HabsWEST
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Posts posted by HabsWEST
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one thing your missing that makes the rest of the league in the east tremble a bit. Habs are the youngest team in the NHL and the Habs already have goalie they've been missing since Roy left town.
Yes, on my game thread post I did comment on this, Habs youngest team in playoffs, and mentioned continued development of players ...and others coming up..
Gainey and scouts, as mentioned in game thread, have identified some areas of concern:
---DEFENCE, why soo many drafted in recent years, MCDONAUGH, FISCHER, Weber, SUBBAN, CARLE.....O'Byrne
( SIZE, and good skaters and mobility) not all will make it, but some will, a numbers game
--- STRONG FWDS: PACIORETTY, speed and skill, and defence: FORTIER ( more defence sound), CHIPCHURA ( does need to improve skating..
I believe this year, they maybe focussing and big, strong fast CENTRE???
---And maybe why Gainey is seriously looking at Brunnstrom...
Does Gainey go after SUNDIN for a year, hmm doubt it, ?? Hossa? would he really help??? FA defence signing??? hmm will be interesting to see...
But yes the improvement is there, and realistically who really thaught, HABS would win the CUP this year???
but in next year or 2 look out...
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After posting on the game thread and providing my point of view and opinion on my observations on the Habs run,
I woke up this morning feeling abit should have, could have , would have? Can you imagine what the team is feeling this morning, ?? This may prove to be a valuable experience in driving toward next year, and up to GAINEY to add to the puzzle, and also CARBONNEAU to continue his learning curve as a coach..
So what happened,??
---I have lived and died a HABS fan since I was 5 years old,
---I remember as a little guy, Montreal Trailing game 7 vs BOSTON 3 to 1 heading to 3rd period, I was soo disappointed I locked myself in my bedroom until my father called me in when it was 3 to 2, and the 3 to 3 tie, and win in OT, and rest is history..
---The following year lose to the North Stars, and an end of an era for the HABS
---Living in Edmonton, the sweep by upstart Oilers in 1981 and a young goalie named Moog, remember our goalie in series ( eerie similiarity to this series), Habs outchanced Oilers, well I was so ticked, and living in Edmonton, I refused to cheer for the Oilers ever after that series and for years refused to join in the celebrations of Cup wins!
---1986 win was a surprise, ROY, LEMIEUX and his heroics, timely goals by Skrudland, and scoring from all areas
---1993, and players that came up Big...
---Through the years the ups and downs, but one thing in common to go deep in playoffs:
1--- TIMELY GOALS
2--- PLAYER COMES OUT OF NOWHERE ( AKA UMBERGER) and lights up the net
3--- SCORING FROM ALL THOSE YOU EXPECT
4--- DEFENCE , and LIMITING OTHER TEAM CHANCES
5--- GOALTENDING and TIMELY SAVES
6--- KILLER INSTINCT
7--- CONSISTENCY
8--- SPECIALITY TEAMS
9--- MINIMIZING errors
10-- GRIT
( and if 11: COACHING)
INSTEAD of just blaming PRICE , lets all ask ourselves, of the 10 points above, through the 12 games, how many games did the HABS have the 10 points covered?
LAST night:
--- FIRST goal, BRISBOIS mistake
( DEFENCE pairing, with HAMRLIK)
--- SECOND GOAL, ( yes unfortunate break for PHILLY), but why is RICHARDS left alone in front of net?? ( look at the flyers, how many times did their defence allow one of the HABS to sit alone by the net for more than a moment??), WHO WAS ON DEFENCE: GORGES and BOUILLON
--- THIRD GOAL, yes PRICE should have had it, but why was PHILLY ALLOWED TO SKATE IN FRONT of net for the chance:
( did flyers allow our players to do this) OR BETTER YET, HOW COME HABS DIDNT CONSISTENTLY CRASH THE NET???
DEFENCE: GORGES and HAMRLIK
--- FOURTH GOAL, PRICE simply should of saved, but off post and in, , GAME OF INCHES...IF LATS scored late when 4 to 4, if off post and in, we would be cheering on today!!
( KOMI and HAMRLIK)
--- FIFTH GOAL, why is UPSHALL OPEN??? refer comments on SECOND GOAL, and GIVEAWAY BY BOUILLON...left alone to deflect shot, PHILLY defense were nailin our fwds the whole series in that situation??
(DEFENCE: GORGES and BOUILLON) again!!
