Big trouble

posted by Mike Boone at 14h14 EST on Apr 19


Canadiens come home reeling in a series they led 3-1.

The Bruins scored four – FOUR! – third period goals to even the series and force Game 7 Monday night.

If there are ghosts in the Bell Centre, they'd better suit up because Boston has taken control of this series.

Canadiens tried. Saku Koivu played well in his return, Christopher Higgins scored twice, Francis Bouillon got one.

Tomas Plekanec played his heart out and scored Canadiens' second goal.

But the team in white blew leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. As was the case in Game 5, Canadiens couldn't seal the deal. 

Don't blame Carey Price for this debacle. Canadiens defensive zone play was pathetic in the third period. Marco Sturm scored the winner after an extended period of territorial domination, which began with Alex Kovalev's failure to clear the zone.

Kovalev and Andrei Kostitsyn were minus-3 on the game. Brutal. 

The Canadiens' leading scorer was invisible tonight ... and unless Kovalev shows up Monday ...

 

 

 


1P Break:

Sturm line comes close. Awfully fast

Precedent?:

The last sudden-death sports event played on a Monday in Montreal: Oct. 19, 1981. We won't go there. I'm sorry I mentioned it.

3P 1:00:

Smolinski???

3P 2:37:

Kovalev has been horrible. And that one should end it.

3P 3:27:

4-4 31 shots each. What a game.

3P 4:04:

I DON'T BELIEVE THIS!!

3P 4:15:

Kessel beats Koivu's check.

Wow!

I'm sick. 

3P 5:30:

Savard line against Max line: big mismatch

3P Break:

If this one slips away ...

3P 6:25:

Smoke line never quits.

3P 7:09:

Pedneault points out that Boston forechecks two and keeps getting the puck, unlike Canadiens who send one.

3P 7:47:

Man, you have to drive a stake through their hearts. This is killing me.

3P Break:

Price is so alert. Smart to get a freeze there. Ouf, this will be a long eight minutes.

3P 9:40:

Carbo comes right back with Smoke line.

3P 9:56:

FRANCIS BOUILLON!!

 

A freakin' miracle 

3P 10:10:

Gorges is back. Hope a good goal wins this, and not some fluke.

3P 11:10:

Krejci makes a great backcheck on Koivu and Sturm screws up the rush. Gorges hasn't been back.

3P 11:30:

Man, I don't want a seventh game.

3P 13:20:

Alex Kovalev is destroying what little remains of my sanity.

3P Break:

Kovalev is having problems. The Bruins block everything on the PP.

3P 16:00:

Sergei makes a good play and Ference has to take a penalty on Higgins

3P 16:25:

Uh-oh, Gorges hurt.

3P 16:47:

Man, give up the blueline, Gorges makes the first move and it's 2-2

3P 17:38:

Price on Schafer. Kid is something else.

3P 18:30:

Hamrlik great on Savard.

3P 19:59:

Here we go. Sounds noisy down there.

3P 20:00:

20 minutes to the next round. Canadiens have to play one of those textbook third periods we saw down the stretch: get pucks deep, make the Bruins skate 200 feet, work it around their end and wear out the D.

Between periods:

Koivu and Plekanec have been superb ... Canadiens using four D, Breeze and Bouillon being spotted ... The third period could be the best of this series ....Plekanec has six shots ... Markov has played more than 18 minutes

2P 00:00:

Whew!

2P 00:20:

Plekanec is GRAT tonight.

2P :

That's two diving calls tonight. I'm afraid of Kessel 4-on-4

2P 1:28:

Is Kovalev playing tonight?

2P 1:50:

My man JG is playing well tonight. Bruins have hit two posts.

2P 3:20:

Bruins are just taking over the Canadiens zone.

2P 5:10:

Even Smoke, the old goat, is skating on that line.

2P Break:

What a game! Good chances at both ends. Gotta watch those penalties, because these refs are capricious (a fancy word for horsecrap)..

2P 6:15:

Horrible sequence. Canadiens couldn't get out.

2P Break:

Price makes a miraculous save ... again. The game is end-to-end. Another playofffclassic.

2P 9:34:

What a set-up by Koivu!

2P 10:40:

How did Chara miss that? Wow! And then Tom the Bomb hustles Savard into an idiotic penalty.

2P Break:

Mark Streit is playing his way right out of town. Absolutely useless in this series.

2P 11:55:

Breeze! He's gonna kill me!

2P Break:

Thomas has mask problems. He's supposed to  come out. What a pass by Bégin.

2P 12:17:

Kostopoulos great on the PK.  Kessel is just on fire. Higgins also  great: playing his best game of the series.

 

TOMAS PLEKANEC!!!!! 

2P 14:25:

Lucic dives. Plekanec goes.

2P 14:52:

Koivu makes a great play. So does Sergei. But they can't score.

2P 16:00:

Markov still in a bit of a daze

2P 18:00:

Gut check time. This is the series

2P 18:06:

Game 5 revisited?

Kessel is taking over the series.

1-12 

2P 19:00:

Same situation as Game 5.

2P 19:55:

Pleks wins another one

2P 20:00:

Two words: No mistakes. And no dumb penalties. Next goal tells the tale.

Cherry:

I forgot to watch. Anything remotely worthwhile?

Between periods:

Carey Price has been outstanding ... Canadiens are an astounding 16-3 on faceoffs. Koivu is 5-0, Max 4-0, Smoke 3-1 and Pleks 4-2 .... Hurt he may be, but Markov played 9:16 ... Kessel has been very dangerous ... Quiet period for Kovalev ... The PP is still struggling ... Talk about enhancing UFA status: José Theodore

1P 00:00:

Bégin is getting in Chara's head. This is good. I love Price casually picking up the puck while the scrumming goes on.

