Not pretty

Not pretty

posted by Mike Boone at 13h29 EST on Nov 8

Guy Carbonneau called it "the most embarrassing game in my 2 1/2 years of coaching this team."

No argument from me.

6-3 ... and it wasn't that close.

Shots were 41-20.

Mikhail Grabovski looked like wayne Gretzky.

Luke Schenn looked like Denis Potvin.

Our Stanely Cup contenders?

They looked like crap ... on national television.

J.T.'s wrap-up:

She's not happy"

-Will nothing make this team mad? What the hell does it take to get them inspired?

-The PK is brutal. It might be that the Habs are taking so very many penalties, but even so...three PP goals for Toronto? Lovely.

-If anyone thinks this team...if this is the best they can do...is going to win the Cup this year, they need either psychological or drug counselling.

-There hasn't been an attack this disorganized since Napoleon tried to take Russia.

-Getting owned by the leafs...I feel like the bully who ends up in prison, only to find the kid he used to beat up is his now-much-bigger shower mate.

-The Canadiens need defence. Whatever Bob has to do to get some, he must do now. It's great to have it in the pipeline, but the pipeline isn't winning any games this year. Or, likely, next.

-Toskala almost fell asleep because that DVD he was watching while the play was in the other end was kind of dull.

-When did the leafs get big and fast? Or, maybe I should ask when the Habs developed an unfortunate sense of entitlement and stopped giving a crap?

-Even Carbo's magical line-shifting didn't help.

-Every single loose puck had a blue shirt on it first. That's unforgivable. I hope HIO doesn't post any audio tomorrow, because I don't want to hear any of the crap the team is going to spew to explain this disaster. This is the worst game they've played all year. I hate this. Have the Habs EVER won a Hall of Fame game? I don't remember one.

-The Habs fragile bubble has burst. Now what?

-I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY despise the leafs. And I'm not too fond of the Habs at this moment either.

3P 00:00:

Just embarrassing

3P 1:30:

ooh, that's going to be a quiet flight home

3P 2:00:

Shots 40-20. And the Na-na-na song

3P 2:56:

I can't blame Sergei on that. At least he's pissed off about this.

3P 3:27:

Embarrassing

Ponikarovski

6-3

3P Break:

Lapierre will never score in this league. 10 a year would be a revelation.

3P 5:50:

Finally, a bit of pressure .. but much too little and way too late

3P 6:48:

Higgins finally gets one ... and it doesn't count.

3P 8:40:

Oh, let it just be over!

3P Break:

Andrei Kostitsyn actually had a shot on goal!

3P 10:28:

Luke Schenn is a keeper, but the rest of that D should be under more pressure than the Canadiens have managed

3P 12:00:

Lang, Laraque and Gui!

3P Break:

Good passing by Sergei and Tanguay. We have to take solace in very small pleasures. What a pathetic effort!

3P 13:00:

White hit the post. That was the sixth goal.

3P 14:00:

AK46 on the PK?

3P 15:00:

Lapierre, Tanguay and Sergei. And another bad Tanguay penalty

3P 16:00:

Koivu, Higgins and Laraque?

3P 17:15:

Grabovski wins another faceoff

3P 18:00:

We want Marc Denis!

3P 18:47:

Tic-tac-toe

Kubina

5-3

That should do it

3P 19:00:

Oh man, even Markov is taking bad penalties. What a night!

3P 20:00:

I wonder what Carbo is saying?

Robert Lang:

1-6 on faceoffs

Between periods:

How do you give the Toronto Maple Leafs 32 shots in 40 minutes? How? Is Roman Hamrlik the MVP of the Montreal Canadiens? This is brutal. The Leafs are cruising through the Canadiens' end, whacking Price around. Their speed is undressing our supposedly fast team.

J.T. on the second period:

-OT, but LOVE that Bobby Orr commercial, outlining the knee scars. I'm actually surprised he agreed to do that one.

-Why are all the seats behind the benches empty seven minutes into the period? Oh yeah...it's Toronto.

-NOW is anyone regretting letting Grabovsky go? Apparently, not the Habs, since they're deliberately nailing him every chance they get.

-Markov's laying on the body like a painter lays the primer.

-PP looks like someone has charged the paddles and hit it. Finally.

-Biggest disappointment so far this year: AKost. I know he was hurt, but he wasn't doing anything before the hit and he's done less since.

-Tanguay: 7 goals on 19 shots. Higgins: 1 goal on 500 shots.

-That's the best haircut Carbo's had in a while. But the yellow tie?

-Price has been knocked from one end of the rink to the other. Why do the Habs have Laraque again?

-My boy Pleky. He had to find his rhythm...but now he's beating like a strongman's heart.

-Another illustration of the importance of faceoffs: the leafs third goal.

-Has anyone noticed Latendresse in the last, oh...seven...games?

