Pre-Game Talk: Game 82: Canadiens v. Canes, 4/16/25 @ 7PM

[MarkovsKnee]

Canes have recalled 4 players from the minors. Not sure if mentioned already.

Yeah, they called up Riley Stillman (LD), a veteran minor leaguer, Domenick Fensore (LD), a 5'9 defense prospect, Skyler Brind'Amour (C), Rod's son, who improved a lot this year, but is already 25 & will be 26 this year & Bradley Nadeau (C), who was on Canada's failed WJC team this year, but is having an outstanding AHL season as a 19 year old. He has 30 goals in 62 games. Kid can really shoot the puck.

KK was out due to a minor injury, but I believe he's available to play tomorrow.

We'll see what the Canes lineup looks like. They're playing a back-to-back. Montreal tomorrow. Ottawa Thursday.

 

[Souker]

Bold Prediction: Evans & Armia carry the team tomorrow to a playoff spot. Expect 1 SHG.

 

[BagusJohn]

Oh if we lose it's a choke. Nobody can dispute that.

If we want to put a positive spin on it, you learn most from your mistakes. This will piss everyone off if we lose. And it will motivate everyone going forward.

I hope we make it. If we don't it will suck, no sugarcoating it. We'll just have to learn from it as best we can. But... it will be a long summer for those guys.

In the scenario we lose tomorrow, Kent Hughes and Habs management won't have a choice but to change a lineup that choked a 98% chance of making the playoffs. That's really my only silver lining when looking at the global picture.

Having said that, I will likely shed a few tears and break a few possessions if we lose tomorrow. It just isn't an acceptable outcome for me, and I will be livid and unapproachable for a good 24 hours.

 

[Forum93]

MSL needs to think outside his box.
Bring in Arber and Dobes.
Monty's 1W-6L in past 7 against Canes.
Dobes has never played them.

 

[Souker]

MSL needs to think outside his box.
Bring in Arber and Dobes.
Monty's 1W-6L in past 7 against Canes.
Dobes has never played them.

MSL is a relatively conservative coach. He will stick to the conservative decisions. No way he doesn’t play Monty.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

In the scenario we lose tomorrow, Kent Hughes and Habs management won't have a choice but to change a lineup that choked a 98% chance of making the playoffs. That's really my only silver lining when looking at the global picture.

Having said that, I will likely shed a few tears and break a few possessions if we lose tomorrow. It just isn't an acceptable outcome for me, and I will be livid and unapproachable for a good 24 hours.

The lineup is changing regardless. I expect Matheson, Savard and one of X/Struble to be gone. RB, Demidov come in. Maybe we see Beck, Kapenen, Roy next year or some are traded. We need a 2nd line center and another RD.

We'll be a greener team next year but I think we'll be better.

 

[BagusJohn]

The lineup is changing regardless. I expect Matheson, Savard and one of X/Struble to be gone. RB, Demidov come in. Maybe we see Beck, Kapenen, Roy next year or some are traded. We need a 2nd line center and another RD.

We'll be a greener team next year but I think we'll be better.

So then there's really no silver lining in a loss tomorrow is what you're saying...

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

So then there's really no silver lining in a loss tomorrow is what you're saying...

Silver lining is that they learn to hate losing. It'll be a tough summer for those guys.

 

[SpeedyPotato]

Ok tomorrow is gonna be stressful as shit

 

[Kimota]

Lol... they rescheduled french debates to avoid conflict with the Habs game.

Nobody would have watched anyway. lol

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

I don't even know what to say if MSL keeps the same defense pairings.

They've allowed one 5 on 5 goal the last 2 games

 

[Zalos]

People are stressed out for good reasons, but the Habs are still in the driver seat. They are playing the game at home against a team that doesn't need the win badly. This should show in each team's intensity.

SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK ON THE OPPOSITE NET! We've had ridiculously embarrassing shot numbers in the past few games. Also, please Martin, play the players that show you they are ALL IN during this game. Don't stick to whatever worked in the past.

Monty, I know it's a lot to ask him, but he has to have a huge game. We counting on you, man!

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

People are stressed out for good reasons, but the Habs are still in the driver seat. They are playing the game at home against a team that doesn't need the win badly. This should show in each team's intensity.

SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK ON THE OPPOSITE NET! We've had ridiculously embarrassing shot numbers in the past few games. Also, please Martin, play the players that show you they are ALL IN during this game. Don't stick to whatever worked in the past.

Monty, I know it's a lot to ask him, but he has to have a huge game. We counting on you, man!

Yeah, it'd be nice if we could actually put shots ON THE NET tomorrow. Enough of us missing wide or high or whatever. No excuses, it's a must win.

 

[Habs]

MSL has no choice — he needs to play the best at their best position to succeed. Demidov has shown tools that few others on the team possess, short sample size and all. Play him with Suzuki and on the 1st PP. It’s do or die time.

Just in case more evidence were needed:

No Newhook has Karakter and Demidov will need him and Laine. He needs to experience playing more with guys that are -24 and -15

 

[Habs]

Monty, I know it's a lot to ask him, but he has to have a huge game. We counting on you, man!

Just give me a chance coach!

 

[Habs13]

IF we don't win this game, it's going to be even more embarrassing than losing to f***ing Chicago.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

What piece of crap will be officiating this game?

 

[Sam de Mtl]

Back against the wall, I believe this young group will rise to the occasion. Go Habs!

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Although it really won't matter who officiates. If bettman wants the Habs out whoever officiates will ensure it.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

If Newhook gets a couple good looks just to send them wide or forgets to keep his stick on the ice again to tap in gifts from Demidov, I might actually snap. That guy has been driving me insane this entire damn season. Still frustrated beyond belief with how he missed a few last game and couldn’t find a way to get the puck up the ice to Demidov in OT.
Right down to the bitter end of the season, playoffs on the line, his anti-clutchness is the bane of my existence.

On the bright side, if we lose this game somehow and blow the playoff opportunity, it will at least be the last time we ever have to watch him be in the top 6 here - so long as KH does his job this offseason.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

What piece of crap will be officiating this game?

Feeling like its Chris Lee time

 

[Habs13]

I've let this team me up so so many times over the years just to knock me down. At this point, it's on me, for allowing this abuse to continue. I keep coming back, knowing they're going to f*** with me again.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Feeling like its Chris Lee time

You know the fix is in if it's him.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

Feels bad for Flyers fans. Got Michkov and that’s it. They’ve rebuilding for how long? No #1C or #1D in the system, they’re gonna waste Michkov prime by the time they’re ready to make noise.

On the other they got the Eagles.

I would, but the rumors surrounding why so many teams past on Michkov being that he was essentially trying to pick his preferred team makes he think, "eh, you reap what you sow, kid."

That all aside, I'm kind of glad Columbus won tonight. If the boys want to go to the dance, then earn it. They had a gift given to them in playing Chicago and let them score three goals unanswered. Show up tomorrow and beat the Canes and put yourselves in the playoffs instead of hoping and praying Columbus chokes.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Can’t wait for the most important game of the season only for the team to get outshot 45-2 at home

That’s every first period lately.