1P 00:13:

Big faceoff

1P 1:40:

God, I love that Smoke line.

1P :

Some good shots on the PP. But the Bruins PK was effective.

1P 4:25:

Another PP. Sergei K did a good job of selling it.

1P Break:

Canadiens hanging on. The goal did not change momentum. Bruin forecheck is pounding the Canadiens' D. Forwards have to help.

1P 5:30:

There's a switch: Breeze saves Harlik

1P 6:20:

We won't see much of the Max line, eh?

1P 6:57:

The Koivu line is hot! And Markov can still skate.

1P 8:20:

Good hustle by Andrei K. Bouillon's been good.

1P 9:24:

Markov is messed up.

1P Break:

HUGE goal, because the momentum was all Boston. Nice to have the captain back, eh?

1P 10:16:

WE MISSED THE GOAL!

 

What a play by Higgins! 

1P 10:25:

Cheap shot by Kessel. I hate that guy.

1P:

The PP is hurting. And Axelsson gets a breakway. The PP guys are being pressured into fast, bad decisions.

1P 12:50:

First PP. Koivu on first wave

1P Break:

Bruins have the best of the physical play. The skill guys have to get some rubber on Thomas, or the Canadiens will be ground down.

1P 13:50:

Bruins forecheck pressures Breeze

1P 15:00:

Gorges skips away from Lucic and then Chara kills Andrei K.

1P 16:00:

Markov is off to a very rough start.

1P 16:45:

Hamrlik: so good.

1P 17:40:

Nokolainen dumps off and drives the net. Good play.

1P 18:00:

Pleks has come to play. And Bouiloon fires a bullet at Thomas

1P 18:50:

Price huge save already

1P 19:59:

Koivu to start against Krejci

Drop the puck!!:

I'm dyin' here.

René Rancourt:

Roger Doucet on acid.

Saku:

Talking to Price.

The PP :

Gotta be better with Koivu and with Streit back in ... if Streit has his head on straight.

1P 20:00:

I have no idea how Canadiens are going to play. I can imagine Claude Julien telling his guys: "Look, they're dressing two injured players. We've go them on the run." Bruins will be confident. First goal wasn't key in Game 5, but I think it will be tonight.

Jean Perron says ...:

Oh, who cares what the hoser says.

Bob Hartley says ...:

Francis Bouillon is "built to play the style of the Boston Bruins." Thinks he'll help Gorges.

Jocelyn Thibault:

Looks like he's on the way to his grad dance.

Still sunny out:

Too nice to be having my 19th nervous breakdown in a clammy baseent. I think I'll blow off the first period. As if ...

Gaston Therrien says ...:

Canadiens need faster and more efficient transition. Bouillon will help. And the other forwards have to do what the Smoke line does: get after the puck and create pressure in the Bruins' end.

Koivu and Bouillon hilights:

To open RDS pre-game. Carbo says it isn't a paic move (like he'd happily admit it if it were) .... Nice hair on the captain and a good beard coming in for Frankie

Lineup:

O'Byrne, Ryder and Latendresse out. Koivu, Bouillon and Streit in.

Agony:

This is a stern test of the pre-work abstinence regimen that has served me well through a long and semi-distinguished career. I need a drink. I need a Valium. I need a spliff. If this mo-fo goes to a seventh game, I'll need electro-shock therapy. And this is only the quarter-finals!!!

Passover gag:

So Moses comes down from Mount Sinai and says he's got good news and bad news. "The good news is I got Him down to 10. The bad news is adultery's still in there."

Bada-boom. I'll burn in hell, where I won't be able to get RDS. 

Pre-game laugh:

Thanks to The S1cilian for today's chuckle. Pas mal drôle, ça: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka-muDJYb04

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Comments

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thirdstone's picture
Submitted by thirdstone on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 15:06.
On a lighter note, how much of a 60's child was Boone? I mean I read about acid valium and spliffs, but did the habs in those years really go hand in hand with acid? And if so, feel free to get down to some 1960's Hunter S. Thompson style GONZO journalism for this next game. I hear Julien has a weak spot for LSD... ...Although on second thought, maybe it's Carbo that needs it...

thirdstone's picture
Submitted by thirdstone on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 14:59.
Game 7 victory is the only way the Habs have a chance of doing anything these playoffs. The team that's been dressed in these series is entirely different than the one I watched during the regular season, and the only thing that can change this team is some real fear of losing. I won't grieve for a Montreal Canadiens team that loses tomorrow, I'll grieve for the team that played an outstanding regular season that somehow died between the regular and post season.

Treefingers's picture
Submitted by Treefingers on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 09:07.
If this nightmare comes to an end tomorrow I'm gonna take the rest of the week off to grieve.

RetroMikey's picture
Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 09:04.
Claude Julien is starting to look like a genius. Why did we let this guy go? I keep asking this question the past few seasons. He knows how to motivate his players. What is being said to the players during the second intermission before the start of the third period? Why the third period meltdown? Should be a great game 7. Give full credit to Boston for coming back in this series and proving to everyone that you have to play hard and hustle every shift to succeed. Lesson to be learned by everyone. Anything can happen in the playoffs on any given night. I had a sense this may go to a game 7 although I predicted a Montreal series victory in 6 games. Let's hope the game goes to the better team Monday night. To the victor goes a gruelling second round series. GO HABS GO! "We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"

Fansincebirth's picture
Submitted by Fansincebirth on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 11:32.
Julien told his players during the second intermission, that if they wanted to keep playing hockey this year, they'd better start acting like it. Apparently, they do.

