Monday, April 19, 2010

The Weight of the Franchise - Living in Between : Habs/Caps Preview and Open Thread

With every passing year, the Canadiens jersey signifies a more daunting experience.

Fans are adjusting to a squirming sensation; restless in the face of a new brand; a historically winning franchise that doesn't win as often as it used to is now a storied franchise with fewer stories to tell. If not fewer, than different.

Over what is now suddenly 17 years, a mounting collection of losses is turning the face of the franchise, slowly. Transforming the Canadiens brand into apologetic mediocrity. Wearing this jersey today may compels the player to reflect: "We know we should be better, but this is what we're capable of for now". The logo that used to make things easier just because it was there is now making life harder.

That slow transformation will produce nerves out of winning. As if winning were now so unlikely, so out of place, that you become focused on not losing your footing. The winning stance becomes so foreign that you don't know what to do with it once you're there and you're terrified to let it escape your grip. And that's when the errors come, when the grip loosens and the story turns. It's an unravelling and heart breaking experience.

It's happened often since the team's last title.

These are the notable falls from grace.

In 1996, Montreal took the first 2 games at Madison Square Garden, against the odds. They came home and lost Game 3, the inaugural playoff game at the Bell Centre, in front of the largest crowd the team had ever seen in the post-season. Playing well over their heads, that loss was enormous because it pierced their swagger. They simply couldn't recuperate the momentum. By the sixth and final game in Montreal, the Rangers had run them out of the building.

In 1998, after the Habs beat the Penguins in the first round (a series that saw Turner Stevenson basically expel Jaromir Jagr from play), the team faced the Sabres in the second round. The held leads often during the series, but were scored on consistently seconds after they had tallied. The 1997 team could not build on the momentum they constantly created for themselves and amazingly lost in 4 games. They simply choked in the 4 games, having outplayed the Sabres by a wide margin. Coach Ruff recalls that series as being too hard on his team and points to it as the reason the Sabres fell to the Caps in the next round.

In 2002, after having beaten a superior Boston team in the first round, the Habs held a 2-1 lead against Carolina heading into the fourth game. Winning 3-0 in the third with 10 minutes left, the team managed to fall into one of the strangest abysses you've ever seen. In an all too familiar storyline, the Canes scored 3 straight in the third and won the game early in overtime. The Canes won the next three, capping the 4-win comeback with an 8-2 rout of the Habs in Montreal. It was probably the most monumental breakdown the city had ever seen. This series more that any other created the swivel that shifted the franchise in a different light. It made fans realize that history could no longer rightfully repel these storylines.

In 2004, after beating the Bruins in an epic series, they were swept by the Lightning in the second round.

In 2006, history repeats itself, as the Habs lose the series to the Canes after winning the first 2 on the road. The first loss creates a pending sense of collapse. They don't win another game.

In 2007, the team misses the playoffs on the last night of the season after blowing a 2-goal lead against Toronto with seconds left to play in the second period.

In 2008, the conference leading Habs barely survive a first round series against Boston, but come out strong in Game 1 against the Flyers. A loss to Philadelphia once again spells the end of a playoff run and Montreal loses 4 in a row. In game 5 at home the team sees their 3-0 lead in the second period evaporate in less than 10 minutes.

To win in the playoffs, you have to be resilient enough to absorb the ups and downs in a series. You have to have that inner fortitude that allows you to roar back in the wake of defeat. In the past 17 years, only one team managed to win a see-saw battle that is almost compulsory in the road to a championship. That's the team that rallied from 1-3 against the Bruins to take the series from the Bruins on the road in Game 7. It's unfortunate that they never won another game.

What happened on Saturday night is proving that this team is still writing from these pages of anxiety and unease in the construct of adversity. A 4-1 lead with seconds left in the second frame. A chance to go up an impossible 2-0 against a giant. It was the type of disheartening collapse that rips the emotion right out of the unconditional fan. What does it do to the players?

