Todd: Resilient young Canadiens need to shake off gut-punch of a loss
It was a lousy way to lose.
Article content
Bad bounces. Puck luck. A mistake or two, because hockey is a game of mistakes. A comeback, a lead lost.
Article content
And bad refereeing, worse refereeing, terrible refereeing.
Article content
Tom Wilson freely exercising his licence to create mayhem without consequences.
Article content
Among many other things, how do you send Josh Anderson off for a face-to-face hit on Wilson but not punish Wilson for an almost identical hit, except that his was delivered to David Savard's back?
Article content
Article content
How does Wilson get away with a hit in the general direction of the head that not only leaves Alexandre Carrier stunned and wobbly but also leads to the goal that shifts the momentum? Jeff Gorton has seen this movie before — the plot never changes.
Article content
Article content
How does Alexander Ovechkin, who looks like he's paid in poutine, get away with hits that would earn ordinary humans an in-person hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety?
Article content
These very young Canadiens are, if nothing else, resilient. As someone said on social media, 'they're as relentless as my mother-in-law trying to find out how much money I make.'
Article content
Article content
Don't write them off. Remember they were down three games to one against the mighty Leafs in 2021 and we know how that one turned out.
Article content
Win or lose Wednesday, the Canadiens have been playing with house money since the first puck was dropped in Game 1. They were not supposed to be here at all, yet every game in the series so far could have gone either way and Friday's Game 3 was an exercise in total dominance in every way — hits, shots, goals. They may lose this series yet but there is no question they belong, they can go toe-to-toe with the best team in the conference.
Article content
The Fab Five on the power play — Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson and 19-year-old Ivan Demidov — is as promising a bunch as you will find in the game. Swap a forward for Kaiden Guhle 5-on-5 and the same goes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: The depth chart in the crease
As we enter the final week of our position-by-position series tracking the Calgary Flames Retool, it's time to look at goaltenders. Article content It's a spot where a lot of ink has been spilled recently, whether that was about trading Jacob Markstrom a year ago to Dustin Wolf winning the starter's job and emerging as a Calder Trophy contender. Article content Article content Wolf's emergence puts the Flames in a nice spot for the foreseeable future, but it doesn't mean there aren't questions. Article content Here's a look at where the organization stands at goaltender, from top to bottom: Article content 1. Wolf's next step Article content There isn't much mystery about who is going to be starting in the crease for the Flames for the foreseeable future. Dustin Wolf 's fantastic rookie season has brought clarity to the position and you could comfortably argue that it has fast-tracked the retool as you don't want to waste his prime years. Wolf went 29-16-8 last season, with a 2.64 goals-against-average and a .910 save percentage, earning himself a Calder Trophy nomination. Only three goalies — Stuart Skinner, Jordan Binnington and Alex Nedeljkovic — have earned Rookie of the Year nominations over the past 10 years, so Wolf is in nice company. He'll have to prove he can do it again and again, year after year, but that's true of every goalie. Assuming he does, the Flames have a franchise cornerstone already in place. He's a restricted free agent next summer, so getting a new deal in place will be a top priority for the organization over the next 12 months. Article content Article content 2. Vladar's future Article content After Dan Vladar 's end-of-season media availability, the conversation around the Ed Whalen Media Centre at the Saddledome was cautiously optimistic about the Flames' backup of four years reupping for another stint. There hasn't been any news since and with Vladar set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, it gets more likely by the day that the Flames will be looking for someone else to fill the backup duties behind Wolf. There's absolutely still an argument for bringing Vladar back if a deal can get done. He shouldn't be too expensive, worked well with Wolf last year and already understands the team's culture. Article content If Vladar and the Flames do mutually decide to go their separate ways, who could find themselves backing up Wolf next year? There are a few contenders. Devin Cooley was the best goalie in the AHL for the first few months of last season and while his numbers dropped in the back half, he still finished the season with a 2.94 goals-against-average and a .905 save percentage. The 28-year-old has six games of NHL experience and will want to be competing. There are rumours the Flames are a leading contender to sign Russian shot-stopper Ivan Prosvetov, too, as he eyes an NHL return. The free-agency market for goaltenders is sparse this summer, with Jake Allen being the best of the bunch.
