Colin

Maybe he was mine then! You must be aching to trade a few AHLers

Can we just give 3 points for the win yet?

Wasn't Zigomanis your AHL star?

To expand on my last point, check out the average shift length for the Bolts. And on most of our previous games.

Alright, so here it is - Montreal isn't playing well, in my opinion, because those shifts *continue* to be way too long. When you're on that long, you get tired, you get hemmed in your zone and you don't produce going forward. If we're being outshot so badly, it's because we're playing gassed and are therefore being out-hussled all around the rink. That' just not good enough, and at this point in the game, one *must* look at the coaching staff. These shifts can't be continued or we're bound to lose because we'll get scored on more and more after the 40-second mark on our shifts.

Well, snap snap. No goal due to incidental contact with the goalie.

Although argument could be made for no goal because of goalie interference.

Goal Bolts.

Ugh. Wrong pass on the 2/3v1. Defender wasn't well-positioned and the cross-ice one-timer looked good.

If you look at the event summary you can see the biggest issue with Monteal's game tonight - people taking shifts that are way too long. Plex, Gio, Briere, Pax, Markov and Subban are all over a minute! You just can't have that in today's NHL. Sure, there have been PP's all over the place, but even then, Subban would be the only one I'd expect anywhere close. That's just not acceptable when we regularly have shift lengths much closer to 40 seconds!

Not entirely sure why Patches stayed on when he could have escaped that shift. Instead he was part of the problem as Montreal was hemmed for an extremely long period in their own zone. Movember can't end soon enough. It's like watching a bunch of wannabe porn stars out there.

Remember the heart attacks we used to have with Price handling the puck? He's so smooth and efficient now - and I remember that was just another of the reasons Gainey loved him. He mentioned Brodeur and how he's something like a 3rd defender at the back, and Price is slowly but surely getting towards that goal.

White is playing his most effective game all season, IMO. He's taking his players out but is also continuing to play the game. He has his head up and the red streak out of his vision so he's playing with more intelligence. That play behind the net where he out-duelled two Bolts was a perfect example.

Ten and a half minutes for PK and nine for Markov. When was the last time the Habs could consistently count upon *two* studs? We need one more and we can get rid of the other half of the defence! Big Three Partie Deux!

Chucky shows a pair of sublime hands crossing the Tampa zone late in the period and makes a play to the net that Gally can't quite finish. That's elite talent from the crest-kissing Russian-American Canadien.

No one in front of the Subban and Markov bombs. The Habs are positioned nicely for moving the puck, but if the play is to get shots from the point and then work the net, it doesn't work with an NHL starter who isn't hassled.

Habs are now doing a very good job in the attacking zone. Forecheck is relentless and they're forcing a few turnovers. They've actually done just about everything *except* score a goal. A particularly great presence from The Plex, Patch, Gio line, with all three looking dangerous. It's amazing the quality of play from the back line when Subban and Markov are there. The forwards have so much more trust. When Diaz and Cube are back, you can see the attackers not going in as deep or taking as many chances with the puck. It's the *quality* of the first-time passes which offers the Habs so much opportunity when Markov and Subban are on the ice. Both PP and ES.

Bolts are doing a *fantastic* job neutralizing Montreal's speed through the neutral zone. They're forechecking the puck carrier and are eliminating the walls leaving only pucks through the middle (and through the forechecker). Montreal hasn't adapted yet, but there's space through the middle. Obviously Tampa's coaches have identified a (Montreal) strategy and have thus far countered it brilliantly. Up to the Canadiens staff to respond in kind.

For those interested, Montreal is being *comprehensively* outplayed thus far. 1-0 Bolts.

Tough start. Bolts taking the action to Montreal - we've had little possession.

I think I remember Cherry saying once that he thought Cammi looked ashamed to be scoring so much - and he thought that was THE BEST WAY to react for a sniper. Bobby Orr - puts his head down and skates away. I swear to gawd Ye Olde Guarde would have scorers bowing their heads in shame before going to the opposing bench to beg forgiveness.

Awesome. Totally awesome. BUT I THINK THERE WERE TOO MANY SMILES AND CHEERING PEOPLE IN THE STANDS. Bad hockey player. You should act like your child was killed by a drunk driver when you score. HOW DARE!

Goal celebrations in soccer are brilliant. And in the NFL for that matter. It's such a shame people feel celebration is unprofessional. I want Ovechkin's hot stick, I want Selanne shooting his glove. I want Fleury on his knees the length of the ice. It's not about disrespect. It's about fun

I knew I was going to get pissy at this. Did people really complain about Chuck kissing the crest? Really? That pisses me off to no end. God forbid you have a little passion for the game and love the team you play for. May all the Donald S Cherry Old Boys Guarde move on to their Zimmers and fake teeth years. Please leave the game to the young people. I want the triple high five back.

Errr, dunno what people are seeing with Patches, but he's doing all the right things... (this is watching last game). It's only a matter of time before he starts producing regularly. I'll do the Neech thing: This is the night! Patches!