Habs And Habs Not

Habby Halloween!

2011-10-31T13:35:00.000-04:00

It's been a long, long, long time since anything has been posted on this blog and what better time than the night of ghosts and goblins to return. The Habs are off trick or treating tonight and return to practice tomorrow. Hope this long period between games doesn't put a damper on their three game winning streak.

Habs goaltender Carey Price , Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and Philadelphia Flyers forward Jaromir Jagr were named the NHL's Three Stars of the Week.

Price, the First Star, allowed only four goals on 80 shots as he beat the Flyers on Wednesday and led the Canadiens to a home-and-home sweep of the rival Bruins on Thursday and Saturday.

Doing the Unthinkable....

2011-04-30T10:42:00.001-04:00

The first thing I did early this morning was check to see if there were two moons in the sky or if some great cosmic occurrence had happened overnight. How else could I explain the unthinkable thoughts that had crossed my mind? Dare I even speak it let alone admit it in print that this card carrying long time Montreal Canadiens fan was about to go over to the dark side and cheer for the (gulp!) Philadelphia Flyers?

Truthfully after the Habs lost to the Beantown Blowhards my plan was to not follow any other team in the Playoffs. With Montreal out of the running it didn't really matter to me who wins the Stanley Cup. But then something changed that thinking via the classless, obnoxious and crude comments from the Beantown fans, media and goaltender Tim Thomas slagging Subban.

There is no way in hell that I want the B's to get to the conference finals and who better than the Philthy Flyers to beat the crap out of them. And after reading Mike Boone's column in the Gazette it looks like I'm not alone in my thinking.

So all my positive energy will be focused on the Orange and Black Horde from hell.

It's a win win scenario for this fan because I don't like either team (hate the B's more) and one of them is going down in the second round. Hurray, hurray, hurray!

Playoffs without the Habs is not good but it's not all bad either. They played their hearts out and we fans can be proud of them.

Heard there were two new B's bobbleheads coming out in May. Both are mechanical as well as having bobbing heads. One is a new version of Tim Thomas which moves back and forth and then leans forward in the goaltender's stance while fireworks blow out his butt with the playing of the Stars and Stripes Forever.

The other is an Andrew Ference figure that has an elbow that raises for hitting players in the head as the other glove hand salutes the fans with the finger. These are both must haves for any hockey fan!

With love and support for the "Bleu, blanc et rouge", there is only one thing left to say --

GO, FLYERS GO! GO,FLYERS GO! GO, FLYERS GO!

AND MAY THE HABS HOCKEY GODS FORGIVE ME!

So Easy To Loathe....

2011-04-19T09:20:00.000-04:00

Was this unabashed and totally biased Habs fan wanting the Canadiens to take a 3-0 lead in their series against the Broons? Of course. Was I totally wiped out and shocked that they lost game three? No. It would have been fantastic to take a stranglehold on this series but a 2-1 lead is still okay. It would be unrealistic to think that the boys from Boston would not show up in at least one of the two games at the Bell Centre.

When it comes to NHL teams that I hate it's a toss up between the Flyers and the Broons and on any given night they are rated l a and 1 b on my hate meter. These two organizations even make me tolerate the Leafs when it comes to their fans and their play. Whoever rated the Habs fans as the worst fans in sports has obviously never attended a sporting event in Boston or Philadelphia. Their fans bring a whole new dimension to the term "obnoxious."

As much as I loathe the Bruins and believe me I do, it must be grudgingly recognized that they are a good team with some very skilled players. There has been a long time rivalry between these two original six teams and it's really easy to loathe them. Just listen to some of the former Broons and you understand why. Mike Milbury, Don Cherry! Need I say more. The way the media gushes over them doesn't help either. No doubt the CBC crew were giddy over the win last night. Rumor has it Glen Healy wet his pants.

Yes, the big, bad Bruins beat the Habs at home. So, someone hand these guys a bunch of bananas. Speaking about genetic throwbacks. Is there a more ugly group of guys in the NHL?

And what's with Chara jumping on top of the little guys like Gionta and Plekanec? Bet's there's a freudian reason for that one.

If the Habs had played the first 26 minutes the way they did the rest of the game we might be thinking sweep this morning. For me, the best plays came from Kostitsyn with a great goal to get them in the game. When Andrei the Friendly Giant is in his groove he's a pleasure to watch. Price doesn't like to be compared to Patrick Roy and other goaltenders but someone please remind him he's not Martin Brodeur either and forget about stick handling behind the net. That third goal early in the second period should help him remember.

The Habs out shot the B's 36-25 but lost in faceoffs 22-27. The powerplay was non-existent on 5 attempts.

