TheAussiePosse

What's gone wrong with our PP? Is it that the Bruins have studied tapes, and know how to stop it? Or is it that we've just lost our mojo? I'm thinking we need to start using Kovalev in a new way, or perhaps use the left side a bit more. Anyone know if Kostopolous will be fine? And is Lapierre's foot injury gone down?

That's an upgrade of 3 inches and 10 pounds. I still wish we had Stewart...

If they had them outside of the blueline, perhaps on two face-off dots (although make the dots noticeable, maybe in the 'O' in playoffs), on opposite sides, it'd be alright I guess. But I don't like things inside the blueline. Especially inside our blueline.

Haha, badoom tsh! BTW, what's up with Avery's glamour shot for Yahoo Sports? http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2749 Are those ... glasses? And a ... mohawk?

You jinxed Ottawa! But who cares - I say Alfredsson is back next game, and they turn this series around!. Anyone else think the Lapointe high-sticking call was a bit iffy at best?

I Believe in Harvey dent! http://www.ibelieveinharveydent.com/ Dent for Prime Minister! ... Or better yet, how about Australia and Canada finally become republics? I mean, c'mon! It's been 200+ years, we don't owe them anything else!

I have about as much knowledge of the respect level in the dressing room as you. In calling to sub in Stewart for Dandenault, I'm speaking as a fan, and many fans have expressed a desire to see Stewart again, but I haven't seen any posts (bar one) saying, "wow, Dandenault is essential to this team. He is irreplaceable, yada yada". I'm sure a poll of random fans would see them side with giving Stewart a shot in game two, over someone like Dandenault. Chances are, if Stewart had played all 5 games in lieu of Dandenault against the Bs this season, he'd have just as many points. Begin, for example, had three points against the Bs. Latendresse, in the limited ice time he receives, had two points. In the numerous routs of the Bruins, it's fair to say that most players padded their stats. Dandenault still had a shocking +/- at the end of the season, and for his position on the grinder/defensive line, that's not good enough. Re: identifying, I'm not talking about beating Boston, we have that down fine. I'm concerned that we are more susceptible to injuries by angered, head-hunting Bruins when we have Dandenault than when we have Stewart. He's not Laraque, but he could bring all that Dandenault does, and probably more. Edit: And re: speed, that's Dandenault's greatest strength. If he didn't have that, he'd never have made it to the NHL. I was referencing it because that's his greatest strength, if not his only one, and I'd rather use a 2008 Lamborghini than a 1960 Mustang convertible if the former has something additional to offer. Like seat warmers.

Respected? Unlikely. He was appreciated, sure, but he got his fair share of abuse for doing things wrong. He sat out with injuries for a quarter of the season, and I did not hear anyone saying, "boy, I hope Dandenault is back soon!". Higgins, Koivu, Kovalev - they're respected. Even Bouillion or Latendresse have some respect. But Dandenault hasn't done anything worthy of recognition or respect. He was just lucky to be on Bowman's squad a few times. He's a depth player, and does his job adequately. But in my opinion, there are others who could do his job just as well, and bring something else. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying replace Dandenault with Stewart permanently. But next game, when the Bruins figure out, "hey, we got beat up last game. But we're supposed to be the goons. Something's not right here...", they'll come a rockin', and I don't trust Dandenault to be a knockin'. Stewart could at least pair off, and hey, he might surprise you. Re: speed - it's Dandenault's greatest weapon. Without it, he has neither a fearsome shot, big bulk, fighting prowess, great (nay, good) playmaking abilities, or a level of fear. At least scrappers get some respect, even if they are only 6'2 and 21 years old.

Is anyone forgetting that Stewart is probably faster than, if not as fast as, Dandenault? And after watching a few Bruins going after Komisarek's hip (and probably soon Bouillion's and Koivu's skates, when they return), I want someone out there who'll take them on, and possibly, win. Dandenault is useful in that he's a F/D. He's not very good at either, but it's useful. That's how he helped Bowman with all those cups. However, we have that in Streit as well, who's arguably better at both positions. So we don't need to keep two dual F/Ds on our roster when the odds of losing one are small enough as it is. Seriously, look at Dandy's stats. He's usually a minus player in the playoffs, and has only played in every game of his team's Stanley-Cup runs once. He's better in the regular season than the playoffs, and I just don't want to see us get hurt because the Boston sized up the odds of causing an injury vs. having to deal with Dandenault, and liked their odds.

