Atlanta Musings, In-Game Scribbles

Montreal 6, Atlanta 3

Get rid of the national anthem

It gets player in a cool-down state before the important physical contest. Lessens the positive impact of a good warm-up. It’s unnecessary, it’s from an era and for a set of reasons that have nothing to do with sport and it’s time-wasting.

I’m not for challenging traditions for the sake of challenge, for the sake of change for change’s sake.

The tradition of eating, for example, is one I would never suggest changing

First Period

Price will start. Pierre McGuire said if he is your future, you have to go with him. McGuire added that people that know far more about hockey than him have said that he has far more upside.

(My football self seems to recall some battle-tank physiques on can’t-miss prospects that didn’t work out… Tony Mandarich, Ryan Leaf and Robert Gallery.)

Kovalev, Koivu and Tanguay on the same line for the first time in five-on-five action this season. They were together on the PP last game.

What an exciting and long-hoped for prospect for this writer.

I find myself wondering why Pacioretty and not D’Agostini was sent down. Long-term thinking at work? Better to get D’Agostini more ice time since Pacioretty has had far more game-action?

Sergei is also back. And he’s with his best linemate match this season. His older brother.  Andrei is flying from the word go. There is nothing like playing with his younger brother for the reserved Belarusian.

Hainsey is listed on Atlanta’s third defensive pairing by RDS. He is usually listed on the first.

Kovalev and Koivu come in on a two-on-one. Kovalev’s pass gets neutralized by Garnet Exelby.

The team looks good as usual. But they will be judged by the final score more and more as the playoffs near. It’s really too bad.  Too many amateur GMs in town.

AK46 registers a solid hit in his own territory.

Kovalchuk hits the post.

And then, what a hell of a goal by Tanguay. This is the right city for him.  I feel like the best part of a movie.

Koivu line stays on for a bit more. It’s a Bowman Lemaire-line strategy. An extra half-shift in 2009 is what it translates to.  Keep this goal on the board. Gainey’s words paraphrased are echoing.

With ten games left, can an entire season’s perception be reversed?

If you ask the question a little differently, I know the answer.  The answer is yes.  The question involves winning the Stanley Cup. All would be forgiven. Too bad if that sounds naive.

Dandenault is playing. Gainey said he would go with more experience tonight. When is Bouillon coming back?

Number forty-two drives to Price’s left and draws a holding call. The puck pinballs slowly to rest between a sitting Price’s legs.

First power-play of the night and we Machinists are looking for a short-hand goal. As always.

First pair is Koivu and Higgins. Higgins whom we were told Monday by McGuire on 940 is faultless for his on-ice efforts.  He certainly speaks as if he is faultless. Gasless comes to mind.

Montreal kills the penalty easily. And the Mercedes KTK line is back on.

Great goal by Atlanta. Tic-tac-toe. Crabb benefits. Beverley is a man of great talent. Joey Crabb is a door-crasher. Esposito’s Orr-obliged numbers come to mind. (Take a look at how they plummet after Espo went to New York).

Another useless media intrusion during the game. They interview assistant coach Kirk Muller behind the bench. Muller’s game-face reminds me of Gretzky’s. Muller reminds me of Gretzky in several other of his communication qualities.

Back to Bell Central.

Team needs to be faster in own-zone decision-making. Two near-turnovers in a short segment.

Atlanta goes to the power-play again. Man, I can’t believe how queasy Ilya Kovalchuk makes me. No other player makes me as uncomfortable on this usually comfortable couch.

Gorges makes a great choice on a one-on-three and deflects a dangerous puck away from Atlanta.

Michael Caine looks as unperturbed as ever as the period ends and the teams head to their dressing rooms.

First Intermission

Joel Bouchard says Atlanta is tailor-made for Montreal because they are arrogant with the puck. And he sees many positives in the period. Demers says it is necessary not to be afraid to make mistakes with the puck. When we are relaxed, good things happen.

Later on that other smart dude (the one with the short grey hair and good attitude) says that Pacioretty did well to start out but slid over the season. He says the same thing about D’Agostini. And backs it up with stats.

Second Period

Metropolit gets his second goal as a Hab. Ice still wet and shiny. Higgins sets it up beautifully. Another back-hand set-up (to go with his Saturday night special to Max Pacioretty against Toronto).

Canadiens take a penalty immediately following. Koivu. Holding the stick after losing a battle on the boards.

Metropolit and Kostopoulos are the first pairing on the PK.

