um let's see if I get this. Sorry, here we go. Third period. Took this from the TV. There's uh there's your second line. Look where they are. There's your second line. Marco, I mean, I mean, what are we doing here? Well, where's the center? Huh? Not in the picture.

SPEAKER_05 8:06

The center of this line is not in this picture.

SPEAKER_00 8:10

Well, I think no, it's not in this picture, no. Okay, so there's your problem.

SPEAKER_05 8:17

You're three men deep in the zone. You're three men deep in the zone, and there's nobody covering the middle of the ice.

SPEAKER_00 8:22

Correct.

SPEAKER_05 8:23

Correct. It is what it is.

SPEAKER_00 8:30

You want to talk about this being a one-line team again? You want to get your statement of the day out of the out of the way here with listen, I'll just put up a number for you, okay? The the Canadian team they're they're one and three in their last four games. It's an overtime win. Nobody outside of the core four has assisted or scored a goal in the last four games. Coffield, Suzuki, Slavkowski, and Hudson. Those are those are the guys. That's what's happened.

SPEAKER_05 8:51

Yep. Yeah, well, it also doesn't help when you overplay the heck out of you know, Gallagher and Dano and Jake Evans, and you know, like yesterday I noticed this, but as much as I appreciate the way that Zachary Balzuk has been playing a little bit more intensity of late, at this point, I would separate Ivan Demido from Oliver Kapanen.

SPEAKER_00 9:19

Interesting.

SPEAKER_05 9:20

Because Oliver Kapanen is playing to the level of a fourth line center right now.

SPEAKER_00 9:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 9:26

Like he's just not following. He's his reads are not there. I know people are gonna be like, oh my god, he's a rookie. I don't care. That's not the evaluation point here is what is what what is in front of us, and what's in front of us right now is Isuipo. He can't follow right now, he can't lead a line. And right now, Demidov can't be asked to be the sole line driver on a on a on a specific line. So either swap out some players, you know, put new hook at center, worst case, drop down Capan and bring up Texier, bring up like try a different combination because it's not working. And you you're the only other offensive weapon that you have that doesn't play on the first line is Ivan Demidov. Yeah, if you can't put him in a situation where he can be out every second shift after the first line, you're failing in terms of giving him the ice time necessary and ensuring that you have the secondary scoring necessary to keep up. Because I guarantee you one thing Ivan Demidoff gets the Jake Evans chance that he got behind the net. That game was over.

SPEAKER_00 10:37

I don't disagree. I don't disagree. And that and to me, you know, just for the record, right? I'm not gonna spend the next you know remaining minutes together on this live stream. Bleep happens, Mike Matheson on a rolling puck. To me, the Jake Evans how what's the percentage of the open net that was there? 60, 65 percent of the net was was open and doesn't convert. You had Alex Carrier with a glorious opportunity, he missed the net as the Canadians are pressing here. Um, we could talk about the JT Confra goal and Alex Newhook's decision on Patrick Kane on a seeing eye floater from just inside the blue line, uh, before we get to anything else, in my opinion. And so obviously, when we talk about potential line changes, and and you know, I'm gonna speak for myself, and I'm pretty sure Marco feels the same way. There's no panic button being deployed here. This isn't an instance, at least in my opinion, where we're talking about oh my God, the sky is falling on the Montreal Canadians. Yes, it was a bad night on the out-of-town scoreboard. Boston wins, Columbus wins, uh, the Ottawa Senators beat the New York Islanders in a very interesting last-second goal from Brady Kachuk and a 3-2 win there at home for the Sens. But Montreal still right now in third place. But the New York Islanders fall from third in the metro to just outside of the wild card, they're one point back on 83 points. Montreal, Boston, Detroit all on all on 84. But if we're going to talk about changes, is it worthwhile discussing Alex Texier back up to the Canadians' top line? Is it worthwhile contemplating Uri Slavkovski rejoining the second line so he can help drive it? Because the lack of rushes from the Canadians yesterday was was glaring.

SPEAKER_05 12:12

One or the other. Like I said, either Texier on the second line or um, you know, Slavkovsky slides down, one or the other. But the way that the Canadians are going to be playing down the stretch, I have a feeling that they're gonna go back to that top line anyway. So it kind of is what it is. I personally don't mind it. I thought Texier with Caulfield and Suzuki has always worked to a degree. Um, so we'll see what would happen. But they definitely need more balance in their top six, yeah. And thinking that uh the new hook, uh Kapan and Demetov line is gonna make it happen. I just I don't see it. I don't see it. I don't uh I think at this point you're gonna need two wingers wingers to carry that second line. You will, and if that's the case, then you need to put the best your best foot forward. So to me, I uh I like what I've seen. I don't think I could see myself giving a promotion to any other winger than than Texas right now, the way that they're playing. I Josh Anderson may be someone you consider, but obviously injured. Um, you know, Alex uh Zachary Balzuk, I like the way he's been playing, but I'm sorry, he hasn't scored a goal since Christmas.

