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Was at work in my office at lunch reading our forum and thinking about the possibility of our beloved team clinching tomorrow. So many thoughts and memories of the joy and happiness the Habs successes brought me during my childhood. Kept thinking of my first playoff game as a 10yr old in 1986. Game 5 wales conference clinching game against the rangers. My dad surprised me with tickets to after I got off the school bus that day. Little did I know it would turn into such a core memory of my childhood and I’m eternally grateful to my dad for taking me. So ran home, packed our bags, got my kids off the bus, threw them in the car and started our 6hr journey from Connecticut to Montreal. Now get it done boys 💙🤍❤️

As we enter May, so do the Habs who are playing meaningful hockey during this month for the first time in 5 years. The excitement is palpable and Habs fans are constantly refreshing ticket resale websites, hoping to find a better deal than $500 per ticket. Keep dreaming my friends, as the prices will only continue to rise. Friday’s matchup Tampa Bay Lightning @ Montreal Canadiens - Friday, May 1st, 2026 @ 7:00PM EST- Centre Bell Montreal Canadiens Lineup Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson Slafkovský - Evans - Demidov Texier - Dach - Bolduc Newhook - Danault - Gallagher Matheson - Carrier Guhle - Hutson Xhekaj - Struble Dobeš Fowler Tampa Bay Lightning Lineup Hagel - Point - Kucherov Gourde - Cirelli - Guentzel Goncalves - James - Bjorkstrand Girgensons - Geekie - Perry Moser - Raddysh McDonagh - Cernak Lilleberg - Crozier Vasilevskiy Johansson Storyline: The Habs enter Friday’s game with the opportunity to clinch their first round 1 playoff series since they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs after being down 1-3 in the series 5 years ago. That same year, they compiled a 13-9-0 record, having defeated Winnipeg 4-0 in round 2 and Vegas in the conference final 4-2, before falling in the final to Tampa Bay in 5 games. This year’s series has been a seesaw battle with each team trading wins throughout the first 5 games. Will the trend continue in game 6? Or will the Habs finally put an end to the trend and finish Tampa Bay off just like they did 12 years ago during Cooper’s first playoff experience? Since 2004, The Habs and Bolts have faced each other 4 times in the playoffs, with the Habs claiming that lone victory. Throughout the series there have been individual playoff storylines. Most recently highlighted by the return of Brendan Gallagher into the lineup who had an immediate impact, as well as Jakub Dobeš’ performance in game 5 and throughout the series. The unlikely trio of Texier, Bolduc and Dach, all of which came into the series as borderline healthy scratch players, have been important to the team’s success. While Demidov has been quiet, Hutson continues to impress. Overall, the Habs have had many players who are contributing to the team’s success and have the possibility to be heroes in game 6. On Tampa’s end, Hagel has been a monster, though the Habs were able to contain him for the first time in game 5. Kucherov is always a threat, and Guentzel has not so quietly continued to have an impact in each and every game, as he rides a 5 game point streak. On the other end of the spectrum, Vasilevskiý hasn’t quite been his usual self throughout the series, despite stopping the Habs on 4 breakaways during the playoffs. With all the individual storylines in place, as of last game, we have seen the importance of coaching and the impact it may have on the outcome of this series. During the second half of last year, the Habs used a lineup built on chemistry. For months, the lines remained intact and we only saw lineup adjustments due to injury, like when Heinemann got hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian in Salt Lake City. When players like Pezzetta were inserted into the lineup, one could really see the difference between our well oiled machine of regulars, and the newly inserted player. This year was similar, however not to the same extent. The Habs have more depth. This season, we did see stretches where players like Slafkovský were moved to the second line, and the last few games of the regular season were used to mix the lineups in order to find alternatives that may work during our playoff run. In game 5, knowing how much Cooper loves his matchups, the blender came out and Tampa Bay’s players had to face new matchups that they weren’t accustomed to. In addition, it looked as though the Habs players all had chemistry, regardless of who they played with. While fans were still able to identify certain combinations that they didn’t like, the result was more meaningful as the Habs came out with the victory. One example where fans were quick to chime in was the use of Josh Anderson on the top line. While it wouldn’t have been my first choice to use him in that position, I have no problem with the Habs at least trying to use Anderson in a Tom Wilson role, where the talent clearly isn’t at the level of an Ovechkin, but he does have the ability to produce points and more importantly be quite physical, with the hopes of opening up more space for the star players on the line which can allow them to perform. In addition, St. Louis often double shifted Suzuki, so it wasn’t the only line combination for our star player. While things may change for game 6, I also do not believe that 1 game is enough to declare it a failed experiment. Turning the page on to game 6, the Habs will need their best effort of the series in order to finish Tampa Bay off. With that being said, if Dobeš can continue to outperform Vasilevskiy, the Habs have a great chance to end the series as they have been the better team overall throughout. Here’s to looking forward to a rocking crowd, a valiant effort and a positive outcome in our next game. The Habs can continue to prove the doubters wrong as they did in game 5 and transition from a “young team that is learning a lot” to an eastern threat with cup aspirations. Go Habs Go! Let the game begin.

