Habs win in Philly by the skin of their teeth

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He's still who he is offensively but he's starting to apply his strengths to benefit the team in other ways. He's blocking shots and really being hard to play against as a defender too. Anderson's will has never been in question, but maybe they are finally getting through to him in terms of his approach. He's definitely playing differently and it's nice to see.
I've liked Anderson this year. Set aside the inflated contract, just looking at his play. I do wish he'd lay out some more hits, but I wonder if his shoulder is bothering him.
 
I've liked Anderson this year. Set aside the inflated contract, just looking at his play. I do wish he'd lay out some more hits, but I wonder if his shoulder is bothering him.

It is noticeable how he's almost avoiding contact.

Several times this game he went to the boards and pulled up instead of finishing his check.

He's a shell of the player he was in his brief peak.
 
It is noticeable how he's almost avoiding contact.

Several times this game he went to the boards and pulled up instead of finishing his check.

He's a shell of the player he was in his brief peak.
He's been good on the PK and I think his mistakes are being exaggerated. If he made half his salary, I'm sure popular opinion would be far different.
 
He's been good on the PK and I think his mistakes are being exaggerated. If he made half his salary, I'm sure popular opinion would be far different.

Meh... Armia is a better player making a bit more than 1/2 his salary, and he catches a similar amount of flak.

Fair or not, players with those kinds of physical tools create high expectations. The salary (& term), and brief stints of higher impact exacerbates it, to be sure.
 
Just watching the highlights. Some things that stand out:
Hutson so close off the post from his 1st.
Mailloux playing well!
1st line is finally alive (put Slaf back on the wing when he's back though).
Evans having a good start to the season. So is Gallagher in his own way.
 
Who would have thought we would have the same record as the Leafs after 9 games?

Edit : and the Bruins?

Edit 2 : and the Wings?

Edit 3 : and the Sabres?

Edit 4 : and just one point behind Tampa?

Just 24 hours and the narrative has changed completely. It's a good thing we didn't fire MSL, send both Monty and Primeau to waivers, trade away Dach, Newhook, Armia, Gallagher and Matheson, send down Hutson, Mailloux, Heineman and Kapanen and strip Suzuki of his C.
 
Once our defense prospects like Reinbacher and Mailloux are ready, i'd definitively give Xhakej a try on the 4th line like Big Buff

4th line : Tuch - Xhakej - Xhakej

Hutson - Andersson
Guhle - Mailloux
Matheson - Reinbacher
 
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Who would have thought we would have the same record as the Leafs after 9 games?

Edit : and the Bruins?

Edit 2 : and the Wings?

Edit 3 : and the Sabres?

Edit 4 : and just one point behind Tampa?

Just 24 hours and the narrative has changed completely. It's a good thing we didn't fire MSL, send both Monty and Primeau to waivers, trade away Dach, Newhook, Armia, Gallagher and Matheson, send down Hutson, Mailloux, Heineman and Kapanen and strip Suzuki of his C.
meh it's October hockey. We also went .500 last season , look where we ended up. Also Philadelphia is probably a bottom 3 team. They played good but let's say Philly was not really.... a hard challenge. I want them to play like that against actual top teams. not abysmal performance like they did most of the season.

They gotta make the other teams work for their win and not let them skate
around for 60min

We need to see this from the Habs every games
 
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Finally caught up and watch 2nd and 3rd. Almost blew it but they didn't. Another curse broken - a win in back to back.

Caufield could have scored 3 at least, from what I remember. Mallioux had a decent game. Evans stands out. Nick is well endowed. And Primo let in less than 4 so I guess a good night overall. I mean it's Philly and they suck bad but Habs did what they needed to for most of the night and contained them pretty well. Pretty boring game overall but win's a win.

Still f*** that ref!

Once our defense prospects like Reinbacher and Mailloux are ready, i'd definitively give Xhakej a try on the 4th line like Big Buff

4th line : Tuch - Xhakej - Xhakej

Hutson - Andersson
Guhle - Mailloux
Matheson - Reinbacher
2 Xhekajs on the same line - I like that. Let them loose!!!!
 
