Post-Game Talk: Habs lose to the Leafs. Fail to clinch.

[Boyon90]

Let’s hope. All the Caps need to do is let it get to OT

Caps are resting, I don't see how they try anything, unless they fear playing them

 

[sampollock]

How come out of the dressing room and start working right in the first period and clinch this bloody thing

 

[Dagistitsyn]

is demidov playing monday or we dont know yet

Most likely, but the way he was struggling to stay awake in the press box suggests jet lag is kicking his ass right now. Understandable since games start here around 3AM in the timezone he came from.
+ That game was putting most of us to sleep.

 

[Zalos]

I'd guarantee a win against Chicago on Monday if Demidov is confirmed to be playing. Columbus is toast either way.

 

[Runner77]

I missed the game
How did the boys do?

You missed out on Knives-Fork?!?

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Most likely, but the way he was struggling to stay awake in the press box suggests jet lag is kicking his ass right now. Understandable since games start here around 3AM in the timezone he came from.
+ That game was putting most of us to sleep.

Yeah it takes me like half a week just to get used to PST from EST

 

[le_sean]

Caps are resting, I don't see how they try anything, unless they fear playing them

I agree with you but some seem to think getting embarrassed twice in a row won’t be appreciated by them. I really don’t think that they care.

 

[HabbyGuy]

So sick of the lack of effort
How does MSL fix this

I know you missed the game, but I assure you this 1-0 loss in a 3on3 OT gimmick was not from lack of effort. The inability to get shots through the leafs D was, we had plenty of chances that were either blocked or we missed the net. (which is a problem) The leafs D played very well.

The ice between the two nets was highly contested. Dobes was very good in goal.

Was a well earned point, in a back to back, against a rival on home ice fighting for the division crown.

 

[donghabs98]

Matheson is so f***ing bad

He needs less minutes or at the very least, rest him after clinching. The guy looks tired and is doing way too much. It was painful watching him in Ottawa with the puck and then defensively in his own zone.

 

[donghabs98]

It’s the bright lights of Prime Monday Night Hockey. He’s 100% playing. That was the plan since the beginning.

Judging by the ticket prices for Monday's game, if Demidov doesn't play they will be some folks with regretful credit card statements! The prices are nuts.

 

[JJ68]

hey msl....how bout dressing the sheriff over some of that D trash you dumbass

 

[No More Subban]

Judging by the ticket prices for Monday's game, if Demidov doesn't play they will be some folks with regretful credit card statements! The prices are nuts.

That confirms it then.

 

[No More Subban]

He needs less minutes or at the very least, rest him after clinching. The guy looks tired and is doing way too much. It was painful watching him in Ottawa with the puck and then defensively in his own zone.

I don't think he's tired. All he has to do is simplify his game. There's no need for him to hold onto the puck when there's a forechecker.

 

[Habssince89]

Id say move Caufield to PP2 but still have Suzuki stay on for PP2 as well. Demidov on the half wall on PP1

PP1
Laine-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Hutson-Demidov
PP2
Caufield-Newhook-Kapanen
Suzuki-Matheson

 

[Hostile Offer]

Need the caps to come through for us tomorrow.

Nah we really just need to beat the lowly Hawks at home and not overthink this. This was a frustrating game but the result is acceptable. Not making the playoffs at this point would be a monumental disaster.

 

[Habano]

hey msl....how bout dressing the sheriff over some of that D trash you dumbass

It's funny, I rarely agree with TVA but tonight, I 100% agreed with them. Morissette, Roussel and Lapierre all said Xhekaj should be playing.

Even Lavoie, who I think is a clown, managed to get this one right. He said that if it was his team X would play every night.

They tried to tiptoe and not call out MSL but you can tell that they were pretty frustrated with some of MSL's decisions.

There are a lot of X haters on this board that think MSL can do no wrong but I'm not one of them. I'm 1000% in X's corner and I'm convinced MSL suffers from little man syndrome.