It has become almost impossible to win here. It used to be impossible to lose, at least to lose for a long time. In the end, the normal balance usually came to the fore with the Cup popping up every now and then, even with second tier teams. Today, no more. The losses are denting the team and shaping a new mindset: "We're winning and it scares us to death to lose what we've got". It's called unusual winning. Teams geared to win this way do very well when trailing. They're familiar with those emotions, they're charged by the ease of that familiarity. They've been there often, because losing is almost where they belong, so they know what to do to climb out of it. But once they're there, push them ever so slightly and the cards will tumble. Quickly.

2009-2010: They're right here. The Caps pushed, the team collapsed. One game. If it happens again tonight, we've seen this scenario often enough to know how it all plays out. If Montreal wins, they can start to climb out of this, this whatever this has been for all these years, and make a new name for themselves. It's a new team, it's going to be together for a while. Let them start with something now to make create chemistry and character. They don't need to win the series, but they don't have to collapse again. There is something in between and it's precisely this franchise's inability to live in between that has hurt them for so long.

Let's do this. And let's cheer them on with everything we've got to help make things a little lighter, and make that enormous boulder feel smaller.

Game is at 7pm, it's at home. It's on TSN and RDS and every player that is supposed to be hot is.

Jaro is in. Theo is out. That's too bad. Metro is back. Sergei is also back, where he belongs.

Good luck to our boys. Stay positive in the comments.

174 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sabres won two games against the Capitals after sweeping the Habs.....der

moeman said...

The power of positive CHeering! Nicely done 4 & GG.

Young HF29 said...

sure, if you define "collapse" as "collapse initiated by incompetent refereeing and and a Bettman-induced conspiracy"

GO YOU FUCKING PANTS

Dave said...

yes, anon, i forgot about that. Good call.

mr. gillis said...

amen

Derek Donais said...

A very well-written and true account of what's been happening to our team over the last three decades. Unfortunately, with the expansion of the league, the greater opportunities for players have meant less success for Montreal. Being a French Canadian and playing in Montreal is not as appealing as it once was - except when they come here and play against the Habs in front of their families and friends. I don't think we'll ever get back what we've lost, but then again, how can other teams have evolved to become perennial powerhouses during this same sad progression to mediocrity for the CH? Either way, I'll continue to be a fan, even out here near Calgary. Hey Panger - wanna get together and watch the game?

Go Habs Go!

Mike said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mike said...

The "secret" to NHL success now requires two horrific finishes, provided you have draft picks.

Tonight is the fourth game this season the Habs have a complete roster. F Washington and their Eurofruits. The Ghosts take over, our guys romp...

(Nice, my WV is "no sid")

Unknown said...

This is why I keep coming back to this blog. Nicely done HF4 and GG.

I'm wanting to go out for food and beer, drowning out the sorrows of finals. I'm at McGill and I'm taking suggestions as to where I should go. Ideas?

Kate said...

Since 1996. *sobs* So,it was all Saku's fault? No!!! *wail*

Okay, I've pulled myself together. This is a brand new team, guys playing their first playoff game in Montreal as Habs. Squid is really stoked, he'll lead us to the promised land. Right??
Right.

It's all good. *takes sip of Mojito* Aaahh.

moeman said...

Moey, I'm havin' mo(e)jitos too!

lawyergirl77 said...

About to get changed into my jersey and finish up some research before heading over to the game.

I think I may puke. So. nervous.

GO YOU FUCKING HABS GO!! MAKE US PROUD!!!

Kate said...

moeman,

What are you eating tonight, something nice and spicey would go well. I'm just having left over prime rib sandwiches with some Dijon.

Kate said...

I just read on Boone's blog that Jean Beliveau will be back in his regular seat tonight. Excellent news.

moeman said...

