Pre-Season Thriller

While the hockey wasn't exactly of the highest calibre, the intensity was approximating that of the playoffs and that can't be anything but good for the fans. Montreal fielded ten rookies on a night when the Penguins iced a far more competitive squad and stuck with goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury from start to finish. In the end it was a wonderful goal by Kovalev that offered the 'W' and sent the faithful home happy.

Make no mistake, though, despite the win and the positive glow you might hear around the water cooler tomorrow, this wasn't a night of total positives. Then again, there were some very promising signs for the first exhibition game of the year.

A quick look at the players this evening:

Looking particularly good

Kovalev: Of course, this will be argued until the end of days, but by and large he offered this evening exactly what he'll offer every night of the year. Lazy play for half his shifts and some inspired play now and again that puts you at the edge of your seat. Three points on the night is great to see, shame it won't be a nightly occurance.

Huet: The only person that beat him was Komisarek. Now, to be fair, the Pens weren't exactly lighting it up at the front, however when Huet was asked to make a special save, he delivered. Of note, he pulled one off the line from behind him to stop an obvious goal. Huet actually looked to be in mid-season form as he was patient and calm.

Komisarek: Okay, he scored on the wrong net, but he was also stellar at the back. Perhaps more players should take his off-season training, because Komi looked in very fine form tonight. In fact, he showed more poise than I've seen from him except on one or two occasions.

Markov: Simply sublime. Add a viciously legal body blow to Mark Recchi and his night was all but perfect. Honestly, he was outstanding and another who looked more than ready to start the season now.

Streit: Picking up where he left off last season, he played a very solid game as a defender. Particularly pleasing was his ability to work in the traffic a little better than last season. His puck movement and rushes were excellent.

Chipchura: He has NHL written all over him. Superb both ways and while he's not a fast skater he's strong on those blades. He just looks ready, simple as that. He'll have to play himself off the roster, if anything. Of note, Carbo gave him PK duty when the Habs were down two men - and that's saying something. Now, when you mention the fact he was superb while doing that duty...

Playing a solid game:

Gorges: He wasn't flashy by any means, but he did his job and did it efficiently. I was pleased to see him taking no chances. It's a little dull to watch the puck get chipped out, but when necessary, it's useful. Gorges was also decent in traffic.

Locke: He scored a nice goal through traffic, showed a neat set of hands and great vision, and was noticeable pretty much every time he was on the ice - all good. He was also knocked around a little more than one would like, but all in all, a pretty good showing.

Grabovski: It's certainly nothing like what I'd hoped (or what he'd hoped, I imagine), but he played decently. There weren't the same flashes of speed we saw last season in his brief callup, but he played within himself and his linemates making a few pretty plays here and there.

Carle: He looked good until he went down with injury. A little fumbly in the opening moments, but he settle down and played smart after that. Nice to see another defender who's willing to pinch now and again.

Danis: He's a stand-up type guy and he does it well. Like Huet, he looks calm between the pipes and that seemed to give his teammates confidence as well. The rest of the club didn't fall into a defensive shell when he was put on the ice and that says as much about a goalie as the saves do sometimes. He didn't have the same quality shots as did Huet, but he did well with what he faced.

Basically Invisible:

Kostopoulos: However, by placing him here I think I'm actually complementing him. As far as I could tell, he was put on a defensive line which means we don't want to see defensive errors. Perhaps he and his mates didn't make anything happen offensively, however chemistry is a difficult thing to come by this quickly.

Andrei Kostitsyn: Sure he got a couple of points, but I felt he was a perimeter player and didn't really create on his own tonight. Yes, he has talent and hands and passes and shoots the puck well, but in my opinion he needs to get stuck in and make things happen to be a real success in this league.

Duncan Milroy: As close to a what-you-see-is-what-you-get player as you can get. He's a no-frills guy who will give his all every shift and is probably a quality fourth line guy in the NHL. Problem in Montreal is the embarrassing riches there are on the farm and his relative placement in the depth chart. One thing he has over others, though - consistency.

Siarhei Kostitsyn: Once he got done attempting his OHL moves he looked a little better, but like his brother he was basically a perimeter guy. I didn't see anything that would make me jump on his bandwagon to get him on the team right now.

Ferland: I still don't get how this fellow played in the NHL last season. As far as I can tell there are probably a dozen or more players all more skilled and better at the game that he is. A step down from Milroy, I can't see him being anything more than AHL fodder this season.


Downright disappointing:

Plekanec: After a fantastic season last campaign I honestly expected more. Perhaps a function of linemates, Plex was basically invisible all night, and from someone that's supposed to lead by example and create offensively out there, that's unacceptable.

Lahti: Not that he was given much of a chance, when he was on the ice he looked afraid and lost. With all they hype leading into camp, this was the biggest disappointment. Perhaps it's the sweater. Take off 38 and pick something, anything else. Malakhov and Bulis were terribly overrated as well.

Murray: He's playing for his NHL life and after his first showing, I'd say NHL Death 1, Life, 0. He absolutely must hit if he's to be in the NHL with his skill set. He didn't.

Unlucky:

Archer: He's had a tough time with injuries and the hits just keep on coming. Got into a tussle with Laraque and paid the price.

~~

Well, tomorrow is another day and we'll see if that day can produce some more excitement. Along those lines, I'm sure Crosby is just aching for his contract to end and free agency to start so he can sign in Montreal. Not. He got into it in a big way with Komisarek and came out looking like a chump. He may be a tough kid, but he has to stop whining and play acting out there if people are going to treat him with respect.

All Hail:

Komisarek and Markov who were mean, slick, and look ready for the playoffs tomorrow.

-A Concerned Fan