Six ... and counting

posted by Mike Boone at 18h23 EST on Dec 11

The Canadiens are within one of their record for consecutive home-ice losses ... but at least the latest one wasn't an embarrassment.

After Marc Denis, who had not won a game this season, made a brilliant leg save on Saku Koivu to complete his shootout shutout, there was stunned silence in the Bell Centre, rather than the raucous boos that have rained down on the team after recent losses.

Canadiens came back from a 2-1 third-period deficit and salvaged a point against Tampa Bay.

"We battled back," said Saku Koivu. "We've talked a lot about playing 60 minutes and not having letdowns. We can't take a period off."

Like the second. If the stat sheet is to be believed, the Canadiens had 13 giveaways in the middle period, 22 after 40 minutes – to two for Tampa Bay. Lightning scored their second goal off a blooper reel giveaway by Ryan O'Byrne, who played two minutes of the thhird period and was benched for the OT.

The Canadiens didn't quit. Tomas Plekaanec tied the game at 2 with four and a hlf minutes left, and the Canadiens had the best of the OT.

"We have to take the third period, memorize it and play like that for 60 minutes," said Alex Kovalev.

The coach thinks Canadiens "have to find a way to turn chances into goals."

Maybe Thursday in Philadelphia. And then, with that record for home-ice futility looming, Toronto is here on Saturday.

Shootout:

Lecavalier: Save

Plekanec: Save

Richards: Goal

Kostitsyn: Save

St. Louis: Wide

Koivu: Save

OT 00:00:

Koivu gets booted out of the facceoff, which Higgins loses and Richards motors up ice Then Kovy holds the puckk forever and we're into a shootout.

OT 1:56:

A PP in OT. And Carbo takes a timeout. Sends out Kovalev, Higginss, Markov and Koivu.

OT 3:12:

Bad clearing by Markov nearly produces catastrophe

OT 3:34:

Wow! lapierre and Tom the Bomb in OT.

OT 5:00:

4-on-4 is terrifying against these guys.

3P 00:00:

What a play by Tom the Bomb! HHustling back to slide and foil a great Lecavalier chance.

3P 1:05:

TB ices it. Pleks on the faceoff. Wins it, but TB clears.

3P 2:29:

Great shift by the Pleks line. And Tortorella calls timeout.

3P 2:57:

The place is rockin'.

3P:

Five minutes to go, down a goal: fourth line out.

But then second line out, and Plekanec ties this sucker up.

2-2

3P Break:

Streit with Koivu and Higgins ... and he got a decent chance. Faint booing has begun. Shots are 29-22. TB headed north of 30, like everyone who comes in here.

3P 9:00:

Good PK, but 5-on-5 is all Lightning.

3P Repairs:

Great. While they fix the plexiglass, Lecavalier, Stt. Louis and Richards will get a blow and play the full two minutes – or lless – of the PP.

3P 11:01:

Down a goal,, can't clear their zone and Dandenault commits a flagrant slash in the neutral zone. Brutal

3P 12:13:

Komisarek hesitates and journeyman Darche is all over him. I think it's called a forechecking system.

3P 13:00:

More good chances for the Lapierre line.

3P 13:56:

Fan of the game: a guy in a Santa suit. Best redshirt in the building.

3P Commercial break:

Bright spots, just on the basis of hustle: Dandenault and his former linemmates on the fourth line.

3P 18:00:

The season in a nutshell: TB maintainss control for the first 90 seconds of their PP. Finally, Koivu has a chance to clear ... and his stick breaks.

More between periods:

In their second game in two nights, Martin St. Louis has played 19:03, Lecavalier 16:15 and Richards 18:43. Why do I doubt they'll run out of gas in the third period?

Between periods:

OK, shoo the little kids out of the room before they can read this:

Santa Claus doesn't exist ... and neither does the Canadiens' vaunted team speed.

Oh sure, they look fast against Boston and the Islanders and Toronto, when the Leafs don't slow Canadiens down by bitch-slapping them around the defensive zone.

Now how do they stack up against fast teams?

Buffalo? Much faster than Canadiens.

Ottawa? Faster.

Nashville? Faster.

Detroit? Faster.

Carolina? Faster.

Tampa Bay? WAY faster.

Flyers? We'll see on Thursday.

2P 00:00:

Lecavalier wires one from the blueline, with the ref's arm up. The Canadiens, down a goal, will start the third period with Pleks in the box for hooking.

2P Break:

Wild applause for a Kostopoulos forecheck. Highlights are few and far between here.

2P 5:00:

Man, that St. Louis: fastest skater on either team, constantly in motion, impossible to knock off the puck.

