The official non-panicking thread

[Capitaine Subban*]

We are still in good position and playing well despite that losing streak. Our goalies cannot be sub .900 sv% forever and our offense will score goals again sooner than later.

The result is depressing but I like how the team is still playing most night.

 

[HBDay]

 

[TRG]

Our goalies cannot be sub .900 sv% forever.

More like Price will not be injured forever.

 

[Yoshidas Island]

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Most Dominant losing streak EVER.

Its like a Karlsson losing streak in the Super NHL

 

[Kriss E]

I wouldn't say panic has set in just yet but there's definitely a cause for concern.
On one side, you can argue that the Habs have actually played well during that stretch and don't deserve that record. But then, you can also use the same argument and say we can't even win despite playing well.

So, you can argue both sides. But people are right to bring up some issues like Therrien's bench management. It's been quite terrible over this stretch.

 

[CHarlie]

Really sucks that I don't get to see them play anymore since the Rogers takeover.......but ive never seen a team outshoot an opponent so much but lose so much.
Im just going to bite my lip and hope that we can turn this disaster around and get back to winning real soon.

Lets go boys!!!!

 

[groovejuice]

Too many perimeter schlubs. Not nearly enough net presence. Some very debatable deployments. Serious injuries. No surprise, really.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

it's like the perfect storm of everything going wrong, and I know we're not scoring goals but I don't think the guys are confident in either goalie. They gave away games against Boston and Detroit and since then the whole team's confidence is shot. And don't get me started on line blending......

 

[Rapala]

I wouldn't say panic has set in just yet but there's definitely a cause for concern.
On one side, you can argue that the Habs have actually played well during that stretch and don't deserve that record. But then, you can also use the same argument and say we can't even win despite playing well.

So, you can argue both sides. But people are right to bring up some issues like Therrien's bench management. It's been quite terrible over this stretch.

The Habs need to stop repeating that Mantra because as Delorme pointed out on AC defeatism will set in very quickly. I would prefer hearing we just aren't investing enough in the ugly game to ensure we come up on top. Oh wait but that would be the truth...

 

[jaffy27]

I wouldn't say panic has set in just yet but there's definitely a cause for concern.
On one side, you can argue that the Habs have actually played well during that stretch and don't deserve that record. But then, you can also use the same argument and say we can't even win despite playing well.

So, you can argue both sides. But people are right to bring up some issues like Therrien's bench management. It's been quite terrible over this stretch.

The rabbit hole runs deeper than that though and although I do agree that Therrien hasn't been great, neither has the scoring or goaltending. The system is good, analytics will prove this, however, the line combinations should be reset, the goaltending which is your last line of defense is atrocious (it's what's plagued the Flyers for decades) and the lack of finish is starting to be inaccusable.

This team with all its elements is a strong contender for the cup....add a top 3 fwd, and anything less than a Stanley Cup Final appearance would be a disappointment.

 

[OnTheRun]

Let's start by playing for ~.500 without Price before gunning for the SCF.

If Price come back in February it could be quite an uphill battle to make the POs at that point.

 

[Capitaine Subban*]

I wouldn't say panic has set in just yet but there's definitely a cause for concern.
On one side, you can argue that the Habs have actually played well during that stretch and don't deserve that record. But then, you can also use the same argument and say we can't even win despite playing well.

So, you can argue both sides. But people are right to bring up some issues like Therrien's bench management. It's been quite terrible over this stretch.

I think Montreal fanbase are concern rightfully but this forum is in full panic mode.
I understand that at the end of the day only the result matter ,like last year ,but there is many signs that indicate that we are mostly unlucky recently with some puck luck, better bench management (take a risk to offend some veterans icetime) & better goaltending we are most likely just Bashing Therrien for the good weather in Montreal !

 

[CHarlie]

The rabbit hole runs deeper than that though and although I do agree that Therrien hasn't been great, neither has the scoring or goaltending. The system is good, analytics will prove this, however, the line combinations should be reset, the goaltending which is your last line of defense is atrocious (it's what's plagued the Flyers for decades) and the lack of finish is starting to be inaccusable.

This team with all its elements is a strong contender for the cup....add a top 3 fwd, and anything less than a Stanley Cup Final appearance would be a disappointment.

