BCHabnut

That's not gonna happen. Vinny is playing better than anyone else in the league. I could see Brodeur for Vinny happen.

I had a chance to watch the Penguins games in the West last week on TV without the bias of them playing the Habs. I think that both teams are similar. Except we don't have Crosby and Malkin. Haha, they are the Penguins. The only reason the Pens are somewhat successful is that they have the firepower to counter their horrible defense. Habs have the same problem. When Koivu and a goalie play well, Habs win. If either of these players is not on his game, we look like a Pee-wee house league team. The Pens looked the same. Horrible in their own zone, and only performed when Crosby made them look good. I know a lot of you guys really want more offense, and I totally agree, but I really think that our main breakdown is defensive. The problem with being an all offense team with a goalie is that when one of these elements falters, it's a tough battle. When both of these elements falter, it's a blow-out like New Jersey and Carolina. Therefore, I think that if this team can't find a way to defend in their own zone better, they will not make the Playoffs.

Smolinski has an offensive upside as a winger. Or at least he did when I used to watch him in the West. Lats picked up his game on the first, so who's to say that Smoke won't as well. Carbo is probably thinking that Smoke is better on the backcheck than Lats. Ryder and Bouillion are my selections for the press box. I honestly think that Gorges has looked better than the Cube this year. The huge upside to all Carbo's line juggling is that Dandy went from a "Farce" as a 4th "D" man to a "Force" as a grinder. A few more games and it might be time for a Dandy appreciation thread.

I thought O'byrne and Hammer looked really good together in the preseason. I was actually really surprised when he didn't make the team. Him and D'Agostini.

I have to say that it's nice to be debating over what to do with all of our depth players. Remember counting on Traverse back there and Breezy was our number 1? Dandy is doing a hell of a job. Leave him alone. Work Streit into the forward line up once in a while so he can get some confidence back. Bench Streit and Cube a once in a while and play Georges. He is a tenacious little guy. He doesn't give up on plays like Cube and Streit. BRING UP O'BYRNE SOMEHOW Actually, now that I think about it, would we lose Grabs if he was sent down and brought back up? Excuse my lack of waiver knowledge. I think Grabs should be sent down. No upside to having him there. Then O'byrne could come up. Streit could then be moved around a little more. The only problem there is having 2 Defensemen on the bench. You'd think that would improve the teams defensive play. I like Streit way as a forward.

As far as Koivu goes, I think he's the best player on the team. When Koivu has a bad game, the Habs have a bad game. It may be a bad statement for the team to say that, but when he isn't playing well, we totally count on the goalie to save us. I don't know why, but that's how it has worked in the past. I think the team is finally getting over that now that our 4th 2nd line is strong. Or are Kovy Plex and #### our 4th 1st line now?

He needs to keep his play along the boards when he is in puck posession. Pass it then get to the net. Forget about the middle ice fancy moves.

I thought Lats did his job yesterday. He's a big guy who needs to keep his play along the boards and win puck battles. The more he does that, the more he will improve at it. It drives me nuts when he tries dangling in the middle of the ice like Kovy. If you are alone, take it to the boards and protect until you can give it to Koivu, then get in front of the net. Look at Holmstrom. He isn't fancy or overly skilled, but he is a key guy for Detroit, because he knows how to play his best game. Big in front of the net and strong on the boards. This is how I would like to see Lats develop. Again, I think Lats did exactly what he needs to do to develop his game.

So did anyone else see the icing call that wasn't called even though the linesman had his arm up? Komi saw the linesman hold up his arm after the dump in so he tapped it. I swear this caused the tie. Everyone was expecting icing.

OK am I wrong here or did the linesman not have his arm up on the icing when Komisarek touched up for icing and no whistle. This was followed by a broken play and Koivu not taking the shot. This drama would not have occurred if the linesman would have blown the play down like he should have.

Buncha Tremblays and Napiers. As I have said before IF GUY SAID IT...IT IS SO>

It would be nice to see Price. Carbonneau often plays Huet again after a loss, so maybe he should play Price and see how he plays after his loss yesterday.

I think Carbo needs to call officiating out on this game. That last period was disgusting. No call on the Plex trip off the face off. Offside calls and lack thereof.CALLING KOMI FOR MAKING A GREAT DEFENSIVE PLAY, AND NOT CALLING A SOFTY ON buffalo WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT YOUR STUPID CALL CHANGED THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME. i AM USUALLY MELLOW AFTER A LOSS, BUT | AM FURIOUS RIGHT NOW.

Yep, watched all his fights on U tube. Tough guy in little league when he can dance around with his helmet off. He looks tough as a middle weight. I find it amusing when peole get all pissed off on here and defensive. Sorry, I don't think he's that big of a deal, that's all.

Zednik could kick his butt. I think the best 2 way tough guy we have had in years was Scott Thornton. It broke my heart when they traded him. I say let Kosty and Cube handle the little fighting that we do. And give Begin a raise for being a very good agitator. Maybe Lats should take boxing in the summer. He seems to like the idea of fighting.

Players don't protect themselves like they used to. It's part of the new dishonor of drawing a penalty. "They can't check me, so I will turn my back." I'm not saying it was Bergeron's fault, but you have to protect yourself too.

That was an exciting freakin game. That's all I have to say about it. Either team could have won it. If every game was like that, I would have to take heart pills. That's Hockey!

Nope. Not tough at all. Guy is #1

Guy is one of only three players to have 6 consecutive 50 goal seasons (i think that stat is correct). And he's the only habs to do it. He was the best player on the best team of all time. 1977 Habs. Plus he looked cool with all that blonde hair.

Guy should have been #1. No arguement will convince me otherwise. He's my fricken hero.

It's funny. I took my wife to a few games, and she knows all the players I talk about a lot like Price (BC Boy) Koivu and Kovalev, but when we were watching the games she says, "That Higgins guy plays like he is possessed. Look at how hard he tries. Why don't the other guys try hard like him?" This coming from a woman who knows very little about hockey, tells me just what we have in our future Captain. He is a natural leader, by is actions and by his comments. Would he be our first American captain? Could you imagine if Kovalev and Ryder tried that hard every game? To Ryder's defense though, he has started slow every yeaar.

Murray Wilson quote "You can't say enough about Hamerlik night after night"

how does grabs look tonight? I only saw the first, and he looked tentative.

woot habs pk

sounds like a good pk on cjad