Habs & the playoffs

[picasso]

Man, what a game against the Flyers tonight! The undefeated road trip post-Olympics came to an end in a shootout in Philly tonight. I like the way the Habs have been playing of late. Lots of energy especially coming from guys like Higgins and Koivu. They showed a lot of resilience coming back from a 4-2 deficit and simultaneously facing a 5 on 3 disadvantage at one point. Both Ribeiro and Souray had spectacular shots tonight. I was somewhat surprised to see Huet in goal tonight since he hadn't gotten a break at all on this road trip. But he did do well especially in stopping two clear breakaways by the Flyers. At least the Habs picked up a point in the standings and inched a little bit closer to TB for the 7th spot in the playoffs race. But Atlanta did pick up 2 points tonight also and are breathing down the Habs' neck for the final playoff spot. It used to be that if you were above .500, you're virtually assured of a playoff spot. But not this season and it's going to be a red hot race probably down to the final week. Me thinks the Habs will make the playoffs and if they stay healthy, I also like their chances to make some noise in the playoffs.

 

[joelcairo]

How very sad - it's gotten to the point where MAKING the playoffs is viewed as a big success. Montreal is in danger of becoming like Toronto. Back in the day, when the Habs were actually respectable, it was usually a foregone conclusion that they'd win the Cup. How the mighty have fallen - now it's just freakin' fabulous if this pathetic bunch of losers makes the freakin playoffs.

 

[hornyanglo66]

Said it before.. they're all a bunch of bums. Not just the Habs but all these so called athletes. Showed their merit in the strike last year and also showed it (the canadian players at least) in the Olympics. What do they contribute to society? Shoul dget $1000 a game and that is all.

 

[spin]

Said it before.. they're all a bunch of bums. Not just the Habs but all these so called athletes. Showed their merit in the strike last year and also showed it (the canadian players at least) in the Olympics. What do they contribute to society? Shoul dget $1000 a game and that is all.

I'm not sure I get it? Why athletes?

I think movie stars are all a bunch of bums and they should get $50000.00 a movie thats all not a penny more. What do they contribute to society? While we're at it Rock stars too, useless for the most part, lets cap them at $30000.00 an album. Damn almost forgot weathermen, cap them at $250.00 a forecast and take $100.00 away everytime they're wrong!

Now the big question hornyanglo is what do we do with all of the extra money generated by big time proffesional sports, Hollywood and the music business since we've capped the earning potential of athletes, actors, and rock stars? Feed the world? Stop AIDS? Peace? Save the Planet? Or maybe NOTHING! The large corporations and Billionairs that own the sports franchises, television stations, and record labels will just take that money that they used to pay the people that generated their income (athletes, stars etc...) and put it right back in their own pockets!

I was serious about weathermen by the way, they piss me off !

 

[hornyanglo66]

I ain't disputing anything you added about movie 'stars' (maybe we pull a fingernail for every crap movie they do?) and others. Regulate all earnings... these billionaires scamming people should be made examples of. Voite for me.. the next Lenin.... I'll make communism work.

 

[picasso]

Wtf?

Hey guys,

This thread is about the Habs' play and their playoffs chances. If you guys want to debate about how athletes/movie stars/weathermen (?) are a bunch of bums, start another thread.

OTH, Habs petered out in Toronto tonite ...

 

[spin]

OK sorry picasso it was just a little harmless ranting - I like the Habs to end the year in the 8th and final playoff spot, I am worried about goaltending though - I really don't think Huet can play over his head like this for the rest of the year.

You've got my vote hornyanglo66 - Fidel, Fidel, Fidel!!!!

 

[Doc Holliday]

OI am worried about goaltending though - I really don't think Huet can play over his head like this for the rest of the year.

Huet seems to be running out of luck and burning out. He's been ordinary in the last couple of games and did let him some bad goals. I still think it will be between them and Toronto for the final spot. Right now, it doesn't look good for the Leafs. However, Mtl is one major injury from a slump. And who knows what will happen Thursday prior to the trade deadline.

 

[spin]

Well sintax I don't know if the Habs will make a move or not there have been a lot of rumers but Gainey is pretty tight lipped when it comes to things like that.

They need a lot of help and I don't think they really have a chance at a run for the Cup this year no matter what they do - problem with the Canadians is they have no prospects or draft picks to move for a "rental" type of player to help them make a run.

I've heard Souray to Vancouver for Bertuzzi a few times - I don't know its just talk, I guess I like the trade though, but I could easily see it debated either way.

 

[Doc Holliday]

The Oilers sent a first-rounder to the Wild for goalie Dwayne Roloson. He's worth a first-round pick?? If he's worth a first-rounder, what the hell will the Leafs be able to get for Bryan McCabe?? Ten first-rounders? This is nuts!

On a sadder note, the great Bernie 'Boom-Boom' Geofrion was just diagnosed with stomach cancer. I met him last year and he's a true gentleman. We're behind you, Boomer!

 

[picasso]

Huet seems to be running out of luck and burning out. He's been ordinary in the last couple of games and did let him some bad goals. I still think it will be between them and Toronto for the final spot. Right now, it doesn't look good for the Leafs. However, Mtl is one major injury from a slump. And who knows what will happen Thursday prior to the trade deadline.

