The Chicoutimi Cucumber

The Sedins will do their homework and be smart. Johnson is qualified and well regarded. The problem there is ownership. So that is always a reason for pessimism in Van. Interesting decision by the twins, though. Until now their record is spotless. Now they will begin to wear whatever mistakes and stupidities the franchise commits.

Funny, I posted a similar thought last series. Arber is a worse overall player than Struble, but he is in fact elite in certain skills (fighting, hitting, slapshot velocity, and I believe him to be one of the physically strongest guys in the league). Given that neither is going to play much, I prefer to have those attributes in the lineup in these hard-fought playoff games where physicality is ramped up. The proviso is that Arber has to be 'good' Arber, minimizing running around and taking dumb ass penalties. All this does feel unfair to Struble, who is a tough cookie in his own right and definitely, IMHO, a legit NHL defender. Just not a lineup regular on a contending team like ours. (Yes I said it) I see him having a long career as a journeyman who maybe finds a home on a weaker team.

I'm traveling and was not able to watch last night. So much for my theory that me not watching games is the key to Habs victory It's funny, quite a few people were talking as though this series was a formality after two straight blowouts. It just goes to show...you can beat a team 12-0 and dominate them in every facet on multiple nights and still lose a playoff series. Not saying the Habs are going to lose, just that much of the fanbase seemed a bit overconfident after Game 3, forgetting that each playoff game is its own entity. That stanchion goal was ridiculous. But I look at a PP that went 1-7 and think, well, that's the game right there. I think the Habs have a much better chance against Carolina than Buffalo does, but we have to make it there first.

Saviour #4768 down the crapper

Shouldn’t the torch bearer have a Cup ring? 🤷‍♂️ But if it’s Price I will not complain

Fair. But the thing with Tocchet is, he’s a ‘my way or the highway’ guy and doesn’t really seem to win over guys if they’re not already his type of player. Michkov is quite possibly a Galchenyuk type, irredeemable; but if he’s not, I doubt Tocchet was ever the guy to bring him to fruition as an NHLer.

MSL was a home-run hire. And yes, everything you hear and read underlines how much these players like each other, what a positive team culture there is. That's a huge X-factor.

Chronically under-appreciated Habs who are flipping the script these playoffs: Anderson Newhook Danault Carrier 👍

For what he delivers in the regular season at this stage of his career, it was an overpay, although he still solidified us up the middle. For what that solidification has meant to this playoff drive, though? Well worth the pick.

PK’s love for Montreal seems genuine. He also picked these Habs to win it all this season, which surely shows some ‘homer’ bias. Ironic to think this donation is what got him shipped out of town (or rather, his bypassing of Habs’ permission structures). Weird world.

Outstanding bounce-back game all around 👍

Wow, Galley with the heat map showing that CC is playing way on the perimeter in the playoffs. He's gotta get to the greasy areas around the net, that's where he's so dangerous

OMG Caufield is snake-bit. Keep banging away, Cole, it'll come

I'm not sure any of us saw that coming. Our depth at FW seems to be outstanding. Who knew. The Danault trade was really huge from this POV.

KA BOOOM CARRIER

Hahahaha, I remember in 2010 I was proctoring an exam and watching an illegal feed of the Washington-Habs series on the computer screen...I yelled YAH!!! when the Habs scored at one point and gave them all a jolt This is the sort of situation where a contender locks things down and ekes it out. Let's see if the boys have the royal jelly.

GODDAMN IT Exactly what the doctor ordered for the Sabres If we cough up this lead the series is over

Slow is good with the score 3-0

He is what he is and can only play above his head for so long

God bless that young Newfoundlander! Newhook = secret weapon! Exactly the kind of secondary guy you need on your team

I also tuned in late due to work issues...maybe the key is for you and me to not watch the games, LOL

Thanks for doing the GDT, Don.

Good points. Caufield isn’t scoring and hasn’t even looked very dangerous, so it’s worth a go.

It’s funny. I didn’t feel too excited for this game and had a somewhat bad feeling about it. When we went down 3-1, even though rationally I know a 2-goal lead is fragile, I had no belief we’d overcome it. Maybe I’m just distracted, or maybe I was catching some vibe the team was radiating. I think they’re drained (as I am) from TB. Whether this game will snap them to, remains to be seen. But you can get into trouble very quickly when you spot the other team Game 1. I like the idea of putting in Kapanen next game. That’s another issue, icing nobody who even vaguely resembles a #2 C; seems like that was bound to catch up with us. Also, Caufield was a huge part of this team’s magic over the season. He can’t keep NOT scoring. 🤷‍♂️

Ugggh