Post-Game Talk: Habs defeat Tampa at the Bell Centre.

[BLONG7]

Having two reliable goalies, poised defensemen, and that extra game-breaker in Laine, gives them belief. Meanwhile, Hutson is on fire, which adds to our weaponry in the offensive zone. Belief means the difference between surrendering quietly and standing up to the Panthers and Lightning even when the opposing team is ahead, even in its own barn. Meanwhile, MSL may turn out to be a decent coach after all.

They are on a roll, and Confidence is now a real key. They do have the belief. Could we be buyers if we stay in this race?? Does Kent Have to pick up someone to help solidify the lineup?

 

[Tyson]

I am as well. This is HF boards, a place where veterans are not valued like the new kids on the block but to be successful you need a good mix of vets and kids and Monty is a very valuable veteran. He made save after save, it could have easily been a 5-2 win for Tampa but he tuned out the noise of HF Habs and redeemed himself tonight. Dobes has 5 wins and all of them are valuable but Monty has been here since the run started and has carried the mail.

Well said brother @OldCraig71

 

[Rapala]

For all the haters that thinks Owen Beck would be able to easily replace Evans or Armia, stop daydreaming. It's a reality check for you people. Beck is not close to them at this moment and if the Habs objective is to make the playoffs for the upcoming years, KH absolutely needs sign at least one of them if not both. The ones that needs to go are Gallagher and Dvorak by far.

Nobody ever thought that. Beck is three or four years away from being able to replace Evans and Armia is not even in the same role. If we get our hands on a 2C who can also PK losing Evans won't hurt us. That however is a tall order.

 

[Skip Bayless]

They are on a roll, and Confidence is now a real key. They do have the belief. Could we be buyers if we stay in this race?? Does Kent Have to pick up someone to help solidify the lineup?

If a deal is there for someone who can be part of the picture long term he will make it. He wont be trading futures for rentals.

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

They are on a roll, and Confidence is now a real key. They do have the belief. Could we be buyers if we stay in this race?? Does Kent Have to pick up someone to help solidify the lineup?

They've got the cap space. The Laine trade and the Monahan trade before that show that HuGo cast a wide net around the league and have a keen eye for undervalued talent. I can see them exploiting a temporary situation and going after undervalued or disgruntled player, especially if a micromanaging owner throws in the towel after a disappointing season. I wouldn't see them in a bidding war however, for a Rantanen-level talent. Closer to a Cozens or Zegras for pennies on the dollar.

 

[Gally11]

Monty stands tall.

I almost forgive you for the Leafs game.... almost.

Better to win against a team we’re chasing if you had to pick!

 

[Apfel Struble]

Newhook is game by game getting the monkey off his back. His resurgence has been important in the last few games

 

[Pure Laine]

Add me to that club. The size, versatility, board play, PK performance and the high end hands is not something we'd find easily either at the draft, the UFA market or in trades.

Skills that wins you games in the playoffs

 

[holy]

Happy for Monty. Who said competition is a bad thing. He's a smart professional, he knows the stakes and boy did he deliver.

Playoff vibes type game. And I didn't even watch. I just love this team and you guys.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Paid accordingly, this team does not necessarily have to get rid of Armia, Evans and Anderson. No matter the success though, we can do much better than Dvorak and Gally.

Having 2 third lines gives them an edge.

That goal was a beauty. The little drag pass from army and the finish.

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Huge game from Monty. Was shaky to start but finished strong. With him though, its whether he gains any consistency.

Slaf looks like a second half player. Hope its like last yr

What can you say about Evans. Who saw this?

