Game 7, by the numbers

Does the NHL seriously put out a press release every time there's a big game?

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..."

This morning on Radio Canada, one guy commented that Carbo should come to the dressing room with a Cup replica and a golf bag and tell the guys that it's their choice tonight.
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Remember February 19th: The Comeback

Don Cherry on the Fan 590 this morning says the bruins are going into this one loose and will be very good, he then went on to say that he will be wearing his Bruins colours and we are all going to see what the Habs are made of tonight. What a goof

The stats I wonder about are the ones in the ERs of Montreal - how many people are going to come in with panic attacks tonight :)

I am really sick thinking of tonights game. I figured coming to work would keep my mind off of it but I am so wrong.

Calgary went out Saturday, and had a practice for their game last night, which they won. I guess practice does sometimes pay off. That practice came after they had lost the previous game against San Jose, something like our Canadiens losing to Boston. However, we do not feel the need for a practice.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Playoffs/Calgary/2008/04/20/5338971...

Ok Habs fans,

The moment of truth has arrived.

It should of never have arived at this anyway. The Habs should of wrapped this series in 5 or 6 games - honestly.

A handful of Habs players have somewhat not really showed up for this one which is why we are in Game 7.

What the habs need is to play the way they played and dominated the Bruins during the regular season when they went 8-0. They need to come right off the starting gates and take the play to the Bruins. Its crucial they score first and get the crowds behind them. Perhaps with the roaring crowd, Bruins will stumble in their play. They need to play a full 60 minutes, they need their PP to click and produce and they need to throw their bodies out their and show the Bruins WHY THEY FINISHED #1 in the Eatern conference. Carey Price has to step up and continue to tighten his grip in nets (I have confidence in this young man that he will)

It will be hard to predict the outcome of this game. You can't predict them anyway. The team that shows up and really want to win,...wins. When I mean "team", I mean collectively all 20 players on your roster plus the coaches and staff. They have to have a aim, one goal focus in mind,..WIN.

For the Bruins, they have really nothing to lose and everything to gain. They have out hussled and at times out play the Habs. They have fought back from a 3-1 deficit to come to this sudden and death showdown. If they win, I tip my hat to them and congradulated them, they deserved it. But a Bruins win will surely be a step backwards for the Habs even though they had a GREAT season. Great seasons don't win Stanley Cups, folks.

If I could perhaps talk to the Habs player right now, and if somebody could get this message to them. Before you go on the ice to start this game. When you are all ready. Take a good look in the mirror with your CH uniform on and take a good look at yourself and then take a good look what you as a team accomplished this year. Dig deep in your inner heart and your winning desire. Do you really want to end your season today and in this way? Do you believe you can beat these Bruins? Only you and you yourselves can answer these questions.

My Prediction for tonight,....Bruins ____, Habs _____. You fill in the blanks guys. The team who shows up to play tonight and REALLY wants to win,....will win.

(PS: Apologize for the long summary Habs fans)
Yours Truly,

Rocket Richard
" YOU MUST HATE TO LOSE "
http://leonsinvestmentservices.info

Go Habs Go!

I have said before - and still maintain - that I will be happy with the season regardless of tonight's outcome, as long as they play hard.

Don't rely on what the numbers say boys and just play hard for 60.
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Remember February 19th: The Comeback

Boston should be congratulated with a yeoman effort to date. They have bought in to Julien's shutdown defense and capitalized on most of our mistakes. No insight here.

Several key Candiens have not responded....especially the #1 line.

Higgins and Koivu were great together last game but Higgins should center the third line.

Play the two Kostitsins with Koivu.

Insert Ryder or Latendresse with Pleks and Kovalev.

Ah, the agony and the ecstasy of a game 7. It's been a long time coming for this team and this city. When the going gets tough, it must be Habs vs. Bruins. This one should be a knee knocker. Time to find out if these Habs collectively have the will to win.

Gilbert
Remember '71? Remember '86?
Now is the time to believe. The Drive for 25 is on! Go Habs Go!

I'm so fired up about this game already. I have managed to do zero effort at work since I got in about 3 hours ago. It's do or die! I wouldn't mind a couple of bizarre Lidström type of goals from our blue line just to shake things up in the other end :) Go Habs Go!

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Vive le Bleu, Blanc et Rouge

This is it, boys. Judgment day.

Ex nihilo nihil fit

our D needs to play a strong game.
Everyone please say a prayer for the habs.

If the team loses tomorrow night this is what I will predict what happens for my cynical seven cents - in honor of Game 7 - from the peanut gallery:

(1) Some posters will demand that Guy Carbonneau be fired and replaced by a better coach. In fact, can the entire coaching staff which includes Muller, Jarvis and Melanson. To fit the French speaking requirement, the name Bob Hartley will be recommended or perhaps Mario Tremblay.

(2) Some posters will demand that we trade all of our young players for established tough players like Milan Lucic. So out with the Kostitsyn brothers, Plekanec, Higgins, Latendresse and that bum Markov.

(3) Some posters will say that we should let Mark Streit walk as an UFA because he did absolutely SFA in the playoffs.

(4) Some posters will say that Bob Gainey should have done more during the trade deadline, even if it meant mortgaging the future. Marian Hossa from Atlanta for Chris Higgins, Ryan O'Byrne, Jaroslav Halak and a 1st Round Pick is a terrific deal. Even if Hossa is a UFA in the off season. Can Bob Gainey and hire a good GM like John Ferguson Junior. His father did play for the Canadiens after all.

(5) Some posters will say that Carey Price is a lousy goalie. Forget that he is only 20 years old. Forget that he won and was the MVP as the World Junior Championships and the AHL level. He's a bum and we should have never traded Huet in a million years. Carbonneau is an idiot for not starting Halak - another reason to fire him. And if we haven't already, we should blame that idiot Melanson for Price's inability to dance on his head for 6 consecutive games when the team left him out to dry.

(6) Some posters will demand that we get an influx of Canadian players because the European players have no heart and get all squeamish in the playoffs. They forget about Saku Koivu and fully perscribe to Don Cherry's philosophy despite he never won a Stanley Cup. They will say that Scotty Bowman is boring despite the fact he has won more cups than any coach in recent history with 3 different teams. And his last few cups in Detroit were with European players (Fedorov, Konstantinov, Lidstrom, Kozlov, Hasek)

(7) Some posters will still be pissed off even if the team managed to win the Stanley Cup this year. I am mad that it has gone to Game 7. I am upset this team is not playing as they are capable of. However, upon reflection I choose to look at this team as one with a very promising future and will hoist the Stanley Cup if not this season then one very shortly.

Tomorrow night, the all the KO's will find the scoresheet. Higgins too.