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He's still who he is offensively but he's starting to apply his strengths to benefit the team in other ways. He's blocking shots and really being hard to play against as a defender too. Anderson's will has never been in question, but maybe they are finally getting through to him in terms of his approach. He's definitely playing differently and it's nice to see.
This. He is doing well with the things he can control. Using his speed, playing physical and battling for pucks. His hockey iq will prevent him from being the 25+ goal guy we wanted but I am happy with how he has played so far this year.
 
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Meh... Armia is a better player making a bit more than 1/2 his salary, and he catches a similar amount of flak.

Fair or not, players with those kinds of physical tools create high expectations. The salary (& term), and brief stints of higher impact exacerbates it, to be sure.
I'd take Anderson over Armia any day. Armia is as vanilla as they come. Absolutely it affects expectations, but that's why I made sure to say that I have liked Anderson's game despite the contract.
 
He looks so nervous, he's the only one that sits if a mistake is made. The rest of the D can commit horrific hockey and they won't have to hit the pressbox. It's not a good way to play the sport, knowing every mistake will probably lead to a benching, but the other dolts can go -9 and its 'all good bro'
I think that's the main reason. He knows his coach looks at him differently and treats his mistakes differently. Habs mngt needs to deal with it IF they want to keep him. I am afraid they don't have plans for Arbs.
 
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Of course Gallagher and Anderson don't play up to their salary. But they're playing reasonably, much better than whatever value, including negative value, that we'd accrue If we traded them.
Opportunity cost is a cost too.
 
I'd take Anderson over Armia any day. Armia is as vanilla as they come. Absolutely it affects expectations, but that's why I made sure to say that I have liked Anderson's game despite the contract.

Armia is one of the most talented players on the team and is playing great hockey. He is a possession monster and has been great on the pk.

I love that Anderson has finally simplified his game and is bringing it every night but Armia can play higher in the lineup because he has the skill to do so. He is a flawed player but he is a bargain when he is on.
 
Armia is one of the most talented players on the team and is playing great hockey. He is a possession monster and has been great on the pk.

I love that Anderson has finally simplified his game and is bringing it every night but Armia can play higher in the lineup because he has the skill to do so. He is a flawed player but he is a bargain when he is on.
I stand by what I said. Armia is as vanilla as they come. If he's playing up the lineup, that's a huge problem and he won't be at all effective. I feel like Anderson in a properly cast role adds more value to the team, especially once Laine returns and Demidov makes it, so we'll never have to see Armia in the top 6.
 
Damn , fell asleep during 1st intermission.

Nice, back to back wins and guys stepping up. See that Xhekal TOI was a bit down , how did he play ?
 
Who would have thought we would have the same record as the Leafs after 9 games?

Edit : and the Bruins?

Edit 2 : and the Wings?

Edit 3 : and the Sabres?

Edit 4 : and just one point behind Tampa?

Just 24 hours and the narrative has changed completely. It's a good thing we didn't fire MSL, send both Monty and Primeau to waivers, trade away Dach, Newhook, Armia, Gallagher and Matheson, send down Hutson, Mailloux, Heineman and Kapanen and strip Suzuki of his C.
I think this is what guys are thinking, that we can be in the mix............the team is showing signs of progressing. That said we have had a couple ov sad performances, vs the Kings and rangers, so......

All of that said, we have key people out also, so reason to be happy kinda sorta....
 
Finally caught up and watch 2nd and 3rd. Almost blew it but they didn't. Another curse broken - a win in back to back.

Caufield could have scored 3 at least, from what I remember. Mallioux had a decent game. Evans stands out. Nick is well endowed. And Primo let in less than 4 so I guess a good night overall. I mean it's Philly and they suck bad but Habs did what they needed to for most of the night and contained them pretty well. Pretty boring game overall but win's a win.

Still f*** that ref!


2 Xhekajs on the same line - I like that. Let them loose!!!!

In a back to back scenario, I really don't care how you win. It's difficult enough as it is, so I applaud the team for that.

Mailloux overall just looks overwhelmed at this level. His defensive zone awareness has always been a concern, but I think he's got so much more to learn besides that. Things are just moving too fast for him.

It's something you hope improves with time, but he still has a long way to go.
 

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