SPEAKER_01 13:24

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_05 13:25

Like, I'm not about to reward that. If you're playing well, being a checking you know forward at this stage, then that's what you are, and that's what what could work. And until I see instances of shooting impact and and and you know offensive chance generation, then at that point we can consider moving him up, you know, into a top six role. But as of as of this writing, that's not what I've seen. So I don't disagree. I think it it would make a lot of time. Uh sorry, it would make a lot of sense to drop down Slavkowski or to move up Texier, but the status quo simply cannot stay. It cannot stay. You can't make the same mistake that they made last year and loading up the top line and squeaking it in the last game. It's not gonna happen this year. You're not gonna get any favors, you're not getting in with 92 points, it's not happening. You may need a hundred.

SPEAKER_00 14:20

Yeah, I mean, the way things are going, um, and the schedule that the Canadians have down the stretch, right? They're gonna play Carolina twice in the span of five days, they've got Columbus next twice. Exactly. They got the Islanders Saturday night, they're gonna be hungry for a win based on how they lost in Ottawa last night.

SPEAKER_05 14:34

The Canadians cannot get cued on this.

SPEAKER_00 14:37

No, period. But you also can't force it, right? Like Alex Newhook, you know, not the hardest check on Patrick Kane in the in the comfort goal. Like there has to be some sort of responsibility. I mean, the coach can verbalize what he wants these guys to do, but if and and probably if that shot happens 10 more times, how many times does Confur score that goal? I get the law of averages angle, but I don't like you've got to be hard on every play, Marco.

SPEAKER_05 15:03

No, I don't disagree. I think law of averages the Canadians win that game nine times out of ten. I don't disagree. Law of averages, law of averages, but this it's not this reality, and the other reality is they could have scored far more and been far less peripheral and far less uh let's say soft on their checks. They chose to play that way, and that they squeak into the playoffs or not at this rate. If they play this way, they're not going anywhere. And so when I say they're exactly the same team they were last year, it's because they haven't really added a different element to that to this team. They have not, nothing's changed it forward, they're still over reliant on the top line. Everyone keeps talking about Patrick Lyney as if he's gonna somehow save the Canadians. Again, talk about you know not remembering where we were a year ago. Um, you know, I I just don't seem to understand where the vision for this team is internally, in terms of like what made them so good two months ago. They were playing with speed, they were playing with confidence, they were going to the net, they were driving pucks, they were outworking their opponents.

SPEAKER_01 16:25

Yep.

SPEAKER_05 16:26

What I saw last night was a team that couldn't handle it. Bobbling the pucks. Like, we're gonna talk about Mike Matheson's turnover. On what planet do you pivot when you know you have Alex De Brinkett on your tail? On what planet? Why? Just keep skating, stop buying the net. You've done this a thousand times. Why are you galaxy braining it in a game in a in a third period with four minutes left? That's the kind of stuff people are like, oh well, it's Mart Martin St. Louis's defensive structure. It's all it's Mike, uh, it's Mike Matheson, he's bad defenseman. No, it was a situational play and a brain fart to end all brain farts. It's as simple as that. Yeah, that's what it was. It was not my issue, is not the tiniest mistake the Canadians made the cost in the game. My issue is the Canadians couldn't get it done at the other end because this should have never been a game.

SPEAKER_01 17:30

Yep.

SPEAKER_05 17:33

Like again, what would the Canadians look like without Nick Suzuki, Sean?

SPEAKER_00 17:38

Oh my goodness, they they would be fighting with the New York Rangers. That's where they'd be.

SPEAKER_05 17:43

That's exactly what that's exactly the kind of team they played last night because Dylan Larkin was not in, and Andrew Cobb was not 100% healthy.

SPEAKER_00 17:49

No, no, and they missed Dylan Larkin on a power play, no doubt.

SPEAKER_05 17:53

Yes, yes, they did, but uh therein lies my point. Everyone is going to be on Matheson for this, and rightfully so. Like he did obviously make a giant mistake, and egregious, like rookies wouldn't make that mistake, and I feel like that's a little bit of an overconfidence, in my opinion. Having made that play, like, just play the safe play for the game. Yeah, it was a bad read, it was a bad read from a guy who's had a pretty good season. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Just get the F in point.

