Jan 2, 2024

New Year ~ New Hope ~ DAL (W) ~ BUF (L) ~ NYR (W ! ) ~ PHI (L) ~ SJ ()

~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ 
~ ~ ~
G Y F H G !

179 comments:

  1. Canada is out. Good game plan by the Czechs, and their goalie was solid. Never make a Leaf your captain. I'm rooting for Hutson and Team USA from here on out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fowler in nets for USA too, as they take out Latvia to go on to the semi-finals.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Is that the lovely Halle Berry?! I think so?... She was/is on my 'list' from back in the day. If so, I approve of Ms. January!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CHester6:26 PM

      I remember when she was tanning in a Trevolta movie and she dropped the tanning mirror.
      Be still my beating heart, it was better than when she walked out of the ocean in a Blond movie.
      She is one of those people that are timeless.... unlike CHester....
      anyway
      Go Habs

      Delete
  4. the Maritimer2:46 PM

    Goals per game
    Habs: 2.75 (27th)
    Dallas: 3.60 (2nd)

    Scoring-chances-for %
    Habs: 46.4% (28th)
    Dallas: 54.7% (6th)

    PK%
    Habs: 72.6% (31st)
    Dallas: 85.8% (2nd)

    The odds aren't good for a Habs win tonight
    Also, they better keep a close eye on 50 year old Joe Pavelski, pretty sure he put up a 3 spot on them the last game they played.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I might watch the PWHL Montreal v Ottawa inaugural game instead. They're allowed to hit now at least.

      Delete
  5. So I watched that first period of the women's game. They've taken a page out of the Habs' playbook with 3 penalties and 4 shots on goal.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nature! Sweet set-up from Last Slaf too

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Cauzuskỳ line is cooking

    ReplyDelete
  8. Another good play by Slaf to create that goal.

    ReplyDelete
  9. the Maritimer9:38 PM

    Lady Habs win in OT !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some people calling them the Maroons alresdy. I'd go with Engineers (homage to the Polytechnique victims).

      Delete
  10. Whiskey the bday boy!

    ReplyDelete
  11. PowerHorse off to the vet.

    ReplyDelete
  12. 10 forwards left on the bench

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is sadly reminding me of game 1 of the season. Over 6 minutes with an empty net and they can't get control of the puck. Hopefully with the 3 goal lead it's enough to hang on.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is painful. Maybe practice this 5 v 6 a bit?

    ReplyDelete
  15. GYFHG!! Nice gritty win. The Stars were trying f'n hard.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Somewhere, an internet lawyer was screaming "Hang the fuck on!". And that's all they did. Barely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did not have GI Finn making a game-saving defensive play on my card, but good for him.

      Delete
  17. So we come back ftom this trip with a win at the end, Devo and Powerhorse likely on the injured list, and too many healthy d-men and goalies all playing at the top of their games. Trade time, Hugo?

    ReplyDelete
  18. the Maritimer8:13 AM

    From day to day and week to week, the Montreal Canadiens are like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fun game, even the last 5 minutes.

      Delete
  19. the Maritimer11:06 AM

    From the Athletic via EOTP:

    “He has some really nice offensive qualities. His wrist shot is elite, and for a big man, he can move. The Canadiens got lucky. That kid’s a first-rounder, so it’s like having a first-round pick fall in your lap. We had (Justin) Barron here, and he’s just as good as Barron, who was a first-round pick. I think he might even have more offensive skill than Barron. For me, when you look at them when they were both here, wow, this kid (Xhekaj) can be special.” - Coach Houle

    NHL scouts are descending on the Costco in Hamilton... Heh heh

    ReplyDelete
  20. Powerhorse is fine! Interviewing right now at morning skate and he said his knee went numb, but after ten minutes it was fine. "The strength was there. It was a big relief. I'm good to go." He'll be in the line-up tonight.

    I'll be at tge phone booth with my twosons (19 and 16) - their first time ever seeing a Habs game live (also, their Xmas present).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer11:24 AM

      Enjoy! The last time I saw a Habs game with my two boys was March 2010 in Sunrise, Florida.
      The Panthers had traded away many of their vets as they were starting a rebuild under Dale Tallon. Montreal easily beat them 5 - 2 and the place was packed with Quebecers and a few other Maritimers besides us, who we knew!

      Two things stand out: 1) they had a 'shrine' for .... Bryan McCabe!?! and 2) Hal Gill scored 2 goals! Fun times!

