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Post by Tankdriver on Apr 8, 2014 11:47:41 GMT -5
Game Preview
HABS' MARKOV, EMELIN AND PRICE NOT MAKING TRIP TO CHICAGO
With a week to go until the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens are resting some of their key players.
Head coach Michel Therrien announced after Tuesday's practice that defencemen Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin and goaltender Carey Price won't be making the trip to Chicago for Wednesday's game against the Blackhawks.
Peter Budaj will start in goal on Wednesday, with an AHL callup expected to be the backup. With Douglas Murray suspended for one more game, Josh Gorges - who missed the last four weeks with a hand injury - will be back in the lineup along with rookie Nathan Beaulieu.
Therrien added that Price will close out the regular season with starts on Thursday and Saturday against the New York Islanders and New York Rangers.
The Canadiens will also be without forwards Brandon Prust (upper body) and Travis Moen (concussion) on the trip. Prust skated by himself before practice on Wednesday and the team hopes he'll be ready for the start of the postseason.
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Post by Tankdriver on Apr 8, 2014 11:48:16 GMT -5
Sorry if I am jumping the gun on this.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 8, 2014 11:52:09 GMT -5
Never too early, TD.
Thanks for starting the GDT!
Glad Gorges is back.
I can understand Therrien not having Price and Markov make an unnecessary trip for a meaningless game against a Western powerhouse....
But why Emelin? Is he hurt?
Or is it yet another example of favouritism?
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Post by jkr on Apr 8, 2014 11:52:42 GMT -5
Are these guys injured or just being rested?
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 8, 2014 13:21:34 GMT -5
Doesn't matter to me as long as Tinordi and Beau get to play, I'm happy.
He should have left BooBoo behind as well.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 8, 2014 15:07:51 GMT -5
Both Markov and Emelin blocked shots, I think, so it's probably bad bruising. Good move. While it would be nice to finish in the 2nd spot, better for our Russians to get a rest. Besides, the Hawks are missing Toews and Kane.
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Post by christrpn on Apr 8, 2014 16:48:54 GMT -5
Never too early, TD. Thanks for starting the GDT! Glad Gorges is back. I can understand Therrien not having Price and Markov make an unnecessary trip for a meaningless game against a Western powerhouse.... But why Emelin? Is he hurt? Or is it yet another example of favouritism? Therrien said it was because they [lay hard minutes. They hit and block shots and play against the best day in and day out. Deserve a rest. I can't argue with that logic. The game isn't really all that important. Markov has played better than most of us would have imagined, so resting him before the second season starts seems to be one of the smartest moves MT has made all year. That and listenning to everyone and placing Vanek with Patches and DD. Anyone hear Patches comments regarding him getting third star of the week? " Doesn't mean very much, in arguably the most important game of the week, against TB, I was non-exisatant. That's all that's in my head right now." Size, Speed, Power, Talent and he's humble.......
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 8, 2014 16:53:28 GMT -5
Not only humble but self-aware...and serving notice that he'll be ready for the Bolts come playoff time.
Thanks for that quote, christrpn.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 8, 2014 16:53:54 GMT -5
Never too early, TD. Thanks for starting the GDT! Glad Gorges is back. I can understand Therrien not having Price and Markov make an unnecessary trip for a meaningless game against a Western powerhouse.... But why Emelin? Is he hurt? Or is it yet another example of favouritism? Therrien said it was because they [lay hard minutes. They hit and block shots and play against the best day in and day out. Deserve a rest. I can't argue with that logic. The game isn't really all that important. Markov has played better than most of us would have imagined, so resting him before the second season starts seems to be one of the smartest moves MT has made all year. That and listenning to everyone and placing Vanek with Patches and DD. Anyone hear Patches comments regarding him getting third star of the week? " Doesn't mean very much, in arguably the most important game of the week, against TB, I was non-exisatant. That's all that's in my head right now." Size, Speed, Power, Talent and he's humble....... I agree about resting players. The habs of the 70s used to do that before the playoffs. Patches has been great and he is a class act. At a 4.5 cap hit until 2019 he has to be the best bargain in the league
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Post by habsorbed on Apr 8, 2014 22:05:33 GMT -5
I fully agree with resting Ol Man Markov and Carey. Their teammates love these guys and recognize they need to be fresh.
Don't quite get the Emelin resting unless it is an injury. MT has to be careful not to alienate other players. Pleks and Gionta play tough minutes and are not spring chickens.
