In recent years, I’ve decided to try and be the most optimistic person I can be. This way, I won’t prematurely close any doors that may be open.

The Washington Capitals can be beat. There is no doubt in my mind. However, the team that’s gonna beat them need to be disciplined. No bad penalties. And they need to play solid defense as a team…. as a unit. Which is something the Canadiens haven’t always done well this season but they have for stretches in this series.

Give the Washington Capitals an inch and they run you over.

Here’s a few quick links I enjoyed this morning.

Eyes on the Prize
Hal the angry caller (via Team990)

HABS Inside/Out
Habs hopes hinged on Halak

Ya! The Habs Rule!
Emotional maturity still a problem for Habs Price

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Price/Halak – The Stats – October 2009
by Chris Boyle for Eyes on the Prize

This is a great article on the goaltender statistics and it cuts through to the bare facts.

Chris does a great analysis of the shots both Halak and Price have faced will visual graphs displaying where the shots were taken from as well as the save percentage per area.

Really worth the read!

Hockey Night in Canada Takes Interest in All Habs’ Feud
by Rocket for All Habs
AND
UPDATES: Walsh controversy
by  Rocket for All Habs

The night that I wasn’t on Twitter at all (you can find me on twitter at @yves_on_habs) there was a bit of controversy as Halak’s agent Mr Allan Walsh tweeted a comment about Carey Price’s stats. If you want the whole story please read the articles on the All Habs blog!

Well written and described.

Learning to live without Markov
by Topham for Lions in Winter

This article contains some numbers showing just what the team’s play has been like when Markov has been out. Some interesting numbers in this article and if you thought Markov was an important player the team’s most important player this article might provide proof of his value through the last few seasons.

Andrei, I miss you!

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I’ll give a couple of comments.

Ya! The Habs Rule!
“Keane on hockey: Former Canadiens captain is still playing in the pros at 42″

Kevin writes a great article on a true iron man in Hockey… Mike Keane.

There’s some great stats and facts about Keane as well as some bits from interviews. Really worth a read.

Habs Inside/Out
“Captain? Who needs a captain?“

The title alone got me wondering again… who’ll be the next captain for the Montreal Canadiens. There’s a quote by Henri Richard (the Pocket Rocket) on the captaincy and a pic from Henri’s rookie-season contract…. really amazing to see!

RDS
“Laraque dans le club des mal cités?“

So big Georges Laraque seems to be in trouble (at least in some media) because he made a joke…. a joke about the new guys really shouldn’t learn french and they’ll be ok… (how long before some of the new guys are media targets??)

Flying Frenchmen
Alexander Avstin: “Ovechkin #2″

Jason highlights one of Montreal’s 3rd round picks at this years draft…. Alexander Avtsin. Comparison to Alex Ovechkin??? Want to read more? Check out this article.

Dennis Kane
The Habs in 1986 – Getting Noses Dirty, and Winning It All

Dennis brings us back to 1986… it was a time when Jean Perron (110% panelist) was the head coach. When a new star was being born in Patrick Roy and some long time players were in their twilight (Bob Gainey).  Great article on the type of team they were and what it took to win.

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