huzer

The Habs have already called up a boatload of players. I could see Plekanec moving between Ryder and Higgins, and Bonk playing with Zednik and Perezhogin. Murray could center a 4th line with Downey/Sundstrom. Alas, we'll just have to wait and see what Gainey decides.

The way Koivu was reaching for the linesman on his way off the ring, I don't think it was a minor injury. Ugh.

Period 1 in the books, so I'm off to the bar. Go Habs! I'll be back folks.

My only advice is to call around and find someplace with Center Ice! I just moved to Boulder and had to ask around before I scored a place. Good luck! I'm about to head to the Lazy Dog and get lazy!

Norfolk, eh? I was in Hampton, VA for 4 yrs. Not only were there not a lot of Habs fans, there weren't a ton of hockey fans. I went to a few Admirals games there, though.

I forget during which game I was watching last night that they popped the stat on the screen that the team that wins Game 2 of the series (since they've gone to the 7 game format), goes on to win the series 75% of the time. Go Habs!

A couple of things hit my mind when the Canes scored that tying goal...one is what's already been mentioned, only one center out there for the draw. Number 2, boy was Huet distracted by whomever the Canes player was at the top of his crease...he reached out to shove him, and that's when the pass went over to Stillman while he still had his trapper on the guy's back. He had no chance to get back for the shot. Anyway, my heart has settled a little bit. I'm just happy the Habs pulled this one out. At the bar I was at last night, there were 3 games: Habs/Canes, Avs/Stars, and Marlins/Cubs on TVs right next to each other. (Yeah, I know, one's a baseball game). The common thread...each team was up 3-0 and blew the lead. (The Cubs scored 6 times in the bottom of the 8th when it was still 3-0).

Hehe..."pay the bills". Because a $2M/yr salary won't pay the bills. (I know what you meant, I just love the argument from some of the spoiled athletes use for needed an extra million a year because they have to "look out for my family". I just wish people would say they're greedy for a change and get over it, they aren't fooling anyone.) As far as the topic itself goes, ahh....it's not good ol' Montreal if there isn't a goalie controversy in the eyes of the fans. And with good goalies waiting for time in the bigs, it's only going to continue for the next few years. Ugh.

Hey, I didn't say Higgins wasn't playing very well right now. And I agree that his role whil Julien was coaching was much different. But the facts are, Ryder's contribution throughout the entire season in 03/04 was very important. Higgins, prior to the Olympic break, wasn't really a factor for the Habs. So to say he's the best rookie for the Habs since Saku based on two months of play doesn't cut it for me. Take Ryder out of the roster in his rookie year and the impact on the Habs would've been huge. Theoretically, who's to say that if Zednik or Perezhogin played on the line with Koivu and Ryder that they too wouldn't be enjoying the success Higgins is seeing right now? I'm not discounting his accomplishments at all and think he's a great player, but I think some of the Habs recent success is also due to the fact that THAT line has been intact for a while. Recency tends to cloud opinion.

Who had the most impact as a rookie in his rookie season? For sure it's Ryder.

To be honest, both the officiating and the announcing is horrible. They wanted a call on Komisarek for diving when he obviously lost his balance after he got shoved earlier in the period. Wow, I didn't realize Sportsnet was this bad.

Um, well, if I were coaching the Sens (not a Habs fan coaching the Sens), I'd make sure we win, a 2 pt cushion over Carolina isn't much, and despite the relative parity with the bottom rung playoff teams, the 1st seed still has it's advantages. The Sens wouldn't want to lose the conference by 2 pts or less, then come back and be the away team if it happens that #1 plays #2. There's enough video, and enough meetings between these two team to play a "practice" game for the playoffs. It's April, and everyone's fighting for their seeding.

Ideally, Kasparaitus and Tucker will try and out-knee each other in a wild center ice collision.

I've never been hit in the face by either, so I can't comment. (And for those old enough, who let Dan Quayle in the room? )

Sorry, I just think players should be called their names.

You guys suck. I'm back in NY for Easter that weekend, and fly out on the 18th. Grrr.

This thread is stupid. I'm sorry I read it.

I keep seeing Richards mentioned as a free agent target, but he's restricted. I doubt the Habs will send him an offer sheet. Has any club chased an RFA after the Fedorov fiasco? And as far as Bulis goes, he's a good enough player, but if he thinks he's top scoring material in the NHL, ummm, he needs a good shakin'.

Wooo, even I stood up from my couch when Saku had the breakaway. Great play to strip Zubrus and streak away! The Habs needed this to keep pace with the Devils and Lightning. And to put more space between themselves and Atlanta. Woohoo!

Only insulted by the picture? How 'bout the fact that they keep screwing up Montreal's record in every article: 36-37-9. Apparently, we've already played 82 games.

Things must be slow in Habs land when we're giving this much thought about Bouillon. He's a bottom pair dman, nothing more. Losing streak/winning streak, doesn't matter, it's got nothing to do with whether or not he's in the lineup.

Alright, from a Habs team (not my personal likes/dislikes), I honestly don't think the Habs have missed him while he's been injured. I like Bouillon and admire how he plays. But the truth is, bargain or not, I haven't been watching games and thinking "oh my, if only Bouillon had been there..." Truth be told, on most teams, he is a capable 3rd pairing dman. Most NHL teams shouldn't skip a beat if they lose their 5/6 guy. If the Habs were feeling the impact of Bouillon not being in the lineup, then THAT would scare me.

Nope, no clock change here. Game time in a little less than an hour.

Wow, that puck seemed to sit in the crease forever until Bonk got it in. 2 for Bonk, who woulda thought... Boy, would that be great for the Habs if Bonk got a little confidence back and started scoring.

I agree! Man, was he especially annoying on Thursday. I loved how he said Tellqvist should definitely be pulled after the first, yet when Quinn didn't do it, he praised him for keeping his goalie in. Go Habs!