xXx..CK..xXx

I say just feed it to Weber repeatedly and let the other team's forwards, defensemen and goaltenders suffer.... The consequences. Until they start moving out of the way.

I have a good feeling about this upcoming power play. It could be because it hasn't started yet though.

Good try Lehkonen. Keep it up.

What happened today certainly wasn't the end of the world. With that being said, a team like Columbus has gone from a fringe playoff team to a team that many would now have as one of the top two tiers of contenders in the East. I'd go so far as to say that in fact according to many analysts, Columbus has become one of the top two or three favorites in the East. I don't believe there's such a thing as being a consistent top tier contender for a decade anymore so we shouldn't always be thinking about the long term in every scenario. Aren't some here often questioning when we'll be considered a top tier contender? Well, it doesn't have to be every year, but it could be in years like this. It's one thing to have a plan. But we as fans have accepted a narrative that the right thing to do is to stand pat and save our assets. This plan is mostly instilled within us because of how terrible last season was and so our expectations were low heading into this year. Last year, we had many people stating that the Habs could perhaps turn things around in "2 or 3 years" and while that may be true, I never thought it had to be that long. An unexpected hot streak from a few players and a few savvy moves within the season can have a team competing hard in the playoffs. As this season has progressed, and expectations have changed, why can't a general manager show the locker room that their hard work will be rewarded? Dallas is the Montreal of the West, standings wise, and they traded for a player like Zuccarello. Someone to lift the locker room up. Colorado is fighting for a playoff spot and picked up Brassard for a 3rd. Losing a prospect, 2nd or 3rd round draft should not be considered a high cost during a season where one's team could make the playoffs. This is without beginning to mention that acquiring an impact player could help solidify a team's place within the playoffs. I'm hopeful we'll make the playoffs. It's also typical to perhaps irrationally assume that adding a player or two as suggested would even have enormous enough of an impact. The East was there for the taking, however. In the end, it doesn't seem as though we made very much in the way of impactful moves. I'd think it will come down to us versus Carolina for the final playoff spot in the East. Hopefully Niederreiter won't be a difference maker.

Come to think of it, when it comes to my previous post about Carolina, while they've been quiet so far today, let's not forget that they sent Viktor Rask packing in return for Nino Niederreiter not too long ago. Outside of that, they've been linked to selling rather than buying, but that move can turn out to be a fairly solid one for them this season should they manage to squeak into the playoffs. Three hours left but when I compare the four teams competing for 3 spots in the east, I would rate their trade deadline (and weeks up to the deadline) as follows: 1) Columbus 2) Carolina 3) Pittsburgh 4) Montreal Perhaps I'm being too hard on the Habs as they've been even more active than Carolina and Pittsburgh but aside from being somewhat pleased that we won't have Chaput and Agostino on our 4th line, there's not much to talk about.

So far there's been one move (Chaput for Weal) by 11:50 am EST. I'm predicting 2 more moves by the end of the day. Unlikely that there's anything of significance. I find it unfortunate because there are possibilities out there.

Sucks to be Tampa if that turns out to be the case. ?

Both former 3rd round picks from the 2010 draft. Weal at 70th overall and Chaput at 89th. I'm fine with there having been a market for a return on Chaput. Small win.

Kinkaid traded to the Blue Jackets on the same day that we face his now former team, the Devils. Hopefully we get to face their current backup now. Whether it be at the beginning of the game or even mid way through.

I've seen his name come up twice in the past few days but I would be disappointed if we traded Tatar. Period.

I'll be interested to see if Carolina does anything more than we do at the deadline. Pittsburgh has picked up Bjugstad, although they had to give up on an underperforming Brassard in return. Columbus has acquired Dzingel and Duchene, and may not be finished wheeling and dealing. So far Montreal has added only 4th line and fringe players in Thompson and Weise. Carolina has remained fairly quiet so far as well. Although there are 4 teams in similar position I think the battle may turn out to be between Carolina and Montreal when it comes to making the playoffs. I think we can finish as the higher wildcard but one of Pittsburgh or Columbus will definitely make the playoffs. Perhaps both teams' (Carolina and Montreal) activity, or lackthereof in the next coming day or so will have a determining impact on their respective places in the final standings. I'm hoping yet not hopeful for a move.