SPEAKER_00 18:23

Yep.

SPEAKER_05 18:23

I mean, no simplify everything when you're in the situation like that. If you can't score and it's a tie game in the third period against a divisional rival, keep it simple, stupid. Period. But I'm sorry, this game was lost in the offensive zone, not in the defensive zone.

SPEAKER_00 18:45

And you know, to answer your question, you go back to two months ago when the Canadians were were feeling it, right? And I I don't want to use this as the the catch-all because it's not that simple, right? But this is the most hockey Ivan Demidoff has played. It's game number 68 for him. And he's playing it in the in the best league in the world. And there are times, yeah, I'm not being critical of Demidoff, but Oliver Kapanin. I mean, I know it's more complicated than just simply stating these guys have hit a rookie wall, right? But as these games get tighter, you know, when you when you look at the Canadians' last few games, right? I think it's almost fair to say that, and I would include last night that the Montreal Canadians starting this week against Boston, Detroit, it was advantage Montreal. They were the third place team, the teams they were playing are trying to catch the Canadians, and so in my mind, the games meant more for both Boston and Detroit. I'm not saying the Canadians took it lightly or took it easy, they thought it was going to be a gimme putt victory for them. But you also, in my opinion, you look at the other side of the blue line and who's there, and they're playing hungry, they're playing hard, they're well prepared. They know the Montreal Canadians are an absolute train wreck in their own end. They know they're susceptible to an aggressive forecheck, they know they're susceptible to getting to the front of the net. And I think when you bring a game plan like that, and granted, that's what made it for me, Marco, a little bit more surprising that you know, to your point about Dylan Larkin and Andrew Cobb back in the lineup for him. This is an this is an older team. The Detroit's an older, older club.

SPEAKER_04 20:22

Oh, yeah, yeah. They they they had a shadow you had a shadow reboot.

SPEAKER_00 20:26

The the blue liner from uh I'm drawing a blank on his name from St.

SPEAKER_05 20:29

Louis, who they just called they have, yeah, Falk Shira.

SPEAKER_00 20:33

Exactly.

SPEAKER_05 20:34

Yeah, but then at Ford, J VR, Patrick Kane, Andrew Cobb, JT Comford, Dylan Larkin. This isn't a young team, they have some young elements, yeah, but they're not a young team, and this is them just trying to squeak into the playoffs is Detroit. Like if they if Detroit doesn't make the playoffs, TBY be gone.

SPEAKER_00 20:55

I think so.

SPEAKER_05 20:56

Yeah, so there's a little bit more to be done there, but you know, a lot of people are are will be saying, you know, the Canadians, they're a young team, they're doing this, they're doing that. They're being let down by all their veterans right now.

SPEAKER_01 21:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 21:14

Like Jake Evans. Oh see, this is why I love talking about stuff like this on a show. Y'all come watch my opinions. I didn't have to coach in the NHL. You are here to listen to what I have to say. So maybe ask yourself why that is.

SPEAKER_00 21:38

Perfection.

SPEAKER_05 21:39

Everybody demands perfection.

SPEAKER_00 21:40

Don't make a mistake.

SPEAKER_05 21:42

Nobody This is what this is why we talk about this.

SPEAKER_00 21:46

Yes.

SPEAKER_05 21:46

Listen, you know, this is why we have we we dis we talk to the players and we talk to the coaches, and we bring you this information on these podcasts. If everybody's opinion had the same weight, then we would all be able to do this on any given Sunday. But the Problem and the reality is that when you talk to the players, when you talk to the coaches, when you when they give you direct information, we bring this back to you.

SPEAKER_00 22:08

Correct.

SPEAKER_05 22:09

Yeah. And that's what we're that's what we're doing here.

SPEAKER_00 22:11

You know, and like everybody else, it's like, you know, um, that old line, you didn't play the game, right? Like, well, I'm not a professional chef, I didn't go to the culinary institute of America. Can I not have an opinion on the plate of food I'm eating? I've never been to film school. Can I have an opinion on a movie? Can I can I have an opinion on whether this was good or bad? And as I've stated before, you know, for me, it's all about what are we watching collectively as a community? Marco, myself, um, the chat, uh, the loyal viewers of this channel on the regular, and the people that listen to us, right? Like we're all, I think we're all pulling in the same direction for the most part, for the same common goal. Everybody here wants to see the Montreal Canadians do well. So when they don't do well, you dive in to figure out the reasons why, the belief in in what they're doing, is this the right approach? How can it be better? And how can they avoid making the mistakes? That that's all it is. It's it's never personal, but sometimes fans are gonna fan, and and it's an emotional fan base. I don't have to tell Marco that. Um, some people take losses, and player performance is a lot harder than other people. Not everybody, but somebody. And so let me ask you, let me ask you my next question. When hindsight being what it is, we go back to the Friday trade trade deadline. Do you think Ken Hughes perhaps regrets, or are you do you think there's an angle to be critical of the general manager not making a move at the deadline to improve his club? Is that worthy of having a conversation?

