Proud of the boys, excellent play and great job frustrating the Bruins.

Observation 1: 27 blocked shots...twenty seven?! There were only 22 in the Det-Pho game, 32 Buf-Phi games today...Holy Hell! They were amazing tonight, the "drive the net" mantra is ok...if the shots get through.

Observation 2: The b's wanted to skate tonight in the first...oops. But when the game grinded out, the Habs out-worked the b's in the corner, along the boards, and in the neutral zone...let alone the offensive zone. WOW! Undersized...it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the dog in the fight. Chincy, yes but true none-the-less.

Observation 3: Chara didn't matter. We had exceptional pressure on him last game, turnovers and rushed (poor) play, leading to great chances. Tonight, taking advantage of Boychuck is gonna happen by any good teams...period.

Observation 3: The b's and Horton in particular are coming unraveled. It's like last year against the pfliers. Habs need to keep out working and frustrating them.

Observation 3: Pyatt is GREAT for Eller, similar to how AK was for Eller's offense. Eller was playing great along the boards...following Tom's lead...leading to a goal from his hard work. Great learning by Eller, it is so hard to forget how Eller is a rookie with all the expectations...he looks like a player that will like the playoffs.

Observation infinity (damn I am long-winded): White...my cousin, is a playoff type of guy. He is asked to do something and all he does is do it. The Wings continue to find hardworking players that fill a role...White is our role player. He is a McCarty type of player. What he wants is to win...he has learned well form the leaders on the team.

Long story short, not a ton to complain about...unless you're a b.

What we learned today is my post from 20 some games ago was correct. The Habs are in a great position because of one thing...we play hockey. From the run at PK ending in a guy TOTALLY saved by his shield (left eye not withstanding, as White nearly punched a hole through it...by the way Boychuck, Ryan White ain't a 30 something d-man with fewer than 3 fighting penalties in his career...you coulda guessed that once you looked at your face) to Chara who is a dirty player, sorry that he is a good defenseman but he totally uses every pound of his weight on players in odd positions, it's amazing he hasn't hurt players previously. To Lucic being "tough" as usual, trying to fight a non fighter with 3 min to go in a 4-1 game...maybe Lucic was afraid of White since he doesn't wear a shield cuz my namesake was out there with you tough guy, pretty sure he's your huckleberry....was Lucic wearing a shield when he turtled his way out of fighting BGL?

Seriously, toughness is a part of hockey, it's a shame that uneducated fans think that tough is fighting. Tough is a guy getting stiches and not missing a shift, toughness is laying down in front of a 100mph frozen puck to block a shot, toughness is playing without an ACL like Yzerman did in the playoffs or Georges did for years (mind you an injury that ends a season let alone a career in many cases in other sports).

The best part about hearing the Bruins feed via CentreIce is the commentators thought that the B's had a good first period...WHAT??? 0-2? They really have no idea how to win a game. I can't believe that, seriously, no player or coach has no idea how to beat the Habs. I love that the loudmouth (you wanna talk disrespectful rookies!) Marchand could have turned the game around in the third...and nothing. The Habs were ripe for the taking, but the midget was eaten alive by Price.

Really in the last game the Habs didn't play their style, this game they did and the result was the same as the vast majority of the last 10 games against the B's...the team that played hockey, won.

Get well soon Patches, hockey ain't the most important thing in life (although it seems it sometimes). Worst hit I've seen since Travis Roy at BU. Glad it didn't have the obvious ramifications for Travis, I hope the longstanding (AKA. Crosby effect) impact is mild. Good luck with your rehab boy-o, there are a lot of Tricolours rooting for you!

Hopefully last night's game between Boston and Detroit brought us back to reality. While Boston can revel in the penalty fest a few nights ago and uninformed fans think that Boston is set up for a playoff run to the cup and will thrash the Habs along the way...that ain't exactly reality. To act like the entire Habs lineup needs to be changed due to 1 loss is also lunacy.

Detroit, a fast puck possession team that is responsible defensively (who does that remind you of?) dismantled those same big bad bruins. Furthermore, if the season series was a playoff series, we'd be one win away from the next round. Combine that with the fact we have been to score on the likely Vezina winner all year and remember our powerplay that was stinking up the joint kept us in the game with a couple of goals and looked good against a "good" defensive team, what'll happen if we play a hockey game next time? The insanity that happened the other night would have led to us easily winning if there was any interest in backchecking or doing what this team should do, let a "bigger" team (Phily, Boston, etc) take extra penalties against us and score on resulting powerplays.

