RJP

No, not some, a LOT have gotten their wish. Interesting how many of us thought this should have been a while ago while a minority didn't want it all. In the end, it's not surprising that management finally gets on the same page as the fans, have to wonder who has the better perspective.

Yup, and that's why Columbus will be hungrier. We always seem to think we can just show up and we'll win the game against the lower standing teams. They better have some jump and speed or the BJ's are taking this one.

Granted Brobin, but I wouldn't say "Any team in this league can beat any other team in this league on any given night". The teams you mention in our Conference go into games with a clear higher chance of winning, that's why they are in the top 5. I'm referring more to the team as is and not needing those tweeks you mention, but rather to our mentality in games within games. My point is, I don't feel we should be a .500 team after 23 games despite the injuries, could be totally wrong, may have to get these rose-coloured glasses off

It's been a while since I posted, but do follow the comments regularly and have 2 simple points after yesterday's game: 1. We don't really hit - we stick check constantly and get burned because we don't take the guy out of the play. Yes, I know we are small, but........ 2. Who here in their hearts don't think we have what it takes to win most games? Even with key injuries aside, from what I've seen on certain nights (watched every game!), I know they can win against any team, if they want. When they want to play, they match-up against anyone - speed, passing, goaltending, defense support. When they don't - the execution, the poor mental decisions, the bizarre lack of motivation/speed going into the 3rd period down 1 or 2 goals, leadership on-ice, etc., etc. - they are the anthisesis of who I think they really are. Every team has games where their energy level is low, but something's or someone's not getting through to them DURING games like yesterday. So we can debate all we want about Pleks on the point, that Pacs/Cole should not be on the half-boards on the PP, defense inexperience, JM's coaching, whatever. To me, it's mental. Could it be we are a .500 team at best? I don't buy it.

So let me ask you CC? How far would you like to go this year? Are you convinced this team as is, even with G & G turning around, will be a SC contender? That's what I'm hoping for, aren't you?

Watched every habs game thus far and when Boyd's played he gave 100%, has speed and better size than Pyatt and Darche. Opening night, goal, break away, buzzing all around until Martin likely pulled the reins. Yes, his +/- is a problem for the # of games he's played, but everyone is afraid of "Big Jerkes" and they get nervous and do stupid things because they know they will be benched next game. Frankly, I'm shocked. Here's another young kid with potential and prospect. Time for Muller to take over, he knows how to communicate and motivate the players. See him instructing the players at the bench when Price was pulled in the Ottawa game? Oops, forgot, he doesn't speak French, can't happen.

If we don't see the concern, we either have our heads in the clouds or in the sand. While I agree not to become too one-sided, some of the points raised are extremely valid, especially hab29Retired who so accurately points out that we should compare Boston and Philly's 3rd and 4th lines to ours. That's what did us in both play-off years. Those lines beat the crap out of us and we had nothing, other than sore, tired bodies. Remember 4-straight against Boston? Every coach in this league knows what to do to beat us, they just don't always execute it. Sure, you can point to Washington and Pittsburgh victories, but they don't "INTENTIONALLY" play that way because they know they are better and don't have to change their style. Boston, Philly, NYR on the other hand know we can beat them, so they play the style that beats us, and they have the 3rd and 4th line guys who will do it. The road to the cup includes these teams, unless of course making the playoffs for a round or two satisfies you. As for JM, I would love to see him go tomorrow. His experimenting for 1 or 2 games and passive play is frustrating. We hardly hit, we run around in our zone like "who's on first?" We need offense and he breaks up the only 2 guys consistently getting points? Kostitsyn is flourishing this year with Plekanec and you break those 2 up? Okay fine, we need to get G & G going, but after 2 perioods it "ain't" working. Against Ottawa he keeps the line together all game!! He switches lines when he shouldn't and doesn't switch when he should. I feel sorry for a kid like Eller because JM's going to ruin another good young prospect with his infant psychological garbage. The longer Martin's in Montreal the more I question Gauthier's vision. Martin's not the guy, end of story.

