So I have been thinking a lot about the Habs since Saturday night. I can't explain how bad I felt on Sunday except to say that it felt so much like how I felt last season. That's when I realised that was because they played EXACTLY like they did last season. Dumping the puck in, but not really winning any battles to retreive it. Lots of shots that were useless...no puck luck, a hot goalie playing aginst them - and shut out...at home...sound familiar? Why...is the question I have asked myself ever since. Why when they have a group of guys who were digging and skating and hitting and scoring have they suddenly reverted to the form of 2017-18? And I can only blame the coach here...He insits on tinkering - someone gets hurt and has to come out after a win - but he'll change that guy plus 4 more and the chemistry is lost. Someone else gets hurt - and again, 4 changes are made. Hockey players need routine and familiarity. You gotta go with the hand that geot you there in the first place. Jordan Weal didn't get them within sniffing distance of the playoffs. Nate Thompson didn't get them there either...but they are playing and Peca and Hudon are not. I am not saying that Peca and Hudon are the answer - but look at what happens (for the most part) when Peca makes a 4th line appearance...Habs mostly win - because he is hungry and he is good. Moving a floater like Drouin through the lineup only serves to make him more of a floater. When he was playing on the same line night in night out, he did a job, scored some goals and got some assists. Now - fuck all. CJ needs to go back to basics - and back to the team that got him there - using people like Thompson and Weal to fill gaps created by injuries or demotions we can all live with (Alzner). The playioffs start tonight everybody - simple math - in the playoffs if you lose 4 games you are out. If the Habs lose 4 games between here and the end of the season - they are done. And that would be a bloody shame. JFW!
Great analysis K3X. Stu Cowan posited the same theory ... if bargainbin had left the team alone, they MAY have maintained their pace to the post season. But, the dino era coach decided he needed more "character" and benched his regular players for the new ones. On top of that he gives the 4th line plugger (Weal) more ice than any other forward including his prized rookie. Way to reward loyalty and hard work there jabba. I'm not blaming a lost season on the players, who did quit last season, but squarely on the head coach.
I'll give Stu the credit - he does all the hard work day in day out - I read his stuff regularly so I am sure it influenced what I wrote - Stu's a journo but also a Habs fan and he said what I truly felt before I read any of his stuff. Even writing this now - it's bloody awful feeling like this and I hope they revert to the team they were at Christmas. If it hasn't sunk in by now, it ain't sinking...So let's ee - JFW!
good observations. much better than the stuff everybody wrote on the last thread. i was thinking exactly the same thing in regards to then vs now and i also couldnt come up with anything except CHud,lil peca, juulsen, delauriers, xavier... totally agree and am a big believer in the: "if it ain't broke theory..." sadly... this comes from gm and his tendency to never turn down a bargain!
i just clued in what u guys meant about SSR and DeBrincat. WHAT! 2 X 2nd round picks for SSR?!? i always thought it was a FA pick-up! omg. i love the guy, but man.... TWO 2nd picks!?!
So looking at linez for tonight...Leko on the 2nd line? He hasn't scored in 2019 so why? Give him theb4th line for LB - who always makes shit happen...i have no issue with Weal on the PP - he can't be any worse than everyone else who hasn't started a ores in like forever...CJ has got to stop being stupid about stuff - put Drouin back with Domi - stop mixing the lines up man! It is not working!
Moey I might just find myself happy to be on a beach in Veradero for that entire final week at this rate. I get back middle of night after the laff game.
I'm back! I wasn't actually away, just had an extended 4 day weekend with some family in town joining us for our annual St Paddy's Day party/50th birthday. Saturday ended in a drunken beard shaving competition. Took er off in sections, I think I won. Bro and his wife saw Foreigner Sunday night. I was still too hungover. Monday was reserved for recovery completion/cleanup and went well.
I was happy to remain blissfully unaware of the Habs' inability to score Saturday night. Hope they figure shit out right fucking now. Even one loss this week will bee devastating.
Fecking early whistle on that Habs non goal. Same ref who called that foolish diving penalty on Leko which the league rescinded, I think. Just conspiracying.
I am learning that the less I comment on game days, the better the chances of victory.
At least now this team has its fate in its hands. Win the last nine and they are in the playoffs. One at a time. I expect a real strong game tomorrow against the Isles here in the phone booth, given the bitter loss they just suffered in Brooklyn. Grant McCagg, scout and smart guy who actually analyzes and stuff, notes that Druid has a very strong track record of putting his game into overdrive once St. Paddy's Day's past. Let us hope it continues.
