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

[waitin425]

Home Ice with everything on the line. It's now or never. Break through that glass ceiling.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

More changes are being made regardless. I think there’s going to be a pretty big overhaul.

I’m not that optimistic we get much of an overhaul regardless of how this game / potential playoff round plays out.
I honestly expect them to resign Dvorak and at this point I wouldn’t be surprised if they offered Armia smaller contract, or even Savard a final year 1 year cheap deal if he insists on playing one more year
Not like we have any other forward prospects knocking at the door and forcing the issue. Roy / Beck / Kapanen haven’t shown they’d be an upgrade over Dvorak & Armia (and I say that being one of Dvoraks biggest haters the last 4 years)

Be it a trade or free agency I think they do what they need to do to make damn sure we have a better 2c option than Newhook / Dach, but not expecting much else.

I’d love to see them sign Duchene for 3 years and see Matheson packaged for a top 4 right handed D man.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I’m not that optimistic we get much of an overhaul regardless of how this game / potential playoff round plays out.
I honestly expect them to resign Dvorak and at this point I wouldn’t be surprised if they offered Armia smaller contract, or even Savard a final year 1 year cheap deal if he insists on playing one more year
Not like we have any other forward prospects knocking at the door and forcing the issue. Roy / Beck / Kapanen haven’t shown they’d be an upgrade over Dvorak & Armia (and I say that being one of Dvoraks biggest haters the last 4 years)

Be it a trade or free agency I think they do what they need to do to make damn sure we have a better 2c option than Newhook / Dach, but not expecting much else.

I’d love to see them sign Duchene for 3 years and see Matheson packaged for a top 4 right handed D man.

Savard is gone. I expect Matheson is likely gone. We’ll have a new 2nd line center. Reinbacher and Demidov coming in…

It may not be a complete overhaul in one season but we’re transitioning away from the old guard.

 

[Saundies]

Whatever happens, it's been a crazy ass season. Going to choose to go down with the ship no matter what.

 

[morhilane]

Doesn't matter who Carolina dresses considering Chicago dressed a damn near preseason roster and still won. Even with an AHL roster, Carolina will be better coached and better structured.

If the low percentage shots, flip clears out of the D zone as the first and only option, passes around the boards that don't even reach teammates and other bad habits we've seen the last 5-6 games continue, this will be over by the 2nd period.

Bold: last 5-6 games? It's been like this all season long...

 

[Gaud]

If they can't find the motivation to play a full 60 minutes with the season on the line, the rebuild is not over and more changes will have to be made.

I get the sense they are out of juice. For most of the season, the habs were getting scored on first and coming back all the time. The last few games, i thought they came out way stronger in the first.. but then couldnt hold the lead.

They have been playing high stress hockey for a while now, and it's showing. Carolina is protecting a few players tonight for the playoffs, but that will still be a tough fight between stress free / refreshed players and tired players that have been playing their season for several weeks now.

 

[Beer and Chips]

Id better not read “no changes to the lineup”.

Heineman should be in
Get Laine the hell off Demidov’s line
Get Laine the hell off the first PP unit!

Get Laine the hell off.

 

[hvac412]

Just because Carolina is dressing a bunch of ahl players , I’m still very nervous. These guys will be fired up.

Chicago did the same and outcoached & schooled us. rinse ,repeat,rinse,repeat......

 

[Beer and Chips]

Wont

Won’t be lack of motivation from this group imo. The team is gassed. There’s nothing left in the tank imo.

All the more reason to give Demidov more time.

 

[ahmedou]

Yeah I have very little faith we win this game, but none of those games had Demidov. Maybe he pulls off some more magic. (Doubtful with the offensive black hole he’s stuck with, but we can dream)

I'd like to see Demidov vs Nikishin. For the Canadiens vs Hurricanes game.

Two ex SKA players. Two best friends. Facing each others. For entertainment purpose.

 

[Mats NAslund]

With hockey, in interviews you can almost never speak the truth........when you do it gives another team motivation..........he set them on fire. That's on him...........

Laine is so talented, and seems so dumb. He is a drama queen with a great shot.

Yep it's too bad his career started so well and then not sure what happened in his life but his attitude, his give a shit factor / body language is just putrid. I had high hopes that he would be able to turn it around but sadly he hasn't. That being said he did help the PP early on and helped win some games for sure.

