The Official M.E.R.B. Hockey Thread

[Techman]

I didn't see either game but listened to the habs on the radio and it sounded like the defense were really the downfall of the team. But looking at the boxscore of the Leafs game and seeing them outshoot Tampa 19-10 in the second period, I can understand their pain. What do they have to do to get a goal? While the habs are showing great tenacity by continually coming back and not giving up, the Leafs just really don't seem to have any luck at all. Sooner or later things have to turn around for them.

Where the habs are concerned, while it isn't Price's fault at all when he gets no defensive support, I still think they should ride Halak until he collapses. For whatever reason the defense seems to play better in front of him and wins are what matters and he's the one that's getting them. It's gotta be tough for Price but too bad, if the team is winning with Halak they have to keep him in nets. And they have to do something about Latendresse. Either sit him, trade him or take him out and shoot him. He isn't getting the job done and they have to take care of it.

 

[Doc Holliday]

How did Price look tonight?, i didnt see much of the game

I watched the game & really enjoyed it!!! But out of respect for them, i'll let the Habs fans answer this question.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I can understand their pain. What do they have to do to get a goal? While the habs are showing great tenacity by continually coming back and not giving up, the Leafs just really don't seem to have any luck at all. Sooner or later things have to turn around for them.

Where the habs are concerned, while it isn't Price's fault at all when he gets no defensive support, I still think they should ride Halak until he collapses. For whatever reason the defense seems to play better in front of him and wins are what matters and he's the one that's getting them. It's gotta be tough for Price but too bad, if the team is winning with Halak they have to keep him in nets.

I agree with everything you wrote & that's why you're my favorite Habs fan. They also have to keep Bergeron off the ice unless they're on the powerplay.

 

[lgna69xxx]

i agree with everything said here Tech, the Leafs are slowly coming out of this, not getting the wins yet but at least getting points more than not the last several games, and Montreal is really suffering on D and i never realised Markov was so valuable until he is not there anymore.....

I didn't see either game but listened to the habs on the radio and it sounded like the defense were really the downfall of the team. But looking at the boxscore of the Leafs game and seeing them outshoot Tampa 19-10 in the second period, I can understand their pain. What do they have to do to get a goal? While the habs are showing great tenacity by continually coming back and not giving up, the Leafs just really don't seem to have any luck at all. Sooner or later things have to turn around for them.

Where the habs are concerned, while it isn't Price's fault at all when he gets no defensive support, I still think they should ride Halak until he collapses. For whatever reason the defense seems to play better in front of him and wins are what matters and he's the one that's getting them. It's gotta be tough for Price but too bad, if the team is winning with Halak they have to keep him in nets. And they have to do something about Latendresse. Either sit him, trade him or take him out and shoot him. He isn't getting the job done and they have to take care of it.

 

[gohabsgo]

looked like a clean hit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAzuCHKkw3w

 

[lgna69xxx]

it was, and he got up, shook it off and recorded 8 more shots on goal after ..... so much for being a soft player .........EH???

looked like a clean hit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAzuCHKkw3w

 

[anon_vlad]

Not getting the wins yet? One for October

i agree with everything said here Tech, the Leafs are slowly coming out of this, not getting the wins yet /QUOTE]

I admit that I am writing in willful ignorance as I somehow haven't found the time to watch the Leafs play a single entire game (much as I take perverse pleasure in seeing the highlights of their games).

However, I don't see any reason for optimism for Leafs' fans. In particular, I don't believe that it is an accident that when the Leafs manage to get to a shootout, they lose. Their goaltending is well below average. I assume that a coach sends out his three best forwards out for the shootouts. If so for the Leafs, the best of their forwards lack skill, so how bad must the rest be.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I admit that I am writing in willful ignorance as I somehow haven't found the time to watch the Leafs play a single entire game.

I totally agree with this quote!

 

[lgna69xxx]

dont always believe the standings, if you have watched the Leafs last 5 games you'd understand where and why there is optimism , go check out the other thread for truth about the last 4 games both the habs and leafs have played..... as they say the truth dont lie.....

[I admit that I am writing in willful ignorance as I somehow haven't found the time to watch the Leafs play a single entire game (much as I take perverse pleasure in seeing the highlights of their games).