2P Break:

Getting ugly. St. Louis picks off a cross-ice pass by Saku and the boos begin. Canadiens have a 16-13 edge in shots, but they're handling the puck in their own end like it was a live grenade. TB, on the other hand, hhas velcro sticks and plays with a nerf puck.

2P 9:00:

Hamrlik and Brisebois. O'Byrne will get a little rest.

2P 11:02:

O'Byrne trips all over himself, coughs it uup and Anddré Roy

2-1, for crying out loud,, has plennty of time to pick the top corner.

2P Commercial break:

Horrible sequence for Komisarek. He hesitated with the puck, and you can't do that against skaters like TB's. They force very fast decisions ... which are often bad decisions.

2P 13:00:

Lecavalier and St. Louis on the PK. Hamrlik gets a big hand for hammering Lecavalier and Ryder gets a shot ... easily stopped, of course.

2P 15:30:

Good work by Higgins in front of the net and O'Byrne to keep thhe puck in forces Denis into a save. And McGill homeboy MMathieu Darche goes for holding

2P 16:37:

A bad goal has taken its toll. Canadiens look like they're sagging

2P 18:10:

I'm sorry: he's supposed to stop thhose. Lecavalier scores from the point ... and scattered boos are heard.

2P 18:30:

Price had to be very alert on Brad Richards. ThenKoivu trips St. Louis. Man, he takes a llot of those cheesy penalties.

2P 19:00:

The building is FINALLY allive. It's been a while. Honey of an assist, BTW, by Kostitsyn.

2P 19:30:

Nice. Dandenault drives the net on a Higgins rush and draws a penalty. And from his favorite spot on the right circle, Kovalev breaks his stick and scores.

1-0

Between periods:

At the Bell Centre in December, 2007, not losing is the new winning ... Martin St. Louis played 11:08, Brad Richards 10:24 and Vinnie 9:10. Saku Koivu played 6:41 ... Injury update: Bryan Smolinksi is gone six weeks with a right knee sprain, Steve Bégin two to three weeks with a left shoulder sepration, Cristonal Huet day to day with a pulled groin and, from the farm, Mikhail Grabovski out indefinitely with a right ankle sprain

1P 00:00:

An entertaining period of hockey ... better than what we've seen lately.

1P 4:13:

Kostitsyn takes an idiotic retaliation penalty on Paul Ranger. Heroic early work on the penalty kill by Chipchura and Tom the Bomb. And they escape ... again.

1P Break:

André Roy invites Komisarek to dance. An invitation wisely declined.

1P 6:30:

Breeze saved a goal off a Bouillon giveaway. TB's forecheck is just giving the Canadiens fits.

1P Break:

TB is getting the better chances. Their passing in the offensive zone is a sight to behold, and they move without the puck to get open.. Canadiens are pretty much dumping, chasing ... and peeling back.

1P 10:31:

André Roy, of all people,, forces Price into a slick glove save ... and then flattens Brisebois.

1P Commercial break :

That was cool. After all kinds of Lecavalier/St. Louis magic, Higgins makes a steal and anice shot on Denis.

Lecavalier is just scary.

1P 15:00:

Lecavalier, St. Louis and Richards against Chipchura ... briefly.

1P 16:06:

Great rush and near goal by Kostitsyn and Pleks

1P 18:25:

Chipchura nd O'Byrne on the PK. Anxious moments as Brad Richards twice foiled clearing passes at the point, but no damage and only one shot.

1P 18:53:

Lecavalier takes a LONG opening shift. And Komisarek goes for high-sticking.

1P 20:00:

Hmmmm. Kevin Lowe is here – a rare sighting. Ryder for Torres?

1P Starting for TB:

Lecavalier, St. Louis and Prospal. Quelle surprise! We'll see them for 27 minutes, minimum. Canadiens will start Saku Koivu, Christopher Higgins and Mathieu Dandenault against them.

High-flying Kovy:

RDS ran a pre-game feature taped aboard Alex Kovalev's plane.

Tags:

Comments

Submitted by Blitzen on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 06:27.

Actually, let's hope they keep Carbo so we can tank all the way and get a great draft pick. Of course they'll prolly trade down from that pick to get the D-Man that Timmins REALLY wanted but that's a different story. But I'm really worried that Gainey will trade some promising young guys for a one-year rental just so we can get eliminated in the first round instead of missing the playoffs altogether.

Submitted by Chuck on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 04:18.