Beautiful work short handed Newhook.

The last time I made a game day thread, the date was April 28th, 2025 and we were setting out to play game 5 versus the Washington Capitals on April 30th, 2025. Fast forward just about one year later, and here we are once again playing game 5 of a round 1 series, albeit under somewhat different circumstances. Entering last year’s game, the Habs were down in the series 1-3 and while they fought hard, they ended up losing the series in 5 games. The Habs have already guaranteed a longer series this time around, and there is the potential for a lot more moving forward. After being in attendance last night, while the game didn’t go our way, I’m not ready for playoff hockey to be over and am rooting for us to continue our journey. Wednesday’s Matchup Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning - Wednesday, April 29th @ 7:00PM - Benchmark International Arena Montreal Canadiens Lineup Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovský Newhook - Kapanen - Demidov Texier - Dach - Bolduc Evans - Danault - Anderson Matheson - Carrier Guhle - Hutson Xhekaj - Struble Dobeš Fowler Tampa Bay Lightning Lineup Hagel - Point - Kucherov Gourde - Cirelli - Guentzel Bjorkstrand - James - Goncalves Perry - Girgensons - Paul Moser - Raddysh McDonagh - Cernak Lilleberg - Crozier Vasilevskiy Johansson Storyline: One of the main storylines heading into this game is how close the series has been. While anything can happen, it wouldn’t be hard to predict that this game will once again end by a 1 goal margin. The teams have played 3 overtime games, and the other game was settled once again by 1 goal. Despite the Habs having taken a 2 goal lead last game, Tampa clawed their way back, after scoring their first goal with less than 1 minute left in the second period. The entire year, and in fact the past couple of years, the Habs have found themselves playing a lot of close games. The good news is that one can never count them out. They have come from behind quite often. The bad news is that it seems as though it is difficult for them to pull away even when they have a few goal lead. The two games that started prior to the Habs’ game yesterday saw Buffalo win 6-1, as well as Colorado eliminating the Kings by a score of 5-1. While Tampa is a good team and it’s not going to be easy to demolish them, it feels as though consistently playing in close games will eventually come back to bite the Habs, because instead of having an 80%+ chance to win, with a 4 goal lead, they often find themselves in 50-50 contests. It will be hard to get 16 wins in such a manner. Hopefully the Habs can find another gear and start spreading themselves from the competition when given an opportunity. Another storyline will be whether or not any lineup changes are made. Whether it is fans suggesting that Gallagher or Veleno should be inserted in the lineup, or people asking to shuffle the lines (mostly the top 2 lines) almost everyone has requested that something be changed. Cooper has made more changes than St. Louis and one could argue that the changes have paid dividends. After each loss, the losing team has battled back the following game, and in Tampa’s case, much of this can be due to the adjustments they have made. I am not sure that I personally see much being changed next game, but I can see why people would want this to be the case. Personally, I’d like to see both Dobson and Gallagher in the lineup at some point, but health may play a role as to whether or not they will be inserted in both cases. Gallagher may need an injury to occur in order to be inserted, and Dobson will need to heal. The final reason that they may be inserted, or anyone new for that matter would be because we are losing the series for the first time. Will patience pay off, or will it be too late once we actually do make changes? Similarly, the type of series we have seen between games 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 4 have been quite different. While there has still been physical play, the scrums have reduced a lot. It’s almost as though Cooper didn’t want to get the crowd into the games by having these scrums, as well as by taking undisciplined penalties. In that sense, a lot of the series is being played on Tampa Bay’s terms, when it comes to matchups, as well as stylistic choice of play. Finally, standouts within the series start and end with Hagel. The Habs have had some good moments from players such as Anderson, Dach, and Slafkovksý, however Hagel has brought his “A” game each game of the series. This reality is perhaps why some people would like to juggle the top 2 lines, as neither line have been dominant throughout the series, though certain players on those lines have had a respectable playoff thus far. Goaltending has been somewhat of a wash and Kucherov while good has not been Tampa Bay’s number one threat which makes this series winnable. Let’s hope for a good contest, and a productive rest of the series from the Habs. Go Habs Go!

