Post-Game Talk: We win! We win! 3-2 against Vegas!!

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

A few horrible passes and bizarrely will hold on to the puck until some opposing player closes in on him but besides that Matheson’s been playing well generally on the right side.

 

[ChuckDemersNorris]

Pour vrai les boys
Quand je vois le canadien de montreal jouer dernièrement ca me fait vibrer !!
Happy new year to all hfboard forum such a nice community !!
Si je serais Kent , j'attend 2 ans que demidov rentre , que Hutson se développe pis que la défense se solidifie.
All in Baby go habs go !!!
Si Evans demande 3 million je le paye.
Montreal doit revenir une légende du hockey, du moins au canada pour réussir ca prend du flaire donc mon read mes chers passionnés de hockey ca serait le suivant !!
2029-2030 on n'est champion de la coupe stanleyyyyyyy


Go Habs Go !! Happy new year all !!!

 

[Habs Icing]

Sorry, I quit that job a few months ago

Pretty sure it wasn't you, I spoke to. I only called yesterday and the person I spoke to didn't sound like she could grow facial hair.

 

[ThaDevilGirl]

Pretty sure it wasn't you, I spoke to. I only called yesterday and the person I spoke to didn't sound like she could grow facial hair.

Be weary of AI. People can be anyone they want with AI

 

[Habs Icing]

Be weary of AI. People can be anyone they want with AI

It was a joke. I didn't speak to anyone.

 

[Kennerback]

A few horrible passes and bizarrely will hold on to the puck until some opposing player closes in on him but besides that Matheson’s been playing well generally on the right side.

MSL needs to walk a tightrope. Restricting his blunders while taking advantage of his speed, shot and offensive instinct. Playing on his off side is certainly not helping him in our zone. But he’s willing to really sacrifice his body and has good size and strength.

 

[HabbyGuy]

MSL needs to walk a tightrope. Restricting his blunders while taking advantage of his speed, shot and offensive instinct. Playing on his off side is certainly not helping him in our zone. But he’s willing to really sacrifice his body and has good size and strength.

Unfortunately alot of our success or lack of hinges largely on how Matheson plays. He plays well we look good, he plays bad we look awful. It's the nature of the importance of a 1st pairing Dman.

It's no coincidence some of our worst games is when Matheson is having one of his patented brain dead games he has every 5 or 6 matches.

I really like Mike, he's just in the wrong chair. No fault of his own.

 

[Kennerback]

Unfortunately alot of our success of lack of hinges largely on how Matheson plays. He plays well we look good, he plays bad we look awful. It's the nature of the importance of a 1st pairing Dman.

Hutson needs to be mindful when Matheson is the last man back with the puck. One in each five games Matheson will have a real stinker. But now Barron is gone so it’s only now one guy that’s prone to those type of blunders. It becomes more manageable.

 

[Paddy17]

6-1-0 last 7
9-4-0 last 11
13-8-1 last 22


This team has played .500 or better since their loss on November 9th, nearly 2 months. It's not just a 2 weeks affair, they have been competitive the entire season outside of their cold start.

That coincides with: Laine and Carrier.

 

[Rapala]

Captain oh my Captain

Against Vegas, they spent the majority of their minutes against Jack Eichel’s line, who they dominated. By the end of the night, they held a nearly 90% share of expected goals at even-strength, and while that only translated to one actual goal, it proved that they can take on one of the best lines in the league and come out ahead. If the aforementioned secondary scoring keeps coming, it’s only going to get harder to hold them down with matchups, because it isn’t even all that easy right now.

 

[sheed36]

Some of the Habs not feeling the best today after partying a little too much in Vegas last night.

 

[donghabs98]

A lot of positives from these last 3 games. One big thing form coming back yesterday is that it should give the guys more confidence that if they trail, they shouldn't give up and should stick to the gameplan as it can pay off. Too many times earlier in the year they would give up after getting scored on.

Next game is another test of their growth. It's a classic trap game, will the team come up firing or sit back? I'm going to be intriiged to see how they approach Friday's game.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

MSL needs to walk a tightrope. Restricting his blunders while taking advantage of his speed, shot and offensive instinct. Playing on his off side is certainly not helping him in our zone. But he’s willing to really sacrifice his body and has good size and strength.

MSL needs to walk a tightrope. Restricting his blunders while taking advantage of his speed, shot and offensive instinct. Playing on his off side is certainly not helping him in our zone. But he’s willing to really sacrifice his body and has good size and strength.