Higgins joins Metropolit. Metropolit stays on for 1:33 of the PK. Price gives up a short-side goal to Kovalchuk. Initial stop but it dribbles in. Price didn’t really know where it was. Slipped under his left arm and by his waist. Glove missed and Price didn’t realise where it was until it was past him.

2-2 score.

Sergei looks a bit like Michael Jackson tonight. His eyes.

It’s hard to believe all this fuss over a simple pro hockey team.

Do some fans see the players as little leg-pumping France flag avatars, scootin’ and skatin’ around in promotion of French freedom and justice?

Maybe when the Nordiques return, it will be easier. Montreal can go back to being the so-called Anglophone’s team. Reminds me of how Ali tricked some into believing Frazier was establishment; a shill for The Man and that he, Ali, was the People’s Champ a flag-bearer for truth, justice and the American Way. For the People, By the People, Fool the People. Fool the people, fury the people, French the people.

I still love Ali.

Atlanta’s pace is slowing. They don’t have the ability to sustain a force of will upon a game. Collectively, I mean. Kovalchuk and a few others do have that. Just not enough guys in Atlanta with that quality.

Zach Bogosian is in the box all of the sudden. Kovalev, Tanguay and Koivu.

Vintage 03-04 backhand off a Kovalev shot by Koivu is blocked. In the crease shot. Puck makes its way back out in front and Kovalev gets as casual a backhand goal as you will see this season. From the mid-slot to the right of Lehtonen. With Koivu steps away and near the goalie. Doug Harvey would have understood Alex Kovalev. Would have been good for each other, I think.

3-2, Montreal.

It’s been a long time since I’ve written Montreal in the lead this late in a game.

And here come more of the Flying Avatars. Latendresse line (Kostopoulos, Lapierre).

Errant puck and Montreal goes on the power-play for delay of game. Koivu line again to start. Eric Boulton goes to the box for Atlanta. Penalty against Lehtonen.

The powerplay with these three is quick and urgent. A feeling of aerial acrobatics without a net. Anything could happen and probably something spectacular (which means worthy of spectacle or viewing).

KPK (Kostitsyns and Plekanec) are the second trio. Another offensive grouping with sense of purpose.

Atlanta gets in big trouble in front of the net but are fortunate that no Canadiens can get control of the puck.

Thrashers survive the power-play.

Price now makes a fine-looking high glove save on a boring-in Kovalchuk. Looks as if the puck was not going to go wide.  Thrashers then take an interference call right after the save. Bryan Little.  For the sake of momentum … Montreal has to make them pay.

And they do.  Tanguay gets a five-hole golf-shot from Michael Ryder territory (top of the slot). But not before a give-and-go from Kovalev to Koivu nearly works. Second goal for Tanguay. Three goals for this line. International Line, baby. Finland, Russia, Canada. Or, for those who insist, Finland, Russia, Quebec. (I wonder what Marcel Aubut would be like to play Pictionary with in your living room.

4-2, Montreal.

That feels inappropriately good to write.

Another power-play? And the sharp writer misses the reason why.

KPK line.  And then KTK. Fifty seconds to do something but Beverly wastes some of our time.

Now with thirty-five seconds we get it back in. And after some ping-pong digital pinball, Kovalev gets a goal-scorer’s finish type of goal. “Oh here comes the puck. It’s going in.” And it goes in. Lehtonen looks like an embarrassing uncle trespassing drunk on a night-wet golf-course. All falling and bad gravity.

And the cheers come again. Ole, ole. It’s brief but exhilarating. It’s spring outside and we must make the playoffs. It wouldn’t be a Canadian spring without us.

Yes, us.

Canadiens are doing eighteen times more than I can write about instead of the usual eight.

Thank Gods I am taping these. Legally, of course. (Yes, Gods)

Montreal’s confidence is there. I hope it’s not just a houseguest this time. C’mon in. You’re welcome here.  Confidence is reflected in the slight second the players take to make a better decision. In those cases where time is a luxury.

At the commercial pause, they show a replay of the goal-celebration. Mathieu Schneider is especially happy for Alex Kovalev’s second goal. Mathieu Harvey? It’s a nice smile to see.

I’d better not be sitting here with heart strictures tied, 5-5 late in the third.

Price gets roughed up in the crease and Komisarek goes after Little.  Brunet says that Komisarek was a bit too intense in attacking Little. Price lost his mask on the play. Ah well. Don’t run Price. How about that.  Komisarek ends up in the box, though. So Brunet is right. Well, he’s right period.

