Kubby31 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 LOL, Not one sports tv person picked Habs to win Yea,no respect. GOHABS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marathon-Man Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Yea,no respect. GOHABS Good...being the underdawg should give something for the HABS to chew on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles@conceptsfisher.com Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 I have a very good feeling about this game, the bruins coming in will be confident and they will underestimate us... All we have to do is score the first goal (maybe a softie) and it will put doubt in their minds! GO HABS GO!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourtrax Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Breeze would be murdered in this series, its better to go with young legs with a hard shot History suggests otherwise. Breezer was one of our best defensemen during last season's playoff series against the Bruins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTL Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 History suggests otherwise. Breezer was one of our best defensemen during last season's playoff series against the Bruins. AND Breezer was acctually pretty good all year, this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rygar Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 LOL, Not one sports tv person picked Habs to win Nor should they. McGuire is the only guy I've seen on television so far mention that you never quite know which Habs team you're going to get (he used the word 'mojo', too...groovy baby!), but as far as sports reporting goes, they're doing their job right when they say that the Bruins are going to murder us That said, I was reading yesterday that Laraques is definitely in the lineup. Good choice, IMO. We're going to need someone to absorb some of their punishment, and maybe dish out some of our own. I hope Komisarek is miraculously back to normal, although he looked good in the last game against them. Schneider with weber??? Yeah they want Weber setting "Hot Rod" up. (Hot Rod, get it? ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teststory Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 All I can say is when the playoffs get here you generally can throw out the regular season stats. I think our top three offensive forwards are better then theirs even though they have the better stats during the regular season this year. Two of them have had good points per game against Boston in the playoffs Koivu/Kovalev the last two times the Habs faced them. Our second line has a lot of potential even though it wasn't very good during the regular season. Our third line with Laps is very strong and Higgens has been coming on recently. Overall I feel there is always hope. The Habs simply have to out think the Bruins. Last year I felt Carbo was outcoached during the first round even though the Habs found a way to win. Hopefully Gainey is able to do a better job getting the right line matchups and managing ice time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracie12 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Wow...is there anyone here that believe that we can really do it, I really dont see so much. Hrm, Im not sure what you're basing that on - if anything the numbers seem to favor those who believe we will win. If you look at the poll in the series thread, 45 people think we'll lose and 111 people think we'll win (at the time of writing this). If anything Id say our members are more positive than I expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteenIsThaFuture Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Hrm, Im not sure what you're basing that on - if anything the numbers seem to favor those who believe we will win. If you look at the poll in the series thread, 45 people think we'll lose and 111 people think we'll lose (at the time of writing this). If anything Id say our members are more positive than I expected. Funny typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracie12 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 I think our top three offensive forwards are better then theirs even though they have the better stats during the regular season this year. Two of them have had good points per game against Boston in the playoffs Koivu/Kovalev the last two times the Habs faced them. There's no doubting that Koivu & Kovalev (and Tanguay for that matter) are playoff warriors. I found it interesting that after 10 years in the league, Savard has only 7 NHL games (all against montreal) under his belt. I still wouldnt decisively say our top line is better than theirs but by putting those 3 guys together its certainly a point you can argue now (as opposed to last year's split up lines). Our second line has a lot of potential even though it wasn't very good during the regular season. Ive said for a while now, this is going to be the key. If plekanec and or Kostitsyn can finish this round with a point per game, I think we will win this series. We need some consistent scoring from this line. Our third line with Laps is very strong and Higgens has been coming on recently. The laps & metro lines look like they have been built for the playoffs. And why not? we've be in "playoff game situations" for the last month! Overall I feel there is always hope. The Habs simply have to out think the Bruins. Last year I felt Carbo was outcoached during the first round even though the Habs found a way to win. Hopefully Gainey is able to do a better job getting the right line matchups and managing ice time. I dont think its all "outthink" i think a lot is going to come down to "outplay" and probably most of all: "outwork." I have full confidence that Gainey will adopt, adapt and improve as this series