Post by habslive on Oct 6, 2008 13:39:59 GMT -5
The old saying goes "Defense wins championships." If that's true, then the Montreal Canadiens are off to a flying start. The Habs sit 2nd overall in the IHL with 34 points, behind an upstart Winnipeg Jets squad that is largely expected to come back down to Earth soon.
There are several reasons for the Canadiens' success, none bigger than Hart Trophy candidate Evgeni Nabokov, who leads the IHL in star points, GAA (2.79) and save percentage (.900). After struggling early on, he has found his form and proven why he is rated 83. Montreal's special teams has been a huge reason for their early season success as well. They boast a 22.0 % power play efficiency, good for a first place tie, as well as a penalty killing success rate of over 87%, good for 2nd in the league.
Captain Mike Richards, who recently saw a 17 game point streak halted, is pleased with the team's position, but believes the Habs have what it takes to finish first overall in the conference. "When you look at our home record," said Richards, "you realize how valuable that top seed will be if we get it, so it really gives us motivation during the season. We've got plenty of games remaining against our rivals, so we'll need to be ready."
Nabokov, who admitted to having difficulty finding his game initially, is in a good spot mentally. "Early on in the season, we were giving up a lot of goals, but the guys were bailing me out by scoring a ton as well," offered Nabokov. "It's kind of the opposite right now- the guys aren't scoring as much, but I feel much better and I'm seeing the puck pretty well, so two or three goals has been enough. Hopefully we can get both phases going at once though. But all these one-goal wins will serve us well in the post-season should we make it."
The most prolific Habs scorer is Russian sniper, Alex Kovalev, with 13 goals. He says the Habs can't rely on Nabokov all season and need to generate more scoring chances. "Evgeni keeping us near the top. We having fun and I likes play with Richards. Defense is good but offense need more goal. We need shoot puck more," said Kovalev. A little later, he opened a new can of worms on a brewing battle with Winnipeg. "I want play Winnipeg soon, too bad we wait a month or so to play them. I score hat trick next time we play."
The Habs, preparing for their game against the New York Rangers, are contemplating starting backup Johan Holmqvist, but coach Guy Carbonneau has not yet made a decision. "Gino's been great but we need to rest him and keep Johan sharp, even though he sucks."
General manager Rob Seitz was busy this weekend, as he announced that the team had signed a trio of farm players: defenseman Derek Meech and forwards Tomas Plihal and Jeff Taffe.
There are several reasons for the Canadiens' success, none bigger than Hart Trophy candidate Evgeni Nabokov, who leads the IHL in star points, GAA (2.79) and save percentage (.900). After struggling early on, he has found his form and proven why he is rated 83. Montreal's special teams has been a huge reason for their early season success as well. They boast a 22.0 % power play efficiency, good for a first place tie, as well as a penalty killing success rate of over 87%, good for 2nd in the league.
Captain Mike Richards, who recently saw a 17 game point streak halted, is pleased with the team's position, but believes the Habs have what it takes to finish first overall in the conference. "When you look at our home record," said Richards, "you realize how valuable that top seed will be if we get it, so it really gives us motivation during the season. We've got plenty of games remaining against our rivals, so we'll need to be ready."
Nabokov, who admitted to having difficulty finding his game initially, is in a good spot mentally. "Early on in the season, we were giving up a lot of goals, but the guys were bailing me out by scoring a ton as well," offered Nabokov. "It's kind of the opposite right now- the guys aren't scoring as much, but I feel much better and I'm seeing the puck pretty well, so two or three goals has been enough. Hopefully we can get both phases going at once though. But all these one-goal wins will serve us well in the post-season should we make it."
The most prolific Habs scorer is Russian sniper, Alex Kovalev, with 13 goals. He says the Habs can't rely on Nabokov all season and need to generate more scoring chances. "Evgeni keeping us near the top. We having fun and I likes play with Richards. Defense is good but offense need more goal. We need shoot puck more," said Kovalev. A little later, he opened a new can of worms on a brewing battle with Winnipeg. "I want play Winnipeg soon, too bad we wait a month or so to play them. I score hat trick next time we play."
The Habs, preparing for their game against the New York Rangers, are contemplating starting backup Johan Holmqvist, but coach Guy Carbonneau has not yet made a decision. "Gino's been great but we need to rest him and keep Johan sharp, even though he sucks."
General manager Rob Seitz was busy this weekend, as he announced that the team had signed a trio of farm players: defenseman Derek Meech and forwards Tomas Plihal and Jeff Taffe.