      Delete
  21. Devo out for the rest of the season. Torn pectoral muscle. And I guess TJ isn't back anytime soon. High ankle sprain is a very slow heal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer12:24 PM

      There are no centers in Laval to call up if one of the 4 remaining ones go down. That might mean Beck gets the call, like last season.

      Delete
    2. I feel bad that I don't feel bad about losing Devo for the season.

      Delete
    3. the Maritimer2:18 PM

      Based on his numbers in Az, I thought he would be better than KK at the time but Dvo has never impressed me. A bergy blunder, gave up way more than Dvo was worth. He's good in the faceoff circle but no where else. No offensive instincts at all.

      Delete
  22. Was never a big DVO fan, DEVO on the other hand!

    Whip dem Sabres !

    ReplyDelete
  23. And Hutson's Team USA is going to the World Juniors final against Sweden.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Decent first period. PP was cooking but of course local boy in nets for the Sabres stands on his head. Pomme lucky with posts. Tage Thompson is a tank with deceptive puck handling at speed.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Pez! Perfect deflection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah fuck off refs . Levi had time to get set

      Delete
  26. Stephens with a good clean hit and it's a penalty? These refs...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer8:24 PM

      ....are incompetent.

      Delete
  27. the Maritimer8:32 PM

    Montreal's special teams are horrid.

    ReplyDelete
  28. the Maritimer8:42 PM

    Surprised the 'war' room didn't find some excuse to take that goal away.

    ReplyDelete
  29. the Maritimer8:50 PM

    Well that pp was..... something

    ReplyDelete
  30. Two Habs and one Sabre all get two-minute roughing penalties and they still play 5 on 5? I don't know what sport these zebras usually ref, but it ain't ice hockey.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lol, this team trying the pull the goalie stint with 5+ minutes left...and scored upon in less than 10 seconds.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Habs are 8-83-1 since the beginning of the 21-22 season when scoring two or less goals. That's 0.092 hockey. It's almost like the lack of offence is the biggest issue.

    ReplyDelete
  33. And Jake looked bad. Not good for the trade value but Hughes needs to give up on the idea he'll get good value for a goalie and get rid of one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, the time for a trade is now. Tgey need help.

      Delete
  34. the Maritimer7:39 AM

    I bailed at 4 - 1.

    That is quite the stat that Saint Paddy pointed out. Ouch.

    Offence is definitely a problem. If Suzuki's line is shut down, which isn't hard to do, it's game over. There is not much after that. And I still say it's a good 2nd line.

    Definitely time to trade some stuff for some scoring help, unless HuGo are doing a stealth tank.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Won't be easy tonight but they usually play up to the better competition.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Go STEELERS!

    Won't be easy either.

    ReplyDelete
  37. the Maritimer10:20 AM

    Let's just hope for a more competitive performance and less gaffes by MM and Barron von Clumsy at the O-zone blueline.

    I didn't know the Steelers were still in the race, but good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  38. the Maritimer10:47 AM

    This is what I fear about losing so many games and a stealth tank, from Spector at leafnet:

    "Everyone we spoke to agrees: a critical peril of the rebuild is creating a core of players who have done nothing but lose at the NHL level. By the time you’re ready to win, some are ruined, or just leave due to impatience."

    Anyway, those are some nice Halle Berry pics, I forget which movie she wore the orange bikini, Either Swordfish or a Bond movie...

    ReplyDelete
  39. the Maritimer11:19 AM

    Looking at some stats regarding tonight's game ...... the Habs should stay out of the penalty box.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I gotta good feeling about tonight...Rags are right for the taking

    ReplyDelete
  41. I wish I could cheer for Flacco but the Browns are the shitstain of a team their name implies after handing $250M to a sexual predator.

    But he is a good story and I've always been a fan of his...maybe because he looks like one branch of cousins of mine.

    ReplyDelete
  42. the Maritimer5:54 PM

    That was a mistake MT, you should have tried for the FG.

    ReplyDelete
  43. the Maritimer7:25 PM

    Uh oh

    ReplyDelete
  44. the Maritimer7:33 PM

    Lep!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Gally with a beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  46. the Maritimer7:48 PM

    Dodged a few bullets.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Now let's see if they can play another 20 minutes of solid hockey...press to get the next goal...

    ReplyDelete
  48. the Maritimer8:07 PM

    moe's Steelers did their part. Now, they need Buffalo to lose?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or Jacksonville I think.

      I would love for the Bills to miss the olayoffs

      Delete
  49. the Maritimer8:09 PM

    Moneyhands!