It’s one of those pairings that sounds utterly ridiculous on paper but the logic is there. Playing a guy who’s so prone to mistakes on his off side and with a rookie D who’s small and plays a similar game seems like a recipe for disaster.

But taking away the pressure of being THE puck mover on your pairing should by default lessen the amount of mistakes because it’ll limit your touches. Or at least when things get hairy he can always defer to Hutson.

It’s one of those clever moves like putting all 3 of the struggling forwards together on one line and have them work it out together instead of scattering them throughout out the line up.

I don’t know how long it will work for as I’m skeptical about Math having seen him play more since I’ve been able to watch more of late. But it’s working now and he’s been more positive than negative last few games

 

[ChesterNimitz]

MSL needs to walk a tightrope. Restricting his blunders while taking advantage of his speed, shot and offensive instinct. Playing on his off side is certainly not helping him in our zone. But he’s willing to really sacrifice his body and has good size and strength.

Maybe it's because of the fact that I'm more of a the glass is half full rather than its half empty sort of person, I can't fathom this pre-occupation on Matheson's blunders. Did anyone watch the number of turnovers, misplays committed by Xhekaj? How often Hutson was overpowered in the defensive zone or how Guhle was doing snow angels on the ice? Matheson is no perfect defenceman, but the positives he brings most games far exceeds the mistakes he makes. In the current winning streak he was +1 against Vegas playing 21:27 minutes; +2 against Tampa playing 25:06 minutes and +2 against Florida playing 22:33 minutes. In those 3 games against supposedly elite NHL teams, Matheson had no give-a-ways, blocked 5 shots, took no penalties, played in all crucial game situations; provided the team with a physical element and a level of mobility that no other Montreal Canadien defenceman could match. Matheson, is also a team leader who is respected by his teammates, relied on by his coaches and serves as an important mentor to the team's younger defencemen.

There isn't a team in the league that wouldn't want a player of Matheson's caliber on their roster: a player who can play large minutes at a high level and who is being paid under $5 million per annum. Matheson is not only one of the most mobile defencemen in the league, but for what he brings, he's probably one of the best bargains, salary-wise, in the league. I wish fans could appreciate what Matheson contributes, regardless of the 'blunders' and more importantly, how diminished the team would be, without that contribution.

As Team Canada (and their fans) at the current WJC is learning, it's hard to compete against high level competition with a sluggish skating defence. For that reason, I would have had Matheson high on my radar for the upcoming 4 team challenge. Canada will need every inch of mobility available to compete against the Americans. It's a level of mobility that Matheson possesses and that few other Canadian defencemen have.

 

[Kennerback]

Maybe it's because of the fact that I'm more of a the glass is half full rather than its half empty sort of person, I can't fathom this pre-occupation on Matheson's blunders. Did anyone watch the number of turnovers, misplays committed by Xhekaj? How often Hutson was overpowered in the defensive zone or how Guhle was doing snow angels on the ice? Matheson is no perfect defenceman, but the positives he brings most games far exceeds the mistakes he makes. In the current winning streak he was +1 against Vegas playing 21:27 minutes; +2 against Tampa playing 25:06 minutes and +2 against Florida playing 22:33 minutes. In those 3 games against supposedly elite NHL teams, Matheson had no give-a-ways, blocked 5 shots, took no penalties, played in all crucial game situations; provided the team with a physical element and a level of mobility that no other Montreal Canadien defenceman could match. Matheson, is also a team leader who is respected by his teammates, relied on by his coaches and serves as an important mentor to the team's younger defencemen.

There isn't a team in the league that wouldn't want a player of Matheson's caliber on their roster: a player who can play large minutes at a high level and who is being paid under $5 million per annum. Matheson is not only one of the most mobile defencemen in the league, but for what he brings, he's probably one of the best bargains, salary-wise, in the league. I wish fans could appreciate what Matheson contributes, regardless of the 'blunders' and more importantly, how diminished the team would be, without that contribution.

As Team Canada (and their fans) at the current WJC is learning, it's hard to compete against high level competition with a sluggish skating defence. For that reason, I would have had Matheson high on my radar for the upcoming 4 team challenge. Canada will need every inch of mobility available to compete against the Americans. It's a level of mobility that Matheson possesses and that few other Canadian defencemen have.

