Scott462

You bring up a good point. Kotka seems like a really good kid and you would think he is learning from these experiences.

Just to be clear I’m not advocating tanking when I asked which potential outcome would people prefer. Just the possibility of missing the playoffs and winning the lottery (albeit a very small chance) or making the playoffs. From what I have seen so far this team leans very heavily on Weber and he has obviously slowed down and looks fatigued, as do some other players. This does not bode too well should the Habs make the playoffs, so the way I’m looking at it is even if there is some small chance they could win the lottery that might be better than getting blasted by Tampa. You guys make good arguments about making the playoffs and nothing would make me happier seeing Montreal upset the mighty Lightning.

Don saw the writing on the wall before all of us. 18.8% of making the playoffs now, if they do make it they will probably limp into them beaten up and dead tired and have the powerhouse that is Tampa this year waiting for them. I have a new question for everyone. Do people still want Montreal to make the playoffs and play Tampa or forget about it and try to potentially win the lottery or worse case try for a better draft pick? I choose draft pick at this point but I wouldn’t be upset at making the playoffs because I’d love to watch more hockey that I have a personal stake in.

Not true, Domi/Tatar/Gallagher have been getting it done all year. Montreal’s offence revolves around those 3. Sometimes Drouin/Shaw/Byron show up but too inconsistent out of those 3. Crawford really was amazing last night and it was a shame because it should have been Carey’s night but like others have pointed out something super lucky revolves around him playing in Montreal, it’s some weird form of miracle almost. All you can do is laugh at it.

That is something I don’t agree with. Kotkaniemi needs to play better no question but he obviously has the skill to make it happen out there and when you are down a couple goals grinders like Thompson and Weal are not going to get it done for you.

Weber certainly has not looked good at all. But he did miss a considerable amount of time away and did not have a proper chance to get ready for the season and I think that’s starting to show. If he is injured we’ll thats definitely a sign for concern but not necessarily a sign of decline.

Talk about stealing Prices thunder my goodness.

Hawks get the first real chance of the night and pretty much almost scored. One of those nights haha wow.

Lehkonen has had probably 4-5 grade A scoring chances tonight. That is a whack load of chances and to not score on any of them is quite concerning.

Crawford makes every save look effortless. Shutout incoming.

That’ll do it for the night. Looks like Don wasn’t right about tonight but at this point looks like he’s right about Montreal missing the playoffs. They just don’t have anything left in the tank. Every zone entry and puck battle won seems like a heroic effort.

He seems to have the Habs number and is red hot since coming back.

Crawford is really good against Montreal.

I have defended Drouin a lot this year but he really needs to start showing more than he is right now. It’s really a shame he has so much potential, hopefully he turns it around.

Wow some terrible luck there at the end with Domi and Kulak. Very unfortunate outcome with a point so close but it is what it is. Hopefully they can win on Saturday and still give them a chance to make the playoffs.

Looks like Don was right.

Thats true Don, Kotkaniemi has played more hockey than any other player of the Habs roster, as a 18 year old. I think the team honestly wants to give him a bit of a break and what better place than in the sunny beaches of California, it could be a vacation mentality here. I’m sure they want to see what they have in Weal if he has potential to be more than a 4th liner, so these things kind of makes sense. One thing is for sure he will slot back in soon, he’s too important to this organization not too, long and short term.

The young lad has played a lot of hockey. I don’t think it will hurt him to watch for a game. With the way the kids constantly learning and watching that actually might be a good thing.

Yep, Maybe next time?

It happened, It finally happened!

I hope your right about your prediction. Keep in mind about Pittsburgh though, their roster is riddled with injuries. Of course if Sidney Crosby decides to take over a game he will, like what we saw yesterday but it will be more difficult for him to do it over the last remaining games. That could play a factor. Carolina is riding a red hot streak that will enivitibly cool off but the question is when? If they don’t they will surely make it in. Columbus is a complete wild card as they seem to be on a win lose pattern for a while similar to the Habs. Pittsburgh - last wildcard Carolina - 3rd(or miss depending on there streak) Columbus - miss Habs - first wildcard

The California teams are pretty weak right now except San Jose. If there ever was a time to turn their fortunes around out west, this is it. Things are going to be very tight and all I’m hoping for is to watch a bit more hockey in April.

Hopefully the west coast swing is a little more fruitful.

Refs trying to do there best to get all the calls wrong. Domi gets completely hooked and held and then Shaw throws a good hit and Malkin. Penalty.

Hard work by Gally again.