Montreal (1) Vs. Philadelphia (6)

[Guest KORDIC3131]

Looking forward to this series, should be another exciting one. Thanks to Bruins for taking us to game 7 and their physical play against us. It was a great series and should have prepared us for the physical, strong ,big bad Flyers. If Habs play like they did in game 7 then I see them outing the Flyers in six games. GO HABS GO

I see them outing the Flyers ----- I always had a funny feeling about Philadelphia

[Guest GreekHockeyCoach]

Sounds like a lot of Hab players (forwards and defense) in games 2 through 6 of Bruin series!!

One thing with Briere, can be hard to catch to get the hit in, but I do agree in general, same as Savard on Boston, don't give these guys too much room.

Sad but true.

[Guest Ellie]

Here is something posted on the Washington board:

"The Adopt-A-Hab Campaign. For only 99 cents a day, less than the price of your morning coffee... you can help these sick, hungry Habs, who have been surviving on nothing but poutine scraps and spilled beer. You can make a difference. For just 99 cents a day, your care package will send little Carey here a dozen may wests, and a sixer of Labatts. And when you send just under a dollar a day, we'll send back to you a picture, like this one of little Mikey here.

So ask yourself, for less than a dollar a day, can't you afford to give back... just a little?"

Oh my gosh, funniest thing I have read all day

[Guest concreteveins]

My comparisons:

Grittiness - Have to give it to Philly. They hit to hurt and all of their players can hit. However, Montreal surprised me when they out-hit Boston in the series.

Speed - Montreal takes it, but Philly is close behind.

Youngsters - Interesting match-up but I would have to give it to Montreal. Both have a lot of great young players and they play in different ways, but all-round skill goes to Montreal, I think.

Goaltending - Price/Halak vs. Biron/Nittmayki. With the way both starters played both should continue playing well. I believe that Philly has a better back-up (generally more experience), but overall Montreal takes it. Bottom line is that Price is better than Biron and I believe that he is just getting warmed up.

Scoring - So far in the playoffs Philly leads this category with Briere, Richards and Carter. However, Montreal has a balanced scoring attack coming from the top three lines. Serge Kostitsyn leads all Hab scorers with 3G and 3A. If Montreal can't contain Briere, watch out. However, Montreal does have the better goaltending so the slight advantage goes to them in the scoring department.

Special teams - Philly. Montreal's PP looks terrible and with that trend continuing Philly's PK will look better as well.

SHould be a great series. I predict Habs in six.

GO HABS GO

[Guest AlexK]

To me it will be which team plays better defensively. I thought Boston played a great defensive game last round and we had to rely on goaltending and defense to win the series in the end. From watching the Caps vs Flyers I don't believe the Flyers are as good defensvely as Boston played against the Habs though they do have more offense and a better powerplay. None the less I bevlieve the Flyers will be an easier team to beat because they wont have as good of a forcheck as Boston displayed and they turn the puck over a lot more often if the Caps series in any indication. I look for our powerplay to get back on track in this series with no Chara to face.

[Guest Innis_Mor]

Yup. Just skate on by them. Defense are some slow. Some more evidence? The meating out of hits -- Flyers' D just can't catch guys:

from TSN.ca:

-

Mike Komisarek (266), Francis Bouillon (168) and Roman Hamrlik (138)

are the Canadiens' leading hitters.

-

Jason Smith (142)

, Scott Hartnell (110) and Mike Richards (110) are the Flyers' leading hitters.

Flyers' D, other than Jason Smith, can't catch anyone (Timo can, he is good, but he doesn't hit, and that's fine.)!! I wouldn't be surprised to find out Komi has more hits than the entire 6-D line-up of the Flyers.

And wait 'till you see Modry in action (more like inaction) against the fleet Habs' forwards. It'll be a gas. He looks like he skates in quicksand. Watch him.

Some scoop from Philly media ...

http://philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com/v...0p.asp?ID=65019

I just came across the news of Modry's dad passing recently. That's a tough thing.

Here's a decent article on the him, his dad, and what he meant to him: http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.../804170374/1002

Comcast article expresses some doubt Modry will even be back in the line-up for the Habs series. Lasse Kukkonen has been playing for him.

Looks like Smith was have trouble handling Washington speed, and saw little action in Game 7. Habs will fry him, if he is put on the ice. And that's the Captain?

[Guest ChitownHabby]

The keys to this series are simple : Play like the Habs.

Skate, Forecheck, Hit, block shots, limit dumb penalties and Finish on the power play. If these are done consistently Habs will win in 5 or 6, if not bon soir.

[Guest CristoWallHuet39]

The keys to this series are simple : Play like the Habs.

Skate, Forecheck, Hit, block shots, limit dumb penalties and Finish on the power play. If these are done consistently Habs will win in 5 or 6, if not bon soir.

