He Shoots...No He Doesn't

     

    To shoot: transitive verb 

1. a (1): to eject or impel or cause to be ejected or impelled by a sudden release of tension

       (2): to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by an explosion (as of a powder charge in a firearm or of ignited fuel in a rocket)

       (3): to propel (something, such as a ball or puck) toward a goal by striking or pushing with part of the body or with an implement.

    -Merriam-Webster Dictionary

    That's just a quick reminder for the Montreal Canadiens' players who have not recently checked out the official definition of what it means to shoot the puck. This season, in 49 games, the Habs rank 24th in the league in shots taken. Teams that want to win hockey games need to shoot, and the Canadiens don't do it very often.

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    When Canadiens forwards cross the blueline, the puck carrier rarely shoots. For some reason they most often stop inside the line and look for a pass. Or they drop it back on the rush in order to set up a nice passing play on the zone entry. It's a problem reflected in the rest of their offence as well. These are young, dynamic, skilled players. They love to play pretty hockey. When that works, it's a thing of beauty. Some of the goals they've scored this year will make year-end highlights.    

    The problem is, they only seem to shoot when the set-up is perfect. Even the bottom-six forwards, with the exception of Josh Anderson and, sometimes, Jake Evans, look for the sweet play instead of the dirty one. And in the NHL, dirty beats sweet at least half the time.

   It's worse now than it was early in the season because when the pressure of holding their place in the tight standings and preserving that precious playoff spot is ramping up. They want to be on the positive side when the Olympic break comes around. Add to that the pressure of a crowded lineup in which players are competing internally for their spots and you've got a bunch of young guys who are playing with nerves. Unfortunately, they respond to that pressure by being careful and trying even harder to make the perfect play.

    Perfect plays that end up being imperfect get intercepted. They lead to odd-man rushes and they further inhibit shots on goal because the Canadiens so often lose possession. Then they end up chasing the play and backing up instead of advancing.

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    The Habs are getting tons of respect around the league for their ability to crank up the heat and come back in the third period. There's no real secret to it. They drive the net relentlessly and shoot like they're on a Scottish moor in grouse season.

    The frustrating part of that is it proves they can play to win. Once they forget the pressure, the fear, the need to be perfect, they shoot the puck and they score goals. Marty St.Louis and the coaching staff have to figure out how to convince their players they can do it more often than just when they're desperate.

    The Ottawa game is a perfect example. The Habs' first three goals came on only eight shots. Then, in the third, down by two, they got as desperate as a private in No-Man's Land and went to work. Even so, by the time they got to overtime, shots were 34-16 in favour of Ottawa. The Canadiens were redeemed in a game they chased just by getting a loser point. Actually getting the win was proof that when they fire away, they're successful.

    Shooting the puck more often can change a lot of what ails the Canadiens right now. Perhaps when the remainder of the season turns into one big third-period deficit, they'll check out that definition.