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Game 47: Habs/Jets

Another huge game tonight that really doesn’t mean much. Its a bi-polar life for the Montreal Canadiens right now. I mentioned the other day, it pretty well doesn’t matter whether the Habs win or lose (though I think we all know which we prefer). Focus right now is about righting the ship, and being set to play the best possible hockey when the real games start in Game 1 of the playoffs. It is far more important that the Canadiens figure out a way to get back to playing responsible defensive hockey than gaining points. Today they have at the very least made a move towards this direction.

Jarred Tinordi was among the callups that have been added to the expanded roster once the AHL season ended for the Bulldogs. Tonight he will find himself in the lineup as Montreal attempts to find a way to beef up its defense corps. I think this is an excellent idea. I would also consider bringing Drewiske back into the lineup. Anything so we don’t need to see Raphael Diaz and Yannik Weber in the same defense corps. No offense to those guys, but when you consider the fact that they play in a lineup that also features Andre Markov, PK Subban, and Josh Gorges necessitates that Montreal find someone to play physically. They don’t need to fight every shift – but they have to be able to win a puck battle in the corner.

Anyway – I’m not going to get into the hyperbole of this being an important game. It is. But not for the standings or any win/loss record. Tonight is an important game to see if Montreal can play well. That’s all I’m looking for tonight. Its not asking too much.

Go Habs Go!!

~Mats
Game 46: Habs/Devils

The Montreal Canadiens find themselves in a rather weird position heading into game 46 of a strike-shortened season. Certainly in a regular 82 game schedule, Montreal would have ample time to figure out what has gone wrong over the past 5 games or so. The ebb and flow of a normal NHL season almost always includes hot and cold streaks but this season has been as much a sprint as there ever could be. And like an Olympic sprint, the Habs were quick out of the gates, and have started to come back to the pack as the finish line approaches. They are currently a lot like the sprinter who starts to tire at 80 meters – desperately trying to hold on to beat the pack. The metaphor stops there however.

No one could confuse the start of the NHL playoffs with a sprint. They are a war. When the second season starts you go to the battle with the army you have. In this regard, the short 2 day break that followed yet another lopsided loss couldn’t have come at a better time. With a couple days to regroup, this Montreal squad has had an opportunity to look in the mirror, to rest bumps and bruises, and most importantly – to practice together for the final three games of the season. In doing so, Montreal worked to regain the habits and cohesion that led them to incredible success in the first 40 games.

In this regard, one hopes that the Habs can view the next 3 games as a low-pressure tune-up rather than a high-stakes dog-fight. The team currently sits 4 points clear of Toronto for 4th spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal could finish 2nd, 4th or 5th. Ultimately, the difference between those is small. All of the matchups in the East are going to be tight. There really aren’t any push-overs in playoff contention this season. Sure, home-ice advantage could be an important issue, but essentially the most important key to the final three games is to be playing the best hockey once game one of the playoffs finally happens. Whether the team wins tonight, or not at all over the next 3 games, they are guaranteed to be in the playoffs. As long as they can sort out the defensive lapses, and goaltending issues that have arisen over the past five games, the rest are details.

So tonight is an opportunity for the Montreal Canadiens. It was not that long ago that we were all praising this team’s work-ethic, cohesion, and tenacity. Despite the injury to Alexei Emelin, the cast of players remains unchanged. All that is left is to regain that confident swagger that served this team so well for the majority of the regular season. Doing so will require attention to detail, commitment to the system, and calm in the face of adversity, and heck – a little puck luck wouldn’t hurt.

Go Habs Go!!