SPEAKER_05 23:45

Blame the league. That's all I gotta say about that. You'd have you'd have your trades already. Blame the league.

SPEAKER_00 23:56

Talking about the deal that was shut down by the league after it got in just after three o'clock.

SPEAKER_05 24:04

Can neither confirm nor deny. Just blame the league.

SPEAKER_00 24:06

It's what's being it's what's it's what it's what's being talked about. And I wonder if, you know, with the asking prices being what they were, you know, and seeing how this team is, but I think it goes back to what we spoke about earlier. In in two games this week, I don't mind the D pairings. I don't mind how they've performed. You know, it's funny, it's that old uh Arpin Basu brought this up a few months ago at the athletic. To me, it's about that old whack-a-mole. You know, you you you hammer one thing down and another thing pops up. Looks like the goaltending is much better, it's more consistent. The defensive pairings are more consistent and stable in a couple of games that we have to work off of. And now we're talking about the Montreal Canadians led by Nick Suzuki and the drop-off is off the Grand Canyon, off the edge of the cliff. Where is everybody else driving the line?

SPEAKER_05 24:54

You know what I think? You know what I used to think? I used to think that if Michael Hage got into a couple of NHL games before the end of the season, he'd probably start on the wing. After watching the game last night and the last couple of games, I'm starting to believe more and more they may actually just straight up start him at center.

SPEAKER_00 25:12

I wonder.

SPEAKER_05 25:14

Because there's just a lot of but between Kapanen, Dano, and Evans right now, those are three centers that are not going to be able to generate offense. Just it's not gonna happen at this rate. So I'm I wonder whether they eventually slide Hage in with Demidov, bring Slavkovsky down, and put Texier up. And then you run with Cole Caulfield, Nick Suzuki, Alex Texier, Slavkovsky, Hage, and Ivan Demidov.

SPEAKER_00 25:54

I mean, I I honest to God, um, I'd be shocked if they did that. I mean, they'd have to know they'd have to have a pretty deep level of knowledge and level of comfort to be able to do that, in my opinion. I think the I think the easier answer is the Alex Newhook situation if they really want to mix it, mix and match it. And I think they have to mix and match it. I I don't know if you can go into Saturday night with the same forward combinations based on what you've seen so far in the two games, knowing how tight everything is in the standings. I personally would make the change.

SPEAKER_05 26:24

I want to address this comment because it's not based in reality. Um, Michael Hage is finishing his NCAA career this year. Whether it's Laval or Montreal, we shall see. But I would wager a nice little$2 that uh Michael Hage probably signs his entry-level contract sometime before the uh 12th of April.

SPEAKER_00 26:53

If they lose to Ohio State, his season's over.

SPEAKER_05 26:56

No, that is just the Big Ten championships, the NCAA championships begin the week after. And if they lose that, then it's done.

SPEAKER_00 27:05

Then it's over. Okay.

SPEAKER_05 27:07

Yeah. As for David Ryanbacker, uh, you'll get no disagreement from me. David Ryanbacher should be playing in the Laval, should be playing with Laval the whole time. The only reason for calling up Reinbacker now is because Laval's already clinched a playoff spots.

SPEAKER_00 27:20

Yeah, on Wednesday with their big they beat a pretty good Wilkesbury Scranton team. They took care of him, I think it was a 5-1 final, and uh Adam Ingstrom was back after missing more or less a month with the upper body injury and and uh David Ryanbacher playing heavy minutes, uh, picked up an assist in that 5-1 win, too. Um, and we'll see. Um, to Marco's point, they clinched with that win on Wednesday night.

SPEAKER_05 27:42

Yeah, Cole Eiserman just signed his deal with the Islanders to go to Bridgeport. Absolutely. Have you seen the season that Cole Eiserman had? It's his second year in the in the NCAA. He's a pure offensive player and he scored less than a point per game. How are we comparing this to the season that Michael Hage is having? So the last time a player of Michael Age's ilk went to the American Hockey League instead of signing his entry-level contract was Dylan Larkin. Maybe Maki Samoskevich, but Florida was contending for a cup, it kind of made sense. But the last true, you know, top-end player like that was Dylan Larkin, and that was many, many, many moons ago.

