Get to Know a Canadien: Benoit Pouliot
by David Getz on Apr 13, 2010 5:00 PM EDT
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Print[Ed. note: As part of the build-up to the first round playoff series between the Capitals and the Canadiens, Japers' Rink will be looking at some of the important but lesser-known players on the Canadiens and how they might impact the series.]
Benoit Pouliot
#57 / Left Wing / Montreal Canadiens
6-3
199
Sep 29, 1986
Alfred, Ontario, Canada
First round, fifth overall, 2005 by the Wild
Via trade, November 23, 2009
| Strengths | Has a wiry body and plenty of shiftiness in the attacking zone. Can rack up points (with aplomb) when he's on his game. Is capable of playing both wing and center. |
| Weaknesses | Can take bad penalties, especially in the offensive zone, due to laziness. Needs to use his big frame more to his advantage and bring forth a more consistent effort. |
| Potential | Inconsistent scoring forward. |
Why you should know who he is - Pouliot was drafted fifth overall in 2005 for a reason: he's a very, very skilled player; much more skilled than his basic NHL statistics indicate. The problem is that Pouliot only seems to be able to channel his talent in to productivity in short bursts - look at his nine goals in 13 games in January after scoring just four in 19 games to that point, or his nine points in 14 games in March followed by his one point in five games in April, and you get the idea. Nonetheless, while it might be an exaggeration to say that a strong performance for Pouliot could give the series to the Habs, it's certainly true that he's going to make life a lot more difficult for the Capitals if he gets going.
How the Caps can stop him - If a guy can hurt you when he gets going, naturally the key is to prevent him from getting going in the first place. By denying Pouliot space and opportunities early in the series, the Caps can hopefully keep him mired in the slump he dealt with in the season's last half-dozen games. Making life generally difficult for Pouliot - forcing him in to board battles, hitting him as often as possible, and the like - should help too.
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He’s also fragile and gets injured a lot. He missed a bunch of games earlier this year for groin injuries, wrist injuries, and several upper-body injuries late in the season. I have to guess part of his slump is due to the fact that he’s still hurting, and I can imagine that getting hit a lot will definitely hamper his effectiveness.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
I sense a trend in the “how to stop [X]” section of this series.
I get the feeling you all see the Habs as a finesse-y sort of team, and that the Caps should hit them early and often, just to see how they react.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Sounds like you want to play Erskine.
:P
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 13, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
No no...
The Caps are already bigger than the Habs without Erskine. What the Caps need is for Poti, Carlson and Mr. Nasty to become… well, Nastier. It could happen…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 13, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Know who the Caps won’t have to stop?
Guillaume Latandresse, who scored 25 goals in 55 games after being traded to the Wild for Pouliot.
I get the feeling “with aplomb” is going to be added to the Rink Glossary soon?
I remember everyone being very high on Pouliot when he was drafted because of his size and skill, but he seems to have turned into a taller version of Flieschmann.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Apr 13, 2010 6:07 PM EDT reply actions
Didn’t mean to add a question mark after that first sentence.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Apr 13, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven’t seen enough of Pouliot to comment, but his description makes him sound like Flash.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Apr 13, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless BB had a man crush on him.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
by Rob Parker on Apr 13, 2010 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This makes him sound a bit like Semin:
Can take bad penalties, especially in the offensive zone, due to laziness.
But he’s not a 40 goal scorer, so it’s not like he can make up for this…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 13, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Our strategy vs. Pouliot should be forcing him to take offensive zone penalties #withaplomb.
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Apr 13, 2010 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
While Toronto went with truculence,
It’s becoming apparent that Montreal went with aplomb. Hopefully they can lose with aplomb also.
Obstreperously Avatarless
by Edanger6 on Apr 13, 2010 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dear Washington: Beat Montreal. Thanks
Love, Bruins Nation.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 13, 2010 7:21 PM EDT reply actions
Dear Boston,
Kindly to beat Buffalo, if you would please. I would dearly love to see a NJD / PIT second round.
Love, Caps Nation.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
ditto
A danger to myself and others on the ice
by can't skate on Apr 13, 2010 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Will do.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 14, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Dear Boston,
Please eliminate Ryan Miller. Then please leave Looch and Chara behind when you come to DC for Round 2.
Love,
Section 421.
PS. Don’t forget to send a thank you note to Evander Holyfield Kane
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 13, 2010 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
lol. Evander Kane is an honorary Bruin.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 14, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
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