    ReplyDelete
  50. OMG is the ASG in tranna? Fuck me what a suckfest circle jerk that will be...Fucking ASG is hard enough to watch as it is without all of the SFU jerking off all over the ice...wow...

    ReplyDelete
  51. the Maritimer8:12 PM

    GI Joel!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Stop fucking singing...Habs still don't know what a 60 min game looks like

    ReplyDelete
  53. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  54. WTF is going on? Rags playing keep away...Habs fucking asleep

    ReplyDelete
  55. Rags playing keep away....fucking Habs asleep

    ReplyDelete
  56. And so it begins...

    ReplyDelete
  57. the Maritimer8:37 PM

    Uh oh

    ReplyDelete
  58. the Maritimer8:38 PM

    Stupid ole-ing gonna cost them. Brain dead fans.

    ReplyDelete
  59. the Maritimer8:40 PM

    Hey gary how about you shut the fuck up for a while. ^Mute^

    ReplyDelete
  60. There really should be an option to turn off pxp. Not mute. I remember watching games when the on air personalities were on strike and still got the sounds from inside the rink. You could hear the fans of course but also the carving of the ice by the skate blades. It was like sitting in the stands and was awesome.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer8:57 PM

      Yes to this, I remember that as well.

      Delete
  61. the Maritimer8:58 PM

    My advice to Marty, might be a good idea to get a 4th goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also more shooting practice. It's a 4x6 net. Shouldn't be hard to hit from alone in the slot.

      Delete
  62. the Maritimer9:30 PM

    I think Whiskey is going through his sophomore slump a year late. Missing the target a lot this year.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Boy I've heard "Suzuki" a LOT in the last 4 minutes of this 3rd

    ReplyDelete
  64. the Maritimer9:38 PM

    That was an entertaining game to watch. They gave it the old college try and got a point. They have a long way to go in learning how to defend a lead or close out a game.

    ReplyDelete
  65. the Maritimer9:48 PM

    Quite a game for Sammy Lightningbolt. Nearly 50 shots and his night is not done. Not much doubt who is #1.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Huge in nets. Sir Monty is alpha. Huge difference after watching Allen last night.

      Delete
  66. Helluva game by Monty!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Imma call him Sir Monty now.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I think the Habs have untapped potential in Yodelin'. He's got moves and a wicked wrist shot. I can see him as a 2nd liner if given the shot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer9:58 PM

      He basically was tonight with MoneyHab centering him and Heineken. That was a good line.
      Also, HuGo are NOT trading away Moneyhab. They've already lost Dach and Dvo so they can't trade their best center for SFA. I don't think he lost a single draw in the dot all night. He should be extended if anything.

      Delete
  69. the Maritimer10:03 PM

    I've been waiting all night to say this: F U Laffy, I'll bet your dad wasn't grabbing his crotch tonight. It was a huge bonus that Lord Monty shut you down to win it. Ha ha.

    Also, if HuGo and Marty have any designs on a wildcard spot give the net Monty. I don't care who sits for the rest of the season. Or, get off your arse and trade somebody.

    ReplyDelete
  70. the Maritimer12:25 PM

    LA needs a goalie, didn't bargainbinbergy sign Allen back in the day? Might be a deal there.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Anonymous3:56 PM

    test wd letoo now beebo

    ReplyDelete
  72. You look at the standings and think geez they're only 5 points out of a wild card spot.
    But if you do the math and assume those in the wild card spot at the moment keep playing at about the same pace, 95 points are needed to get into the playoffs. Habs would need 56 points 43 games. That means they need to play at a .650 pace the rest of the way, 30% better than they have to date. There are only six teams in the league playing .650 or better hockey. So they truly need to pull a St Louis Blues miracle out of their Habipants. Sweep the Flyers/Sharks/Oilers this week and see where they stand. Get your brooms out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For the record that looks something like 25-12-6 for the remainder of the season.

      Delete
    2. the Maritimer12:55 PM

      Don't see that happening but maybe the wildcard teams fall off the rails at some point. We'll see.

      I see the Pats will pick 3rd overall and my Giants pick 6th. I hope NY takes a QB. Might need a RB too, looks like Barkley is leaving.

      Delete
    3. First things first, gotta deal with the Belichick situation. I hear the odd rumour that Mike Vrabel might be out in Tennessee and on his way to New England. I'd be alright with that. I'd also be alright with BB staying so long as gives up the GM duties and he doesn't have any say in the draft.