Some fans have called for a bag skate for Martin's squad but he's giving them today off.

Having an day off before game 4 on Thursday night might just be what the doctor ordered (and I don't mean Dr. Recchi.) It certainly won't hurt guys like Hamrlik, Spacek and Gill who play a lot of minutes and a getting a little long in the tooth.

Both teams are under a lot of pressure for game four and it appears that home ice means very little for these two teams.

The Bruins gained some momentum last night but the Habs still have the lead. Game four will be huge for both teams and as other have predicted, I believe that this will be the pivotal game and the winner will make it to the semi-finals. (I'm either going to have no fingernails left or a heart attack before this series is over.)

It should be a fantastic game to watch on Thursday night!

Game Three Tonight...

2011-04-18T09:26:00.000-04:00

Did anyone really expect the Habs to take the first two games from the Bruins in their own barn? Even this die-hard card carrying Habs fanatic would have been ecstatic with a 1-1 split. But here we are ready for game three tonight at the Bell Centre with the Canadiens holding a 2-0 series lead and taking over home ice advantage.

The Habs have remained low key about their two victories and not getting sucked in by the media to making stupid or cocky remarks. You can't help but like their work as usual attitude but there will certainly be an adrenalin rush for them when they skate onto the ice in front of a capacity crowd tonight.

There's every reason to feel positive about tonight's match so why am I as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs? Maybe it's because 2-0 leads can evaporate very quickly as we have seen before. Painful as it was, I'm still remembering the Carolina.comeback a few years ago.

There is little doubt that the Bruins will bring a different game tonight than they played in the first two matchups but it's really difficult to believe that our speedy little smurfy Canadiens will be intimidated by their neanderthal tactics. Chara in or Chara out, who cares what happened in the regular season, this is the real season.

My wish list for Game Three-

The Habs will not get sucked into changing their game plan. It's worked for the first two games so keep it going.
Grab the lead early. That seems to get into the B's heads and a third time in a row might make a big difference.
Cool Hand Carey will continue to make the stops. Another shutout would be great but maybe that's a little greedy.
Ryan White plays on the edge but controls his emotions.
Plekanec gets a goal. He's been a royal pain the derriere to the Bruins but hasn't put the biscuit in the basket.
More offence from Cammalleri and Gionta.
Gomez gets a goal and Horton hears a "Who?"
Win more faceoffs. The scenery's nicer in the opposing end especially when the pucks are going in the Bruins net.
No turnovers. This isn't a bakery. They are not good things.
No stupid penalties.
Keep Lucic, Marchand and Bergeron off the score sheet.
Respect your elders and show a little mercy (very little) to Mark Recchi
Don't give the B's any momentum.
Win, Win, Win!

Now For The Real Hockey Season.....

2011-04-14T07:56:00.000-04:00

The Montreal Canadiens start their first playoffs game tomorrow night in Beantown The other night the All Knowing Ones of Sportsnet, TSN and CBC made their predictions and projections about this year`s Stanley Cup run and how many picked our Montreal Canadiens to get past the first round.......ah....none! Big Surprise!

The truth is the Habs are the underdogs in this series and it doesn`t bother this fan one little bit. In fact being the underdog can be a blessing. There`s no extra pressure from media, hey they all think the Habs will be swept in four games. And you can forget about the regular season especially the last meeting where the Bruins embarrassed them 7-0.

If the little smurfy Canadiens play a smart defensive speedy game and Carey Price plays up to his potential, anything can happen. They proved that last year when they made it to the conference finals, knocking off Washington and Pittsburgh to get there. Yes, I know Jaro Halak was outer worldly but Price is not too shabby this year either.
But to get past the Bruins there can be no more Jekyll and Hyde games, those where they don`t show up or those where they have a constant parade to the penalty box for taking lazy or stupid penalties. If they try to match the Bruins physical style they`ll be screwed for sure. But if they can take one of the first two games in Boston, they will give themselves a chance. As we know from last year - anything can happen.

My wish list for the Canadiens -Bruins series...
That the Habs beat them is a given. No self respecting Canadiens fan could or should wish for anything else.
Tim Thomas has a melt down from Habs flying pucks past him. If he put one in himself would be a plus.
Chara trips over his big feet and falls on his ass every time he gets the puck.( Are there any stanchions at TD Garden?)
Gomez will get his playoffs groove on. Besides helping the Habs win, we won`t have to listen to or read the media and fans talking about his underachieving and his big fat salary.
Cammalleri and Plekanec get their fire power going.
Carey Price shuts out the Bruins at least twice. (Enough about how unbeatable Thomas is. Evidently in the media he's the new Brodeur.)
Lucic and Marchand will make a great filling for a Habs sandwich and don't forget that little extra crunch.
Subban will irritate the hell out of the Broons.
No dumb ass penalties please!
And most of all WIN, WIN WIN!