That said, he has the worst +/- of any of our players in the regular season and the playoffs (sure, one game, but it still counts). I'd prefer to see Stewart in there, honestly. Same with O'Byrne and Brisebois, if not for next game only. We outhit and outplayed the Bruins last game, and I have a feeling they'll be throwing checks like nobody's business next game, right from the get go. Adding O'Byrne to Hamrlik and Komisarek (and to a lesser extend, Markov or Bouillion) would make me feel a lot better. Although I'm not faulting Brisebois for what was a decent game.

Ooh, shiny... Any chance Dandenault is benched for the next game? Or is he the best choice we have for 3rd/4th line RW?

Our PP sucks - FIRE CARBONNEAU. Everything else, well done. Dandenault had to be the ONLY minus player on the team. I can't believe we played him over O'Byrne or Grabovski.

Yeah, me too, in England, have had to revert to CJAD. A shame, but what can ya do?

Is Plex alright? We can't afford to lose another C...

Wow, the first game I ever watch live over the net ... and we are on fire. This is the greatest decade in the history of the world. Ever. and i DO NOT exaggerate.

I'm sorry, but that's not comforting in the least. Streit had the second worst +/- on the team to Dandenault. So I'm gonna stick to predicting the apocalypse and crying out for a hero. Bonnie Tyler's version

OMG WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!! No, really. I'm giving game one to the Bruins, and we still have 6 hours until game-time. Prediction: 5-2 Bruins, with Halak playing the final frame. BRISEBOIS IS THE DEVIL! O'BYRNE IS THE CHOSEN ONE! WITHOUT HIM, WE ARE NOTHING! NOTHING!

Yahoo's preview of our game tonight: "With a potent offense and a 20-year-old rookie goaltender playing like a seasoned veteran, the Montreal Canadiens seem to have the ingredients for their first Stanley Cup championship in 15 years. Before they can consider hanging a record 24th banner from the rafters, they must start by beating a team they’ve toyed with." http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview?gid=2008041010 Is that right? Only 24 banners?

Or do something productive. Like trolling Boston message boards/forums

Seconded. Ribeiro, while a cancer, was just coming into his prime, and could have fetched a much higher price if he'd been able to prove his worth here in Montreal. I hated the little prick, but he was severely undervalued, and if he keeps up his current pace, may well get compared to the Iginla trade in Dallas' "Best and Worst" recap. Niinimaa, meanwhile, had had some great seasons, but was on the downside of his career, and surely everyone knew that. Hindsight is 20/20, and knowing what we know now (that we wouldn't have made the playoffs), I would have kept Ribeiro around for the season, waited until he got hot, and at least got a higher draft pick for him. That way we'd be able to blame our dismal showing (anything under 8th place is dismal for Habs fans) on him, and thank Bob for making such a smart trade as to get something worthwhile for nothing (UFA Huet for a 2nd rounder), rather than nothing for something.

I'd be willing to trade Plekanec and our first rounder for Stamkos. Koivu hasn't got long left, and unless there are some UFAs we get in the future (I don't know, I can't see that far), we're not too well off up the middle in terms of PPG players. And Koivu is no longer the man he once was, I think we'll try to build from within (like we have so far), and we're fine on the wings, not up the middle.

Remember though, it was because Rivet had sucked in 04, and was being very average (I'm being kind) in 06-07, when we traded him. Many of us, myself included, would have accepted a bucket of pucks along with a 1st rounder. That Gorges was a bit taller and more lifelike than a bucket of pucks would obviously be cause for celebration.

Ah, thanks. I mixed up Huet this season. Wish we'd got a first for that ... Meanwhile, Max Pac (or Patches, as he's also known) is indeed a great pick. I can't wait to see he and Latendresse on a line together. Preferably with a big hulking C between them. Our own Legion of Doom...

What would Gainey pay for first overall? Koivu's replacement, he'd be the 1st line C we've always wanted. Stamkos, Plekanec, Chipchura, Lapierre Best C depth since 93...

Can we please get a nickname for him? Boy Gorges? Gorges Porgies? Gorgeous Gorges (from Snatch)? Just not 'The Kid'. Anything but that. He's not even that young!