Canadiens' Vanek: I wasn't good enough

Thomas Vanek, via The Montreal Gazette, on being taken off his normal line in the second period of Game 1 against the Boston Bruins.

“When things aren’t going well, the coach has to make changes to try to get something started. Not the first time and it probably won’t be the last time,” Vanek said of the line shuffle.

“You take it as we (as a line) weren’t good enough, I wasn’t good enough. We’re happy with the win, but we know we have to be better as a team, and myself, as well.

“It’s a matter of not being good, it’s as simple as that. Sometimes you overthink the game and when you do, you don’t play as well. We need to realize that all three of us are good hockey players and we need to start making plays again.

“As a line, we didn’t produce much, really, I’m not going to argue that. We were second on pucks, we weren’t creating much, and (Therrien) was trying to get something kick-started, I’m sure.

“We need to sit down to talk as a team, as a line, about what we want to accomplish out there,” Vanek said. “A big part of why we’ve had success is because we played with the puck, not chasing the puck. Even faceoffs, Patch and I need to help out Davey a little bit and start with the puck instead of chasing it.

“We’re up a game, which we shouldn’t be. That’s good. Now we need to step up and help Carey.”

Source: Dave Stubbs, Montreal Gazette