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 10:22.
why are people in denial of the truth? we need to open our eyes, since game #2 we have been outhit, out muscled and thats a fact. Julien admited that FINALLY the bruins are playing their game, not a finesse game, a hardworking pressure hitting game. Carb is 110% to blame, he has weaklings in the lineup against a physical team. he has iced a team that we never saw in the regular season..EVER. this years playoffs have been a total disaster by his coaching. last night he removed Latron, Ryder and Obryne,,thats 3 of our top 5 hitters and strength players....the bruins must have been LAUGHING their asses off when they heard that. Insert Ryder, Latron, Obryne, Remove Breezer, Dandy, Kostyjr, and Stewart or CHip in for Gorges - STriet back to D.

doug's picture
Submitted by doug on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 12:27.
Man I couldn't agree with you more. Play a whole season. Rise above expectations. Win the conference. Start the playoffs. Change the entire team because of some nebulous concept that "experience wins playoff games". . . Lose series. WTF? The true measure of a coach is what they do in the face of adversity. It's not when things are going well, it's when they're not. Last year we were the exact same team as this year's team until December in terms of performance. People forget that. We were flying with Buffalo and looked amazing. A dry spell hit. . . then we skidded into March when everyone says it was the flu that killed us. It was the lack of overcoming the slump in December/Jan that killed us. Flash forward to this year. Only team in the league to not lose three in a row. Never a real contentious moment. Never a chance to handle adversity. Now it shows up in spades in the playoffs. Tomorrow will answer the question: is Carbo a good coach or the beneficiary of a much underrated squad? I believe that the team is far more talented than widely held. If we can't win tomorrow it's coaching, pure and simple. It's the panic that Carbo showed last year. It's the decisive indecisiveness. The pressure is almost off I expect so little from them now - if they win I'll be shocked. Surprise me, Carbonneau.

thirdstone's picture
Submitted by thirdstone on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 14:52.
You both bring up a very interesting point. I never looked at it from the coaching point of view, and now that I have I feel as though I have a better understanding of what's going on.

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 16:51.
good post Doug, thirdS, damn its about time most start seeing it the way it is. what threw a curve was Breeze scoring that goal, yeah we got the win but it reinforced (proved) falsely Carbs "go with the Veterans" strategy.

Habs-Fan-In-KY's picture
Submitted by Habs-Fan-In-KY on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 08:13.
All time classic or all-time choke on Monday night? History says we win, but that's history.

G-Man's picture
Submitted by G-Man on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 06:35.
This series has been an exercise in futility. First, the Bruins stank. Now, the Habs stink. What a roller coaster. Whatever happens Monday, this has been an eye-opener of a season for the kids wearing the bleu, blanc,et rouge. Carbo and co. have done well to bring the team along this far, despite the 5 million coaches in the greater Montreal area and throughout the world on the web. I wonder when the calls for his head on a platter will start. Oh, yeah, by reading a few of the posts I see his arrest warrant has already been issued. If winning the Cup was easy, why do 29 teams fail every year? This organization is close and is on its way up. The goal is in sight, don't act like rats and abandon the team when our support on Monday is needed. Be a fan, not a cynic. Gilbert Remember '71? Remember '86? Now is the time to believe. The Drive for 25 is on! Go Habs Go!

RGM's picture
Submitted by RGM on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 05:52.
Kovalev's muffed clearing attempt reminded me of the way things were at the start of the season and much of last season. There would be a simple opportunity to clear the puck, and it wouldn't happen, resulting in extended pressure and often a goal. That's the type of mistake that simply cannot happen in the playoffs. I'm a little frazzled at the status of things right now, but I still have a lot of confidence in this team to get the job done on Monday night. That it's in Montreal helps out, as we know the Bell Centre faithful will be extra raucous to spur the team on, much as Boston was spurred on by a very loud building last night. There were a lot of positives to take out of that loss: the Koivu line played fantastic, and Higgins finally busted out and notched a pair of big goals; Plekanec line looked good in the Bruins zone, though not so much in their own; Price demonstrated that he had overcome the Game 5 debacle and played very well despite what the score sheet says. It's going to be an epic confrontation Monday night, and it's high time the Habs rose to the challenge and get ready to move on to Round Two. ----- Go Habs Go!

Submitted by wild flower on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 02:20.
Julien's motivation to stick to Gainey is being transferred to his players. Carbo also gave them plenty of arrogant motivation in some of his post game comments through out the series. Kovalev is giving us the other side of the coin. The Beezer nostalgia has worn out as well. Ryder's played better at the end of the year and his effort over the last few years was part of the Hab's feel good story and motivation. To not have him out there with Koivu tonight was bad judgement in my opinion. Price can not be blamed but we should all realize that goaltending is hot and cold everwhere. Brodeur got schooled by Sean Avery?? while Theodore the Hab reject is once again the top flight goalie the Habs hope to have in Price. I thought Higgins showed that he is the real deal tonight and the type of player you need to win cups. I'm not so sure about some of the others - if country of origin doesn't matter, I think we can say size most definately does. Is there any chance we could get Saku's little brother, who was great in a losing cause.

