habschris

Expect Downey in. Put him with sundstrom and murray. That line will also need to play against Williams a few shifts so a message can be sent. I'm not talking about anything stupid or taking him out, just roughing him up a bit. To me the high stick was an accident but a message still needs to be sent. Plus it will fire up the team.

It has alot to do witht the instigator penalties. Years ago players would police themselves, if a player got high sticked or even got a cheap shot the goon would take care of business. Now players do what ever they want because the worst that will happen is a 2 or 4 minute player. That is Bettman's fault. They need to quietly get rid if that rule over the summer.

Hold on a minute about blaming Huet on a soft goal. That was a 1 on 2, of course it Souray and Rivet who will never learn to take the body. Blame them. If one of them would have checked the canes player that goal never would have went in. As a matter of fact, i beleive Rivet and Souray have been on the ice for 6 of 8 goals scored by Carolina. They just suck. The penalties on the habs were penalties. That being said, the refs didn't call much on Carolina, Koivu, the holding right before the OT penalty on the habs, etc. I'm most disappointed in the effort, a chance to put a nail in the coffin but once Koivu went down and Zedick scored, they stopped playing. Trying to win 1 nothing. Based on what i have seen, they really haven't turned the corner. Out of the last 6 games when Montreal had a lead going into the third, they have lost 4, beat Carolina game 1, then won game 2 in overtime. I don't expect this team to win every night, i do expect them to play hard every night and try to win. The good news is that they have a chance Friday to make up for that effort and go up 3 to 1.

6 goals in 2 consecutive playoff games is unheard of for this bunch. Balanced scoring is a big plus in the playoffs. When the 3rd and 4th lines are chipping in for goals that's great news. 5 on 5 looks pretty good so far this series, let's hope the PP can pick it up some. PK and taking stupid penalties definatley needs to improve.

I would like to add something to that, i think all the rookies, plus Komisarek and Ryder, Murray played well most of the year including game 1. When the rookies are out there, they don't make mistakes. They also kill penalties very well.

A few good points there. The habs did play hard for the last 50 minutes or so in that game. Shots on goal will have to be reduced. The habs will also need to fire more at Gerber, i hope he stinks like in game 1 but i doubt that will happen. I would put Downey in instead of Sundstrom, toughen up the team. Even though Sundstrom had a few points he took 2 stupid penalties. Downey doesn't make those mistakes, and is just as relaible defensively. If Rivet and Souray don't figure out how to play D, take the body and move the puck the habs are in trouble. They were schooled all night, i don't care if Souray had a meaningless goal at the end, he was horrible. It's not going to happen but i would bench him for Simpson 1 game. Even though they didn't score i liked the pleks line as well, they played very hard. The habs will have to bring a better game tonight. Carolina will be ready.

I certainly think Huet deserves the start, that being said if the habs lose a game somewhere in the series, i wouldn't be surprised if Aebisher gets the next start. Sort of win and you stay in. It's a nice problem to have. Plus seeing both in the playoffs may help in the decision on which one to keep next year. The other big key to me is playing a full 60 minutes and playing not to lose which has been a problem for the last few years.

People sure are tough on Ryder, let's see he is leading the team in goal scoring. People are right he isn't a #1 RW, he is a solid #2. He is a goal scorer, he needs his team mates to set him up, he can't set them up. He also doesn't have great speed. Kovalev's line is the one that needs to change, Kovy is a play maker and 25-30 goal scorer, he needs to play with people with higher skill. Ribiero is a puck handler, not a shooter. Also his LW has been different all year. Kovy is the #1 RW. Why are people under rating or not giving credit to the 3rd and 4th liners? Why do you think Buffalo is so successfull, they roll four lines night after night, they all have there roles. This team started playing better when players like Downey, Begin, Murray, even Bonk started playing more and having roles. Let's not forget before injuries the Perez Pleks Murray line was very effective. 3rd and 4th line players make the difference most nights. When those guys are in the line up the habs are a tougher team to play against.

I forgot to mention Dandanault, i thought he had a good year, he is paid to be a 5 or 6 which is what he is. Started off slowly, taking alot of penalties, getting torched here and there. Since Gainey took over i would consider him to be very consistant. Good post Cerebus

No, it may sound that way. I will always give credit where it is due, but i'll also tell the truth about poor play. Right now the habs look alot more like the earlier verion of the team, not the one who was filled with confidence, moving the puck quickly, playing good D and not taking stupid penalties. I call them like i see them.

Fairly accurate. I think you overgraded: Koivu C+, didn't do much all year. If you compare money with some players you should on others as well, for the money he is overpaid. Souray D+, terrible in his own zone all year, slow footed, over paid. Only points on the power play, no help 5 on 5. Rivet B-, good offensive year, gets beat alot during 1 on 1 battles down low. Bouillon:C solid year, unless he's hitting someone on the boards he's a liability in his own zone. Sundstrom F: He did nothing all year. You under rated: Ryder: B leading goal scorer, played with several centers. not good defensively we all know that but 30 goal scorers are hard to find. Murray and Downey: B+ for both. They do exactly what is asked of them. Play hard, play physical. The team plays better when they are in the line up. Same for Begin. Bonk: F? i would give him a C. Plays well defensively, no offensive points obviously. Good on the PK, wins faceoffs good on a checking line. Overpaid yes, but there are many of them on this current team.

