Game 81: Habs/Bruins
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One point clinches a birth in the playoffs.
It won’t be easy against the Bruins who have been owned by the Canadiens in recent years and have to be salivating at the chance at revenge. The Bruins are in a position to inflict some damage to a depleted Habs team. Help force them out of the playoffs and/or send a message should the Habs take 8th, and the Habs and Bruins dance in another playoff match up next week.
Mathieu Schneider may return to the lineup and powerplay to hopefully help secure that point.
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The Canadiens are in Philly tonight and with a win they can nail down 5 out of a possible 6 road points to start the season.
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- 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
- goalie : Markov for Beauchemin - an injury prone d-man for an ;old timer'd-man. Beauchemin is NOT what the Habs need in my opinion. He is a HUGE defensive liability.
- goalie : Stuo 11 I'd make that trade with Oilers fast BUT I doubt the Oilers will make that. Two marginal d-men at the best for a switch of first round picks - not a chance .
- stuo11 : markov for beachemin?
- stuo11 : let moen go
- stuo11 : maybe try and get steve begin back
- stuo11 : we wouldve kicked out all other teams but pens, sens,
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April 10, 2009 at 8:56 am
Why does it seem like all other 7th, 8th, and 9th place teams can pull out the win when they need it? Play that much harder to get the 2 points. I’m not sh*ttin on the boys this time, I’m just saying thats it’s so disheartening as a fan to watch all these other teams playing solid hockey…getting wins against bigger teams, and we get 1 point in our last 3 when wins are critical, no only for points, but for confidence.
We got bullied again last night because we are still one of the only teams who apparently doesn’t need toughness. Chara, Lucic, and Thornton had their way with us again and knew they could. Toughest guy in the league and he’s in the press box…and ya know something…the getting bullied didn’t even pay off…even with all the PP’s we got for not being able to battle the Bruins…WE STILL LOST !!!
April 10, 2009 at 9:06 am
Hit submit comment by mistake….anyways…..as I was saying. I was sitting there boiling last night. The big topic from last season was no toughness…opposing players taking liberties with our guys. We want our guys to feel secure so we resolve the problem….we sign the biggest heavyweight in the league at 1.5 a year to be our policeman. Problem solved right? Amazingly no…we resolve the issue and then sit him in the press box half the year and it seems always in games like this. Still trying to figure it out….throw all the reason you want to at me if any of you disagree, but, Laraque should have been in the lineup last night. Not having a guy in the lineup who is gonna take penalties is one thing…but letting your team get beat up, thumpped around and bullied can do great things for their confidence either.
It was a bad call on Gainey’s behalf. Every other team has one guy who handles problems in the lineup. Are we so unique that we don;t need it…are we doing everything so right that we don;t need to take this path….we’re barely in 8th…think about that before you answer.
Once again, bad call Bob…you still have my respect, and with all the good calls you make…sorry…very bad call last night with Laraque.
April 10, 2009 at 11:55 am
Gainey’s decision to keep Laraque out of the lineup last night will be analysed, overanalysed, justified, criticised, defended, and laughed at, but quite simply there was no method to Gainey’s madness here. Yes, Boston/Philadelphia is precisely why he went out and got him, and yes, he most certainly should have been playing last night. Find logic in this: Laraque had been in the lineup in each of the past several games before being removed from it for a game against not only our biggest rival, not only a notoriously physical team, but one of the primary reasons that we went out and got Laraque in the first place!
April 10, 2009 at 1:27 pm
“From my perspective, it was one of the longest games ever and it didn’t even seem like there was much action in my end,” — Tim Thomas
Oddly enough, your team was outshot 39-33, Tim.
April 10, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Well here is a thought, just maybe Gainey was preparing for the playoffs and that is why Stewart and Larague did not play tonight. And in hindsight just think, if Larague were in the game tonight would Kovalev and Kostysn have come to Komesareks or Jorges aid. This team came together last night like no other game all year. And besides, if George played there were only two possible players that would have sat. D’Agostini or Weber. D’Agostinin got two goals and Weber was brought up to see how he would work on the powerplay. So did Gainey make the right move, who knows for sure, but as a fan I would suggest that he may know a little bit more about hockey than I do and what/how he wants to prepare his team for the playoffs.
