tomh009

Only 71! A spring chicken, at least when compared to Scotty Bowman ...

It'll be a process. He's always been a playmaker rather than a sniper, so the shift will take time.

If he is injured ...

Savard is on the right side so that's not a big impact, really (the TOI drops a bit for Kovacevic and Barron, though). For Guhle, it mostly cuts down on the amount of PK time.

A sloppy, undisciplined period, kept giving opportunities to the Isles. You really can't be this lackadaisical in the NHL, not even for just a period,

Fourth line also at 90% xGF, and the third line at 70%. Now, about that second line ...

I really don't understand why St-Louis is playing Pezzetta and especially Stephens rather than Heineman. He already has four centres in Suzuki, Monahan, Evans and Dvorak so that's not the issue.

Exactly. Swinging for the fences, this time it didn't work out.

I don't think the Habs have yet won this season against a team playing the second game of a back-to-back. But maybe tonight will be the first ...

At least it wasn't an empty net! More seriously, Dvorak's 58% for faceoffs, and is far better defensively than Anderson. And is paid $1M less. He'll have some value at trade deadline next year.

The Athletic had the Habs at 25th this week.

If I interpreted TB's post correctly, he was suggesting that adding veterans at trade deadline would probably not be until 2025-26 or 2026-27 season. Which I agree with. If they make the playoffs next season, they should do it on their own merit, without trading futures for veterans at the trade deadline.

Another question is how long they will keep Xhekaj in Laval. He should hopefully be improving his game while there but for how long?

Right. And we have managed without veteran RHD for a third of a season. Next year Kovacevic and Barron/Harris will be that much more experienced, so it will be less of an issue than the first part of this season.

Savard is looking pretty good on his return, and mostly playing against the Crosby line.

You can get a discount if you call them and haggle. I think I got SN+ for $200.

Done!

It all depends on what kind of calls Hughes is getting. If the offer is good enough, a deal will be made, whether now or at the deadline.

I think a D swap would be unlikely, a team that needs Matheson probably doesn't have a surplus of top-four D. And we don't really need another D-man, either.

I suspect they are not keen on using their few remaining NHL contract slots.

Arpon Basu today quoted Heineman as being focused on getting back to 100% and helping the Rocket put together some wins:

Yes they are.

No chance to watch today--was it clear-cut interference, and that's why they didn't challenge?

That's pretty much how Buffalo scored their goals yesterday, too.

I suppose taking a point from the third-place team should be some consolation ... 🤷‍♂️