Love Mr. Beliveau!

~~~

Moey, terriyaki noodles with BBQ'd cajun pork tenderloins.

Young HF29 said...

I'm having "nice and spicy" bloody caesars, does that count?

GoldenGirl11 said...

@4
Bob must've thought this out when making his trades. After the crumble on Saturday the room is loose and joking around. They understand that in the playoffs every game has to be fresh. Gill might have skated in mud all season but he's a different guy in the playoffs. The leaders are leading and I think they are on their way to a new kind of parity. YAY PARITY!!!!

(K)Now shut that (K)nuble down and (k)nock him on his big fat ass!!!!

moeman said...

Nice to see that 29 is having his vegetables.

Young HF29 said...

under an hour til puck drop. im not drunk enough yet goddammit

Kate said...

@29,

Do you throw in a bit of horseradish? Mmm...it gives it a nice little kick.

moeman said...

Mojitos are laced with Mount Gay Rum, from Barbados. I'm wondering if the Profs that gift me LCBO gift cards are onto something. Bonus, NO re-gifting!

Young HF29 said...

@Moey - damn right! the key to a great Caesar is in fact horseradish. and two kinds of hot sauce - classic Tabasco and Franks's

moeman said...

A great Ceasar also has a nice dash on Montreal Steak Spice.

Kmaxx said...

HF4 - What a wonderful piece of writing - someone needs to make sure the boys in the locker room have a read of it - it's fuckin' inspirational. I have been a Habs fan since 1971. My Dad took me to games at the Forum, we sat halfway up in the whites and I remember listening to Dutchie rousing the troops with his old fashioned megaphone. He woke the ghosts and they came down to help the team. I also remember being a little kid and crying when they lost a playoff series to the Rangers - my head couldn't get around them actually losing - it didn't make any sense - but as I got older, the team changed, the game changed and I came to accept that they lost more than they won - I still hate it but that's the new NHL - I blame Bettman - but that's another story - deep down I hope that there is something that will spur them on to win tonight. Maybe Jean Beliveau can motivate them. The ghosts left with Dutchie and the Forum so maybe having Beliveau at the game will make a difference? I hope so. If they take at least 30 shots I think we'll be ok. And someone give a Ovie a slap for me please!

Go Habs Go! Go Habs Go!

Young HF29 said...

@moe - WOW. i never heard that before and I just tried it. a whole new flavour profile, if a little gritty. delish, thx!

i actually met the man who invented Montreal steak spice - Moe Lester, of Lesters smoked meat fame. his name is not a joke

Kate said...

moeman,

When Mr. Moey and I travel, we tuck a small spice bottle of Montreal steak spice in the suitcase. Some of the villas and condos have BBQ's. Mr. Moey will accept no substitutes. It's not like forgetting your toothbrush, where you can easily replace it.

Baruch said...

all hail 4's wonderful screed! My father just arrived from Brussels and we were waxing poetic about the smell of the old forum toastés, how flat they were! That, and 4's text makes me think, maybe 100 years is enough. Bring back the Maroons!

WV: mints (kind of like cool pants) go mints! keep it cool, no shakin dwadderboddle. Go HMS Gill! Go Asshattrick gazongers!!! Go Giant Mexican Turtle Squid!! Go Dominator Pie of DarCHness Subway MoanMan laStone!!! Go you forks and spoons!!! DO YOU WANT FAME AND GLORY?

whew just trying to keep myself awake for the first period...1230 am now... GO HABS!!!

GoldenGirl11 said...

@Baruch
Stay awake. I'm going to need a shehechyanu from you later on tonight!

iRiRi said...

GREAT piece, HF4! I'm getting a little misty-eyed!

Make Mr. Beliveau proud, Habs.

Go Habs Go!!!

Baruch said...

@GG11 gonna make some tea with lemon... almost there...

WV: louslo - been feelin louslo since that last goal now I hope jaro's found his mojo - and vodkov get bad on some cap ass in the crease there!

moeman said...

Kick it! 


SuCH nice Jewish Boyz

Don't wake up late for sCHool 4 says you just gotta Go!

'WE' ask for José, "Please?" Boudreau still says, "No!
"
Habs missed Game 2 CHances and its home to work

Hab vets teaCH and preaCH class, OV you're some kind of jerk



You gotta fight, Habs tonight, its Game 3!

'

WE' caught OV smoking and 'WE' said, "Oy Vey!"

That hypocrite will get smoked with fucking Olés

Man, losing at home would be such a drag

With Le Gros Bill in the house, there's no time to lag

Busted Caps, in the ass, you're busted!



You gotta fight, Habs tonight, its Game 3!



Don't step into this blog if you're not wearing Pants!
Have a Ceasar with hot sauce and get ready to dance

Bell Centre decibel levels, "What's that noise!!!?"

Aw, Anon's just jealous it's the Bleu Blanc Rouge Boys!

You gotta fight, Habs tonight, its Game 3!


Go

You

Fucking

Habs !!!

