Go Habs Go!

[EagerBeaver]

Well done, Kent Hugues.

I couldn't read the rest of your post because it is in French but on Hughes, we need to consider his predecessor, Marc Bergevin. Bergevin, who was famed for announcing his "5 Year Plan", was actually on the job from May 2012 until November 28, 2021, when he was fired. So he actually got 9.5 years to deliver on his 5 year plan. He never did and was fired when the team got off to an atrocious start in 2021-2022 season.

Hughes was hired in January 2022 and has been on the job for just over 4 years. He has delivered in 4 years what Bergevin never could deliver in 5 despite having been given 9.5 years to do so. His very first draft he selected Juraj Slavkofsky (win). He fired Dominique Ducharme and hired Martin St. Louis (win). Since then there has been a slow stockpiling of young talent. The team has a very young core and is a Stanley Cup contender NOW. Although I think fair questions exist as to how their young goalies will perform under playoff pressure.

The chances that this young core will either win the Stanley Cup or at least make a serious run at doing so in the next 5-7 years is very high. That's all you can ask for as a fan.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Congratulations to Tage Thompson and the Sabres, which won the Atlantic Division last night. The former UConn star scored his 40th goal has posted his 3rd 40 goal season.

The Sabres' win means that Montreal has a 1st round date with Tampa Bay. Normally you would not want that, but TB is a very banged up team, so we will see what happens.

 

[TheBlob]

I'm ready to face Tampa. We beat them our last two games, and it's quite recent. Home ice advantage would be great, fingers crossed.

I expect a tight match-up and probably a goalie series. No massacre either way, and each goal will be crucial. Can't wait for it to start.

 

[bodick7]

The chances that this young core will either win the Stanley Cup or at least make a serious run at doing so in the next 5-7 years is very high. That's all you can ask for as a fan.

Hope it won’t be a blowout like the Leafs.
Caps almost blown out despite having solid rosters year after year. We got to remember there are 31 other teams contending.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Hope it won’t be a blowout like the Leafs.
Caps almost blown out despite having solid rosters year after year. We got to remember there are 31 other teams contending.

True but the Leafs were a very top heavy team, which in their peak years just didn't have a very good defensive structure. Or at not at the championship level. And we will have to see how Montreal develops on this side of the puck as I already said. Suzuki is being touted as a Selke Trophy finalist, but others need to develop as 2 way players and the defense and goaltending has to show that they are championship calibre. This is where teams like Tampa Bay and Carolina have an edge, although TB is severely banged up and Montreal will be catching them at the right time.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Suzuki is being touted as a Selke Trophy finalist, but others need to develop as 2 way players

So far, Caufield and Suzuki has shown that are strong 200’ players. But Demidov, Kapanen and Bolduc are not there yet. This year is still a learning one to acquire experience and knowledge. I don’t expect a miracle on ice buy a stronger opposition than last year against the Caps.

 

[bodick7]

but others need to develop as 2 way players

MSL did a great a job on that department with Caufield and Demidov. Too bad Hage didn’t step in the bandwagon…

defense and goaltending has to show that they are championship calibre.

With tons of blocked shots, Dobson will be missed for sure. As for Dobes, you can flip a coin and hope it will land on red hot side. If not, there is always Fowler would could turn series momentum on Habs side. Let see.

 

[Doc Holliday]

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?

I remember him from his days with the habs & Caps. Good reliable defenceman. I wasn’t aware that he was still doing hockey broadcasts.

 

[Doc Holliday]

MSL did a great a job on that department with Caufield and Demidov. Too bad Hage didn’t step in the bandwagon…

With tons of blocked shots, Dobson will be missed for sure. As for Dobes, you can flip a coin and hope it will land on red hot side. If not, there is always Fowler would could turn series momentum on Habs side. Let see.

Hage may change his mind during the offseason. But the habs appear to be on board with whichever decision he makes & understand his reasoning. He wants to win a champion with the Wolverines but most importantly have possibly the only opportunity he’ll ever get of playing with his younger brother.

Dobson ended up having surgery on his fracture thumb. It will keep him out at least until round two if they get there, possibly longer. Let’s hope that Victor Hedman remains out for the series.

 

[TheBlob]

Not confirmed yet, but word on the street is we'll start the first round on sunday afternoon, likely 1 or 4pm. Not my favorite time slot, to stay polite.

Losing Dobson at game 80 is not good. Like, really not. He was healthy all season and our big signing/trade from last summer, so that's frustrating. But it is what it is.

Still, can't wait for it to start. Here we are again folks.....it's playoffs time!

 

[TheBlob]

C'est enfin l'heure des séries! Bon match #1!

Go Habs Go!

