We are still rebuilding, after all

[poetryinmotion]

Why was Bergevin in a rush to re-sign DD?

Bergevin

 

[cphabs]

Also, we have 2 rookies in Calder Cup range, Max, Subban, and Price. I'll say it again, Lefebreve(sp) needs to go as the Hamilton coach.

 

[OldCraig71]

We'll beat New Jersey and everyone will be like "Yeah,we're back !" like they did against Tampa, because most people don't know that you can win and still suck.

We are hanging on much like we did under Martin but we were not playing this way when successful. We were spending very little time in our end and putting up 30+ shots per night and everything was clicking.

Our game is fast skating and causing a slower opposition to get out of position and take bad penalties and we make them pay. One other factor of our success was getting off to a fast start with the first goal and I believe our system thrives when that is the case. Forecheck, forecheck and then some more, but this has been done with very little bang and crash just rabbit punches if you will. We have been beaten by teams that punish our guys along the boards with their size(Toronto,Pittsburgh,Washington, and most of the east) except the Islanders, they play our style.

We need someone to step up and drag the rest along, I want that to be Max Pacioretty, he is often named a core player and was one of our best last year and needs to look in the mirror and not at any other player. PK Subban has been our star this year and is doing all he can and is the most captain like material wearing the jersey. Price has to be much better, forget Price love or hate, he knows he has to be better for our team to have a chance, heck, any team has to have exceptional goaltending or go nowhere(see Philly). I hope we can get it together but if not,I guess theres always next year.

 

[habtastic]

I don't think many people have a problem with the team long term. It's really just this horrendous turn of events after a fantastic season and how we seem not just be able to win, but a failure to not get blownout.

Franchise-wise, we're in a great spot. Even season wise, all it takes is the magical turnaround. As quickly as it went bad and teams adjusted and we couldn't do anything well, we can bring back success although this seems less likely than we previously anticipated.

I agree with Craig71 though - Pacioretty needs to lead like last year. That is the role he has been allotted and seemed to relish. Time for him to step up.

 

[sheed36]

We'll beat New Jersey and everyone will be like "Yeah,we're back !" like they did against Tampa, because most people don't know that you can win and still suck.

Huh?? I don't remember "everyone" saying "Yeah,we're back!" after that ugly Tampa win. I'd say the majority know the Habs didn't play well and were lucky to get 2 points out of that game.

 

[habtastic]

LOL at NHL.com's game stories from last night:

"Capitals beat up Canadiens"

Ouch

They really love those fairweather markets.

 

[OldCraig71]

I don't think many people have a problem with the team long term. It's really just this horrendous turn of events after a fantastic season and how we seem not just be able to win, but a failure to not get blownout.

Franchise-wise, we're in a great spot. Even season wise, all it takes is the magical turnaround. As quickly as it went bad and teams adjusted and we couldn't do anything well, we can bring back success although this seems less likely than we previously anticipated.

I agree with Craig71 though - Pacioretty needs to lead like last year. That is the role he has been allotted and seemed to relish. Time for him to step up.

It will bring some of the passengers back to life, I would also like to see Ryder back with Plekanec(our best forward) where he played his best hockey.

Put Borque and Gionta on the 4th line, Borque is in la la land and Gionta just wants to slap the puck. I would have DD center that line. Just wake up habs, just wake up.

 

[poetryinmotion]

LOL at NHL.com's game stories from last night:

"Capitals beat up Canadiens"

Ouch

They really love those fairweather markets.

Meh, that's putting it mildly if anything. In reality they took us out behind the barn and violated us.

 

[Et le But]

The book is out on the Canadiens.

What book, that we have a terrible defense and Price is terribly off form, and if you score 4 goals on us right away we will probably be demoralized?

I don't think you need a book to figure out how bad this Habs team is playing. The Caps are as soft as the Habs are, if we are being exposed by "playoff style hockey" it's because any team with playoff level offense is able to tear us to shreds right now. A beer league team could score on the Habs right now.

The team is playing awfully, but it's too soon to say if this is the "real" level and the 40 games before this were a fluke, or if this is the fluke. The problem is something is off and the team is failing to adjust to it.

 

[jedimyrmidon]

The Habs should get back to their 'No Excuses' mantra.

Unfortunately, these days it seems that it's mostly Eller-Gallagher-Galchenyuk that are properly playing (and Prust) while the rest seem to be bumbling around waiting for someone else to step up.

While most of the team has been terrible, I just can't seem to shake the idea that DD is the one player in the entire team that really doesn't fit under the 'meritocracy'/accountability structure. He's rarely benched (and by rarely, I think it's actually 'never'), rarely demoted, always in his sweet spot on the team as the sheltered offensive center who isn't expected to play defense/win faceoffs/skate well/do anything other than pass the puck, etc. And he hasn't produced nearly well enough to justify his minutes on the PP. His unbreakable shield? He's a hard worker.

 

[OldCraig71]

What book, that we have a terrible defense and Price is terribly off form, and if you score 4 goals on us right away we will probably be demoralized?

I don't think you need a book to figure out how bad this Habs team is playing. The Caps are as soft as the Habs are, if we are being exposed by "playoff style hockey" it's because any team with playoff level offense is able to tear us to shreds right now. A beer league team could score on the Habs right now.

The team is playing awfully, but it's too soon to say if this is the "real" level and the 40 games before this were a fluke, or if this is the fluke. The problem is something is off and the team is failing to adjust to it.

They clinched and stopped playing like they had something to prove, they out performed every expectation in the hockey world, even ours.

Now they have to believe in what got them here. They are professionals and surely will snap out of it, or else the playoffs will be 4 games long.

 

[Halifaxhab*]

They clinched and stopped playing like they had something to prove, they out performed every expectation in the hockey world, even ours.

Now they have to believe in what got them here. They are professionals and surely will snap out of it, or else the playoffs will be 4 games long.

if we play the laughs, and you ask one of their " nation " it may be only 3 cause we aparently will have all our smurfs eaten by azreal (phaneuf) and gargamel ( orr )

 

[OldCraig71]

if we play the laughs, and you ask one of their " nation " it may be only 3 cause we aparently will have all our smurfs eaten by azreal (phaneuf) and gargamel ( orr )

I hope we play any other playoff team except for the Leafs, is there any way we could slip to 8th and play the Pens?

 

[dutchy29]

Carey Price needs a good defence in front of him for this team to win.
Right now he does not have that.

I like Carey. But that comment is BS, give a good goalie 5 starts on a crappy team and he will win a least 1 of those games. Roy did it, Theo did it, Halak did it and Carey has glimpses of it but still need much more from him.
I'm not saying hes a bum or trade him or hes overrated I'm just stating that hes yet to put it all together and like everyone I'm waiting patiently.

 

[Macbeth]

I like Carey. But that comment is BS, give a good goalie 5 starts on a crappy team and he will win a least 1 of those games. Roy did it, Theo did it, Halak did it and Carey has glimpses of it but still need much more from him.
I'm not saying hes a bum or trade him or hes overrated I'm just stating that hes yet to put it all together and like everyone I'm waiting patiently.

So did Price, then, because "he" beat Tampa this Thursday.