The Habs ,The Goons and The Geezer in Beantown...

2011-03-24T08:36:00.001-04:00

Will there be retribution from the Habs tonight when they meet the Broons for the first time since the Chara/Pacioretty hit? This fan hopes that pay back for the Habs will come in the form of putting pucks in the net behind Thomas or Rask (whoever plays goal). The truth is the Habs can't match the goonery that Beantown Boys dish out and truthfully who wants them to? I may be in the minority but I want to see hockey played on the ice not the UFC on skates. It's not necessary to have brawls and blood and guys carried off the ice.

As if we haven't read and heard enough about the last Habs/Bruins meeting in Montreal, the old geezer Recchi adds fuel to an already raging fire by spouting off about Pacioretty and Montreal milking his injury. Wow! Geezer's smarter than I thought he was. Evidently he has a medical degree along with his vast hockey experience to come to his conclusions.

So, C'Mon Max fess up! You know you jumped into that stanchion on purpose. You were faking when they carried you off the ice strapped on a stretcher. If you'd really been hurt you'd be still in a hospital bed in a coma. You'd never be able to talk to people or twittter. Even the great hockey star and analyst Nick Kypreos said he could never have done that when he was concussed. So tell the truth Max you faked the whole thing. The organization paid the doctors to fudge about your broken neck vertebrae. You just wanted to get Chara suspended. After all, Geezer Recchi said so and he must be right or maybe he's in the first stages of senility? What a load of crap and how classless!

No one needs to fuel the Boston/Montreal rivalry or hatred it's been there since the league began. The players and the fans don't like each other and never will. That's a given. These are important games for both teams and the added garbage isn't needed. My advice to Geezer Recchi -Just take your Geritol old man and do your talking on the ice.

Here's hoping that the Habs keep their cool ,play their game and stay out of the penalty box tonight. Don't fall into the Goon trap that has already been set. Let your retribution show on the scoreboard where it counts. This an opportunity to make it 5 games to 1, against the Beantown Bullies and that will give the Boston media something to really whine about.

Go Habs, Go!

Habs Alumni Coming To Saint John

2011-03-03T06:26:00.001-05:00

Former members of the Montreal Canadiens will faceoff against former members of the Saint John Vito's in a hockey alumni game on March 22nd, 7pm. at the Lord Beaverbrook Rink in Saint John, NB.

The Habs' lineup will include two-time Stanley Cup winner Stephane Richer, Chris Nilan, Gilbert Delorme, Mario Roberge, Alain Cote, Yves Racine, Gilbert Dionne and Richard Sevigny.

There will also be plenty of power on the Port City bench. Head coach Blair Nicholson will manage a group that includes Ronnie Hatfield, Mike Clark, Dave Wright, Fred Slipp, Todd Baird, Paul Stackhouse, Bob Brown, Scott Mackenzie, Ernie Savoie, Randy Thomas, Greg Sanford, Mark Farwell, Bobby Kaine, Terry Gray, Tommy Johnston, George (Big George) Georgoudis, George (Medium) Georgoudis and George (Little) Georgoudis and Mike Georgoudis.

SLIP SLIDING AWAY..

2010-12-31T10:46:00.000-05:00

OR HOW TO TAKE THE ART OF LOSING TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

Yes, that's our Montreal Canadiens. Remember when, they were leaders in their division and looked like a team that was definitely playoffs bound? Remember when they were scoring goals? Ah, those were the days! Now instead of expecting a win when we watch a game we wonder who is going make the first bone head move and end up in the penalty box. Which lunkhead will make the turnover that gives the opposition the momentum and ulitmately the game and how many more times will they hang their goaltender out to dry?

When the Habs first started losing, there was concern but as it is pointed out often, every team goes through a slump. But even the most positive and optimistic Habs fan has to admit that this team has passed the slump status and are spiraling downward seemingly out of control. Sitting in eighth place after being first in the division is not a good thing. Can they turn it around? Yes, but something drastic has to happen because there appears to be a major disconnect with the Canadiens.

There is plenty of conjecture as to what that is and there are lots of excuses. A few of my personal favourites are:

-Missing Markov! Of course they miss Markov, he's their star player but he's been gone awhile now and he's not coming back this season. That excuse is getting old guys. It's time for someone to step up.