And we definately have to do all that for ALL 60 minutes.

[fourtrax]

The point men have to start shooting way more on the power play. Enough finesse and endlessly looking for the perfect play that never materializes. With Kovalev drawing so much attention along the wall, there is always going to be space for either Streit or Markov to let one rip. Markov in particular HAS to shoot more. He's been trying to go cross-ice too often and other teams are on to it and blocking the passing lanes. If we can burn Philly with a goal or two off point shots (redirected, rebounded, or otherwise), there will be more space for our forwards to operate down low, which should yield more goals.

To me, a good power play maintains an intelligent balance of handoffs and play action. Never do one thing too frequently or too predictably.

[Guest Madhabbler]

montreal in 6 thats all i gotta say

[Guest Goodtown]

I hope Carbo keeps the same lines as last game and the boys show up for 60!

GO HABS GO

GO HABS GO

GO HABS GO

GO HABS GO

[jigger-1]

The point men have to start shooting way more on the power play. Enough finesse and endlessly looking for the perfect play that never materializes. With Kovalev drawing so much attention along the wall, there is always going to be space for either Streit or Markov to let one rip. Markov in particular HAS to shoot more. He's been trying to go cross-ice too often and other teams are on to it and blocking the passing lanes. If we can burn Philly with a goal or two off point shots (redirected, rebounded, or otherwise), there will be more space for our forwards to operate down low, which should yield more goals.

To me, a good power play maintains an intelligent balance of handoffs and play action. Never do one thing too frequently or too predictably.

Yep. To do that you need to get the puck down low to draw the defending forwards towards their net and keep their box fairly confined. This means paying the Price behind the net and cycling the puck down low, and making sure there is a guy parked in front of Biron. Right now we're only playing the paremeter on the powerplay and this allows for their forwards to not give any room to our D at the blue line. We have to give the pointmen more space out there if we want them shooting more.

[fourtrax]

Yep. To do that you need to get the puck down low to draw the defending forwards towards their net and keep their box fairly confined. This means paying the Price behind the net and cycling the puck down low, and making sure there is a guy parked in front of Biron. Right now we're only playing the paremeter on the powerplay and this allows for their forwards to not give any room to our D at the blue line. We have to give the pointmen more space out there if we want them shooting more.

Agreed. Everyone has to start moving their feet. I always wonder why we don't have the forwards down low to open up the point shots.

[jigger-1]

Agreed. Everyone has to start moving their feet. I always wonder why we don't have the forwards down low to open up the point shots.

Another good point. You have to keep moving on the powerplay. When everybody stands still blocking passing lanes is easy for NHL pros. You have to keep moving. At least there isn't anyone on the Flyers with a 15 foot reach too.

[Guest cp491]

The Flyers are a slow team on defense with slightly above average goaltending. With Knubble and Gagné out, they have one decent offensive line and a bunch of grinders. The Canadiens will be skating circles around them and if our PP regains its effectiveness, this series will be over in five games... But my official prediction is Montreal in 6!

GO HABS GO!!!

I have to respectfully disagree with you on two of your points. First of all, the goaltending is better than you think. Biron has been hung out to dry for much of this year, as the defense was young and injured for a good part of the season. Admittedly, they are still not very good, but Biron's GAA is deceiving because of this. If you look at his save percentage, you'll get a better idea of how he's played this year. Not outstanding, but certainly good. Secondly, the Flyers are an extremely deep offensive team. They don't really have definite lines, as they change often, so it is impossible to say that they only have one "decent" line. Richards, Carter, Briere, Prospal, Hartnell, Upshall, Umberger, and Lupul make for more than just one good line. I still think you guys should win in 6 games though.

[Guest cp491]

Briere gets booed because he's a home-grown player that chose not to play here even though he was offered the same amount of money to play with the Habs. He chose Philly because the taxes are lower. He will definitely get booed just as Kovalev gets booed in Philly. I'll say one thing to the Phillies fans, this ain't Washington you're playing, our boys can hit with the best of them. I already saw Briere shy away from a few hits against the Caps and I laughed. What's he going to do when Komi, Begin and Kostopoulos go after him

Seriously though, welcome to the board, it should be a great series. The Flyers are a much improved team since we last played them and it should be a hard fought series. Biron was impressive against the Caps and was the difference for the Flyers advancing. I know that Philly will come out hitting and try to intimidate us like Boston did but we actually outhit Boston in that series. We learned a valuable lesson against the Bruins and I feel that from now on in we'll be playing our style of hockey and forcing our style of play as opposed to adapting to the other team's style.

I look for the Habs to get it done with speed and great goaltending from Carey. Habs in 5.

Not to be disrespectful, but that's a ridiculous reason to boo someone. I know you guys are set in your ways, and I won't change your minds, but with all the professional athletes who have completely screwed over Philadelphia teams, I can't imagine booing a player from the Philly area just because he chose to play somewhere else. Anyway, thanks for the welcome and I agree, this series should be fun.