      Delete
  73. the Maritimer1:39 PM

    $92.5mil for Willie the Diver. No way HuGo would have given him that kind of coin if he was UFA. Looks like the wretched, dumb leaf will never understand the definition of insanity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL all the leaf apologists are now saying they just have to survive one more year of Pyajama's contract, then sign him to a team friendly deal...and re-sign Marner, who will want closer to Underpants' money than Willie's. It's so much fun to watch, the fact they don't know they have the solution in trading one of those guys for the D/Goalie they need to compete in the playoffs.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:12 PM

      The joke that keeps on giving.

      Delete
  74. Anonymous2:11 PM

    How 'bout dem Steelers and Bills ?

    I like Buffalo but PIT has always been my team.

    ~ moe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer2:31 PM

      There was a lot of leaf-like choking by other teams yesterday for the Steelers to get in. Crazy. So, they get the Dolphins? Or the Bills? I forget already...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:41 PM

      Bills

      Delete
  75. CHester2:22 AM

    Go Bills!
    Close so many times but no cigar
    Go Habs

    ReplyDelete
  76. Cutter Gauthier is officially the new Eric Lindros, only this time it's the Flyers who were shown the hand. Karma's a bitch but I think the Flyers' attitude will bolster the team and solidify fan support.

    ReplyDelete
  77. the Maritimer9:34 AM

    According to all the reports, our old friend Biere offered Cutter (Knife?) to Hughes for the #5 pick in 2023, so the phucktards wanted Reddenbacher and Michkov. Brian Wilde posted on Twitter that Montreal should consider trading Orville to get that elusive high end scorer. The Habs are so deep at D I wouldn't be upset with that at all. I'm looking forward to the game tomorrow against Torts and his philthy phuckers. Should be fun. I hope they start Lord Monty.

    I may have to adopt the Bills as my team in the playoffs (sorry moe and Saint Paddy), they are from the state of New York after all. I like Josh Allen as a QB.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Lindstrom sent down on waivers to make room for RHP on roster.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer8:30 PM

      Seems to me he already cleared waivers once, after training camp. Doubtful anyone picks him up.

      Delete
  79. CHester7:14 AM

    So I’m confused as to just what we got out of the never ending trading of Dish
    Ok the first time we got majic mike
    The second time we got the gustov AHL guy and made Mrs Dish happy
    I hope there won’t be a third time
    Go Habs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer8:58 AM

      Here's what I remember.

      Dish to Pitt for MnM.
      Dish, DeSmith and Pitt's 2nd round pick in 2025 to Mtl for the Hoff and Shiny Happy Pitlick.
      Dish to Det for Gus and a 4th round pick (maybe Boston's) in 2025.

      Gus will be in Laval today, unless Chicago are still looking for warm bodies.

      Hope that helps!

      Delete
  80. the Maritimer1:23 PM

    Montreal dodged a couple of bullets it seems. PLD struggling in LA, demoted to 4th line center, for about $8mil a year? Nice. And, young Mr. Gauthier, sounds like HuGo knew something was fishy there.

    I'm ambivalent towards Trevor Zegras. Supposedly he is besties with Whiskey but Pat Verbeek won't give him away for scraps. The Ducks are already loaded at D so that won't get it done. Is he worth a 1st round pick in 2025 maybe?

    ReplyDelete
  81. the Maritimer3:31 PM

    I was wrong, Gus is now a Duck! Quack!

    ReplyDelete
  82. The Flyers are testing CP30's glove sidd early.

    Red Baron!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Habs only got two pucks through to the net, both scored. The Flyers goalie heads into Period #2 still looking for Save #1

    ReplyDelete
  84. If they can hang on and even get a.point out of this fiasco, they will be VERY fortunate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer9:32 PM

      It's like there is 12 wee Daveys out there falling all over the ice.

      Delete
  85. Bonus point. 2 would be a miracle.

    ReplyDelete
  86. the Maritimer9:39 PM

    I only watched two periods but that was one ugly f_cking game.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Got 1 more point than deserved. Consider it a bonus.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer9:56 PM

      Yup, totally undeserved. WTF was up with Suzuki tonight? He was terrible, beyond terrible even. Flu bug maybe?

      Delete
    2. They were all terrible. Even the shootout attempts. And including Primo. He was lucky there weren't 7 past him. Nice save in OT though.
      Savard was maybe the best player on the ice?

      Delete
  88. the Maritimer9:08 AM

    It's the end of the Belichick era in New England.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Anonymous9:19 AM

    Brutal game.
    Going into the NHL basement tonight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the Maritimer9:24 AM

      Could be another ugly one...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:36 AM

      Lets hope not.

      Delete
  90. So long BB. Thanks for the 6 Super Bowls - at least three of which were due to coaching...the other three were Brady.

