Game 22 (audio): Theodore blanks Habs 3-0

its hard to contain the OVECHKINATOR for a full 60 minutes.oh well we tried.

If you recall, last season we complained because the habs weren't playing for 60 minutes, and now they don't even show up for the games. just fixing our PP isn't the answer, because there's just no effort, period! it's the personnel that's wrong, and there's no leadership on this team. Koivu has been here for 12 long years, and never close to being a cup contender. kovalev plays when he feels like it,1 game out of every 5 if we're lucky. He's lacadaisical, moody, and selfish. he isn't the kind of leader you want. and if we try and trade him, who would want him? please, we're stuck with him for the season, unless he agrees to go to Hamilton or retire, and neither of those scenarios is happening. And Gainey made a huge error getting Lang. Why did he get him? because Gainey reacted when learning Sundin wasn't ready to make a decision to play. So Gainey reacted, instead of acting. he does things after the fact instead of beforehand. ibn other words, he pannicked! And now, he doesn't have the chutzpah to get a deal done. he's too passive and fearful. he not the kind of GM who will get us a cup. Holmstrom, in Philly or Burke are. so as long as Gainey and his good buddy Carbo are with the habs, THERE WILL BE NO CUP! so I guess another 15 years of trying to squeeze into 8th place, but no better, while Boston is back on top and nobody is going to dethrone them! wish we had a north american team like Boston, and a GM like Chiarelli. I guess we can dream. we'vew been doing it for 25 years, if an aberration last year. that's all it was. remember, we couldn't score 5 on 5 last year. all we had was a PP. fluke? most definitely! overachievers last year(worse than their record showed), and underachievers this year(worse than their record shows). get rid of the personnel, coach and GM, and the team will improve! the dead weight must go!

I wish for one day to be a fly on the post game dressing room wall. Does the team talk to eachother about their play? I can't imagine them just going to the room, changing and leaving. They know who they are and what they're capable of, so why are things not changing? We can all admit that we have a great team, but where's the heart? Koivu, Pleks, TTB are showing their hearts on the ice, the rest? Well... They're showing that something is seriously wrong with the team and nobody can figure it out. I can't say Kovy is exactly playing bad, he's playing well, but no finish. Not even sure he's tryig to finish his plays, but moreso expects to be taken off the puck eventually. He's got no confidence in himself which is where his bad play stems from. His wingers are constantly stuck waiting for something to give, but by that time, the opposition has the puck back. Our defence is stepping up in the absence of Komi,especially Gorges. I will never lose my confidence in the CH, but I reserve the right to be upset and confused as to what the hell is happening. I'm not for firing Carbo at all, i'm not for firing anybody, at least not yet. The team needs to communicate. If they're not going to play for the coach for a few games, at least play for themselves considering more than half the team has no contract beyond this year! Personally, if i'm working towards an increase in pay, or just more gratitude at work, i'm leaving everything i have in front of my boss. That's just my opinion though. I'll be spending the day today excited for tonights Habs/Sabres tilt, convincing myself that the team leaders will step up and get this team going again. Go Habs Go, please start bleeding the bleu, blanc et rouge like the rest of us.

We're missing something!!! Is it intensity, drive, desire, hussle, mental toughness, caring, teamwork, coaching? The last 8 to 10 games have left me wondering what it is because we haven't dominated any team since very early in the season. By dominating I mean the way Boston and Toronto handled us. Kovy is a huge disappointment so far this year but then so is Lang, Lats, Pleks, both Kostits and at times the defense. No one is afraid to play us right now. Hope they turn it around soon or we'll be hearing the excuses from Carbo at year end. Time to find the hard working, big, caring, full of desire boys that play in the Western Hockey Leauge. Does Timmons have time to go out there as he only seems to get as far as Minnesota.

I have to say, even the cautiousoptimist is starting to get a little more cautious with his optimism. There's no question in my mind that we have the skills to win the Cup. It's the mental toughness that concerns me -- the ability to bounce back from a bad pass that gives away a goal and just shake it off. Thee guys seem so easily rattled, it's not funny. But you know what, I'm going to throw myself behind this team, and I'll choose to believe that if they don't yet have what it takes, they're a good enough team to be able to dig deep and find it, whatever "it" is. That, my friends, is what being a sports fan is all about. Cubs fans understand that, and they haven't won a World Series since 1946. Hell, even the Leafs Nation gets it, and they haven't won a Cup in 41 years -- for all their ridiculousness, you gotta at least hand it to them in the loyalty department. So what do we do about this? If I were the GM, maybe I'd sign Sundin and deal Kovy and O'Byrne for a top-2 defenceman with a cannon on the point, but I'm not the GM -- and THANK GOD people, because like the rest of us armchair coaches on here, I don't really know what the hell I'm talking about when it comes to running a hockey team. Like No Et Al says, we're a very respectable 12-6-4 this year, having lost just 6 of 22 games in regulation this season. We're like spoiled little rich kids who expect a BMW for Christmas and throw a collective hissyfit when they get a Lexus instead. 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