My current living conditions 🔵⚪️🔴

Finally! My optimism meets reality! Happily surprised that they beat my points projection.

He was gliding from the faceoff circle. I dont think it was a charge.

We have this year's winner PMAC had the highest point total projection His 105 points was still too low. What a great time to be a Habs fan. Almost reminds me of the 70's.

I suppose I will post the series threads as long as the Habs keep winning ... 😂😂😂

Not working, but TVA just showed Renaud Lavioe visiting in their booth

Capt Kirk.

Not sure if this is sarcasm but, Gionta was at game 1 in Buffalo. He was in full Sabres gear, jersey and all cheering them on! No thanks

I might be jumping the gun a little with this thread but the playoffs should be starting within a week and as I was looking at the standings last night, I thought to myself that I sure miss the old playoff format. Things changed a little bit over night but we went from facing Boston to Pittsburgh with the old format. As it stands, we will be facing Tampa. If Buffalo manages to get a single point over their final two games, our matchup with Tampa Bay will become official. It’s just a matter of who will start with home ice advantage. A few weeks ago, when the standings were once again different than they are now, I did a mock bracket that had Minnesota facing Tampa in the final, so clearly I think highly of their chances. With that being said, the Habs have a great team this year and if anyone can give them a run for their money, it’s these Habs. I think a key to the series will be whether or not our goaltending can compete with Vasilevskiy. If we can come close to keeping up in that category, we have a great chance. It should be interesting and if they were to get out of that series, the sky is the limit with this team. Anyway, feel free to use this thread for anything playoff related. What an exciting time of year! The only series’ that are so far official are Dallas vs Minnesota as well as Philly vs Pittsburgh. Two very interesting series’ of their own. While I don’t love the format, I can’t argue against the fact that the first round does have some intriguing matchups. Go Habs Go! As I’m writing this, it looks as though Tampa vs Montreal is the third official series. Buffalo is leading 4-1 against Chicago and about to clinch the division. Let’s go Habs. We got this.

I’ll be in section 325. Pretty much a similar angle to your viewpoint, just at the other end of the building.

I yelled out again on the 4th goal. Totally scared the guy and his sleeping wife😂

The term generational talent gets thrown around too much If hes not crosby/mcdavid then hes not a generational talent. Kane/Kucherov can be franchise players .. but a generational talent is generational cause there isnt one every year, its once every ten years or so on average

Average-aged Habsworld poster - ?

Best wishes Renaud, get well soon

Drove back to CT Sunday afternoon and made it home just before game 7 puck drop. I'm turning 50 in a couple of weeks and I've been watching the Habs for the better part of 40+ years. Game 6 was unequivocably one of the top 3 games I have witnessed as a fan. And to experience it live was otherwordly. 21k people collectively on edge for over 3 hours. The roar of the crowd after we killed off that bullshit Demidov call was epic. How my heart survived that game remains unknown.

