How Far Will The Habs Go In The Playoffs?

[Guest JL]

I'm not much into games, so this thread is to discuss your predictions on how far we will go with the team that we have.

I've stated it in a few occasions so far this year, this team is not without reminding me of the Ottawa Senators of a few years ago when they turned the corner and became a very respectable franchise. We have speed, we have youth, and the future is very bright. What we have that the Sens didn't have (and still don't to this day) is solid goaltending in Price and Halak.

Here's what I like about this team for the playoffs:

• we have tons of speed
• we have 7 players with 50 points or more
• we have 7 players with 15 goals or more, 4 of those have more than 25 goals
• we have the number one PP in the league

What could be our downfall:

• we don't have much playoffs' experience
• I have concerns about our grit
• like the old Sens, we have many Europeans and far from wanting to be racist, it has shown in playoffs' runs in the past that they sometimes find it very difficult comes playoffs
• although our faceoffs' % has improved a bit, it still remains a low point and it can prove crucial in the playoffs
• our PK with Begin is not the same as without him. Overall this season, it's been pretty bad

And the X-Factors:

• youth in general, meaning more energy in the young legs than in the old ones
• a few of our players experienced the Calder Cup run last year in the AHL
• Ryder looking to salvage an off season
• Carey Price

I think that we should be able to get out of the first round, but that's it for this year. If that's the case, it will be a very successful season, providing our young guys with the much needed playoffs' experience to move forward in years to come.

What's your take?

[Guest 100%HABSFAN]

Koivu can take a break. We definately can get past the Bruins.

Though the Habs have been doing great lately without him and Komo, a 3 wins and 3 goals. I think the boys will atleast make it to the finals, if not much more.

[Guest JL]

One thing is for sure, the East is wide open. There's no one running away with it.

[Guest mateus]

i dont believe there first and i cant believe they can win the cup. if all the right things happen and the wrong things dont i can see them making it to the conference final and maybe beyond. but we got the bruins up first and lets hope history doesnt turn the tables on us.

[Guest HabSteve]

I like the different factors you listed

I voted 3, strangely, I have mixed feelings against Boston, maybe because I remember a couple of years ago when Boston was the favorite and we were in their position and beat them in the 1st round, I know we had their number all year and I hope they don't take them lightly, but I agree that Price is the X-Factor and I think he wont flinch in the first round so i'm ready for a Pens-Habs matchup in the east final(yes i'm optimistic ). And your point about the european is good also, remember that Ottawa went trough this with good seasons and tough playoffs before making alot of trade.

[Guest Habsfan_11]

We'll win in the first round, and we'll have a 50/50 chance in the second. That's what I think.

[Guest lfrommtl]

we'll make it to the conference finals, a good result for what was a special year.

we'll win it next year.

[Guest TheFly]

The Fly's keys to playoffs:

-Guys have to come out hard, every player must use every single ounce of strength they have for every single game they play!

-Strong mentality, by this I mean if you're down 2-3 goals, it doesn't matter, comebacks in the playoffs are very common, never give up!

-Related to the point above, if you're up 2-3 goals continue your game, do not convert into a defensive shell, continue your style

-Big roles from the role players. Begin, Kostopoulos, Lappiere, Smolinski really have to step up, they are the energy of our team, they have to come out at full speed every single shift of the playoffs. Every year we see team's role players play huge roles for the team. Ex. Pahlson and Moen last year.

-Disciplin, refs put away their whistles in the playoffs, but that doesn't mean you can play dirty, physicality is expect but still within the rules, the last thing you need in the playoffs are bad penalties, opposing teams feed off of opportunities in the playoffs.

-We need leadership from 4 players, Saku, Kovy, Hamrlik and Smolinski. They have to keep the young ones calm, but also must stay calm themselves, as soon as they show weakness, the younger players will follow.

-Lastly, it isn't over until you lose 4 games! Players must remember this, down 2-0,3-1,3-0, in the playoffs mean nothing!

Go habs Go

[Guest habfreak]

I'm 90% confident we'll get past Bruins in the first round

75% confident we can beat the Caps/Devils in the second

60% for Pens in the third

50% San Jose/Detroit in the cup final....

so we have a 20.25% chance of winning the cup (.9*.75*.6*.5=.2025:D)

[Guest gumper]

I'd like to see them go all the way but being realistic I say 2nd round. We'll play New Jersey and lose.

[Guest 10000th round draft pick]

I understand what many of you are saying about Boston being due for some luck against us. I think Boston will win game 1 and then cause a big scare, but in the end the Habs will bounce back and win in 6 or 7.

In the next round, I think the Habs will play better than they did in round 1, having adapted to the physicality of playoff hockey. I have a hunch that round 2 will be a solid victory for Montreal.

The conference final will be a tough challenge though, and I'm guessing it will be against Pittsburgh. If it's not Pittsburgh, I think we'll win handily. If it is Pittsburgh, I call it 50 50.

The finals are where I think Montreal will look outmatched for the first time in the playoffs. The western team will control the flow of play, and take the majority of puck possession. At least they will at first. I'm thinking that if Price can win one for them, it might just turn the tide, and the whole team will be able to reach one level higher to start putting real pressure on the western team in their own zone.

Overall, I really like our chances this year. The most important reason? Carey Price. He's just plain incredible. With the Habs playing reasonably solid team defense like they have been, it can be an almost insurmountable task to get one by Price. If you look at previous cup winners, that has almost always been a key component. Price seems to know how to win big games... that's something that can't be taught very easily and it makes a huge difference in the playoffs.

