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Going for home ice vs. Resting up players

it's a tough call. in the last 10 years or so, I think we've done better without home advantage but that might only have been two years we actually had it so...lol.

i think we should definitely give Budaj a few starts once we lock it up or even before.

Running 4 lines might be a good option as well depending on in-game circumstances.

I'm starting to feel pretty good though about the playoffs and that hasn't happened in a long time.
 
Question is, how much rest do players need? Would one or two games prior to the end of season suffice?

Tomas Plekanec
Max Pacioretty
Andrei Markov
Tomas Vanek

These four players, I'd maybe give one of the final games off, but for the rest, if they don't have any nagging injury, then nope. Try for home-ice.

Budaj in nets on the 4th --> Ottawa
9th --> @Chicago
(maybe) 29th --> @Florida
 
And I should add to that list Brendan Gallagher. This team needs him in top shape for the playoffs. Having said that, I voted for rest up some players.
 
Besides Patches/DD there hasn't really been another line or even duo on the team. This team is finally gelling properly with Paches/DD/Vanek & Gally/Plek/Chucky. Also i believe that Eller has finally found his role.

Just keep steam-rolling!
 
I really for some strange reason kind of want them to start in Tampa (if that's how it ends up). I almost feel like a win in game one is bigger if it's on the road but a loss in game one is worse if it's at home. I also don't think there is much difference between the Habs play at home and on the road. At home they really seem to come out flying all the time but it seems like they often do that and don't score any goals and it is pretty defeating to them when that happens. Would rather they start in Tampa and play a good, solid road game to at least get a split and gain home ice that way. Home ice in the second rounjd is dependant on the Boston/wild card series so nothing really matters in that regard.
 
Beside the Olympians (Markov, Subban, Pacioretty, Plekanec, Price) everybody rested during the break. I would lower Markov's minutes. I wouldn't mind playing Beaulieu for 2-3 games and rest Markov before the playoffs. I think Emelin can step up for Markov's minutes now that he's been playing better.
 
Would be nice for a change not to enter the playoffs on a terrible losing streak and with our tails between our legs.

People blame Anderson for our series loss but seem to forget how we finished the season. At the time, most posters brushed it off saying stuff like "better have a slump now and get it out of our system". Truth is, it had an impact on the confidence of the players.

Plus, we finally have three good balanced offensive lines and they need to keep developing chemistry. Let's not rest anyone and let MT think he can shuffle those lines again.

Another thing is I don't like the way Price has been playing lately. Don't know if he's still hurt or just not in game shape but he looks more like last year's Price right now. Slow to get up, less aggressive than earlier this season. He needs to keep playing. Maybe skip teams that have a tendency to run goalies over.
 
Don't really care about home ice to be honest, yes in case of a game 7 you want it at home but from past years the Habs have done quite well playing those games 7 on the road. I think in the last 10-15 years the Habs have been better when starting on the road. Rest the players, game 7 is good for Molson, that's about it
 
Zorro said:
Besides Patches/DD there hasn't really been another line or even duo on the team. This team is finally gelling properly with Paches/DD/Vanek & Gally/Plek/Chucky. Also i believe that Eller has finally found his role.

Just keep steam-rolling!
Click to expand...

The thing is, while you are 100% right, our 3rd line of Gionta/Briere/Bourque is also proving to be reliable and dominant against weaker opposition. Briere is one fast mother****er, and if Bourque keeps playing like he has.. damn.
 
I voted for number 3. Give Pacioretty, Plekanec, Markov, Emelin, Subban and Price slightly less ice time, but still push for wins using Galchenyuk, Gallagher, Eller, Bournival and Desharnais.
 
Chris Cutter said:
Beside the Olympians (Markov, Subban, Pacioretty, Plekanec, Price) everybody rested during the break. I would lower Markov's minutes. I wouldn't mind playing Beaulieu for 2-3 games and rest Markov before the playoffs. I think Emelin can step up for Markov's minutes now that he's been playing better.
Click to expand...

AGREED!! Markov will need to be well rested for the long haul.
 
My push for home ice is slightly selfish as I'm in MTL one night on the 16th and hoping it's their first playoff game in MTL :laugh:


Edit: but yes I'd like to see Markov take a few less minutes heading into PO
 
+1 for the idea of making a Markov-Beaulieu substitution for the last games.

Beaulieu needs a good talking to, but he doesn't seem to be receptive when it's done in Hamilton. Maybe if he's dangled the prize of playing again here, he'd be more willing to listen?
 
team looks like they're in a groove. there's still a couple issues on d, doubt we see beaulieu now, but I don't think we're using our d properly.

weaver is our best dman in our own zone right now, makes almost zero mistakes, and reads the play well.

markov weaver----I want to see it.
 
Markov should rest a couple of games. Therrien is relying on him way too much.

Otherwise, just go easy with the guys that have/had minor injuries.

Doubt it will happen, though.
 
I would play Price as much as possible. He has a few kinks in his game since coming back from injury and I want to see him more comfortable in net before the playoffs.

Only guy I REALLY want to see rested is Markov. He's playing unbelievable hockey right now but I think a few games rest would really help him down the stretch. Other than that, play your best players, not so much for home-ice but more to make sure the systems are down and the lines are clicking properly. Crossing my fingers Prust is okay for the playoffs and Moen and Weise heal too...but its not looking too good for that 4th line.
 
Nedved said:
team looks like they're in a groove. there's still a couple issues on d, doubt we see beaulieu now, but I don't think we're using our d properly.

weaver is our best dman in our own zone right now, makes almost zero mistakes, and reads the play well.

markov weaver----I want to see it.
Click to expand...

Well, the guys are winning but we're 7 games from the POs and looking better offensively, but poorly on D. Add in a marginal PP and it's a long way from playoff hockey.

If the team continues this style of play, there's little hope of advancing past the second round.
 
It's important to go into the POs with a team that has the ''battle hard'' mentality. Keep doing what they're doing.
 
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