As far as utilization goes MSL needs to play the guys that are pushing the pace. If guys seem uninterested sit'em despite being veterans or not.....This is the NHL you play to win not make babies happy!

If Matheson is going to continue to have brain farts and not understand he's not an offensive dynamo and that he needs to move the damn puck then sit him too.

Xhekaj should be in and Savard should go pick dandelions somewhere else!

he has one move and its.......

 

[Gaud]

Good luck did you not hear MSLs interview where he was asked about playing Demidov on the 1st line and 1st PP unit ? " I'm the coach, I'll do what I want" 'C'est moi le coach, je fais ce que je veux."

I really want Montreal to make the playoffs but I'm hating MSL more and more via these stupid replies and asinine lineup and player management decisions!!!!

MSL has definite hockey IQ, but sometimes i wonder if they got him only for his motivational skills. These may not be bad if the main thing you are trying to build is a winning culture. Who knows, he may get better as he gets experience.

To be fair though, as much as I am psyched by Demidov playing, I dont think you just bet your season on an unproven kid on his first game in the NHL. Talent is undeniable, but you dont know how he reacts in high pressure situations and you do know what your veterans are capable of.

I dislike Laine, personally - he seems to think he can deke anyone or score goals with every shot, no matter how improbable. He turns the puck over just through lack of effort. But he scores on the PP and was 2/3 on the shootout going into Tuesday's game. You have to go with what you know at this point. It's just like most jobs really, you may have a worker fresh out of university with a shiny new doctorate in whateverology - you still go with the degree-less veteran when your business is at stake until the kid proves he can do it, no matter how high his potential.

by the way, i may be imagining things, but i thought Laine's answers regarding Demidov and his play Tuesday looked like he was jealous and saw Demidov as a threat. I saw Laine make plays and hit people, which is not something i ever saw him do before.

 

[Mats NAslund]

Savard is gone. I expect Matheson is likely gone. We’ll have a new 2nd line center. Reinbacher and Demidov coming in…

It may not be a complete overhaul in one season but we’re transitioning away from the old guard.

Matheson wont be gone until the following year but his role will be reduced (hopefully) to a number 5. His Cap hit is reasonable at 4.875M and he can be useful if used properly, issue is MSL thinks he's Bobby Orr

I can guarantee that Xhekaj is out as well for the simple fact MSL hates the guy!

Next year I'm hoping to see this at the back assuming the above

Hutson Ghule
Reinbacher Carrier
Struble Matheson
Mailloux (I really don't think they should trade Mailloux his ceiling is high)

 

[Adam Michaels]

For those who aren't happy it's come to Game 82 and Habs failed to clinch when they had a cushion, for context, STL clinched in Game 82 even if they had a 12-game win streak. They lost 3 games in a row after so they also failed to clinch games ago. MIN, who was at the top of the league for a good part of the season also needed Game 82 to clinch. They had injuries to key players, but they fell quite a bit regardless to the point they needed the final game of the year.

This is what it's like for Wild Card teams. It usually comes down to the final game of the year to clinch.

 

[Gaud]

With hockey, in interviews you can almost never speak the truth........when you do it gives another team motivation..........he set them on fire. That's on him...........

Laine is so talented, and seems so dumb. He is a drama queen with a great shot.

Friggin guy and his facepalm moments. That thing about the BJs having a loser mentality was bad, i thought him mentionning he made a mistake mentionning it after the game was also bad. Then he goes to 4 nations and makes comments that he isnt playing enough and other barbs against MSL.. that guy cant be good for a lockerroom and its culture

 

[Supersonic]

LFG boys

Its time

 

[Mats NAslund]

MSL has definite hockey IQ, but sometimes i wonder if they got him only for his motivational skills. These may not be bad if the main thing you are trying to build is a winning culture. Who knows, he may get better as he gets experience.

To be fair though, as much as I am psyched by Demidov playing, I dont think you just bet your season on an unproven kid on his first game in the NHL. Talent is undeniable, but you dont know how he reacts in high pressure situations and you do know what your veterans are capable of.

I dislike Laine, personally - he seems to think he can deke anyone or score goals with every shot, no matter how improbable. He turns the puck over just through lack of effort. But he scores on the PP and was 2/3 on the shootout going into Tuesday's game. You have to go with what you know at this point. It's just like most jobs really, you may have a worker fresh out of university with a shiny new doctorate in whateverology - you still go with the degree-less veteran when your business is at stake until the kid proves he can do it, no matter how high his potential.

by the way, i may be imagining things, but i thought Laine's answers regarding Demidov and his play Tuesday looked like he was jealous and saw Demidov as a threat. I saw Laine make plays and hit people, which is not something i ever saw him do before.