 

[EagerBeaver]

Cooper: "Stupidity" in taking offensive zone penalties cost us Game 1 vs. Habs

Cooper: Penalty 'stupidity' cost Lightning in Game 1 loss

Lightning coach Jon Cooper was not happy with the penalties his team committed in its Game 1 overtime loss to the Canadiens on Sunday.

www.espn.com

 

[bodick7]

Slaf! What a powerhouse!
Got heavily knocked on board …and retaliate with 3 goals.
Honorable mentions to Anderson and Carrier.
Kutcherov hit by Xhekaj…I think the whole team was looking each other and say to themselves…anybody to go at him? Not me….
With Anderson, Xhekaj and Struble, nobody in the Lightnings is scaring. Now, if habs smaller players wants to takeovers, they will have to create enough space and this serie will be over sooner than later.

 

[TheBlob]

Slaf! What a powerhouse!
Got heavily knocked on board …and retaliate with 3 goals.
Honorable mentions to Anderson and Carrier.
Kutcherov hit by Xhekaj…I think the whole team was looking each other and say to themselves…anybody to go at him? Not me….
With Anderson, Xhekaj and Struble, nobody in the Lightnings is scaring. Now, if habs smaller players wants to takeovers, they will have to create enough space and this serie will be over sooner than later.

Slaf has become what we wished he would be, or close to it! His shot is now a lethal weapon. He's strong like a beef. He's confident. The bambi who was falling every shift seems so, so far away now.

First one to us, feels good! See you tuesday for the next episode.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Slaf! What a powerhouse!
Got heavily knocked on board …and retaliate with 3 goals.
Honorable mentions to Anderson and Carrier.
Kutcherov hit by Xhekaj…I think the whole team was looking each other and say to themselves…anybody to go at him? Not me….
With Anderson, Xhekaj and Struble, nobody in the Lightnings is scaring. Now, if habs smaller players wants to takeovers, they will have to create enough space and this serie will be over sooner than later.

Très gros match pour Slaf, sa progression cette année a été fulgurante, c’est un joueur transformé qui justifie pleinement son rang de sélection au repêchage 2022.
Maintenant c’est sûr que les Bolts vont l’avoir à l’œil mais ça pourrait libérer les deux autres qui sont aussi dangereux!

Dans mon évaluation du match, c’est Anderson qui a montré le chemin à suivre, dès sa première présence. Sa contribution a été aussi importante que celle de Slaf et du jeu de puissance. J’ai très hâte de voir la suite, les Canadiens ont accompli leur première mission en gagnant à Tampa, il faut poursuivre sur ce momentum.

 

[Womaniser]

Très gros match pour Slaf, sa progression cette année a été fulgurante, c’est un joueur transformé qui justifie pleinement son rang de sélection au repêchage 2022.
Maintenant c’est sûr que les Bolts vont l’avoir à l’œil mais ça pourrait libérer les deux autres qui sont aussi dangereux!

Dans mon évaluation du match, c’est Anderson qui a montré le chemin à suivre, dès sa première présence. Sa contribution a été aussi importante que celle de Slaf et du jeu de puissance. J’ai très hâte de voir la suite, les Canadiens ont accompli leur première mission en gagnant à Tampa, il faut poursuivre sur ce momentum.

Let's not forget that Slaf is only 22 years old !

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Let's not forget that Slaf is only 22 years old !

Il pourrait devenir un monstre de la LNH s’il continue à se développer à ce rythme!

 

[TheBlob]

Il pourrait devenir un monstre de la LNH s’il continue à se développer à ce rythme!

Le gars commence à avoir une solide fiche dans les moments qui comptent. Et de la reconnaissance.

MVP Beijing Olympics 2022 + All-Star team
All-Star team Milan Olympics 2026
Multiple "Slovak player of the year" awards

30 buts et 73 points cette saison, et il débute les séries 2026 avec un hat trick....il commence à faire peur notre Juraj!

 

[SOCIA MTL]

Le CH joue avec une confiance indéniable cette année!

Martin St-Louis inspire la victoire a ses joueurs et que dire de la stratégie de prendre un temps d'arret en prolongation dimanche, good show Marty!
Notre premier choix de l`encans 2022 Slafkovsky un attaquant de puissance en éclosion qui est en mission cette année!

Quoi dire de plus de notre gardien recrue Doby qui fait face a un vétérant de premiere classe Andrei Vasilevsky a la recherche de son 2iem trophée Vezina!
Es que nous allons assiter a un Conn-Smythe de la part de Dobes cette année! L`histoire nous le dira et peut-etre que Patrick Roy a son avis sur se sujet !!!

Gally revient sur le line up pour la partie numeros 3 sans aucun doute, a suivre!

Bon match No 2 a tous se soir!

GO HABS GO

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Gally revient sur le line up pour la partie numeros 3 sans aucun doute, a suivre!

Je fais partie de ceux qui croient que Gally est encore capable d’avoir un certain impact, moins qu’avant mais quand même.
Si le CH rentre à la maison avec 2 victoires je pense qu’il n’y aura aucun changement, sauf si blessures.