Colin

I'm watching Chuck. For the third time. And Castle. That's it.

This is, of course, the perfect solution. Which is why it isn't being used. Ye Olde Guarde will have none of this new math bull puckey! Very simply, this rewards teams for pushing and punishes trap teams. But woe is us who dare impinge on a hundred years of history with the two-point winners. Hockey is pure and nothing changes!!! ...except, of course, for every other rule that's changed throughout the years...

Solution? 3 points for a win. So teams, you know, play for a win.

Sounds like a "change of scenery" switch to me. No idea why it'd really be considered.

Nolan is coach? Did not see that one coming. Good on the Sabres for, you know, growing up.

Well, that was a well-earned point. For Carey. The rest? There were a few solid players, for sure. But far too many passengers.

Dunno why we don't see Markov on the PS. He usually impresses.

And I reiterate, best acquisition from MB? Stéphane Waite. Brilliance.

And with respect, Lovett, Gio has been really good tonight.

For those not watching this game, my condolences. This is Price's coming out party. This season has been fantastic so far, but tonight has been Roy quality and more.

"Montreal penalty #79 two minutes because we're trying desperately to give Tampa the game!" Surely when he's being hammered and is falling there's a little bit of leeway? That's harsh. However, it is the rule. Though I think it could have been interpreted a little better in this case.

Buncha Debbie Downers! No loss! That's Carey earning us a point!

Ugh. Dumb penalty. And dumb rule.

Okay, so for Price, and for Montreal, this is Cup-challenging goaltending. Montreal is easily second best, and he's given us the chance to win. Has virtually all year.

You know who would make a huge difference tonight? A healthy Prust. Emelin too, but I just think this is a game where Prust could lift the attack himself by creating space.

Surely. SURELY the boys win this one for Carey. He's been unconscious tonight.

And we follow it up with another couple of near-calamitous give-aways deep in our zone.

Well, Briere. Deep in the crease, but whether or not it counts, I hope DD is watching closely. GO TO THE NET.

Diaz and Cube have been atrocious. Murray is what he is, and I honestly have zero problem with him as long as he's used judiciously. Gorges is what he is - a competent #4/5 (sadly leaning towards a #5 more and more).

Have to say, there are a lot who want Gio out, and I'm sure his contract won't be renewed, but he's been one of the effective Habs out there tonight. It feels more and more like he's rounding into form after missing a giant chunk of time.

Briere hooked, should have been a call, but then has the puck stripped off his stick by the effective defence of the ... back of the net. DD-ish.

Haha. Budaj is listening to Denis answer the question as to why Montreal's PP is so good. Like he's vetting the answer. Well played Budaj. I partially agree. There needs to be an adjustment or three, but the cycle just isn't their game at all. If they're going to survive the cycle, it's going to be because they put all their muscle on one or two (do we have enough?) lines and practice, practice, practice. I suspect there's very little work done with the cycle because it's so far away from the style of play that I believe the club wants us to play. EDIT: And they'd need a massive and skilled centre to really pull it off.

Absolutely wonderful support from the forwards for the Tampa defence. They can pinch with confidence because they're almost always backed up. And when Montreal is playing without the same structure as they try to get back in the game, it means we're out of position and easily contained a lot of the time. Tampa's aggressive forecheck is causing all sorts of trouble.

Montreal is one of the most terrible teams I've seen at the actual cycle. They're completely speed and finesse, and maintaining possession deep is problematic, at best.

So, here's the bottom line on the Montreal defence, at least at this early stage. We have two great players who, when they play together, are generally dominant. After that we have four players who are hit and miss and who don't honestly give us a chance to be proactive or aggressive in our play consistently. Emelin is a very solid player, but I'm not sure he's going to be the answer either. While putting Markov with Emelin seems a strong idea, and then pairing Subban and Gorges gives us two very reasonable combinations, the reality is that we're missing one highly effective defender - a true #3. And how is that not a penalty for hooking Chucky? Did I see it wrong? Without Price this is 6. We are NOT supporting our goalie at all these days. His record should be at least 5 wins higher.