Another win by the skin of their teeth

[Mark Napier]

That was another game the Habs were very lucky to win. Still can't believe that some folks on here believe that luck has had nothing to do with this season's success. When I mean lucky, I don't just mean they are getting lucky breaks ( but they certainly did last night especially from the refs...that penalty against Boullion that resulted in the winning goal should never of been called). Habs have been lucky in that they haven't gotten any bad luck against them, if that makes sense. With a couple of bad bounces in those 1 goal wins and the story could have been much different. I still maintain that this team could now be at .500 or less if they didn't have all the breaks go for them and not against them.

I'm sounding like I'm the only one complaining and maybe I shouldn't because they are finding a way to win and that's the important thing. This sort of luck or perhaps more accurately, avoidance of bad luck can't continue. Their record is very inflated for a team with a +/- 0f 5. Look at Detroit. They have a +/- in the 20's and teams directly below the Habs have a higher +/- as well. But I guess no one honestly believes the Habs will finish 2nd in the league so the standings at this point shouldn't be fooling anyone. Then again maybe I should keep complaining because when I brought up these issues of very low offensive production especially from the D and the fact that Theo has been playing poorly, Theo went out and played a great game against the Rangers, the team has scored 9 goals in 2 games and the D is finally kicking in with some goals. Perhaps it's good to complain .

[bebehabs]

well, for ONCE habs has LUCK with them, let's welcome it~~ i dunt mind if we win coz we were lucky~ same happens to other teams from time to time~ we've been TOO un-lucky these past few years (especially with injuries) and for once we could win mot of our games, just welcome it and be happy~ haha

[Lister110]

Yeah, but how do you measure luck? I mean we have been getting tons of shots on net and very few of our goals were easy ones (with the exception of the first game against the Bruins and Rangers).

We have been hitting posts, getting bad calls and even have had some early injuries. If you ask me, the Habs have fought off their fair share of bad luck to capitalize on the good luck. And isn't that what a good team is?

If you're writing this to say we should check our expectations, I agree with you 100%. I still maintain we're a bottom tier playoff entry team. That is where we should be and that will still be hard to get.

Not to say we don't deserve higher, but things being what they are with 8 games inter-divisional play and the 3 guaranteed divisional spots(which are more like 6 now with the 8 divisional games), some undeserving teams are guaranteed to make the playoffs. Last year we had four teams from our division make it and there is absolutely no way that will happen again this year. Getting 3 in will be an accomplishment in itself.

I'd like to see us being more dominant in our games too, but I still wouldn't chalk up our success to luck. There seems to be an underachieving quality to the team, the way it takes breaks with leads and if we can overcome that I would slate the Habs as a top tier team ranking between 4-8 in the NHL.

Its funny the Leafs are in a way the opposite, a lower team(maybe not even playoff material this year) with high ambitions. They always work hard even when outclassed or ahead. Bums with ambition, but they still scare me because of the old tortoise and the hare story.

Until we stop the slag time I'd place our team at about 14th in the NHL and about 6th or 7th in our conference. Still higher than TSN.

[Edited on 2005/11/2 by Lister110]

[JMMR]

When I read your comments I do understand where you are coming from but lets remember the old adage. You must be good to be lucky and must also be lucky to be good. Furthermore why can't Montreal finish 2nd in the league, we have the skill and most of the time it appears we work hard every shift except for the few full periods that the boys have not shown up. In our two games against the Senators the Habs matched them stride for stride and they are arguably the Best the NHL has to offer. That’s just my opinion. Wow I love this web site.

[BTH]

Actually I think a back-up goalie (when your starter is struggling), a defensive specialist, a top-liner, your second-line rookie of the year candidate, your two-way checker(#3 OA choice, I believe) and your enforcer going out in the first two weeks isn't the greatest luck but I think the penalties in our games have been fairly even. I've seen some quesitonable ones against the Habs too. And Bégin is Mr Clutch for the moment. Let's hope he's not Mr October as well. We earned our spot and even though we could easily be .500 we could also be 12-1 had we had just a little bit MORE luck (or skill.) For example, the controversial winner against Ottawa. The OT loss could have gone the other way and the loss to TO was only by 1-goal and Belfour had a great game. The Rangers game was the only game all season that we are the undisputed losers in.

[JMMR]

How do you guys put pictures up in your info column on the left hand side of your posts????

[BTH]

Originally posted by JMMR

How do you guys put pictures up in your info column on the left hand side of your posts????

Talk to puck7x or Habs Fan Nr 1. They helped me get my avatar going.

[Lister110]

Go to a picture you want on the web, right click and go to properties. You should see an URL address, copy it and go to edit profile(you get there from Control/Panel options top right corner). You'll see I think "Avatar." Paste the address there then press edit profile and you should be golden

[Edited on 2005/11/2 by Lister110]

[Mark Napier]

What I'm trying to say is yes, we should check our expectations. If the Habs were out blowing teams away 8 -0 like Ottawa I would say "This is a top 5 elite team in the league". But when most of your wins are 1 goal games, some squeaked out in overtime, then I have to believe that this can't continue to happen. Habs aren't dominant by any stretch of the imagination so taking a downward slide is certainly a possibility. A team in 2nd place should definitely be more dominant than the Habs have been.

