A Montreal Canadiens fan blog
Pre-game comments
Changes and maybe more changes to come
Oct 24th
As pressure mounts in Montreal there will inevitably be a line to cross. This line will likely mean the difference between a substantial move or another band aid move.
Mike Blunden has been recalled and while he won’t be the turning point of the season a guy like him could bring a whole lot of hustle and a whole lot of hits. Both of which I wouldn’t mind seeing right about now. I don’t think this can hurt the lineup any more then they’ve been suffering.
Petteri Nokelainen was acquired to add some depth in the center position. I would have preferred Betts… if he would have been healthy of course.
Let’s hope Petteri brings something. So far he’s won 18 face offs and lost 13. Not a huge stat there.
We need somethin’ folks.
Trade rumors… well, if you listen to call ins, you’ll likely hear rabid fans suggesting every possible scenario. Hey, we’re Habs fans after all right? Passion?? You got it.
Reports about Kostitsyn being on the block. Those rumors certainly aren’t new. We’ll see what happens.
My personal thoughts are that if the ship doesn’t change course, Mr Martin will be sailing somewhere else. And a player or 2 could sail the seas as well.
Tonight…. Habs vs Panthers. What will happen??
Stay Tuned.
Canadiens vs Stars… pre-season is minutes away!
Sep 20th
I’ve been waiting for this since the end of Round 1 of the playoffs.
It’s that time of year folks! You dust off your TV remote or getting in the ticket buying mood and start watching the greatest team in the NHL! (yeah, that’s right…. but as you can tell, this is a Habs blog right??)
Always a great time of year… I know these games really mean nothing… but do they?
What do they mean to me?
Well, I get to watch the veterans get in gear again… but more importantly (for this time of year) I get to see the prospects lineup next to our veteran players. I always love watching the young guys who are trying to force the coach’s hand, or find their spot on a roster. The enthusiasm…. the talent, the timidity (sometimes… let’s be honest!)…. it’s a chance to see tomorrow’s lineup.
How they handle taking the first steps towards their dream and playing for this great franchise we love.
Go Habs Go!
Enjoy!
ESPN’s Montreal vs Pittsburgh game 4 preview
May 6th
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
May 6th
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.
Let’s be consistent and Welcome to Louis Leblanc!
Nov 30th
Posted by Yves in Montreal Canadiens
Comments
Welcome Louis!
Glad to see you aboard. I’ve wondered just how you would fare in the NHL in the big league. You’re a talented young hockey player and not only that, you are also quite intelligent.
Hope tonights Game goes well for you.
Let’s be consistent
My wish list for this road trip is simple. Consistency.
I would look for this all across the board. From the line combinations to the intensity on the ice (and please, let’s be intense!) I’d like to see this team fire away at the opposing team’s goaltender. Keep it simple, far away from the pressure cooker of the hometown crowd (probably good for both Leblanc and Budaj), it’s an opportunity for these guys to make the simple plays and build some confidence.
Will it be easy? I doubt it. In today’s NHL, I doubt there is truely an easy stretch on the schedule. But this is a chance to get some of the positive energy that a young guy can bring to a team, playing his first game.
None of these 3 teams they will face are having stellar seasons…. but sometimes it seems to be harder to win against a struggling team.
So tonight and the next 2. Let’s not go the way of the yo-yo….. let’s be intense…. consistent.
(Please) Win!
Go Habs!