The Mete penalty...

You know they're a good team on the other side. We gotta get pucks deep and play a full 60.

Of course there will be. And if not, there already has been some adjustments made with the acquisitions of Nate Thompson and Dale Weise. With that being said, I'm asking opinions on whether or not there will be any deals that significantly improve our team either in the short term or long term. In the short term, I'm thinking that something would have to be done to improve our chances this year. Someone like Cam Fowler in Anaheim, or Mark Stone or Wayne Simmonds would be additions that would at least change the dynamic of the team. There are certainly a few more options. Taking on bad contracts is another thing I've heard suggested. This could perhaps be something that helps us not only in the short term but as well as in the future if we can get someone young like Puljujarvi in return in addition to a bad contract, as an example. In the end, my opinion is that we won't see anything out of the ordinary completed within the next 72 hours. I'm always as a fan going to remain one of those who thinks 55% about "this season" and 45% about the future. Columbus has added a player of skill and I do think the Habs would have to complete something more in order to have a shot at playing a few rounds this spring. Teams don't explicitly have to make moves at the deadline in order to have a chance. Sometimes moves can actually have a negative impact on certain chemistry. It's just that the Habs have to. They are a wildcard playoff team, similar to Columbus and a key acquisition would only aid their chances. I'm simply not expecting it this year. Ironically, the last year I can remember believing we had a chance was a year Bergevin acquired Vanek at the deadline. Since then, we've mostly opted for depth moves and future aspirations and expectations have rightly so remained low. Let's see what happens.

I think with Kotkaniemi it can be looked at in a positive way in that he's had such a successful season even without being able to produce as efficiently on the road. Something to note is that whereas Jesperi Kotkaniemi has 11 goals on 48 shots in 33 games at home, he has 0 goals on 56 shots in 28 games on the road. He shoots more on the road than at home. The most notable difference is his shot percentage between home and away games. 22.9% at home versus 0% on the road. Shift lengths are pretty similar home and away with an average of 14 minutes per game either way. It seems it may just be a fluky thing. What's interesting is that Kotkaniemi seems to be an importantly integral part to the team's success. He's scored 10 goals in our wins (33 games) and doesn't have a single goal in any of our regulation losses (21 games). 1 of his goals came in one of our 7 overtime/shootout losses. Again, this doesn't seem to necessarily tie into the home versus away thing as the Habs have done fairly well on the road. One thing is for sure however, if KK can start to produce on the road, the Habs will have a much better chance of success in any given year.

After extensive research, I've come up with a list. Skaters Alex Galchenyuk Jesperi Kotkaniemi Claude Lemieux Sergio Momesso (1 game) Pete Palangio Stephane Richer (1 game) Mathieu Schneider (4 games) Mikhail Sergachev (4 games) Petr Svoboda Mario Tremblay Alfie Turcotte Goalies Olivier Michaud (1 period in relief of Garon)

With Kotkaniemi notching his 18th and 19th assist last night, he took hold of the record for most ever assists by an 18 year old Habs player in a given season. Previously held by Mario Tremblay in the mid 70s as well as Petr Svoboda in the mid 80s with 18 assists each. With Carolina and Montreal being in the playoff mix, and somewhat battling each other for a spot, it should be interesting to note whether or not Svechnikov (CAR) and Kotkaniemi (MTL) have any type of impact during their respective playoff birth runs. It seems as though Kotkaniemi is being trusted to help, especially in offensive situations.

September 30th, 2017 during a 9-2 win against Ottawa in the preseason.

Price has been playing well lately. The team needs to match his intensity.

Niemi plays well against his former teams. Wouldn't mind seeing him play against the Panthers. Our record is just a little better than the one listed. ?

Peca is at 47.1% and Chairs is at 50%. Danault takes a substantial amount of the team's draw and is at 53% as well.

If things progress from here, Agostino may be able to thank the Habs for giving him his first real sustained shot at the NHL level.

Weber jersey on.

I can't lie. I wouldn't want to be prophetic in this case, but these are the type of matches where not converting on our chances often comes back to give our bottoms a bite. Solid first period. Let's hope it's one of the more rare times that we continue to dominate after having missed a bunch of opportunities, including on the scoreboard.

We could use Sergachev's support on these amazing plays Drouin is creating.