Last night's post-game interview with an unidentified reporter. Carbo: I don't know what's wrong with this team! Journalist: Looks to me like some of your players don't seem to be buying into your system coach. Carbo: There's nothing wrong with my system. It was good enough for a conference title last year. Journalist: Looks to me like a lot of teams know exactly what you're going to throw at them and have responded accordingly. Carbo: The system's fine. The players just need to execute. They're not playing like they care. Journalist: Players play like they don't care when they don't believe what they're doing will work. Carbo: I can't hear you because of all these Stanley Cup rings stuck in my ears.

There is just no consistency here. Great game in Detroit, followed by a pathetic one in Washington. It seems everyone needs to do some soul searching here. Is a new coach really the solution?? Bench Kovalev? Get rid of Latendresse? Each player needs to step up, big time, each game - I believe in this team, they need to believe in each other and themselves - QUICK........

Smartdog - I disagree about Carbo, and wish everyone wouldn't panic so quidkly. We are 12-6-4! That's a .636 winning percentage and we are suffering through some key injuries, have had a terrible schedule in the first quarter of the season, and know that, at least on most nights, our forwards have not been playing nearly as well as we know they can. Let's not forget we did lose a couple of heartbreakers that could easily have gone our way. I want to see the Habs hoist the Cup as much as any of you, but I don't think this team is mature enough yet to be considered a contender, let alone a favourite. I think if Gainey can keep the core together for the long haul then we will see Montreal develop into a serious contender, even a favourite, when Price is on the other half of his 20s, Komi, Pleks and AK47 are in their 30s and we are on here crapping on Max Pac and D'Agistini for not scoring 50 yet and we're all saying PK Subban should be traded because he reminds most of you of Brisbois! Hopefully Koivu has the stamina to hang on that long, but really when you compare the Habs to say the Wings, we still have a ways to go (even though we did beat them the other night).

Posted this urgent message from inside B.G.'s head on the other thread, but thought I should share it over here as well. From inside Bob Gainey's head. The ship is floundering. My defence, which I assumed would be my Achilles heel this year is bearing up nicely despite key injuries. The big fella is making a few mistakes, but I think he'll come along, and the added ice time will bring him along more quickly. Komi is back soon. My goalies are good enough and getting better. From the blueline in, no need to panic, but if I can find another D-man with a shot without mortgaging the farm I'll certainly make a move. As far as my forwards are concerned, well, they're not scoring. What's the problem? Last year, no problem, thanks in large part to the power play. Should I have let Streit go? He was good, but I just can't believe removing that one piece is the reason we've moved from #1 to #23. When you change personnel you have to change your strategy to adapt it to the strengths of the guys you have. If we don't have a bullet from the point we have to crash the net more, for example. I'm not seeing any radical change in our PP strategy. 5 on 5 we are getting our chances, but we don't seem to have any finish. Kovy needs to be better, for sure, but A.K. Plek,s Higgy, Saku, Tanguay all need to be potting goals. Everybody's gone cold at once. Experience tells me that, one by one, they'll warm up again, but how long should I wait? Maybe I should move one or two of my upcoming UFAs. Kovy and Higgy would free up Sundin money, and I should be able to find a good D-man for those two. I just wish to hell that indecisive Swede would step up. And what about Carbo? Sometimes he looks like a genius, then the next day he'd have trouble finding his way home from the rink. Problem is he's a good friend and I just extended his contract. What to do? What to do? What to do? I wish to hell this 100th anniversary thing were next year not this. Think for now I'll leak to Hickey that I'm working the phones, to give the impression I'm doing something, and curl into the fetal position till Christmas. Santa, please bring me a great big Swedish centre in my stocking.