I haven't had a chance to read all of the comments, but did anynone notice how far out of position the referee was when he signaled "no goal" on Koivu's shootout attempt? He was in behind the freakin' net with his butt up against the end boards! Regardless of whether or not the puck actually crossed the goal line, there was NO WAY that he was in position to see if the puck had actually crossed the line; he was completely blocked out by the goalie's leg pad. In that circumstance, is there not a way for the goal/non goal to be reviewed? . . . ______________________________________________ "Vote Saku for All-Star... or little Timmy gets it!!!"

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 12:15.

The puck didn't cross the line dude. I watched both TSN and RDS replays. From the overhead angle it was quite clear it did not cross the line. NHL refs are brutal and by no means I am defending them (hehe... being a ref myself) but just saying that a review would have yieled the same outcome - no goal. No Kovalev on a shootout? Carbonneau is a moron. This was ala Gretzky not in shootout in the 98 olympics.

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 03:14.

One thing that I have noticed about Carey Price is he really doesn't make any "big" saves. It seems as if he doesn't have excellent reflexes like many other goalies. I am watching the Edmonton highlights and see Garon making sprawling, leg splitting saves and I'm thinking to myself...Price wouldn't have got to that. His recovery doesn't seem to be the greatest. He is great with positioning and rebounds. But I think he relays on his positioning much more than reflexes. That is okay in major junior and the AHL when shooters hit you in the chest on every shot. But in the NHL, snipers pick off the top corners...and he has struggled making those saves. Just look at the highlights tonite..both goals beat him in the corners. I know he is only 20 and has loads of time to fix all of this...but it's just something I have noticed during this losing streak. I must admit I was guilty, along with many others, of declaring this guy the future of goaltending in the NHL a little too early.

Submitted by Chuck on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 04:06.

Not a goaltender, are you? You don't want your goalie to have to make sprawling, highlight-reel saves... that just means that your goalie was out of position to begin with. You DO want you goaltender to rely more on his positioning; why do you think that Carey seems to get hit in the middle of the crest a lot? If the opposing player is good enough to pick a corner from 15 feet out, I can live with that. After all, your guys should be able to do that to their goalie, too. It's when your goalie gives up shots on rebounds that he should have smothered, or on weak, long or unscreended shots that worry me. That's definitely not something that you can blame on Price. . . . ______________________________________________ "Vote Saku for All-Star... or little Timmy gets it!!!"

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 08:52.

I understand what you are saying, but their are times when a desparation save is needed, regardless of how "in position" the goalie was. I just think he relies on positioning a little too much. Don't get me wrong, I would much prefer a good sound positional goalie like Price over a flopping Aebiesher. But sometimes goalies don't have time to completely be in position and must rely on reflexes. I'm just worried that he "drops down" in position and then hopes it hits him a little too much. I am obviously not a goalie, so feel free to cretique my theory. With that being said, I still feel Price has the ability to be a great goalie.

Submitted by HotHabs on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 03:08.

After watching yet another loss here are my really late post-game comments (bout of insomnia tonight): -was this actually a great effort? think about it: TB has the worst road record in the league and is behind Mtl. in the standings and we still can't beat them on home ice!!! -Kovy, Higgins, Pleks, Tom the Bomb, Komi played pretty hard tonight. If we are honest about the "good effort trophy" it would have to be given to those guys. -Carbo is a lame coach. His benching of the kid O'Byrne screamed of inexperience and injustice. Our newest D-man bobbled a rolling puck and the coach sits him for the rest of the game????? That could've happened to Markov or anyone else. It wasn't an experience or bad decision mistake - it was a fluke and TB capitalized. That was a pure rookie call by Carbo!!! -Breezer should spent more time eating $6 hotdogs in the box - way too many mistakes again tonight. He's eating up valuable playing time that either Gorges or another D-man call-up could use at this level. -observed all night the more and more obvious weaknesses of our rookie goalie. He cheated badly on the left side tonight which resulted in a goal, and his glove was slow which gave up the LeCav goal (incidentally he wasn't screened on the shot). Thankfully this kid covers a lot of space and plays a near perfect butterfly making the bottom of the net near impenetrable. That said, Huet is most certainly the better goalie in Mtl. -where were Kovy and Lats in the shootout???? I'm no Lats fan, but the boy can score in shootouts. My choices would have been Kost, Kovy, Lats. I think Marc Denis could have just lay across the crease and won!!! -i have a familiar song in my head for Ryder: na na na na, na na na na, heeey goodbye... -this game should have been a confidence booster over a team trying to find itself, but instead turned into a confirmation of how bad the Habs really are right now. Can they play better? I think so. But this is an average team at best without, as Mr. Beliveau so subtly suggested, a superstar to carry the team when it's down. Also, I believe Carbo should be shipped off to Chibougamou to coach pee-wee in order to gain some valuable experience which just might salvage his future behind any pro-level bench! Not much to smile at (single point in OT for losing is nothing to be proud of) so, expect worse results against Philly and Leafs later this week.