The B's won a game...in February...when they scored a ton because Montreal played one of it's worst games of the year...who gives a rats ass. Gauthier has gotten past the fervor and asinine belief we need to get bigger, we need to get a responsible second line winger to replace AK in the next 16 days.

As Detroit was kind enough to remind us last night, the cup isn't going through Boston...and even if we gotta go through them, I like our chances. As a Wings fan tweeted yesterday, "Bruins lead the league in fights. Personally, I think leading the NHL in points is much more important."

Poll

What do the Habs need more?

12%

An Enforcer to chase Lucic around and never get to fight him cuz Lucic is a fraud.

4 votes

16%

A puck moving defenseman to replace one of our old horses

5 votes

38%

A scoring winger to take the place of AK

12 votes

32%

A center to replace Gomer

10 votes

31 votes | Poll has closed

I keep reading that we should sit Picard...using what logic? I may be missing something. He has looked solid 5 on 5 as a 5th/6th defenseman. He looked steady on the pp recently and played a little pk last night without any disasters. So what is the deal? He has also been a good foil for our young d-men with PK and Weber making good strides thus far. I see him as playing a simple game, occasionally a good check or a good pinch or a good shot. He also has a pretty decent ability to make the first pass outta the zone. So what am I missing? For a cheap player with some experience and size, isn't this what you want? He may also be a Francophone player that is not only not scared to play in Montreal, but he appears to be playing his best hockey in the Bleu, Blanc and Rouge. Can somebody explain it?

How did that sieve keep Montreal off the scoresheet for a couple of games, but continuously let in weak goals against the Blackhawks...including the Stanley Cup winner. Apparently Leighton was this years Umberger, great against the Habs then...were you even on the ice?

I love that the 'Hawks won in Philly just so they have to watch their dreams die. Something tells me Pronger didn't get that puck!

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole...Ole, Ole!

This team reminded everyone how a team wins in hockey. Absolutely, positively proud of the accomplishment yet disappointed that the run is over.

Tonight the Flyers played their best game of the series (they played much better against the Bruins and were iffy all series, but they were opportunistic against us and we ran outta gas)and we just didn't have enough. Gomez was our best player all night and our core isn't going anywhere for the next 5 years. We have some questions to be answered, but how positive an offseason are we about to go in to...not Stanley Cup good, but very optomistic.

I am enjoying a cigar, whiskey and a Guinness to celebrate the accomplishments and the future. Go Habs Go!

It was painfully obvious that the pens wanted to try and win 1-0 in the second period after being throttled in the first...but scoreless. Somehow the Habs didn't realize what they were doing. As good as the coaching has been in the post season, they never adjusted to what was changed on the part of the Pens. Great shot by malkin, and I thought that you should give that shot, so oh well with the PK. 5 on 5 we were average, very good in the first, but crappy in the second...and impassionate in the third. Sure there were a few good chances, but no urgency at all. I know their shooting percentage all year has been good, but with only 18 shots, while some were good, that simply isn't enough. Not the end of the world until Guerin and Stall come back and Markov is still out. I still believe they can win the series, but they may have really hurt their chances by no taking advantage of the Pens injuries.

There was talk about DC vs Montreal, no comparison. The home of hockey has returned to the center of the hockey universe. This is why we love Montreal:
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven


I hate the fact I live in Tampa while in Montreal it looks like New Orleans during Mardi Gras! All Montreal fans can be proud tonight, the boys played like we all knew they could. Go Habs Go!!!

On to Pitt...

From Japers' Rink:

I agree, Montreal was 2 for 8 on the PP against us when they played at the Verizon Center this year. They were also 3 for 9 in Montreal. Most of the goals they scored against us were on the 5 on 5…

So we can score 5 on 5 AND on the power play?!?! The achilles heel of the Habs has been the offense, and that is a stat that actually gives me some hope the we can compete with the high powered Caps.

Habs vs. Caps in the first round. So a mirror image of teams, 2 fast skating teams but one that scores and one that doesn't! We'll see how this plays out, fitting seed for the Habs that didn't play well over the last 7 days and reep what they sow. That being said...I like the 2-1-1 matchup! Even if Halak falters, Price has had a good season series vs. the Caps, so our biggest controversy is our biggest strength against the Caps! GO HABS GO!

I know when you break a stick with a slash it is a penalty as seen by the slash called against Spacek at about 15 min in the second...but where is the equal call? At 13 minute mark on the pp one of the best shooters in the league gets his stick slashed in half while maneuvering into a shooting position...and no call.

 

I realize "things even themselves out" but it appears the Habs penalty problems are a self fulfilling prophecy...why? The Habs penalty killing is as good as I have seen in the last 15 years in the Blu, Blanc and Rouge, if it weren't we would be last overall easily. It seems like the officials are anticipating penalties on one end and letting play on the other. 