-Kovalev is really annoying when he's not scoring. The giveaways are as enjoyable as lice. And the cross-ice pass interceptions go down like a dose of salts.

-What the hell is wrong with Komisarek? Whacking at the puck with the stick instead of taking the man with the body? He's at 3-million per on my running tally for his new contract.

-Funny how everyone craps on Halak when he allows four against Anaheim and Price is still god when he does it against the leafs.

-I REALLY hate the leafs.

Joël Bouchard:

Brilliant with replay analysis

2P 00:00:

That PP can drive a person nuts

2P 2:50:

30 SoG allowed already ... to the Leafs!

2P 3:35:

Did you ever see such a mess?

Pathetic.

Antropov

4-3

2P 5:00:

Wow, did Grabovksi scoot around Gorges!

2P Break:

Luke Schenn, 19, strips Kovalev

2P 7:11:

Koivu picks the top corner off great forechecking by Higgins

3-3

2P 8:20:

That didn't take long

Kubina, with Hagman screening

2P Break:

A Koivu hook, yes?

2P Break:

A Koivu hook, yes?

2P 9:00:

game is opening up

2P 10:01:

Sergei is back!

What a passing play: Kovy to SK to Plekanec

2-2

2P 10:40:

Wild sequence. Kovalev brings the PP to life, but then the Leafs get a 3-on-1, crash Price and take a penalty. BGL has to straighten someone out.

2P My mistake (not the last!):

Leafs penalty

2P Break:

Another penalty, after a brutal defensive shift by Pleks line. The team just can't get any momentum going.

2P 14:00:

Good. Gorges smacked Grabovski

2P 15:28:

Yes! Tanguay knows how to make plays.

Lang

2-1

2P 15:53:

Gotta score here

2P 17:00:

Higgins is killing me

2P 18:14:

Grabovski is shoving an umbrella up the butt of Bob Gainey ... and opening it

2-0

2P 1(;00:

Brutal PP

My man JG:

Always a good interview

2P 20:00:

Penalties, pealties, penalties in game after game. The PK is great, but it plays havoc with the lines, tires out the D and the goalie.

J.T. on the first:

-Closeup on Price during the HOF player intros...you really do forget how very young he is. Closeup on Koivu, smiling at Cournoyer's name. Yeah...the Captain loves his team.

-I wouldn't trade Lang to make room for Sundin. Or, at least I wouldn't have until the last few games. Now...I'm thinking less of class and more of big, scary and aggressive down the middle.

-My dirty-old-man neighbour makes more successful passes than the Habs tonight.

-Good to see Miss Higgins is on his usual form. I wonder how Saku copes with the ignoble death of so many brilliantly-conceived chances? Although, I'm one of those who thinks people should expect less of Higgins.

-Anyone regretting keeping Dandy instead of Grabs?

-TK loves the team, but that was one dumbass penalty. Lack of discipline is going to kill a very good team this year.

-I'm tired of Kovalev on the Plekanec line. I'm ready for the Belorussian Brothers with Plekanec.

-So, the Habs have to be better in the second, right? Hard to think they could be worse.

-I hate the leafs.

1P 00:00:

All things considered ...

1P 00:50:

Koivu is deadly on faceoffs

1P 1:40:

What, Grabovski crashes Price?

1P 2:32:

Ridiculous call

1P 2:56:

Shots are 9-2. ouch!

1P Break:

Interesting combo: Max, Larauqe and AK46

1P 4:53:

Higgins can't finish

1P 5:20:

Kovy and those f-ing cross-ice passes

1P 6:00:

Canadiens getting some rhythm

1P 7:40:

Good thing Mayers can't score

1P 8:50:

Close White dinged the post. bu a great PK

1P 9:13:

Blake. Idiot. I hate Blake.

1P 9:42:

And now 5-on-3

1P 10:00:

More good work by Gorges on PK

1P 11:46:

Helluva play by Grabovski, feeding Hagman. And they're still on the PP

1P 12:41:

Two for roughing, five for boarding and a game. Wow!

1P Break:

Looks like Kostopoulos got tossed. That was a dirty hit. But then he kind of looked like "What was I supposed to do?"

1P 13:30:

Very few whistles. Good game so far

1P 15:00:

Komisarek lays one on Tlusty

1P 16:00:

Higgins can't cash a great Koivu set-up

1P 16:30:

Why are line changes so laborious?

1P 18:50:

RDS guys say O'Byrne looks nervous. It's all Toronto so far

1P 19:11:

fat rebound off Price and a scrum ensues. Nearly a goal

1P 19:27:

Tanguay: a treat to watch in the o-zone

1P 19:59:

Saku talking to Fraser already

"To you with failing hands ...":

It's on the wall of the Canadiens' room

Veterans:

Nice salute. Very classy.

