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Layoff

  • The Canadiens have only played 10 games thus far. The lowest amount of games played in the league.

    Can anyone understand why in less than a month, the Habs have had two very long spans of no activity?

    Does this hurt or help the team right now? Are the Habs going to be overwhelmed with games at some later point in the season?

    Is it tough to stay sharp or focused when you are not playing? The team comes from obscurity again tonight and will face the Blue Jackets and then the Maple Leafs 24 hours later.

    The Habs only regulation loss was to the Ducks after the first layoff, a game where they definitely started slow.

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17 Comments
  1. #1 PACTUM SERVA says:
    November 7, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Just picked up some beer and a couple of movie tickets for my wife and her friend awwwwwwwwwwww yes the world is right tonight. I think we may come out flat in the first period but then find our legs in the second, lets just hope we dont get down in the first.

  2. #2 groundworking says:
    November 7, 2008 at 11:21 pm

    It’s probably best that they lost one–they’d been pushing their luck lately. And I always think Halak looks like an AHLer. I cringe whenever the other team gets a shot. It showed tonight in the shoot-out.

    He might have been rusty too, though, b/c he looked pretty good at the very start of the year.

  3. #3 habfan in van says:
    November 8, 2008 at 2:13 am

    After tonight’s game, you gotta wonder what the schedule makers at NHL HQ were thinking. February’s sked is brutal – 14 games in 28 days, including 4 back to back games and a 6-game road trip out west.

    They didn’t look particularly sharp tonight. Let’s hope they don’t make a habit of coming back from long breaks looking like they’re still on break (e.g. Xmas & All-Star game).

  4. #4 PACTUM SERVA says:
    November 8, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    Even with our great start so far i still think this team has yet to click. We have played good but not to our potential. I cant wait to see the habs running on jet fuel.

  5. #5 Rocq says:
    November 8, 2008 at 1:39 pm

    Habs will have trouble with the refs tonight, not the Leafs.
    1 to 3 two man advantages for the Laffs.

  6. #6 Senet1 says:
    November 8, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    I would like to see Plex and the two Kost brothers on a line together. I think Kovalev as served this line well but it is time for him to be moved to a line with Koivu or Lang. This kid line could be a line of the present as well as the future for many years. They seem to have good chemistry and always seem to come up with a big goal when they are put together. Last night was no exception.

  7. #7 Senet1 says:
    November 8, 2008 at 2:00 pm

    Price is being touted as the Olympic goalie replacing Brodeur by 2010. He has the stage tonight against the leafs. Hope he plays well, based on how we did not finish plays off last night we may need him to be sharp.

  8. #8 Senet1 says:
    November 8, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    I would like to see these line combinations for a while to see if they click.
    Tanguay, Koivu, Kovalev
    A.Kost, Plex, Sergie
    Higgins, Lang, Latendresse
    Fourth line remains the same.

    I would also line to see a line with
    Lang, Kovalev and Higgins

  9. #9 Senet1 says:
    November 8, 2008 at 2:27 pm

    ON Halak, I would like to see him traded to the Western Conference sometime later in the season. He needs to start to show his abilities though or he will not be worth much as trade bait. He has had two bad outings recently and does not look like the goalie that we all felt he would be. I would not be surprised if he gets sent down to get some playing time, Mark Denis is playing well and could be brought up. Not sure how the waiver thing works with either of them though? Anyone know?

  10. #10 groundworking says:
    November 8, 2008 at 11:39 pm

    I enjoyed watching the Habs last year much more than I enjoy them this year. All talent, no heart. I hope it changes or this will be a long year, especially as the other teams get hungrier. I think it will change.

  11. #11 Senet1 says:
    November 9, 2008 at 12:30 am

    We need less offence and a lot more defence if we are going to deal with these in your face type teams. Hope Gainey goes out and gets a veteran defencemen (stay at Home). Where was Laraque tonight seemed like he was lost out there. Any Kovalev has really not shown up for two straight games. Is he hurt? Could not fault Price on the goals. Inexperienced defence is our problem.

  12. #12 starkey says:
    November 9, 2008 at 12:56 am

    Sorry, but you navel-gazers are missing the point. This just isn’t a very good team. Their spot in the standings is misleading. There’s little heart, little grit, no discipline. You won’t be watching this crew very deeply into the spring. Maybe next season, dudes.

  13. #13 BIG-D says:
    November 9, 2008 at 12:59 am

    Only Montreal could make Toronto look that good……

    Montreal has alot of work to do.

    There will be no Stanley Cup for Montreal in 2009. Not a remote chance at that………

  14. #14 groundworking says:
    November 9, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    I wouldn’t throw in the towel quite yet. The Habs enough skill, and enough good coaching and management, to turn things around. On the plus side, Koivu and Tanguay are looking good. Plekanec and Katstitsyn are struggling, which is adding to Kovalev’s troubles. Markov is also doing well, though Komisarek hasn’t been as strong as he was last year.

    Lang is a good addition, and Lapierre is working hard. But let’s face it, Montreal’s #1 line isn’t clicking, and I’m picking up hints of attitude issues with some of the youngtier players who are, for the first time, comfortable in the roster spot.

    And if the league is going to review Kostopolous for his hit when Van Ryn turned away from him at the last second, are they going to look at Grabovski for his blatant attempt to injure (spear) Price? That little **** need a good beating.

  15. #15 Ganz says:
    November 9, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    Sensible post groundworking (#14). Let’s not panic. For the disaster that was last night and the less than impressive play lately, there are more pluses than minuses.

    I’d also like to see Carbo shake things up a bit: Begin should take Lats place for a few games (then we’ll see some effort — from both!!); maybe risk sending Sergei K to Hamilton (I doubt he’d bolt back to Russia with bro here and a good sit-down with Bob about life). Maybe let Shawn Belle, Matt D’Agostini or Yannick Weber have a few games with the big team… just a thought. To me it’s just as logical as sending Price to Hamilton was last year.

    I agree with many: we’re vulnerable on defence with only Breeze-by and O’Byrne as the fall-back when Hammer gets hurt. Play Dandenault on defense. Hell, if he plays OK he’d improve his trade value (which has gotta be low with his salary and press-box time).

    We should be fair, the lackadaisical play may be due to the stupid schedule, but PICK IT UP BOYS… LET’S SEE SOME SUSTAINED (60 mins) EFFORT!!!

  16. #16 Senet1 says:
    November 10, 2008 at 8:15 pm

    To me we saw a team that took two teams for granted and did not prepare to play against these two teams. Lets face it we have trouble with teams that play in your face type of hocket and if we are not prepared then a team that works are like Toronto and Columbus are going to beat you many times. Hammer was sure missed on defence and as I have said a hundred times that is our weakest position on our team. I know that you all like Obryne and I do too but he played very badly against the leafs. We certainly could not fault Price on any of the goals in hind sight had Price played against Columbus we would have won that game and Halik just is not playing well right now. I may be because he is not getting enough playing time but hey that is what happens with a back up goalie. He probably should be in Hamilton and bring up Denis.

    I would do three things:
    I would move Kovy on a line with Lang.
    I would move Sergie on a line with his brother and Plex.
    Koivu and Tanguay seem to be playing well, but we need another player on that line who wants to play hockey. Not sure who I would play unless it would be Kovy and keep Lang’s line in tack.
    Bob we need an experience defenceman, stay at home but moves the puck well.

  17. #17 Senet1 says:
    November 10, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    One other Change, Price plays the next five games in a row. Let see what he is made of, this week will be like the playoffs, every other night.

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  • Senet1 : He may just bring all three of the kids up.
  • 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

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