Playoffs

Montreal Canadiens can’t quite beat the Flyers

First off, I’d like to say congrats to the Philadelphia Flyers on their win and the trip to the finals. It stings a bit because the Habs were battling as a team so well.

But credit to the Flyers and Peter Laviolette for the way they played the Canadiens. I thought they played a very different game plan then the Penguins and Capitals did.

The big difference was that they didn’t seem to concentrate so much on “scoring goals”.. or how to beat Halak. They collapsed defensively much better then both the Pens and Caps. They played a better defensive game against the Canadiens.
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Montreal Canadiens – Pittsburgh Penguins post game 7 interviews by Sportsnet

Here’s short game 7 post game interviews by Mike Cammalleri and Hal Gill or the Montreal Canadiens along with Sidney Crosby and Bill Guerin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Canadiens vs Penguins – Game 5 highlights 2010 playoffs

I’m quite sad to say I missed most of this game as I was booked to play a gig. I did get to see parts of the first period and the last 5 minutes of the 3rd period. I was very happy to see Cammalleri and company score at the end…. and quietly hoped for another one.

But from all accounts it seemed to be a pretty hard fought game for the Habs.

Here was Sportsnet’s coverage of the highlights.

Montreal Canadiens show they got the right stuff

After the way the season went with injuries and then the line juggling in the lineup…. the seeming lack of simple coaching moves like taking a time out… I’m almost amazed at how the Canadiens have looked after 6 games against the mighty Washington Capitals.

Coming into this series I had no doubt in my mind that the Capitals could be beaten. I’m not gonna tell you I would have bet on it at the time but I certainly did believe they could be beat.

Washington’s biggest weakness is their defense.

They finished off the season with a 2.77 goals against average which ranked them 16th in the league. While they boast being a powerhouse offensive team you’ll often hear something about winning in the playoffs. Defense.
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Game day with PK!

P.K. Subban has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs for this all important game 6 in the first round of the 2010 NHL playoffs.

Habs face elimination tonight against Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals. The game is in Montreal.

The Bell Center will likely exploded with energy. Habs weren’t really expected to win the Capitals but in the course of this series they’ve shown some good things against the Caps… and that the Caps can certainly be beaten.

P.K. Subban has become a fan favorite without barely scratching the ice in Montreal. He’s a great young prospect who’s had an incredible year in Hamilton. Always enthusiastic and upbeat P.K. will certainly bring lot’s of energy in the lineup. I expect that the crowd will show him some love tonight…. think we’ll hear some “PK” chants? I do.

Subban has 18 goals and 35 assists in 77 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs this year. He’s got great skating and puck moving skills and can play a physical game.

In my opinion, the Canadiens have nothing to loose in bringing him up being that they’re down 3 games to 2 and had a sub par performance by MA Bergeron in the last game. Although I don’t think Subban will be the savior for the series I think this is a great opportunity for him to get a taste of the pressure cooker in a Montreal Canadien’s playoff game… facing elimination.

Here’s the official press release!

Price or Halak? There is no debate

One recurring theme this season is the constant back and forth from many fans about who they’ve thought can and will prevail in goal for the Montreal Canadiens. While everyone probably has a favorite sometimes this “debate” has gotten ugly.

But the point of this little blog article isn’t really to go there. Instead, I want to once again state something that to me seems quite obvious.

This team won’t get far without playing stronger team defense. Name your goaltender…. even pick names like Roy, Brodeur or Tretiak….
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Habs vs Caps – My Game Thoughts

Tonight…. in just a couple of hours The Montreal Canadiens will play game one against the Washington Capitals.

I suppose one could look at an 8th seed team and automatically write them off as they face such a high powered offense in Washington. Not only Washington’s high powered offense, but the once Habs net minder Jose Theodore who’s been playing VERY well the last few months….. his season started with such tragedy and he’s played some very inspired hockey this year.

I was heartbroken for you Jose…. but I’m glad you’ve had a strong season.
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