Just about everyone in the world of hockey has written off the Habs going into this series, and while there is plenty of room for pessimism on Friday morning, there is also ample room for optimism.

-The team fought back in a game in which they gave up the first two goals instead of the mid-season-type-collapses we have grown accustomed to. They carried the play for much of the second period, as well as the third until Gorges cross-checking penalty.

-They were very physical. Habs outhit Boston 15-8 in the first period which set the tone early. Laraque got in the face of Chara and Lucic while he was on the first line, and Thornton while he was on the 4th.

-By putting Tanguay on the “4th” line with Metro (who had a fantastic game last night by the way), Gainey was able to generate a goal by Higgins. Side thought: At this point Metro has to rank up there with best waiver pickup in memory for the Habs. This guy is all heart and is such a boost to the penalty kill due to his speed and ability to win in the faceoff circle.

-The 1st line was dynamic, although somewhat cumbersome with Laraque on it. Koivu silences all his critics when the playoffs roll around. Anyone who questions him is NOT a fan of the Canadiens. He is one of my all time favorite Habs, and anyone who disagrees with me can look at his multiple hits on big Z lat night as evidence. He is fearless and exactly the type of guy you want wearing the C for the CH for as long as we can keep him. I cant not mention Kovalev’s goal. How many times have we seen this guy blast shots right into the peanut butter (located on the top shelf – go look for yourself). We need more from Kovalev tomorrow – especially on the PP.

-Komisarek and Hamrlik were both monsters in the game last night. Gone were the blundering passes, and back were the physical plays that made us successful for stretches of the season. They were pounded by the Bruins, and yet kept their cool and distributed the puck – and most importantly did nothing to harm our transition game.

Of course with the loss comes a healthy dose of CH brand pessimism.

-Laraque was good on the first line. He accomplished exactly what we needed him to do which wa negate the presence of Zedano Chara on our forwards. It was a lot of fun watching those two huge dudes crash and bang. That being said – BGL is no Tanguay. I can’t help but cringe when I think about seeing BGL come over the boards with Kovalev and Koivu with about 5 or 6 minutes to go in the third. I understand what Gainey was doing – it is solid strategy – but trailing by a goal with 6 minutes to go, you have to reunite a line that had 16 goals in 10 games prior. I think Gainey is 50 times the coach that Carbo was – but in this instance I think he blew it.

- The Habs had the chance to really do some damage to the Bruins psyche last night. If they win last night, all of a sudden the idea that the Habs will always win in the playoffs creeps back in. I still think if the Habs win game 2 they will be in good shape – but now the pressure is on us.

Last thing – Andrei Kostitsyn needs to go back and look at some tape of his games in the past against the Bruins. Where is that confident swagger? Last night we saw fleeting glimpses. Plex and Him need to remember how dangerous they can be when they pass the puck together. Whether D’Agostini or Sergei is lined up beside them, these guys have too much skill not to use each other.

Oh well, good showing in the first game. We need a split in Boston. If we can get that I really think this will be a long series. Maybe if we can sneak a couple wins we can get Markov back in shape. If not, I think the head games start and we won’t be around long.