Will be interesting to see the TOI tomorrow. Does PK get big minutes? Do Tinordi and Beau play with each other and get minutes? I assume Beau will get some PP time with PK. Nice if it works. The PP could use a change; and could get Markov less responsibility.
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Post by habsorbed on Apr 8, 2014 22:16:09 GMT -5
If MT's smart he'll be rotating those getting rests throughout the line-up over the next 3 games. And cut down on big minutes for key players.
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Post by jerry_dog on Apr 8, 2014 22:21:34 GMT -5
If MT's smart he'll be rotating those getting rests throughout the line-up over the next 3 games. And cut down on big minutes for key players. x2
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Post by Tankdriver on Apr 9, 2014 11:19:55 GMT -5
If MT's smart he'll be rotating those getting rests throughout the line-up over the next 3 games. And cut down on big minutes for key players. That's a big IF!
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Post by Polarice on Apr 9, 2014 11:49:08 GMT -5
If MT's smart he'll be rotating those getting rests throughout the line-up over the next 3 games. And cut down on big minutes for key players. That's my thought as well!
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 9, 2014 12:07:02 GMT -5
Sorry if I am jumping the gun on this. If nothing else, there's a lot of spirit on the boards these days and posting this when you did is reflective of that. I'm pumped that our team is in the playoffs, but ... it's hard to describe ... I'm not normally this vindictive, but I'm really pleased with both the Senators and Leafs out of the playoffs. I could site a plethora of reasons, but when a local media has to resort to last year's dismantling of the Habs in last year's playoffs just to feel good about themselves, something has really gone wrong in Mudville. The Leafs? Well, they're the Leafs, eh? Tonight's game? Chicago has a few key injuries and they're very well coached. Two our better defencemen are resting. Would like to see a win but I'm not expecting anything. Cheers.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Apr 9, 2014 12:08:25 GMT -5
First smart thing MT has done this year, which leads me to believe it was probably Bergevin's idea.
My biggest concerns heading into the playoffs is that MT will continue to rely on Doug Murray at the expense of a CLEARLY better option in Jarred Tinordi. Our top 6 dmen at full strength are: Subban, Markov, Emelin, Gorges, Weaver, Tinordi. Those are the 6 that should be playing in the playoffs. My second, bigger, concern is that MT will try and tighten things up so much defensively that it will stifle our ability to dictate the play. I wouldn't be surprised to see more dump and chase, less playmaking through the neutral zone and at the blueline, and a tighter, defensive system that compromises puck possession and the underlying strengths of this team.
I have been impressed with the way the Habs have really come on down the stretch, and MT deserves credit for that, but we need to continue to play to our strengths in the post season. I'm just not sure MT has it in him. This will be a huge test for his ability to get the most out of this team and resist the temptation to dumb things down.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 9, 2014 12:18:38 GMT -5
The biggest test for MT, imo, is can he learn to make an in game adjustment? Or will we have a repeat of last years fiasco. If he can't do that then we're toast because I can guarantee you Cooper will be more than ready to make any adjustment he needs. He is a very good coach.
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Post by Bones on Apr 9, 2014 18:46:48 GMT -5
Strong start for the boys, everyone looks ready to play... Great to see Gorges back on the ice.
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Post by Bones on Apr 9, 2014 18:51:08 GMT -5
Watching the Hawks feed, their announcers are impressed by the habs.
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Post by Bones on Apr 9, 2014 18:54:12 GMT -5
Sigh, Crawford very fortunate not to have been scored on just yet. All habs so far.
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Post by HFTO on Apr 9, 2014 18:55:43 GMT -5
nice pace from the boys great chances no finish
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Post by Bones on Apr 9, 2014 18:56:15 GMT -5
Budaj with a nice save or two.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 9, 2014 18:56:43 GMT -5
Are you watching this game bettman... this is what hockey should be like all season long
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Post by HFTO on Apr 9, 2014 19:00:50 GMT -5
more shots drive the net too many guys trying for perfect set up
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Post by HFTO on Apr 9, 2014 19:04:13 GMT -5
Galchenyuk too the room hope its minor or equipment related
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 9, 2014 19:05:40 GMT -5
Bourque got banged up too.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 9, 2014 19:07:53 GMT -5
Mt does not look happy
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Post by Bones on Apr 9, 2014 19:27:55 GMT -5
It was certainly well paced entertaining period of hockey.
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Post by Bones on Apr 9, 2014 19:29:03 GMT -5
Any news on Galchenyuk?
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Post by Bones on Apr 9, 2014 19:34:35 GMT -5
I just heard he won't be back tonight.. Ugh I hope it's not too serious.
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