-Another one that gets me is that the Habs are now a fragile team. Please, these are professional athletes who have played in difficult situations throughout hockey lives at different levels. They know what they have to do to win. So do it.There is no disgrace in losing but there is in how you lose. Shape up guys and remember this is a team sport. Put the individual egos away and get back to playing like you did during the Playoffs last year.

-Carey Price is mentally tired. Da-ah! Who wouldn't be playing in front of group of underachieving losers who couldn't score if their life depended on it and if and when they do get a lead a dozen trips to the sin bin kills that lead. Price might not be as sharp as he was in October and November but it's not his fault that the Habs are sliding down the standings. And if Price is tired then why in hell wasn't Auld playing on this road trip? The bigger butt he's acquired is from sitting on the bench. So give Price a rest, Jacques and light a fire under the rest of the team.

Here's hoping tonights game will not be a repeat of last night's match against Habs South or as they prefer to be called the Tampa Bay Lightning. After all it's New Year's Eve, give us something positive to hope for in 2011.

Over the past month I've run the whole gamut of emotions regarding this team. At first it was disbelief, it then turned to disappointment which led to anger. I'm now past anger and am somewhere between resignation and apathy. Now because I'm a Habs fan, it would only take a couple of good games to turn those negative feelings around.

As the New Year approaches and resolutions are made and broken, it is my resolve to not get on that emotional rollercoaster ride of the hockey fan. If the Habs turn the season around, wonderful! If they don't hey, we'll be in the lottery for the number one draft pick of 2011. Sean Couturier would look pretty good in a Habs sweater.

So Happy New Year Habs and Good Luck against the Panthers. You're gonna need it!

Holiday Greetings

2010-12-25T09:36:00.000-05:00

To all Habs fans everywhere,

Best wishes for a safe and Happy Holiday!

PK Subban's Coming To Town

2010-11-22T08:45:00.003-05:00

The Habs face the Goon Squad from Philadelphia tonight for their second meeting since last Tuesday. After defeating the Flyers 3-0 at the Bell Centre in their previous encounter, it is expected that the Goons will be out in full force against the Canadiens. Mike Richards did his best whiny baby impression after their last meeting calling out PK Subban for being a disrespectful rookie who will eventually get what he deserves which sounded like the pot calling the kettle black. Even the great Don Cherry stuck up for Richards the good Canadian boy. Sour Grapes is what it sounded like to me

If Richards thinks his public player bashing is going to upset Subban’s play, he doesn’t know number 76 very well or maybe he’s got another David Booth like check in mind. Let's hope he and his goon squad are smarter than that.

So as we approach the holiday season, of good will and peace to all, the following sentiment is offered whether the Habs win or lose tonight.

You’d better watch out, He’s coming your way!

The Habs and the Flyers are playing today.

PK Subban’s coming to town!

He’s making of list of things that you’ve said,

More ammunition to get in your head.

PK Subban’s coming to town.

He might be just a rookie with still a lot to learn,

But this kids' got the talent that will give your head a turn.

So,Threat and complain, whine and boo hoo,

He won’t back down whatever you do.

PK Subban’s coming to town!

You’ve made verbal threats against our PK

Now you’re the one whose game’s on display.

PK Subban’s coming to town.

So what if PK’s yappy out there on the ice,

He’s getting worse the "Lappy",

Don’t expect him to be nice.

You’re in the old boys club to be sure,

Those sour grapes comments are just a big snore.

PK Subban’s coming,

Hear the Habs fans humming,

PK Subban’s coming to town.

SNOOZE AND YOU LOSE!

2010-11-03T09:37:00.000-04:00

Perhaps the Montreal Canadiens were suffering from Halloween Hangover- too many bags of chips, candy bars and liquid refreshment or maybe no one remembered to tell them Monday night was not a practice session... but a real live game! Whatever the reason the Habs were in "snooze control" for 60 minutes against the Columbus Blue Jackets and the old adage is true...Snooze and you lose and they did! Not only did they lose but they were shutout by a former Habs backup goaltender. No disrespect intended to Mathieu Garon who blanked his former team 3-0. The truth is the Blue Jackets deserved to win and the Habs didn't.

By nature I'm a positive person and look for good in all situations but I'm hard pressed to find anything to celebrate last night's fiasco. The only words that come to my mind that describes the Habs on ice performance are Stink! Stank! Stunk! When the buzzer sounded to end the game, that was good! I could then remind myself why I'm paying extra for the RDS channel to watch Habs games.

