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

In California for 3 games against the Ducks, the Sharks and the Kings. And there is no Pacioretty in the lineup due to the 3 game suspension that was given after the Penguins game.

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!

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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.

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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!

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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

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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.

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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.

1 – Jaroslav Halak

I don’t really need to say much here. He’s been great in these playoffs and maybe that in itself is an understatement.

One question that I’ve heard some people say is “how long can he keep it up?“… that question came up a couple of games into the Washington series and to some extent hasn’t went away. It’s not really a fluke that he’s playing well. At least I don’t think it is. For us Habs fans who watch every (or just about) game then you’ve seen this guy play some great goaltending prior to the playoffs.

He’s had nothing handed to him since coming to North America and has earned every bit of his ice time. I’d say he’s a pretty confident guy in what he does… he’s won my confidence…. I’d also suggest his teammates are quite confident in him too…

2. Hal Gill and Josh Gorges

Hal Gill and Josh Gorges have been superb during these playoffs. For a team that was generally really bad at 5 on 5 hockey during the season, all of a sudden the team is playing some pretty good defense.

Yes, there are alot of shots on goal. But many of them are taken from the outside and the Gorges – Gill pairing have done a fabulous job on the penalty kills. When it comes to the playoffs I’m not sure there’s any luck involved. There’s a strategy, a game plan… guys have their jobs…. and try to do it.

Gill and Gorges do many simple things well. They also show some patience instead of panic. Nice simple plays off the boards to clear a puck…. bumping a guy off the puck (you don’t have to decapitate people)…. sticks and bodies clogging passing and shooting lanes.

3. The big guys

While I’m sure many “experts” in the hockey world from parents to coaches to (fill in the blank) may have thought or even told these guys that they’re too small to succeed as pro hockey players they’ve always defied the odds. Luckily they’ve never believed that they’re too small…. which is something that many “experts” were saying when these guys were signed. I think some people questioned these guys because they wouldn’t be effective in the playoffs.

Well. Sorry.

Ever see Brian Gionta go in the corners? Against guys 7 inches (and more) taller then him? Yeah, he gets banged around. But he comes out with the puck his fair share of the time. And won’t back down. The crazy bugger even goes in front of the net and scores goals!! Imagine!!

And so does Mike Cammalleri!!

Seriously, Gionta’s got great hands, a great shot… and Mike Cammalleri is an artist with the puck. Yeah I know, we had another guy here a little while ago that they called the artist and in all fairness I enjoyed his time with the Habs. But Cammalleri’s got heart. He WANTS to win. You can tell.

That “want” to win and work ethic coupled with a magnificent shot…. makes Cammalleri a player you want to have playing on your team.

Maybe these 2 guys should be given a little more credit by the “experts”. Although in fairness to the experts, they often do acknowledge their skill and hockey IQ.

4. PK Subban

He’s thrown in the fire and looks like he belongs. He skates, handles the puck, shoots, hits….. and gets “mini Bobby Orr” comparisons already.

Youthful enthusiasm and energy coupled with skill can certainly help energize a team.

On several occasions PK has made the right pass or made a little stutter step to back off a defender. Subban is showing that he’s got a ton of hockey smarts to go along with all that raw skill.

All those simple plays (like the stutter step) show patience, poise and give the Habs offensive chances as well as defensive stops. The last thing you want is your guys to panic out there… that’s where you have turn overs. Subban looks at home in the firestorm.

Welcome PK. The crowd is already chanting your name buddy!

5. A few sayings that you hear this time of year

– Good teams find a way to win
– Defense wins championships
– Don’t underestimate the heart of a champion
(We’ve got a crew of guys who’ve won or come very close before)

Habs have a shot at winning tonight! Better believe it!

Go Habs Go!

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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.

Now going back to the Habs. I don’t really “expect” them to win. The Capitals are clearly the more high powered offense and they also have bigger bodies. I would personally say that both these team’s defense are basically a wash. Neither were among the top in goals against this year.

Montreal finished 13th in goals against and Washington at 16th.

Both teams also boast some very talented offensive defensemen in Andrei Markov and Mike Green.

But I believe there is definitely some hope for the Habs!

There are 2 great young goaltenders who in any given game can steal one for you. Now keep in mind that they’d be stealing one against the most high powered team in the league.

I also think that this team is just now… for the most part generally healthy. Mike Cammalleri is back… This is the time of year you want to click. The Habs have won these Capitals…. Tomas Plekanec performs well against these Caps….

The playoffs are always slightly different. You get to play your opponent at least 4 times in a row. This should give your coach a chance to try some things….. I would be changing it up as needed. Really feel out your opponent.

Now something that I’ve seen the Canadiens do this year and I’m not sure if it’s a true coaching strategy….. is sit on a lead. A 1 goal lead? Try to get through the game from about the second period on to win the game? Not a strategy I’m a fan of. Push for the second goal.

This Capitals team is not the team you want to play against trying to sit on a lead….. they will barbecue you, burn you… and throw you out without eating you.

So please, what I’d love to see is a hard fought game. I wouldn’t say “run and gun”…. there’s just no easy way to win this series if you’re the Canadiens. You’re matched up against a strong team.