SPEAKER_00 28:29

Uh, as you pointed out earlier, it's the first time the Canadians lose a game with a goaltender that gave them a better than 900 save percentage. They were 27-0-3 under that circumstance. Um, you got a you got a thought on Saturday night's goaltender?

SPEAKER_05 28:42

Jacob Fowler.

SPEAKER_00 28:44

Yeah, I mean, you guys gotta play, man.

SPEAKER_05 28:46

Like, yeah, well, I mean, it not it's not even to it's not even disrespectful to Dobesh. Not at all. I thought he played a phenomenal game. I agreed. I don't think I have had very little to say about Yaakob Dobesh since they've come back from the Western Road trip. Very little, um, playing like uh you know solid starter in the NHL. I think we can all agree that this is not a heart hot take. Yeah, um, where I would say would could be interesting, and I just when we look at the way that this is all kind of mapped out right now, it gets a little it gets a little convoluted, Sean. Like the gut check is gonna get a little convoluted. Fowler should absolutely start Saturday. You gotta get these guys games because next week, four games next week, right?

SPEAKER_00 29:44

That's right, yep.

SPEAKER_05 29:45

And then the week after that, and then the week after that, correct, and then the week after that, like it's like it's not gonna stop. So you want to have your guys ready, you want them fresh, but you want them ready. Yep, and I would rather see Jacob Fowler play the Islanders, who are reeling right now, than Columbus on or Carolina on Tuesday and then Columbus on Thursday. You know, you see what I'm saying? Like it's gonna get wild real quick. So yeah, make sure everybody's fresh, make sure everybody's getting playing time, make sure everybody's getting their reps in. And when it's gonna come time, that's when we're that's when we're gonna go with it, and we're gonna see what they can do. But as of right now, I believe that the Canadians are best suited putting Jacob Fowler in tomorrow.

SPEAKER_00 30:31

Um, you know, we talk about the offense and the struggle bus that they've been on, you know, um spit out the numbers earlier if you missed it. Uh Montreal's one and three in their last four. That number four is key here in this stat pack, right? Um, the core four, the Canadians have been the only ones that have contributed to the offense in terms of goals and assists. Suzuki Caulfield, Slavkowski, Lane Hudson. Um, they've got the one overtime win over Boston. And there were ample opportunities. Cole Caulfield rings it off the post, um, Alex Carrier, Jake Evans, Mike Matheson's gaff with Alex De Brinkett, you know, and not faulting Jakob Dobesh one bit on that play, right? I'm I'm not so sure he was expecting that to happen in front of him, but that's the reality. And De Brinkett with a great hustle and a great finish. And Andrew Cobb puts it into an empty net. And we can't talk about, you know, for me, I've seen some people comment, ah, they miss Josh Anderson. Ah, they're missing Kirby Doc. Ah, they're out of sync. For me, that's that's I I don't think that's based in reality. I mean, we're talking, you know, bottom six players not known for their offensive production. I I mean, I had no problem, by the way, with Joe Voleno's game, you know, back against Detroit after he missed, I don't know what, a month or whatever it was, you know.

SPEAKER_05 31:43

Yeah. I mean, it's tough to come in cold like that and play the way he did. And he, I thought he, you know, he played well.

SPEAKER_01 31:51

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 31:51

He played well enough for me. But no, I the way that I watch Voleno play, like he played with effort, he played with oomph. He was physical, he was skating hard. I, you know, all you want is that your talent, your talented players play with the same mentality, right? I don't I don't feel like we saw that across the whole lineup yesterday.

SPEAKER_00 32:18

Agreed.

SPEAKER_05 32:19

So it's not that you're missing, it's not that you're missing those players like they would necessarily make a pronounced difference on the score sheet, but you're missing what they embody. That I buy 100%. Um, when you look at the way that Josh Anderson plays, especially the way he plays against Boston, um, you know, one thing I'd like to try and see if it's mechanically possible is to try and alter Josh Anderson's vision so that he consistently only sees white and blue and thinks that every game is against the Toronto Maple Leaves. I don't disagree with it. Um, that being said, you know, when you when you lose a heart and soul energy guy and when he is on his game, I agree with fans. It's it's obviously a player that you miss because the Canadians do lack that kind of consistent crash and bang ability. I I believe that that's the that's one of the biggest things that they're missing right now is is that combination of crash and bang. So when you see maybe Alex Texier playing the way that he was yesterday, I was pleasantly happy to see that he was playing with a little bit more jump, a little bit more edge, finishing his hits. That's what you need. That's what you need your players to do at this point is step up. Unfortunately, you know, I've I've like, for example, yesterday, I thought that Demidoff had an excellent puck possession shift where he was just battling along the boards, dangling guys, going back and forth, eventually loses the puck. Why? Zero support from his teammates, correct, zero, yeah, and I think that to me is where I begin to want to start removing folks from the talented players and reward those talented players with guys that maybe don't have the skill, but at least have the situational awareness to keep up, yeah, in this kind of a setting. Because it's I think when the when when Demidov is playing the way he is, either bump him up to the top line and move Slavkovsky down, or vice versa, or bring in Texier, but it's clear that a change needs to be done because it's the third game in a row that the Kapanin line is used as the fourth line. And it's it's literally a copy paste of last year where whatever that that the Canadians proto second line immediately became their their fourth line. So that to me is where I I'd like to see some some consistency because I don't I don't feel like it's Demido holding down his line. I really, really don't. And they have every interest in trying to get him going because if they're a one-line team going into the playoffs, even if they make the playoffs, if if if they're not willing to balance out the roster, they're not gonna make it far.