The thought crossed my mind to switch to the Sens - Leafs game and after the second period I was even tempted to change the channel to watch Dancing With The Stars. But like a horrific accident on the highway, as disturbing as it is you are compelled to look and painfully I hung in there with the Habs.

It's too early in the season for fans to panic but there's becoming reason for concern. Gomez and Spacek have been the brunt of criticism for their play lately by fans. Last night, for me, no one player looked bad, they all did. There was no energy, there was no life. Price can't be blamed for the loss. He might have stopped one goal but Nash will get the one he got 90% of the time. Where was the solid defensive hockey we were seeing? Where was the checking and hitting? I swear I saw one Habs player mouth the words "excuse me" when he attempted to get the puck along the boards. It was Chip' N Dale hockey and I'm not meaning the male strippers (now that would have provided some excitement) but rather the two cartoon chipmunks. "No, no, no you take the puck" " Oh, no you take it, I insist. " " Oh, I couldn't possibly. Why don't we both take the puck?" " Excellent idea?"

The only player we can't be too disappointed in or critical about is Andrei Markov. This is only his second game and he had no pre-season play. It will take a few games for him to get into his grove.

Then there's the power play...what power play? Even though the Habs only had 3 powerplay chances last night, it's not hard to see why it's the worst in the league. It's been twelve games and it's just not working. Isn't it time for the bozo behind the bench that's responsible for the power play to try something else? Oh, I forgot they're scoring 5 on 5 so the powerplay will come around too! Well they didn't score last night and they only got one goal on Saturday night.

The games against Florida and the Blue Jackets are games they should have won and those four points might be really important late in the season. Yes they're still tied for first in the Eastern Conference today but that can change tonight if the Capitals get a win and they shouldn't feel too comfortable being first in their division either. Ottawa is playing better hockey now and the Habs match up with them on Saturday night. Boston has a four games in hand and a hot goaltender, expect them to be climbing up the standings not slipping down. Toronto is Toronto they always play tough against the Canadiens.

One blogger suggested a bag skate for the boys today after last night's result. Personally I think they should be forced to sit and watch last night's game in it's entirety, like we poor (fools) I mean fans did. If they don't get the message after that, they never will.

Still there's another game to play and another chance for redemption. The truth is if the Habs beat the Sabres on Friday night no matter what the score, we fans will forget Tuesday night's stinker very quickly.

No matter how annoyed or disturbed we get with this team, they are the Canadiens. They are our team and we gotta love 'em. Go Habs, Go! Please!

Habby Halloween!

2010-10-31T10:42:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday To Tomas Plekanec who celebrates his 28th birthday today!

The Florida Panthers had a few tricks in their game bag last night that was definitely no treat for the Habs who were defeated 3-1 at the Bell Centre. Despite the loss it wasn't all bad for the Canadiens who had their four game winning streak halted by the Sunbelt Squad.

Some Good news was that Citizen Markov returned to the lineup. No doubt it will take a few games for Andrei to get his game legs back after being sidelined with since the playoffs due to leg surgery. Hopefully Markov will be a difference maker in their power play which is second worst in the league. (It's difficult to conceive that any other team could be worse.) It's painful watching the Habs try to set anything up when they have the man advantage. Even with a two man advantage they are still chasing the puck in their own end.
Goaltending continues to be solid. Anyone who blames Price for last night's loss is delusional or a Price Basher.

The Habs are out shooting their opponents which is a good thing. Now if only some of those shots would end up in the net. How about it, Gionta and Gomez? Hey they're trying so we shouldn't bitch too much. Sooner or later this line is going to find the net and goals will come in bunches for them.

We don't like to see our Habs lose but there's no need to panic. There's plenty of hockey to be played and time to make adjustments. Jacques Martin said they will keep a positive additude and work to make adjustments. Despite the loss the Habs are still tied for first with Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference and are first in their division ahead of the Bruins. The Habs will face Rich Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.

And how about the NHL schedule makers having no games on Halloween! Guess they knew how much the guys like to go Trick or Treating!

Time To Exorcise The "Devils"

2010-10-21T10:37:00.002-04:00

Tonight in the first of four meetings this season, the Habs will face off against Martin Brodeur and the Devil-ish team from New Jersey. History has shown that the Canadiens have produced a less than stellar result against these Hell Boys in the last few years. In recent seasons at the Bell Centre the Devils have gone 8-2-0 in their last 10 games there and they are 22-23-4 all-time playing in Montreal.

The Devils won three of the matchups on the 2009-10 schedule, including the only one started by Carey Price. Zach Parise led New Jersey in the series with 2 goals and 4 points, while Mike Cammalleri and ex-Devil Scott Gomez each had a goal and 2 assists for the Canadiens.