 

Is it just me, except for the dumb high sticking calls over the last week, or are the calls pretty weak? I haven't watched a ton of other teams this year with a new baby in the house, so maybe this is more widespread...I hope this isn't pointed at us and it is a league wide issue.

Trade Koivu, Kovalev for Gionta, Cammalleri and I am ok to a point. If you replaced Antropov with any of the 4 are you happy? What about Lang versus the other 4? We are talking about our captain and captain in lieu, leadership may be there in these two, only time will tell.

All 4 were on pace for 60 points or more but signing the younger players does make some sense. If this works, we are golden for 5 years. If it doesn't, they will be relatively inexpensive and we could move them if need be (easier than a Gabornik at 7million per game!).

Sure the team is small in stature, but it is fast and has consistent scorers that have upside with the right chemistry.

So what about Komi. We got 2 D-men that will chew up minutes. I was more scared of not getting a d-man to replace him. We actually got two. Was anybody nervous about Hammer being the #2 d-man?! Or O'Byrne playing minutes in the #2 pairing?!?

Hammer is still good but on the downside of his career and needs help. He got it. We now have a full defense corp again. Not a fan of Gill, but I'll have to become one. Gill played well for Toronto, looked awful slow for Pitt, but still ended up logging a lot of minutes for the Pens and keeping the Wings off the board in the Finals. Spacek is a quality player, solid #2 defenseman with good passing and sturdier defense than his frame. An excellent addition. Lets not forget Weber looked good in limited action last year.

I am a Habs fan first and foremost, and while I wish we could have had Koivu and Kovy back (hopefully I am wrong and we see 1 of them back) I am excited to see the new players gel and fly up and down the ice. It's about what this TEAM can do, that was painfully absent last year, maybe these changes get us the team that can truly compete for the cup.

Also remember with the salary cap stuff, we don't get to use the cap room next year that we don't use this year...so why not spend it?!  Are we hoping that next year will be better...I want to compete THIS year, and this team looks competitive. Only time will tell.

And I'm sure you'll all tell me who woulda been better...let the berating begin!

But I love seeing the big Russian drafted late. Who knows what comes of it, but a big kid playing with a quality Russian team with those numbers bodes well. The draft is a crap-shoot, but it is always good to have hope. See the little snippit of an interview here, http://www.russianprospects.com/public/profile.php?player_id=750 Love the fact he wants to come to North America ASAP, unlike a lot of Europeans. Maybe he doesn't become Ovie, but if he comes close, we have gotten a steal!

 

The Francophones help, and a few prospects that dropped, hopefully will pan out. Only time will tell...

Not sure if it is a true possibility after his brother came and went in a Habs uniform, but if he has learned a 2-way game, he is a scary good player to sign. He has stepped up so well in both ends of the ice with the loss of Pavel. He is a large human being and gets to the areas that a goal scorer needs to get to in the playoffs. Yeah I know he only has 6 goals, but his play has been so well rounded, he would be a great addition as a top line player for the Habs. Montreal ain't that far away and Hossa (with some improvement in the kids and some savvy signings) could have the Habs back on top in the east.

I am watching Boston get throttled by a much faster crew of forwards, mobile defense, and solid goaltending and it makes me angry at Montreal. This is nothing against Boston, I think the plan was evident, the Habs couldn't do it...but why.

All the talk about what the Habs should do with free agency, what about how we should play the f-ing game. In contrast to Carolina, the Habs played right into Bostons hands, they played a passive defense. Carolina chases the puck in all 3 zones and they are getting benefit (to the tune of a 3-1 lead) from their work. I cannot believe that we watched a team play so passively that had Gainey and Carbo as coaches. 

I was watching old Montreal highlites (and lowlites) from playoff past on NHL network, and what did i see but a young Guy and an experienced Bob chasing the puck all over the ice in the 80's...WHERE HAS THAT GONE?!? It drove me crazy this playoff when we played a passive box on the PK, WTF were they doing!? Obviously it didn't work, and worse, the active play by the Canes has befuddled the All Powerful Bruins.

The players last year had enough defensive savvy to do what the Canes are doing, and if you didn't notice Samsonov is skating right through them...the same Samsonov that flopped outta Montreal AND he has 2 G 1 A and is +3  against the B's. With those numbers we woulda stolen at least 1 game from the B's in the 1st round!