Guhle had a tough night

Matheson just wow. So careless its frustrating. Its like we all see his F ups coming a mile a way in slow motion and can only helplessly watch. It is happening more and more lately. Its like he is trying to keep up with Hutson but lacks the hockey IQ

And Gally. Its hard to justify his roster spot currently

 

[LaP]

For all the haters that thinks Owen Beck would be able to easily replace Evans or Armia, stop daydreaming. It's a reality check for you people. Beck is not close to them at this moment and if the Habs objective is to make the playoffs for the upcoming years, KH absolutely needs sign at least one of them if not both. The ones that needs to go are Gallagher and Dvorak by far.

Beck will be a better player than Armia somewhere in the next 2 seasons. People are way too quick to dismiss Armia's inconsistency thru his career and forget it's a contract year.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Happy for Monty. Who said competition is a bad thing. He's a smart professional, he knows the stakes and boy did he deliver.

Playoff vibes type game. And I didn't even watch. I just love this team and you guys.

 

[Kimota]

I'm the same when I'm on the Throne!

(that one is for you Dino!)

 

[KevSkillz4]

Let's go Habs!!

I'm soo happy by performance of this team lately!!

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Anderson or Alexander?

Anderson didn't get a point tonight, but he's been good.

That’s a mistake by the NHL, watch the replay - Anderson is the guy who picks the puck up off the boards, and moves it on the backhand to Armia. Armia makes the beautiful pass over to Evans who makes no mistake.

Anderson has become a reliable bottom six guy that plays physical and is easily one of the toughest guys in the league to boot. Really great to see all the guys on that line improve and have good years.

 

[windycity]

shout out to this dude who I thought would never recover from that Scheifele hit

I remember thinking 1. He's dead, 2. If he lives, his career is likely over. Glad I was so wrong

 

[Kennerback]

Newhook is game by game getting the monkey off his back. His resurgence has been important in the last few games

To do the hybrid system you need your forwards to be able to go man on man against the best players of the league. Because of his skating, Newhook can keep up with almost anyone.

 

[JianYang]

Savard looked like a determined hen that was going to protect his egg at all costs.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Add me to that club. The size, versatility, board play, PK performance and the high end hands is not something we'd find easily either at the draft, the UFA market or in trades.

He is a rare breed. Hughes needs to find his equivalent, wont be an easy task.

 

[windycity]

Let's go Habs!!

I'm soo happy by performance of this team lately!!

But let's be honest, when aren't you happy about the Habs?

 

[OldCraig71]

My fault. No problem. Not sure Beck will be as good as Armia defensively. I know he was good at killing penalties with Mississauga. He and Del Bel Belluz did a lot of it.

The difference between the speed and time and space of the NHL vs minors and junior is day and night, not to mention establishing the confidence to execute plays at that level. I'm sure his head has been spinning out there as everything is happening so fast. They are giving him a taste till Heineman is healthy again and it will pay dividends for his development.

 

[Rapala]

Healthy roster, Carrier, Laine, Matheson being surprisingly good at RD most of the time, the hybrid system finally sinking in, Caufield leading the league in P/60, Dach and Newhook finally getting going gives the team a second wind

I think there was a stars alignment of sorts

Matheson scared me more than once he got caught turning back on himself numerous times in his own end. That is something you won't see in his game when he's playing well. Eyssimont burnt him twice behind the net which cost us one goal and damn near another.

 

[Unclewhalebone]

Tampa play quite a style. They fully throw caution to the wind with forecheck, cherry picking, and pursuit. They dare you to open the game up, but they do have cracks too, and I’m glad we found a few tonight. They do plenty of “falling” out there as well.
Also… Kooch can kiss my ass.
The Habs need to learn to force the issue when they have something to lose. When we are behind, we up the pressure and the physical game and force errors; once ahead, there is something to lose and the fear of our own mistakes grows. We need to learn that relaxed winning confidence.

I felt the physical game took a bit of a step back tonight. It has become an important part of our game.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Matheson scared me more than once he got caught turning back on himself numerous times in his own end. That is something you won't see in his game when he's playing well. Eyssimont burnt him twice behind the net which cost us one goal and damn near another.

...Matheson needs to go...that simple...