RH's picture
Submitted by RH on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 07:19.
The morning after, and I think my head is FINALLY clear. Nice to read a post that makes sense. I know some of what I wrote last night was probably over-exaggeration but, the glaring holes in the Habs game, all season long, finally came home to roost and the B's capitalized without even blinking. A lot of faceoffs being lost, team toughness and grit, and a real lack of scoring support from others not named Kovalev, Plekanec and Kostitsyn. We all witnessed the Habs being manhandled by teams like the Rangers, Sharks, Ducks, Stars etc., during the season because these teams played an incredibly tight checking game centered by the neutral zone trap. The fact that the powerplay, which accounted for, what, 30 odd percent of the Habs goals went by the wayside because, every time Kovalev touched the puck, he was smothered by two players. The Bruins are moving well on the PK and are clearing the rebounds when they're not blocking the shots. The Habs are in tough on Monday and I'll be watching, as I always do.

Submitted by mbplekfan on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 01:53.
We have a very nice hockey team. Nice guys play golf...

VancouverHab's picture
Submitted by VancouverHab on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 01:34.
Bad news for all of you. If Boston wins -- as seems likely -- in game 7, Don Cherry will be 100% vindicated in calling the Canadiens too soft to win in the playoffs. I will be sick if the Habs lose -- just sick -- but we will have to face reality if they do: Cherry will have been right and his detractors wrong.

MikeMcLaren's picture
Submitted by MikeMcLaren on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 02:05.
And if Montreal wins -- as seems equally likely -- in game 7, Don Cherry will be 100% a boob, as he always is. He also said that Ottawa had a better chance in the playoffs than Montreal. He seldom bats 1.000 or even close. /\\ike GO HABS GO!

VancouverHab's picture
Submitted by VancouverHab on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 02:15.
Yep: Monday night we will know for sure whether: a.] Don Cherry is the boob b.] Anti-Don Hab fans are the boobs.

Submitted by Bouleau noir on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 02:25.
...... and unless kovalev shows up monday..... Kovalev's game is not up to the challenge of this series and this alone has deprived our team of two essential elements that were constituant to our identity this season,..... a very good offensive line when 5 on 5 and our great power play machine. Handicaped as a consequence of it and further deprived with the weakening of our second line in Koivu's absence,.... maybe we should feel lucky that we have not been ousted already and still have a chance left next monday. Boston have kept progressing throughout the series and their game last night was their best of the lot,... their defensive coverage is better than ours, their passing is more intelligent and better executed, their forechecking is outstanding and they are better at creating scoring chances than we are....... and last but not least this team can now score... as we know it too well. We have a chance on monday but we have a long way to go while they dont. Despite having a better roster in game 6 ( Saku, Bouillon ) our game remained tentative and error proned compared with the Bruins,... can that be fixed in one day ? you tell me..... but even if our cohesion improved it would still be a tossed up without Kovalev making his line and our PP much better than seen in the first six games,..... I have my doubts that it will happen,.... seeing Kovalev slashed on Ward today at the risk of being penalised and seeing him missing out on getting the puck out of our zone at the most crucial of times makes me think that his head has not been where it should have been in this series,.... and if he takes on to redeemed himself in the lenth of one game this will only make matter worst ( for his line and our PP ) as he will hang on to the puck too long.... and this will put us back to square one,.... not a place you want to be,... as I said, compared with the Bruins we have a way to go..... and contextually,... a long way to go might be a more appropriate way to put it.

Joe Habsfan's picture
Submitted by Joe Habsfan on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 01:02.
100% agree that Carbo is been outcoached. In a series where Boston has dominated the battles for the last three or four games he iced the smallest team he could tonight. O'Byrne must play he has been solid in the games he's played and he has to be told why is being put in: TOUGHNESS! Unless Ryder is hurt he should play with Saku. Streit OUT! I think he is hurt because he has been brutal the whole series. Latendresse...why was he out...he was one of the guys showing some toughness. Lapierre is working hard but he looks like a chicken with its head cut off out there running around and bouncing off everyone he hits. This was all meant to be though so they could win big at home in game seven!!! GO HABS GO!!

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 01:50.
I agree with you that Carbo has been outcoached. I never liked him as a coach. Even when habs were winning (seems like a while now, doesn't it) I still always throught that he will not take us far in the crucial moments (you know, like playoffs for example) and seems like he won't. Unfortunately, because he is Gainey's buddy he will never be gone until Gainey's gone. So, buckle up, we'll win another eastern conference title next year and promptly choke in the playoffs.

RiverviewCanadien's picture
Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:36.
Don't worry... I could have got seats behind Price for game 5, I decided no way, I opted for game 7 with seats that are almost center ice... I KNOW I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION!!! Brilliant, that is what Monday will bring, brilliant hockey played by the BEST team Canada has seen in a long time. GO HABS GO!

craz11's picture
Submitted by craz11 on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 11:43.
I HAD seats behind Price for game 5... and I wish I could get a refund... :-(

RiverviewCanadien's picture
Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 12:36.
tickets are already bought...gonna be a great game!!! nice pic ;) GO HABS GO!

sidhu's picture
Submitted by sidhu on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:28.
Congrats to Propecia Theodore, he's really bounced back __________ 16 for 25 all for one

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:07.
a Freind of mine made a good point, how Carbo is getting outcoached. We tie it at 4. Who does Carbo put out? The 1st line. You want to slow the pace down, put the 3rd and 4th line on for jeere's sake. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 02:10.
I am sorry, Teach, but are you questioning the coach that won the eastern conference? The same coach who had best power play in the regular season and had the team score most goals in the league... in the regular season. How dare you?!