But, push offensively as the Caps aren’t the strongest defense….. and play hard…. play hard and try to draw penalties.

The power play COULD become an important asset in this series.

Here’s a great blog article over at Lions in Winter on why the Habs could win this series.

Go Habs Go!

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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.

But, it seems to me that our dear Habs try to sit on a lead far too often. Usually a small lead… and maybe even trying to sit on it too early in the game. Now, there are exceptions…. just go back to the buffalo game in march (I believe) where the Habs had a small cushion… only to have the Sabres score some quick goals and blow the whole thing up.

I don’t think I’m the only one, in fact I know I’m not, to notice that there seems to be quite a lack of killer instinct on this team. Again, I’m just a fan looking at this team that I’ve always followed. But I question the coaching strategy a bit. End of games…. no time outs at crucial times…. and just trying to play trap.

I’m watching this game tonight, and if there’s one thing I want to see…. it’s a team that wants it…. a team that’s hungry for this win…. a team that will not sit back on a small lead and try to make it through the finish line…. but a team that will do a little “kick ‘em when their down”… .and score more goals….. hopefully gain some confidence and win by more then 1 goal while being outshot……

Have I said enough?

That’s what I’m looking for tonight.

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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:

Gomez and Gionta
From the line combinations that we saw in the last couple of days it appears that these 2 guys will be paired up together. Trying to get them going together is nothing but a good idea in my opinion. Gionta always seems to find a way to get open for a shot and Gomez can really pass the puck. Should be a good combination.

Travis Moen
I could have added Moen with Gomez and Gionta… as he will likely play on the top line tonight but I didn’t… (hey, it’s my blog!) I thought Moen was rather invisible in the pre-season and so far in the first 5 games I saw the type of player we’ve been lacking in Montreal for some time. Moen will surely be trying to create some space for Scott and Brian as well as going to the net where he could pick up a couple of goals off of Brian Gionta rebounds. And throwing some good hard hits….

I love Moen’s play so far… can be hard nosed, go to the net.. crash the net… throw the hit.. drop the gloves…. Keep it up!

Cammalleri+Plekanec+A.Kostitsyn
Maybe having Cammalleri teamed up with Plekanec will bear fruit tonight…. both of those guys have been working really hard through the first 5 games. Both of them have been putting up decent shots on goal… and I think it’s just a matter of time before we see them net a few together. Andrei Kostitsyn…. I really hope he can find some kind of a groove with both Mike and Tomas… AK is loaded with talent and possesses a killer shot. Hope this line clicks tonight. The Bell Center would explode if this line shines.

Carey Price
I’m looking for a strong show from Price tonight, home opener, new mask… new beginning really. BUT… Let’s hope the defense looks stronger in front of Carey this evening as a few games seemed to show a slightly confused defensive system…. but we’re only the 6th game of the season.

Shawn Belle
Although I don’t think Belle will score a hat trick or anything miraculous… I believe Belle will provide a different kind of spark then Weber had.

Where Weber almost looked a bit timid at times, like seeing him avoid a hit and loose the puck in the corner…. Belle will play a much more solid defensive game. He should be able to clear a bit of room in front of Carey and I’m looking for him to want to impress with some solid checks, physical play (in general) and also some simple passes out of his own zone.

I was also kind of impressed with an interview by Belle…. you can find the interview here on the HABSInside/Out website.

Kyle Chipchura
Kyle doesn’t have to do a whole lot except play hard and make some nice simple plays while playing physically. And there’s also one other aspect where he has been playing well…. Chipchura’s been doing well on the faceoff. So let’s hope that trend continues.

Those are some of the things I’ll be watchin’ for tonight.

I’m also hoping that the “boo birds” stay home.

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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!

The 2 first games of the season seemed to open up so many more “un-answerables”….

I don’t think there is much chance that Gainey could ever fill the hole left by Markov’s injury. Not even with a major trade. And of course Gainey did move to sign Marc-André Bergeron.

So just how will Bergeron fit into this defensive core? Not that they’ve looked really well tuned yet…

Will he provide a spark on the Power Play?

Plekanec has been playing well…. how do we get A. Kostitsyn going??? Can we???

Looking at tonight’s game… how will they play?

I want to see a team come out and play hard, skate hard, hit hard, make simple passes….. hopefully well positioned defense in front of Price.

While there are many questions about team chemistry, lines, defense and their play has at times looked disorganized… there have been some positives.

Gionta, Cammalleri and Gomez have been rather positive. Althought not always firing on all cylinders they shown some great skill… lot’s of promise.

Another positive is that in my opinion, this team so far has not let itself be pushed around. At it’s core, that’s a difference.. a big difference. Whereas some have kept talking about how small they are…. it’s one line that’s under sized. If Andrei Kostitsyn hits, he’s got a solid check. And though that second line isn’t particularly “tough” in way of fighting, at least they haven’t played “small”… seeing Plekanec pushing and shoving is encouraging. At least to me.

The 3rd and fourth lines have shown some grit. Big Georges, Stewart, Moen, Latendress, Lapierre, Chipchura….

So… mission #5. Tonight. Edmonton. Game on!

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