Submitted by Blitzen on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 06:12.

Totally agree with you about the benching of O'Byrne...that was stoopid. I mean BreezeBy makes 4-5 of these mistakes per game but still plays. If he sends O'Byrne to the press box for the next game, then Carbo has to go.

Submitted by Norm0770 on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 01:46.

For anybody that feels Carbo is not part of the problem or is actually doing a goog job, this is from Pat Hickey's story this morning... The Canadiens have allowed eight power-play goals on 20 opportunities over the last five games, and Carbonneau said part of the problem stemmed from not taking an early lead. "It's always easier to defend on the penalty kill when you're ahead than when you're behind by one or two goals," he said. "Sometimes, I'll ask them to force the play because you might catch teams by surprise and score shorthanded." I couldn't make this stuff up it is so absurd! Your team is trailing so you tell them to take chances on the PK!?!? Concentrate on killing the penalty first or you'll be down by one more goal. Get them to play agressive and forecheck at 5-on-5 to generate scoring chances and draw penalties. Also it is not for Bob Gainey to sit down and help Carbo get his tactics in order as somebody suggested. If Gainey needs to baby-sit his coach, he might as well do it himself or get a new coach.

Submitted by Chorske on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 05:52.

Or Gainey could take over behind the bench himself, although I never like it when they do that- I prefer it when the GM does what he's supposed to, which doesnt include coaching. But who could take over? Muller? Jarvis? Hartley was fired cos he couldnt coax wins out of a lineup that includes Kovalchuk. What chance would he have here? I agree that Carbo seems to be on a different planet when it comes to strategy. But I think that comment is unfettered bullcrap, because I haven't seen any sign of 'forcing the play'. On the PK, win or lose, the Habs play boxed in deep and cede the point. It ties in to what the guys were saying on the puckcast, that Carbo will say anything at this stage to make the problem one of execution rather than fundamental strategy. Extending back to that early game where he failed to call a time out in the dying seconds, he has shown an uncanny knack for not fessing up to bad decisions- or worse, inventing excuses for failure out of thin air. I wish he'd eff off with the press conferences and just focus on the damn games.

Submitted by sidhu on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:56.

Steve Bernier - two goals tonight Saku Koivu - none in ten games Michael Ryder - none in eleven games

Submitted by sidhu on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 01:24.

Let's put the theory to the test -- Lombardi and Tanguay for Koivu and Ryder. Now we have to see how Lombardi and Tanguay perform at their next game.

Submitted by nick on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 01:45.

RDS has made mention of Koivu and Ryder for Marleau tonight.

Submitted by sidhu on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:57.

Our next opponent, the Flyers, scored 8 goals today and had 4 fighting majors. I'm almost beginning to feel that the Habs are intentionally languishing for another two years until Koivu and Kovalev's contracts expire. I hope we make a significant change in the roster (yes, trade Koivu) to shake things up. Koivu may have lost some of his fire -- he hasn't scored in 10 games and has only 4 assists in that span. As Mr Beliveau said, your leaders (not the youngsters) are supposed to get you out of a jam.

Submitted by delete on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:45.

The Canadiens are within one of their record for consecutive home-ice losses ... but at least the latest one wasn't an embarrassment. (Is anyone with fuctioning senses surprised?) After Marc Denis, who had not won a game this season, made a brilliant leg save on Saku Koivu to complete his shootout shutout, there was stunned silence in the Bell Centre, rather than the raucous boos that have rained down on the team after recent losses. (Resignation has set in. The final and fatal step "acceptance" is next.) Canadiens came back from a 2-1 third-period deficit and salvaged a point against Tampa Bay. (Woo, woo. I'm working on my Stanley Cup parade float as I type.) "We battled back," said Saku Koivu. "We've talked a lot about playing 60 minutes and not having letdowns. We can't take a period off." (Yea, you didn't score and as I posted earlier too your usual candy-*** penalty this evening which resulted in a goal. You can't give another guy in the room "the look" when that's the best you can muster.) Like the second. If the stat sheet is to be believed, the Canadiens had 13 giveaways in the middle period, 22 after 40 minutes – to two for Tampa Bay. Lightning scored their second goal off a blooper reel giveaway by Ryan O'Byrne, who played two minutes of the thhird period and was benched for the OT. (Another coaching milestone for Carbo. O'Byrne clearly loses his footing and you bench the guy. The Breezer can make multiple mistakes, but he rarely misses a shift. And, you wonder why this jackass has lost the room. The only thing his is eqipped to do behind the bench is merely open and close the door between shifts. If I were O'Byrne, I would have filed Carbo under "I" for incompetant.) The Canadiens didn't quit. Tomas Plekaanec tied the game at 2 with four and a half minutes left, and the Canadiens had the best of the OT. (The people on the Titanic didn't quit either, but were eventually overcome by hypothremia. Close only matters in horseshoes and hand grenades.) "We have to take the third period, memorize it and play like that for 60 minutes," said Alex Kovalev. (Why should tonight be any different from any other? Do you guys really believe that your fans are mentally impaired?) The coach thinks Canadiens "have to find a way to turn chances into goals." (I personally think it's high time the Canadiens took some time and actually tried to find a real coach. That is, someone with experience and a track record of success at some level of the game. Mites is OK.) Maybe Thursday in Philadelphia. And then, with that record for home-ice futility looming, Toronto is here on Saturday. (Don't bogart that joint my man. That's some pretty good *** you have gotten your hands on. Quick, get the bong!)