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 02:45.
My friend made the point. I am agreeing with it tonight. I didn't do it when he was coaching his team to the number 1 spot as it made no sense most of the time. Doesn't mean I want him fired or lined up and shot. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 23:36.
Ooh... lined up and shot. That's a kind of idea I can get behind.

sidhu's picture
Submitted by sidhu on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:22.
I've been hearing similar comments about Carbo getting outcoached and not making sufficient adjustments to respond to Boston's style and to the poor performance of the PP. I also wonder whether our team is properly built for the playoffs. We have outhit the Bruins in games, but it appears that Boston is a grittier, tougher team (see, Lucic, Milan). We have guys like Streit, Pleks, and AK46 who have struggled in the playoffs despite playing extremely well in the regular season. I bring this up mainly because I think our performance this series will help determine what moves BG makes going forward (e.g., whether to resign Streit, who we sign to replace Ryder, who makes the club - Stewart? Chipchura? Valentenko?). Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be in the fetal position until Monday. __________ 16 for 25 all for one

likehoy's picture
Submitted by likehoy on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:15.
carbo's rookie playoff coaching mistake! mind you julien has had like 15 games more coaching experience and masterminded a 7 game come back years ago. what frustrates me the most about crabo is how he doesn't put koivu on to take important faceoffs. Third period with less than 5 to go. D-zone faceoffs should only be taken by koivu...or smolinski if koivu just had a long shift. What we miss is bonks ability to actually win a face-off. Smoke's okay but i had more confidence in bonk. Rolling 4 lines worked in the regular season but every moment is crucial in the playoffs...i'm expecting a really short bench for monday's game.

Mr.Hazard's picture
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:44.
The bright side: last game - 5-1 this game - 5-4 we kept fighting, even after we stopped trying... get what i mean? kinda? Ex nihilo nihil fit

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:46.
nothing worse than losing when you know you can do better if the right players were on the ice....Bruins press us with a physical game, and what does Carb do? removes a truck load of muscle from the lineup! (Ryder/Latron/OBRYNE) Boston must have been laughing their asses off pre-game. for the love of God: INSERT OBRYNE - REMOVE BREEZE INSERT RYDER - REMOVE STREIT INSERT LATRON - REMOVE SKOST INSERT STEWART - REMOVE DANDY

sidhu's picture
Submitted by sidhu on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:14.
Put in OB for Streit (great player but I think he's out of his element in the playoffs) Put in Stewart for Dandy (more grit, more intensity, good speed, and he has some offensive potential) __________ 16 for 25 all for one

sanj91's picture
Submitted by sanj91 on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:01.
OH MY FU&*ING GOD!!! YESS!!! how many times do i need to say this...why THE FU&K has stewart not played yet....why the FU*K is dandy playing....this is disgusting.....

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:09.
I've been saying it since Game #2.

Persis's picture
Submitted by Persis on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:59.
Hey, Habs-Prof, sorry, just a little peeve of mine here . . . That guy who wears #84 for our team? Guillaume? His name is LATENDRESSE. You hafta shorten it, maybe go for 'Laten' I guess, (although why go that route when his first name is so easy to shorten and we all know who Gui is) but who this Latron kid is you're always on about I'll never know. cheers buddy

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:09.
well at least you gave me a little laugh post game! I don't think i was first to coin "Latron", kind of sounds robotic! or La Tron...maybe Parisian....anyway, if Carb keeps up his 'pet shenanigans' then we really won't know who "LATEN" is anyway...

m00ks's picture
Submitted by m00ks on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:43.
OK. After downing a 40 oz my head is clearer. Koivu's strong play has affected Kovalev. With Saku leading the team and having a strong game, Kovy was lost and felt no sense of identity. Trying to be the general when all he had to do was be a soldier. After this poor showing, he's got something to prove the next game but sadly his envy will only result in another mediocre performance. Price had a decent game and I hope Carbo lets him know. There's only so much you can do when your defense is leaving you alone...again. Much stronger performance from Plekanec and Higgins reminded me tonight why he's my favorite player. Going back to wing allowed him to fully drive deep without worrying about back-checking. Hopefully this will carry over in the next game. I think what this series boils down to is momentum control. How you regulate and respond to the opposing team's momentum and how to build on yours. 4 goals in the third period is nothing short of a collapse. They were running around out of position, panicking and made terrible decisions with the puck. Now they have a couple of days before the final dance. They can clear they're heads to prepare for a fight. This team has responded before when they were left for dead and if they somehow turn the tides and stop this Boston train heading into Montreal, this would constitute as an even bigger character display than the one the Bruins have showed. I WILL watch the next game simply because it could be the final game that the Habs play this season and I don't want to miss it..as bad as it potentially becomes. This team has been great and this season's been great, I'll support the team to the end.

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:41.
The Teacher's Report Card All marks will be determined after Monday Night's Game. The only remarks I can give so far are, Kovalev, show the F--- up. Clear the damn zone. How many chances do you need? Koivu, What a heart. Nuff said. A bonus for Higgins. Something radical must be done. At this point, my opinion is that we insert Stewart in for Andrei Kostitsyn. He has been a BIG disappointment. A repeat of an earlier game, where after Chara hit him big, he disappeared. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Gary320's picture
Submitted by Gary320 on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:36.
The understatement of the year is. "Monday is a must-win"

likehoy's picture
Submitted by likehoy on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:05.
i'm not sure...i think that habs can take this series in 8.