Peter Stastny:

An all-time Habs killer

Murray Costello?:

Woo-hoo! Let's party

Pre-game ceremony:

Grab abeer, it's gonna be a long one

1P 20:00:

This is going to be very tough without Hamrlik. O'B has to come up huge.

Winning, but ...:

Four straight one-goal games. Bouchard says Canadiens have to impose their style in a game.

Carbo's tie:

Ouf! Demers is pushing him for the Hall of Fame

Ray Scapinello:

Class act, yes?

Fourth line:

More praise from Michel Bergeron and Dave Morissette

Derick Brasard:

RDS showed the shootout goal again. Five dekes. A beauty!

Hamrlik out:

Doomed

Glenn Anderson:

Figure he dyes his hair? Igor Larionov wasn't too shabby, eh?

Cancer kids:

In the Canadiens' room. Heartwarming stuff

The Flying Canadiens:

Roy MacGregor has a nice piece in the Globe and Mail today.

Uh-oh!:

Hamrlik is iffy. More ice time for Breeze, against a young, skating team.

Mikhail Grabovski:

Can't play D. Canadiens didn't need another small centre. End of story.

Kovy:

Tells Elliotte Freedman he wants to play 10 more years

Joël Bouchard:

says Tomas Plekanec has been the best Canadien for the last two games

Carey Price:

Jacques Demers says they're talking him up for 2010. 4-1 vs. Toronto last season.

48 per cent:

Of RDS respondents say Halak was the main reason the Canadiens lost in Columbus.

Uncle George's other toy:

Liverpool 3 West Brom 0 And Man U lost to Arsenal

Choice of networks:

HNIC? RDS? Hughson is good, so I might give my mother tongue a chance

Tags:

Boone
Leafs

Comments

Submitted by Habster101 on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 10:13.

well as far as I see it, the Hit was fine, Van Ryn should not have put himself in a vulnerable position like that, he should know better, now he paid the price, thats Hockey- NOW Im not a Basher and Im not Bashing here BUT As for the reason for our previous little slide... I blame Higgins as soon as he was inserted into the Koivu Tang line the team has stunk... Higgins cant pass and can t score, So what the hell is he doing on a scoring line???????????? Higgins is a grinder player, hes not a finess player, he does not have soft hands, hes a forechecker...put him on the 3rd or 4th line- if we have to count on Higgins scoring for us, we are doomed lines should be as follows-- Pleks Koivu Tang SK46 SK74 Kovi Lats Lang Kostop LaRoq Lapps Higgs simple as that put the Brothers together with Kovi, move Pleks up with the play makers...its a genius move-- Also Brezzeby has got to go...we need strength and Power on defence, nothing less...atleast O'byrne punishes players after the whistle, Brezzeby asks them if they are ok these few things are killing us right now

Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 12:40.

"lines should be" I'd still rather go with what Carbo thinks the lines "should be". He does coach them, after all. :) Ex nihilo nihil fit

Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 17:43.

Boone, Admit it. Your analysis of Grabovski is wrong. You never liked the guy and you have all these HIO followers into believing you that Mikhail can't play, but I disagree with your analysis of him. This guy can play. Saku Koivu knows he has talent and gave him advice last night when he whispered to him not be a Darcy Tucker type of player and play your game in the NHL which is speed and skill. That's what was said to him. "We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"

Submitted by Kristopher7 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 19:40.

HE can play but there is NO ROOM for him on the Habs roster.. I'd rather Koivu, Lang, Pleks and Laps... who will you toss for Grabovski? Oh well, he's doing well in Toronto. Even then there was no chemistry on the ice or in the locker room from all the rumors.. and you really saw it last night.

Submitted by Lafrich on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 08:31.

At least it wasn't a cricket match - it ended. We'll get'em next time. Go Habs Go!!!!

Submitted by G-Man on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 07:22.

From Kosto's ill-advised hit on, the Habs had a night to forget. The good news is the club is 8-4. The bad news is the club hasn't given 60 minutes since game 1. Methinks it's time to crack the whip and get the team out of this "we're playing so-so but still winning" mentality. Tuesday at home vs. Ottawa will be one to watch. Gilbert 2008/09 is the season of the Habs

Submitted by Robert L on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 06:02.

Leafs Hand Habs A Hockey Lesson, And Expose Carbonneau's High Wire Risks In The Process http://wwweyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2008/11/leafs-hand-habs-hockey-les...

Submitted by Kristopher7 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 03:02.

Grabovski had just rumbled with Canadiens' Sergei Kostitsyn, the two having sparred then yapped, Kostitsyn clearly agitated and more than eager to get it on. Linesmen prevented that, but now Grabovski was flat out with Koivu looming over him. So what pleasantries were exchanged? "He gave Mikhail some special advice," said Maple Leafs forward Alexei Ponikarovsky, serving as Grabovski's Russian dressing-room translator. "Koivu told him something, but (Grabovski) doesn't want to say. Just some special advice he'll use in the future."

