brobin

While Zed sucks lately and Kovalev is missing in action, Koivu has been no better. He has had Ryder on his line for a few games and didn't look any better. Another thing is that excuse is never accepted for Ribs, who a month or so ago was struggling with Dags/Higgins/Ryder who were not finishing too many plays. Koivu has looked terrible lately. No speed, no finesse, no shot. He looks disinterested, perhaps depressed. I don't know what is wrong with him, but as the Captain, he needs to crank it up and pull his line out of the slump. Lately he has only shown up briefly in the end of games. His goal off the toe was about as much offense as he has put out lately, which is not enough. This is a guy who should be able to go down the ice on his own and get a scoring chance. Perhaps he shouldn't be scratched, but demoted to the fourth line for a game might send a message.

I guess we know what you were praying for....

Woot.... wait a minute, that was not Bulis...... Nice goal by Begin. The character guys are stepping up. Maybe the first two lines might start scoring a bit....

When BTH comes back, we should all act like it never happened... LOL

The end of the world is here.... Four goals for Bulis... Wow... nice game. Four shots, four goals, about 8 minutes of playing time.... Guess we better bench him.....

LOL, I think bulis just soiled himself.

Bulis... hat trick... Bulis is certainly having a great game. I guess the monkey is off his back now!

Team seems slow still. I remember in the old NHL this team beating Philly all the time by out skating them. I thought we had a faster team this year, but we don't win too many races. Was Sundstrom not just hooked? No call... blah.

YEah, now Bulis has 10 goals this year.... Let's not get too excited. I treat him like Begin and Higgins. 10 -15 goals is good from them, but that won't make them number one line players.

wow, Bulis.... Nice goal...

1.25 with Kovalev at 1.3 or greater. Koivu is currently 37th in the league for points from a center. (Ribs is 46th) Sure, he has missed some games, but that needs to be factored in. In PPG, he is still not in the top 10. I just don't think Koivu is a top ten center in this league anymore. I would like to see the Habs get a true number one center who is a scoring machine! That doesn't mean Koivu goes, just that he moves to the 2nd line. I also feel that Koivu is just not reliable health wise. I expect him to play about 60 games a year so a point per game is 60 points on the season. There are going to be guys getting that many Goals! I love Koivu, but I am trying to be realistic. Contending teams have better top players then Koivu and Kovalev. (or at least, how they are playing).

Interesting stat from TSN.... If you take out the first lines, the number of points from the remaining lines is basically the same. The difference between the teams is the first line, where the Philly first line is awesome and ours is mediocre. Ribs takes a lot of flack, but I still argue is point totals are a lot closer to what they should be then Koivu, Kovalev, and Zednik. Kovalev should definitely be playing better but I am starting to wonder if Koivu is just on the decline in production. I don't even want to talk about Zednik......

Souray or Rivet. They at least showed some emotion in the last two games and I suspect they have earned a bit of respect in the lockeroom. If not, they could probably kick the crap out of anyone else on the team...

There is no question that Theo is way off his game and struggling. He has no confidence at all. He is back in his net, down on this knees, and tentative. While this frustrates the crap out of me, I am very dismayed at the play of this team. They should be rallying around Theo, blocking shots, bailing him out, and scoring so that he can work his way back. Instead, they have been worse. Do these guys not remember the last few years when Theo SAVED THEIR BUTTS most nights? Right now, he needs their help, and he is not getting it. I would not be surprised if Theo gets traded, gets his game back, and everyone will be on here complaining how we lost him for nothing. I remember a time people thought Toronto was absolutely nuts for getting that drunken, lousy Belfour guy. He then played awesome for Toronto (until this year). I still believe this team needs a better defense corps and some upgrades up front, but they are not this bad. They should be able to make the playoffs and go a round or two if they played to their potential. They were a fast team at the start of the season, but they seem to have forgotten that fast teams are hard working teams. They have to get back to that hard work.

Plex played great, but if we need to depend on him, what does that say about our "leaders"? Koviu managed to be the only guy not to register a shot tonight and he looked horrible on that late goal. Kovalev is another guy who is suppose to be a leader and a game breaker. He has been anything but. Don't get me started on Zednik.... Bulis plays really hard, but he just can't seem to finish very often. It would not be so bad if we didn't have so much depth in the "doesn't score much' department. Sigh, something big needs to happen on this team. I am not sure Gainey can really do anything (it takes two to tango), but perhaps benching Koivu and Theo for a game to send a message. Theo is obvious, but I think sending a message to Koivu is needed. Basically, he is the captain and he needs to lead now, not flounder. I remmember when Koivu was hurt and everyone ripped Ribs for not stepping up. Well, Koivu is back and it is time for him to step up, or take the C off.

Ribs is killing a penalty. ...Hey, he got a shot on net... our net.

LOL, if the forwards were told to try scoring, they would hit Theo every time.

What exactly did Ribs do that was so bad tonight? He has had more chances then Koivu so far. The only thing he did wrong was go on for Koivu right when one goal went it, taking the minus for his Captain. Of course, Koivu is stuck with Zed tonight.... That has to suck the wind out of your sails.... Right now, I think Theo needs to sit for a week or two until after the Olympic break.

Not only does Theo suck right now, but so does the team. Guys are getting to shoot from the high slot unmolested on a shakey goalie. No one is playing well defensively. Time to pull Theo and sit a bunch of guys who are just aweful out there. Zed, Koivu, Bonk, .... Damn, there would be no one left if he benched everyone. How about this. Bench Koivu. Period. Why? Because it will send a message to the entire team. 5 -1

Pull him now

Koivu getting a hattrick.... I would love to see that, but he has not playing that great tonight. (not that anyone else is). Theo needs to come out of his crease, he butt is sticking 2 feet into the net, it is no wonder he keeps getting beat.

Koivu was given a supporting cast this year. They brought in Kovy to finally give him a talented winger. Again, I am not saying he sucks, but I am disappointed in his overall play. A point a game is nothing to write home about for a top center in the league, one who is looking for a big contract. I think what this team really needs is a true leader, one who is a little more outspoken, a little more emotional then Koivu. Perhaps you are right and Koivu needs a rest, someone to provide that leadership so he can just focus on playing. I am not overly impressed with Kovy either...

Not bad lines, but somehow they need to get Koivu and Kovy going. They have to come out hard to start games and pump the team up. The only guy on that line did anything tonight was Ryder.

Bring back Dags.... LOL.... At this point, it couldn't hurt.

Another useless goal by Koivu. Bounced off his foot after he did squat the entire game. But it will go down as a goal and plus 1 tonight. I like Koivu a lot, but he is not leading this team when it counts. He is invisible for entire periods. Not sure what is wrong with him. He is not playing terrible, but he is not the leader I remember him as, the guy who sparks the team, etc.