ABOVE IS just a sample opinion and observation of game 5, and can be repeated in similiar pattern in the other games in this series and going back to the BOSTON series, SIMPLY:
--- Too many defence breakdowns, not enough GRIT and crashing net, too many little battles on ice lost, and timely giveaways, and not enough timely goals, and PP went south, and goaltending after the breakdowns didnt CONSISTENTLY come up ( PRICE makes timely save on 3rd period breakaway, but not followed by TIMELY GOAL on PP) with the big save, THE DAMAGE WAS DONE BY TIME game 5 started....
GAME 5 was a good representation of the MONTREAL playoff run, GREAT at TIMES, below average at others, and simply lost the little battles, and inconsistent goaltending and poor giveaways on defence!!
ALL EQUALS ELIMINATION.
FORWARDS,
BEGIN and KOSTOPOLOUS where -2 and -3 respectively..
FOR NEXT year:
--- Shore up our defence with O'BYRNE stepping in, ( replace Brisbois)
--- The 3rd and fourth line needs to be improved ( Smolinski, Dandenault, Ryder, Streit, Kosto, Begin...) who stays, who goes? which of young players steps up ? ( Chipchura, Grabs...??)
--- Strong C ( who in system, or FA signing???)
--- Remember, werent we the worst team last year on even strength, this year we were middle of pack, but the PP made the difference, well that PP was worst in playoffs, HABS NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR 5 on 5 play
--- CARBONNEAU as a coach needs to learn as well, PP was totally disorganized, DID the coach adapt well to playoffs and align appropriate strategy changes?? ( in his PA how would he rate??)
At end of day, Philly was bigger, cleared their net, and crashed the net and were opportunistic..Habs need to be in position to go deeper in playoffs and simply didnt have the depth to advance this year...
But all experience and continued development of the young players, the team is on right course and needs to continue its course under GAINEY's guidance...
BUT could have should have, What if the PP scored? What if some of those posts went in? What if Price made some more big saves, What if above mistakes werent made? well you get the picture...
Simply not good enough to go 2 wins and 6 losses in last 8 playoff games??? and 5 wins and 7 losses for the series, SEASON OVER...
Cheers!! but still hoped there was a game tonight!!....What if??
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First and foremost:
---YOUNGEST team in playoffs,
---FIRST in conference in EAST
---TOP offensive team
---VALUABLE experience gained for all concerned ( although would have been better to reach another series)
SECOND, the playoffs:
---LAST 8 GAMES: 2 WINS 6 LOSSES: Not good enough
---TOO many giveaways, and goals allowed at crucial times, ( whether it be goaltending, or giveaways, or not gritty enough)
---BOSTON series foreshadowed this series!!!
- PP at crucial points didnt deliver!!! 5 ON 3 EARLY in GAME 3, GAME 4 , and again today when tied with 7 minutes left, barely a shot, and breakaway given up
---TEAM EXPOSED, as we know, small centres, against CARTER, RICHARDS ( late PHILLY picks recently)
---DEFENSE: really is BRISBOIS, BOUILLON, good enough?
--- SMOLINSKI
above 3 players can be replaced..
---EXAMPLE: UMBERGER steps up, where was our secondary scoring: HIGGINS, KOST, KOvalev in this series, UMBERGER SCORED MORE THAN ALL OF THEM COMBINED!!
---BIRON MADE BIG SAVES, PRICE didnt make routine saves
---PP!!!! where was the PP????????????????
Hey now we know the big picture and why the team is drafting certain areas: DEFENSE, BIG FAST FWD: 2007 draft:
--MCDONAUGH, and PACIORETTY
Gainey knows , and a UFA to bring over top.....
HABS HAD A GREAT YEAR, and FANS SHOWED THEIR CLASS TONIGHT IN CHEERING IN END< and backing up PRICE:
CONGRATS FOR THAT!!!
All not lost, unlucky series, PHILLY WON THE LITTLE BATTLES, and hung on, and played with drive...
See KOVALEV AT END try to do it all on his own, give him credit, shows his heart, you can see time is running out on KOIVU and KOVALEV,
2009:
---UFA, BIG NAME who is out there haent checked lately ( HOSSA, SUNDIN....)
--- who of the this group steps up to next level?
---Who is ready to replace SMOLINSKI, BRISEBOIS??? ( Chipchura, Pacioretty, Mcdonaugh, O'byrne...)??