[Guest ryanrdt]

I thought this was interesting. The Caps fans are cheering for us now. Here's a link to their board, to a thread called "Let's adopt the Habs"

http://boards.washingtoncaps.com/index.php...t=0&start=0

THE BEST POST ON THAT THREAD!

"The Adopt-A-Hab Campaign. For only 99 cents a day, less than the price of your morning coffee... you can help these sick, hungry Habs, who have been surviving on nothing but poutine scraps and spilled beer. You can make a difference. For just 99 cents a day, your care package will send little Carey here a dozen may wests, and a sixer of Labatts. And when you send just under a dollar a day, we'll send back to you a picture, like this one of little Mikey here(http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/03/21/komisarek_mike_down_getty_400.jpg).

So ask yourself, for less than a dollar a day, can't you afford to give back... just a little?"

[Guest j2c]

I have to respectfully disagree with you on two of your points. First of all, the goaltending is better than you think. Biron has been hung out to dry for much of this year, as the defense was young and injured for a good part of the season. Admittedly, they are still not very good, but Biron's GAA is deceiving because of this. If you look at his save percentage, you'll get a better idea of how he's played this year. Not outstanding, but certainly good. Secondly, the Flyers are an extremely deep offensive team. They don't really have definite lines, as they change often, so it is impossible to say that they only have one "decent" line. Richards, Carter, Briere, Prospal, Hartnell, Upshall, Umberger, and Lupul make for more than just one good line. I still think you guys should win in 6 games though.

One thing I agree with you is that I think the Habs will take it in 6. Biron was great this year, but I think Price has been better considering he is just 20, and this is his first playoff experence. Our defense will step up against the top lines with Briere, Richards, Prospal, and Upshall. However I think Koivu and Kovalev, and the quickness of our team will leave Philly on there heels. However this is just how I see it going, Philly is a good team obviously if they are in the playoffs, but Montreal is also a fast team with endless talent. Should be a great series between the teams.

[Guest KORDIC3131]

Not to be disrespectful, but that's a ridiculous reason to boo someone. I know you guys are set in your ways, and I won't change your minds, but with all the professional athletes who have completely screwed over Philadelphia teams, I can't imagine booing a player from the Philly area just because he chose to play somewhere else. Anyway, thanks for the welcome and I agree, this series should be fun.

Oh come on!!!! You guys booed Santa Claus for God's sake!!!!

[Guest Tomv]

I'm less concerned about this series for 3 reasons.

[A] It wont be dirty as hell like Boston

Philly is nowhere as good as Montreal

[C] We got Price.

[fourtrax]

Not to be disrespectful, but that's a ridiculous reason to boo someone. I know you guys are set in your ways, and I won't change your minds, but with all the professional athletes who have completely screwed over Philadelphia teams, I can't imagine booing a player from the Philly area just because he chose to play somewhere else. Anyway, thanks for the welcome and I agree, this series should be fun.

Booing individual players from the opposing team is part of the fun. Does it really matter why?

[Guest BigBADHabs]

Booing is part of the game it just rolls right off their backs

I'm happy to be playing Philly, it will make a more exciting series with a more opened up game that we saw against Boston. I still don't take this series easy at all this is a whole different game now. Hope our boys come out strong and take the first 2 games and relax until it's 7'th game again LOL

Can't wait until thursday

[jigger-1]

I'm less concerned about this series for 3 reasons.

[A] It wont be dirty as hell like Boston

Philly is nowhere as good as Montreal

[C] We got Price.

I'm not sure I agree on A and B. Philly, at least in my mind is a bit of a dirty team. Especially when it comes to head shots. And I think that as a collective we should learn our lesson in terms of underestimating opponents after the last round. A lot of people thought Boston would be a walk in the park. Philly made the playoffs. Any team who is able to enter the post-season in this day and age has my respect. They aren't going to lose by themselves.

C though, I agree with.

[Guest KORDIC3131]

I'm less concerned about this series for 3 reasons.

[A] It wont be dirty as hell like Boston

Philly is nowhere as good as Montreal

[C] We got Price.

Interesting.....you thought the Boston series was dirty??? I thought it was physical but didn't feel there was a lot of nastiness. As a matter of fact, thought the Habs were a lot dirtier than the Bruins (high sticks,hitting from behind...)

[Guest KORDIC3131]

I'm less concerned about this series for 3 reasons.

[A] It wont be dirty as hell like Boston

Philly is nowhere as good as Montreal

[C] We got Price.

Interesting.....you thought the Boston series was dirty??? I thought it was physical but didn't feel there was a lot of nastiness. As a matter of fact, thought the Habs were a lot dirtier than the Bruins (high sticks,hitting from behind...)