    Tough week for the two septuagenarian coaches in the NFL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jarod Mayo should get the HC gig with the Pats, but they'll probably hire Vrabel...it's the Patriot Way if you know what I mean.

      Delete
  91. the Maritimer2:30 PM

    In the header I would change that (L) after Phil to (SOL) or (T) if preferred. I know it felt like a loss because they played so shitty but they got a point.

    Let's hope for a better performance tonight. Go Habs!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Habs made a trade for another minor league forward...anyone know anything about the guy?Flip Cedarvist???

    ReplyDelete
  93. R.i.P. Ed Broadbent. He was an upstanding pol and decrnt guy who would've made a fine PM.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:43 PM

      Agree, a great Canadian. ~ moe

      Delete
  94. the Maritimer7:26 PM

    I've got a bad feeling about this...

    ReplyDelete
  95. I remember PK getting an unsportsmanlike penalty for giving a snow shower to a goalie. Haven't seen it ever called otherwise. Can't put my finger on it but there must've been something different about PK...

    ReplyDelete
  96. He has a new favourite spot, 15 ft. in front of the net.

    ReplyDelete
  97. steve7:47 PM

    I am like tank with honour. Keep going

    ReplyDelete
  98. the Maritimer7:54 PM

    Powerhorse has lost his hands. Couldn't score in a Mexican cathouse with a roll of 50s in his pocket.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Why are the Sharks allowed to commit interference all over the ice with reckless abandon?

    ReplyDelete
  100. How is this the same team that recently beat teams like Dallas and NYR?

    It's getting hard to watch again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Discombobulated when pressured. I wanted HondaCivic back for Barron or Strobelight. I want the Sheriff Louis Cyr back too.

      Delete
  101. Why the fuck can nkne of four offucials be boyhered to remove the broken sticks in front of the Sharks net?

    ReplyDelete
  102. the Maritimer8:33 PM

    Time for Marty to rake them over the coals again. And a bag skate tomorrow.

    Hey, it's the same old same old, if you want to break some kind of bad streak, the Montreal Canadiens are happy to oblige...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe they can hire Belichick as a consultant for the remainder of the season to teach them some work ethic.

      Delete
  103. the Maritimer8:39 PM

    Not one forward on this team is worth a tinker's darn. They are all tradeable.

    ReplyDelete
  104. the Maritimer8:40 PM

    Heh, the look on Marty's face... Why am I even here?

    ReplyDelete
  105. the Maritimer8:46 PM

    Mud-rake mentioned earlier the Habs next 3 games are the Oilers, Avalanche and Devils. If they keep playing like this, yikes...

    ReplyDelete
  106. I love the MSL story but one also has to wonder how long is the leash on a coach of a rebuilding team? 2 years in. 2 more to turn it around? And how long before somebody in charge admits that Alex Burrows is useless?

    ReplyDelete
  107. the Maritimer9:24 PM

    I bailed after the second period. How they can play such a good game last Saturday against the Rags, then stink the next two? I'm losing faith again.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Interesting note because F this game. David Suzuki's daughter is now host of Nature of Things. So the captain's nickname is still current.

    ReplyDelete
  109. Too little too late. For two straight nights, they showed up for like 10 minutes, and putzed around moronically the rest of the time. Need some wake up calling.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Shoulda just watched the PWHL Montrealers. The NHL better watch out. Seriously. The women play an entertaining game.

    ReplyDelete
  111. the Maritimer10:06 AM

    How come we can't find players like Elias Pettersson or Marner or Pasternak? Players that can actually score goals? They aren't 1st overall picks. Is it bad karma for all the winning in the 50s, 60s and 70s? Just curious why the habs have such shitty luck at the draft.

    ReplyDelete
  112. I bailed after the 2nd goal...been a long week...WTF is going on ? Are we back to 2023 ?

    ReplyDelete
  113. Sharks come in on a 12 game losing streak and the Habs put up a stinker to end the streak.
    Oilers coming in on a franchise tying 9 game win streak. It's hard to imagine after watching these past two games, but I wouldn't put it past the Habs to beat the Oil Saturday night. They are just consistently inconsistent...but really the bottom line is the Habs are just not a good hockey team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The past two nights have seen very little "heads up" play. Mentally tired?

      Delete
  114. Anonymous2:44 PM

    Brutal !

    ReplyDelete
  115. Anonymous11:07 AM

    https://fourhockeyfans.blogspot.com/2024/01/new-stretch-of-games-and-things-youd.html

    ReplyDelete