SPEAKER_00 35:13

Well, that's why you know I would disagree. It's just one game, it's not really just one game, it's it's a developing trend over the last four games. Certainly, if we I think if you want to be honest, you can you can go back to since the Olympics. I mean, offense not the issue, terrible defensive play. Uh I mean, overall, but lately it's it's like I said, the whack-a-mole thing to things have stabilized a little bit. Yeah, can it be better, obviously? Um, but right now, to the point of the you watch the Suzuki line, I mean, it's is there is there, I mean, are you being critical of the coach when you talk about um the the second line getting fourth line time, Demidov up or not being moved up or Slav not being moved down? Are you disagreeing with how the coach is managing his bench, how he's filling up the lineup card?

SPEAKER_05 35:59

I haven't seen enough offensive benefit from from the Canadian's bottom six lines to offset the potential negatives of the defensive side of the puck, which is obviously what happened on that first goal of that first Detroit goal, right? Is it's it's it was basically that. But you know, to me, uh it's not about punishing the three players. If that's the case, and we it's evident to those watching, if then juggle the lines, don't just cast what is it, your fourth leading scorer to the side, and let's call a spade a spade here. Ivan Demidov, like this is where you want him to really kind of you know get to the point where you need him to get to so that he can become more than what he is, or at least could rise above that level of uh of that uh level of play. And I think especially when it comes to Ivan, you know, yes, I felt like the decision to put Slavkovsky with Demidov was probably what would save both their seasons, in my opinion. And I feel like removing Slavkovsky from Demidov is probably what's sinking his now. Because at five on five, it's not pretty. And it's not a panic thing, it's more like you, I don't feel like the top line should need Slavkowski. They're 90 and 85 uh 82 point players in the making, 98 point and 82 point players in the making, right? Yeah, Nick Suzuki is a is a point away from being a point per game player. So, you know, we are at a at a at a junction right or a juncture right now where I think balancing out your lineup is more important than than top heavy top loading it because the Canadians will put Slavkowski with Suzuki and Caulfield because they are used as a dual five-on-five scoring and shutdown line. But then what's the whole point of having two defensive centers in Dano and Jake Evans if they can't handle those minutes? And your top six guys go to work and take advantage of the matchups, especially when they're at home. Yeah, that's my question. That's where I'm con that's where I'm curious, and that's all that's that's why I just wanted to. This is why we talk about this. And um, you know, fans clearly would like to move on from the subject because we're talking about gas dollars, uh, gas prices in the in the chat right now.

SPEAKER_00 38:42

Listen, that's one of the most relatable topics on planet earth. Uh, how much are you paying for a liter of fuel? It's absolutely crazy what's going on, uh, just for regular, right? But uh, I get it. Uh, real those are real, those, my friends, are real world problems. Uh, having problems with the Canadians is a luxury. Uh, you want to let's just clear up this Patrick Line stuff. He's still hurt, he's still on IR. He's not, he was told the coach made the public statement. I'm not being critical of Morgan's comment, he's just throwing it out there uh because people are looking for answers and solutions to the Canadians' issues lately. Um, but he was told we were told yesterday that Patrick Lane is not available, whatever, whatever that means. I mean, obviously the guy's still hurt.

SPEAKER_05 39:24

We'll find out one day. But I don't like I don't know what to tell you. We've asked the question, it's been brushed off. He's available. Okay, make him available. But like it is, it is it's really weird. It's not something I really care to go into that much. Um, but I do I don't see how you know he would come in and fix everything. He's not, you know.