Back to the point, the team that played in 07-08 was built on speed, the team last year was built on...well, it had to be built on something, but God knows I can't tell you what they were built on. The most important free agent has to be a coach. There are some talented kids in the system and some talent at the top, but we need a coach to put it all together. I doubt that Blake is gonna come out of death to coach, and Bowman won't unretire when he can pull the strings and help form the Blackhawks, so who is left. That is the 100,000 dollar question.

I am excited about the possible players as free agents and call ups for next year, but I am more interested in the coaching staff. So who should get the nod?

From TSN:

Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas had advice on how Price should have handled the jeering.

"I realize the frustration, but I think you hold that inside and don't give them the satisfaction of giving them a response."

Why this guy didn't get an extension after his play against the Habs is beyond me. Glad the B's appear to understand they have a keeper with an unusual style that will make them hard to beat even if their stifling defense breaks down.He represents how they win, work harder than your opponent and don't give up on any plays.

Carey needs to hear from those of us that get it, he needs to improve, but we ain't giving up on him by a long shot!

What were you trying to do when you were 20, trying to use your brothers fake ID? Well Carey was trying to win the Cup.

Keep improving kid, most of us are behind you!

Where was the push by the b's? They looked nervous and tentative. Good game by the hae except 2 plays. Thomas has to play the third man on the second goal and Georges has got to get som eballs. He was scared by Lucic and allowed the second goal. Lucic is AWFUL! 2 assists and NO mobility. He is big and can go north south like a fullback, but wow he is slow and no dexterity.

Please let the Habs figure out how to take advantage of him. I love the NHL network, "it is gutless for Montreal to go after a player after the whistle" but if you watch the hilights Lucic elbows a player, I think Lapierre, in the head after he goes after Max goes after Kessel. "there should be suspensions" come the f%$& on! Neither of the players should be suspended, I know it is easy to follow the sheep in the seedings, but come on!

Don't understand not dressing Weber. Thought that was a no brainer. The worst D-man was Josh, because he was scared. It's like a reciever going across the middle in football, you KNOW you are gonna get hit...JUST MAKE THE PLAY!

Mattieu looked good, played well, but woulda liked an offensive defencman with a good first pass. If Josh doesn"t tighten up, he should sit.

Pricey looked great, Laraque actually looked good playing HOCKEY and with a few better passes out of the defensive zone and we have 4 goals. The Habs ain"t gonna get swept, they once again lost by a goal. All but 1 game was separated by 1 goal all year and the boys don"t look afraid of the big bad bears.

We saw AK 46 again, didn't get a goal, but showed up at the end of the game. I do not believe we are out classed, and once again, the Habs showed it. The teddy bears are ripe for the picking...come on boys, let's take it to them!

Can't wait till Saturday! GO HABS GO!

All the talk about trading BE has likely gone by the wayside with Boldin now in play. Unless someone else steals Boldin, it would be shocking if the Giants took Edwards instead even if the Cardinals requests are outlandish.

I think waiting for the best deal possible was a good idea for the Browns, let's now not give up BE for too little value.

And NOW who is the number 5 pick? An extra WR at #5??

Don't know if I wanna read too much into this or not, but tsn.ca has the matchup page for the playoffs and I found this to be interesting.

Zdeno Chara led the Bruins with six points in six games against the Canadiens this year.

What stands out to me is not that Chara had 6 points, but that nobody else eclipsed him. Chara has played some of his best games against the Habs, so I am not surprised he had a point a game. But what about their high scoring forwards? It may be that they had a injury or two, but still...

Maybe its a sign that the Habs can nullify the Boston forwards to a certain extent and keep the Habs in the series. Counting on a physical defenceman to lead the team in points is a disaster waiting to happen for the B's.

Boston had a breakout regular season, lets hope that momentum doesn't continue and the scoring depth doesn't translate to the playoffs.

I had read the piece from Puck Daddy on yahoo.com and wanted to post his blog:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Buffalo-locker-room-comedy-and-NHL-injus?urn=nhl,151730

It is really irritating when a player is injured we discuss the appropriateness of a  penalty, but when too stiff a penalty is doled out, we forget about it.

In the Boston Montreal game on 01/13 Andrei Kostitsyn got a weak 5 minute penalty against Ward of Boston, and Ward didn't miss a shift. (was watching the game and that was a crazy penalty that altered the outcome) Yet Max Lapierre is a goon (apparently, although he hasn't injured anybody before this) and deserves a suspension due to his questionable hit against Buffalo. Meanwhile Montreal has to kill a 4 minute penalty for protecting it's player against Chicago last night for a very similar hit against S. Kostitsyn.

I don't get the league, but I hope they are paying attention. The randomness of penalties needs to be sorted out before it costs a team a game or two in the playoffs. Let's at least hope so.