---Continued progress for PRICE and HALAK....
Been FUN, here is to a GREAT regular season, UP and down PLAYOFF ( gosh darn, soo disheartening, after all that, feels like with left a little empty hey...)
HERE IS TO A GREAT 2009!
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Notice no one on Team waited for Price...Looks like a defeated team after the last 2 goals, all the energy sucked out of them, could be an ugly 3rd period to end season..
The expectations have been high on the Team and price...Lets not forget this is the youngest team in the playoffs..
They will wake out of this nightmare and hopefully learn from this, it has been a nightmare series..
But they are 5 and 6 in the playoffs, soon to be 5 and &..below .500 team, not good enough
---They need to step up to the level
---PP has been horrible
---traffic in front of net, and be more hungry, things happen, you make own breaks..
First time up by 2 goals, team looks best they have so far in series, Killerinstinct, 4th goal to make it 4 to 1, game over, BUT CAREY has to step up and make the routne saves!!
I think the team has lost confidence in him, but HALAK wont give them much more confidence..
Montreal needs to get better on Defence ( brisbois mistake on first goal),
Bribois, Smolinski need to be replaced, and a big time player added,
Well lets hope for the best
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Gritty goals, by crashing net, and screening BIRON, more is needed, although still needs to be sharper,
LETS NOT FORGET THE BIG SAVE AT KEY TIME from HALAK, or else its 4 to 0!!!
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If this powerplay can pump in two....we may have a game again.
2 goals are needed!!!, PP is letting them down, where has the top PP in last 2 games gone to???
One of reasons why Bruins series went 7 games!!!
ANOTHER GOAL:
MARKOV, needs a goal/point
Kovalev needs to pick up game
Koivu
Higgins
Kost. brothers
Plekanec
GOAL, need to crash net and be hungry, Latrendesse needs to prove himself!!!
ONE DOWN, 2 to go...
HALAK keeps them in with BIG SAVE!!!
NOW ANOTHER QUICK GOAL!!
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Price has been weak, but they are not rose coloured glasses. He is 20 years old and
the team has over relied on him for 10 games now and the second he falters the wolves
come out. The same ones who wanted to deal him after Game 6.
The same ones who were sucking his dick after game 7. So spare me, I did not say he was not
weak, this game will hang on his neck. But the only reason they are here was because he stole
2 games in round 1.
And the blame on Price far outweighs any criticism of Kovalev, Plekanec, Higgins, etc
AGREED, you win as a team, where was that goal with 2 man advantage..
But when you have another young goalie like HALAK, you can go to him, lets face it HALAK is not a below average keeper, and sometimes a rest here and there is healthy, ( FUHR, MOOG)
but some of the comments here have been out of line, PRICE will be one of the top goalies, and alreay is up there...he is only 20!!! so lets not get carried away in his criticism or over the board compliments either,
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KEY SAVE at KEY points, what is needed to win games in playoffs and lift your team!!!
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I do agree that's their view ... and yet Halak isn't exactly chopped liver, either. In the longer term (ie beyond this series and the rest of the playoffs) it may be a challenge to keep both Price and Halak, but having two strong young goalies is a fabulous asset. And as long as the starting role is not an automatic gift, they can motivate and drive each other to stronger performances, too.
But what should they do now ... not so sure about that.
AGREED, having 2 strong goalis is an asset!!!
REMEMBER GLEN SATHER with FUHR and MOOG!!!
What happens now PRICE starts 3rd, he lets another goal he couls save, then what???
Well, this will indicate the philosphy of do or die with PRICE, or create a situation that also gives HALAK confidence and a competitive environment for both to prosper in long term!!!
COMMENT:
the team does need to pick it up, ( but an early goal and those missed opportunities is coming back to haunt the team when your goalie is not outstanding)
HALAK in, the right decision!!
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As some have suggested, price looks tired, physically and mentally.
Does another 4 plus goal loss and 2 to 1 down heading to game 4 warrant HALAK start in GAME 4 in philadellphia, worthy of consideration..
Start PRICE game 3 no doubt, but if a 4 plus goal against loss would seriously warrant a rest for PRICE...
any thaughts?? and no this isnt bashing CAREY , or anything like that, but throwing it out there for discussion..
Here is to PRICE rebound for game 3!!! and a HABS win to regain home ICE
CHEERS!!
HMM, is now time to make the move, if anything, : 3 goals on 12 shots, comments on shaky warm up??? and Melanson comments???