I’m enjoying Pizza with Danault. Genuinely, I just had two pepperoni pizza pieces, and I’m dipping them in Kucherov’s tears.

Looks like the hockey gods or old Forum ghosts have leant a hand to our Habs this round. That was a nail biter of an ending for sure. Looking forward to the Buffalo series!

1-1 is a very satisfactory result after one of our worst periods of the season. I could give a shit about shot totals, and here’s why. In Game 2 of the 2021 Finals, the Habs outshot Tampa something like 19-4 and came out of the first period tied. Of course Tampa went on to win the game, and nobody EVER remembers that we dominated the Lightning for that period (nor that, if we’d been rewarded as we deserved, the series might have shifted its complexion). Exact same situation here. Win period 3 and nobody gives a flying piece of Auston Matthews poop about period 2. This is a huge moment for MSL. He needs to make the right adjustments and say the right things. Get back to our normal level and win this frigging game.

I’ve had it for years but I just put on this white jersey for the first time ever. Here’s to a playoff run with it on as opposed to a permanent retirement.

It has been a while since we did a game preview but I tackled one (of sorts) for today: https://www.habsworld.net/2026/05/seven-keys-to-a-game-seven-victory/ Meanwhile, Dobson is listed as a game-time decision and will take the warmup.

That may have been the most bullshit call relative to the situation in a playoff game that I have ever seen.

Oceans of people

Carrier is staying in the lineup. There is no way MSL leaves in two Dmen he wont even play in the last 8 minutes of a one goal game, and who get about 10-12 minutes a game, while taking out the guy hes playing over 20 in the playoffs. Plus Xhekaj and Struble get no PK time (unless another D is in the box) while Carrier is relied on heavily there. Carrier is matching against tampa's best players and Xhekaj/strubble are being protected in matchups. And to top it all off... Dobson clearly isnt 100%, even if he comes back hes gonna be playing somewhat hurt as players do in the playoffs. If he has to leave the game for any reason, do you think MSL will want Carrier who he trusts for more than 20 minutes a night and on the top pair as one of the 5 to finish that game, or Xhekaj/Struble. To me the only question is which one of Xhekaj/Struble sits when Dobson comes back. Assuming Hutson, MM, Carrier, Guhle are healthy, they are all playing.

Marty has stumbled upon a great new line Bolduc - Dach - Texier

Like a friend of mine said, the Pens deserve to be 0-2 after wearing those ugly yellow jerseys at home.

The issue isnt the fights. It is 1) he can get himself out of position looking for a big hit and definitely did in last years playoffs and a few times this season. 2) taking a bad penalty. 3) being targeted by the opposition coach with last line change. Hes a liability against top players (to be fair so are most 6th defencemen in the NHL). One smart thing that Marty did in Game 1 is that Arber never started a shift on a faceoff. Not once. All of his shifts came from changing on the fly which didnt allow Cooper to make use of last change to get the Kucherov line on the ice vs Xhekaj, and thats some really smart coaching by MSL.

CBC : Hey, so we have a tradition in Canada on Saturdays, it's called Hockey Night in Canada, been around for quite a few years. I imagine at least one of the 3 canadian teams could play Saturday night ? NHL : No. CBC : Okay. What about next Saturday ? NHL : No.