Submitted by Glorious CH on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 02:08.

when this team mails it in they wouldnt beat an east coast league team, and who are the geniuses that think Markov is one of the BEST in the league?

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 02:34.

Markov is one of the best in the league, without a doubt. He's struggling like the rest of the entire team. Are you one of the 'non-geniuses' who thinks he isn't?

Submitted by craz11 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 01:55.

A solution to all the Habs problems: Ice a first line of Carbo, Muller and Jarvis and put Rollie in net. They'd fare better than the chumps that took the ice in Toronto tonight!

Submitted by Xtrahabsfan on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 01:58.

craz11,you gots the funnest line of the night,lol

Submitted by fun police on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 01:49.

lets not jump off the bandwagon just yet. we need losses like this to shake up the team, we have been squeaking out wins and this should re focus the team. here are a few things from the peanut gallery. 1. grabs is not gainey's fault, it's carbo's fault. carbo wasn't going to give him the icetime plain and simple. it wasn't going to happen in montreal. carbo had his mind made up. 2. the pp was better today, but i think its pretty obvious why it isn't as effective as the last two years and it hasn't anything to do with the loss of streit. our "second" unit is getting less than 40 seconds every pp and last year they were the main unit. for some reason carbo has koivu's line starting every pp. that is the difference. 3. i don't know what markov was doing when grabs danced around him, it looked like he thought he was playing two hand touch football. 4. there's something wrong so far, we are uninspired and if i'm not mistaken, that is coaching. carbo might have to actually talk to his players. 5. CBC is brutal

Submitted by A. Berke on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 03:59.

You must be one of the usual suspects a.k.a. an inane Carbo basher and sorry to say but you don't know what you are talking about. Grabowski is best and more productive when he plays in the first or second line and not the third line which usually has the dirty job of defensive play which is not his forte. For Grabs to play in the first two lines with the Habs, either Koivu or Plekanec had to be replaced by Grabs. Now looking back to their last season's production which one you would sacrifice for the benefit of Grabowski? Yeah right! Grabowski was traded away in order to start talks with and entice Sundin to come to Montreal and that didn't work out as planned because of Sundin's attitude. The coach can teach and train the players but can not suit to play, and it's up to the players to play to their full potential (esp considering their earnings). I certainly didn't see any Habs player doing that against toronto. A professional, by definition is a person who gives his/her best each and every time and at that level not measuring up to their level with the sorry excuse of a lack of inspiration not imparted by the coach is ridiculous if not downright stupid. The last several games the team did not put in a full 60 minutes effort but they managed points/wins in most of them. Last night was a repeat of the ducks game, i.e. a loss in the hands of a team that outplayed them. Let's call a spade a spade shall we? Ali B.

Submitted by fun police on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 13:14.

i'm not bashing carbo, i'm simply stating the obvious. i've grown to like carbo more and more as a coach and everyone would agree that he is growing into the job. i don;t care who's coaching, his job is to light a fire under the players and get them going. he's not on the ice, but he can get them ready to play. i'm only suggesting it might be time for carbo to try another method. settle down there berke, heaven forbid someone disagree with you.

Submitted by The Professor on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 09:43.

Sorry man but the job of the coach is to get the best out of his players. Yes, he has to gameplan and make up a system, etc... but his #1 priority is to prepare the team to play and to get them to play to their fullest. But don't start throwing crap at me... I'm a huge Carbo fan and I think he's the best coach this team could have right now, but he needs to get his team playing to their potential. We really haven't seen one complete game and I'm tired of the long layoff excuses or any other excuses for that matter. Time for Carbo to light a fire under his boys, no doubt about that.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 09:14.

Ali - Nice post as usual but he did make some points that you didn't address and i don't think he deserves to be called a basher unless you think Carbo is some kind of god. He pointed out that once Carbo makes his mind up on someone , usually very quickly , the player is doomed and he does have a point as Ryder, Halak, O'Byrne, Chips and Begin can attest and others get a "free ride". Once he makes up his mind the hill you have to climb is unattainable and that is one of his biggest faults along with his horrible communications with the players. You don't win championships when your first priority in your judgement to make a line up is to take care of your boys who are underachieving but Carbo is only part of the problem. The point the poster made about the PP has me lost.

Submitted by Chris on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:46.

