Carbonneau: "You can be much better"

"It was good start, but because of the last 10 games, we can not say we are satisfied." This is how head coach Guy Carbonneau called the first quarter of the season 2008-2009. A first quarter that raises more questions than it provides answers. Booted from hats wheel with eight victories and one loss in regulation time after 10 matches, quarter this season ended with three gains only in the last 10 meetings. Result: with 26 points in the Canadian was closer yesterday morning, the eighth and last place giving access to the series (there Carolina, with 24 points) in the Eastern Conference as the first place occupied by the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers, who totaled 32 points each. "Nobody is happy with the final set, but I would rather there have been a series of such early in the season that in the playoff race," said Guillaume Latendresse philosophized, author of two goals and eight points during the first quarter of the season. In the race Latendresse was also a source of comfort by comparing the beginning of this year's last season. After 20 games, the Canadian is substantially the same level as this time last year. And it did not prevent him from climbing to the forefront of his association. Only difference, but it is size, productivity, or rather unproductive in attack. After 20 games last season, Canadian pride of place in the top of the NHL. He had scored 28 goals in 96 opportunities, for a performance of 29.2%. This year, the Canadian languishing in 23rd place with 15 goals scored in 100 opportunities (15%). "It's one thing to say that opportunities to score are there, but quite another to take advantage. Defensively, we played well but in attack, lack of confidence. And it is reflected in the digital benefits. Last year it was a goal every four or five occasions. This year marks on all nine occasions. We must improve, find synchroneity in our attack, "said Carbonneau. But the head coach was far from despair. "I do not think no one save with the championship in the East again this year. It will be tight until the end, hence the importance of staying in the race. " Christopher Higgins also found solace in the fact that the club is still at the height of the struggle. "We are in the middle of the front runners, even if we played hockey ordinary since the beginning of the year. Being here gives us flexibility that we will enjoy, I hope. " Tanguay wants to do more First marker of the Habs with eight goals and 17 points, Alex Tanguay outlined a pouting dissatisfaction when asked to described his first quarter-season with the Canadiens. "Collectively, I think there is too much talent in this team to be satisfied with the results of the first 20 games. It can be much better. Beginning with the attack to five, "said Tanguay. "Personally, I'm regular. The points are there, but I know I can be more consistent. I had some good matches, but other less pretty good. I should be more regular. After 20 games, adaptation is made and it is time to find our cruising speed, "said the attacker Quebecois. While the first quarter of Tanguay season was marked by ups and downs, it was especially marked down to the first trio of last year, he piloted by Tomas Plekanec and supplemented by Alex Kovalev and Andrei Kostitsyn. Despite his 15 points, Kovalev seems to have slowed down and seems to slow down his fellow Thursday Despite the fact that sells the final year of his contract, his game looks more than two years ago at an electrifying performance of last year. But Kovalev like all his teammates, there is still much time and many games to correct the fire and revive the team.