However, I don't see any reason for optimism for Leafs' fans. In particular, I don't believe that it is an accident that when the Leafs manage to get to a shootout, they lose. Their goaltending is well below average. I assume that a coach sends out his three best forwards out for the shootouts. If so for the Leafs, the best of their forwards lack skill, so how bad must the rest be.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Vincent Lecavalier's regression

Watching Vincent Lecavalier last night makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with him. He scored his 2nd goal of the entire NHL season on a gimme by the Toronto goalie. Good for Lecavalier that he didn't miss the empty net, but he has to begin to produce if his team is to go somewhere. I wonder if Mtl doesn't consider itself lucky that they were unable to close out a deal for Lecavalier at the end of last season.

Lecavalier isn't even the best player on that team. It's now Steven Stamkos. I even think Martin St-Louis is a better player. I heard talk last week that there was a good chance that Lecavalier might soon wind up with the Habs. The name Scott Gomez was even thrown in as part of a package that could even out the salary cap situation. I dunno. I honestly don't know why Bob Gainey would want Lecavalier on his team considering his poor play & ridiculous contract.

What do you guys think?

 

[G1GBallday]

Lecavalier is so far caving-in under the pressure of his new HUGE contract. Being French and playing in Montreal would double that pressure so I'm glad the trade never happened and I strongly doubt it will ever happen.

 

[Techman]

i agree with everything said here Tech, the Leafs are slowly coming out of this, not getting the wins yet but at least getting points more than not the last several games, and Montreal is really suffering on D and i never realised Markov was so valuable until he is not there anymore.....

Being optimistic is fine, but it's the number in the win column that really matters.

As for Markov, just look at the habs stats for last year and you'll see similar results for the games played without him in the line-up. He's been one of the most, if not the most, valuable players on the team for a few years now. But he's not the only one missing right now, they're missing three of their top 6 defensemen at the moment and that's really hurting the team and would be a serious impediment for any team.

But when your D is hurting is when your top goalie has to be able to step up and steal a game or three and Price just hasn't been up to the task so far this year. Should be interesting to see what they can do against the Bruins on Thursday and who gets the start in nets.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I doubt the Habs are missing Hal Gill right now. He's been awful, in my opinion. Good riddance! Who else other than Markov is missing?

As for Price, he's starting to remind me of Vesa Toskala. Not a bad goalie, stops most of the pucks he's supposed to stop. But they both regularly let in a bad goal & for some reason, their teams lack confidence when they're in the nets & the teams (often the defencemen) play nervously. Both Price & Toskala seem to fail to make that key save that will steal a game for their teams.

 

[gohabsgo]

Who's currently the top scoring defenceman in the league?

Who's currently *almost* (231 out of 233 defensemen in the NHL) the worst d-man in the league?

clue #1: Jurke's big name free agent acquisition who signed a bloated contract
clue #2: last season's defense partner made him look much better than he really is

 

[joelcairo]

I know you're over 6 feet tall...but maybe i was referring to 'something' else.

Good answer!

 

[lgna69xxx]

i believe Tech is referring to O'Byrne

I doubt the Habs are missing Hal Gill right now. He's been awful, in my opinion. Good riddance! Who else other than Markov is missing?

.

 

[Doc Holliday]

i believe Tech is referring to O'Byrne

I forgot he was on the team.

There was talk today of Chris Chelios possibly joining the Habs. If i'm a Habs fan, i'm screaming "Say it ain't so, Bob......say it ain't so!"

 

[G1GBallday]

Chelios is a true pro who would know and accept his role as a fill in until the younger players return so as a Hab's fan I say "Bob, make it so"

 

[lgna69xxx]

Doc and i were talking about that Sat night at the game, i think it would a no brainer for gainey and frankly as bad as the habs D has been lately, what is he waiting for? he can prob sign chelios dirt cheap and dont you think he is an upgrade from Bergeron?

 

[Techman]

I heard that Gainey offered contracts to Claude Lemieux and Stephane Richer also, but they both turned him down. It seems they preferred to be on Battle of the Blades where they actually had a chance to win something!