Tampa Bay is fading fast so it is conceivable that both Mtl and Toronto will both make it in the 7th and 8th spot, respectively. But to do that, the Leafs would have to leapfrog Atlanta and that's no gimmee.

I agree that Huet is burning out like you said so if Gainey has any foresight, he'll deal for a goalie like Curtis Joseph of the Coyotes who apparently is being shopped around. I actually think that Joseph would be traded to the Oilers but Edmonton got a different guy today so the Habs still have a shot at getting Joseph.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Theodore gets traded!!!

Hard to believe that Mtl was able to move his huge contract:

www.tsn.ca

 

[Techman]

Don't rag on Huet.Without him the Habs would be in the cellar. Sure he's played over his head and had a couple of lackluster games but he saved the team so far.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Don't rag on Huet.Without him the Habs would be in the cellar. Sure he's played over his head and had a couple of lackluster games but he saved the team so far.

He reminds me of Steve Penney. And i do agree with your statement.

 

[Techman]

Just to finish my thought...you have to realize that Huet has never been a team's #1 goalie. He's played damn good considering the situation he's found himself in. The entire character of the team has changed since they have a goalie behind them that they don't have to worry about letting in blue line shots. He has a couple of soft games in a long hard road trip and now everybody jumps all over him. If they had won last night everyone would be saying how great he is. This is the worst city for anyone to play in. Hero today, heel tomorrow. We have some of the most knowledgable fans in the world but they are also the most fickle. It's like everything else in this damn place. We have Celine Dion, arguably the most successful female singing artist in the world, who could sell out the Bell Centre for as long as she chose to perform there, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone here to sing her praises. I swear, we're no better than animals that eat their young.

Now that we've traded Theodore and his huge salary and gotten a half decent goalie in return, and who knows what other trades are in the works, let's give the team and Huet a chance. Besides, it's not like anyone expected them to win the cup this year. Most experts were picking them to miss the playoffs and if we had continued with Theodore in nets they would have been right.

 

[spin]

This is the worst city for anyone to play in. Hero today, heel tomorrow.

I swear, we're no better than animals that eat their young.
Most experts were picking them to miss the playoffs and if we had continued with Theodore in nets they would have been right.

Techman,

Although I do agree (in general) with what you are saying I find it quite ironic that you quickly come to the defense of Huet who has never really done anything but you are willing to throw Theodore who was League MVP and a past Vezina winner to the wolves.

You said it best "Hero Today Heel Tomorrow".

As for the trade itself we basically just got rid of Theodore and his salary, which is fine I guess but we still don't have a #1 goalie, maybe Gainey has something else planned (I hope).

I like Theo, the hole city jumped down his throat based on one bad half season, coming back from a year off with new equipment - No one gave the kid a chance.

I hate to say this guys but remember what happened the last time we traded our #1 goalie to Colorado - 2 parades in Denver, 0 parades in Montreal.

 

[Doc Holliday]

This is the worst city for anyone to play in. Hero today, heel tomorrow. We have some of the most knowledgable fans in the world but they are also the most fickle.

Hmmm....ever been to Toronto? Or New York City?

 

[Doc Holliday]

As for the trade itself we basically just got rid of Theodore and his salary, which is fine I guess but we still don't have a #1 goalie, maybe Gainey has something else planned (I hope).

Yes, in my eyes, the trade was more of a salary dump more than anything. Gainey supposedly said in his press conference (when he spoke french) yesterday that he got a good back-up for Huet. When told this, Aebischer looked stunned and indicated he can't fanthom why he'd be a back-up in Mtl when he's been the number one goalie in Denver. Can't really blame him, actually...he does make a valid point.

I've also heard a few experts suspect he got Aebischer in order to send him to Vancouver in a package for Todd Bertuzzi. The Canucks are also in the market for a goaltender, but weren't interested in taking on Theodore's huge salary earlier.

 

[picasso]

Habs vs. Leafs: Sat night at the fights

What a game tonite at the Bell! The game was already decided by the end of the second period with the Habs clearly in command. The third period was more like a rubgy scrum with Darcy Tucker, Domi and Sundin instigating most of the temper tantrums. My guess is that Sundin being the captain wanted to get the Leafs going by playing it rough. It was entertaining and even though a few punches were thrown none landed. More like a rugby scrum every few minutes in the last period. The best action was when Kovalev saw Tucker in his way and skated through him with an elbow to the head and knocked him cold into the ice . Huet again came through spectacularly after the 33 save win against these same Leafs a couple of days before. With Huet becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, Gainey better lock him into a long term contract.

 

[Cosmo]

Go Habs Go!

For the first time in a long time the habs won back to back games against Toronto.
11-3!No controversy here,no late game equalizer or shoot-out semi win.
I think the Leafs' season ended tonight.
Too bad,despite the fact that I don't like them,it would have been nice to face them in the playoffs.
That is if we make them.
Now if they can resolve the Penguins enigma.They haven't win a game against them this season yet.
Those two wins will be meaningless if they loose to Pittsburgh tonight.