The Canadiens may not win pretty, but they don't have to
It didn’t take long for the calls for Michel Therrien’s head. During the Montreal Canadiens season opener - a game in which they beat their nemesis, the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-1 on the road - fans on social media needed about two periods before whinging about the man who’s guided them through four Stanley Cup playoff series victories over the past two seasons.
Who will replace him? Who cares!
It wasn’t all entirely off-base though, this dissatisfaction. The Habs DID look pretty listless and ineffective through two periods. They DID have to rely on Carey Price while getting outshot 37-30. They DID have to rely on their one steady source of goals, Max Pacioretty.
But again: they DID win the game against a pretty motivated bunch to start the season. Two points is two points.
You may not like the formula they’ve employed to win 96 games over the past two regular seasons, and there are definitely better ones, but damned if they aren’t having success doing what they’re doing.
The most common proclamation, particularly from those with an eye on analytics, is that the Habs aren’t a great possession team and are playing with fire. If they didn’t have Price they’d be screwed.
And they ARE playing with fire, but they DO have Price. The Penguins would be worse without their best player, as would the Stars, Blues, and everyone else. Much like skinning a cat (and we all know about that, don’t we?), there are more than a few ways to win hockey games.
Of course, it’s fine to believe Therrien isn’t great, and the Canadiens would be better with someone else. That very possibly could be true. The Canadiens would be much better off not putting so much pressure on their goaltender and spending more time in the other end. Of course.
But maybe Canadiens fans should just accept the unique way their roster is set up, note the success it’s had, and realize that when Price is in net, their team can steal any game - including those in the playoffs. They’ve managed to Al Davis it - "Just win, baby."
There’s no bilingual, genius coach sitting at home waiting to take the reins from Therrien. He has three more seasons left on his deal. He’s going to be there.
So relax, Habs fans. Your team may not be the best, but you’re going to be competitive. Just let the Habs be who the Habs are.