Our garbage D threw 5 hits tonight against arguably our biggest rival. Guhle who is a warrior had 3, Struble 1, Savard 1 and the other three nothing. Our soft ass D will get curb stomped against a physical team like Washington if we make the playoffs. Guhle can't do it by himself....

 

[bud12]

Id say move Caufield to PP2 but still have Suzuki stay on for PP2 as well. Demidov on the half wall on PP1

PP1
Laine-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Hutson-Demidov
PP2
Caufield-Newhook-Kapanen
Suzuki-Matheson

Move Laine on the pp2. Now that he doesn't score, he's harmful. He doesn't move, can't pass, always fumble on pressure, basically destroy our pp everytime the puck is on his stick and he doesn't choose to shoot it

 

[CzarDemidov]

Id say move Caufield to PP2 but still have Suzuki stay on for PP2 as well. Demidov on the half wall on PP1

PP1
Laine-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Hutson-Demidov
PP2
Caufield-Newhook-Kapanen
Suzuki-Matheson

What has Slaf who ranks TWELFTH in PP points/60 has done what to earn his spot on PP1?

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

 

[Kojo]

What has Slaf who ranks TWELFTH in PP points/60 has done what to earn his spot on PP1?

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

Slaf is better than both combined. He sacrificed a lot of his PP production because of Laine. Lane and Laine is the focal point on our PP. If Slaf was on a different team he would have 10 more points on the PP this year.

Slaf with Demidov would be something to behold. Way better than Suzuki/Caufield/Laine.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Slaf is better than both combined. He sacrificed a lot of his PP production because of Laine. Lane and Laine is the focal point on our PP. If Slaf was on a different team he would have 10 more points on the PP this year.

Slaf with Demidov would be something to behold. Way better than Suzuki/Caufield/Laine.

Slaf would have maybe 30 or even 35 PP goals if it wasn’t for Laine and Lane getting in his way.

 

[Tyson]

Chicago is 8-26-5 on the road. Habs can't blow this, they better take care of
business tomorrow.

 

[Kojo]

Slaf would have maybe 30 or even 35 PP goals if it wasn’t for Laine and Lane getting in his way.

At least 30 pp goals and he's not even a shooter.

If Lane was feeding Slaf instead of Laine do you really think Slaf couldn't bury it?

 

[HespelerGreenFlash]

Fair enough.

But you can't ignore that this isn't a great roster. We have no second line. Our right side is a mess... We're ahead of where I thought we'd be.

Fair to say we've probably won some games we probably shouldn't have. But the idea that the coach sucks and we're winning in spite of him doesn't stand up to scrutiny. If we get outshot/outplayed some people are all over the coach blaming him. It's silly.

There are specific things I'd point to in terms of things I'd like to see. I'd like to see Roy play. I'd probably have both Struble and X in the lineup and bench Savard. I understand why MSL has Savard given that he's one of only two Ds we have on the right but I think he's washed. Tonight I'd have had Suzuki and Hutson to start with a faceoff guy and have CC jump on after... I mean, you're always going to question a coach. That's just how it is.

Big picture though, I think he's done a good job over the years with a young team and his teams have generally overperformed.

A great level headed post! Rare sometimes around here...especially with so much emotion this year. We lose lose lose and dejection/ negativity sets in. Then we win win win after december and hopes elevate and positivity sets in. Then we lose 5 ...then we win 6 and are controlling our destiny. Add in a month or so with a huge number of back to backs and what a roller coaster.
MSL has to have added a little magic to the recipe this year along with some befuddling moves but I suspect we would not be anywhere near this position if not for him...NO WAY!

 

[Habs10Habs]

So sick of the lack of effort
How does MSL fix this

It definitely wasn't a lack of effort Sammy. The boys didn't play badly. Most of our shots were either blocked or missed the net.

 

[CharleyHorse]

Slaf would have maybe 30 or even 35 PP goals if it wasn’t for Laine and Lane getting in his way.

Showing up in more than 1 of every 4 games would be a huge plus for him