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Habs-Leafs Series Discussion Thread


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41 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

TSN has written us off already -

Isnt just TSN and for good reasons, sorry to say.

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Well...on one level, yes. The rational money is on the Leafs to win in 4-5 games. I think 5 games is a very realistic projection.

 

But remember The Bubble? The playoffs are a different game. Plodders like Weber, Chiarot and Edmundson are liable to see their effectiveness spike upward as all sorts of clutching and grabbing are suddenly permitted by the idiot refs. The Habs are also getting back veterans like Weber, Gally, and Price who seemed weary for good chunks of this season, but now will - ironically - benefit from the rest provided by long-term injuries. Of course, they could also be “out of sync” and need a few games to get their rhythm. They won’t have that luxury. But if they can hit the ground running, they will be well-rested and probably better than what we saw for most of this insipid season.

 

If Danault can’t play, that will likely prove fatal. But with Danault and the other vets healthy and on the roster, I think there is maybe a 20% chance of an upset - the Habs morphing into a hard-grinding, physically punishing, “tough out” that manages to outlast the Leafs.

 

So frustrating that we couldn’t win a few of those OT games and play the Oil instead. (Not that the Oilers are pushovers, but I think we match up better against them). 

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The Leafs are a very good team, but as much as they say they’ve learned and grown I believe they will still break under pressure and adversity.

 

The Habs need to make this a war of attrition where there on. Zero uncontested space and sacrifice is required for every touch of the puck.   Matthews can be easily frustrated and aggravated, their core is still the same soft group who has withered in the past. Old guys in bottom 6 aren’t going to change that, these core players have a life long history of reward coming through speed, skill, size but not through suffering.


If the Habs make this a competitive series, the winner will be severely hurting for round 2 and may therefore suffer because of it.

 

I believe we are going to see the swarming hive, wet blanket forecheck that we saw to start the season.  I loved watching that, felt so confident for the team.  Toronto’s d will have to play above their levels to withstand that. If the Habs are rewarded with this early, and the seeds of doubt are planted while also fuelling Habs confidence...

Only works if Habs forwards are flying and forechecking in waves as they did in first 10 games or so. Defending from offensive zone, disrupting the speed of Leafs.  


Throw in a rested Price, Weber, slacker officiating....

Call me crazy, but I think they have a better chance than I should probably.

 

Somewhat related:

 

I Think KK rises to the challenge and playoff hockey is in his wheel house, hate to see him sit if it happens.  
 

Haven’t heard anything of JoDro, as in whether he’s a possibility for return. Would love to have him as an option at least, but obv there are more important things in life.

 

Is Price right? In the head?

His time away, as well as Weber’s could be a blessing in disguise. Confident Allan, rested Price...Or rusty AF and this gets ugly fast, but I’d bet on rested and ready. He’s a pro.
 

Has Weber still got enough gas in the rusty tank?

Will Kulak finally get rewarded with his good play and stay in the lineup?

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Barring some miraculous summer GMing, this is may well prove to be Price’s last chance to do something in the postseason in a Habs’ jersey. So I would count on him being as good as post-2016 Price gets.

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16 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Well...on one level, yes. The rational money is on the Leafs to win in 4-5 games. I think 5 games is a very realistic projection.

 

But remember The Bubble? The playoffs are a different game. Plodders like Weber, Chiarot and Edmundson are liable to see their effectiveness spike upward as all sorts of clutching and grabbing are suddenly permitted by the idiot refs. The Habs are also getting back veterans like Weber, Gally, and Price who seemed weary for good chunks of this season, but now will - ironically - benefit from the rest provided by long-term injuries. Of course, they could also be “out of sync” and need a few games to get their rhythm. They won’t have that luxury. But if they can hit the ground running, they will be well-rested and probably better than what we saw for most of this insipid season.

 

If Danault can’t play, that will likely prove fatal. But with Danault and the other vets healthy and on the roster, I think there is maybe a 20% chance of an upset - the Habs morphing into a hard-grinding, physically punishing, “tough out” that manages to outlast the Leafs.

 

So frustrating that we couldn’t win a few of those OT games and play the Oil instead. (Not that the Oilers are pushovers, but I think we match up better against them). 


Good points.

im going to be generous and give them a 35% shot since the players who are hopefully back are all gamers with track records that suggest continued performance rather than spotty play. These are our most consistent players (until this year) for the most part.

Agreed that our d should look better in the tighter checking, loser calling style if they can slow it down.

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6 minutes ago, Commandant said:

9 out of 10 games against the leafs were competitive... so suggesting the series won't be competitive is ignoring that fact IMO. 

 

“Competitive,” sure. But competitive like the Habs-Blues series of 1969 (3-4 close games, all won by one team)? Or close as in, a 7-game nail-biter? I think the former outcome is more likely, but don’t rule out the second.

 

That said, some commentators are talking about this series in the same “over in 3!” tones that they spoke about the Washington series in 2010. That is often a bad sign for the favoured team, especially if its players start believing their own media cheerleaders. 

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Personally, I’m THRILLED about leafs in round 1. 
 

Habs are going to be better than they have been in weeks ... healthy, rested, AND COACHED (finally getting practice time). Also, underdogs with something to prove. Vets who have won the cup and know what it takes. 
 

plus - we know - the road out of the North goes through Toronto ... I’d rather play them rested, coached and healthy in round 1 than in round 2 and worn down after handling the Oil in round 1. 
 

this is a great set up. I actually can’t think of a better one that doesn’t include massive season ending injuries to Matthews, Marner, McDavid and any other superstar opponent. 