progresses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracie12 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Funny typo GRRRRR! You know what I meant :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teststory Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 There's no doubting that Koivu & Kovalev (and Tanguay for that matter) are playoff warriors. I found it interesting that after 10 years in the league, Savard has only 7 NHL games (all against montreal) under his belt. I still wouldnt decisively say our top line is better than theirs but by putting those 3 guys together its certainly a point you can argue now (as opposed to last year's split up lines). Ive said for a while now, this is going to be the key. If plekanec and or Kostitsyn can finish this round with a point per game, I think we will win this series. We need some consistent scoring from this line. The laps & metro lines look like they have been built for the playoffs. And why not? we've be in "playoff game situations" for the last month! I dont think its all "outthink" i think a lot is going to come down to "outplay" and probably most of all: "outwork." I have full confidence that Gainey will adopt, adapt and improve as this series progresses. Your right that you have to work hard, but a lot of winning this series will be line matchups and managing the top players ice time. You don't want the Koivu line to have to play a lot and get worn down quickly. You want to get the Laps and Metro lines out there against certain of Boston's more physical lines. You want to have Koiuv/Kovalev/Tanguay play a lot of PP, but not on the PK so they don't get beaten up or take a shot off the foot. Last year Carbs would just roll the lines and not worry about matchups. He used everyone in every situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs-24 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 History suggests otherwise. Breezer was one of our best defensemen during last season's playoff series against the Bruins. haha ok you will see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteenIsThaFuture Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 GRRRRR! You know what I meant :P Lol ya just teasing On your point though, I don't think I've ever seen a group of sports fans predict their team won't win at anything. I remember once when I was back home I made a Mise-O-Jeu with the Habs to lose and I was exiled!! (Sure enough, they lost and I won my card). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracie12 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 On your point though, I don't think I've ever seen a group of sports fans predict their team won't win at anything. I remember once when I was back home I made a Mise-O-Jeu with the Habs to lose and I was exiled!! (Sure enough, they lost and I won my card). Oh I totally agree. I was just replying to the OP who seemed to suggest the overall opinion here was that we'd lose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteenIsThaFuture Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Heres Boston's lineup: P.J. Axelsson Marc Savard Phil Kessel Mark Recchi Patrice Bergeron Chuck Kobasew Milan Lucic David Krejci Michael Ryder Shawn Thornton Stephane Yelle Wheeler/Bitz Zdeno Chara Aaron Ward Matt Hunwick Dennis Wideman Mark Stuart Hnidy/Montador Tim Thomas Manny Fernandez Notables are Lucic on the 3rd and Wheeler on the 4th, looks like Julien is wary of using the youth, and it appears Bergeron is good to go. I think his usage of wingers is wrong though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qstorm Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 A 25th playoff victory vs the ***** would be great. If they can pull it off, they might have a change to get the other 25th of something else they work looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicochetII Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Sorry I haven't been around people, been busy. Still keeping tabs however! Can't wait for tomorrow night. Go Habs Go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockey151 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 ME NEITHER!!! GO HABS GO...GO HABS GO...GO HABS GO!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losthab Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 I dont like Thomas & I think any goalie that takes 12 years after being drafted to secure an NHL job could be an issue but the stats dont lie: to call him "one of the worst goaltenders in the league" is a little silly. He just finished the season 1st in the NHL in GAA - AND - SVG...and had pretty healthy leads in both categories. I still think he can be exploited & I dont really "like" him - but his record this year is something special. i like the 4yr/20 million contact he signed at age 35. what a cap hit for the goons, how will they they pay the young talent in upcoming years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losthab Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 We can't let this game or this series be played along the wall or we'll get killed. We're a smaller, quicker team with skill and passing, a team that is most dangerous on the rush, or in open ice. That's where we have to play our game. We have to take Boston into those areas where they're not as comfortable as a team. If we go in thinking we can hang with Boston along the boards and in the middle of pier-six scrums for the puck, we are going to lose, and lose badly. Make those slow Bruins defenders chase the puck. Create off the rush. Attack the high slot. If one forward has possession of the puck, all three should have their feet in motion. We aren't going to win this series by out-hitting the Bruins, but we may just be able to win it by out-skating them. i agree with that,BUT the question is how do the habs