Submitted by delete on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:51.

The Black Death comes to mind as well. Can't wait for The Enlightment behind the bench, but it's probably a long way off.

Submitted by Mike on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:35.

oh btw, did anyone else noticed we got most of our chances by frechecking, and forcing the other team to mess up, also our goals were by crashing to the net rather then trying to out hustle on the boards. another thing is, why did we sstop passing the puck to our d or skating around and going to the point when we are in the opponents zone?

Submitted by Mike on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:42.

We have developed a style where we just shot at the net on on the boards as quickly as possible and hope for a lucky bounce, rather then setting up and making the better play. we are playing a scared game and hoping for the bounces rather then making thm. this maybe attributed to our confidance. hopefully we will learn from our mistakes.

Submitted by Norm0770 on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 01:15.

Playing the scared game to avoid getting nailed to the bench.

Submitted by Mike on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 01:27.

i know, the players have are too scared to play hockey, they are just trying to get rid of the puck right away so they can't be blamed for a mistake.

Submitted by Norm0770 on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 01:35.

Yeah, it's really sad to watch. One player after another gets benched for mistakes, berated in the media and then plays so tight they're paralyzed. Promising young O'Byrne was the victim of that tonight.

Submitted by Mike on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:30.

FOR THE LOVE OF G-D. PLEASE!!! Michael Ryder - Saku Koivu - Alex Kovalev Andrei Kostitsyn - Tomas Plekanec - Christopher Higgins Guillaume Latendresse - Kyle Chipchura - Mathieu Dandenault Mark Streit (if we can't have anyone else) - Maxim Lapierre - Tom Kostopoulos Andrei Markov - Mike Komisarek Roman Hamrlik - Ryan O'Byrne Francis Bouillon - Patrice Brisebois (Georges)

Submitted by Mike on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:41.

but good job today, good confidance booster. great effort, but still was not the best. overal positive game.

Submitted by caper_5 on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:11.

Listened to the game at work tonight, it sounded like a better effort. I think they should have a practice where they have to score over the sprawling goalie. It's unreal how many open nets and top shelfs these guys miss.

Submitted by Ed on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:09.

Carbonneau said that he would use Kovalev for 20 minutes per game. Tonight he played 18:10, & that included 1:56 on the PP in overtime. Plus he played in OT at even strength. Thus, he had less than 16 minutes in regulation.

Submitted by JF on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:07.

After reading everyone's doom-and-gloom comments, I'm going to be a bit positive. The Habs made a lot of mistakes, but they played with more intensity than I've seen for a while. The game wasn't embarrassing to watch, like Saturday's disaster. This is the very first time this season that we've come back after being down at the end of a period. For a team whose confidence has been shattered over the last few weeks, maybe that achievement alone will have a positive effect. Possibly if Carbonneau had made better choices of the shootout skaters (Kovalev rather than Plekanec) we would have won. Also, Marc Denis probably played his best game ever; like other Quebec-born goaltenders, he seems to raise his game a notch against the Habs. Most of the team looked as though they were trying, which has not often been the case lately. Even Koivu, though his expression is glum these days and he sometimes seems indifferent, was excellent on faceoffs. Dandenault looked great, not at all out of place on the first line. And Plekanec's goal was a beauty, the result of hard work and second effort.

Submitted by delete on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:05.

