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Nojo

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  1. There is no sweeter victory than beating the leafs in Toronto, it just hasn't been easy, in fact far from it. Toronto plays a pressure game that Montreal has difficulty with. Looking forward to seeing the youngster in nets again. I love it when he handles the puck (most of the time)
  2. Kostitsyn was breaking into Carolina's zone on the left side, instead of shooting he tried a dump pass backwards which caused a turnover. This may have been the "fancy" play Carbonneau was bleeting about after the game.
  3. Hamrlik has covered off his duties solidly. He is a stabilizing influence that is sorely needed in Montreal's defensive zone. His play will probably improve as he gets used to his teammates. Kostopolous plays aggressively but if the Toronto game is a good measuring stick he appears to have hands of stone. I hope he is not as bad as he looked that night with the puck on his stick near the slot. I had never heard of him before and am still not sure why Gainey signed him with similar bodies in Hamilton.
  4. I would have to guess that if Gainey had moved Souray it would be have been recognition that the Habs season is over. We have seen the fragility of this team since December and I believe that losing Souray would have put the nail in the coffin. In spite of Souray's mediocrity in his defensive zone at times he has been a glue for this team most of the year. The Habs organization probably could not and would not accept that the season is over. Edmonton's run last year may have made dreamers out of many a GM. As far as the goaltender situation is concerned Gainey has said that Leighton is an insurance policy only. In spite of Aebischer's weaknesses lately he did play reasonably well most of the season and Montreal is a patient organization if nothing else. So they haven't completely given up on the Swiss goalie and seemed to be encouraged by what they see in Halak. Maybe the organization is dreaming again but you might have trouble finding fault in that because of the history they have of pulling miracles out of a hat when it comes to goaltenders.
  5. Grabovski showed that he has some good speed and creativity while he was up in Montreal. But while centering the 2 russians I don't think they were able to connect on the scoreboard. Grabovski also seemed to need improvement in his defensive play and this combined with the mediocre defensive play of Samsonov and Kovalev was pretty risky for Carbonneau's conservative strategic approach to hockey. Grabovski, like Lapierre, is also caught up in the salary cap and roster number limitations that all NHL teams have.
  6. I know that I was totally pissed off last Saturday, CBC indicated that the Habs-Sabres game was the number 1 broadcast game and we were treated to the Leafs from Pittsburgh. I live in Hull, Quebec so I don't really know whats up with the scheduling anymore. Anyway I have heard that there are rights issues with the Habs broadcasts because of the agreement with RDS....I would like to know more details on the rights to distribute. It appears that the Habs are shooting themselves in the foot if they are limiting their english national broadcasts.
  7. The journalist Francois Gagnon of La Presse has mentioned several times that Begin has a back problem related to his sciatic nerve. What is this? sciatic nerve n. A sensory and motor nerve originating in the sacral plexus(lower back) and running through the pelvis and upper leg. Anyone who has had back problems realizes how complex and dibilitaing they can be. I agree that Begin's absence leaves a hole in the Habs team. His energy and desire can be infectuous. Mtl's 4th line has been weak most of the year with Begin out. This type of injury is bad news to a player like Begin. I sincerely hope he can come back from it.
  8. Carbonneau had tried to break up Souray-Rivet for a few games in December. Bouillon played with Rivet and Dandenault with Souray. I had liked the experiment for the reasons noted in the first comments in this thread. I had hoped these new pairings might add some speed and increased athleticism to the defence combos. The added speed might have helped Bouillon and Dandenault add some punch to the attack in the offensive zone while Souray and Rivet could hang back due to their lack of speed.
  9. Agreed with last few posters..Souray has been better overall defensively than we wtinessed last year. He still can be maddening to watch sometimes especially the time it takes for him to deliver a breakout pass but ya can't have everything. Rumours circulating about trades are best to be ignored in all forums but we are only human after all. Souray is needed if the habs are to advance in playoff rounds so it's unlikely he will be moved. And every freakin team wants a better 2nd line centre..jeeeesh... The reality of the new NHL is that free agents are going to move every spring. It's more like the NFL where teams try to re-load each summer.
  10. Montreal tends to play a conservative style of hockey under the tutiledge of Carbonneau. This style lends itself to less offensive chances and therefore less goals. One proof of this style is that Montreal has been outshot almost every game (but not outplayed necessarily) In any case the Habs are playing a pretty well controlled team defensive game. Another factor has been the amount of penalties called against Montreal, this too limits the offensive chances and messes with line chemistry.
  11. I don't think there will be much return value in attempting to trade Rivet. The main focus for the Habs will be the signing of Markov and Souray. This may come at the expense of Rivet because most players do not accept further pay cuts.
  12. Markov as Habs MVP no question. He brings so much to the team when healthy. He makes those around him so much better. PP, PK, solid at both ends of the ice, logs enormous ice time. Look how efficient and confident Komisarek looks when playing with Markov. Mtl's power play is so much more dangerous with him on the line. The win loss record without Markov in the lineup is an incredible stat also. I believe he would get the player's vote for MVP.
  13. Streit takes a fair amount of abuse in some of the Habs discussion boards. I see a lot of positives in his play, especially considering his sporadic use. He is a smart player who sees the ice well and usually makes a good pass. He is improving in his defensive zone coverage but needs more confidence and playing time to add a physical element to his play. Bouillon has learned to time his hits very nicely, if Streit could add this element to his game it would improve his usefullness out there. A big "if" maybe.
  14. I would like to see Bulis replace Ribeiro with Zednick and Kovalev. This combo was tried in the game that Ribiero sat out. I'd like to see Bulis get a few games in this combo to see if it can create something. Kovalev needs a little speed on his line to open up some passing lanes. How many times have we seen Kovalev gain the blueline with no one open to dish off to. Ribeiro can't create separation with his lack of speed. It's not like we lose a physical element if Ribiero moves off this line. Bulis can also backcheck more efficiently and can lay a hit on occasion. He also can fight for a puck in the corners with more agression than Ribiero.
  15. Certainly Markov's return and the consistency of Huet has aided. Huet challenges shooters more than Theo, I have noticed more shots from opponents have simply missed the net. I think Gainey & Carbo have to take a lion's share of the credit. They had been juggling lines and personnel looking for the right mix for a few weeks now. I like the balance they have created in the 4 lines. Zednick to the 3rd line and Bonk to the 4th seems to be a good move. In addition we have seen the defence step into the play slowly but surely and this also creates confusion for opponents. We are a little less predictable than earlier in the year. The forecheck has become more agressive also, I am not sure if this is an applied strategy or as a result of the increased balance of speed and skill over the 4 lines. The lines also seem to be spending less time on the ice which, I presume, allows them to forecheck more aggressively. Whatever it is our chances and shots on net have increased substantially over the last 4 or 5 games.
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