VladIsMyDad's picture
Submitted by VladIsMyDad on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:33.
On the bright side, the Impact won their first game of the season tonight against Miami, after trailing 1-0 at the half.

the_larry's picture
Submitted by the_larry on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:32.
I missed the game, just got home. Did we play well? Sounds like we forgot to come out in the 3rd. Was Price playing well?

likehoy's picture
Submitted by likehoy on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:12.
koivu showed up and made higgins look good. Kovalev is lost, he must have crashed his plane on a deserted island. plekanec played less like a little girl and more like angelina jolie. markov...as carbo would say..."sees himself as a norris candidate too early" price was solid for 2 periods, the third period was a shootout, last shot wins! frankie the bull looked out of sorts as kessel deked his jock off...at least he was wearing one cause it looked like hamrlik left his in the dressing room. carbo has been out coached by julien as rainn wilson would say from the independent film "juno": "that ain't no etch-n-sketch, this is one doodle that can't be undid homeskillet"

showey47's picture
Submitted by showey47 on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:32.
"Don't blame Carey Price for this debacle. Canadiens defensive zone play was pathetic in the third period. Marco Sturm scored the winner after an extended period of territorial domination, which began with Alex Kovalev's failure to clear the zone"-boone. Alex kovalev's failure to clear the zone? Are you kidding me? How about the dman who had the puck afterwards who could of had a 25 foot chip shot off the glass but instead opted for the 125 foot wrap around our own net. This was the bonehead play that lead to the go ahead goal. How about the cube getting undressed by kessel for the first one, or the dman bobbling the puck and sobotka scores on the second, or when pleky wins the draw and ak46 is weak on the puck and the bruins get the puck back to the point so lucic can score on a deflections, how about a weak cover in front of our own net by the dman and koivu when kessel scores the fourth. Kovy or price didn't blow this game, it was because we didn't do the little things in our own end. We scored 4 goals, that should of been more than enough to beat the bruins, now we go back home for a game 7 where all the pressure is on us and not on the bruins. They are happy just to be here.

Submitted by ebk on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:46.
excellent post, showey!

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:50.
Kovalev. Solely responsible for goal # 5. Kovalev. God damn it. Pleky responsible for goal # 4. god damn it. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Submitted by ebk on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:58.
plekanec wasn't even on the ice for goal 4 god damn it!

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:09.
He lost the faceoff, hello. Unless that was the third. I'm so pissed I can't remember. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

showey47's picture
Submitted by showey47 on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:57.
pleky didn't lose the draw, it was right to ak46 and he lost the puck battle.

Submitted by ebk on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:21.
lol come on, he loses a draw and he's solely responsible for the goal, that is just ridiculous, teach same as laying all the blame for the fifth goal on Kovalev. He was part of it for sure but Hamrlik and Gorges had their heads up their butts on that one also. relax, have a beer and get ready for Monday. It's going to be a barn burner, my friend!

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:26.
HGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH Well he lost a lot of them. That's the point I'm trying to make. Hamrlik was off balance and got knocked off the puck big time yes, but it all started with Kovalev. I didn't want to enjoy a game on Monday damnit. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Submitted by ebk on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:29.
HGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH was the hell is that, and it was goal three. Brisebois and Hamrlik screwed up the defensive zone coverage on goal 4 and Koivu wasn't quick enough to bail them out on Kessel's second.

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:34.
GAH it was a noise. LOL Wouldn't have had the chance to screw up the coverage if Kovalev did what he had to do. And Koivu on that goal, perhaps but bad defence also on the 3-on-2. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Submitted by ebk on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:37.
yes, lots of plays made lots of mistakes. that's all I was getting at. I'm off, adriano, have a good night.

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:41.
Yeah, I'm just picking on the most obvious ones, but it's a pattern now for these players. Have a good night Earl. GAAAAHHHH lol. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Mr.Hazard's picture
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:41.
continuing your stream from paragraph 2: "how about 4 goals allowed in the third?" Ex nihilo nihil fit

Gary320's picture
Submitted by Gary320 on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:27.
Hope Carbo plans a field trip to St Josephs Oratory tommorow. http://shiflett.org/images/st-josephs.png Go Habs Go. If this team just plays collectivly.. we can destroy them bruins. More importantly.. if our D shows up.

NLhabsfan's picture
Submitted by NLhabsfan on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:26.
Well boston has done what they set out to do when this series began....hit our defensemen again and again. Now every time they get the puck they are looking like guys ready to throw in the towel and giving up the puck on every charge from the b's.The defense is playing hurt. I don't think O'Byrne would have been out of place tonight. Streit is playing hurt and it showed. What do you do from here? I guess Carbo will have to make some changes.

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:40.
what does CARb have to do? for the love of God: INSERT OBRYNE - REMOVE BREEZE INSERT RYDER - REMOVE STREIT INSERT LATRON - REMOVE SKOST INSERT STEWART - REMOVE DANDY that will make us 10x stronger, should have been done at game #2 or #3...the second we saw the Bruins Game plan of pounding us relentlessly

JB_15's picture
Submitted by JB_15 on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:23.
I'm getting tired of this garbage that people are saying this team is overconfident. Did you see Tomas Plekanec after he scored his breakaway goal? The guy looked to the heavens, pumped his fists, and looked as if he had just had the weight of the world lifted off of him. These guys are trying. They are. Saku Koivu and Chris Higgins played their hearts out. It's not that they're getting outworked, its that their strategy isnt working, which is what makes it all really scary. The Habs deserve to win this as much as the Bruins. Both teams are fighting tooth and nail in this series. I sincerely hope the bell centre crowd doesnt get on their case early next game. This team has given us the season of the century so far, and though it is sad to see we are now on the brink of elimination, this team has done some incredible, unexpected things. Don't count them out just yet. Please. They deserve more than that.