But this is a new season and the Habs have a respectable 3-1-0-1 record for 7 pts. and tonight's opponents

are off to their second-worst start in team history. It's a little surprising to see the Devils with just one win to their credit and were toppled by Boston on Saturday in a 4-1 loss.

Is it time to panic? Fans and media seem to forget that teams are only 5 or 6 games into the season. Those at the top shouldn't be too overconfident ( Toronto) and those at the bottom like Ottawa and New Jersey need to turn things around but it's not the end of November. There may be reason for some concern but it's way too early in the season to count any team out. They are not satisfied with their results so far nor with suggestions of lack of leadership.

"It's easy to say we had great leadership before, because we won," forward Jason Arnott, a former captain in Nashville, as quoted in the Newark Star-Ledger. "If we were winning right now, everybody would think we have great leadership. We have a lot of talent in here and a lot of guys who are great leaders. It's just a matter of bringing it out."

With a few days off, expect the Devils to come out tonight at the Bell Centre with pitch forks a flyin'.

The Habs too have been off four days since their back-to-back wins against Northeast Division competition beating the Sabres 2-1 on Friday and edging the Senators 4-3 on Saturday.

To the delight of Habs fans,we have witnessed the reawakening of Andrei Kostitsyn who scored the tying goal against Ottawa and set up the game-winner with 3:59 left in the third period by Tomas Plekanec.

"Andrei is an important element of our team when he uses his strength, when he goes to the net, and his shot can be an intimidating force," coach Jacques Martin said. "He's been a big factor in our success the last couple of games."

Tomas Plekanec, earning his new contract (2-3-5) has two multi-point efforts in his last three games and leads the Canadiens in scoring.

Now if Scott Gomez and another ex-Devil, captain Brian Gionta, would only rediscover the chemistry they've shared back to their days in New Jersey. Gionta scored his first of the season Saturday against the Senators, but he and Gomez have combined for just 2 goals and 4 points over the first five games. Coach Martin continues to try different players with the former Jersey boys but so far no one has really clicked. Tom Pyatt may be a possible line mate tonight. But again fans it's no time to panic.

"We're getting some great looks, and we're continuously coming close," Gomez said. "We hit a post here, a post there and the puck doesn't find its way in, but a few lucky bounces and suddenly it's a different story. With the amount of skill in the League today, we know that it's important to make the most of those plays, but it's only when you're not getting those looks, not getting those chances that you have to start to worry."

Tonight is a great opportunity for the Canadiens to exorcise these "Devils" once and for all, knowing that their nemesis can and has been beaten. For sure there won't be heads twirling around or green slime spewed on the ice when this exorcism takes place. Brodeur is a great goalie but he is not invincible and he no longer has power house defencemen in front of him. Kovy 2 has the weight of his big contract and expectation on his back. If the Habs - stay out of their no go zone (the penalty box), find their lost power play. (Remember when it used to be good? ) and just play smart hockey as a team, there's no doubt in my mind that they can put the run to the Devils.

To be on the safe side, maybe the Habs should wear a clove of garlic under their jerseys or is that just to repel vampires? Oh well, vampires, devils whatever. Just beat 'em Habs.

Holiday Weekend Win...

2010-10-10T12:26:00.000-04:00

What more can I say? Way to go Habs!

Tied For Last In The East....

2010-10-08T08:53:00.001-04:00

Hey ! The Habs are tied for last place in the East after last night's 3-2 loss to the Maple Laffs. Just lose 50 or more games and we're a shoe in for the number one draft pick in 2011.

Is it true that MLSE is approaching the city of Toronto today about their Stanley Cup parade route in June? Predictions that Kessel will win the league scoring title and Giguere and the Monster for the Vezina are now validated for sure.

Okay, I'm being sarcastic folks! It's directed at all the "Chicken Little , The Sky Is Falling," Habs fans and media and who today will be wringing their hands in despair over this tragic loss by the bleu, blanc et rouge.

It's one game and it's not the end of the world, although I must admit that the loss did tick me off. After all its the Leafs and you never want the Habs to lose against them no matter what.

Did anyone remind the guys that this was a real game and not another pre-season one. There was too much puck chasing in their own end and a non- existent power play. Price should have had the last goal but he didn't get any help with the first two that put the Habs in the hole. It wasn't all bad but there sure are lots of areas that need work.

