Pre-Game Talk: Game 45: Saturday Jan 18th: Figs @ Habs, 7 PM | CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS

[McGees]

Reaves is afraid of him and won’t go
Xhekaj might literally kill Rempe if they fought

I think they actually became friends in the summer and that's why they didn't fight.

 

[The Great Weal]

Seems obvious that Monty/Dobes will be sharing for now and I don't see how you aren't confident in both goalies unless you're still unreasonably mad at Monty for winning games in lost seasons as a waiver pickup. He's more than good enough to be a tandem with Dobes until Fowler comes.

I'm going to become the joker if Pezz dresses against the Leafs.

We're going to wonder why we ran out of gas by the time the season ends when it's blatantly obvious. Just because it's not biting us in the ass right now doesn't mean it won't hurt us down the line. Don't like how we aren't maximizing our chances to get every single point, it's as if we're just happy to be in this position and anything extra is just a bonus. Not the kind of culture I'd want in a team.

 

[Canadienna]

It's a big test, not because the Leafs are any better than Dallas/Colorado/Florida/Vegas but because its a "big game" that they'll want on a personal level.

They've shown remarkable poise and self control of late and they'll need that again in spades tomorrow.

 

[Milhouse40]

3 years.....3 freaking very long years.
This will be the first 4 points game in 3 years.

I am pumped for this game and the other next week: Leafs, Rangers, Tampa at home and Detroit on the road...all 4 points game.

 

[LeGarsDuCable]

Tavares is out, and the Habs are the hottest team in the league—this is ours to win!

 

[Habssince89]

We obviously need the whole team pulling in the same direction to win tomorrow, but we especially need Monty, Slaf, and Dach to have big games. If those guys are on, and Suzuki/CC/Laine/Hutson are chugging along as expected, we will win.

 

[Rapala]

Monty's 1 W, 4 L past 5 against the Leafs. I'd like to see MSL change it up and put in Dobes.

Well his one win was a 47 save shutout in game one when we were arguably the worst team in the league.

 

[Rapala]

They're not calling anyone up. No player is going to play Friday night for Laval then Saturday & Sunday games for Montreal. 3 games in 3 nights doesn't happen at NHL level, which means Pezz is playing tomorrow.

If they do call someone up, that player won't play til Sunday.

The players double shifting aren't getting crazy minutes except maybe Suzuki but he's used to it.
Apparently the forwards are able to maintain a better flow than the Dmen when they use 7.
I think we need to keep our Dmen as stable as possible.

 

[The Real Timo]

SN is going to be nauseating with the whole coast to coast to coast shit tomorrow aren’t they?

Stories McLean will tell us. Sigh. Just show the game and bring back Kenzie!

 

[The Real Timo]

Well his one win was a 47 save shutout in game one when we were arguably the worst team in the league.

I’m still more comfortable with Dobes. Give montanbo the rags

 

[RationalExpectations]

Seems obvious that Monty/Dobes will be sharing for now and I don't see how you aren't confident in both goalies unless you're still unreasonably mad at Monty for winning games in lost seasons as a waiver pickup. He's more than good enough to be a tandem with Dobes until Fowler comes.

We're going to wonder why we ran out of gas by the time the season ends when it's blatantly obvious. Just because it's not biting us in the ass right now doesn't mean it won't hurt us down the line. Don't like how we aren't maximizing our chances to get every single point, it's as if we're just happy to be in this position and anything extra is just a bonus. Not the kind of culture I'd want in a team.

On the other hand you want to reward your 13th forward who is Fine with playing 5 minutes a night when there is an injury. I think as long as they win they won t change things.

The issue is that if you Don t play a Player he does not have the same pace as the rest of your team which is what happens with Pezzetta Right now. Which is Why personnally I would try to call up someone else if Pezzetta can t elevate his game over the weekend.

 

[HuGort]

Oh hi guys and gals, it's me.....your friendly neighbourhood fan of the greatest team in the history of the regular season -- The Toronto Maple Leafs!!!!!!

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I come here in peace....hoping to wish you guys luck in all of your future endeavours including a well played match vs. my boys on Saturday night! I see that you currently have a well endowed player occupying your #1 centre position. Wowzers! He is quite the stud muffin! I am impressed!

Have you met our #1 centre before. I know you know who he is. Good luck covering him. For some reason he has an endless motor, fueled by unlimited oxygen intake!


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I predicked a very strong effort from our captain this coming Saturday.

Ive been doing some research on your mighty little scoring machine. I have to admit.....quite impressive the way he can snipe those little snap shots past the goalie. But have you met our goalie? We like to refer to our guy as the brick WOLL. so good luck getting one past him!

Even if Cole does score....we have plenty of other weapons who can get those goals back!!!!!

So bring your little skitter bug Lane Hutson...bring your beast Slafkovsky.....bring Dach.....bring Laine....bring Dobes or Monty.....we are ready for ya!

I predict a 5-4 win for the Habs! No wait that's @waitin425 talking!

10-0 Leafs!

Yours most lovingly,
Jimmy Fig Boy




GHG!!!!!!!!

Saturday night, Montreal and Toronto with Habs only a point out of playoff position. What more could Canadian fan ask for?

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

We're going to wonder why we ran out of gas by the time the season ends when it's blatantly obvious. Just because it's not biting us in the ass right now doesn't mean it won't hurt us down the line. Don't like how we aren't maximizing our chances to get every single point, it's as if we're just happy to be in this position and anything extra is just a bonus. Not the kind of culture I'd want in a team.