break out of their zone? we cant let the gooins spend 30-45 seconds sustained pressure in mtl zone shift after shift, Chara picks and chooses whom he bullies, sort of unlike Laraque, he only chooses to fight someone his own size that has the heart for it. not so sure, i have only seen chara get handled once and that was this year against TB i think. i have seenn char break guys cheekbones on was a hab 3or 4 yeaars ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachNo1 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 i agree with that,BUT the question is how do the habs break out of their zone? we cant let the gooins spend 30-45 seconds sustained pressure in mtl zone shift after shift, not so sure, i have only seen chara get handled once and that was this year against TB i think. i have seenn char break guys cheekbones on was a hab 3or 4 yeaars ago That was Ivanans - the largest player to ever don a habs sweater. If I remember correctly he didn't play another game for the habs after Chara broke his orbital bone - he's in LA now. I'm curious how Chara would fare against a seasoned tough guy like BGL. BGL has to have a plan for it if it ever shakes down that way. Coach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest olddude Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 The Bruins are not talentless hacks, not even close. I hate their stinking guts, but let's give credit to the enemy. They have one of the top d-men in the game (Chara), an effective if unorthodox goalie (Thomas), a premier playmaker (Savard), and a cadre of good young goalscorers (Bergeron, Kessel, Ryder, Wheeler, Lucic). They have plenty of talent. That doesn't mean we can't beat 'em, but there is no point pretending they're just a bunch of hatchet-men. The old Broadstreet Bullies weren't just goons either; they could play. Totally agree, they deserve credit for the season they've had and they have a lot of players I wouldn't mind seeing in a Habs jersey, "talentless hacks" no. And like you say, we can beat them, we have players that are as good as theirs if they decide to show up and play. What I'm going to be watching for(amongst other things), is that spark I saw in Komis game. I want to see if it is still there, or if getting mugged makes him retreat back into the shadows again. We need him to be a beast, he doesn't have to fight, just bring it to them, hit anything not dressed the same as him. Like my old coach said, they can't score when they're on their butts looking up. Unless they're Ovechkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netcase Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 All I have have to say with regards to this series is Habs (8 seed) vs Bruins (1 seed) in 2002 and Habs (7 seed) vs Bruins (2 seed) in 2004. I think being the underdogs and nobody giving them a chance, our Habs will step up to the challenge and show what team they really are. GO HABS GO!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourtrax Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 i agree with that,BUT the question is how do the habs break out of their zone? we cant let the gooins spend 30-45 seconds sustained pressure in mtl zone shift after shift, I was thinking of our offensive-zone presence, but your question is a very valid one. My answer would be: good positioning, intelligent anticipation, and proper execution of set plays. Most of our own-zone problems happen when players are out of position, not intelligent in their reaction, and/or unable to execute basic plays quickly and effectively. Scenario 1: Habs d-man turns puck over behind net, Boston gains possession. Puck scrum ensures, which results in Boston player passing back along the boards to the d-man at the point. This is where the winger has to be smart and reactive. Instead of over-committing to the play down low, which is the center's job, he needs to be in position to cut off that pass back to the blue line (positional play); he has to read the play as it develops in order to get himself in that position (intelligent anticipation); and once he has the puck, he has to make a good, crisp first pass out of the zone (basic execution). Scenario 2: Habs d-man chasing dump-in in the goalie no-play zone with an enemy forechecker bearing down on him. The set play is to chip the puck behind the net to the other D who can then outlet the puck to a forward poised for the zone breakout. Simple if executed properly. Too often, however, the first d-man whiffs on the D to D pass or plays it too hard around the boards out of the reach of the second d-man. The result? The other team gains possession of the puck and we spend a full shift chasing our own tails until we ice the puck, take a penalty, or give up a goal. Again, all three components need to be at work in order to avoid this situation. The first d-man needs to make that pass quickly, taking the hit from the forechecker if needed; he also needs to make an accurate pass that is easy for his partner to handle. The second d-man needs to be in proper position to receive that pass cleanly, without bobbling it; once he has it, he must make a good tape-to-tape outlet pass to a forward to restart the attack, and do it QUICKLY. You futz about with the puck too long and you're asking for a turnover (Komisarek, I'm looking at you). The decision-making has to be swift. People talk a lot about the big, bad Bruins and their physical domination, but the reality is we can win this series if we execute at a high level in all phases of the game. The second period of last week's game against Boston showed that. We got pushed around, but promptly burned the Bruins with three power-play goals. THAT is how you dictate the play of an aggressive, physical team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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