Post-Game Talk: Habs lose Blackhawks in a Shootout. Fail to clinch Playoffs.

[expy]

No … I’m being realistic. I find it illogical when 98% of posters predicted this team would be picking 5-10OA all of a sudden are filled w rage Habs haven’t locked up a wildcard spot.

NHL is all about 10GP performance trends. Habs built up their margin on the other teams because those other teams including CBJ had horrible previous 10GP - now CBJ is trying to catchup.

Philly will have their strongest lineup out there & are on a hot streak post-Torts, whereas, Canes will be resting their top end players or minimizing their TOI w playoffs starting this weekend.

Probability remains on the Habs side - they hold pole position.

A season is a marathon not a sprint… patience.

Agreed, it was illogical to think that the team that has been winning despite playing poorly would somehow "easily" beat a Blackhawks team. Those sad about the results yesterday is illogical since it was written in their past performances that they just weren't good enough to guarantee a win again anyone.

 

[JianYang]

My observations fwiw:

1) how do the refs miss that Nazar SO goal? They had the best vantage point and the puck cleanly went in the net. Because they didn’t see the net come out of the net they assumed it went out of play?

2) Demidov was incredible and I had a blast watching him. But on Reichel’s 3rd goal for Chicago, any type of defensive effort by Demidov to cover for Guhle would have prevented Reichel from being in the clear to receive the pass and score. I found that disappointing, hopefully that is something the team will identify and work on.

I’ll be tuned in to the Blue Jackets vs Flyers tonight…

Go Habs!

How all those eyes missed the fact that it was in the net is bewildering to me. Even the Amazon prime broadcasters didn't know, and I wasn't thinking about it either.

You'd think the shooter would be arguing profusely about it right after he scored. They typically know when they score...maybe he missed it too lol.

 

[rik schau]

No … I’m being realistic. I find it illogical when 98% of posters predicted this team would be picking 5-10OA all of a sudden are filled w rage Habs haven’t locked up a wildcard spot.

NHL is all about 10GP performance trends. Habs built up their margin on the other teams because those other teams including CBJ had horrible previous 10GP - now CBJ is trying to catchup.

Philly will have their strongest lineup out there & are on a hot streak post-Torts, whereas, Canes will be resting their top end players or minimizing their TOI w playoffs starting this weekend.

Probability remains on the Habs side - they hold pole position.

A season is a marathon not a sprint… patience.

If you're looking for logic and common sense,this might not be the best place to find that.lol

 

[staubitz]

How all those eyes missed the fact that it was in the net is bewildering to me. Even the Amazon prime broadcasters didn't know, and I wasn't thinking about it either.

You'd think the shooter would be arguing profusely about it right after he scored. They typically know when they score...maybe he missed it too lol.

I think Nazar knew he scored, he celebrated immediately afterwards. He probably didn’t realize the refs weren’t aware it was a good goal. Very strange however it went down lol

 

[morhilane]

I didn't rewatch exactly what happened, but I didn't understand why it wasn't a 4 on 4 as the roughing penalty should have been to Foligno alone.

Francis Charron was refs, nothing else to understand here.

 

[Takeru]

Experience for 53% of this roster, Buf / Ana / Utah etc have never had their young players come close to experiencing this…. NHL is the best league in the world, experience matters, and there’s only one way to get it…

I do get the experience argument.

The value of that experience is questionable though. Sure, going through the motions might be marginally better than not. As the other poster mentioned, you gotta also factor in the negative impact of some guys potentially getting bruised up by the physical Caps.

With the way we're playing, the main thing they'll learn is how big the gap still is.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I would have put one of caufield or Laine 4th.... probably caufield.

Why not Suzuki? He's had zero shootout goals this year and has the worst percentage of the three?

 

[sampollock]

Holding a practice today... lol

Guhle says it will be a different team tomorrow.
ok, I will bite... but prove it

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

St-Louis horrible line change on the Ghule PK was also a direct result of the goal against and let’s not forget his mis management of players in and out of the current lineup!

If Montreal misses the playoffs this has to come down to his mis-management and use of players!

His over loyalty and use of his vets has been his downfall thus far ie Savard and Matheson!

When he has extra good players to move in and out of the lineup this post would be relevant.

 

[holy]

The Guhle hit had the reverse effect he hoped it would. The Hawks rallied after that, and we crumbled. If I'm being really honest, the whole team looked petrified, with the exception of Demidov. That kid is not scared of the big stage.

To be fair he got to slot in while these guys have been battling their asses off since 4 nations to get to this point. He might have a different feel for the game than someone who's had a direct impact on the result for the past 81 games.

 

[JianYang]

Why not Suzuki? He's had zero shootout goals this year and has the worst percentage of the three?

It just comes down to my confidence in Suzuki in big moments.

