Until about three weeks ago, I didn’t give a farthing for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
I found it offensive that foundational hockey nations like Czechia and Slovakia were left out, not to mention Denmark and Switzerland. I thought a mid-season tournament with zero tradition was about as appealing as frostbite.
Then something happened. Can’t quite put my finger on it but suddenly, the 4 Nations means something. USA vs. Canada? Bring it on — and take ‘em down.
Meanwhile, we are grateful for the break from an exhausting and emotional Canadiens season, fans and media as well as players and coaches. There will be 26 games to play when the Habs return Feb. 22 to face the Ottawa Senators and it will be a fascinating stretch for many reasons.
Among them:
What we want to see after the break: More nasty blasts from Juraj Slafkovsky, who can destroy a puck — not to mention a goalie or two. Shoot the %&*#^@#$ puck, dude!
Lots more of Lane Hutson, making ‘em miss.
More shots from Arber Xhekaj, who is mastering the art of the sneaky fast low shot from the point — unlike P.K. Subban and Sheldon Souray, both of whom just had to wind up and try to drive it through the glass.
More of Owen Beck, who appears ready to play centre at the NHL level.
More of Logan Mailloux, who couldn’t mess up a play worse than Jayden Struble did Sunday and brings significantly more offence. If you’re going to be paired with Lane Hutson, you have to be able to cover up when he gambles.
At least some of David Reinbacher, the forgotten man.
More Ivan Demidov highlights, because we’re always good for Ivan Demidov highlights.
Who we’re unlikely to see after the break: David Savard, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak and Jake Evans, although it wouldn’t be a shock to see Evans re-signed.
Nor are we likely to see Buffalo’s Dylan Cozens headed this way, thanks to Todd’s Inverse Rule of Trade Rumours: The more you hear a rumour, the less likely it is to happen.
What’s left after the break: The Canadiens are not mathematically finished. They could get back in it — but it would take another titanic effort, this time without key defenceman Kaiden Guhle.
And they would need Patrik Laine, the one who scorched the league during that historic run of power-play goals. Is he a shot god capable of being effective 5-on-5 or a tall Nordic Scott Gomez? Can he shake off a 10-game funk and go on another tear? Or is he a 20-foot player, good from the blue line to the half-wall and nowhere else?
We know what old-school guys think. Laine is soft. He’s useful on the power play and nowhere else. But we also know that the big sniper is dealing with some demons. He’s been open about his mental-health struggles. We’ve seen Jonathan Drouin, who struggled with some of the same things, flourish in Colorado. Is there a way to unlock Laine? Can Martin St. Louis, as 21st century as any coach in the league, find the key?
One way or another, Laine could be the story of the last 26 games of the season.
Lies, rumours &&&& vicious innuendo: Your humble columnist picked the right night to boycott the perpetually overhyped Super Bowl. I didn’t watch a single minute, I got to feel righteous — and I missed one of the most boring games ever played. …
Never have we hoped more strenuously for Sid Crosby’s good health. Partly because Canada needs Sid the Kid to win the 4 Nations, partly because Nick Suzuki needs the rest. Not that genius GM Kyle Dubas would reach out for him. …
How low can you go? Erasing the “End Racism” slogans from the field ahead of the Super Bowl was pretty much rock bottom. …
I don’t care about the game — Kendrick Lamar won the Super Bowl and Raptors wannabe Drake took a beating. …
Hotshot ex-Nike exec and Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison saved us all about three days of Super Bowl hype when his trade (Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis) dominated the sports waves during the early part of the week. Then his new acquisition took the court for the Mavs and Harrison got the full Anthony Davis experience in one half: 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, three blocks — and an injury that will keep him out of action for weeks. …
Craig Button gets a lot of heat but his work on the Canadiens’ California swing was exemplary. After the tidal wave that is Garry Galley’s commentary, it’s refreshing to hear an analyst who is incisive, informed, on point — and actually shuts up now and then.
Heroes: Jennifer Gardiner, Laura Stacey, Brianne Jenner, Emerance Maschmeyer, Florence Brunelle, Jake Evans, Josh Anderson, Joel Armia, David Savard, Marielle Thompson, Sarah Mitton, Kendrick Lamar &&&& last but not least, Brendan Gallagher.
Zeros: The cowardly NFL, the Super Bowl, Drake, Aaron Rodgers, Nico Harrison, Kyle Dubas, Jimmy Butler, Bud Selig Jr., Claude Brochu, David Samson &&&& last but not least, Jeffrey Loria.
Now and forever.