Stanley Cup playoffs this spring | Canadien's 2008-09 Offensive Statistics after 75 Games Under Carbonneau Under Gainey
Sitemap
Main Page
During the press conference when the dismissal of Carbonneau was announced, Gainey made clear the intended result of the coaching change. ԗith 16 games left to play in the regular season, I felt this change was necessary in order to maximize our chance of being one of the teams to participate in the Stanley Cup playoffs this springԬ argued Gainey.

So in the end, after a roller coaster (and supposedly celebratory) season full of drama and disappointments, the final goal of the Canadiens is modest but clear: make the playoffs.

But has the coaching change been a success? More importantly, will the Canadiens make the playoffs?

Many might argue that nine games is an unfairly small sample by which to judge a coach, but the NHL schedule is unforgiving at this time of year. With only seven games remaining, short-term trends may well determine the CanadiensҠfate.

Gainey's Statistics The most important statistic, points earned by the Canadiens under their new coach, hasnӴ been impressive so far. The Canadiens have only earned seven of a possible 18 points in Gainey's first nine games. Worse, during those nine games the Canadiens squandered matches against the dregs of the Eastern Conference, losing to the Ottawa Senators, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the last place New York Islanders. Only the fact that the Pantherӳ have also struggled recently has saved Montreal from losing their grip on a playoff berth.

But games won and points earned donӴ tell the whole tale. A deeper look at the numbers, one that compares what the Canadiens have done under their two coaches, may grant some insight into what one can expect in the final seven games.
Canadien's 2008-09 Offensive Statistics after 75 Games
Under Carbonneau

Goals For/game: 2.89 
Shots/game: 30.12 
Power Play Goals/game: 0.80 
Power Play Opportunities/game: 4.53 
Power Play: 17.66%
Under Gainey

Goals For/game: 3.11 
Shots/game: 28.56 
Power Play Goals For/game: 0.89 
Power Play Opportunities/game: 4.67 
Power Play: 19.05%
The Canadiens are scoring more under Gainey, both at even strength and on the power play, but they are doing it with fewer shots. This is good news for Montreal fans.

Canadien's 2008-09 Defensive Statistics after 75 Games When Gainey took over the coaching duties, beyond establishing his goal of making the playoffs, he also laid out some new objectives for his team. Specifically, he stated, "I want our goalies protected better, I want us to play better defensivelyŠIt's not acceptable that we give up twice as many shots as we take.ԍ
Has the team achieved this?

Under Carbonneau

Goals Against/game: 2.91 
Shots Against/game: 31.05 
Times Short Handed/game: 4.62 
Power Play Goals Allowed/game: 0.80 
Penalty Kill: 17.32%
Under Gainey

Goals Against/game: 3.33 
Shots Against/game: 35.33 
Times Short Handed/game: 3.89 
Power Play Goals Allowed /game: 1.00 
Penalty Kill: 25.71%
The Canadiens have been allowing more goals per game under Gainey at even strength. However, they are taking fewer penalties, and when they do play short-handed, they have improved their penalty killing.

But despite Gaineyӳ hopes of allowing fewer shots, the Canadiens are allowing, on average, four more shots per game than they were under Carbonneau.

If the Canadiens are to win more games, they will have to allow fewer shots and ultimately fewer goals. Even if Gainey hasnӴ yet found a solution, at least he has correctly identified the problem. Canadiens to make the Playoffs? With the points race so close in the Eastern Conference, nothing is guaranteed, but the Canadiens will certainly have to fight hard to hold off the Panthers. And they will have to do better than they have done under Gainey so far.

Under Carbonneau, the Canadiens were averaging 0.575 points per game, but under Gainey that has fallen to only 0.389. The Canadiens will most likely need at least 92 points to make the playoffs. Failure to do that may cost Gainey his General Managerӳ job with the Canadiens, and it will certainly return the question of who will be the next coach of the Montreal Canadiens to the headlines in force.

But the Canadiens are far from eliminated yet, and if they do hang onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, something very interesting then happens. The Canadiens would most likely face the first-place Boston Bruins in an inverted rematch from last yearӳ first round of the playoffs. A year ago, the eighth place Bruins very nearly eliminated the heavily favoured first place Canadiens in a dramatic seven game series. Now thereӳ a script that, with just a few tweaks, might turn Gainey into a hero once again, and also rescue the CanadiensҠbeleaguered season.
How to Bet on Hockey Betting on hockey

How to Handicap an NHL Game

How to Deal With NHL Season Withdrawal

How to Watch Hockey



Bet Sports Poker Casino








Betting Poker Casino


Betting Poker Casino


Desing: Se 2008-2019 All Right Reserved