HABSfan_inAB's picture
Submitted by HABSfan_inAB on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 00:33.
Thank you, well said.

Submitted by sadave on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:29.
With ya, JB.

tony d's picture
Submitted by tony d on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:19.
Hmmmmmm... I was skeptical about Koivu's return but he proved me wrong...he played with heart, grit and showed what a true leader he is. Some of his mates should hang their heads in shame for letting him down tonight. Their inability to clear the zone was pathetic...(you'd think they would have figured that one out by now...it's been a problem all year) I thought with Koivu's return Kovalev would be a little lost and he sure was tonight...he was in such a fog that you couldn't see him.... Markov must've had about 6 or 7 brain farts tonight.... Boston had their foot on the gas and kept coming.... I thought Montreal would bring their triple AAA game tonight and totally dominate..... I seriously do not know when or if that will ever happen the only line that has been consistent is Begin's grinder line...had some good chances... lot of smells coming from both benches...one of a comeback...the other of stinky defeat

Diriangen's picture
Submitted by Diriangen on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:17.
Mike are you still with us? I noticed you stopped blogging with about a min to go. Just hang in there buddy... The entire (Habs) nation feels your pain. Go Saku!

Larry's picture
Submitted by Larry on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:13.
The thing about this is although I hate the Bruins I really like Claude Julien. I liked him when he was with us and I find that all through this series he is winning and losing with class and dignity.

likehoy's picture
Submitted by likehoy on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:07.
time to break out of some clichés and motivate the team. Who's that motivational speaker hired by the team...is he on call cause they might need a talking to? here are some things i'd imagine him saying. "try your best?! only losers try their best! winners go home and _______ the prom queen" - full metal jacket "go out there and give 111% cause all the other punks give 110%" - George Strombolopoulos.

frank81's picture
Submitted by frank81 on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:07.
It's weird to say, but maybe going 8-0 against Boston this year was the worst thing that could have happened. It seems like some members of the team thought the playoffs were going to be just as easy, and the Bruins are doing their damnedest to avenge those losses. I have hope that the real Habs team - the one that managed to finish on top of the Eastern conference - will show up for game seven. I won't be happy with a loss, but I won't be too upset as long as they actually play hard for the full sixty (or more) minutes. Let's go Habs!

Larry's picture
Submitted by Larry on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:12.
I definately think they underestimated the Bruins. I think everyone did. But like someone pointed out here, if they had just split the season series with Montreal they would have been first and we would have been eighth. This is a good, gritty well coached team. And right now their goalie is better than ours.

frank81's picture
Submitted by frank81 on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:19.
It's obvious that they've underestimated the Bruins. A lot of the blame for that probably rests with Carbo, especially after he unceremoniously dismissed the notion that the Bruins had momentum after their first win in the series. I'm not a hockey expert, and I try not to criticize Carbo's every decision, but that was the height of arrogance and it looks like it's turned out to be an egregious mistake.

Vid's picture
Submitted by Vid on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:02.
Tonight's game has to be considered the most emotionally draining game of this series thus far for any habs fan who watched so it's understandable that we will see some pretty extreme opinions here. Let's not be too critical of each other and realize that we are all disappointed, frustrated and mad because we care about this team and want them to succeed. Bottom line: There is still a game 7 to be played.

Steiner's picture
Submitted by Steiner on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:58.
When I walked into the Bell Center on Thursday night, I sat in my seat and said to myself "We're not going to win this." I tried to convince myself that we'd win this one. But something told me we weren't. And in my head, I've seen the great collapse of game seven. I hope I'm wrong. I think theres an over-confidence in that room (which hopefully this loss will have FINALLY snapped), and while I've never mentioned this before theres something that's been bothering me and I'll just mention it anyways. I know Josh Gorges, and one of my girlfriend's knows him even better. We were speaking to him after the game five loss, and when we wished him luck on game six, his exact words were "It's in the bag." In the bag, it is not. Believe me, or not about knowing Josh, thats not what I'm here to talk about. But when he said that, I almost cringed. Because that's not my feeling. My feeling is the Curse of Claude circa 2004 will make a resurgence circa 2008. And it wont be pretty, because we're on the losing end of that one. I'm all for optimism, and maybe this was a curse from Moses wondering why I wasnt at my seder tonight for passover, but things are looking bleak. But I will not take down my flags, I will not give up yet. But its getting even more difficult to believe in the dream. After all, maybe thats all it truly was.

likehoy's picture
Submitted by likehoy on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:03.
you know josh gorges!?! jeaaalous yea well if the hockey team still has any dignity in themselves...they'll come out monday night and play their hearts out. I don't want to see another crying higgins. Stop crying and do something about it.

Diriangen's picture
Submitted by Diriangen on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:57.
Yeah, of course everyone will be watching on Monday... I know I will! That's not the issue. The issue is that I'm no longer confident that this team can pull it off on Monday. Sad I just said that, but look it, they sat back AGAIN at the beginning of the second period and BOOM tied game. Ditto in the third period (with a few notable exceptions). Really are they deaf? Muller has been telling them for the past two game to not sit back, don't sit back, don't sit back, don't sit back, DON’T SIT BACK… and nothing. Some of them finally got it going in the third after the momentum had shifted in Boston’s favour. I just don't get it how this team can play awesome at times and then just not skate, really try or want it bad enough. You see, that's what scares me -> the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde syndrome. Man this is soooo frustrating because I like – check – I LOVE this team so much and I know they can pull it off if they try. But sometimes they just don’t… Go Saku!