~~~

WE

Wanna

Party!

Young HF29 said...

DROP THE FUCKING PUCK

iRiRi said...

*heart palpitations*

Public Domain said...

Allons-y!

Have fun.

GO HABS GO

wv: I prate for a win last night.

Young HF29 said...

TSN intro: "then the comeback Caps top players took over"

how about "then the refs and the league took over"

still. bitter.

Baruch said...

The 'game' is starting

moeman said...

RDS is muCH more positive, tsn will rag the Habs until the bitter end (their's). Fuckers.

Young HF29 said...

FUCK MOE IM PUMPED NOW. thx

*heart palpitations* also

moeman said...

Can you believe this game isn't nationally broadcast on cbc?

Also, STFU whilst the anthem plays.

moeman said...

Jean Beliveau!!!!!!

Young HF29 said...

singers of the US anthem trying to drown out the fucktards.

iRiRi said...

*heart strings, pluck!*

Habsfan10 said...

Go Pants. Go Ghosts. Go Wodka. GO YOU FUCKING HABS GO.

GoldenGirl11 said...

Kevin Pollock! I loved him in Miami Rhapsody!

iRiRi said...

Apparently, TSN had record ratings for Saturday's game. Maybe CBC doesn't care about ratings. That must be it.

Young HF29 said...

just the sound of Phlegmiller has my blood boiling

FINALLY a puck drop

Baruch said...

its the crap's hyperhomers on comcast for me...... Joszef Kaiser now that's how to hit the high notes!

WV ablinged. the comknast homers were ablinged by Kaiser Joszef's performance.

GO HABS GO!!!

Young HF29 said...

boo THE FUCK out of OV, please crowd

orangeman said...

RiRi: Well, maybe the taxpayers who fund the CBC and have to fund them further when they choose games that don't get those ratings should let them and the government know what they think about this.

Young HF29 said...

NICE CROSS CHECK TO THE HEAD

fix is still in

orangeman said...

I don't know if it's just the feed, but the crowd is defeaning. I get to see TSN this time. Yay?

orangeman said...

Holy shit TSN, the amount you keep going on about Backstrom is rivaled only by VS going on about Theo.

Young HF29 said...

oy Jaro easy there

Kate said...

Halak is making me nervous tonight.

Young HF29 said...

OH CMON

im not happy

orangeman said...

Oh, now we get the TSN guys talking, thinking they're on commercial.

Anyway, nice 'call' ref. Should I pretend to be shocked?

iRiRi said...

@orangeman - Wait! I'm funding the CBC?!? I kid.

I'd rather just bitch about it on the comments.

Of course, we get the first penalty.

iRiRi said...

Nice kill

orangeman said...

That's what I call a PK!

iRiRi said...

Crowd is awesome!

Young HF29 said...

deep breath

Orangeman said...

Any worries that the Caps got into the Habs' heads are alleviated.

moeman said...

Habs are playing some good hockey!

Orangeman said...

Is it just my feed, or do you guys get the TSN crew talking instead of commercials?

WV: failings.

Kate said...

This is edge of your seat great hockey.

Orangeman said...

'Cause apparently they are very proud of their audio (the crowd) and they will be doing some sort of feature on Theo soon.

iRiRi said...

Powerplay!!!

Young HF29 said...

meh

Orangeman said...

Chicken looks good. Both for lunch and in the game.

Theo coming up for TSN.

Orangeman said...

And apparently McSplooge is seated near a 'smokin' girl.

iRiRi said...

FUCK NOT JAGR

Young HF29 said...

another good kill. CMON PANTS

Orangeman said...

Just found out that my first class has been cancelled. Now I get to watch the second period! Huzah!

Now if my feed would just stop breaking up.

Young HF29 said...

even mcsplooge said that was a "tough no call"

FUCK YOU REFS

moeman said...

O-man, "And apparently McSplooge is seated near a 'smokin' girl."

