Season 17: 1992-93
|
|
Season 17: 1992-93 |
|
|
The 92-93 regular season
did not go extremely well for Carbonneau. Dogged by injuries,
he finished with career lows (to date) in games, goals, assists
and points. There was speculation that he might be traded. No
one would have guessed what would happen in the post season. The Canadiens unexpectedly advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. And Guy’s inspired play, particularly against Wayne Gretzky, played a huge part in the Habs 1993 Stanley Cup championship. But let renowned hockey journalist Bob McKenzie tell you the tale… Carbo power led Montreal to Cup by Bob McKenzie The Hockey News, June 30, 1993 It was the morning of Feb. 17. Guy Carbonneau was at the Montreal Forum, mostly just watching. Watching the Boston Bruins in their game-day skate. Watching Boston assistant coach Tom McVie put Cam Neely through his rigorous rehabilitation. And maybe watching his own illustrious NHL career flash before his eyes? "Oh, no," he said quietly but firmly that cold and snowy Montreal day. "I will be back. I don’t know when, but I will be back." A lot of people had their doubts. But the Montreal Canadiens’ captain made good on that promise. So good, in fact, that the Canadiens rolled to their 24th Stanley Cup victory, this time over the Los Angeles Kings in five games. When it was all over, no one was talking about Carbonneau in the same terms as they were that February morning. In the aftermath of the Cup win, the tendonitis in his left knee [editor’s note: it kept him out of 15 games, his greatest game loss to injury ever] was never mentioned. No one dared suggest that the 33-year-old center was over the hill or that he wasn’t earning his $725,000 annual salary. The 1993 Conn Smythe Trophy went to netminder Patrick Roy, and rightfully so, but would the Canadiens have beaten the Kings if not for the renaissance of one of the game’s sharpest hockey minds? In a word, no. There are those who will suggest the 1993 final lacked drama. No chance. It was the day after Game 1 when the classy Carbonneau stood up, demanded more responsibility, got it and made the most of it. "I want to play more [against Wayne Gretzky]," he said. "I’m going to talk to [Montreal Coach] Jacques [Demers] about it. That is my life." Carbonneau is a three-time Selke Trophy winner as the NHL’s premier defensive forward. He has carved his niche in the league by what he can do without the puck. After Gretzky ruled in the Kings’ Game 1 victory with, for the most part, Kirk Muller up against him, the Montreal captain recognized something else had to be done. And he was just the guy to do it. Or at least try. "Guy Carbonneau really showed me something," said Demers, who wisely was all ears when his captain came to him with the plan for Game 2. "That is a very special kind of leadership. Not many players would take it upon themselves to do that. But Guy did and he played wonderfully." Carbonneau didn’t totally put Gretzky on ice, but there’s no question he and linemates Benoit Brunet and Ed Ronan effectively limited the Kings’ offensive catalyst. And Carbonneau didn’t do it by shadowing Gretzky all over the ice à la Esa Tikkanen or Kelly Buchberger. He played it straight up, old-fashioned line versus line defense and never hesitate to move up ice on his own to try to create some offense, too. Carbonneau had help. The Canadiens decided after Game 1 that Gretzky had to be hit and hit often if they were to take his mind off playmaking. The net result was Carbonneau’s line spent at least as much time in the Kings’ end as Gretzky’s unit did in the Montreal end. And with Carbonneau concentrating almost exclusively on Gretzky, the Canadiens’ No. 1 offensive line of Kirk Muller between Brian Bellows and John LeClair was freed up to do its own thing. The impact of the Carbonneau-Gretzky matchup was felt even more strongly because Kings’ coach Barry Melrose, inexplicably, did little to keep Gretzky away from Carbonneau in Games 3 and 4 in Los Angeles, when the Kings had the last change. That wasn’t the reason Montreal beat L.A., but it was one of many determining factors in the Canadiens’ Cup victory. "Guy is one of the smartest players in the league," Muller said. "When he comes up with an idea that he thinks is best for the team, you can be sure everyone is going to listen to it. He has got a great mind for the game." Beyond his defensive role, Carbonneau chipped in with two overtime winners in the playoffs, helping Montreal to its incredible 10-1 record in overtime play. The true value of the 11-year NHL veteran, however, is that he understands the concepts of leadership and responsibility and has the requisite skill and smarts to execute them. He fulfilled both disciplines beyond all expectations, at a time when many believed his gimpy knee and old age had finally got the better of him. But Carbonneau knew better and now he has the Stanley Cup to prove it. |
|
Resources:
"Carbo power led Montreal to Cup," Bob McKenzie, The
Hockey News, June 30, 1993
Les Canadiens, 1993, Stanley Cup Special Edition
|
 Retro Carbonneau Main Page |
