Athlétique.Canadien

Time to take a mile wide gulp! Is there a doctor in the house? Now the true grade of what Gainey has built can be evaluated. It all depends on which story unfolds. Hockey's a b/tch Hopefully the Hockey Gods smile on us tonight. The biggest thing I'm looking for is the Canadiens playing well without the puck, positionally frustrating Washington. That is key. We'll have a much better idea of this series after the 1st. Let the Habs stars align in the sky tonight. :hlogo:

Visiting teams win tonight so far. 2-1 Flyers final

Ottawa leads the Penguins 1-0 in the series. Goligoski scored pittsbughs 4th goal. Too litle too late. Nice road game by Ottawa

Pathetic Fleury. - Ruutu makes it 5-3

Michalek might have a series ending injury. Pittsburgh scores 4-3

Richards blasts a shot a hard half knuckleballer/half slapper from 3 feet inside the Devil's blueline - 2-0 Flyers

Pronger scores. - slow moving puck from slot to crease - tipped in the crease by Pronger - 1-0 Flyers

4-2 Ottawa - Alfie

Malkin redeems himself and scores. 3-2 Ottawa. Pens have woken up. Sens a little on their heels right now

3-1 Ottawa. Pens might be in trouble. I stress might. Hockey and a series is not decided in one period. Still, Ottawa is playing a good road defensive eraser game so far. Boucher looking not too shabby at all - He's saving the Flyers. Boucher has stopped 9 shots. Four shots for the for the Flyers in the 1st.

Ovechkin SUCKS! Yeah yeah, I know he is completely the opposite of that but hey, time for me to get my playoff hate on! SCREW WASHINGTON! OVECHKIN SUCKS!

Playoffs Eve!

Alright guys, show us what you've got - Bring the Stanley Cup :hlogo:OME More Habs lore. The "H" stands for hockey. But also, Thanks to Tex Rickard, father of the Rangers, we are known as the "Habs". Tex explained it to a New York Reporter that the "Habitants" from Quebec (players) were born on/came from farms. I'm sure Tex meant farm teams but some silly NY reporter called us "Habs" for "Habitants" because Tex didn't explain it correctly or the reporter didn't understand hockey. It didn't take long for the Detroit, Toronto, Boston and Chicago media outlets to start printing "Habs" instead of "Canadiens". Why type nine letters when it's easier to type four? BUT - "H" also stands for "HOME" (Created by fans). The "HOME" moniker by fans also involves the Forum. Throughout our history a message to our enemies - Good luck winning at our "FORUM HOME" - "HOME OF LORD STANLEY!" Bring it :hlogo:OME!

Exactly the reason I would have exploded if the Habs missed the playoffs. This is definitely a bizarre year. It's potentially possible that the bottom 4 can all beat the top 4 in both conferences. It's possible a low seed team could rob the cup. If the Habs had been on the outside looking in on this steal the cup possible playoffs, I'd have blown up. Have fun at your playoff pools. I know I will. So confused hahahaha

First round predictions and notes. Habs versus Caps:. I love this matchup because it has the potential to be an upset. Washington is loaded with scoring. They have grit. But if Theodore does not play up to Halak's level then things could get very interesting over a 7 game series. Varlomov is shaky off an injury and looked questionable in todays game. The problem for Montreal is, how do you shaddow one guy like Ovechkin when Semin and Backstrom are likely playing with him. Shaddow 3? But, with the depth the Habs have on 2 way players, special teams players if they play as a unit they certainly could win this series. Will not predict! New Jersey versus Philly: Devil's in 6. Boucher not enough. Marty hasn't gotten that bad this quickly compared to his opponent. Buffalo versus Boston: Buffalo in 5 Pens versus Sens: Bold prediction. Elliott continues his play and Malkin disappears. Sens in 7. San Jose versus Colorado: Tricky series. I don't believe Colorado can be written off. The Sharks failed last year versus the 8th seeded Ducks. Anderson is the key for sure! The bad news for Colorado is Marleau, Clowe and Setoguchi. Thornton had better fall asleep worse than he's done in years past considering the supporting cast. Anyway, here goes: bold prediction - another upset. Colorado in 6. Chicago versus Nashville: Chicago in 5 Vancouver versus Los Angeles: Another tricky series. Vancouver has always been on the cusp in the first round throughout their recent history. Win or lose can be a nailbiter for Cancuks fans in the first round. Could the Kings beat the Canucks? Only if Lu falls a part. Vancouver in 5 Phoenix versus Detroit. What a whacky playoffs this is. Another tricky matchup. Because Bettman is paying off and instructing the refs to call Detroit for everything so Phoenix NHL run can win the cup will decide this series: Phoenix in 4... ...just kidding - Detroit in 6.

Pens win in OT. Time to edit my playoff banner be back soon

I feel guilty like I cut you off or something. Oh well, the 2 threads were made within 5 mins of each other. This isn't the 1st time this has happened

Please note the format and seeding will change as time passes and more results come in. I also realize that the western matchups listed are incorrect since a result came in while I was making the pic. I will update when all 82 games by all 16 teams are completed later on this evening

Sturm ties it up for Boston. Now 3-3 with 5 mins to go in the 3rd. Now, the reason I'm typing this is to underscore how (possibly) shaky the Caps might be in their goaltending. If Boston can sleepwalk through this game and make it to OT, what does that say about the overall potency of the Caps? They're 25th in the NHL on the PK - not a recipe for Lord Stanley I would submit. And, who gets the job - Varlamov or Theodore? Probably Jose.

Getting off topic with Thornton but I just thought I'd remind people of this absolute laugh. Anyone remember when the 2006 playoffs started that Joe showed up and played game one with a very dark sun tan. That much of a tan will dehydrate. I decided to pay special attention to him. Yep, he was slower than his usual self. Imagine one of our players showed up over tanned like that. We'd want a lynch mob.

I'll never understand him. He was good in the Olympics. It'll be interesting to see if he once again offensively floats or will he go to the dirty areas which he has utterly failed to do in prior playoffs. Get in the corner Joe and don't be a pussy

IMO: Gomez is mostly paid as a player that delivers in the post season. The only way to judge having him and the contract is to see what PPG he delivers in the playoffs (assuming we make it). After all, Gomez has 49 points in his last 46 playoff games. So, if we make the playoffs and he doesn't make noise than yeah, he's highly questionable. However, PPG in the playoffs is worth 100 times more than regular season PPG is worth. I don't expect my little rant to reassure the Gomez concerns from other fans. I am simply stating that I reserve judgement. His 49 points in his last 46 playoff games is not too shabby.

That's too late. The players must accept the stomach churning that we are experiencing. This will be utterly embarrassing and booing while losing to the Leafs...ug...I don't want to think about it. TOO LATE! What ever margin for error mixed with too much left over turkey from last weekend just evaporated. And, if any players should read this and they still have left over turkey or stuffing - throw it away!

Usually I am against Price being booed as he was recently for a game that was not his fault. Usually I defend this team and their players from attack. But I think now - for now - at this time - at this moment the players should understand that we are not happy. Our collective opinion right now ought to be along the lines of hoping the team gets an about face going into the playoffs. Oh wait, I forgot - we're not there yet. Grow a pair now!

See you Saturday Leafs