Obviously, a lot of chance in inevitably involved in any playoff year.

[Guest concreteveins]

Although I have a very positive outlook on this years playoffs, the East is very wide open. My predictions are that the Habs will make it passed rounds one and two and make it to round three. Anything can happen though we'll see!

ONE ROUND AT A TIME

[Guest russianhabsfan]

I have a feeling all factors put aside that this is the year. Just think about all the firsts that happened this year!

[franck5890]

I think that we should be able to get out of the first round, but that's it for this year. If that's the case, it will be a very successful season, providing our young guys with the much needed playoffs' experience to move forward in years to come.

I'll take the pessimistic approach and agree with this as well. We should be able to handle Boston, but there are a few teams that are built for the playoffs that will be hard to stop once they gain momentum. While we've been a top-scoring team all season, I worry that our second line could easily go into a funk once again.

Of course, they certainly seem capable of going farther if things go our way. Here's hoping I'm as wrong as I was when predicting our standing at the start of the season.

[Guest Innis_Mor]

• we have 7 players with 50 points or more

Only team this year.

In each of the last 4 seasons (at least), any team that has garnered at least 7 players with 50+ points has one at least one of the President's Trophy and the Stanley Cup.

The Habs did not win the President's Trophy this season; that means ..... !!!!

[Guest Innis_Mor]

The Habs' play, it's speed, depth of roster, goaltending etc will take the team pretty far I think. Certainly, every chance of getting to the Eastern Conference Final.

To win that, and to then win the Stanley Cup Finals, Carey Price will play the biggest part.

Put it this way (and I've been saying this for a while now): if the Habs win the Stanley Cup this season, Carey Price wins the Conne Smythe Trophy. The two go hand in hand.

At this point, you won't catch me betting against Carey Price. Hence, I can't bet against the Habs winning the Cup.

[Guest kx250]

I see them winning it all if they can stay healthy. Any injuries can be devastating to this team in the playoffs. If they have a clean bill of health in the finals the cup is ours, because the West is going to beat the tar out of each other in every round. Whoever comes out of the West will be burned out and spent.

Health is the key.

[Guest Silentcal]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I feel that if the Habs are going to be successful, They will need all their lines helping out. In 93, guys like Paul DiPietro and Gilbert Dionne scored a some key goals and and helped take pressure off the top line. That needs to happen this year as well. Maybe Latendresse and Higgins could fill that role out.

Patience is going to be key. Our team speed will hopefully yield more power play opportunities. Also dealing with patience, the atmosphere is going to be a pressure cooker. Hopefully the vets that have been there before can give the young guys some wisdom. Having several guys that won the Calder Cup last year makes this a little easier.

Injuries are obvious that we need to stay away from. Some you can prevent but sometimes you never know what going to happen. Thankfully, we've got some depth to help with that. I would have liked to have Halak get some time in but I'm confident he would do well if something happened to Price.

The Bruins are going to be tougher that people think. We might get more physically pounded in this series than any other. Hopefully, the Bell Centre crowd can get into Thomas's head and we can ring up 5 or 6 goals in each home game.

With a little luck, The Finals are realistic. With more luck, 25 would be dammed sweet!

[tmash]

My heart tells me we can go to the finals, but my brain thinks we'll win two rounds. If Boston beats us it would be a huge upset. We are clearly the superior team, so even though an upset is possible, Montreal should win it. Second round we would face NJ, Rangers, Philli, or Ottawa. I think any of these teams we should be able to beat. It's the conference finals when we will likely face the Pens that scares me. However, the Pens lack of depth could do them in come playoff time. I voted for 2, although I think we could win 3, but then the Stanley Cup finals really scare me.

[Guest TOHABSfan16]

I'm going to be optimistic and say two rounds. There should not be a problem with the first round, but stranger things have happened in playoffs past. The second round will be a grind and build character for the future and depending on our goalteanding I think the lads can take the second round series too, home advantage has to count for something some time right? (I hope) I think the conference final might be a bit overwhelming for this team and reaching the cup will be a stretch (especially if we're in it against Pitt and the Crosby favourable calls theory comes into play) this season but if they get as deep into the playoffs as I hope it will be a good team/confidence building experience for the lads.

However all of the above being stated the Eastern Confrence is so evenly matched that anything can happen so all of my theories and predictions could be a load of carp!

[Guest concreteveins]

Canadiens (1) vs. Bruins (8)

Penguins (2) vs. Ottawa (7)

Capitals (3) vs. Fylers (6)

Devils (4) vs. Rangers (5)

[Dutch]

I am always optimistic, but when we keep on playing with the energy we have, seriously... I think we can go all the way Go Habs Go!!! Bring home Stanley!!!

[Guest knucklesnilan]

If we get some goaltending I see no reason we can`t go to the final`s.

[Guest archey]

this is a lousy question and its up to the mods to end this topic.http://www.ryanwalter.com/documents/Bowman.pdf. i think we should all read this article and ask how are going to repeat next year!

[Guest JL]

this is a lousy question and its up to the mods to end this topic.http://www.ryanwalter.com/documents/Bowman.pdf. i think we should all read this article and ask how are going to repeat next year!

Say that again? Sorry I didn't understand a thing of what you said here... Why is it a lousy question?