Pre-game comments

ESPN’s Montreal vs Pittsburgh game 4 preview

Found this over at ESPN’s website and thought I’d share.

My prediction on Twitter was Habs in 7… I stand by that and think they’re gonna pull it out tonight.

Here’s ESPN’s Scott Burnside

Gotta win, Gotta win

It’s game 4 of the eastern conference semi-finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens tonight at the Bell Center.

The Habs have surprised many but haven’t yet made believers out of all.

Watching game 3 I really thought it could have gone either way. The shot totals were actually a bit low for both team at 25 – 18 Penguins.

The Canadiens had a few great changes, Lapierre hitting the inside of the cross bar, Cammalleri got robbed a couple of times as was Gionta. Marc-Andre Fleury was really the difference in that game against the Habs. Even though he only faced 18 shots there were several quality scoring chances.

It’s weird, although Fleury was great in last years playoffs I’ve never quite thought of him as one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL. I really feel that if the Canadiens can put a guy in front of him and get some shots through, the goals will come. Even if tonight’s game plays out much like game 3 did I think the Canadiens have a good shot at winning game 4.

No one is invincible. Everyone can be beaten.

The Habs have shown so far that they don’t quit and we’ve got some guys who’ve both face adversity and have won it all before.

So tonight, play hard. Just like game 3. Put someone in front of Fleury…. shot the puck towards the net. Habs can win.

Game 4. Gotta win.

A few reasons to believe the Habs can win tonight

The Canadiens face the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Center in Montreal tonight… and might I take this time to welcome Sidney and his crew to the most intense hockey crowd in the world.

Here’s a few reasons why I think the Canadiens deserve a little credit and why they can win.

Besides the fact that shutting down the Capitals offense for 3 consecutive games and taking them in 7 games surely wasn’t any luck or bad luck. This time of year is about “want”, “desire”, “hunger”…. you better believe it.

Don’t count anyone out until they’re out.
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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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Tonight : Operation fight for a playoff spot

With only 2 games left in the season the Habs play the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. Carolina is usually a very strong foe against the Canadiens and I except that it will be no different tonight.

While Montreal is still sitting in 6th place in the Eastern conference with only these 2 games left (Hurricanes and the Leafs) it’s still not a sure bet.

And you know what, I don’t like that.

The Habs could’ve clinched the playoff spot in the last 2 games but instead wilted away to loose both games. Watching the team this year it’s been hard to really get a sense of who this group is and what they can accomplish. Primarily because most of the lineup has been injured for several weeks at one point or another.

But something that has happened quite a bit is this wilting away in the 3rd period. I find it quite frustrating and I can only imagine that the players do to. I’m not sure why exactly, honestly I can only speculate because I’m a fan and not in the team’s system.
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What I’ll be looking for – Habs vs Avs

Tonight, the Montreal Canadiens take on the Colorado Avalanche and is the Canadiens home opener.

Coming into tonight I’ve seen positives and negatives in the previous 5 games. The Avalanche should provide a very formidable opponent. They’ve got some great young talent and their taking off.

Here’s what I’ll be looking for tonight:
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Mission number 5 of 2009 about to begin…. thinking aloud

As I write this, I’m watching the early CBC game… watching the Penguins play with the Leafs.

I’ve had a really busy few days… but I’ve been thinking about this game tonight.

Seems as though there were so many questions coming into this season and to be honest I thought maybe some of them would start to be answered a few games into the season. Maybe that’s just some childish thinking on my part. But as the season has started, I’m just really left with many more questions then answers!
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Pre-game thoughts: Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers – First pre-season game

We’re just a few hours away from the first pre-season game for the Montreal Canadiens this season! For some of you, if you’re anything like me, it’s been a long time coming. Since the last playoff game back in the spring I’ve been thinking about these first pre-season games.

Here are a few pre-game and really “pre-season” thoughts.
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Week 2 – Post Guy era

I for one thought the team would respond a bit better to having Gainey behind the bench.

Lineup changes and young guys sit

Tonight’s lineup VS Atlanta Thrashers has an interesting mix…