SPEAKER_00 39:59

I think uh especially the pace, the pace that Suzuki and Caulfield play at. I mean, if you want to talk about the angle, put him in, put them on the first line, round out the first line. I mean, those guys are flying when Lane Hudson took that interference penalty, Nick Suzuki was moving at breakneck speed when Hudson took that interference call. I mean, that is a fast moving line, you know, and that's where I personally I don't see the fit there. If we're talking about Patrick Line in or out of in the lineup in this case, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 40:27

Um, if you were to there, depending on the language in the contract, if you were to get a bonus and then immediately mutually agree to cancel your contract, you may have to pay back some of your bonus, if not all of it. So that's something to keep an eye on because I don't have the exact writing of uh Patrick Line's uh contract. And then if he were to sign with another team after that, he'd have to go through waivers and he wouldn't be able to play in the playoffs. So there's all of that to consider. Um, and then this is a good question. Wouldn't the CBA prevent the Habs from keeping him in limbo? No, you have to prove that a player is injured, but you don't have to prove that the player is no longer injured, and that is the gray zone that we get into. However, if uh Patrick Line's representation had a problem with this, uh, they could make a grievance to the NHL, uh NHLPA about it, and it would be opened for investigation. That's not what we're hearing right now. So is this a system? No, it's not a system. I don't look, I don't think from a defensive standpoint, the last two games, I don't think that defense is the issue here. I think it's execution, correct? And execution more so for me on the offensive side than the defensive side. Yeah, you know, yeah, uh yesterday or sorry, two days ago, it was uh uh you know, we were looking at the game against Boston. A lot of people are like, Well, you know, uh um what was it? Jakob Dobish had like a four goal saved above expected. Three point zero sorry, no no no no no no three point zero six goals saved above expected, but he had an expected goals against yes of four uh of of of four goals, but then when you filtered that for five on five, he had an expected 2.25 goals against, he let one in, right? So that means he saved 1.2 goals above expected at even strength, yeah. Where the Canadians got shellacked is because they got he was standing on his head on the PK in against Boston. Well, the same applies, the same applied in from my vision and and from what I was able to see in the advanced stats, the same applied here when it came to Detroit. He didn't have to stand on his head. He made some key saves here or there, but he didn't have to stand on his head like we've seen him have to do in the past. The Canadians' defensive structure was not the problem in the sense of how they set up in the defensive zone, it was mistakes, clear brain cramps. One of them happened in the offensive zone that came back the other way, and the other one happened while chasing a puck down in the defensive zone. So it's not the system, at least not the last two games. It can't be, not when you're looking at it that way. It's it's very much a question of being able to not make mistakes within the system. Execution is the issue, and I think again, we've talked about it. Matheson's mistake could have easily been solved by not pivoting and just skating the puck behind the net and stopping and using the net as their safe haven, as they've cut like consistently done all season. And on you know, the the deflection goal right in front of the net. I mean, that's as fluky as it gets. So I don't like those goals, don't usually go in a second time, a third time. Like it's very situational, very lucky. And believe you me, Detroit fans know they ran, they they Stole that game. So I for me, it's it's it's execution, it's making stuff happen. And right now, they don't have enough difference makers that are going to be making it happen. Average, average, average replacement level talent in the NHL would have scored the goal that was put on Jake Evans' stick. Average NHL talent would be pushing the pace to the net, not periphery riding.

SPEAKER_00 44:28

They needed that the Jake Evans shooting percentage before he signed his contract.

SPEAKER_05 44:31

When he was a man possessed, and uh like remember when people were willing to give him remember when people were willing to give him 3.54 million dollars 100.

SPEAKER_00 44:41

He he had one of those stereotypical contract years and his condo was packed. Thought he was leaving, right? But no, he's here. And uh listen, I mean, that was that was tough. Um that was so bad. That was so bad. Um, I keep thinking about what could have been, but that the key, everything you said, you know, could you know we touched on a few things there, but the one thing that stands out to me is the are the words difference makers. There's only a the the Canadians have like four of them right now, and I think there's a couple maybe that could be that. And the strong belief is ultimately Ivan Demidov is gonna get into that conversation, hopefully one day, right? Um, but right now it's that that's the key that when the Suzuki line gets off the ice, who's gonna be responsible for driving, sustaining pressure? You know, we talk about the bottom six pair that maybe if they can be aggressive and cycle in the offensive zone to wear out the opposition, allow the the top six guys to catch their breath, maybe there's an advantage there, but that hasn't happened either. And though the there's a variation of difference makers, it hasn't.

SPEAKER_05 45:47

And I think one of the biggest one of the biggest things is and I've I think I've said this before, and I'll say it again. The Canadians' bottom six has held the Montreal Canadians back both intentionally and now unintentionally, since the start of this rebuild. One of the most expensive, one of the least productive.

