Roy doesn't want his team to get distracted, but with all the lights and cameras, keeping himself focused will be the challenge.
Roy doesn't want his team to get distracted, but with all the lights and cameras, keeping himself focused will be the challenge.
The way Patrick Roy is being hailed as a hero of heroes in Montreal, you'd think that tonight's New York Islanders game at Bell Centre will mark Roy's coronation as ruler of all Quebec province if not a few slices of neighboring Ontario.
Which is all very nice if you like pomp and circumstance, not to mention several tons of ego-boosting, which Monsieur Roy does not need; thank you.
"What I need tonight," says Le Roi Roy, "is a win."
But we knew that already. The fresh Islanders coach has a 1-1 record after two games in the monstrously close Metropolitan Division.
This is no time for comedy nor gala welcoming home parties, but Patrick knows that it's unavoidable. The bigger question is whether it will be helpful because the last thing the Islanders coach needs is distractions for a team still learning Patrick Roy 101.
Getting better defense out of Adam Pelech has been a priority since he returned from injury. The club needs improved goalteding from Ilya Sorokin and a boost in two-way play from three key forwards.
The plus-minus figures as follows will not cause Skipper Roy much joy.
To wit: Kyle Palmieri, minus 14; Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, both minus 11.
Granted that the Habs are under the .500 mark but with marksmen like Cole Caufield and Sean Monahan, they are not to be taken lightly. (But you knew that already, as well.)
The Canadiens goalkeeper Sam Montembeault may not be in the Patrick Roy class but he sure has at least times more letters in his last name.
In French or English, it's a musical name, but it doesn't spell Vezina!