--- WAKE up call for team,
--- Another part of Price development, and watch game, take a step back, to take 2 steps forward
--- Comments by Melanson as quoted on CBC during game, question of PRICE being mentally tired???
--- HALAK, to prove Gainey that trading HUET was right decision, Halak opportunity for him to prove himself, he is competitor..
Carbonneau, will he have the guts????
Maybe the BEST for PRICE is to bring HALAK in tonight in third
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BIRON is making those SAVES!!! 5 seconds on Higgins, BIRON moves quickly, THAT IN NUTSHELL IS DIFFERENCE!!
17 to 12 MTL , yet 3 to 0??????
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Time for HALAK, Price as rightfully soo should have started today, but now, 3rd goal, mistake by MTL on defence... and yes second goal, poor change,
But when team makes mistake, Goalie needs to come up big, ( Biron) 3rd goal, poor rebound management...
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WOW is RIGHT!!
2 goals on 3 shots in 2nd period by Philly...
PP is back to the anemic self from Bruins series... 2 man advantage, turning point
Montreal cant just rely on Kovalev and Koivu:
Where has Plekanec and Kost. Brothers been?
Higgins need to step up , so needs to be Markov
But refer my last post, Price seems mentally tired, as CBC confirmed talk with Melanson, he gave Price a break at practice, only practiced 10 minutes..
KEY SAVES must be made ( routine saves) Biron is making harder ones..
Yes Price has bruaght Habs to this point, but 2 goals on 3 shots like that??? doesnt matter, why one has a full team, perhaps time is now to give HALAK the 3rd period...and decide for game 4...
And no no bashing of Price...just a comment , refer my post on this topic...
And I have been the biggest fan of price and fully support him, he will and is already outstanding...
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As some have suggested, price looks tired, physically and mentally.
he is at his best when he is up quicker and doesnt stay on his knees longer, also when he is challenging shooters and not deep in his net..
The 4 goals yesterday, first 2 glove side High, has he been scouted and a tendency discovered ( same with 4th goal, although an unlucky break)
3rd goal, defensive breakdown, but price is stuck in his net, and flopping around.
Price is and will be an excellent goalie beyond his years, and has braught the Habs to this point, and will be relied on to go deeper...
He is entitled to average games like Saturday, but sometimes a change works as well and why you have 2 capable goalies, simply to change it up and have the team in front of you play better??? or simply a change of tactics and allow PRICE to watch the game from the bench for a game..
I am not saying to start HALAK ( would be a big risk) but worth consideration, Price has a save percentage of .875 and goals against close to 4 with 4 or more goals allowed in 3 of last 5 games ( with 3 goal against performance in game 1)???
Does another 4 plus goal loss and 2 to 1 down heading to game 4 warrant HALAK start in GAME 4 in philadellphia, worthy of consideration..
Start PRICE game 3 no doubt, but if a 4 plus goal against loss would seriously warrant a rest for PRICE...
any thaughts?? and no this isnt bashing CAREY , or anything like that, but throwing it out there for discussion..
Here is to PRICE rebound for game 3!!! and a HABS win to regain home ICE
CHEERS!!
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Well, my last post on this series:
MTL wins:
--- early lead, and get that 2 goal cushion, RE: First game
--- Lot of things have changed since first game, PP needs to generate some goals, PERIOD!!!
--- No 3rd period collapse
--- At least a point from MARKOV!!!
--- No more defensive lapses, whether it be the Defence group ( Boillon, brisebois, Gorges) or forwards ( Kovalev, Koivu), regardless of their offense, they have to minimize mistakes.
--- No silly penalties behind the play, the ones S. Kostitsyn had been taking!!!
MTL has lost the Momentum and in some cases confidence, after last 2 games , and 3 of last 4, the signs are all there for the completion of this series collapse, I do not know if they have it in them, they havent shown it in the time span that Bruins got back in series, WHAT will change for tonight?
THE ABOVE, they must execute in the above points... Can the rookies come up in face of adversity? A win tonight will give them that experience, a loss and I dont know if they learn anything,
LASTILY, CAREY PRICE:
--- Yes , if it wasnt for his exceptional play early this series is over, he probably is facing a key point, and game like no other he has faced in past...He needs to step up with that game saving stops, stops that arent expected often, the ones the earn Goalies MVP status ( his World Junior performance, His Calder CUp performance) he now is on the line, for a 20 yr old a lot of pressure..