SiM: 1. ahhahhahhaha! i get the same feeling when im watching them. sometimes i think the pressure gets to the boys watching me smh and waving my fists... 2. win the last nine!? holy crap! u think thats possible!? i say win 6 and let the chips fall.
all: take a look at this!!! vodkov! (if only BBB was big enough to swallow...) https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2019/3/20/18272696/andrei-markov-wants-to-return-to-nhl-montreal-canadiens-defenceman-power-play-left-side-mete-juulsen
i would love to see the re-incarnation of the urologist in #79, IF BBB was willing to swallow, but would buttman allow it, trading deadline passed and all?
btw - we should be all in ASAP. The latest science says we've got three years before the bees and the butterflies all go tits-up (thanks there, Monsanto!). Life on this planet isn't a given once the food supply's fucked. Every day on my way into work, I pass the McDonald campus of McGill crowd waiting outside the McCord Museum for their shuttle bus to the St. Anne-de-Bellevue campus. It's a good hour-long ride. Their colleagues in Bus. Mgmt etc. are spared this horrible, 45-minute extra commute to take their classes. Anyway, I figure they're all doing the hard work to make sure we can somehow keep feeding the increasing billions of humans on this orb, somehow. I never fail to give them props. TFS can sign sticks and put a smile on a sad little boy's face, but seriously, the real heroes of humanity for me are the ones queuing in the cold to get on this bus and solve these galacticly important issues.
that fact that I believe that up to six civilizations have failed just like our should not influence your opinion. Why people who have the power to put the brakes on extinction have both feet on the gas tells me there is something we dont know. Its either humans are completely stupid or watch the movie armagadon closely for clues.
I am trying to do my part. I moved closer to the city center (down-sized) and got rid of a car. We still have a van (grandkids) and I have my Mustang which I only put about 1500km a year or less. I put it on the road from may to August so it doesn't really count. My main mode of transportation is bus, bike or walking.
Scott, I hope you are wrong about the bee population or we are indeed in trouble.
@moe, the ol' bod is feeling good ... I'm rarin' to hit the links, can't wait.
leaf are beating barfalo and the SFU are back to planning the parade, too fucking funny.
I see we have a new poster, Bergevin's Ego ... hey, tou related to Arrogant Fuckface who used to post here? In any event, welcome!
I'd love to see Vodkov come back next year and get his 10 games. Do it Geoff, you know it's the right thing to do.
So TFS is seen by his peers as the best goalie in the league...by quite a wide margin. Nice! And Tuna is the best knickname in the entire NHL...OK - but didn't we come up with that?
So I have been thinking a lot about the Habs since Saturday night. I can't explain how bad I felt on Sunday except to say that it felt so much like how I felt last season. That's when I realised that was because they played EXACTLY like they did last season. Dumping the puck in, but not really winning any battles to retreive it. Lots of shots that were useless...no puck luck, a hot goalie playing aginst them - and shut out...at home...sound familiar? Why...is the question I have asked myself ever since. Why when they have a group of guys who were digging and skating and hitting and scoring have they suddenly reverted to the form of 2017-18? And I can only blame the coach here...He insits on tinkering - someone gets hurt and has to come out after a win - but he'll change that guy plus 4 more and the chemistry is lost. Someone else gets hurt - and again, 4 changes are made. Hockey players need routine and familiarity. You gotta go with the hand that geot you there in the first place. Jordan Weal didn't get them within sniffing distance of the playoffs. Nate Thompson didn't get them there either...but they are playing and Peca and Hudon are not. I am not saying that Peca and Hudon are the answer - but look at what happens (for the most part) when Peca makes a 4th line appearance...Habs mostly win - because he is hungry and he is good. Moving a floater like Drouin through the lineup only serves to make him more of a floater. When he was playing on the same line night in night out, he did a job, scored some goals and got some assists. Now - fuck all. CJ needs to go back to basics - and back to the team that got him there - using people like Thompson and Weal to fill gaps created by injuries or demotions we can all live with (Alzner). The playioffs start tonight everybody - simple math - in the playoffs if you lose 4 games you are out. If the Habs lose 4 games between here and the end of the season - they are done. And that would be a bloody shame. JFW!
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis K3X. Stu Cowan posited the same theory ... if bargainbin had left the team alone, they MAY have maintained their pace to the post season. But, the dino era coach decided he needed more "character" and benched his regular players for the new ones. On top of that he gives the 4th line plugger (Weal) more ice than any other forward including his prized rookie. Way to reward loyalty and hard work there jabba. I'm not blaming a lost season on the players, who did quit last season, but squarely on the head coach.