We've missed two points once again today It's the same old thing as yesterday There's a black biscuit caught in Price's net top There's a captain who's bad penalties won't stop I have stood here before hoping in vain With the other team turning circles 'round my brain I guess I'm always hoping that we'll resume our reign But it seems Carbo's destiny is to be the king of pain There's a puck trapped on the tip of Higgins stick (That`s my soul up there) Deep down we all know that he won't do *** (That`s my soul up there) Maybe Christ will intervene and their goalie will slip (That`s my soul up there) But, no it's trapped in their kicker's mitt (That`s my soul up there) I have stood here before hoping in vain With the other team's forwards circling 'round my brain I guess I'm always hoping that we'll resume our reign But it seems Carbo's destiny is to be the king of pain There's a Habs' forward trapped against the half wall (That`s my soul up there) There's his linemate, but he's only 5'10" tall (That`s my soul up there) There's the Breezer splayed out on the blue line (That`s my soul up there) This team's roster is a freakin' crime (That`s my soul up there) I have stood here before hoping in vain With the other team's forwards circling 'round my brain I guess I'm always hoping that we'll resume our reign But it seems Carbo's destiny is to be the king of pain There's a man behind the bench who hasn't got a clue And yet game in and out the fans must rue There's the players sleeping on a golden bed There's the fans choking on a crust of bread King of pain There's no tricks left in Carbo's pack There's a vulture above hunching its back We've missed two points once again today It's the same old thing as yesterday I have stood here before hoping in vain With the other team's forwards circling 'round my brain I guess I'm always hoping that we'll resume our reign But it seems Carbo's destiny is to be the king of pain King of pain Carbo will always be king of pain Carbo will always be king of pain

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:13.

Quite a poet Yeats. i wonder if we should start watching figure skating, at least they put there heart and soul into it.

Submitted by delete on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:18.

Not to mention the skimpy skirts. This team is done Ian. We have a very bad hairdo, not to be confused of course with Carbo's. It's time to get a crew cut and start from scratch. Barring an act of God, these guys won't get a whiff of the playoffs, let alone the Cup.

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:27.

WOW did we ever go into the tank in a hurry. I am not sure where the cancer is , but they better find it in a hurry before Gellett sells all there skates!

Submitted by delete on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:48.

There is truely something terribly wrong with this team. I have to confess, however, that I don't have a clue as to how to solve it.

Submitted by TheMock780 on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:51.

If the Habs lose on Saturday will people start agreeing with me that the vet corps needs to be blown up and that they will not get any better without a big, strong, skilled #1 centre ie. suck and go for Steve Stamkos in the draft? Time for more patience and a little more rebuilding.

Submitted by Cable Guy on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:50.

Price is playing like crap. We can't score. This is the worst as I've seen this team be since I've watched these guys from 1979 till now. They should give refunds to the people that pay to watch this crap. I have desjardin club tickets for Gainey's retirement night Feb 23rd.....willing to give these away to whoever emails me first, mcloutier1@cogeco.ca

Submitted by Bob Barker on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:46.

Yeah stopping 29 of 31 shots including 13 in the third is a pretty crappy game.

Submitted by delete on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:58.

The two that went in were kinda crappy!

Submitted by ebk on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 01:05.

let's both save ourselves a lot of typing and agree to disagree again, ok or we can both just reread our last attempt to sway the other. you have a good night, yeats

Submitted by delete on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 01:08.

Come on, you and I know you would have had that first one. I wish I could go and have a good night after this one. All the best!

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:51.

I will go to help boo the HABS

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:00.

By any chance is this Riverview N.B.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:00.

Yes it is

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:05.

Im going to have to get a name maybe. I'm in Belleville On. But i was involved in minor hockey in Riverview for many years, had a fox and mink ranch in Salisbury.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:08.

Small world, was your farm on the Riverview side of the river?

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:20.

One of my sons played for the riverview canadians before we moved to ont. he played here in the OHL. What is your name?

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:16.

No ,First place on the other side of the village on Salisbury rd.

Submitted by Bill on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:47.

I'll take the point! Sure looked like we weren't going to get one for a hell of a long time. Would've been nice to see a win, but goals are scarce for the Habs. Basically it comes down to that brutal Andre Roy goal. Tough luck for O'Byrne and the Habs. Still, coming back to tie it has to give the Habs a lift. I'll be looking for a better game on Thursday. When is Huet back? I thought Price played okay, handled his rebounds really nicely, followed the puck well. All the shots that beat him were lasers ... but also all high-corner shots. Did Pierre already publish his book? I'd like to see Huet against the Flyers, Price against the Leafs.

Submitted by Gilles Poisson on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:57.

You're right Bill. It didn't look like they'd get anything and they did scrap for that point. What sucks is that they had to. I don't know if that's going to be enough of a lift but it's better than nothing I guess. Huet vs Flyers, Price vs Leafs, sigh, sure why not. Got a feeling there's going to be a big change between now and then.