He will either rise to occasion ( which I believe he has it in him) or he falters, he will be great tonight or sub par, IMHO , no middle ground... What happens if he allows 3 early goals, does HALAK go in?? hmmm GUY will be put to test of his coaching ability....
SIGN: watch closely early if PRICe goes down early and is SLOW in moving across net or up again, this willl be a sign of a young goalie confidence and up for it, or relying on his size to take away bottom of net and hope BRUINS dont go high on him????
IMHO, that will be the first early sign, first 10 minutes how often he is on his knees and stays there...WATCH FOR IT
well good luck to all...HOPING FOR THE WIN!!!
See you all on comments for next series or next comments on offseason moves, the draft...I dont want to talk about another loss anymore, just too upsetting, and we will know the reasons for it as we all have discussed and points I already braught up
CHEERS!!!
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TSN article from darren Dreger:
http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger/?id=234681
".....Sources say Other teams in the mix include the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators with Sens general manager Bryan Murray recently reaching out in hopes of making a late impression.
Brunnstrom, a 6'1", 210 lbs forward possesses explosive speed, similar to that of Pittsburgh's Marian Hossa. He scored 9 goals and 28 assists in 54 games as a rookie with Farjestaed in the Swedish Elite League....."
would Gainey pay 2 plus million for this FA prospect, late bloomer??
Especially if habs lose tomorrow, should Fabian be a priority signing, or given experience with Lahti experiment , be too high a risk..
???
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Keys to salvage this mess:
-PP must come back to form, 2 for 29 is not acceptable. Speciality teams has lot to do with preperation and coaching, Boston has done their homework, outchancing Habs while they are SH, if they were clicking at Regular season rate ( 25%) we would have 5/6 more goals!! SERIES OVER!!
-KILLER INSTINCT, 3 leads and cant pull off the extra goal??? 0 for 3 in PP, when had chance to build 2 goal lead...hmmmm
-3rd period meltdowns , outscored 10 to 3 in series... win games in playoffs in 3rd!!!
-Defensive lapses, is MARKOV injured?? Brisebois is showing he is falling behind play, KESSEL is killing them.
-PRICE, first to CLARIFY ( NOT TO BLAME), and please do not misinterpret, but MONTREAL and PRICE had a huge PSCYH. advantage as soon as BOSTON won the first game, and also scored for 5 goals in game 6, BOSTON is playing confident feeling they solved MONTREAL and PRICE. AND are going into 3rd period like world beaters. THIS HAS TO STOP, Habs have to come up flying in 3rd, build on their lead from first 2 periods, or else in trouble.
Also, PRICE, is a big goalie, butterfly style, and yes the 5th goal, was a hard one, and defensive lapses, but I taped the game, watched it over again, but with rebound, 2 seconds on his KNEES, he had time to move up, and move laterally and WOULD BE in a "BETTER" position, not saying his fault or he would still save it..
BUT WATCH PRICE EARLY ON GAME 7, see if he goes down early, or after going down, he stays down in BUTTERFLY STLE, while very effective covering lower part of net ( and I am sure MELANSON is coaching him to do so), BOSTON obviously are going HIGH, BLOCKER SIDE ON HIM, he needs to move up especially moving to his right ( he doesnt have his glove out)
WATCH HIS TENDENCY THIS WAY, and will tell us how strong he will be, JUST AN OBSERVATION FOLKS!!!
BOTTOM LINE:
SCORE on PP
WIN 3rd period
BUILD 2 GOAL lead
SUPPORT Price
and HABS WIN SERIES..
Easier said than done..
Here is Luck to everyone..
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WHY series is Going to seventh game, and lucky Montreal has one last chance:
---PP a PATHETIC 2 for 29 ( from a previous top PP, 2 years running)
---3rd period OUTSCORED 10 to 3 ( from a solid defence performance , now 2 straight 5 goal games, most in series)
---3 games with only 1 GOAL SCORED ( from the top offensive team)
--- COACHING???????
LUCKY THE SERIES ISNT OVER YET,
If Habs pull it off ( no indication they will), what is their destiny???
DAMN IT, DAMN IT, so ticked I cant believe how ticked I am
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"20 minutes to make a difference..." Lucic on cbc...
Well damn it, wish Habs were thinking that, havent been this ticked since Roy was traded!!!