Poor lg77, sitting so close to Pee Air.

~~~

WV = contrul, as in not easy to contrul my emotions, Go you fucking Habs!

GoldenGirl11 said...

@Orange
when the TSN guys don't think they're on the air and spill the story through your wonky feed you can be the guy to break bettgate.

Orangeman said...

The aquisition of USS Hal Gill seems to be a genius move right now, doesn't it?

Also, whatever happens a big FUCK YOU to everyone who said our boys couldn't keep up to the Caps.

GoldenGirl11 said...

Why do those rds idiots show the commercial where demers picks Washington in a psychic lottery moment. Bad fucking karma.

iRiRi said...

Apparently, Semin should have gotten a penalty for closing his hand on the puck and throwing it in... what else is new?

Orangeman said...

GG11: I'm on it. I feel like a spy using various means through the internet to get the 'real' story on TSN and the NHL.

Right now all I see is the intermission countdown and the noise of the crowd/announcer. Unless....unless that's a countdown to some sort of diabolical plot by Bettsn and the announcer is some sort of cyborg god instruction the minions of the masterplan!

No...wait...."Michael Buble"? WHAT KIND OF CODEWORD IS THAT?!!

kevincrumbs said...

Love the "Ovie sucks" chants tonight.

moeman said...

Bobby Mac finds yet another non-called penalty (Semin cuffed and threw the puck) that the fuckrefs missed.


WV = proused, as in my favourite Marcel proused quote is;
"If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less but to dream more, to dream all the time. "

futuremrsrickankiel said...

Can you guys please beat Washington?

This is the first and last time I will take a pro-Canadiens stance on anything. Cherish the moment. Pour yourself an 18th whiskey. Savor it.

Sigh.

Baruch said...

I am shaking, I know not why, with fury rage or mere exhaustion. late night adrenaline
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ
שֵהֵחְיָנוּ וְקִיְימָנוּ
וְהִגִעָנוּ noissimretni הַזֶה׃

Orangeman said...

Ooooooooh,

Apparently McSplooge has been pissy all day. He lost his shit on the crew in Philly this morning and the rental car people there, too. Now Gord is telling him to calm down. But he likes this song now, so it'll calm him.

moeman said...

Score you fucking Habs!

iRiRi said...

Powerplay!!!

Young HF29 said...

FUCK FUCK FUCK

iRiRi said...

FUCK.

Number31 said...

Sigh...Spaced pulled a Hamr...

Orangeman said...

That was terrible.

GoldenGirl11 said...

@Baruch
just writing the same. I think we just blessed their first goal. We need another approach. Get out your Shneerson pics!

Orangeman said...

Usually it's the other way around, but the Habs totally deserve to be up, not down, at this point.

iRiRi said...

:(

GoldenGirl11 said...

Why do I feel like it's game 7.

Fuck.

Number31 said...

Fizzle. Pop.

Young HF29 said...

im in hell. really

Orangeman said...

What...the...fuck....

They don't deserve this. Keep going you fucking Habs.

moeman said...

Lotsa hockey left.

Number31 said...

You know, Chocula can think what he wants... ONE supposed mistake and he benched Sergei last game, right after the Caps scored 3 on his line without him. Bravo, Count, you just killed another one of our young skilled players that Bob desperately tried to fix. (Guy Boucher never had a problem with him).

Orangeman said...

Well, the do generally play better when down than they do when they're up. Meanwhile Washington sits back when up.

Orangeman said...

Gord complaining that refs missed too many men on Habs.

iRiRi said...

What was Chocula screaming about?

Young HF29 said...

@RiRi - i dont know, but im happy you saw it too. thought i was dreaming

Young HF29 said...

now im really in hell

goalie change time?

Number31 said...

Oh no Fehr.

Price time.

moeman said...

TFS™

Orangeman said...

Ok, I'm the biggest Halak defender, but it's time for Price.

iRiRi said...

The Phat Whale is in! Please let this be the turning point. Please?

Orangeman said...

Nice round of cheers for Price.

Mat said...

Premature Ole Ole chants will always bite you in the ass in the end.

It's 3-0 nothing now and Halak has been replaced by the future of the franchise(?)(haha)

That's what you get for being idiots.

Orangeman said...

Well, if it makes anyone feel any better I had a dream last night that the Habs came back from a 4-0 hole to win the game. So, there's that.

Habsfan10 said...