Not even close to being true.

Since Pezzetta has been back in the lineup, Suzuki is 25th in the league among forwards in ice time, and he's getting even less ice time than he had last season. Caufield is 58th. The 3rd forward with the highest ice time on the habs is Slafkovsky, which has him 152nd in the league in average ice time.

How is that overusing the forwards?

 

[BLONG7]

Tavares is out, and the Habs are the hottest team in the league—this is ours to win!

That said..........the leafs just beat the Devils, and they have the best D in the league as their fans tell us Hutson wouldn't make their team.

Leafs and Habs always a close one...............would love to see us win this one big tonight!!

 

[Mulletman]

This will be a huge game for Matthews and Laine as they'll have a chance to join only a handfull of other top 2 draft picks that have been able to score 600 career goals combined. With 385 goals for Matthews and 214 goals for Laine they're now sitting at 599 goals combined. With a possibly combined 26+ seasons of hockey left to play they might not quite reach Ovechkin and Malkin with a combined total of 1380 goals right now, but should easily be able to lock down the number 2 spot amongst top 2 draft picks in goals scored. Hopefully Laine can find his game again and sign with my Leafs after his contract in Montreal is over, since Matthews and Laine are destined to play together. I mean both having huge lion tattoos on their shoulders can't be a coincidence, can it?

Plus Laine said he would like to play for the Leafs before getting drafted. You don't hear many players say that.

Would be nice to see these two join forces and summon the hockey gods in order to end the longest Stanley cup drought in NHL history and then get inducted into the Hall of fame together when it's all said and done!

 

[BLONG7]

This will be a huge game for Matthews and Laine as they'll have a chance to join only a handfull of other top 2 draft picks that have been able to score 600 career goals combined. With 385 goals for Matthews and 214 goals for Laine they're now sitting at 599 goals combined. With a possibly combined 26+ seasons of hockey left to play they might not quite reach Ovechkin and Malkin with a combined total of 1380 goals right now, but should easily be able to lock down the number 2 spot amongst top 2 draft picks in goals scored. Hopefully Laine can find his game again and sign with my Leafs after his contract in Montreal is over, since Matthews and Laine are destined to play together. I mean both having huge lion tattoos on their shoulders can't be a coincidence, can it?

Plus Laine said he would like to play for the Leafs before getting drafted. You don't hear many players say that.

Would be nice to see these two join forces and summon the hockey gods in order to end the longest Stanley cup drought in NHL history and then get inducted into the Hall of fame together when it's all said and done!

Laine wanted to be drafted 1st overall, and TO had that pick.
Akin to Shane Wright, and the Habs........Wright wanted to go 1 OA

Wanna see Laine light it up tonight!! The big question is...................will we even get a PP. The Leafs are usually good for 4-5 of them, and the obligatory 5 on 3 to help their cause.

 

[morhilane]

The players double shifting aren't getting crazy minutes except maybe Suzuki but he's used to it.
Apparently the forwards are able to maintain a better flow than the Dmen when they use 7.
I think we need to keep our Dmen as stable as possible.

Even Suzuki isn't hitting >20 minutes constantly like last year, unless the team is going to OT or losing badly. Even with Pezz in the line-up.

 

[Rapala]

Time to improve our RW and division record.
These are the keys to earning a playoff birth.
Gotta have butterflies for this one Boys.

 

[Uber Coca]

I'm going to become the joker if Pezz dresses against the Leafs.

Play structure is as good as I ever seen in my last 25 years of watching the Habs, so I wouldn’t change anything. Chemistry seems at an all time high as well, I reckon Pezzetta should stay.

 

[Rapala]

Saturday night, Montreal and Toronto with Habs only a point out of playoff position. What more could Canadian fan ask for?

Saturday Night Bell Center Montreal and Boston with a Habs win ousting Boston from a wild card seat.
Saturrday Night Bell Center Montreal and Ottawa with a Habs win eliminating the Sens outright.

 

[OldCraig71]

If we play the same way, we have a great chance to win. I would start Dobes for this one but Monty probably gets the nod. Pezz shouldn't be playing, it's odd that he sat for 2.5 months and now he stays in the lineup without contributing much outside of dumb penalties.

 

[HabsQC]

That is a nice GDT.

Tavares is out for leafs, isn't he? Who else is injured over there?

I say play Dobes! He is hot. Habs need wins to get the wild card spot. And imagine the meltdown is laffs lose to a rookie goalie with less then 5 games NHL experience.

I don't know, can Dobes drive a Zamboni ?

 

[morhilane]

If we play the same way, we have a great chance to win. I would start Dobes for this one but Monty probably gets the nod. Pezz shouldn't be playing, it's odd that he sat for 2.5 months and now he stays in the lineup without contributing much outside of dumb penalties.

Pezz is clearly there to distract the Refs.

 

[JustAHabFan]

Pezz is clearly there to distract the Refs.

Yeah. He distracted the refs so much that he got penalties in almost every games he played recently. I couldn't stand him anymore. Call up please.

 

[Heineman Mineman]

For the first time in a long time I'm going to tape the game as I'll miss the first 2 periods playing soccer.

It must have been a long time indeed if you used a tape recorder the last time you had to do that