~Mats

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muller93 : MB is forced to go out and get a big D-man. Missing Emelin for almost half the season is the last thing we needed to hear. Now going out and getting a big D-man is a MUST!!!
muller93 : Now for the Fu**en Bruins who have no business even being in the second round are going to get a nice rest. Yes the same goons who took out one of best D-man for 6 more months. There is NO Fu**en justice. Just venting--Ok i feel better now.
muller93 : So pissed to see the Rangers lay down and play like total crap. How did the Rangers beat the Caps? This team is playing with no heart--a must win and can only muster 23 shots...PATHETIC !!!
muller93 : Senet I did see Galchenyuks goal--Made a great move for the game winner. You can see the kid has so much confidence.
goalie : If Rangers get swept I wonder if Tortorella will get his walking papers? Or Glen Sather? They have tons of 'talent' but zero wins in this series.
goalie : It's really too bad we lost to the Sens as we would have played the Rangers and the way NYR are playing we would have beat them too. If only. If only!
Senet1 : Actually I agree it was a good move for them to play a shorter season and get the experience. He could not have played in the minors this year he would have had to play junior or the NHL. However, he now has a year under him and knows what to expect next year and hopefully take a bigger responsibility on the team. Did you see those two goals in the bronze game? Wow.
muller93 : Good move by the Habs not having Galchenyuk play in the minors. Now Galchenyuk has 1 year in the NHL and playoff experience this is going to pay off big time come next year.
Senet1 : Galchenyuk scores to back to back goals in shoot out to help USA win Bronze metal. I did not see the second goal but the first was a beauty.
Senet1 : So we could pick anywhere from 25th to 23rd depending on who wins these quarter final series.
Senet1 : First, is the 14 teams in the lottery. Then there are 12 teams that did not make the semi finals in the order of the seasonal finish, Then there are the four teams in the semi final the first two eliminated pick in the order of the regular season points total and the last two based on who wins and who loses the cup. So as it stand now if say Detroit beats Chicago then Detroit moves up to pick after us. Boston or NYR will move up and pick after us. LA or San Jose will move up and pick after us
Senet1 : Basically, I was wrong about the draft pick situation. There are three groups of drafting teams within the 30 teams.
Senet1 : seriously ready to challenge for the cup. He will us win games but he will not be the difference between winning the cup and not winning the cup. You pick up players like that once you have the team ready to challenge,.
Senet1 : I am looking at the players to draft and there are a lot of big 6'3-6'5 forwards available ion the draft this year. If we could draft 3-4 big young players in the 2nd and 3rd round why would you want to give that up for a roster player who may have 2-3 years at best. If we are going to build a winner to have to build it with bigger players and there are a lot of good big players available this year. So you sign Ott and he is with us for the short run, but probably not when we are seriously re
Senet1 : Boullion is a great mentor for the young D-men
muller93 : Boullion is one of MBs great additions--Boull ion is a definite Keeper.
muller93 : Getting rid of Kaberle frees up a lot of cash. Boullion is small but is reliable and doesn't back down from anyone.
muller93 : Exactly Goalie any thoughts on a punishing D-man?
goalie : They;re showing determination adn skill vs Ducks and Blackhawks.
goalie : REd Wings could turn out to be the surprise team of this year's playoffs!
goalie : WE need to rid our team of Kaberle and Webber. Step two would be to then move Diaz. If we get that big d-man I believe that would push Boullion to # 7 on the chart. We'd then go with Georges, PK,Markov (to continue mentoring Ememlin) Tinordi as our starting six . THEN I'd be excited about our chances. We could then work on getting bigger forwards.
goalie : I too would gladly give up a 3rd round pick for Ott- the type of player we sadly lack. AND if we could get one more rugged, expeienced defenceman it would help immensely.
muller93 : Senet what you are saying makes sense but if we can get Ott for a 3rd round I'll take that all day.
muller93 : MB should be looking at a big D-man first, even though I like our blue line with the addition of Tinordi. We need that insurance just in case one gets injured. Also I'm a firm believer in starting with the goalie first then-defense-for wards-and we already have good goalie. We have all noticed when we have the lead Price is tough to beat.
Senet1 : So sometimes you have to sacrifice for one year or two to build that team in the draft. then add the finishing touches through FA and trades.
Senet1 : Muller, Detroit is another good example. They have been in the hunt every year with good well balanced teams yet only one or two cups to show for it. However, they have built a team that has a chance every years for the last 10+ years. That is what I think we have a chance to do this year with a good draft. It reminds me of the habs teams of the mid 80 and 90's we built a team then with sold draft picks and won the cup twice during that time period. So sometimes you have to sacrifice a one
muller93 : Very true Senet, you do need luck and we haven't had any luck it seems since the habs moved to the Bell Center. We had an incredible run in 2010 with some crazy goal tending from Halak. With Galchenyuk-Tinor di-Gallagher all in 1 year--not too bad, even with an early exit in the playoffs.
Senet1 : Muller I guess we all have our own ideas, but there has never been too many times that were successful when they traded their draft picks away. We have a chance to build this team so we have a shot at winning the cup over the next 10 years. Even as good as Pittsburgh has been they have only won the cup once since Crosby and Malkin have been with the team. That is because you not only need great players but you need luck to win, but one thing about Pittsburgh they have a chance every year. The
muller93 : Good point on Torres, he might be a liability. Torres has to tone it down a bit, but that's his game-very aggressive.
goalie : Though I don't condone what Raffi Torres did - thos shows you how repeat offenders or near offenders are going to be treated. His hit was NOT illegal BUT what the rap sheet adn reputation Torres has he got severly punished. Lesson to be learned by OTHER players because Torres dopesn't learn fromk his mistakes.
muller93 : Senet normally I would agree with you on not trading draft picks but we are not in a rebuilding stage. Sometimes draft picks can be a roll of the dice and it can take up to 3 years to be NHL ready. We have a good team and I agree with Stuo players like Clowe-Torres-Ott -Scott will make a big difference. Somebody has to protect Gallagher, he can't keep getting hit the way does--we need a tough forward so they think twice before going after Gallagher.
Senet1 : Really a heathly Habs team would probably win more games against the Pens that we did against the Sens. Reason they Pens would not play as physical against us as against the Sens. If we get good goaltending we win at least two games.
zpezada4ok : hello all «link»
stuo11 : hes a tougher big guy too! Just a minor adjustment but will help a bit
stuo11 : hes better than markov, and hes french who was in mention for defenceman of the year