Fuck me, who put sominex in the Habs 1st intermission cocoa?

This was what I was afraid the whole series was going to look like.

Number31 said...

I see Ovie is cherry picking again.

Young HF29 said...

let's hope orangeman's dream was right

Number31 said...

Way to forget about Ovechkin eh.

iRiRi said...

@orangeman - sadly, you're half-way there on your prediction

Orangeman said...

I wish my class wasn't cancelled.

Baruch said...

@GG I think I got it in before the period started, but what was there to do?

Bless while the blessing is good.

It all started with the Spatch ass check on Jaro....

Habsfan10 said...

I am really starting to dislike that gap-toothed prick.

Orangeman said...

Ok, if Habs score a late one in the 2nd then we're on our way!

iRiRi said...

*tears*

Number31 said...

They're playing worse than last year's playoffs. I swear They left all their skills in Washington, and all their energy in the first period.

Lee_D said...

Goodnight guys! It's been fun. Yet another playoff failure from what's turned into a joke of a franchise.

Kate said...

Crap. That's all.

Orangeman said...

I should say that I don't like football and have seen maybe 3 games (parts of) in my life on TV. Yet in 2006 I dreampt that the Steelers would win the Superbowl at the start of their playoffs. My friends who did know football laughed at me at the time.

moeman said...

Gotta win 4 games to win the series. Is there a rule that says you can't hit OV?

Kate said...

Breathe. There's another period left and one more game at the Bell Center.

Number31 said...

10 minute misconduct for Gomez?!

Gio in the box?!

This just gets better and better.....

Habsfan10 said...

Habs losing their cool ... Carey might be a busy fellow the rest of the night. When can I start the "who starts next game" controversy?

Orangeman said...

Gomez gets a misconduct? It's ok refs. The game is pretty much over. They don't need your help anymore.

iRiRi said...

Couldn't had said it better myself, 10.

Number31 said...

Habs look super rattled and done. AND ANOTHER misconduct.

iRiRi said...

And the fun just keeps multiplying...

Sure now they call goaltender interference.

Orangeman said...

This is ridiculous on so many levels.

iRiRi said...

Except to give the Caps' PP some practice, is the 3rd period really necessary?

Number31 said...

I guess this is his warmup for the next game. Which I will be at. Which I hope is not the major meltdown this one is...

Baruch said...

Well we played almost 6 great periods out of 8 so far...

WV. codonat. I think I need a codonat

inthereds said...

in no particular order, next game sit Spacek or Hamr, equally bad... insert OB and as a surprise call up PK... even if he doesn`t play (cap hit, question mark not working) try to change the thought process on the other bench... no debate in goal, ride the Phat whale til the lights go out... why, Chocula is useless so let him take the gas and keep TFS out of it... none of this will happen due to the ineptness or, "we`ve come this far, why change etc..." but fuck this is embarrassing!!!!!!!!!

Orangeman said...

Probably just my frustration, but I say run Varmolov (sp?) until he's a quivering mass of jello. Fuck it.

Now to get back to work. Have fun, kids.

Kate said...

I had dreams of Pricey saving the day. He has to start the next game. Meanwhile, back at the Bell Center, our Habs are imploding right before our eyes.

*sigh* Sometimes there's just not enough Mojitos.

habsss said...

OK the fuck did Gomez do? I missed his 10 minute misconduct entirely? Did he whack Ovechkin in the face with his stick? Or better yet, the ref?

lostinleafland said...

"The shit birds are shitting a shit storm of shit."

Jim Leahy

Bill 101 said...

what a disquieting turn of events

was not there a remarkable similarity between the 4 mins to Pleks and the first caps goal?

on the grassy knoll,

B

Number31 said...

I don't remember what the misconduct was but apparently it's open season on misconducts. I guess because someone complained about the last game, it's time to put the hammer hard on the Habs. Harder. Whatevs.

iRiRi said...

I'm glad Gomez is having a chuckle in the penalty box

moeman said...

!

Number31 said...

THANK GOD FOR JAGR!

iRiRi said...

Thomas WHO?!?

Suck it, refs.

GoldenGirl11 said...

Knuble in the peknalty box!!!

iRiRi said...

Knuble is their top penalty killer? Good!

iRiRi said...