[JMMR]

test

[Rooster]

Don't know that anybody actually believes the habs will finish 2nd in the league or whatever. I see them as a 4-5-6 spot team in the east. That would be a very good season from them. Of course, we always root for more.

[JMMR]

test

[Lister110]

Its bubble bursting but true. At some point this year I could easily see a losing streak if we don't find a way to push the lead and keep it secure. I'd be surprised if it lasted a long time or multiple times, but I too don't want to see everyone become down trodden on the team if or when it happens.

We have to remember the good things all the players have brought to the the team at that time. I'll be really pissed if we get the kind of situation we had with Brisebois where fans start persecuting a player.

These are high times for us but it is wise to keep perspective on it to weather future storms.

Like we don't want a streaky team, we have to be careful not to be streaky fans

[Lister110]

Two things JMMR

The pic you're using might be too big or the address is wrong

[Lister110]

I had the same trouble getting my picture on

[Mark Napier]

I would only be really dissappointed in this team if they finished below 7th. I think they can finish at least that high and anything less is a step backwards. It's certainly possible for them to finish 4rth to 6th but to finish top 3 they would have to beat out Ottawa and there is practically no chance of that happening. I'm quietly hoping for a 4rth or 5th in the east.

[JMMR]

Thanks I got it thanks for your help guys

[Lister110]

4th or 5th would be great. If we pull that off, I'd say with a bit of luck(Ottawa gets knocked off in an upset) anything is possible for the cup.

But again expectations, all I want is the playoffs. They give me an exciting series and preferrably make the second round I'm happy. This gives me one round of drinking every second night with friends and family and yelling at the top of my lungs. Whether this lasts two weeks or two months it fills an empty space that nothing else can.

Actually if the Habs went to the cup I would probably need a month of detox after.

[Lister110]

JMMR

are you using a picture from the web or one saved on your computer?

[ndmartinxyz]

I don't think they've been THAT lucky...I agree that you can't keep winning 1-goal games and succeed, but I think they just need to work full games. From what I've seen, they've managed to win playing 2/3 or 1/3 games...if they can put a string together playing full time, I think the sky's the limit...they've got great speed, great scoring touch, and as someone was saying on here - they miss a lot of bounces too.

Keep it up, boys...let's bring the cup back home

[Mark Napier]

Yeah Lister I think it's better to be realistic at this stage of the season than get your hopes up about finishing 2nd in the league because that is very unlikely.

By the way I like your avatar Lister. I loved Red Dwarf and actually taped a lot of the show but unfortunately I lost the tapes when moving. The guy that played Lister is hosting a show called robot wars or something like that. Love watching those things tear the crap out of each other.

[Lister110]

Originally posted by Mark Napier

Yeah Lister I think it's better to be realistic at this stage of the season than get your hopes up about finishing 2nd in the league because that is very unlikely.

hear hear.

-------------------

Thanks about the avatar, Red Dwarf is or was one of my favorite programs. I bought the DVD's so I wouldn't be at the mercy of cable tv with their on again off again showings. Its always good to come across a fellow dwarfer. :/)

[PurpleHills]

Wow all this time, I thought your avatar pic was you:) no joke

[Habsterr]

Originally posted by ndmartinxyz

I don't think they've been THAT lucky...I agree that you can't keep winning 1-goal games and succeed, but I think they just need to work full games. From what I've seen, they've managed to win playing 2/3 or 1/3 games...if they can put a string together playing full time, I think the sky's the limit...they've got great speed, great scoring touch, and as someone was saying on here - they miss a lot of bounces too.

Keep it up, boys...let's bring the cup back home

I agree. They could have lost some of those close games but also could have won one or two more as well. And this record with, at best, so so goaltending. One feels, if Theodore gets back in a groove, and all indications are he seems be starting to find it....watch out.

What I like so far is their depth (so many players coming through), their doggedness as they never ever give up. They seem to have an extra gear that they can turn up if needed.

On top of that, and this is why I'm positive on them, is they seem to only be improving. They have a system that the players seem to be getting more and more accustomed to. Their coaching is smart. You have to count that...bigtime. Also nice to know we have Gainey watching everything and will only do his best to make this version of Les Canadiens only better.

Will they have a losing streak(s), of course. But needless to say, I am very optomistic!!!

:ghg:

[Edited on 2005/11/2 by Habsterr]

[Trizzak]

It's true that the Habs haven't shown dominance over any team yet, and I agree with whoever it was that said that proves we aren't an elite team.

However, they're a hard working team, they're creating these chances to stay in games, and they're proving to be pests to the top tier teams. That makes the Habs a really good team, and I'm fine with that.