Blame the MEDIA :- ) Even in Toronto the media annointed Montreal the team of the east. Too many Habby fans thought this team was great; while the record last year was good due due to a #1 power play. Five on five Habs were not good and went down with a wimper in the playoffs. This year is just a continuation minus the power play. I will still enjoy my team, however my expectations are low to almost "Leaflike futile". It's just a game -Go Habs Go

I wonder if the Sabres' fans keep asking for Lindy Ruff's scalp everytime the Sabres lose? And he's been around how long? And when he started coaching the Sabres, how long had he been a coach? Let's get serious -- Firing Carbo and/or Gainey isn't the answer. They're not out on the ice every night. If our power-play was working, we'd have a couple more W's up on the board and everybody would be a lot less excited. The wins wouldn't necessarily be pretty, but they'd be there. That's the MAIN difference with last year. Nevertheless, this team needs a shake-up. Bad. Too many players taking too many things for granted. And getting cut from the PP is not enough of a sanction. Carbo and Gainey both know this, but with the new rules in the NHL and the KHL looming in the distance, it ain't easy to move bodies. D'Agostini's GOT to be in the line-up tonight. I'd also like them to give Mathieu Carle or Yannick Weber a shake. We desperately need a gun on the right side of the PP. Right now, Markov is deftly feeding a bunch of pea-shooters. And how about trying out Maxwell and/or Pacioretty also? With the dogs playing in Montreal tomorrow night, all these players are there and available. A one-time big shake-up to get the message across that we have younger, hungrier players in the AHL who are only waiting for the big guys to muck up? Could be a solution...

Almost time to pick a guy this team will play for. Their record is fine, their play is not. 2 weeks until the hammer falls, and Guy will be the head. sholi2000.com God Bless Our Infantry 2PPCLI

No pride. No heart. No effort. Only excuses. They sound like a broken record.

I beleive the problem is in the dressing room.I have never played hockey I don't know what goes on in the dressing room.Do players get together and talk among themselves if something is wrong,with other players not playing well or a problem with the coach? Is that the captains job to go to the coach or go and talk to the G.M.The coach is the boss is he not,the G.M is the coaches boss.Maybe the coach is trying to be friends with his employees instead of there boss.There is definitley a problem in the dressing room.I think Carbonneau has lost control of his team.If you lose respect for your boss this team is doomed.I like Carbonneau he seems to be a nice man,as the saying goes nice people finish last.The problem has to be fixed NOW,later will be to LATE.AS for Kovalev my opinion,there is something wrong with him,physically or mentally,he is in a slump.Bob Gainey Has to have a chat with him like he did last year it worked.Have faith think positive.We love our Habs. Habs Fan 4 Ever & Ever Amen.

The Empty Netters : Joe Sakic Shuts it Down Last Night, Stars Lose Again and Carbo is Embarrassed Again .. by SEth Rorabaugh ..... http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/emptynetters/archive/2008/11/29/... ............................... Yesterdays NHL Newsmakers : Marty Turco's Bad Dream Continues .. NHL FanHouse ..... http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2008/11/29/yesterdays-newsmakers-in-the-nhl-mart... .................... Last Nights NHL Puck Daddy's Three Stars : 1 - Sergei Samsonov/Canes 2 - Mikael Tellqvist/Coyotes 3 - Paul Gaustad/Sabres ............ Basically the same line up that beat the Red Wings, lays egg in Washington - Exceptions : Halak was in net and the Chosen One was back after three game stint on the IR ............ Matt D'Agostini watched the disaster from the stands in Washington, coaching decision , but should be given plenty of playing time seeing that Komo is out till Xmas and our offence is hurting, no choice.

New Coach or Not? A coaching change is the most likely thing to turn this team around? Yes, last year he was a Jack Adams candidate, etc. etc., but how many Jack Adams winners get fired at some point - most of them. (And he didn't win.) Last years' success had most of all to do with the timely call up of Sergei K, the emergence of players like Mark Streit and Komi, the smart addition of Hamrlik, and the surprising season of Kovalev, and together this was the fuel that created the fire that lit up the league. Carbo is a fairly new coach. What we've seen this year is a team that is under-performing, lack-luster, uninspired. We've seen line changes that just don't make sense, and have the air of desperation. How many players have to show a drop in their game before you look at the teams #1 leader and motivator: the coach. Yes, I think Carbo should be fired, but not out of some frothing at the mouth foolishness, but because his team is performing poorly under him, and because he seems to be out of ideas. I'm sure Carbo is a good coach in many ways or he wouldn't be there and no disrespect is meant. But is he a better coach than Julien? Better than Therrien? Better than Vigneault? All of these coaches were fired from the Habs and all have a better record right now. From early on, Carbo's interviews have rubbed me (and many others) the wrong way. It's not that a coach should always be a nice guy (the opposite is true) but he seemed not strong but arrogant, not insightful but guessing. His "Carey is rattled" comment to the media during last year's playoffs was to me the #1 most bone-headed thing I've seen an NHL coach say publicly about a player. One thing we can all agree on is that Carbo as a coach is green. Coaching is a job where you also learn on-the-job, every day. His team is sliding, and rarely seems to come to play 60 minutes. Like Julien, like Vigneault, he may just need more time to become a great coach. He's not a great coach now - and with a great team, you need a great coach. I don't know who's out there. But I know that Carbo does not have what it takes to turn this team around and keep them motivated into the playoffs. You many not agree with me - though many here will. But please answer in a serious manner (unless you can be really funny!). Coaches get fired often in pro sports for a variety of reasons, but almost always because the team they are charged with firing up, is playing poorly and showing no real sign of change. That's us. So fire Carbo? Yes. Bien sur. Do you agree or not? ~Listen to the smart dog!