Ha! Know what Squid thought of that offside? "No fucking way"

Marry me, Cammy!

Number31 said...

You know, rebounds are simple geometry. Someone needs to drill the positioning into their brains.......

Number31 said...

Price is still looking for that fighting major.

iRiRi said...

A goaltender interference call in OUR favour?!? Colour me shocked.

Number31 said...

OTHER NET, MOORE!

Ghost of the Forum said...

I refuse to acknowledge there was a Canadiens hockey game tonight, so I'll stay away from that in my comments.
Is anyone else absolutely petrified that Plecks will not resign for next year? I believe he will, but it definitely still makes me uneasy.
I also can't help but think we need a couple of bangers. Think Begin against the Bruins last year. Plus, a defenseman who makes opposing forwards think twice before putting their heads down.
Also, since there wasn't a game tonight to talk about, MAB doesn't come back next year does he? I assume they just go with PK in MAB's exact role.

Oh, and fuck Washington and all their 'fans' who became 'diehards' after Ovechkin was drafted. :)

iRiRi said...

Oh Lappy

Number31 said...

There's a reason why Price played Washington all season: he's bigger.

habsss said...

God I want to punch Joe Benianinini in the throat.

iRiRi said...

A Pyatt shortie would have been sweet

iRiRi said...

MOTHERFUCKER

Number31 said...

You know what, I HATE BERGERON! How the fuck do you do the same thing TWICE.

moeman said...

Regroup. See ya Wednesday Boys.

WV = sindumsi

Number31 said...

Wednesday: If I don't see Price, Sergei, and Rhino on the ice playing I'll jump down from section-410 and will punch Chocula square on the nose. I got the netting too so it's probably doable.

(I also might turn Bergeron into a pretzel).

This crap has gone on long enough.

matt - fear the collapse said...

A couple of mobile larger d-men would be nice. Spacek and Hamrlik look so brutally slow, not to mention Bergeron who was a ticking time bomb of ineptitude the minute he was named to the starting 6 D. Please Gauthier, watch this series and spend whatever cap money you can find on D...and I don't mean bringing in Chelios for his experience.

Dave said...

Spacek and Hamrlik are being exposed like a flasher's balls. This is the one team they cannot keep up with, so much so that it will cost the Habs the series.

Benoit Pouliot has lost anything remotely associated to hockey sense.

I agree. Time for OB. And MAB is just very bad. One real one-trick pony.

iRiRi said...

Agree about Hamr. He cannot keep up anymore and makes mistakes that a veteran D should not be making anymore.

MAB needs to go too. And not to the fourth line. Just go away. Absolutely brutal tonight.

mr. gillis said...

meh

Orangeman said...

Despite the outcome tonight, I still believe the Habs can take a couple more games. Three more? We'll see. And it's almost a given the Caps will not be getting too far. That's not sour grapes, just seems like half their "superstars" disappear in the playoffs.

Unknown said...

Just imagine how badly this would've turned out if Spatch and Hamr had gone to the Olympics.

At least Goat has some pretty clear objectives for the off-season: find some big, aggressive forwards who will go to the net Knuble-style, and a defenseman who can actually catch someone, hit them, and actually knock them down.

b said...

Terrible play by defenseman, the result I think of coaching. Too much body on the ice sliding stuff. Going down to block shots, going down to block passes when they should be taking out the guy to whom the pass will be sent. Let the goalie take the shooter who not in the slot. Not hitting, ever. This stuff didn't happen suddenly tonight. It's been happening all year. Without a coach specifically focused on defensemen, the defensemen were better last year. When this season is done let's sit down and compare Carbo's stats of JM's stats.

Unknown said...

Speaking of coaching, why the FUCK would Martin pair up Hamrlik and Bergeron? I'm pretty sure I saw them out there together several times (and Markov-Spacek, which is fine by me), and it couldn't have been post-penalty confusion because none of our D took penalties tonight. Good job, coach - put our two worst D together. That'll work against the best offense in the NHL.

whats wrong with halak said...

and it is happening again this year.
i swear i'm gonna break something.
yes Habs are a 8th place team, but fuck that