To be filed under understatements of the year, I guess I didn't get my wish when I said I hoped they would play well tonight. They stunk out the joint. The only positive that could possibly come out of that game is that the Habs had better be mighty ashamed about the egg they just laid and maybe it will wake them up out of their doldrums. The key thing for me is that despite the 8-2-2 record, the Habs have basically been playing very poorly, with only Koivu and Tanguay meeting or exceeding any expectations I might have had coming into the season. The biggest disappointments for me so far have been the Plekanec-A. Kostitsyn-Kovalev line, who are just not clicking with the exception of a couple of games, and Komisarek and O'Byrne on defence, who are just not bringing it enough in the defensive end to justify their complete ineptitude in the offensive end. And I still don't want Grabovski. He could score 50 goals this season for all I care...he is a selfish, immature player. I would rather not have the legacy of people like Morenz, Richard, Beliveau or Gainey sullied by the likes of him. Off to bed...I hope that Gainey petitions to make sure that Montreal does not ever play Toronto again on a Saturday night! ;P

Submitted by BIG-D on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:35.

1. Higgins will do nothing this year. Carbo ran Ryder out of town a 25, 30 & 30 goal scorer, but his pet Higgy will not loose a min. 2. Lats has never done anything since he's been here. He should be sent down to Hamilton since he has never been there. 3. BGL is a total waste of millions.

Submitted by RudeMood19 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 03:20.

Disagree, disagree, disagree. Now go crawl back into your little hole.

Submitted by Hockey11 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:38.

Agreed, Agreed, Agreed, Ribiero, Ryder, Grabovski vs Latendresse, Brisebois, Bueller, Anyone?

Submitted by I am Canadien on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:20.

Managed to be at the game. Excellent seats (Center Ice-14 rows up; best I've ever had!). Anyway, too bad it was probably the worst live performance by les habs I've ever seen. What's up with Lats and Higgy? They were brutal; mostly of the tie out of position and slow. I would even think of trading them for another offensive defense. Had a great time but they better smartin up or bad habits can perpetuate into some pretty tough times ahead. Happy 100th!

Submitted by BIG-D on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:18.

Some of the Habs Fans in here are the worst Fans in the league. Are all Habs fans like this from coast to coast?

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:16.

btw, our glorious Habs are not longer first in the north east and are 2 slim point ahead of the miserable leafs. Granted, we have played 2 fewer games. But still...

Submitted by showey47 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:13.

not much of a consolation but the bulldogs beat the marlies 5-2 tonight.

Submitted by Wamsley01 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:06.

I think a lot of people are over reacting tonight. One game does not a season make. Take a look at the Leafs and Detroit to start the season, take a look at the 6-1 whipping the Habs gave the Leafs a month ago. It is ONE loss. They had it coming and it will most likely smarten them up. Join the Fantasy Sense Revolution @ http://fantasysensehockey.blogspot.com/

Submitted by Hockey11 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:36.

The team has stunk in their last four games, is that not cause for concern?

Submitted by habsfansince91 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:08.

i agree. you cant sweep every team in a season. you win some and you lose some.

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:20.

there's 'you lose some' and then there's 'you lose some like they did tonight' big difference had they put some effort into this one - i can take that pill - but it was a very bad loss

Submitted by BIG-D on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:10.

Yes, but the Habs loosing to the Leafs is forbidden.......... It is like Catholics eating meat on Good friday......

Submitted by Kristopher7 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:02.

Think Grabovski and Sergei were dissing each other in Belarusian during that feud near the end?

Submitted by BIG-D on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:57.

When they are getting millions of $$$ there is no need for motivation. I said this years ago, their pay should be based on their performance on the ice. If they want to get the big $$$ they have to work for it. A player should not get a 4 MIL per year contract for 5 yrs and 3 years he can't score 25 goals. Base salary plus bonuses...........

Submitted by Gary320 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:02.

Making 20million dollars a year.. or 1 cent.. No one is going to give you 100 EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:09.

Not every night... only 82 out of 365 or just barely over 20% of the time. You'd think that wouldn't be so hard to master.

Submitted by BIG-D on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:22.

Timo, I like U. U tell it like it is and I repect that. U R just about the smartest fan in here.......

Submitted by JB_15 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:56.

I think Mike Millbury thinks Tom K was on Full House because he keeps calling him "Consopolous".

Submitted by Gary320 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:00.

You mean.. Jesse Katsopolis? ____ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUzdUzj3Ls4# My Montreal Canadiens (2008/09) Video

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:50.

Woohoo!! We hit 1000 comments! Nothing like a pathetic loss to the leafs to get us going :)

Submitted by Kristopher7 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:01.

I do not dislike many things on earth but the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of them. Gogo 1000.

Submitted by Xtrahabsfan on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:55.

Not bad eh,lol

Submitted by Hockey11 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:48.

In Defense of Dandy: He has sat out four games First game he was out we lost Second game was the miracle comeback after 4-1 down on the Island Third game was the Columbus loss Four game was the Leaf loss in regulation I guess winning means little to Carbo as long as Breezer gets to a 1000 So we dress BGL who played 5 min and can't skate at the level We play Breezer who couldn't get a job on any team on the league We have lost confidence on OB yet we don't play Dandy on D who looked good on D in the pre-season Grabovski can't play fourth line but gets 2 points and was the Leafs best player, second star Carbo is in over his head Thanks CBC for showing Bob writing his notes, a penny for his thoughts.

