KoRP

That was about as bad of a performance by any one Hab this year, sucks that it's been close to that for a few more games as well. Guy isn't even hitting anyone...

Nice read! I was always supportive of Therrien, but it was obvious his time had passed as coach of this team. What I have noticed, and have appreciated is that Julien is a player's coach, and to me Therrien wasn't, he was more of a "my way 'cause I'm the boss" guy. He basically had the attitude that he was above, almost to the point where he wouldn't give his team a chance to win sometimes through benching players, or player lineup cards, all to prove he was the man. I find that Julien lives and dies with his players, you can see it in his facial expressions, more of a cheerleader, than a slave driver, and he gives them more of a chance to succeed imho. Breakouts are more controlled, as are entries to opposition zone, and he has brought confidence as much as anything else, I like this team in a playoff series more than before.

One of the broadcast crew that night vs Nashville said that he took a shot off the same foot two games in a row, so there's that...

Gallagher is very entertaining in many ways, especially after the whistle He and Rad for my entertainment value on the Habs squad, league wide, one of my favorites would be Ovi, but love watching Crosby because when he gets the puck look out. The most entertaining recent player/ex-player for me, at least in interviews would be Bryzgalov, guy is a hoot

There was less than zero discrepancy between corsi and eye test in this game, both were blinding bad...

Was wondering same thing...

Fair enough, so long as he stays the same as he's been in overtime this season, I'll take it.

Don't you think he has been better defensively since he is up to speed again after his injury? I have been seeing him as better in puck battles and on his back checking game as positioning, but I am hoping for him so hard I don't know if that's an accurate assessment...

Saw a highlight reel of plays last night where Schiefele lost numerous battles in front of his net(Malkin's 3rd last night), and along the boards as well, and showed poor defensive awareness, he is young as is Chucky, and I'll bet that Chucky would be right up near the top of the scoring race without the injury trouble he had this year. 45%-55% on the draw, meh, I can live with that because he brings such excitement and skill when he gets that bisquit on his stick. I don't really buy in to the idea and modern narrative however, that face offs aren't important, they most certainly are, especially in your own zone, and when you have a point man like Weber, or Markov in the O zone, they aren't the be all end all, but they are still an important part of the game...start with possession, or start having to get possession, it's a no brainer that they are important.

Martinsen has only been in North America for 2 years though right? So not the most scouted guy around, at least by Habs fans. He sure looked good for the Habs so far, hitting and even created a couple of decent chances. I don't miss Andrighetto's meh contributions, which were less than minimal.

Yeah, that team that was the worst PP team in the playoffs that year...the Cup winners. Muller has some touch on the PP too, so no worries

Agree Joe, Benn is a very good addition.

Seemed as though Julien went right to JJ Daignault(SC) after the bonehead Emelin play where he crossed over in his own zone... I want a look at Davidson next game bad... This team is no slower, and much better physically, which gives us the best and most rewarding game of the year maybe last night? Much more of a playoff team now...

That's fair enough I guess Habs Rule, you make some good points, your opinion though, and your expectations, same as I have, doesn't mean either one of us is right. But in the end, isn't it really all relative? Seguin hasn't got the Dallas Stars anywhere, Kane and O'Reilly have not got Buffalo anywhere, Kessel joined a stacked team at C, and the Kings aren't in the playoffs just now, but if they make it, they may scare the top teams. All I'm saying is, although maybe not top contenders, Habs are still contenders, and I am happy enough in this new NHL era, there are much worse teams and GM's in the league, and MTL isn't the only team with holes, but we roll 4 lines...

You really don't think the team has improved in any discernible way, really though? I'm not saying everything is rosie, but c'mon man... A lot of great teams 3-4 years ago, like Anaheim, St.Louis, Boston, Tampa, even Colorado, Detroit and not so long ago Vancouver were all feared teams, now look at them. I think Bergevin is holding his own, he has stuck to what he said he would do in the first place, improve the club, without compromising the future, to build a perpetual contender. If this team is not a contender, with Price, Weber, Markov, Chucky, Patch, Radu, and Claude Julien as coach, then neither is Washington really...look at how they collapse year in year out in the playoffs, their scoring dries up, and their coach hasn't lifted a cup either... Everything is relative.

Yep, if I had children that cried and whined like that, they would be banished to their room until the game was over...holy moly. Oh yeah, thank you Joe Lassiter!

I'm betting they cheer, and I'll be nervous .

No, it was meant to imply I am dumber than you about hockey, a backhanded insult...thanks brah, BTW I watch every feckin game, like I have for almost 50 years. Let me ask you, did another GM do a better job addressing his team's needs? Did he mortgage the future? Who knows I don't get to watch GM meetings. What GM made the moves that will guarantee the 2017 cup? Guess we should still play it out instead of handing it to who? Washington maybe? Let me also ask you this, did you think this team was better with Therrien, Ghetto, DD, Pateyn, Redmond, Nesterov, Hanley, Johnston, Terry, Carr and DLR? They have all been upgraded, and that's not the sign of a weak minded, or underwhelming GM. I maintain he did what he could, and it was significant. Maybe you should watch some games, and think for yourself boyo :).

So? What place did the Kings finish last cup? What place did Pit and Wash finish the year we eliminated both? Means SFA bud...

Well it would be nice if you non believers would stop stuffing how bad this 1st place team is down the rest of our throats, it's bullshit until it's otherwise.. I still believe Bergevin knows more than you crowing malcontents.

Considering what other GM's did, I'm very happy about the depth Bergevin added, especially Benn, King and Davidson. Sergachev for anyone that was available, is just stupid, wouldn't trade Sergachev for Duschene straight up, Duschene wasn't going to guarantee a cup, but Sergachev is a good bet to be a great player for years. Totally happy we didn't trade him, Julsen, Hudon or Scherbak frankly. Anyone who thinks this team was going to win a series or 2 without any size is nuts, DD, Carr, Ghetto, all were useless. The team was pushed down and around all too easy, and our top players had to be our physical players, and the smurfs couldn't score, and couldn't win a shift, which wore down our top 6 nightly. We gained 9 goals, and 468 lbs to the lineup today. This team may not be a favorite to win a cup, but with Price, Markov, Petry, Beaulieu, Weber, Patch, Chucky, Radulov, Gallagher, Shaw, Plekanec, and the depth we now have, this team is more built for playoffs than most of you naysayers think. Playoffs is not a barn burning scoring fest, it's a monumental grind, and the Habs are stronger in all areas now, than they were in October when we were rolling, and certainly better than February when we weren't. Add in the fact that Julien is coach now, and I think we can beat ANY team in a series... a little luck, and the Price his usual self, and we may win 4 series, and I'm full of hope, not negativity...

Patch said in an interview after the game, that the ref told him that the goalie covered the puck, then he laughed and said "that never happened" and he chuckled and said it's all good, and Chucky gets to be the hero, it's fine by me... Worst call after review I've seen all year!

Haha, there is only one Steve Ott in the world...

Ah yeah, and as Trizzak said a full NMC...so yeah you are right no doubt.

I'm beginning to wonder, Beaulieu gone tomorrow, or Petry? He's been equally dumb, even dumber... The video clip SN showed on Davidson tonight, looked like he is one strong and physical defenseman, I'm not opposed to that in the bottom pairing at least, especially if one of our D gets traded, Emelin, Petry or Beaulieu?