DeleteI'll give Stu the credit - he does all the hard work day in day out - I read his stuff regularly so I am sure it influenced what I wrote - Stu's a journo but also a Habs fan and he said what I truly felt before I read any of his stuff. Even writing this now - it's bloody awful feeling like this and I hope they revert to the team they were at Christmas. If it hasn't sunk in by now, it ain't sinking...So let's ee - JFW!
Deletekmaxxx, maritimer...
Deletegood observations. much better than the stuff everybody wrote on the last thread. i was thinking exactly the same thing in regards to then vs now and i also couldnt come up with anything except CHud,lil peca, juulsen, delauriers, xavier... totally agree and am a big believer in the: "if it ain't broke theory..." sadly... this comes from gm and his tendency to never turn down a bargain!
i just clued in what u guys meant about SSR and DeBrincat. WHAT! 2 X 2nd round picks for SSR?!? i always thought it was a FA pick-up! omg. i love the guy, but man.... TWO 2nd picks!?!
So looking at linez for tonight...Leko on the 2nd line? He hasn't scored in 2019 so why? Give him theb4th line for LB - who always makes shit happen...i have no issue with Weal on the PP - he can't be any worse than everyone else who hasn't started a ores in like forever...CJ has got to stop being stupid about stuff - put Drouin back with Domi - stop mixing the lines up man! It is not working!
ReplyDeleteJFW!!!
ReplyDeleteSo I booked a beach holiday so I won’t be here to see the last game of the season against the leaf. Thank goodness for small mercies.
Moey I might just find myself happy to be on a beach in Veradero for that entire final week at this rate. I get back middle of night after the laff game.
DeletePerfect!
DeleteI'm back! I wasn't actually away, just had an extended 4 day weekend with some family in town joining us for our annual St Paddy's Day party/50th birthday. Saturday ended in a drunken beard shaving competition. Took er off in sections, I think I won. Bro and his wife saw Foreigner Sunday night. I was still too hungover. Monday was reserved for recovery completion/cleanup and went well.
ReplyDeleteI was happy to remain blissfully unaware of the Habs' inability to score Saturday night. Hope they figure shit out right fucking now. Even one loss this week will bee devastating.
So JFW. And happy belated shared bday to Mrs k3x.
Did I mention jfw?
Cheers the M. Birthday weekend was a success .
DeleteLeftover Chinese food is so good.
ReplyDeleteBbq'd pork loin, steamed veggies and roasted garlic and olive oil rice.
DeleteRub it in, the rub that is.
DeleteLike some of you I posted a smallish diatribe. It was eaten by Blogger by way of the iPad.
ReplyDeletehuh!? so now we gotta save a copy just incase the mediots dont like what we write?
DeleteIt happens more than you think.
DeletePing. (29 would've posted that)
ReplyDeleteFecking early whistle on that Habs non goal. Same ref who called that foolish diving penalty on Leko which the league rescinded, I think. Just conspiracying.
ReplyDeleteSame ref CHarger called out. (not 100% sure)
DeleteLooked him up. Surprise surprise from Timmins.
DeleteORA
DeleteClose for KidKo but no.
ReplyDeleteKidA!
ReplyDeleteTies his own career high for goals.
DeleteOdd, I could swear I recall some mediots proposing that was a one-off.
DeleteOnly after his multiple hand injuries.
DeleteKIDAAAAAA!
ReplyDeleteI am afraid to look
ReplyDeleteGood first period. Should've bagged at least another goal.
ReplyDeleteStii too much dipsydoodling and these weird attempts at short passes.
Regardless, up 1-0.
PHilthy crowd is quiet.
Great A Kid A. We are so lucky to find a CHarcter like that, now why does it not rub off on the Druid, Two Solititdudes?
ReplyDeleteB B Q!
ReplyDeletebbq
ReplyDeleteListening to;
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlNhD0oS5pk
Fuck this is so fucking great!
2-1
ReplyDeletePHucker PHans 'referees suck'.
ReplyDeleteYeah, no kidding.
PHucker PHans 'referees suck', again.
ReplyDeleteYeah, no kidding. Again.
Hang on!
ReplyDeleteOr better yet score another fucking goal.
Pens Canes tied with 8 to go. No fucking 3 point games.
ReplyDeleteDomiji!
