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TheBlob

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We now have 8 straight victories! It feels great. Last night vs NJ was a bit wonky, but we still did it.

With 6 remaining games to play, how many more can we get in that sequence? I expect a few losses but unless it turns into a complete disaster, our recent record to enter the playoffs will be quite good. It's excellent for the confidence.

We are really close with Tampa and Buffalo, almost tie except RW. We can get more points than them. I would love to finish first in the Atlantic division and play Boston or Ottawa in the first round.
 

EagerBeaver

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I would love to finish first in the Atlantic division and play Boston or Ottawa in the first round.
Ottawa is tied in points with Detroit, Philadelphia and the Covered Blow Jobs, and it's not any lock that they will even make that last wild card. And the Capitals are one point behind those teams! If Montreal does finish first in the Atlantic, which is doable if they can outpoint TB by 3 in 6 games, it could be any of 6 teams that they play. It's a total 6 team dogfight for 2 wild card spots!!!!!
 

TheBlob

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Ottawa is tied in points with Detroit, Philadelphia and the Covered Blow Jobs, and it's not any lock that they will even make that last wild card. And the Capitals are one point behind those teams! If Montreal does finish first in the Atlantic, which is doable if they can outpoint TB by 3 in 6 games, it could be any of 6 teams that they play. It's a total 6 team dogfight for 2 wild card spots!!!!!

True true. I'm glad that we're out of that dog fight and looking at the top now, thanks to that 8 wins sequence.
 
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EagerBeaver

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True true. I'm glad that we're out of that dog fight and looking at the top now, thanks to that 8 wins sequence.
I should have mentioned that the Islanders, who are reeling, fired Patrick Roy today and are a possible 7th team in the dogfight for 2 wild card spots, although they have 89 points at the moment and are playoff bound as of today. That was not good enough to save Roy's ass.
 
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EagerBeaver

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I would love to finish first in the Atlantic division and play Boston or Ottawa in the first round.
Montreal would probably much rather play Philadelphia, which is actually now ahead of Boston and Ottawa with today's win, than either Boston and Ottawa. Boston and Ottawa both have healthy positive goal differentials, whereas Philadelphia has a negative goal differential. I also think Swayman is a pretty good goalie and you would probably not want to face him. I would be rooting for Philadelphia to be the WC opponent. Of course, the Islanders, Red Wings, and Capitals might also be more desirable opponents than Boston and Ottawa, but at the moment, those teams are on the outside looking in. In fact, the fading Capitals are being shellacked 8-1 by the NYR at the moment, which is not what you want when fighting for a last WC.
 
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EagerBeaver

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On a related note to the above post is whether we should stick a fork in the Washington Capitals as far as NOT being Montreal's first round opponent? With 4 games left, they need to pass 4 teams in front of them for that last WC spot, all of whom have more points. Which is why they really needed that game last night against the NYR. Instead, Charlie Lindgren allowed 8 goals on 32 shots in a complete defensive meltdown which, if you are a Capitals fan, is not what you want.
 

TheBlob

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Montreal would probably much rather play Philadelphia, which is actually now ahead of Boston and Ottawa with today's win, than either Boston and Ottawa. Boston and Ottawa both have healthy positive goal differentials, whereas Philadelphia has a negative goal differential. I also think Swayman is a pretty good goalie and you would probably not want to face him.

Honestly, i don’t mind. As a fan, i still favor classic rivalries and Mtl-Bos is hard to beat. My hate for Ottawa has grown up in the last few years as well. Division rivals, Brady « punch me in the face meurica » Katchuk in the mix, and a city so close that it feels like our backyard. It feels so good to rub it in their face when we can.
 
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TheBlob

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Don't look now, but there is a 3 way tie for 1st place in the Atlantic Division, and all 3 teams have 4 to play!!!! It's anyone's division to grab!

So, so tight.....

But if we want it, we need more points. RW are playing against us. We sure can though, and it starts tomorrow tonight with a critical game Vs Tampa. Go Habs!
 
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EagerBeaver

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Somehow I am getting the Tampa Bay broadcast and broadcasters via one of the ESPN channels. What a lame trio of studio analysts TB has! I was really surprised at what a dull group they are.

The TB color analyst is Brian Engblom. Any of you guys remember him?
 
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EagerBeaver

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On the night that Caulfield scored his 50th goal, in the College Frozen 4 his former college team, the Wisconsin Badgers, upset the #2 ranked North Dakota Fighting Hawks and will play the Denver Pioneers (which beat #1 Michigan 4-3 in 2OT) for the NCAA hockey championship Saturday night! I am sure Cole would love to be in Vegas to cheer his Badgers on, but he has a very important game in Montreal against CBJ Saturday night! Huge playoff ramifications for both teams!

Amazing that Caulfield hit 50 and Slakovsky hit 30 on the same night!

Now all eyes will turn to the Buffalo Sabres who lead the Atlantic by 2 points. Their last 2 games will be Monday at Chicago and Wednesday home against Dallas. Montreal finishes with 3 games in 4 days, after CBJ then it's down to New York and Pennsylvania for games Sunday at NYI and Tuesday at Philadlephia, which has been hot and is in the playoffs unless overtaken by NYI or CBJ. CBJ almost has to win Saturday night or they are cooked!
 
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TheBlob

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50 50 50!!! I said i would be more than happy if he scored 45, and 50 was beyond my wildest dreams. But he did it! What a year for Little Cole!

And another huge, huge win in regular time against Tampa, in a dramatic fashion! Well done Slaf, here's 30 for you!

Geez folks, i love this team.
 
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EagerBeaver

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Look at this on the money pass by Suzuki on the PP to set up goal by Demidov:
The assist was #72 by Suzuki who now has 101 points, improving again on a career high points total from the prior season for the 5th straight year. How much longer can he keep doing this?

Here is the 29th goal by Suzuki, on an assist by Slafkovsky, whom he can join in the 30 goal club with a goal in the final game. This goal was challenged by the NYI due to goaltender interference, but the challenge was denied, as it was just really bad defense that caused the goal, both on Suzuki in front of the net and on Slafkovsky.
 
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TheBlob

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C'est toute une saison pour nos jeunes vedettes. Et la plupart sont signés pour encore plusieurs années, sous les 8 millions. Well done, Kent Hugues.

Suzuki 100 points
Caufield 50 buts et près de 90 points
L'éclosion de Slaf avec 30 buts et près de 75 points
Très bonne saison recrue de Demidov et Hutson qui continue d'être Hutson

Et maintenant, comme c'est pratiquement certain qu'on affrontera Tampa en première ronde, on souhaite l'avantage de la glace.