Todd: Canadiens can't keep ditching second-period class

Perhaps the Canadiens ought to persuade the league to allow them to skip the second interval of dwelling video games and simply play two 30-minute halves, interrupted by a single 30-minute intermission?

If it’s a must to skip a interval, you’d somewhat see a staff begin properly and finish properly, however these second-period gap-outs are a thriller.

In opposition to St. Louis Sunday night time

, it price them. Half the followers have been most likely caught at concessions when Dylan Holloway scored 26 seconds into the second interval to tie it 2-2 — then 39 seconds later, Pavel Buchnevich was left on their lonesome in entrance of Jakub Dobes and that was the ball recreation. The Canadiens would mount their common stirring third-period comeback, however this time it wasn’t fairly sufficient.

Dobes should have felt there was a entice door in entrance of the web, the way in which the Blues stored popping up in entrance of him. Critics have been giving Dobes the gears afterward, however critically — once you depart NHL gamers large open in entrance, what do you anticipate? A chocolate-mint latte with additional whipped cream?

It could have been candy had the Canadiens performed one other crisp, clear recreation just like the one they performed in Toronto Saturday night time (apart from that painful short-handed objective) however it wasn’t to be. Subtract the boo-boos and the truth that Jordan Binnington performed like he really needs to be on the Canadian Olympic staff, and you’ve got a fairly systematic Habs win.

It wasn’t to be. Within the course of, the Canadiens blew an opportunity to take over first place within the Atlantic Division with the Lightning, Penguins, Rangers and Oilers on faucet this week. And so we repeat the mantra: younger staff, younger staff, younger staff.

However even for younger groups, the day comes after they should develop up.

Tough weekend for Toronto:

The Maple Leafs are a puzzlement. After a few video games when it appeared like they have been turning into the large, dangerous regular-season staff they’ve been for the previous decade, Saturday night time they appeared like a staff that missed its wake-up name, slept in and couldn’t fairly determine why all these followers sporting blue-and-white jerseys have been yelling at them.

In the event that they hold this up, that good Craig Berube goes to go the way in which of Sheldon Keefe, Mike Babcock, Randy Carlyle, Ron Wilson, Paul Maurice — you recognize the story. The Canadiens play properly some nights and badly different nights, however you by no means see them act like they should purchase a give-a-damn.

In the meantime, the Toronto Sceptres (not our favorite among the many somewhat weird assortment of monikers handed to PWHL groups by administration) weren’t responsible of doing the Leafs sleepwalk at Place Bell Sunday, however they left city on the brief finish of a 3-1 rating anyway.

That’s as a result of the

Montreal Victoire appeared sharp

. Kati Tabin has added some actual aptitude to a lineup that already included Laura Stacey and Marie-Philip Poulin, the best participant within the historical past of the ladies’s recreation.

The Victoire trails the Boston Fleet on the high of the standings, however they’ve a recreation in hand and Poulin. What extra does a staff want?

At what level did you notice you blew that draft decide, Trevor?

Somebody reminded us of the immortal Sergei Kostitsyn this weekend. Each time I hear the title, I’m reminded of the youthful Kostitsyn brother’s most unforgettable second, which got here within the dwelling opener of his rookie season.

Kostitsyn wasn’t even dressed for the sport, however he did present up for the pre-game ceremonies, after which (our sources say) he left the constructing and went to look at the sport in a bar.

Lies, rumours &&&& vicious innuendo:

Lando Norris had higher get pleasure from his F1 championship as a result of Max Verstappen goes to take it again subsequent 12 months. The person is a good driver, no query. Pity he has the persona of a cylinder head. …

Talking of nice drivers, we’ll by no means determine why Lewis Hamilton wished to go to Ferrari within the first place — or why Ferrari wished him. Now he can’t even get out of Q1. …

Remark of the week: “Each time Harrison Butker misses a discipline objective, a girl will get her PhD.” …

The NFL can produce extra stultifying, mind-numbing “leisure” than every other league on the planet. However at times the NFL in some way produces a terrific one. Most seasons, it options Josh Allen and the Payments. Allen, Joe Burrow, the Payments

and

a snow recreation? Off the charts. …

There is just one type of accountable playing. It’s referred to as “don’t gamble.” …

It could seem the Habs have discovered a superb one in Alexandre Texier, who can be enshrined within the shootout spotlight reels eternally. We nonetheless need to dispose of the shootout, however that one was definitely worth the worth of admission.

Heroes:

Andrei Markov, Cole Caufield, Alexandre Texier, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Kati Tabin, Hayley Scamurra, Laura Stacey, Summer season McIntosh, Valérie Grenier, Lando Norris, Josh Allen &&&& final however not least, Jakub Dobes.

Zeros:

Carter Hart, the Vegas Knights, Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Harrison Butker, Gianni Infantino, FIFA, Wayne Gretzky, Bud Selig Jr., Claude Brochu, David Samson &&&& final however not least, Jeffrey Loria.

Now and eternally.

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