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Carbo seems to be acknowledging that his team was beaten not by a better team, but by a luckier team. I hope he watches the tape from this series again, because the Flyers never panicked and worked as a single unit.
We had a great season, and we should all be very proud of our team, no doubt about it.
But, I feel that the team was poorly prepared for the playoffs, the coaching staff were unprepared for opposing teams, and they failed to make needed adjustments from game to game, period to period, and shift to shift. To cite luck as a factor is to ignore the reality.
Luck is a loser's word. Carbo is not a loser, he's just trying to protect his team right now. He knows they were out played even if Habs fans and announcers continue to say they outplayed the Flyers in most of the games. The Flyers were on their game, the Habs weren't. In the five games I saw a team that didn't use their speed, and gave the opposition too much room in the defensive zone. They looked both mentally and physically tired. They didn't play as a unit. Certain players, like Kovalev, were too dedicated, often trying to make things happen by himself. When that happens, the team effort breaks down. I admire his heart, but this is a team game. One player cannot do it alone.
As for off-season wishes? I would like to see the Habs get an assistant coach for the defense, someone like Jacques Laperierre. The D needs more consistency. They also need to consider bringing up Valentenko. And rather than wait another year for Vinny Lecavalier, Habs brass needs to decide whether they want to win now. Gainey should make an effort to trade for the dominating center provided Vinny will agree to a serious contract extension. Habs have plenty of young talent to dangle and not all of these players can fit on the roster in future years. A trade can be made without hurting the nucleus of the franchise. Higgins/Halak/prospect for Vinny would be a very attractive package to land the hometown star.
Let's face it, the Habs would have benefitted in this series from an All-Star center with a track record for scoring big goals and who could change the momentum with one shift.
To cite luck as THE factor would be incorrect. But come on, luck was certainly a fairly large factor. If the Habs had gotten half the breaks Philly did they would at least still be playing. How many seeing eye goals did Philly have? How many times did we hit posts straight on or on the outside? How many times did Philly hit the inside of posts for goals? How many times did we see pucks just squirt by Philly posts on open nets?
How many times do you think Richards could score on that goal if given a chance to repeat it? Once out of every 20 tries?
Philly did work but they also absolutely got breaks. And yes Price was totally out dueled but I think we all agree he'll get better. My hope is that we got rid of the bad playoff karma this year to get a deeper run next year.
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Remember February 19th: The Comeback
Philly was like that friggin little train the could.
Last night, after going down 3-1, they could have folded and said what the hell, we are still ahead in the series but the didn't quit. They just put their heads down and kept coming and coming and coming.
I'm proud of what the Habs accomplished this year and they have a great foundation to build on. This season has been a long time coming and the first solid team we have seen in an awfully long time. A bit of tweaking is needed to make us the cream of the crop though and that will come in the off season.
As a newcomer who found his way to this site only recently, I must say it's been a blast. Lots of comments good and bad. Not used to Habs fans tearing their team apart but that's what happens when people are passionate about something. Lord knows it's better than battle cry of the Leaf fans "well, there's always next year"
Cheers to all and thanks to the maintainers of this wonderful blog.
Mike,
My thanks to you for your live game and post game blogging throughout the year. I quite enjoyed your writing style and say you've got real chuztpah.
Despite all the wonderful memories this year, the one I will keep is that of finally finding a place where I could always meet friends on game day. I now watch the games and look at my laptop at the same time.
I also do appreciate where you interact with the posters and reply to comments. You do not behave as some journalist who is holier than thou. Good on you. I look forward to more seasons/playoffs to come.
Who else shed a tear watching the final seconds ticking away? What an incredible season!
TSN- Added Koivu: ''It's not an easy situation for (Price). I'm sure he felt the pressure and that there are a few goals he's like to have back, but you have to learn from these experiences.
''There's a goaltender who will win a Stanley Cup for this team one day. He's that good.'
That's a vote of confidence if I ever saw one.
"One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."
"Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"
He IS that good. He WILL win a Cup for the Habs.
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"All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"
What the F$#@ am I supposed to do until next season man.....
Well guys we had a great season..Before you know it, it will be draft day/free agent deadline time... Soon after it's rookie evaluation mini camp then it wil be September again...
Thanks Mike for a great season of game blogging!
If any Facebook people who like to talk Habs 365/24/7 are interested, the group posted below is a good one:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2390164770
http://www.bleacherreport.com/users/2098-Kevin_van_Steendelaar
Remember How excited we all were during the pre-season and early traning camp and now we have to wait that long again.
wow I really wanted the cup this season. Also Philly Flyers are a team we should have beat. I mean come on R.J Umberger does his Eric Cole impersonation. man what else can you say.
We were the favourites comng into this series and losing it is not acceptable. It's dispicable. I dont know about some of you but I am appalled by losing like this and all I can say is the fans should not accept it!
This is the Montreal Canadiens not the Atlanta Thrashers and oh by the way thank you don waddel for just handing them coburn. The HABS could have given Janne Niinama for him lol
I agree with those who are relaying the sentiments of it being bullshit that you need to learn how to lose before you can win. What a bunch of CRAP!
How is it crap? EVERY team that has won a cup has lost badly in the years before it. Look at the Oilers in the 80's. They lost in the playoffs a bunch of times before they won. They even credit their win in '84 to losing in '83 and learning from it. Its all a learning experience.
How about that last season?
Thanks mike for the great blogging, Amazing season for the habs.With all the good and bad this season how could we not be a proud of this team!Better than expected and never a dull moment....it can only get better
Hmm... do you really need to lose in order to make progress? I personally do not buy this theory. It's an excuse, nothing else. If you know what you're doing you make improvements in order NOT to lose.
Ah well... but who can argue with the nominee for the coach of the year. His has the wisdom.
You'd prefer to win and then suck like Ottawa? :)
Take a look at oh... Dallas... and Pittsburgh...
How did they do last year? Oh yeah...
When a team has a lot of youth, they need experience and time to learn. Don't tell me you do everything perfect on the first time Timo... The best things I've ever learned are from my mistakes. (Like my last 2 girlfriends... lol)
I believe you when loosing it helps with progress, not necessarily you have to loose to make progress. I think this team has set itself up to be a contender in the years to come and here's hoping that next year will be an improvement....here's to a cup for the Centennial season!!
I definitely believe that you need to learn to lose before you learn to win. This does not only apply to sports, although this is the most obvious example.
Maybe it's just a case of learning the hard way.
Ex nihilo nihil fit
good old carbo and his backhanded compliments haha
Who said we would not make the play offs. It has been one of the most enjoyable seasons in decades and we have just begun building the next NHL dynasty.
And all of you on this site has made this new experience of comunicating just the most fantastic year of my life. I thank you all for your patience and encouragement.
We are all a little sad this evening, but we know what it takes to go all the way and we are just not ready yet. But I want to tell you that we are closer to the top than most people give us credit and it won't be much longer.
Ian, I think you are right that we are close to the top. It's been a great season, but we are just not quite opportunistic and tough enough yet. The team will learn from this experience and be better next year, which isn't very far away.
Thanks for sharing your inspiring story with us as well as your hockey knowledge and optimism. Have a great summer.
Next season will be better, Ian. Enjoy the summer. :)
Gilbert
Ian,
I think Dynasties are going to be hard to come by in the cap era but, I understand what you're saying. I only hope that the Habs aren't going down the road that the Ottawa Senators and, until now, the San Jose Sharks have gone down. We don't need to be called "chokers" from here on out.