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:35.
we have the wrong players on the ice...we are out of miracles, only hardwork pounding grit will win the series. put the guys who can play that game and not go into a shell. Ryder, Latron, Obryne out tonight?????????MY GOD...what a disaster of an IDIOT that Carb was with that decision...we just gave up about 1000lbs of muscle. for the love of God: INSERT OBRYNE - REMOVE BREEZE INSERT RYDER - REMOVE STREIT INSERT LATRON - REMOVE SKOST INSERT STEWART - REMOVE DANDY and if possible, work CHIP into the lineup...we need strength and grit damit...we are playing the Bruins..not the Rangers. Carb, have you not figured it out yet?...get your PETS OFF THE ICE.

Norm0770's picture
Submitted by Norm0770 on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:55.
I'm just thinking of what the line-up should be on Monday. I would leave the Koivu line alone, they were great tonight. Put Latendresse or Begin on with Pleks and Kovalev to win some puck battles and free up some space. AKost with Kostopolis and Smoke as he may be able to bury some of the chances thay are creating. Lapierre, Dandenault and Ryder or Stewart, just because Streit seems in a complete funk. On D: Komisarek and Markov, Hammrlik and O'Byrne, Georges and Boullion.

Gary320's picture
Submitted by Gary320 on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:55.
I can't wait for Monday already.. Go Habs Go.

Larry's picture
Submitted by Larry on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:48.
I really fear for Price. Maybe they did rush him. I think that if they lose on Monday there is a good chance you will see him out of hockey in a few years. That Steve Penney comment by the Bruins is going to haunt.

Submitted by New on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:52.
Don't worry about Price, he's part of the solution.

Larry's picture
Submitted by Larry on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:46.
My girlfriend ended it on Thursday and now this. Not a good week. No one to talk this through with. Just sitting here sad and stewing. Not even watching the Colorado game.

Submitted by stephen on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:55.
Sorry to hear that, Larry. Here's to hoping the Habs can lift your spirits on Monday!

Larry's picture
Submitted by Larry on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:09.
Thank You Stephen. I hope they can brighten my spring too.

thirdstone's picture
Submitted by thirdstone on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:43.
new rule: first posters are allowed to write novels.

thirdstone's picture
Submitted by thirdstone on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:42.
As I've followed the habs throughout the years, I've been constantly bearing witness to the connection that there is between the fans and the team; extended exposure to a team's highs and lows gives the fan the ability to tune into and get a feel for the team's vibe. Throughout the year I've tuned into great vibes; the chemistry on the power play can be seen as a microcosm of the entire year! The idea is simple: the power play is something that is universal among all teams. You play hard and the other team is penalized; you're presented with an opportunity. The difference between a good team and a bad one is how it handles these opportunities. This is where the power play can be so aptly compared to the entire season: just as they have consistently and effectively stepped up to all in game opportunities, the canadiens have handled every off ice opportunity remarkably well. From rookies to free agents, come back Kovalev to a trade deadline move that can be comparable to the genius that it took to figuring out that giving a younger plant more room to grow will result in a bigger plant. Ridiculous analogies aside, this year has been the year of opportunity, and it has not been handed down from the Hockey Gods. Opportunity comes in the face of success or failure: you can take the opportunity or you can let it pass by. It is this adversity that has given birth to such a wicked team, the constant steps taken in face of possible failure that lead to such high results. At the beginning of this post I speak of picking up on the vibes of a team, and well, this fan was surprised when the playoffs came along, because the vibes I was used to tuning into on RDS were strikingly different during le détail. At first I couldn't put my finger on it, but tonight I realized what it was, and I feel cheated. The Canadiens have played like they have a divine right to win, and this type of hockey hubris one of the worst offenses. They're no longer the underdogs, no longer the team that has four hard skating lines, drawing penalties and winning battles along the boards. A different team. After 82 games the victories have finally gotten to their head, and don't curse the hockey Gods when you're losing, because they've been dealt the best weapon (the only weapon) to get rid of their arrogance. Elimination. There is no 3-1/3-2 lead of a cushion, there is no Jesus Price, no magical Saku comeback and there will definitely not be the 0-7-1 Boston Bruins. The Eastern Conference Champion Montreal Canadiens relish opportunity, as that is what game 7 is, with chance of success AND failure. Real danger of losing is the only way to defibrillate this team, and if it doesn't, then f. it: they deserve to lose! they aren't even the same damn team. It is very convenient (or very sneaky on my part) that the likening of the power play to the season holds in the playoffs, as a box with two brain cells could figure out that opportunity (carey f. price, 6 goals against in 4 games and 2 periods in this series) has presented itself, only to be shunned and - possibly shocked at being treated so differently - is running out the door. Let's hope these guys remember what they're capable of doing.

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 23:24.
Good Post

Larry's picture
Submitted by Larry on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:41.
Can anyone recall a team being down 3-1, tieing the series, and then losing game 7. Besides the Islanders in 74 or 75 who were down 3-0 to Philly before forcing and losing a game 7 I can't right now. Boston has the momentum, I think Montreal is shocked, and I have a hard time seeing them get over this. I fear Monday will be a debacle.

24 Cups's picture
Submitted by 24 Cups on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:55.
Larry - Over the course of time in the NHL, teams that have had a 3-1 advantage have a 91% chance of winning the series. Don't give up just yet! The Original 24.2 Cups

Submitted by ebk on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:51.
Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes beat Edmonton after surrendering a 3-1 lead

RH's picture
Submitted by RH on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 22:50.
Carolina against the Oilers a couple of years ago.

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