Submitted by Xtrahabsfan on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:00.

Our D is to small and to soft,they don't clear the net or control the puck well and Dandy is exactly the same as that statement.It would be nice if the fix was that easy but come-on!

Submitted by Hockey11 on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:30.

He is available, he is paid up and he and Franky were great together, if Bob can get a "top four" go for it, but in the meantime what we have ain't workin'.

Submitted by JB_15 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:46.

My jaw has hit the floor. The cover of TSN's website has got the CFL playoffs. They have the leaf win at the bottom with the title "Deserving Victors". Last year this wouldve been a full page spread of "BLOWOUT - LEAFS DESTROY HABS IN ONE-SIDED AFFAIR". Is it possible that all the angry habs fans that have written to the network about their biases have made a difference?

Submitted by Exit716 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:53.

TSN can't afford to staff its internet department. They wasted all their budget on the hockey night in canada theme.

Submitted by Hockey11 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:50.

If the game was on TSN, it would have got more play.

Submitted by rut1212 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:44.

I was a little surprised that Laraque never dropped his gloves, but then again, the habs were already down a forward for the entire game. Good to see Sergei getting pissed of, and rightfully so. Not to give Leafs too much credit, but they played...ok. They won the game with the refs bent over in front of them. I don't EVER want to see such a bad game from so many of the habs. I could count the players who played an ok game on one hand, with fingers to spare.

Submitted by RH on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:43.

Completely off topic but....... "We are not attempting to capitalize on a tragedy, but there would be no question regarding the Rangers' right to a compensatory pick if Cherepanov had been revived and survived the incident and were on life support," Hope said. "If an unsigned player sustained a massive injury on or off the ice, the drafting team would get a compensatory pick." BUT, the poor kid DID die. Leave it alone A-hole. NY Rangers are quickly becoming an organization in need of some class.

Submitted by Kristopher7 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:42.

I was waiting for a scrap to be honest.. but I think with today's rules it would have sent a few people out of the game. When I used to play in Junior I would consider myself a Komisarek that fought a lot.. but fighting really does nothing.. for instance tonight after the second penalty for goaltender interference and especially after the third I would have pounded somebody... but what does that do? Get me kicked out of the game and probably give the other team some nice PP time. Where can we draw the line though? How much is enough to send a message? The problem I have is that the Habs didn't send a message... then again that's my style of Hockey, rough and pushing cheap. It's the reason I eventually stopped making teams I was too aggressive and when *** like people f**king with my goalie came up my intensity level would get to high and I'd express myself with my stick or fists.

Submitted by Bill H on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:42.

The advantage of having a comment template posted earlier in the evening is that you don't really have to think much about what you want to say after the game. Result: Habs lose in regulation and it's not even a contest - Blowoutville Reaction: I told you so. Thanks Mike M. Contemplating the loss is too painful at this time.

Submitted by super-saku on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:39.

Actually we will see where this team stands by the end of November. And yes as many of you have noted maybe this is the wake up call they needed.

Submitted by super-saku on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:37.

Ok they stunk the joint out. I have not been impressed with any of their games this year. But....I would wait until they play a regular schedule of games this week ...so onto Ottawa, then Boston, the Phillie. We will see how they do and see if they can get back on track.

Submitted by Gary320 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:42.

Yeah.. of the past 3 experiences.. everytime they have breaks they seem rusty for two or three games.. I cant wait to get back into a schedule with more games in the week. Even the Habs have said that long breaks just makes them lose he competitive edge..

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:36.

Watching the Nucks game. Habs should have gotten Bougard... at least he does something out there... Skates, hits, fights...

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:32.

Friends, this was not just another game. It wasn't just a loss that they'll rebound from. I'm truly concerned and not over this one game vs. the Leafs. This team has been very fortunate to have the points it has so far this season. Koivu attested that fact in his interview tonight. This game was more of a camel that broke the fans' back. There are legitimate concerns about the team right now. Yes, it's one game... but more like one after another after another. Fans who bleed red-white-blue are passionate and furious. Did you see Carbo's post-game interview? He was embarrassed and expressed it was the worst loss of his coaching career! Just another loss it wasn't. It's Saturday night vs. the Leafs in TO. There has to be passion, and there simply wasn't.

Submitted by RH on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:36.

This game was more of a camel that broke the fans' back... You've just described me to a tee. Last season, a game like this wouldn't have bothered me in the least.

Submitted by Exit716 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:51.

There's some internal *** going on with this team. They are too similar to the crappy 06-07 edition in terms of lack of leadership.

Submitted by RudeMood19 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:32.