For me the real difference maker in this game was J.S. (Jiggy) Giguere. He made some great stops in the last minutes that kept the Habs off the score sheet. Jiggy is the only member of the Toronto squad that I just can't come to hate. It made me ill last year when the Leafs acquired him from Anaheim. He has always been a favourite of mine, primarily because he played on the AHL Saint John Flames for a time ( my home town team ). It was great to see him go to the Stanley Cup finals twice; losing to the Devils the first time where even in the team's losing effort Jiggy would win the MVP award. In later years the Ducks would win the cherished prize and Jiggy would get a Stanley Cup ring. In the past few years he has struggled with his game but despite now being a member of the hated Leafs he remains as always a class act. And wouldn't you know it, he'd have to have his A game last night against the Habs. Way to go Jiggy! I can't cheer for him but I can't hate the guy.

There is some solace, although very little,for those of us recovering from last night's result, in the fact that the Habs weren't alone in their first loss of the season. The Pittsburgh Penguins who played their first regular season game in their new arena lost 3-2 to their hated rivals the Philadelphia Flyers. Maybe Mario should have poured something stronger than water on the ice at the opening ceremony.

The Stanley Cup Champs Chicago Black Hawks also lost in OT 4-3 to the Colorado Avalanche. So as ticked off as we Habs fans maybe at losing to Toronto, the Habs are in good company at the bottom. Here's hoping for a better result on Saturday night against the Penguins, at least Cammalleri will be back in the line up and that can only be a good thing!

AT LAST, THE SEASON BEGINS!

2010-10-07T10:18:00.000-04:00

It seems like an eternity since the hockey season ended but today the 2010/11 season begins. For the hockey fanatic it's the day we've marked on our calendar and made sure that there are no other commitments (family, dog, friends, work ) to impede our watching the first regular season game.

This year I purposely avoided reading any season predictions by the great hockey know-it -alls and that also included not watching the pre-season hockey shows on the Toronto Sports Network and Toronto Sportsnet channels as well as the doom and gloom from the Montreal media. The truth is these people may have hockey knowledge, insights and availability to teams and players that the average fan doesn't but when it comes right down to it, their predictions are guesses just like the rest of us. On the first game of the season every team starts off the same, with another opportunity to forge their own destiny.

In all sports there are too many unknown factors that can change the outcome of a game, a team and season. The best team on paper doesn't always win and sometimes the worst team doesn't lose. Injuries also play a key factor in a teams success, so pouring over statistics may be an interesting exercise but statistics don't tell the whole story of everything that happens on the ice and off the ice. It's not statistics that will be lacing up their skates today, it's hockey players. The only thing you can really predict about the 2010/11 season is that it will be unpredictable.

There will be 82 games played and the Habs will win some and lose some. As fans we hope that they will be on the winning side more than not. It would be great to not squeak into the playoffs but to actually have a spot before the last game of the regular season.

And why is that the Habs always play the Toronto bozos in their first and last games of the season? Thanks Bettman and Company. It's not that I believe that Montreal can't beat the Leafs but this match up scares the hell out me, mainly because the Habs always seem to have bad luck of injuries when they play them. Just think about Andrei Markov (and thankfully he won't be in the line up ) and the freak injuries he's sustained against Burke's Bullies. It might not be a bad thing that Mike Cammalleri will be out serving his one game suspension. We don't need him or Plekanec and Gionta getting a leg slash or knee injury. I shudder to think about. it. You know that Komistupid will be flying around the ice like the tasmanian devil hitting everyone in sight to show what a loss he is to the Habs. (Not!) Let's hope that tomorrow we're not bemoaning that Ryan White or Alex Henry was sent to the Bulldogs.

Maybe tonight will reveal the reawakening of AK46 and Bennie P? Perhaps with his pain-in the ass brother playing in Nashville (and I'm assuming it's with the Predators but with Sergei it might be the Grand Ole Opry)Andrei Kostitsyn will show more consistently the skill, skill and more skill that he possesses. No one really knows what causes him to go into that fog of invisibility each year. When he's in the zone, he's a joy to watch and a force to be reckoned with. As for Benoit Pouliot here's another player with a big body and plenty of talent but inconsistency continues to plague him. It began in Minnesota and carried over with the Canadiens. Here's hoping this season will truly show why he was touted as a top prospect in the league when he was drafted.

There are questions, questions, and more questions and some may not be answered, well at least not tonight.
Will Carey Price or Alex Auld be in net tonight and when will Price prove to be the worthy franchise goaltender and the fans and media will cut him a little slack as the Halak chant fades? Will Ryan O'Byrne stay out of Martin's doghouse? Will Scott Gomez ever get forgiveness and absolution for his large salary?

Will Jacques Martin be seen smiling or yelling or breathing behind the bench? Will anyone on the CBC be able to say the Habs win without gagging?