Penalties have been one of the ruining forces in the team’s decline in the standings. A power-play goal to end the period would have been grand. Instead it’s four-on-four. Tanguay and Koivu are the first pair. Just twenty seconds or so left in the period.

Tanguay is a great passer. Great passer. Peers like a cat, strikes like a mongoose. And the puck will be on your stick. Buddy.

Second Intermission

Demers reminds us that Komisarek is one of the best in the NHL. Demers supports the new line (KTK) and tells us that Tanguay informed the old coach that he is playing injured. None of the guys are wearing ties tonight. Demers’ electric baby blue shirt is a nice touch. Very 2009.

It’s easier to ignore commercials when you think in English. However, I find my thoughts are getting more and more French as the all-RDS seasons roll on. When I was a child I thought in all three of my languages. A simultaneous child’s mélange of logic. I find I am translating from French to English at times at work.

They interview Kovalev. He sounds like a leader. He always does. What blueprint (redprint) are his critics reading from?

Third Period

Tanguay makes a pass at an unexpected point in his corner-digging and sets up Koivu alone. This backhand goes in. Crowd is in throat. Fifth goal for the new line.

Internationals 6, Atlanta 2

Baby brother comes in alone shortly thereafter but can’t get it on net.

Unbelievable save by Price. So sudden that the crowd doesn’t even register it. How did he stop it? Maybe the crowd wonders if indeed he did stop it. Or perhaps I didn’t see anything. Hockey is like that.  Replay shows that there was indeed a save. Sudden shot. Sudden save. Pass to the slot for a one-time. Price was very sharp to make that stop.

Montreal is playing well. A team that plays better with a lead than from behind. A function of youth?

Koivu takes a hooking penalty. Very border-line. In no other field could I say that kind of sentence and be taken somewhat seriously. Very border-line.

We’re going down to the very border-line of Ottawa-Hull tomorrow.

We are short-handed and the first pair is Higgins and Metropolit.  Gorges just earned himself a few month-credits from The Machine. Takes a shot and limps around and skates while limping as well. Hobbles off the ice eventually. Montreal kills the penalty as a team.

Then Plekanec makes a mistake to the right of the net and Atlanta scores. Bogosian. A gimme sixth for Zach Bogosian. He probably wont’ score again this season. He is a quality, young defenceman, though. Eighteen years old.

6-3, Montreal.

It’s also a welcome relief to not have to constantly consult the clock throughout the third.

International Line creates a quality scoring chance every shift. That is now the rate of exchange. And yes, that is a Stanley Cup-winning rate of exchange.

Please, oh please let this line stay together. And let Robert Lang come back before it’s too late. Before the first round. Divine medical intervention.

Hey, don’t ask, don’t get.

Metropolit is now in the box. Six-man stand-up bang-at-it gathering four feet in front of Price. Can’t someone just dive on the puck and cover it with a glove?

Can’t they? Can’t they?

Reminds me of when Bird or Rodman would sometimes be the only guy in the gym diving on the floor for loose basketballs.

Montreal is committing far too many penalties this season. Time for a new focal point.

They kill this one.

You can be as smart as you are or want to be in hockey. You can be as good as you are or want to be. You could still lose. Badly.

A hockey team can lose 5-1 and be the better team on the ice. So sorry but it’s true.

Zach Bogosian goes to the box. Tripping.

Why is Mark Messier so exalted? Don’t bother. I know the many answers. Bob McCown makes the best case against him, though. (Messier was on a Lay’s commercial just now).

Now they check in with Bergeron and Crete. Bergeron’s sweater is quite Mark’s Work Wearhouse.

Montreal opens the PP with KPK instead. I’m hoping that Sergei sets up his brother.

Now Kovalev is taken out knee-to-knee. He gets up and fires it off the crossbar in anger. Two minutes. And it looked purposeful.

This power-play is more great hockey from the KTK line.

Suddenly there’s a minute left. Unnoticed because the team is in process mode. Once outcome is taken care of you can enjoy. Wrong. But feels right.

Standing ovation. For the team, this time. Not Martin Brodeur.

Game ends and the good-guys win. International Line gets all three stars; Tanguay, Kovalev and Koivu. In that order.

Related posts:

1. Islander Musings, In-Game Scribbles
2. Chicago Musings, In-Game Scribbles
3. Buffalo Musings, In-Game Scribbles
4. Tampa Bay Musings, In-Game Scribbles
5. Edmonton Musings, In-Game Scribbles
6. Atlanta Musings, In-Game Scribbles