Habs & the playoffs

[Cosmo]

Guys,

I'm very happy about those 8 straight wins but let's not get carried away.
Yesterday they defeated the Sens ''b'' team.
Hasek,Cara,Redden,Philips ect...were out of the line-up.
And they still gave up nearly 50 shots on goal.
Positives:The 4th line and Aebisher getting back on track.

 

[Techman]

Cosmo is dead on. the Habs have been playing great but last night they gave up way too many shots against a handicapped Senators team. If they had been playing the Sens with their best in the line up we would have been destroyed last night. At least now we know that Aebisher can be relied upon if Huet goes down, but they have to get those shots on goal down to a reasonable level. But it's a whole new ball game once the playoffs start and with a bit of luck some other team will take the Sens out before we have to play them.

 

[steak]

Yes we gave too many shots yesterday, but if we look at the scoreboard, the only problem was the first period. Were too confident seeing the big three weren't dressed?

Who knows how the match would have end if the were in the lineup? Maybe the habs would have played better. Maybe the Sens would have less shots. It is all supposition. All I know is the habs won a few games agains the full ine up this year and yesterday, once the first period was over, they played much better. I am not overhyped but I don't want to lower last night's victory only because Phillips-Reden-Chara weren't there.

 

[Cosmo]

It had to happen.
Brodeur was super hot and confident.The Habs bad habit of slow starting caught them up.It had to happen sooner or later.
Huet's not invincible.
Anyway,NJ is on a roll,and they got experience.
Watch them in the playoffs.

 

[survivor]

The Devils won again tonight against the Rangers. They are on a streak. with their win tonight, they clinched their playoff spot.

 

[picasso]

Yesterday they defeated the Sens ''b'' team.
Hasek,Cara,Redden,Philips ect...were out of the line-up.
And they still gave up nearly 50 shots on goal.

Well, let's hope the Sens show up with their B team again on Monday night . With games against the Sabres and the impenetrable Brodeur of NJD left, Habs need this game bad to secure that playoff spot.

 

[picasso]

Habs are officially in the playoffs thanks to Atlanta's loss tonight.

I'm hoping they meet Ottawa in the first round since it looks like Hasek won't be ready and because I think they'll get killed in 4 or 5 if they play against Carolina.

A playoff round against Ottawa would also strengthen the natural rivalry which one day will hopefully approach the good old days when the Canadians would play the Nordiques (or Dicks as I used to call them )

Great news indeed! You take the playoffs spot anyway you can get. Habs do deserve to be in the post-season though. I'm also in agreement with you that they are more competitive against the Sens vs. the 'Canes. A win tomorrow night against those red-hot NJD will help secure that matchup against the Sens as well as provide much needed momentum going into the playoffs.

 

[gohabsgo]

http://www.nhl.com/standings/20052006/conference_standings.html

The Habs will finish 7 or 8 and Ottawa and Carolina will be 1 & 2. Only Buffalo wont change, theyre in 4th. I dont see Montreal coming out of the first round, maybe they can push their oppenent to 6 or 7 games. Nice to see Toronto didnt make it, those 2 babck to back games did them in.

 

[Cosmo]

They badly need Bouillon and Begin.
These two pit bulls are the teams inspiration IMHO and their contribution is vastly underrated.
Without their agressiveness and enthusiasm I doubt the team would be in the play offs.
So lets keep our fingers crossed for them to come back healthy,we need them.

 

[picasso]

Tough home loss tonight

Considering the Habs are something like 15-0 when leading by 3 goals or more. Unfuckingbelievable how the Habs surrendered 3 goals just like that in the 3rd period! NJD seemed like they were going at a different speed in the last 10 minutes of the game, especially with the little guy in the middle, Gionta. Damn he was quick! Habs were already slated to go against the 'Canes in the 1st round regardless of the outcome of this game. But NJD was just amazing the way they came storming back. In fact, they also took over the Atlantic Division crown from the Flyers & Rangers in the process. NJD just looks unbeatable right now. As for the Habs, things might look ugly against Carolina in the upcoming series ! At least Carolina got blown away at home tonight against Buffalo .

 

[gohabsgo]

have to be realistic, carolina in 5

 

[EagerBeaver]

ESPN Picks Carolina in 5

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2006/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=2413315

Seems as good an analysis as any.

 

[spin]

Seems as good an analysis as any.

Considering it comes from ESPN (the anti-hockey sports network) I agree.

 

[Cosmo]

The habs have nothing to loose,whereas the Canes have everything to.
So the Habs will surprise everybody ans win it in 6!

 

[Techman]

Huet gets the call for Canadiens

TSN - The Sports Network

4/20/2006


MONTREAL (CP) - Canadiens head coach and GM Bob Gainey ended the intrigue Thursday by announcing that Cristobal Huet will be his starting goalie in Carolina on Saturday.

Gainey created doubts as to who he would use in the playoffs by starting David Aebischer in four of Montreal's last six games, but he was clear Thursday that Montreal's playoff chances will rest with Huet.

"I think both goalies have played good games for us down the stretch, but I feel that he's the guy who probably had the harder tests and maybe the best preparation to start Saturday," Gainey said. "I think he's our playoff goalie."

It's about time that they make a decision and I think it's definately the right one. Let's just hope that Gainey doesn't switch if he loses one game. If they stick with Huet I say Habs in 6.

 

[picasso]

Huet

It's about time that they make a decision and I think it's definately the right one. Let's just hope that Gainey doesn't switch if he loses one game. If they stick with Huet I say Habs in 6.

Now is not the time to be ambivalent about your starting goalie. Gainey did the right thing naming Huet as his no. 1 goalie. If anything this would boost Huet's confidence especially after seeing how Huet was shellshocked by NJ in that last game, giving up 3 goals in the last 10 minutes of the game. Besides, Habs wouldn't even be in the playoffs were it not for Huet's performance in the last 2 months. I doubt that Gainey will make the switch do or die in the playoffs.

 

[picasso]

Huet the difference in game 1

Considering that Carolina killed the Habs during the regular season, who would have thought that tonight's score would end up Habs 6 'Canes 1 ! Huet had 42 saves including several 5 on 3 disadvantages. What's even more remarkable is that the Habs had only 21 SOG the entire game! Huet and Habs defense carried this game, especially Markov, Bouillon and Souray. Just awesome!

 

[Cosmo]

Facts;
Eric Cole and Ray Withney are out of the line-up.
Cole has been poison for the habs since the 2002 series.
Since Carolina aquired Recchi and Weight,two old timers-they have a 10-12 record.
They did demolished the Habs this season but with Theodore in nets for three games and one with Aebisher.
They haven' faced Huet.
So I stick with my prediction:Habs in 6!

 

[gohabsgo]

Hip Hip Huet !!!

 

[Techman]

Huet all the way!!!

For the non french speakers..Huet is pronounced Hue-way, not hue-et.