They sucked tonight, but I gotta say: Mikhail Grabovsk-baby is my new hated player.

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:37.

I think to hate Grabovski is to give him too much credit.

Submitted by Gary320 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:34.

He's an idiot.. and I think he fits perfectly with the Leafs.

Submitted by RudeMood19 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:36.

I know, I don't if you were watching CBC english tonight, but he said that he had no friends on the team. I can see that. I'm sure the team hated his guts after the road trip bail last year.

Submitted by Hockey11 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:38.

Blame Carbo for the road trip bail, another incident of no communication.

Submitted by RudeMood19 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:50.

What? You're taking Grabs side over Carbo? Go away.

Submitted by Exit716 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:50.

I blame Don Waddell for that. Grabovski was going to be part of the Hossa deal to Atlanta.

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:31.

I start to think that BGL thinks he is a scorer and a play maker. If Carbo does not send him out with specific instructions to fight somebody doesn't mean he can't. If you are a team guy, you grab the closes leaf and beat the *** out of him every time Price gets run. Escapes me now, but I remember a fight that turned the season around a couple of years ago. I think it was Rivet. Habs were in their customary mid season funk and were in the basement of the eastern conference and Rivet had a whale of a fight with a much bigger goon. Habs were a completely different team for the rest of the year. every game since then was like a playoff game. Laraque should start being so interested in politics and do what he needs to do...

Submitted by TripleX on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:41.

EXACTLY! It all comes down to coaching decisions or lack there of. If Carbo sends out Laraque the very next shift after a run on the goalie or one of our skill players, then the intent is known. Laraque will do his job. But if Carbo just plays him on a regular line rotation then he will not fight because he believes it is not desired by Carbo. The initiative lies solely on the coach, but Carbo fails to respond to what happens on the ice. He is consistently outcoached by superior coaches and this worries me.

Submitted by The Capitalist Pig on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:37.

You have just spent 200 times more time on BGL than is warranted. Thinking that he is the way to the Cup is right up there with expecting the "A" rain to get you to Paris. Ain't gonna happen. No way, no how!

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:40.

Never thought he was the missing piece (or 23 pieces, as it turned out tonight) to the cup. But I though he was the right pick up for times when Price gets run at, or one of our "star" forwards gets a rough treatment... Unfortunately, I haven't seen that either.

Submitted by New on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:29.

I'm sorry but I disagree with most of the comments. The Habs played no worse than any other game this season. The rest of the league is just playing better. The skill advantage that the Habs have is now diminished as other teams find their stride. About 10 games from now we'll see the Habs team that will settle in for the year. For those that think the coaches will be angry: I don't think so. They were angry a week or two ago. Now I think they will just talk to the GM and figure out what they have to do.

Submitted by Sbah Reverof on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:26.

Ok, this might not make me the most popular poster tonight, but I am HAPPY they lost, and lost decisively, to an inferior team. This is hopefully the first of a few wake-up calls that our guys sorely need. They have been coasting through the season thus far, and a few ore games like tonight's should wake them up. Sure, there have been some outstanding individual efforts in the last eleven games, but there has been no team cohesion, and that sense of entitlement someone spoke of has been present since day 1. I, for one, would like to see some proof that this team is as good on the ice as it is on paper. Let the rebuilding begin.

Submitted by tony d on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:37.

i agree that they needed a good kick in the *** wake up call but don't you think it would've hit before tonight? Or are they such deep sleepers...oh yeah judging by tonight's snore fest, they are.

Submitted by JF on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:34.

I agree. I was disgusted almost from the first minute of the game. They were outworked and outskated from the word go. They were humiliated, and it was richly deserved. Maybe now they'll begin to realize that hard work will win more games than talent. Maybe now they'll start playing three solid periods every game instead of one or half of one. I think they've played two complete good games this season--the first one against Toronto and the one against Phoenix. They looked a mess tonight. There is a ton of work to be done, especially on defense.

Submitted by RudeMood19 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:30.

While I don't understand what "rebuilding" could possibly mean, I do agree, as does every true Habs fan on here, that they needed to get their a** kicked like this to wake them up. I hope they do wake up. I mean, wow, I missed most of the game since I was working, but this sucks.

Submitted by Sbah Reverof on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:33.

Yah, poor choice of words on my part. I meant rebuilding the team's attitude. Having said that, I remember last year, maybe early December, that Lafleur said we had four fourth lines, or something to that effect; the team was able to turn that around into a pretty good season, so let's not reach for the panic buttons yet. We have all the right elements in place, they just need a LOT MORE motivation.

Submitted by danhabsfan on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:40.

Why do they need motivation. they are professionals, and motivation should be what they naturally do. If guys aren't willing to work and motivate themselves... then make some phone calls to Hamilton, and let's see who is motivated. lazy, very very lazy....!