Montreal is ON WAY to LOSING this SERIES!!!
--- OUTSCORED 10 to 3 in third
--- 2 for 29 on PP, DISGUSTING
--- 3, COUNT THEM 3 1 goal games in a series
--- last 2 games 3rd PERIOD PRICE ALLOWS 8 GOALS!!!!,
--- PRICE is fighting the puck, watch all game he was down early on his knees, last goal, flopping because he didnt come across, 2 other goals he was early on his knees!!!
--- Brisbois, Smolinski, sowing they are getting tired, Streit playing injured..???
--- Although offensively Boillon and KOIVU ( also faceoff) helped immensley, defensively, KOIVU loses his coverage on 2 goals, Boillon gets skinned by Kessel
--- KOVALEV -3!!!!
--- Finally HIGGINS, Plekanec score and Sergei Kostitsyn no penalties...
Too little too late???
ULTIMATELY HABS LOSE if they:
--- DONT WIN 3rd periods
--- PP needs to score ( crying out loud BOSTON has more chances SH then habs on PP)
--- PRICE CANT KEEP GOING DOWN EARLY
"20 minutes to make a difference..."
WELL 60 MINUTES for MONTREAL or very long SUMMER...DAMN IT!!
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Yes, this series would have been over if it wasnt for a few early breaks, and first OT win...
FIRST:
--- POWERPLAY 2 for 25, 8%!!!....what happened to the best PP last 2 years:
-NO Koivu
-NO movement ( see MARKOV today frustrated and demanding something to happen)
-NO crashing the net, or in front of not
-NO control or possesion ( How many times did I see puck over guys sticks....)
-Shorthanded goal was overdue!!
--- ROOKIE mistakes:
-Obviously the PRICE turnover, for BOSTON winning goal
-S.Kostitsyn penalty, hook for 3rd goal, he is taking far too many penalties away from play
--- 3 STRAIGHT 1 GOAL GAMES scored: 6 players, and no production???
- ???? what the HECK, NUMBER ONE scoring team , you cant win series with 3 one goal games!!!
- HIGGINS, RYDER, PLAKENEC, A.KOSTITSYN, MARKOV, LATENDRESSE, ???? where are their goals!!???
- KOIVU needs to get back
--- COACHING and adjusting to playoffs
- Boston obviously has done their homework:
- they pressure High, and condense the play, KEEPING US TO OUTSIDE!!!
- What do we do? stay to outside, no one is willing to pay price and get into slot...spread them out!!
- Adjusting doesnt mean, switching lines around 10x during course of one game, but STRATEGIC and adapting
--- INTENSITY, and MOMENTUM
- BOSTON HAS MOMENTUM, we are reacting to them, you know you are losing when you react to the other team, you are
winning and control game when force the other team to react to you, REFER COACHING COMMENT ABOVE
--- PLAYERS WHO WERE BENCHED DURING YEAR, now are playing:
- DANDENAULT, BRISEBOIS ( he has stepped up), SMOLINSKI is looking tired last couple games
- maybe bring in Grabvosky ( ALA KESSEL TONIGHT)
-KOIVU, CHIPCHURA
--- BOSTON has the MOMENTUM, still ALL HABS have to do is play .500 and series is won!! BUT ABOVE HAS TO CHANGE
--- WE BEAT BOSTON? IF , now, are we good enough to beat one of next 2 series???
--- AND for a silly question, after 3rd goal in 3rd, should PRICE been pulled, ( look at last goal), " pull a KEENAN"??? hmmmm
Well bottom line, its 3 to 2, because the PP is 2 for 25!!!!! AWEFUL.....regular season, 4 extra goals, which would probably clinch series...
AND...scoring from HIGGINS, PLEKANEC, KOSTITSYN.....( KOVALEV could do better, but without him, this series may have been over, ), MARKOV has made no IMPACT EITHER...
2 GAMES to get act together, or will be all for not...
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Yeah, Carbo already said that Brisebois and Dandenault will get some playing time.
Do we see Halak vs Toronto??? or price goes back to back, has decision been made?
My opinion, Go with Halak vs the leafs, more than likely they will play Raycroft.
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I am sure he will be amongst the finalists:
Kane, Backstrom, Toews, Enstrom, Mueller
Price will have played 40 games, half a season for a 20 year old rookie, and will hit that 20 wine mark for goalies...
At 50 plus games started, he would be a shoe in for the Calder..