Despite all the questions around our beloved team, it's time to get excited. The season begins at last! Hockey is back! Can't wait to see the guys in bleu, blanc, rouge.

GO HABS, GO!

Network Of Negativity

2010-09-27T16:19:00.001-04:00

The Florida Panthers clash with the Habs tonight in pre-season play at the Bell Centre. Under normal circumstances I'd be ecstatic because the Habs are playing and it's being televised. But this pre-season is different than other years. This year there is a network of negativity and down right hatred working it's way through Habs fandom. Ninety-nine percent of which is appears directed at goaltender Carey Price.

I get it that a lot of fans are still upset with the Halak trade but isn't this wave of anger getting out of hand. It's pre-season hockey which doesn't mean a damn thing except who might make the Habs and who will be sent elsewhere. I'm a fan of Jaroslav Halak and am sorry that he won't be on our team this year but there comes a time when reality has to set in even for those of us delusional Canadiens fans. He's not coming back and it's not Price's fault that he's gone: management makes those choices. It's sickening to read some of the negative, rude comments on my favourite blogs and any one who tries to be rational is labelled Price-aholic or Price Lover.
Media coverage begins with negative headlines because the fans are reacting that way, well that's their excuse anyway. Price is responsible for his own play but he also needs defensive support from the team. Yes team. It's a team sport where individuals contribute to the outcome. Team A should be Team F because in both games they've been less than stellar and a whole lot worse than Team B.

It's difficult enough playing a city where the great myth of hockey passion prevails. I call it myth because over the past few years I've seen little to suggest that it's real passion for the game that motivates many of the Habs fans there unless you can call boorish behaviour passion. I know that there are a lot of fans at the Bell Centre who aren't a part of the negative network but where else do fans have to be reminded that there are American players on the team before the singing of the American National Anthem so the fans won't boo? Passion? I call it classless and demeaning to the rest of us fans who do not act or feel that way. It's also difficult to believe that the booing during Price's last showing was a spontaneous act when there were fans there with anti-Price signs. . there was no way they were made on the spur of the minute so these folk were hoping for a bad showing. If you don't like Price, it's your prerogative. But enough is enough.

It's not always easy to like some of the players who are on the team. Sometimes you just have to tolerate them because we cheer for what's on the front of the jersey and not what's on the back of it.

The constant booing and bashing of Price deservedly or not will do nothing to help this team move forward in the coming season. Negativity breeds negativity unless it's stopped. It would be nice to see some class tonight at Bell Centre and a little positive reinforcement. The result might be surprising.to fans and media alike.

ROSTER MOVES

The Canadiens announced today that 16 players were assigned to the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs and that forward Louis Leblanc (Montreal – QMJHL) and defenseman Jarred Tinordi (London – OHL) were returned to their respective team.

The Bulldogs will be leaving on Tuesday, September 28 for Newfoundland where they will hold training camp until October 3, including three preseason games against the Binghamton Senators.

16 players assigned to Hamilton:
Goaltender (1)
Robert Mayer

Defensemen (7)
Neil Petruic
Kyle Klubertanz
Brendon Nash
Frédéric St-Denis
David Urquhart
Sébastien Bisaillon
Marc-Antoine Desnoyers

Forwards (8)
Alexander Avtsin
James T. Wyman
Jimmy Bonneau
Andrew Conboy
Dany Massé
Olivier Fortier
Ian Schultz
Aaron Palushaj

Thirty-six (36) players are still at training camp, including four (4) goaltenders, eleven (11) defensemen and twenty-one (21) forwards. The list of injured players at camp includes; Curtis Sanford (lower body), Andrei Markov (knee) and Roman Hamrlik (knee), Hunter Bishop (upper body), Max Pacioretty (upper body) and Ryan Russell (lower body).

Making Some Changes...

2010-09-24T13:37:00.000-04:00

As you can see the blog is under destruction and reconstuction which means that we're starting from scratch.
For those of you have visited this blog please bear with us as we make some major changes. We're not sure how long this will take but hopefully it won't be too long. This short post is just to let you know that the reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated too!

Tonight the Habs will play their second exhibition game against the Ottawa Senators. After losing to the Bruins on Wednesday night they will be looking to get back on track. It will be team B for the Habs on the ice including newcomers Lars Eller, Dustin Boyd. It's been reported that Alex Auld and Robert Mayer will share the net work tonight. Too bad this game's not being televised but it can be heard on CJAD radio.

And it would be really great if Habs fans follow Price's admonition " to relax and chill out." Good advise as far as I'm concerned. It's the pre-season! Get a Grip!