April 10, 2009 at 4:25 pm
We won more than a point!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 10, 2009 at 4:39 pm
WE saw a great game last night, and we say a team that did not give up. We saw Dandy playing a position that he has not played much all year and did a commendable job, yet he made a serious mistake. Maybe had he played defence more this year that mistake would not have been made, but the team is adjusting to playing without Markov and that adjustment is going to take time. I thought overall Dandy played a pretty good game, only wished he had not made that mistake, but I bet he won’t make it again in the playoffs. I thought Price played a decent game, could only be faulted on the one goal. This team for the first time all year showed character and they came together as teammates and yes Boston did have the upper hand on the rough stuff, but the important thing is we did not back down, with the exception of Obyrne? Now I wonder what Boston is thinking, we played them even steven took their best shots in their building without Laraque or Stewart, don’t you think they have a question mark in their minds now and are wondering just what this team will be like with those two guys in the lineup? Think about it. Did Gainey really make that big of a mistake, just maybe he planned it?
April 10, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I am glad I wrote my recent comments regarding Laraque before I read this because it give credence to what I was thinking. Here is what Gainey says.
While others had offered up their prediction that Georges Laraque would be there to tame the bears at TD Banknorth Garden, the Habs’ head coach surprised many by not calling on his heavyweight. And don’t expect the mystery to be solved any time soon.
“If I tell you, everyone will know because you’ll publish it,” said Gainey. “I prefer keep a couple of cards in my hand.”
April 10, 2009 at 5:36 pm
The two cards he is talking about could they be Laraque and Stewart?
April 10, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I think Gainey played a hunch in that Boston has been winning games 2-1 in the last month and thus he should have his best offensive team out there. Yes it would have been great to have Laraque in last night, although I think Stewart may have been a little more effective. Weber had to play last night, so that really only leaves D’Agostini out (2 goals!). The hope is that Montreal beats Boston by playing Canadiens hockey. We saw that Boston can get caught trying to pound. If we use speed and determination we can beat that team. I would like to see Laraque-Thornton just to keep that goon honest..
April 10, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Matts that is a good analogy of the situation, I just do not think that Gainey wanted to expose Laraque at this time just before the playoffs. I think in hind sight he made the correct coaching move. You can second guess the coach all the time but the fact of the matter is that we could have won this game with the lineup that Gainey put on the ice and without that lineup I doubt we would have even been in the game? Had we already made the playoffs, then maybe it would have been a different decision but because of a little bad luck and a couple of young players making a mistake we lost. I am wondering what the nay sayers would really say had we won?
April 10, 2009 at 6:33 pm
There is another positive and that was d’Agostini, came out of his scoring slump. Two goals if he stays consistent and scores some goals he may be want we have been looking for, I still think it is only a matter of time before AK 46 scores, he seems to be working hard and even throwing his weight around, so maybe saturday night is his time. I would like to see us win because I think that Philly will beat NY putting us in 7th.
April 11, 2009 at 8:34 am
Well guys….I hope you are right and there was a method to Gainey’s madness. But as diehard Habs fans you all must know what I’m talking about…..watching your team get bullied and beat up while our tough guy sits in the press box….it’s just so frustrating, and kinda makes you slump back in your chair. When your team is in this situation, it takes away from the enjoyment of the game for you, it’s somehwta embarassing, and you are spitting for revenge when you know there is none coming…wow, what a way I was in the other night. I just hope you guys know where I am coming from.
I was hoping to avoid the B’s in the playoffs first round….now, I want the fawkers. GO HABS GO !!!
April 11, 2009 at 7:01 pm
If it’s true that Gainey sat Laraque to save him for the playoffs, then that was one hell of a risky move because prior to the overtime loss, Montreal had not yet secured a playoff spot, and had they failed to earn that point, would be playing for their playoff lives tonight against one of the hottest teams in the league, which still has its eyes on fourth place and home ice advantage.
Risky indeed.
April 11, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I don’t think either Matts or I suggested that Gainey sat laraque to save him for the playoff. They sat him because if we need goals he is not going to get them. And know one has answered this question yet, who were you going to sit? We had Boston so shook up that they started taking penalties and allowed our PP to score. And as for being embrassed by being bullied I did not see us as getting bullied I saw a team that tried to bully us and found out that we will stand up to their tough stuff. The team played as a team for one of the few times this year when they had to. Had they played that way all season we would have been closer to the top.