ReplyDeleteSt.Pad, sometimes you just kill it.
DeleteDomini with an empty netter! (he's good at that, or so says the SFU, who can fuck off!)
ReplyDeleteOnly scored 4 last year, 5 en don't count you know. MJ mentioned it tonight too.
DeleteCorrect, they can all fuck off.
How happy must our Moey be tonight. ❤️
ReplyDeleteYay us! A ray of hope and it’s nice and sunny today 😎
DeleteGood win. Build on it and go Preds.
ReplyDeleteNow come on Sid score the fucking winner in regulation.
ReplyDeleteOh hey Letang already has it. Now hang on.
DeleteNope. Fucked it up.
DeleteGo Flames. Go Preds.
ReplyDelete1 down 9 to go.
ReplyDeleteNot pretty but a win is a win.
Happy first day of Spring!!
ReplyDeleteNot long before the Masters and the start of our own golf season. Can't wait!!
Gorgeous day here. +7º
DeleteHow's the bod?
I am learning that the less I comment on game days, the better the chances of victory.
ReplyDeleteAt least now this team has its fate in its hands. Win the last nine and they are in the playoffs. One at a time. I expect a real strong game tomorrow against the Isles here in the phone booth, given the bitter loss they just suffered in Brooklyn. Grant McCagg, scout and smart guy who actually analyzes and stuff, notes that Druid has a very strong track record of putting his game into overdrive once St. Paddy's Day's past. Let us hope it continues.
SiM:
Delete1. ahhahhahhaha! i get the same feeling when im watching them. sometimes i think the pressure gets to the boys watching me smh and waving my fists...
2. win the last nine!? holy crap! u think thats possible!? i say win 6 and let the chips fall.
all:
take a look at this!!! vodkov! (if only BBB was big enough to swallow...)
https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2019/3/20/18272696/andrei-markov-wants-to-return-to-nhl-montreal-canadiens-defenceman-power-play-left-side-mete-juulsen
Vodkov returning right now would be sublime, and give the boys a huge boost. Do it Bergy!!!!!!
Deletei would love to see the re-incarnation of the urologist in #79, IF BBB was willing to swallow, but would buttman allow it, trading deadline passed and all?
DeleteNo.
Deletebtw - we should be all in ASAP. The latest science says we've got three years before the bees and the butterflies all go tits-up (thanks there, Monsanto!). Life on this planet isn't a given once the food supply's fucked. Every day on my way into work, I pass the McDonald campus of McGill crowd waiting outside the McCord Museum for their shuttle bus to the St. Anne-de-Bellevue campus. It's a good hour-long ride. Their colleagues in Bus. Mgmt etc. are spared this horrible, 45-minute extra commute to take their classes. Anyway, I figure they're all doing the hard work to make sure we can somehow keep feeding the increasing billions of humans on this orb, somehow. I never fail to give them props. TFS can sign sticks and put a smile on a sad little boy's face, but seriously, the real heroes of humanity for me are the ones queuing in the cold to get on this bus and solve these galacticly important issues.
ReplyDeletethat fact that I believe that up to six civilizations have failed just like our should not influence your opinion. Why people who have the power to put the brakes on extinction have both feet on the gas tells me there is something we dont know. Its either humans are completely stupid or watch the movie armagadon closely for clues.
ReplyDeleteI have kids. Some of them even have grandkids. I must retain some hope.
DeleteI am trying to do my part. I moved closer to the city center (down-sized) and got rid of a car. We still have a van (grandkids) and I have my Mustang which I only put about 1500km a year or less. I put it on the road from may to August so it doesn't really count. My main mode of transportation is bus, bike or walking.
DeleteScott, I hope you are wrong about the bee population or we are indeed in trouble.
@moe, the ol' bod is feeling good ... I'm rarin' to hit the links, can't wait.
leaf are beating barfalo and the SFU are back to planning the parade, too fucking funny.
I see we have a new poster, Bergevin's Ego ... hey, tou related to Arrogant Fuckface who used to post here? In any event, welcome!
I'd love to see Vodkov come back next year and get his 10 games. Do it Geoff, you know it's the right thing to do.
Couple of typos ... August should be October and tou = you.
DeleteSo TFS is seen by his peers as the best goalie in the league...by quite a wide margin. Nice! And Tuna is the best knickname in the entire NHL...OK - but didn't we come up with that?
ReplyDeletehttps://fourhockeyfans.blogspot.com/2019/03/what-was-it-you-wanted-jfw-isles.html
ReplyDelete