Submitted by fun police on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:41.

all day tomorrow i'll have to listen to pathetic leaf fans tell me how they predicted another collapse by the habs. have to hear the same crap, "too small", "can't score five on five"...i just don't think carbo gets the best of these players. i honestly believe a change of coach and you would see koivu, ryder and kovy take off.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:47.

I feel your pain, I will have to listen a DET fan say "see I told you, Tampa loses against the Leafs, they beat MTL" How does this happen, like come on I have already said it but...6 losses at home...is Price really the man, or is there a problem with goaltending? or is it veteran players who cannot finish? I doubt anyone can figure this out, but I say lets lay off Carbo for a while, I don't think it is him, I think MTl has found their groove, and it is called...............................................................................................LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSING!

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:39.

Sad times yeats, sad times. I'm one of the most positive guy's, always seeing the positive out of every game. Growing from every give away and mistake, getting better each game. What the hell are we wasting our time watching this crap for. All the kings horses and all the kings men,could never put this broken egg together again!

Submitted by Mattee. on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:40.

Ian, hearing you say that! You're the most positive guy on here. I can feel the pain in your words.

Submitted by Barts on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:38.

Carbo is asked in the press conference why he didn't use Kovalev... His answer: "I was waiting to use him in the fourth round." You've got to be f***ing kidding me. Red Fisher grills Carbo about the giveaway stats after the second period; he tells Carbo they were 22 for Montreal, to 2 for Tampa. Fisher wants to know what he thinks of that. Carbo suggests it's a mistake; he is not impressed.

Submitted by RS on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:51.

Somebody stick a mike in Kovy's face and ask him about the coach's decision. Beware of fireworks.

Submitted by fun police on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:42.

don't have ris here in northern ontario, thanks for the updates on the PC

Submitted by Mattee. on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:45.

I'm in Ottawa, anybody know if we get RIS at all?

Submitted by PattyBoy31 on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:38.

look what happened once the crowd were behind the habs. they started producing more scoring chances. It really is a psychological advantage when youre being oleyed instead of booed.

Submitted by Gilles Poisson on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:00.

It's a chicken and egg thing.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:38.

6 at home and counting...I am glad all the games are sold out and I will not be able to go see one. The prices to pay right now to see a losing team that can't finish...RIDICULOUS. I am not one to start bashing them, but I have had enough, this is embarassing, TOR is winning, DET and OTT keep winning, BOS is winning, WTF why can't they win, at home even. HABS YOU SUCK HABS YOU SUCK HABS YOU SUCK Goodnight HABS fans, I would try and dream about the '86 series, but they would probably still lose...

Submitted by Mattee. on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:34.

Wow, I would have fully expected Kovalev to be angry or something about not shooting in the shoutout. but he said nothing... what's happened to him? I almost wish he did!

Submitted by Barts on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:33.

Waiting for the Carbo press conference on RIS... Why? I don't know, I guess so I can listen to him rail off the same feeble excuses as always.

Submitted by Mattee. on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:39.

what channel is that on?

Submitted by fun police on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:35.

wonder if he will indirectly call out his captain, put down his rookie goalie, and complain about the distractions of playing home games.

Submitted by Gilles Poisson on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:36.

Ouch... but points for accuracy.

Submitted by Mattee. on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:33.

It's time for a changing of the guard. From the coaching staff down. I love Koivu but we've drawn from his well for too long and he doesn't want to give anymore, he'll be happy somewhere else and he deserves it.

Submitted by doogie on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:32.

it's called a "shootout" not a "deekout".

Submitted by PattyBoy31 on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:36.

yeah, just look at richards...fly in and shoot = goal. As a goalie I know its easier to cover the bottom on the ice on a deke

Submitted by Gilles Poisson on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:37.

watch Higgins or saku and they look like snake charmers.

Submitted by mbplekfan on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:31.

Carbo was thoroughly out coached again. Line match ups were bad, strategy was bad. Playing lines 4 and 4a so much was bad. Benching Obyrne confidence shattering. Carbo must be fired asap. The team has quit on him and I dont blame them. Cmon Bob, do the right thing. Fire Carbo.

Submitted by Norm0770 on Wed, 12/12/2007 - 00:31.

I couldn't beleive Lappierre and Kostopolis were on for a d-zone face off in OT against Lecavallier and St. Louis! Then Pierre McGuire saying it was a good coaching job by Carbo to talk to them before the face-off...He had last change and put them out against 2 of the top 10 players in the league! And benching O'Byrne is brutal! Breezer and Boullion had more give aways than O'Byrne and were VERY lucky a couple of theirs didn't end up behind Price.