Yes, you seem to think that the Habs aren’t a top team in the division without Dobson, and I believe that a combination of Reinbacher, Guhle and Carrier can hold the fort until he returns. We didn’t have any of them for major stints and now we do so certainly that can offset some of the impact of his loss. I’ve been on these boards for over 20 years and every year, including any of the better teams we’ve had throughout the years, there are negative nancies on the board who always look to diminish our team or pick certain players as scapegoats instead of just enjoying the ride. This team is likely better than any single one of those teams where people were wrong about our guaranteed first round exit, as we advanced to conference finals and finals in those same years. I’m not sure what you were trying to point out with your comment about the Habs being nowhere near Tampa without Dobson for that many games outside of you either don’t think very highly of the Habs, or you overrate the impact an individual player has on the success of the team. Colorado has lost Makar recently, as pointed out, Tampa Bay has lost Hedman and while those injuries certainly hurt, from a neutral standpoint, I don’t see the sky falling when it comes to either of those organizations. They (Hedman & Makar) may not miss playoff time, but my point stands even if they were to. Perhaps you are scarred from the past, but I hate to break it to you: As someone who watches every team in the NHL, the Habs are a top tier team this year and have the depth to handle adversity when it comes to injuries. Are we guaranteed to win any given series? By no means. Is a first round playoff exit imminent because of the Dobson injury? The thought wouldn’t even cross my mind.

That is another blown call.

I see @JMMRon tv in the crowd shots after Muller

Slow is good with the score 3-0

3 goals after a sabre takes himself out of the play for a hit.

As I understand it, this year's draft class has a pretty strong top 10, but there are no expected superstars at the top of the list. So the Leafs' and Canucks' picks may not be all that different, depends on who they actually pick.

A good reminder for us to trust our instincts and not dismiss sudden pains/symptoms as being 'probably nothing'. For what we pay in taxes towards health care in this country, never be hesitate to go to the hospital if you think something might be wrong.

I dont know that he did anything. Just MSL had 5 D he trusted in a game 7 where it was do or die.

Finally I can exhale!

Yes, “very strong for a third pairing” is precisely what I mean. Or maybe just “very strong by their standards.” The point is, the bottom pairing was one of those question marks all year, like the second line or G. But like G, they haven’t been an issue this series. (At least until OT last night). On the infamous pick play…first of all, the Habs do it too, and second, if that’s what the refs allow, then we need to do more of it. Make it work for us. Tampa Bay have long been masters of exploiting every tiny advantage they can, whether it be ref tolerance for diving and picks, or for that matter the now-corrected loophole about LTIR. There’s a lesson there about how you win Cups.

Dobes is not getting enough love. He has been terrific.

Anderson

Both shorthanded points, too. Solid debut for him.

Yes, well - you might as well say the same about Detroit, our most epic 1950s opponent. The only reason we keep hearing about a rivalry that was great 60 years ago, ad nauseum, is the Toronto hype machine. I had to grow up hearing over and over and over about 1967!!!!! as if it was the greatest moment in hockey history (despite the Habs winning a boatload of Cups thereafter) and hearing Maclean and Cherry bloviate on as if we ALL love the Leafs. To this day, our 'national' broadcasters continue to be TO-centric. The entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization and its arse-kissing media entourage can be herded onto a barge and sunk to the bottom of Lake Ontario as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah, the fact he's been at practice, without a no-contact jersey, for weeks on end is very strange. I wouldn't go as far to say it is nefarious; just odd. It's probably rude of me to speculate, but I kind of wonder if they're letting him seek some kind of treatment without officially placing him in the Player Assistant Program, to grant him some privacy.

Wow. Im jealous. I never travel. Its not a priority. Im planning a trip with my adult children for next summer. Can't wait. Tokyo, Kyoto, Sapporo i think. Maybe Osaka.

Congrats Suzy on a 100+ point season. 👏

Vecvanags faced "79" shots 1g OT win Pickford 2g 7 shots 1st star of game; scored 3rd period and then the OT winner. 5g 6pts 6 playoff games. Calgary Hitmen at Medicine Hat Tigers - Friday, April 10, 2026 Protz 1a 2 shots +4 (+7 in 2 games of series), Up 2-0 in series. Zharovski 0pts 0 shots just 2:51 in 2nd loss of series, hope not hurt. Rohrer 0pts down 3-1 in series. Wonder what plan is for him if lose next game, ATO with Laval perhaps?

I believe that's what they were at. But teams get older as the season progresses (by half a year each, give or take a couple of weeks of season length) and can add players who affect that number as well. To use a preseason number to compare to an end-of-season number from the year before is just lazy and inaccurate reporting.