I would still vote for him as the Rookie of year:
--- Youngest starting goalie in recent past.
--- At least 40 games played
--- respectable stats
--- pressure situation
--- Montreal is competing for top seed in East, and Price , especially since Huet's trade, has stepped it up and a huge part of why in First ( ex: last game)
Lets get the momentum going:
PRICE AS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!!
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Worst nightmare for Montreal, They make a trade for Hossa, then Montreal Loses HOSSA to Free agency in summer...
Could you imagine losing a guy like Chipchura, Grabvosky, Halak, and a roster player like Higgins for a 2 month Rental, WOW...
After being a Montreal Fan all my life and still a loyal Montreal Fan after moving out west, ( ROY TRADE was bad enough) but this would top that...
I know Gainey wouldn't risk it all to expose the team... COULD YOU IMAGINE in 4 years we all crying we need a player like Higgins or Chipchura, or if Price doesnt fulfill his lofty expectations and Halak becomes another Vokoun...Halak is the wild card that adds depth and insurance to Montreal's future goaltending. Not Huet.
SOMETIMES BEST DEALS YOU MAKE ARE THE ONES YOU DONT MAKE!!!
PLEASE BOB, dont do it!!! will regret it....
WELL DONE BOB GAINEY!!!!
AS MENTIONED ON MY EARLIER POST
---Dont give up what Pittsburgh gave up for a rental
---Dont give up on Halak for the sake of Huet, Halak is the wild card
As Bob mentioned in his press conference:
--- Could have received a lot more for Price or Halak ( assuming a first pic and something), the market values the assets accordingly
--- Gainey at the press conference also mentioned, Price and Halak, are probably the 2 top goalie prospects in the league.
--- They can challenge each other, odds are one of the 2 will dominate, one may falter, if not, as Bob mentioned a tandem arrangement can be made.
--- REMEMBER OILERS HAD 2 great young goalies: FUHR and MOOG, looked what happened with Oilers !!!
--- Gainey also confirmed last 3 weeks ( assuming performance of Huet recently) was a major decision in trading him. and a decision to not sign Huet, and not risk losing Halak.
---ALSO, a few million in CAP SPACE has just opened up, for another go at a FA signing , better luck this time,
Now that would be something, Getting Hossa as a FA, ( he wants 9 million....), then Gainey looks like a genius and Pittsburgh would be not looking soo smart ( unless they win the cup)
ALL AND ALL, well Done!!
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This trade was stupid and pointless..
Yes Huet was struggling...but Price has NO playoff experience under his belt...I don't care what all of you Price lovers claim about Huet's playoff record, he was the go to guy for the playoffs. By doing this bob really has firstly jeopardized Price's future (his confidence could be destroyed and he could turn out to be a flop show like M.A Fleury in Pittsburgh)...
Pitts gave up way too much for a RENTAL, only if Penguins sign Hossa it is more even...
Obviously Waddell wanted roster players, and good to see Gainey wasnt prepared to give him that, and lose Higgins etc... for a RENTAL!!!
Now how can Penguins afford to sign Hossa... Lets GET HOSSA for free during FA!!!
WELL DONE GAINEY...
Huet trade, was ala Rivet get something for a UFA...
Lose Ryder...had to keep him ( unless there is a late trade)...but not a big zero loss
I know some people will be a critic of GAINEY for not pulling the BIG TRADE...but not for the sake of the FUTURE for a RENTAl!!!
WELL DONE, even thaugh some may wanted instant satifaction...
by the way HOSSA will want 9/10 million a year from WINTERS the agent, that is the rumuor
SOMETIMES THE BEST DEALS ARE THE ONES YOU DONT MAKE
Cheers
PUT IT THIS WAY:
Would you trade HUET for HALAK and a 2nd round pick....basically what it comes down too..
DONT UNDERESTIMATE THE QUALITY of HALAK..
According to TSN report, KOVALEV told by Russian team , too slow to join?
in Habs & Hockey Talk
Posted · Edited by HabsWEST
2 years in a row, Kovalev rejected by team Russia for the World Championships?? after this years performance, this is surprising..look at their roster ( by the way Perezhogin not on team or EMELIN or Valentenko...)
Good for Koivu, and the Kostitsyn brothers with Grabvosky, as well as Markov..
well something to cheer about..
How will Kovalev react, further motivation?? ( if report true), will be interesting for next year, but he is getting older..