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I believe this series hinges on Price, KK, Perry and Staal.  Price and KK needs to show up like they did last year.  Veterans are usually key in the playoffs, so if they finish their checks on the Toronto defense and chip in a couple, I think the Habs have a chance to make it a good series and maybe even an upset. 

 

I think this series will be closer than the season series.  Plus there's the elephant in the room of Toronto not being able to win a playoff series.  As always, how much the refs chip in will be a huge factor, but it is the playoffs.

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I can't believe we are finally getting a Habs vs Leafs playoff series, has not happened in my lifetime. And I feel much better going into the series as a huge underdog because if we don't win it is expected, BUT if we do win, my god the glory! 

 

The way this team has limped into the playoffs and has had injuries to key players who will be back to start the series is amazing. I expect vintage Price, mean Weber, shutdown Danault and greasy Gallagher to inject some serious life into the team. 

 

Habs in 6

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3 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

...

...

 

Media making outrageous comments to appeal to their base or incite others ... perfect example of why so many/the majority of media playoff predictions are really just chum in the water to attract sharks (eyes/clicks/etc.)

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I'm 37 yo  and it's about ####ing time this happens.

I always find it strange when people say the Leafs vs Habs is our #1 Rivalry.  We haven't played them in playoffs in over 40 years.

 

Now the time has arrived.

 

Just a huge shame that we cannot see it live from the stands.  ####ing Covid.

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I wonder how much of a leash Staal will get to contribute positively in any way, hopefully not more than a game if he continues his form from the regular season.  And if we're fully healthy, I wonder if there's room in the lineup for both Perry and Caufield - PP specialists who have deficiencies elsewhere.  

 

IF all our guys are back and rolling, we have a chance.  I'd feel better about our coaching if Julien was still around...

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1 hour ago, Neech said:

I wonder how much of a leash Staal will get to contribute positively in any way, hopefully not more than a game if he continues his form from the regular season.  And if we're fully healthy, I wonder if there's room in the lineup for both Perry and Caufield - PP specialists who have deficiencies elsewhere.  

 

IF all our guys are back and rolling, we have a chance.  I'd feel better about our coaching if Julien was still around...


no knock on CC, he’s gonna be a gooder. But think Perry is better suited for the playoffs at this point in CC’s development.

 

Ducharme has not instilled much confidence in me, think the players themselves will have to come together rather than expect him to outthink/adapt throughout games/series.

Juliens style was very effective early this season, is a good playoff style. The uptempo forecheck was impressive and very disruptive to other teams.

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8 hours ago, Commandant said:

9 out of 10 games against the leafs were competitive... so suggesting the series won't be competitive is ignoring that fact IMO. 

 

Its about wins and losses,

 

You aren;t one of those "everyone gets a ribbon for trying" guys are you? 

 

 

 

 

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3 hours ago, hockeyrealist said:


no knock on CC, he’s gonna be a gooder. But think Perry is better suited for the playoffs at this point in CC’s development.

 

Ducharme has not instilled much confidence in me, think the players themselves will have to come together rather than expect him to outthink/adapt throughout games/series.

Juliens style was very effective early this season, is a good playoff style. The uptempo forecheck was impressive and very disruptive to other teams.

 

Ducharme hasn't even had a practice in like 6 weeks, he hasn't changed Julien's style much.  Its minor tweaks at best.

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30 minutes ago, Commandant said:

Ducharme hasn't even had a practice in like 6 weeks, he hasn't changed Julien's style much.  Its minor tweaks at best.

 

True ... unfortunately perhaps too late to do much at this point even with the practice time now available

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8 hours ago, illWill said:

I can't believe we are finally getting a Habs vs Leafs playoff series, has not happened in my lifetime. And I feel much better going into the series as a huge underdog because if we don't win it is expected, BUT if we do win, my god the glory! 

 

 

Heres a spoiler for you:  the series will be over in 4 games when Mike Palmateer gets injured in the corner in game 3 and the Habs sweep the series.  

 

Back to reality - damn trapezoid rule.  

 

I honestly think Habs sweep could happen, but they'd have to get lucky and the Leafs dont figure out that they're in serious trouble.   ex:  Habs win 1st game in OT, win 2nd game by 1, Leafs goalie gets injured game 3 and they win it due to Leaf penalties, and the Leafs completely fall apart in game 4.

 

5 hours ago, Neech said:

I wonder how much of a leash Staal will get to contribute positively in any way, hopefully not more than a game if he continues his form from the regular season.  And if we're fully healthy, I wonder if there's room in the lineup for both Perry and Caufield - PP specialists who have deficiencies elsewhere.  

 

 

 

Either way, it's time to dust off Staal's illegal stick.  

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Looking forward to the series. I think the Habs are more of a playoff team than the Leafs but both teams do have a veteran core who have experience running deep, if not winning. 
 

I am going to go with a similar prediction to Will but while I was initially thinking 6 games as well, I am going to go with Habs in 7 games.

 

Looking forward to this one, though like many have already expressed, I really wish we were able to attend/have some fans in the stands to increase the excitement level for this long awaited series, as well as the rest of the playoffs.

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59 minutes ago, johnnyhasbeen said:

Can't be afraid of a team that hasn't beaten us in a playoff game since 1967.......

There’s a difference now - we are more like the the team that we used to beat handily in the 70’s and 80’s.

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