SPEAKER_03 46:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 46:07

So that when the top line goes out and Martin Saint Louis chooses to not trust his second line anymore, the over-reliance on those third and fourth line players that have shown an inconsistency in production creates games like last night.

SPEAKER_03 46:24

Yep.

SPEAKER_05 46:25

Where a simple Mike Matheson mistake is the reason they lost. It's a convenient answer to say that Mike Matheson mistake is the reason they lost. Mike Matheson deserves the blame for that turnover.

SPEAKER_00 46:40

But let's be honest, they lost the game before Mike Matheson coughed the puck-up. I mean, they just didn't score goals. I mean, they had opportunities. I mean, we keep talking about the Jake Evans. The game should have been Cafield hits the post when he's left all alone. Like the 40-goal man buries that chance. I mean, the game probably turns a little bit.

SPEAKER_05 46:56

But you look at, you know, in terms of chances for, right? Like, this is where I get at Brendan Gallagher, Joe Voleno, and Philip Deneau controlled at the lowest 75% of chances for on the ice. Right. They're so good at the cycle game, they really are. No finish. No finish. And that is the problem. You could be really good at going around in circles, but that's all they really did, is they went around in circles. You look at grade A scoring chances.

SPEAKER_00 47:32

It was a nice power play goal.

SPEAKER_05 47:35

Yeah, you know, but I'm talking about those three. No, I know.

SPEAKER_00 47:38

Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 47:39

You know, you you have 72, 73, and Brennan Gallagher, 88% of chances for, but you have less than a you have less than a one for expected goals for. So that goes to so that goes to show you weak chances, periphery play not conducive to the idea of scoring a goal. And so when you look at it from an even strength perspective, Zachary Balzuk had more of an impact. Lane Hudson had more of an impact in terms of creating and driving offense. That cannot be your defenseman, cannot be, and and for those that want to throw him to the wolves, Alex Carrier 1.37 expected goals for right.

SPEAKER_00 48:32

So oh my god, he had what a glorious chance he had to exactly.

SPEAKER_05 48:36

So, again, all these guys are being put in the right situations, they're not executing. Yeah, so this is why I say they were close, they were this, they were that. The Canadians, you know, I we could talk about the defensive side, but it's it's the execution under pressure. Yeah, like we talk about this being a transferable moment, right? When you're in the playoffs, you're gonna have as much space as the Canadians were given last night. Nothing. And you're going to have to play through those checks and get pucks to the net. But if they're taking shots from the circles and the points, and there's nobody there for net front, or there's nobody there to recuperate um rebounds, yeah, then you're gonna you're gonna be praying and hoping the whole game that either the goalie makes a mistake or that someone somehow is gonna be able to beat him clean, clean, clean.

SPEAKER_00 49:27

Yeah, yeah. I'd like to see Zach Balduk get in John Gibson's kitchen, and Ben Sherrat's the one guy that goes for the game. He was pushed into his kitchen, and it was Ben Sherrat, the one guy that leaves that whole skirmish uh with the penalty. But again, the positives, I'll end it where I began. Um, I like some of the positives. I like the intensity they showed on both ends of the ice. Uh, unfortunately, situationally, um, you can't, you know, you can't play the game on paper, you can't play the game on law of averages, right? But you know, I don't want to be cliche and say that chalk this one up to a learning experience for the second youngest team in hockey. Chicago now, the distinction of the youngest team in hockey after their activity on uh trade deadline day. Uh you can support Star and D'Amico. Oh, yeah. Come come see us live on March 29th. We'll be at McLean's, the real deal on Peel at 1420 Peel Street, starting at four o'clock as we look forward to the Montreal Canadians playing the Carolina Hurricanes for the second time in five days. Where will the Canadians be in the standings? Either come drink your sorrows or celebrate with us um live for the presentation of the Star and Domico show. We'll have prizes to give away and it'll be a lot of fun. People that have been there before, it's always a great time. So um come check us out Sunday afternoon. Again, that's March 29th at McClain's with a great vibe and great food. Of course, all of our friends at cablotel.com, the best in home security, insta customs, and cheapest t-shirts. We pride ourselves on partnering with Montreal-based local companies because, yes, we're well out of the pandemic, but we still support local here, and you should too. And Marco, uh, enjoy the rest of your Friday. Let me check. Yeah, it's still snowing like an SOB out there, so I'm done with the weather. I'm so fed up with this GD weather in this city, but it is what it is. All right, brother. Enjoy the rest of your day. Thank you everybody for watching.

SPEAKER_05 51:10

Have a great day, everyone.