Comments on: Andrei Kostitsyn called up after disappointing and embarrasing loss to the Leafs

By: LeafyMcLeaf

LeafyMcLeaf — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 14:44:11 +0000

Well something has to be done when a team loses to the Leafs in general, but that bad? I mean the Leafs are basically the worst team in the league, and this is as if the Habs lost to the 2004 Pittsburgh Penguins.

By: passionch

passionch — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:11:10 +0000

Kostitsyn did well last night! Although, about Higgins return, if Kostitsyn doesn't produce on the 2nd line, I think Higgins could play center there if Latendresse continues to do well with Koivu and Ryder. Just a thought!

The only problem right now would be Niinima's play...

Projected lines if Dandenault is back:

Latendresse-Koivu-Ryder
Kostitsyn-Kovalev-Samsonov
Perezhogin-Bonk-Johnson
Begin-Plekanec-Murray

Souray - Rivet
Komisarek - Markov
Dandenault - Streit

By: Les-Habitants

Les-Habitants — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 13:32:22 +0000

you called it.

By: Les-Habitants

Les-Habitants — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 13:29:31 +0000

Projected lineup for tonight's game, again according to TSN.ca
Forwards:
Latendresse - Koivu - Ryder
Kostitsyn - Kovalev - Samsonov
Perezhogin - Bonk - Johnson
Begin - Plekanec - Downey

Defence:
Souray - Rivet
Komisarek - Markov
Niinimaa - Streit

Goal:
Huet

Like was mentioned above, a shakeup is needed and it seems it will be in the form of moving Perezogin back to the 3rd, Begin to the 4th with Kostitsyn being given time with the two russians on the 2nd.

Perezogin and Andrei are fairly similar players, although I personally see a lot more promise in Kostitsyn. Perezogin played well on the 3rd with Bonk and Johnson, and while he didn't produce, he ended up getting the team's highest +/- at +7. Additionally, his play was great and I like the offensive flair he brought to that line. I personally thought he was a good fit, so I'm glad to see him move back there.

Begin back on the 4th, thank god! and I say that without any disrespect to Begin. With both Begin and Plekanec on that line, you have two very defensively responsible players while Downey provides a little more size and punishment. Murray is like a faster smaller Downey, but he isn't much of a lockdown player. Begin back on the 4th makes this line effective again, whereas with Murray and Downey it kinda of left Plekanec out to dry.

2nd line for Kostitsyn is great, as I love this guy's drive for the net. Talk about a purely offensive line. If this line gels, man it's gonna be good.

Latendresse will continue to get time playing with Koivu and Ryder till Higgins returns, and so far he has been playing well enough to deserve it. As much as people are bashing him, he has been playing well...not up to those ridicous standards set for him, but still. He might even turn into a legit power forward one of these days.

I wonder if he'll be bumped down to the 4th if Higgins returns and Kostitsyn is playing well enough to stay? - just a random thought.

Looking forward to the game tonight! Allez les Tricolours!! Big rebound against Ottawa!

By: christos

christos — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 13:07:33 +0000

As you said earlier, i don't think murray will dress tonight, he hasnt really been having the same success as he did last year. The game agains T.O was very ugly, as much as i don't liek the leafs, they brought their A game, and once again, kaberle and Mccabe thorned us. BUT, one positive i think we can all take from that game is the meshing of our russian line. Is it just me or have they been getting a lil stronger every game, and against T.O on a bunch of shifts, seem to control the play. As much trashing they got, i think they are definatly coming together, wich is a good thing, but then again, maybe i was seeing things?!

the injury to higgins was a big blow, his all around play is definatly a trmendous loss. But i think one thing we are overlooking is our defence, it seems any team that puts a great deal of fore checking gets the answers and goals. Trust me, this will change, with mathieu ready to go, and boullion on the verge, it seems liek ninima and streits days are numbered. But i liek streit. he is startign to show why he was the leader of the (chuckle) swiss team.

habs fans! we will only get better, every team has ups and downs, dont trash our habs, believe in them! thaks for reading

chris

By: mtl_prince

mtl_prince — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 07:22:33 +0000

and to think i used to loath edmonton when they had ninima 5 years back, i remember thinking i wish that guy played for the habs, but unfirtunatly his play is nowhere near what it used to be.

By: mtl_prince

mtl_prince — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 07:21:28 +0000

ninnama is garbage, i cant wait to have dandenault back in the line up, and bouliion for that matter, then striet will be #7 and ninimma #8

By: Les-Habitants

Les-Habitants — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:41:50 +0000

Samsonov on the first line could prove interesting, but I think Carbo is trying to establish some chemistry in the all Russian line and would perfer to give them more time together.

While I really don't think that will happen as it was, like you said, just one game it is possible. They do need a shakeup, but we'll have to see.

By: habsoverserver

habsoverserver — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:39:39 +0000

I am glad that Kostitsyn is being given a chance. I could see him playing on the second line ahead of Perezhogin. Perezhogin has scored on only one of his 24 shots, giving him the worst shooting percentage of any forward on the roster. It's tough to expect puck hogs like Kovalev and Samsonov to pass to a guy who has no scoring touch at the NHL level. Besides, Kostitsyn is also from Russia

The third line has been suberb for Montreal, I don't see any reason to tamper with it.

Niinimaa is an insurance policy but probably can't be moved due to his poor performance and high salary.

By: habsoverserver

habsoverserver — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:39:37 +0000