Calgary Herald
2 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: The depth chart in the crease
As we enter the final week of our position-by-position series tracking the Calgary Flames Retool, it's time to look at goaltenders. Article content It's a spot where a lot of ink has been spilled recently, whether that was about trading Jacob Markstrom a year ago to Dustin Wolf winning the starter's job and emerging as a Calder Trophy contender. Article content Wolf's emergence puts the Flames in a nice spot for the foreseeable future, but it doesn't mean there aren't questions. Article content Article content Article content There isn't much mystery about who is going to be starting in the crease for the Flames for the foreseeable future. Dustin Wolf 's fantastic rookie season has brought clarity to the position and you could comfortably argue that it has fast-tracked the retool as you don't want to waste his prime years. Wolf went 29-16-8 last season, with a 2.64 goals-against-average and a .910 save percentage, earning himself a Calder Trophy nomination. Only three goalies — Stuart Skinner, Jordan Binnington and Alex Nedeljkovic — have earned Rookie of the Year nominations over the past 10 years, so Wolf is in nice company. He'll have to prove he can do it again and again, year after year, but that's true of every goalie. Assuming he does, the Flames have a franchise cornerstone already in place. He's a restricted free agent next summer, so getting a new deal in place will be a top priority for the organization over the next 12 months. Article content Article content 2. Vladar's future Article content After Dan Vladar 's end-of-season media availability, the conversation around the Ed Whalen Media Centre at the Saddledome was cautiously optimistic about the Flames' backup of four years reupping for another stint. There hasn't been any news since and with Vladar set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, it gets more likely by the day that the Flames will be looking for someone else to fill the backup duties behind Wolf. There's absolutely still an argument for bringing Vladar back if a deal can get done. He shouldn't be too expensive, worked well with Wolf last year and already understands the team's culture. Article content If Vladar and the Flames do mutually decide to go their separate ways, who could find themselves backing up Wolf next year? There are a few contenders. Devin Cooley was the best goalie in the AHL for the first few months of last season and while his numbers dropped in the back half, he still finished the season with a 2.94 goals-against-average and a .905 save percentage. The 28-year-old has six games of NHL experience and will want to be competing. There are rumours the Flames are a leading contender to sign Russian shot-stopper Ivan Prosvetov, too, as he eyes an NHL return. The free-agency market for goaltenders is sparse this summer, with Jake Allen being the best of the bunch.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Oilers' forward Corey Perry playing key role in 20th NHL season
Social Sharing Mark Hunter remembers pulling Corey Perry aside for a chat. The co-owner and general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights wanted to make sure his player understood the consequences. "Grit, hitting people and punching people," Hunter recalled of the skinny teenager's on-ice approach. "He was like 160 pounds … 'Seriously Corey, don't be doing that. You might get hurt by somebody.' "But he didn't want to be pushed around. There was desire to be the best." Not much has changed. The 40-year-old Oilers winger in his 20th NHL season is playing important minutes and making big contributions as Edmonton sits tied 1-1 with Florida in a Stanley Cup Final rematch. Promoted to the team's top line alongside superstar captain Connor McDavid since Zach Hyman suffered a dislocated wrist last round, Perry forced overtime with 17.8 seconds remaining in regulation in Friday's Game 2 before the defending champion Panthers secured a 5-4 victory in double OT. The motivation remains the same as when he played for the Knights. "To win," said Perry, who was selected 28th overall by Anaheim at the 2003 draft and won his only Cup with the Mighty Ducks in 2007. "I love being around the rink, I love being around the guys, I love the competitive fire that's still inside me." WATCH | Oilers' Perry sends Game 2 to OT with goal late in regulation: Oilers' Perry sends Game 2 to OT with goal late in regulation 2 days ago Duration 1:30 The Peterborough, Ont., product joined the Oilers midway through last season following an ugly end to his brief stint with the Chicago Blackhawks. Signed to mentor an up-and-coming roster, the club terminated his deal in November 2023 after alleging he violated his standard player contract and team policies "intended to promote professional and safe work environments." Neither the Blackhawks nor Perry were willing to provide details. Perry apologized for his actions and said he'd started seeking help for alcohol abuse before signing with Edmonton after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. "The situation that happened, it happened," Perry said earlier this week. "I've dealt with it and I've learned from it. It was unfortunate." McDavid said Perry's calming presence was for a team that roared back to force Game 7 in last year's final against the Panthers after falling behind 3-0 in the title series. "Makes great, subtle, little plays," said Edmonton's No. 97. "His gamesmanship, understands the ebbs and flows of the games, the intricacies that not every fan sitting at home understands. He's played in every big game." Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Perry was crucial in last year's run to the final that ended in heartbreak. "Allowed the team to settle things down," said the second-year head coach. "When he spoke, guys listened because of the respect that they have for him." Dale Hunter — Mark's brother and the Knights' head coach who had Perry in London from 2001 to 2005 — said his passion for the game hasn't wavered. "He's a battler," said Dale Hunter, who won the Memorial Cup with Perry in his final junior season before the Knights also climbed Canadian junior hockey's mountain in 2016 and again last month. "He loved hockey, and it's never changed." The Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP in 2011 with Anaheim has 448 goals and 487 assists for 935 points across 1,392 contests with six franchises over his two decades in the league. He's added 62 goals, including eight this spring alone, and 77 assists for 139 points in 233 playoff contests. Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse said he and Perry, who is in his sixth Cup final and plans to play a 21st campaign in 2025-26, have talked about their past battles. "We've had some fun moments," said Nurse. "He's been so important for this group — the experience and all the big moments that he's played in." Perry, who had 19 goals and 11 assists in 81 games in 2024-25 while averaging just under 12 minutes of ice time, said getting ready each summer — especially the short ones after long post-season runs — is an increasing challenge. "You try to give your body some time to rest," he said. "But you're also like, 'Man, we've got to be back in camp in six weeks."' These are good times for Perry. His seven-year-old son, Griffin, is a staple around the Oilers, including at NHL media day before the start of the Cup final. He's also been through some tough times. Apart from the contract termination in Chicago, he was bought out of the final two years of his long-term deal with the Ducks in June 2019 for salary-cap reasons. "The highest of highs and some pretty low moments," he said. "I use that as motivation." Mark Hunter said players — their desires and priorities — often change with age. But not Perry. "They lose that gleam in their eye," Hunter said. "If you watch him, there is excitement, passion, desire, loving the moment. It's hard to find at 40. People don't usually have that, but he does.