Has anyone noticed that every team that is doing good this year,has a team that are going flat out from one end to the other.Exciting hockey,but when you watch a game like last night, the only excitment was for a caps fan, it seems the habs get up and go,stayed in the dressing room.They must play figure skating music in the room pregame.I sure hope they get there act together soon,season quarter gone,and the management sees no urgency. Also,for a allstar game,usually the best start the game, so, someone has to show their worth before then and buck up.

I think the players dont care for Carbo is my opinion. I think its the way he talks...He always seems to distance himself from the team or talks like hes above the team. Like last night, he said "I dont know whats wrong with that team." He should say "I dont know whats wrong with us"...And the players are always seeing themselves get scrutinized by the media and never Carbo though. The media always gives Gainey and Carbo the benefit of the doubt for everything....everything.

Its Time to get rid of Lats!! Time to get some boys from hamilton!!!

Time to take off the rose coloured glasses people, there is a problem with this team and it started at the back-end and now has moved forward and upward. The rest of the league has figured out exactly how to play this team and are executing game in and out good teams to bottom feeders. The use of speed in clearing their own zone seems to have evaporated and running around in their own end now appears the norm rather than the exception. This team no longer has a feared PP and as a result opposition teams now are free to take liberties with skilled forwards at both ends of the ice and the goaltenders with no downside. The much vaunted enforcer has only played a handful of games and hasn't appeared too forceful at all. Game strategies and mid-game adjustments are not made or are ineffective with rare exception. What to do best be left to the folks paid to make those decisions because of their hockey expertise but doing nothing until the trade deadline most assuredly won't push this team into the playoffs no less far into the playoffs. Recent play makes the all-star voting more than a little embarrassing.

That picture pretty much sums up O'B. Large man playing very small. AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! This team is making me crazy.

**Sigh** what else is there to say... A team "expected/projected" to win the East scrambling for goals and from the looks of it scrambling to make the playoffs. Buffalo won last night and will be on fire coming in to Montreal. Is Lindy Ruff going to be available anytime soon?? Now there is a coach with a limited roster that gets the best out of his players. Even the RDS commentators on "L'Antichambre" have made a point of showing footage of the lack of intensity on the part of the players as they come out of the intermissions. Coach's job or player responsibility? Maybe Both? Either way someone has to step up before things get worse. Going to be a L-O-N-G winter..... Go Habs Go.... pretty please.

Other than a major trade or unlikely signing of Sundin, Gainey taking over the bench is only way to light firecrackers up their a$%H*^es. They need direction and emotion. Gainey might seem phlegmatic but is a passionate competitor, as he was as a player. I believe his style of 'psychology' will be more effective with this group than Carbos (especially vis-a-vis the Europeans !). Carbonneau had a great year last year as the underdog, but does not seem able to get our Habs emotionally or strategically prepared to counter other teams preparation for our style. Carbonneau has a 3 year contract so the likelihood of him leaving the Habs is unlikely. Like Ian says, find Carbo a position upstairs for balance of the year. Gainey take it from here. Carbo is relatively inexperienced as a head coach and himself is learning. Give the coaching reins back to Carbo for 2009-10 season if he would accept it. Carbo is a proud guy, possible he won't, but eventually Carbo will be a great coach and he should be part of 25 in 100 if we do attain the goal.

relax guys we are not many games into the season u guys are getting way ahead of yourselves well do fine

RElax on Carbo... he went from not making the playoffs to first last year, and i dont think we were doing any (or that much) better at this point. Give him till half-season before you start calling for his head. 40 games in, if we are out of a playoff spot (still more than enough time to catch up) then change the guard. we are still in the the playoffs. and it isn't carbos fault Kovy cant move. Give the coach a break. last game he was a genius and this game hes a disaster? --- Bench Kovy..chant with me if you agree!