 

[Habs4ev*]

i dont think it really matters if price comes back, the offense is lacking,

my prediction is price is done for the year,

even if he does come back he will not be in any shape to save the team,

first round is best we do this year, if we make it at all, book it!

 

[bipolarhabfan]

I would like not to panic, however, it is simply part of my nature to be the eternal pessimist. It is who I am.

But, I just don't see how this trend of losing is not indicative of larger problems on the team. They simply cannot score. The early season bump in scoring was an anomaly. The team has regressed to the level we have seen in the last five full seasons. Last season they were 17th in scoring, the season before 20th, the full season before that 19th, the season before 23rd and the season before that 22nd. If this is not fixed we are going nowhere.

 

[Habs4ev*]

If this is not fixed we are going nowhere.

it has never been fixed in the past, what makes us believe it will be this year?

 

[Kriss E]

I think Montreal fanbase are concern rightfully but this forum is in full panic mode.
I understand that at the end of the day only the result matter ,like last year ,but there is many signs that indicate that we are mostly unlucky recently with some puck luck, better bench management (take a risk to offend some veterans icetime) & better goaltending we are most likely just Bashing Therrien for the good weather in Montreal !

Therrien got a lot of credit early this year. Even during our winning streak, nobody was saying it's lucky and he shouldn't get full credit. Now it's the other way around.
If we start winning again, we'll see how we're doing it.

 

[Kriss E]

The rabbit hole runs deeper than that though and although I do agree that Therrien hasn't been great, neither has the scoring or goaltending. The system is good, analytics will prove this, however, the line combinations should be reset, the goaltending which is your last line of defense is atrocious (it's what's plagued the Flyers for decades) and the lack of finish is starting to be inaccusable.

This team with all its elements is a strong contender for the cup....add a top 3 fwd, and anything less than a Stanley Cup Final appearance would be a disappointment.

Our goaltending will never be great with Condon and Tok. One is a rookie and the other should be in the AHL. I disagree though that they've been atrocious. They aren't dominant and haven't been particularly good but I also think that they've played well enough for us to win some games. I mean, we were a 3g per game team. If we kept up this production we'd still win games.
So to me it's definitely about the scoring, bench management can directly impact scoring. A goal takes place during one shift. A player can be terrible all game and still score 1g finish +1.
So, when you opt to promote players who have struggled, when you keep Weise on the PP as if he's some regular scorer, when you use grinders and role players more than your most skilled young player who happens to also be the hottest one, when you change lines every second game, you aren't giving the team their best chance to bounce out of their funk.
If he was using his elements properly, then I'd blame the players pretty much entirely. But he doesn't, so a big part falls on him.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

i dont think it really matters if price comes back, the offense is lacking,

my prediction is price is done for the year,

even if he does come back he will not be in any shape to save the team,

first round is best we do this year, if we make it at all, book it!

Poor fellow! there are myriad antidepressants on the market.

The reappearance of Price will restore team morale and enhance performance. Gallagher and Petry aren't crippled for life. The Habs may not lead the division but that doesn't mean they can't win in the first round--or the second.

 

[JAVO16]

Merry Christmas to all you good people of HF's Montreal Board !

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Our goaltending will never be great with Condon and Tok. One is a rookie and the other should be in the AHL. I disagree though that they've been atrocious. They aren't dominant and haven't been particularly good but I also think that they've played well enough for us to win some games. I mean, we were a 3g per game team. If we kept up this production we'd still win games.
So to me it's definitely about the scoring, bench management can directly impact scoring. A goal takes place during one shift. A player can be terrible all game and still score 1g finish +1.
So, when you opt to promote players who have struggled, when you keep Weise on the PP as if he's some regular scorer, when you use grinders and role players more than your most skilled young player who happens to also be the hottest one, when you change lines every second game, you aren't giving the players their best chance to bounce out of their funk.
If he was using his elements properly, then I'd blame the players pretty much entirely. But he doesn't, so a big part falls on him.

Well said. Even then, you are more diplomatic about this coach than I am.

Edit: I don't view it as panicking to advocate getting rid of this coach. I view it as exploiting a rare opportunity, given that the all-world goalie is not there to bail him out. Can't pass this up.

 

[NobleSix]

The "bury your head in the sand" edition!

 

[David Suzuki]

Still the best or second best (Washington is good) team in the East tbh