I put in there if he is back he will take Bukis' spot.

Sure it does, the habs don't know how to hold a lead, 2 consecutive games to clinch a playoff spot and the couldn't hold a lead. They can't play for 60 minutes, the first period last night was the best in weeks, as soon as kovalev scored they stopped playing. If i'm not mistaken the devils had either 2 on 1's or breakaways on evry habs power play. That won't cut it. I can't even remember the last time they beat a team with a winning record. Please don't say Ottowa, that was there B team. So i have allot of concerns going into the playoffs, something will need to change or they'll get swept. Go Habs

Murray will be in the line up, there is no way he will be sitting. i also think the same for Perez. Experience or not Bulis and Zednick haven't done much of late. Higgins Koivu Ryder zednick ribiero kovalev Perez Pleks Murray This line was great before some injuries. I don't care if they are all rookies. Bulis Bonk Downey I'm hoping Begin will be back but who knows Rivet Souray Komi Markov Dandy Streit

Well which ever team the habs play lets hope they can step it up and play to win rather then not to lose. I think that has been the problem for several years. The style of play currently is much better. Also the D really need to step it up in there own zone, moving the puck quickly and making quick outlet passes. Plus Carolina doesn't have Cole, the habs killer. With the new additions Carolina made i think they are slower and there goaltending like the Habs will be a question mark until someone steps up.

Those players you just mentioned won't be back next year except Bonk. I have no problem with the way he is currently playing. Also what do you mean by Souray turning it around, 70 or 80 % of his points are on the power play, his D zone coverage is just as poor as ever. He gets torched by any player who can skate. I think he'll be moved as well. Ribiero and Ryder were also 1 year deals, i also don't think Ribiero will be back. As for Huet, he'll get between 1.5 and 2.5 per year here. Also Aeby lately has been just as good as Huet, that will be the decision Gainey needs to make, Huet or Aeby. Packaging Aebi with another player makes more sense because of Danis able to back up Huet.

Yes, here this board goes again, why is it always about the goalies. I'm guessing if the 3 players actually back checked on the short handed goal they wouldn't have scored, if Souray and Rivet knew how to cover people in there own zone the third goal wouldn't have went in. Leave the goalies alone. This team needs to learn how to win when the goalie isn't the first star of the game every night. That's when this team will be a reliable winner.

Give me a break, blaming the coach? How about blaming the players. The were dominated for 2 periods by a team playing for nothing. Rivet and Souray were pathetic once again, they have to be 2 of the most overated Dmen in the league, the appear to be pilons in the d zone. Only Gonchar may be more over rated. 5 on 5 this team can never score. It all comes down to pride and work ethic. Hopefully the capitals or panthers will do the habs a favor.

Unless the habs start playing better D immediately, they might not make the playoffs. Atalanta will probably win out, that leaves tampa with 2 tough games and 1 easy game. The intensity needs to go up a notch on Saturday and earn the playoff spot to rest players against new jersey.

I don't think it will matter too much how his stats compare to Koivu or other #2 centers. I don't think he'll be back next year.Ribiero is Not really a Gainey / Carbo type of player. The Habs will go after a top center, If they can't land one, Pleks can certainly fill his role then look for a tough third line center to possibly be added. (Peca like). Second line with no signings Kostitsyn Pleks Kovalev.

Why would dandenault be the easy choice? He has played better then Bouillon and Streit, he is not as offensive as Streit but he is better then Bouillon. Look at his stats. I'm not his biggest fan or anything but the only knock on Dandy that i can see is he'll take a poor penalty on occaision, he has been much better about that lately as well. Keep the line up as is. I would put Murray back with Plex and Perez, they looked alot more effective. Let Bulis and Zednick fight for the LW with Kovy.

Some like Mara as i stated before, he is young, good size and speed. a Poti like player, good skater, moves the puck well will help on the PP. Some one like that. I like D markov, i just think that Dandy can't be traded due to his salary. BG won't take Riviet or Komi out of the lineup. As someone stated earlier, the habs won't land the top tier D, too expensive, i don't see the habs maxing out the cap to overpay certain players.

Sorry guys, i know that pairing sounds great but the RD is the strong point of the D. Who are you going to sit? Rivet Komi or Dandy, say what you want about Dandy, he is plus 8, great speed and playing well. If the D gets upgraded it should be on the left side.

Is Danny Markov a RD or LD. I like the pairing of Komi and Markov, will only improve in time. Rivet and Souray are ok, i'm probably the only person on this board who would want to trade Souray, he is slow and paired with Rivet they get beat alot. Then i would have Mara and Dandy as the third pairing.

I would use Murray on the third line. Downey for tougher teams on the 4th. Splitting time with a youngster for smaller teams.