Look I think Matheson is a net positive but I’m not closing my eyes to his weaknesses. In the spirit of the glass being half full I have a couple of New Year wishes:

Matheson: to keep things very simple (KISS)
Caufield: find a new role on the PP
Slafkovsky: getting a shooting coach
Dobes: showing that he’s a legit NHL goalie

And I think all those things are within the realm of reason.

 

[Rapala]

Personally I think Matheson has been more focused this season playing on his weak side or not.
There was really only one game I hated but none of our D played well that game.
I think he deserves credit for modifying his approach to accommodate Lane Hutson.
I was one of Mike Matheson's harshest critics last season because I thought he could play much better by simplifying his game.
I haven't criticized him once this year because I feel he's done just that.

 

[The Real Timo]

A few horrible passes and bizarrely will hold on to the puck until some opposing player closes in on him but besides that Matheson’s been playing well generally on the right side.

I look forward to re-signing Mike Matheson for another 5 years

I too have no idea why the dude cannot make a play while there is no pressure on him and he waits for the opposition to get close to try some convoluted ass move and lose the puck 50% of the time. Like dude... here is open ice, open teammate - PASS DA PUCK!!!!

 

[Tyson]

I look forward to re-signing Mike Matheson for another 5 years

I too have no idea why the dude cannot make a play while there is no pressure on him and he waits for the opposition to get close to try some convoluted ass move and lose the puck 50% of the time. Like dude... here is open ice, open teammate - PASS DA PUCK!!!!

He has an uncanny ability to create self inflicted chaos.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Be weary of AI. People can be anyone they want with AI

It's only a matter of time before somebody becomes Michel Therrien.

 

[Runner77]

He has an uncanny ability to create self inflicted chaos.

Accidents need not wait to happen — all thanks to Metheson’s expediency on all fronts.

A great 2025 outcome for him would be for MSL to limit his minutes so he can be more effective.

 

[Runner77]

On tap for 2025 ...

 

[Saundies]

Happy new year HFHabs. We have fun cheering on and rooting against our team in our respective ways and I wish you all nothing but the best.

This stretch of hockey has been great to watch. We're a 4 line team right now, with (dare I say) the 4th leading the way. Heiny - Evans - Yoel has been gangbusters for a while now. Two are on contract years, but I will take it for sure.

Maybe it's because of the fact that I'm more of a the glass is half full rather than its half empty sort of person, I can't fathom this pre-occupation on Matheson's blunders. Did anyone watch the number of turnovers, misplays committed by Xhekaj? How often Hutson was overpowered in the defensive zone or how Guhle was doing snow angels on the ice? Matheson is no perfect defenceman, but the positives he brings most games far exceeds the mistakes he makes. In the current winning streak he was +1 against Vegas playing 21:27 minutes; +2 against Tampa playing 25:06 minutes and +2 against Florida playing 22:33 minutes. In those 3 games against supposedly elite NHL teams, Matheson had no give-a-ways, blocked 5 shots, took no penalties, played in all crucial game situations; provided the team with a physical element and a level of mobility that no other Montreal Canadien defenceman could match. Matheson, is also a team leader who is respected by his teammates, relied on by his coaches and serves as an important mentor to the team's younger defencemen.

There isn't a team in the league that wouldn't want a player of Matheson's caliber on their roster: a player who can play large minutes at a high level and who is being paid under $5 million per annum. Matheson is not only one of the most mobile defencemen in the league, but for what he brings, he's probably one of the best bargains, salary-wise, in the league. I wish fans could appreciate what Matheson contributes, regardless of the 'blunders' and more importantly, how diminished the team would be, without that contribution.

As Team Canada (and their fans) at the current WJC is learning, it's hard to compete against high level competition with a sluggish skating defence. For that reason, I would have had Matheson high on my radar for the upcoming 4 team challenge. Canada will need every inch of mobility available to compete against the Americans. It's a level of mobility that Matheson possesses and that few other Canadian defencemen have.

Now do the Columbus game.

In all seriousness, because this is a fairly positive thread (and anyone who checks my post history will clearly see my feelings about Matheson -- something I don't want to continue to drone on about every thread) I won't go into that too much and just say that this is a very 'rose-colored glasses' assessment about the player.

I think the fact that we've acquired Carrier and started using him in defensively crucial situations where Matheson was previously playing is a direct correlation to Matheson's play improving.

 

[Runner77]

 

[ZUKI]

Somewhere, somehow, the drama queens are hiding their face in their ass. They are in a bad situation; being happy of the wins, or keeping themselves silent until the next lost, then re-appear with their "#Bergevin"....