I agree with everything you said however we do differ when it comes to Demidov or any other young talent. You play the hot hand when its hot, you don't play a cold, struggling vet and hope he comes up with a big game or big shift!

 

[Gaud]

Win or lose tonight and it'll be a very important lesson for the youngest team in the league.

I know I sure wouldnt want the taste of defeat in my mouth all summer.

Rebuilds seem to go more or less the same path, it just takes longer in some cases. Experience is an expensive commodity. I dont expect much from the habs in the playoffs, but this is valuable exp that i'd rather have sooner than later. That being said, anyone else thing the Caps are going to go out in the first 2 rounds? I feel their goal this year was to help Ovy with his goal record.

 

[Uber Coca]

Wishes :

1. Demidov on PP1
2. Ice level passes, f*** the lobs

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

For those who aren't happy it's come to Game 82 and Habs failed to clinch when they had a cushion, for context, STL clinched in Game 82 even if they had a 12-game win streak. They lost 3 games in a row after so they also failed to clinch games ago. MIN, who was at the top of the league for a good part of the season also needed Game 82 to clinch. They had injuries to key players, but they fell quite a bit regardless to the point they needed the final game of the year.

This is what it's like for Wild Card teams. It usually comes down to the final game of the year to clinch.

True. And it's a testament to the club that we've been able to climb out of huge holes to get here.

But losing four straight when you need to clinch is not a great way to close out game 81. Hopefully game 82 is a different story.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

Matheson wont be gone until the following year but his role will be reduced (hopefully) to a number 5. His Cap hit is reasonable at 4.875M and he can be useful if used properly, issue is MSL thinks he's Bobby Orr

I can guarantee that Xhekaj is out as well for the simple fact MSL hates the guy!

Next year I'm hoping to see this at the back assuming the above

Hutson Ghule
Reinbacher Carrier
Struble Matheson
Mailloux (I really don't think they should trade Mailloux his ceiling is high)

Putting our only 2 right handed D man together wouldn’t be a good idea. We already have enough LD playing on their off sides due to lack of RD

Swap Matheson and Reinbacher and that looks about right.
Ideally we trade Matheson for a good RD and bump Guhle back to the left D position behind Hutson.

Hutson - *trade*
Guhle - Carrier
Struble / Xhekaj - Reinbacher

 

[EveryDay]

Carolina is like Minnesota for us, we always seem to lose against them.

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovski is ice cold right now.

Not sure if Demidov can save us tonight... .

 

[Mats NAslund]

True. And it's a testament to the club that we've been able to climb out of huge holes to get here.

But losing four straight when you need to clinch is not a great way to close out game 81. Hopefully game 82 is a different story.

Exactly and lot of this is on coaching decisions. That's the part that is bugging me, 5 games to collect 3 points and its down to the wire and I'm not just talking about these last 5 games regarding the coaching. It's been suspect all year and it's always the same thing WTF is Matheson getting 25 to 30 minutes of ice and WTF is Savard in the lineup when there are no injuries.

If he's such a good VET he'd understand his role as a number 7!

 

[Lshap]

Today is the day.

Never thought this season would come to the last day. I had predicted an 84 point season (as a successful climb up the ladder). I was hoping they would be fighting until around mid-March. Well, it’s now game f***ing seven of the season. As Bourque would have said, we need the two points tonight. Actually, one. But let’s get the W, against a puke organisation.

Let’s go red!

I had the exact same prediction as you did for this season, but now that we're one point from the finish line.... don't f***ing blow it!!

On the other hand, my old-man maturity says we'll be looking at the season in the past-tense in a couple of weeks, no matter what happens in the next day. Finishing strong leaves a better aftertaste, but it won't change much moving forward.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

Rebuilds seem to go more or less the same path, it just takes longer in some cases. Experience is an expensive commodity. I dont expect much from the habs in the playoffs, but this is valuable exp that i'd rather have sooner than later. That being said, anyone else thing the Caps are going to go out in the first 2 rounds? I feel their goal this year was to help Ovy with his goal record.

Caps have certainly overachieved if that was their only goal lol. 1st in the East, 2nd in the whole league.