Submitted by RudeMood19 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:40.

OK, soooo, let's brainstorm. 1. Lafleur says Habs are a bunch of AHLers 2. Grabovski says the Habs are no better than the Marlies

Submitted by danhabsfan on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:24.

Well.... I don't know where to start. I think the Marliees would have beat this Habs team tonight. Is Carbo not working this team hard enough in practices. They were awful in Columbus, and worse tonight. I think we should call a few kids up even for 5 games (not to get them to 10 right now). Time for SK to sit, time for GL to sit in the press box. We need another top D, now, not later. Can players be fined for stupid penalties? (like football) I am not jumping off the bandwagon (heck, I stayed on all those lousy years). This team right now is soft, and is not working hard. Those who do not work, do not win. Why does no one come to Prices' aid, when he is run at 3 times in a row? Isn't that why we went and got Laroque. (I like Kostopolous, but that was a dumb move - he should have pulled up)

Submitted by BIG-D on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:26.

If U look at all of the practice pics in here, they all look like they are at a a birthday party.........

Submitted by LongIslandHabsFan on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:23.

I'm convinced Christopher Higgins won't score again until he plays the Islanders.

Submitted by RudeMood19 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:45.

I think that was a goal. I don't care if anyone disagrees, I saw one angle of it, it looked good. CBC of course shows the angles u can't tell a goal from, like the one above the rink on the goalies' side.

Submitted by Natrous on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:23.

As Jim Hughson said, a nightmare for Habs Selke brass... the "team D" tonight was non-existant, both on the forecheck and in their own end, and a lack of intensity was obvious. Why Carbo didn't send out BGL to mix things up with 10 mins left in a 5-3 game is beyond me...we have the guy, why not use him? Even if TO doesn't have a legit heavyweight, why not mix it up with a Kubina or SK74 attack on Grabs to get some emotion involved? Lines were mixed up tonight, legs weren't moving in the defensive end, the whole game was a mess and very hard to watch against an inferior Leafs team. Hope there's a good pep talk before the game vs Ottawa on Tuesday, or this is gonna be one long week...

Submitted by JB_15 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:27.

Carbo looks like an idiot if he sends out BGL in a game where we are getting destroyed like that. It is a cheap move, especially against a team with no one to really give him a battle. The team was embarassing as is; we didnt want to look classless in addition (although Tom K may have ruined that early). In a game like that, you put your tail between your legs and work harder in practice. You dont send out a heavyweight to start smashing skulls.

Submitted by The Capitalist Pig on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:23.

Look, the Habs sucked tonight. End of story. Go rent a freakin' porno and try to salvage your Saturday night.

Submitted by Chris on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:47.

Best comment of the night. Short, succinct, and spot on. :)

Submitted by BIG-D on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:22.

Price stoped around 35 shots and U people rag on him with no help from his D-Men. I would love to see U people in person and U said that crap. U would not be speaking out of your mouthes for a while............

Submitted by Chris on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:34.

Are you serious with this comment? You think that ANYBODY will take you seriously after you basically claim that you would try to beat anybody up that criticizes your favourite player? Wow.

Submitted by jimbo82 on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:20.

ohhh boy what a poor poor game they played tonight. No one on this team looked sharp at all, and I though last night was bad. PLayed so bad we made the leafs actually look good. Well in a way it may be a good thing show them they can't play lazy hockey or they will get beat like this. I find they have been playing way to many games like this during the season and managed to come out with points but it is not gonna work forever. Having said all that and as angry as I am I do believe they will fix these problems and get back on track, it is a long season and I know hab fans are tired or hearing the "patience" speach but.....patience my friends patience. This is a good team and they have what it takes. positive note: love Sergei's fire, small little guy and will not back down for anyone. go habs go!

Submitted by tony d on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:20.

J.T. you hit it on the nail....your anger, our anger, is what the Habs should be feeling and they just haven't...there's no spark, no rhyme nor reason in their play...a pathetic mess.... tonight was their chance to silence all of our criticisms over their worrisome play over the last few games and all they did was reinforce how frustrating it is to watch them barely show up in these games... I'm embarrassed by this schlimazel (sp)

Submitted by RH on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:20.

I know it's early but, EVERYONE on this team knows that the Coach requires EVERYONE on this team to play a solid TWO-WAY game. NO ONE seems to want to follow the script.

Submitted by Xtrahabsfan on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:19.

How bout soft and lazy!!

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About Mike Boone

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Mike Boone

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I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife. While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking. I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life. The Canada-U.S. Gold medal game comes close .... but I wasn't there. I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette. The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey. And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..." Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers add a couple Super Bowl titles, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game. I like all the players. Covering baseball gives me a profound appreciation of pro athletes who aren't jerks. My weltanschauung was summarized by the late great Bill Hicks when he said "all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves." Have a nice day.

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