Submitted by StillattheMapes on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:39.

Totally agree. Right now, end discussion. Doesn't mean it is anything like his fault, but this is nae the Dallas and we dinny play footba' heer............

Submitted by fun police on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:34.

carbo can't coach skilled players. carbo would bench gretzky in his prime for turnovers and lack of defensive effort.

Submitted by Gilles Poisson on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:42.

I don't know if he can coach skilled players or not. I hope someday he gets a chance to try.

Submitted by doogie on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:30.

Could someone please ask the idiots in red sweaters to shoot the puck during shootouts? This "f" deek thing doesn't fool anybody. Anyone notice what Richards did with the thing....buried it! Trade everybody !

Submitted by MathMan on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:30.

Right now Montreal's confidence is nil, they are tentative and hesitant, they give the puck away, they can't handle bouncing pucks or pucks that aren't flat on the ice. For a team in that state, they're going to need a lot of breaks for that to happen... but seriously, this is Montreal, so here's what happens: On the same sequence Montreal saw a linesman block a clearing attempt and practically give the puck to a Bolt for a breakway chance, then see the refs ignore a blatant holding-the-stick infraction on Lecavalier then penalize Plekanec for lifting the stick. Tampa holds the puck for 90 seconds on the power play and when Koivu gets a clear chance to clear it and maybe even make a pass, his stick breaks and the Bolts recover. I'm not going to absolve Montreal after this giveaway-fest, but it's clear they're not going to get out of this one on their own. They need either some luck or a shakeup.

Submitted by mbplekfan on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:33.

When you are benched for any mistake big or small you play tentative. That describes the team right now. Who to blame????? Carbo of course. He has destroyed the confidence of the young players and the veterans have quit on him because he's a jerk. Carbo must go.

Submitted by HABSMANIA on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:28.

NIGHTMARE!!!!

Submitted by NLhabsfan on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:28.

Carbonneau probably has one or two more games.What would a trade do right now.Still have an ineffective coach.

Submitted by Y on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:27.

I wonder if the guys have a limbo bet or something with some of the shyte teams out there a la Phoenix, Edmonton or the Kuwaiti National Ice Hockey team to see HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?

Submitted by StillattheMapes on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:27.

K didn't skate towards the net with any sort of conviction or power. His legs just said... no lo so. I'm sorry, there is something very, very wrong with our team.... and it isn't talent. We have this, more than we realize.

Submitted by Gilles Poisson on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:24.

For a minute there I thought we could blame the refs in the shootout, in true Habs fan fashion.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:23.

It is going to be hard to watch them on Thursday vs PHI. The slump continues...How can anyone enjoy this anymore. I like a cloes game, but come on, Tampa played last night and from what I hear, did not have an early sleep in Montreal. Wow the HABS suck!!!!

Submitted by RCMP486 on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:23.

This team is so bad its depressing

Submitted by Barts on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:23.

Nice... the Habs lose to a tired team playing its 3rd game in four nights.A team that was lit up by the MAPLE LEAFS LAST NIGHT!!! Someone has to examine Carbo's head as well... No Kovalev in the shootout????? This team makes me friggin' sick. Something has got to give.

Submitted by doug on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:24.

Let's start with firing CARBO. Thank you.

Submitted by doug on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:24.

Let's start with firing CARBO. Thank you.

Submitted by 24 Cups on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:23.

Well there you have it. Our best players let us down all night and then Koivu seals our fate. Please no Carbo posts, our best five players let us down tonight. Koivu, Higgins, Kovalev, Komisarek, and Markov owe Dandy an apology. The Original 24 Cups

Submitted by fun police on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:30.

carbo does suck. kosto and lapierre on the ice in ot against richards and lecavalier. kots gets one shift in o.t and draws a penalty. no kovy on shootout. fourth line on twice in last 1:30. at least tampa rides their horses. we straddle our horses with sporadic icetime coupled with defensemen as wingers. then we complain they don't score or our skilled guys let us down. carbo let us down by his ridiculous lines.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:25.

how many open nets do they have to miss...great friggin start to December HABS.

Submitted by doug on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:24.

Carbo SUCKS. Thank you.

Submitted by Kevin on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:22.

Bad shootout lineup by Carbo. At this point I just want the first overall pick at this year's draft. Its simply depressing. Seems like there's only a handfull of us who keep blogging here as most have abandoned ship until things turn around.

Submitted by Y on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 23:22.

I'm trying to wake up but this nightmare just won't end!

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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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posted by Mike Boone at 18h23 EST on Dec 11

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