I just hope I can handle it when the TV monitors show Plekanec. I really have to contain myself everytime I see his face, he's been absolute Dog Sh*t. He and his buddy Kostityn, what a joke!!! Well, here's to the Man upstairs: How are you going to repay the loyal followers now? Go Habs!!!!!!!

It won't happen, they said that after Game 1 too. What they can do though, is get the puck past the lumberjacks with support and use speed, then make Leighton move laterally to make saves, we'll get a couple for sure. No more of these direct shots at him. Oh, and to Gomez, Plekanec and Kostitsyn - earn your damn paycheques!!!! Have a good feeling tonight, just worried about the refs blowing it - Go Habs!!!

No matter what happens in this series, keep it close, adjust to transition, have some push-back called "stones" and I'll be the happiest guy in T.O. GO HABS GO!!!!!

Kozed, man, I don't know how you have that ability to take what's in my head and post it. Every time I read your posts it's like "yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking" I always know when the Habs are defeated. They are in their own end, stationary, waving their sticks arounds from 2 feet in front of the opposing player, giving him ample time so his teammates can get in position for a pass. I acknowledge the disadvantaged skill level argument, the size factor, the age factor on defense - what I can't accept, especially in the playoffs, is the intellectually-challenged decision making on countless plays. Are we disadvantaged there too? Penguin vs Humpty Dumpty, probably lost that one too. I don't care what anyone says, there are some facets of this team's disabilities that MUST be on Martin. Good coaches know to make transitions within a game, change strategies, change tactics. He hasn't impressed me one bit. When these playoffs started, all I hoped for was to go down gracefully, with pride, maybe keep the series close, get some respect. Afer the meltdown in Game 2 and the embarassment in Game 3, I just don't know anymore.

Actually, I meant with Price in net. You're right about Halak in game 2, but i thought he was outstanding in game 1. Any goalie needs protection from the crashing like the Caps did. You may be right though, let's see how he responds tonight and then maybe Price in game 4.

Are YOU willing to risk the series?

You know, you're absolutely right here. Just read all the BS going on and we are avoiding the one most miserable point - most seem to feel nervous in their guts that we are going to lose against the Leafs. My God! what more can be said about this pathetic team that even their real fans don't seem to have faith in them. To feel afraid of a game against a rival that's going to determine whether we get into the playoffs or not. It's Saturday and I'm at work in T.O during the day because of tax season and all the frickin' Leaf racoons asking me about what I feel about the game tonight and I have to disguise my fear because I can't even trust these losers to come out with pride. God Damn it, just play hard and don't humiliate me and whatever happens, happens, and I'll be happy. Win or lose, play to 99% of your potential and I'll be happy, Show some "hate-to-lose" emotion and I'll be happy. Also, bench Martin and let Muller take the reins tonight and then I'll be REALLY happy

Bang on!! - Let me see, 2 teams playing each other - one has incentive to make the playoffs with just a tie in regulation; the other knows they will not make the playoffs, but has incentive to prevent the other team from making the playoffs as well. So, who should have the greater motivation, drive and character? Unbelievable, anyone in love with this team from other than an emotional standpoint which I understand, is dreaming. With 9 minutes left to play last night, score 3-2 for Carolina, TSN already said the Bruins will be tied with the Habs after tonight. Later in the broadcast, they said the Habs will have to wait until Sunday's Philly-Rangers game to see if they are in the playoffs, already suggesting we will lose to the Leafs on Saturday. We deserve this kind of humiliation, despite McGuire et al being jerks.