Koivu has been the captain here for 12 years, and not won anything. maybe it's time for him to go. he's now 34, not as much energy, and really not a great leader, or else we would be winning. someone has to pay the price, and maybe he wants out.

The BAD news......this team really sucks! The GOOD news.....with all the UFA's next season, the team will be blown up after this season!

You got to know Carbo is frustarted but I think he needs to share the blame for the uninspired play. I give him full credit for the game plan against Detroit. But Carbo has always had an arrogance about him. Perhaps he believes he is doing a better job in practices and game prep than he really is. He has admitted on sevearl occassions this year his team came out flat. But he has never took responsibilty for that....and again tonight. Of course players need to get themselves ready and up for every game but it's the Coaches job to get the Team ready (as he did against Detroit).

at the beginning of the season, Gainey gave Carbo a 3 year extension. why? because he had 1 good year? 1 good yearcertainly doesn't make a career. I mean if he had 2 or 3 good years, I could understand it. but only 1 good year, and all of a sudden Carbo is a genius? yet Gainey fails to give extensions to his UFA's. doesn't make sense. I think I just hit the nail on the head. THE PLAYERS ARE PISSED BECAUSE CARBO GOT A NEW CONTRACT AND THEY DIDN'T! that's why they aren't playing for Carbo now. Carbo has to go, but Gainey would rather the team doesn't make the playoffs, because if he fires Carbo it won't look good for him, and Gainey has to save face. how embarrassing would it be for Gainey, if after giving Carbo a 3 year extension, to have to fire him. So Gainey is at fault too. how come we always have former habs as our management team? it's not working guys. If we don't make the playoffs this year, it will be devastating. I am so jealous of other NHL teams. Why can't we have a team I can be proud of? right now, I'm embarrassed to be a habs fan. And with O'Byrne on the team,I feel even worse.

Here is a serious thought BG. How about hiring a Professional career coach, someone who has paid his dues in the minor leagues. Someone who has been riding the bus and will bust his nut to make the team a success. I look behind the Habs bench and all I see are a bunch of ex players. I personally believe that coaching like any profession needs time and experience to develop. Look at the top teams and who is behind their benches.

I challenge Carbo to bench Kovalev tomorrow night vs the Sabres. Useless and has been for a while. Time to say bye bye and get someone willing to play every game. Talent is overrated. Give me heart and grit anytime.

I think the reason we suck this year is our powerplay is non-existent...The last two years, we could depend on our powerplay to score goals and get us back into the game... Kovalev thrived on the powerplay mind you as well... We are playing tight defensively (although we can do without retarded mistakes like Bouillon's this game)... We played tight defensively last year too... We were not that great 5 on 5, nor are we this year...Getting the powerplay back on track is the way to dig us out of this hole... I have faith that the habs can turn it around... they played a hell of a game against Detroit and their passing was sharp in the detroit zone... we need to see that hab team night in, night out!

Leave Carbo alone! You just don't understand!

ahem: re-sign kostopoulos that is all.

here'a problem. Since the players aren't scoring, they won't have alot of trade value, so we could be stuck with these losers. Hate to say this, but I think the leafs will be a better team than us, especially now that they have a great GM. habs look out. the leafs will get better sooner than us.

Whats wrong with you guys. They played a good game this month. You expect two good games in the same month for the little bit of money they get. I think there will be a better game on sunday with the dogs playing.

A true habs fan just gets disgruntled and never gives up. GO HABS GO.

I absolutely don't like what I'm about to say, but here goes, and I do believe this is a very strong possibility. Gainey and Carbo go back a long time and are very good friends, but Carbo has not found the right fit and chemistry for this club this year. If he can not get this ship turned around, in the next month,then I beleive Carbo will be working in the front office and Bob will get back behind the bench. Players better start to play properly with some desire and heart or they will find themselves on another roster. It won't take him long to find the cancer. Not a nice thing to have to say about a coach that was runner up to MVP coach of the year last year. But this cannot continue much longer if this indeed was to be a break out year to progress past the 1st round.

I am glad to see finally we ALL MOST reach the conclusion that Big Changes Are Needed and Each And Every Player Can Be Traded.