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

[Spearmint Rhino]

My James Westphal for an easy win tmrw

 

[Beendair Donedat]

The team plays bigger (and in my opinion better) when Xhekaj is in the lineup. He gives them a swagger and the knowledge that he’s there to keep the other team in line. Anyone who has played knows that while this can’t be quantified with any stat, it’s a reality.

So instead of playing the guy who keeps the team loose and going, Marty decides to play rope a dope, Jacques Lemaire style and sit back when we need to be pushing forward?? I don’t understand it at all… Matheson, Savard, Struble have all been bad to awful by times and yet they’re never benched. Xhekaj does anything and he’s sent to the press box.

But having a big fat guy whose signature move now is to simply fall on top of the puck in the corner and use his ample girth to kill time is a priority.

Marty trying to make Xhekaj a “better person” while dressing a collection of milquetoast misfits, Rita McNeil’s grandson, Guhle and a super rookie on the blueline may have snatched an almost certain playoff spot away from the Habs.

Limp Dicking our way into the playoffs.

 

[Shred]

I'll add that the messaging/meta-communication MSL is giving to the players is all wrong. Instead of inspiring confidence by keeping them aggressive he's instead signaling he doesn't trust them to be better or more talented than the other team. Its no coincidence that ever since the coach has been coaching like he's scared, the players have followed suit. He's done good since his hire, but he's dropped the ball in this latest stretch.

It’s been said he is cultivating the underdog mentality. Looks to me like every time they aren’t the obvious underdog they choke. If they get a lead early in a game or during the last stretch when they became a favorite to make the playoffs. It is what it is I guess. Hopefully he gains perspective this summer and these setbacks become a learning experience.

 

[overlords]

Feeling like its Chris Lee time

Chris Lee and Carolina??

 

[Habs]

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

Why would he want the Habs out? Seems like Molson wants them to fail by keeping Douche St Louis employed.

 

[JianYang]

Oh shit, I hope this Chris Lee talk is a joke.

 

[Habs]

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

But the legends here will tell you the shots don't matter, not one single bit.

 

[JianYang]

The Habs are something like 9-0-2 on home ice since the 4 nations

Imagine if the one regulation loss is this one.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

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

Gotta love how the two teams I follow (Vancouver and Montreal) both get regularly and comically outshot.

 

[Runner77]

All other playoff matchups have been decided.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Why would he want the Habs out? Seems like Molson wants them to fail by keeping Douche St Louis employed.

Don't know why Bettman would give a shat about Columbus but he would want as few Canadian teams in as possible. With the officiating Habs get it is obvious they are not a favored team.

 

[Runner77]

The team plays bigger (and in my opinion better) when Xhekaj is in the lineup. He gives them a swagger and the knowledge that he’s there to keep the other team in line. Anyone who has played knows that while this can’t be quantified with any stat, it’s a reality.

So instead of playing the guy who keeps the team loose and going, Marty decides to play rope a dope, Jacques Lemaire style and sit back when we need to be pushing forward?? I don’t understand it at all… Matheson, Savard, Struble have all been bad to awful by times and yet they’re never benched. Xhekaj does anything and he’s sent to the press box.

But having a big fat guy whose signature move now is to simply fall on top of the puck in the corner and use his ample girth to kill time is a priority.

Marty trying to make Xhekaj a “better person” while dressing a collection of milquetoast misfits, Rita McNeil’s grandson, Guhle and a super rookie on the blueline may have snatched an almost certain playoff spot away from the Habs.

Limp Dicking our way into the playoffs.

Who’s Rita McNeil’s grandson?

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Gotta treat this like a game 7

 

[SpeedyPotato]

In the scenario we lose tomorrow, Kent Hughes and Habs management won't have a choice but to change a lineup that choked a 99.1% 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.

Fixed it for you

That’d be a historic collapse

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

What piece of crap will be officiating this game?

Hopefully not Chris Lee

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Who’s Rita McNeil’s grandson?

David Savard.

 

[Habs]

Don't know why Bettman would give a shat about Columbus but he would want as few Canadian teams in as possible. With the officiating Habs get it is obvious they are not a favored team.

Seems that way at times no doubt

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Who’s Rita McNeil’s grandson?

 

[The Great Weal]

Carolina has been complete dog shit in their last 6 games and allowing 3 goals or more in every game. At the very least the Hawks were taking some good teams past regulation, so losing against the Canes in regulation is completely unacceptable.

 

[Hostile Offer]

Gotta treat this like a game 7

It is, except just getting to OT would be enough. I don't believe for a second the CBJ aren't getting 2 points from the Isles.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Oh shit, I hope this Chris Lee talk is a joke.

JK, this was the pair that did the Wild and Ducks game tonight so hopefully he's not doing a B2B

 

[Hostile Offer]

Carolina has been complete dog shit in their last 6 games and allowing 3 goals or more in every game. At the very least the Hawks were taking some good teams past regulation, so losing against the Canes in regulation is completely unacceptable.

Losing to the Hawks at home after taking an early 2-0 lead is completely inexcusable. They can still redeem themselves but if they let this slide that's the game I'll point at as the one where they lost the season.

 

[JianYang]

View attachment 1015100

JK, this was the pair that did the Wild and Ducks game tonight so hopefully he's not doing a B2B

Sounds doubtful then.

I don't need that clown raising my blood pressure.

He is the one ref that has managed to give me ptsd for the last 15 years with his complete inability to do his job.

 

[Heffyhoof]

X needs to be brought in, Savard or Struble can help the team by not playing. Caufield and Slaf need to be moved to PP2 with Demidov being put on the first wave.

I wouldn't mind a PP1 wherein Slaf is told plant his arse 24/7 in front of the net, but it's clear with Laine Montreal wants fast puck movement to open up the one timer. Letting Caufield be the sniper of the second wave and having Slaf be the dedicated net front presence lets both waves be deadlier in my opinion.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Actually comes down to the very last game of the year lol
Unreal

Still, people forget the general feeling late September early October, morale was dead, the feelings were terrible
Nobody thought playoff spot the way things had gone in preseason and the bad start to reg season

Just need 1 point guys, and see whatever happens after that, even a sweep is wtv, 4 playoff games is still good XP for the boys

You can DO this guys, come on now

The four nations tournament saved this team tbh. Would probably have been bottom 7 .

If we miss the playoffs we'll have two dogshit mid pick because Calgary is literally Columbus rn