What's up with you anyway Napier. I'm not sure how long you have been following hockey but apparently not very long. I can tell you this from 30 years of following the NHL and the Habs - winning by one goal is OK! In fact its the mark of not only a good team, but a special team!
Now you are right lets temper our enthusiasm, its early in the year but not only are the signs positive so far - they are special! This many one goals wins and third period combacks say one thing - character. All the greatest teams have shown this ability. I have seen every habs game this year and with the exception of the first two periods last night - where yes indeed they lack some enthusiasm, they have played hard and have shown absolutely no quit. When is that last time I've seen that, hum - 1993! In fact, this team seems so much like that group. The 93 habs became known as the Cardiac Kids for their late game herorics and they way they kept us on the edge of our seats to the last moment. They also seem familair by the number of rookies in the lineup contributing. Another group of habs, the 1986 edition was similar.
And another point, I think perdictions are for idiots. We have had no hockey for over a year. The lineups of many teams have fundamentally changed. The balance of power has shifted and the playing field has levelled. I don't think anyone at this point has any real idea how good many teams are and who is going to be on the top when the season ends. Anything can happen over the course of a 82 game schedule and a short playoff series. Can they win the cup this year? Of course they can. But so can perhaps 15 other teams. I think its not far off to suggest that the Habs are one of the top 6 teams in the east and one of the top 10 teams in the league. You mean to tell me the habs are not better than at least 20 other teams in this league right now and on paper? Not only that, I agree with you they probably can play better. So Napier I think you may underestimate this team, so lets wait and se where we are at XMas before we have perdictions of doom and gloom. I've been watchng hockey for long time my friend and I have a sense this is not a group you want to underestimate.