That 3rd period just resembed so many other games. We have no push-back, we panic in our zone, finally get it out, skate to their blue line, dump it in, go for a line change and start the process all over again. That's our MO for 3rd periods when we have a lead. I can't even stand to look at Martin's face behind the bench anymore. As long as Martin continues to coach, our slow defence continues to play confused and our "little" forwards play on the peripheral, we will be lucky to win 1 game IF we make the playoffs. Check our GF and GA, who's below us with the better +/-? You just know other teams like Boston, Philly, NYR will be different in the playoffs. Us? Oh well, anything can happen I guess

Sure, give credit to the Sharks for pushing in the 3rd and they're one of the best teams in the league, but that's not the issue here. We had no "push back" in the 2nd half of the 3rd period as our friend McGuire said on TSN . That's where I can't stomach Martin's behind the bench. That's where a coach is supposed to make a difference - try to get that confidence and motivation when your team is on the ropes like we were. I don't mind losing one bit if the effort is there but a pathetic display of lack of self confidence is why we lost 1 or 2 valuable points on Thursday. Also watching Plekanec targeted by the likes of Blake, Thornton, etc., (he must have done something to get them riled like that) and no support for him from anyone. I just don't feel like caring anymore right now.

Would love to have a 1 on 1 with the Molsons and talk what it takes to win, success and business. My gut feeling is that they are too smart to put up with this mediocrity too long. Most 7th or 8th place teams assess their weaknessess at trade deadline and do something about it if they really want to go far, cap space aside. Let's not forget that even with our full line-up (yes, including Markov, Cammalleri, zzzzz!!) we couldn't get much past .500 hockey. Everybody knows we are too small and management is now saying to all of us that they weren't going to do anything about it. Unless Boston, Philly, etc. change how they play playoff hockey and they don't hit anymore, we may as well bow out now. Tonight's game? If there's no hitting and the real Habs show up: 4 - 2, Habs. If the habs of the 2nd period versus Boston show up: 5 - 1, SJ. :puke: :puke: :puke:

God, I wish this guy wasn't our coach. The more I see how pathetic we are after a really inspired effort the game before, the more I'm convinced we need a passionate coach. This type of on and off effort is just intolerable, especially when it's a 4-point game. Instead we come out and play like stiffs. I'm really getting sick of our passiveness, it goes against every grain of my character. We always seem to be on the losing end of stuff, whether it be guys crashing our net at will, our own goalies soft in our crease, no calls by the refs, out-hit, shots on goal, EVERYTHING! Show some consistent passion guys FFS!!!. Thought I'd wait to post until the morning-after to calm down but still feel pissed If they lose tonight I'm going to :puke:

Yup, the Caps looked really tired in the 3rd to me!! Agree that aggressive play by us for 60 or 65 minutes is the only way for us to be successful. For me, the 3rd period last night defined a JM coached team. Listening to that twit Pierre McGuire was nauseating enough, but he says that Muller is the one that pushes our guys to be aggressive of the forecheck and to not sit back. So, which Habs team shows up against Philly? Mullers or Martins?

Ah, what's the use? Tom Pyatt? He gets called up and in 19 games has 0 points. Obviously he's called up to play defensive hockey because it's the Caps. Just looking at JM behind the bench gets me angry these days. We are going to lose anyway, may as well go all out and shoot it out with the Caps, I'm sick of these 'hold your breath" games, win big or lose big

That's a bit unfair. The one thing Gainey did do was bring respect to the position and the Canadiens around the league because of his reputation as a good negotiator, one without emotion. That being said, it was difficult for him to bring the players he likely wanted because of the albatross known as "Montreal". The media and fans can be our worst enemy. On a results evaluation, Gainey got a failing grade in my books. He went out last summer and signed exactly the type of players he didn't have the supporting cast for - small skilled players who get pushed to the outsides creating peripheral play that opposing teams can take advantage of, plus he took on contracts that right now are surely not worth it. He did not build a playoff team even after knowing why he failed last year. That, in my books, is a failure. On a personal note, he was a genuine man and I'm proud that he came back to the Canadiens as our GM. He garners a lot of respect around the league and was a bridge between the stupidity that some times comes out of Montreal and the rest of the hockey world - good luck Mr. Gainey!!

HILARIOUS!!! - if it weren't so true

Let's hope the hard-working, fast-skating team shows up and with a plan to deal with Neil's sure attempts at his crap. With some divine intervention we are still in this - GO HABS!!!!

.....and with the referee looking right at the play!!!!!