I know he has had trouble with shootouts this year but he's had tremendous success at it too in the past. But it mostly comes down to his general ability to perform on stages and my trust in him.

 

[ahmedou]

In a normal word, we should've beat the Hawks. On regular time. At home ice.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It just comes down to my confidence in Suzuki in big moments.

I know he has had trouble with shootouts this year but he's had tremendous success at it too in the past. But it mostly comes down to his general ability to perform on stages and my trust in him.

You don't trust Caufield?

 

[1909]

No excuses. When you lead 2-0 against a cellar team, you MUST win.

 

[1909]

It just comes down to my confidence in Suzuki in big moments.

I know he has had trouble with shootouts this year but he's had tremendous success at it too in the past. But it mostly comes down to his general ability to perform on stages and my trust in him.

Suzuki never complains. He is playing full 82 games seasons. Right now, he might not be 100% healthy. He is THE reason why the team record is so good since the 4 Nations Tournament.

 

[Habs10Habs]

He looked his best on wing with Suzuki and Caulfield,looked better than Slowfootsky anyways.

Agreed, which is the only reason I'm not quite ready to trade him yet. That and his value is probably pretty low.

 

[Habs10Habs]

If he can't skate when camp starts he's going to be dropped. They won't give him the 40 game rope he got this season.

I'll agree with that. His health will be a huge condition on whether we keep him or not.

 

[Takeru]

I believe we found our franchise player. No doubt in my mind now. This kid will be the fuel of this franchise for the next 10 years.

This run was a freak run, led by young leaders. You can’t shut down that just because you believe you need more ammo. You can’t do that as an organisation. They let the kids ride and they did.

I do agree with Pratt this morning when he says this looks a lot like 1970. I see great things for this squad because of 93-14-22-48. That is pretty talent top 4 players. Better than what most teams have. And our franchise player is just 19.

Need one more offensive element, plus some better sand paper for the bottom lines.

This coach did good by bringing them there. He too will need to take the next step. Not be afraid to use the hot hands when it’s time.

Next game, if 93 is again the lone star out there, PLAY HIM 23-24 mins! First PP, first line, IDGAF. Play him. He’ll rise up to the challenge. He’s already at that level at 19 years of age. Incredible.

I'd say we have two franchise/gamebreaker players.
We would be nowhere near where we are without Hutson record breaking rookie season.
Hopefully a full season of him and Demidov will land more wins when one of them takes over when the other has an off night.

 

[Takeru]

That Sam Rinzel kid...sheesh!

I remember many advocating for drafting him. Kinda sad we were a pick away, Mesar isn't much a consolation prize.

 

[JianYang]

You don't trust Caufield?

If I have him shooting 4th, it doesn't mean I don't trust him

What it means is that in big moments, I don't trust anyone more than Suzuki.

 

[Final Baton]

Newhook had like 5 great scoring chances on his stick
A good offensive players would have easily buried 3.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

If I have him shooting 4th, it doesn't mean I don't trust him

What it means is that in big moments, I don't trust anyone more than Suzuki.

Okay but if we look at big moments in the shootout, Caufield's been better. Laine's been better... Personally, I give it to the vets. Let them shoot and then bring in Demidov.

I guess the good news is that all four are great choices. When was the last time we could say that?

 

[Habs10Habs]

You’re not wrong. I’m just seeing red flags in our pro scouting. Forget the injuries. The guy is a perimeter big man who can’t shot and is soft.
Can’t set up players because his vision is subpar. What’s the point of a player like that in the top 6.

We should’ve stuck to the rebuild and kept the better long term asset.

Hughes takes risks, and this one, just like the Barron for Lehk. Was a L

We're on the same page. Though a lot of the issues you pointed out. I saw more of when he was at center. While on the wing, he seemed more comfortable and much more engaged in the play.

It's easy to say now that we should have stuck to the rebuild. At the time, we were in a position, where it was worth the risk IMO. At this point, I'm hoping that less chances are taken.

100% agree on Lekh. Damn he'd be such a nice fit on our team now.

 

[Habs10Habs]

Playing Nick Suzuki 27 minutes tells you everything about the depth of this team, there is not enough of it.

I can understand Hughes promising Suzuki not to trade off any players. What I don't understand is not using a few draft picks, to pick up some depth for the team.

 

[Habs10Habs]

How all those eyes missed the fact that it was in the net is bewildering to me. Even the Amazon prime broadcasters didn't know, and I wasn't thinking about it either.

You'd think the shooter would be arguing profusely about it right after he scored. They typically know when they score...maybe he missed it too lol.

It happened so quickly. From the refs reaction, I honestly thought the puck deflected into the crowd. It wasn't until the camera showed the puck lodged in the net. That I realized what was happening.