|
Post by JohnnyVerdun on Dec 23, 2002 13:21:07 GMT -5
There have only been a few times this year when you can say that, but you can say it about tonight's game on the Island. Must keep the momentum going as the boys head out on a long trip. Must have Theodore erase any doubts as to whether he's back. Must keep the top two lines going so that our meat head coach doesn't get too tempted to start tinkering again.
Anybody who wouldn't prefer to keep Czerkawski rather than Audette is mentally unstable. Unfortunately, it seems more and more likey that if anybody gets moved it'll be the Polish Prince rather than the needle nosed little oyster....
Who can Theodore thank for getting back on track? Melancon? Perhaps. Therrien, for continuing to play him? Maybe. Jeff Hackett, for making sure the team didn't slip to 4 games below .500 before Theo got his sh#t together? Definitely. My vote is for Hackett. Said all the right things and played like a rock, and thereby insulated the team and Therrien from a complete early season melt-down.
It's the thought that counts? Not in hockey. Rivet doesn't get one good shot in on Thornton before the UN arrives? Please....
Is anyone prepared to rethink the old criticism of Savard in taking Traverse for Weinrich way back when? The guy is only playing 24 minutes a game and handling himself with remarkable poise. If anybody thinks Franky Bouillon could've stepped in to the top four (or two?) on the left side and actually helped the team, they need counselling.
And what about Quintal? We were ready to lynch the guy and then put him on a bus out of town. What's he done lately? Not much except for playing very steady d, blocking a few shots, and stepping up physically to take on serious heavyweights such as Parker, Nazarov, etc.
Kilger? Enough said. A fluke is one game. Or two. Or three. But if you score goals in 5 of 8 games on the top line, it ain't beginner's luck. Can you say power forward? I don't mean permanent top line duty, but you can add another sub-paragraph under the heading "versatile" on Chad's CV....
Perreault? This is what a non playmaking center with soft hands can do if you give him a winger who's a playmaking center.
It's all good news. But tonight's a must freaking win situation....no doubt about it.
5-3 Habs on goals by Kilger, Zednick, Perreault, Gilmour and Brisebois.
|
|
|
Post by MPLABBE on Dec 23, 2002 13:25:49 GMT -5
must win? It's a big game but I doubt it ''must win''(if someone can ever find a must win game in the history of the NHL) Traverse and Quintal are making me eat crow but if anyone thinks the Habs will win a cup with stiffs like that and Dykhuis in their top 6, they are ''mentally unstable'' as you say.
|
|
|
Post by JohnnyVerdun on Dec 23, 2002 13:29:49 GMT -5
They lose tonight, they're done. You can flush rest of the season down the toilet. This is a game they absolutely have to have. A tie is a loss. Must. Win. Must win. It's a must win game.
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Dec 23, 2002 13:48:32 GMT -5
There have only been a few times this year when you can say that, but you can say it about tonight's game on the Island. Must keep the momentum going as the boys head out on a long trip. Must have Theodore erase any doubts as to whether he's back. Must keep the top two lines going so that our meat head coach doesn't get too tempted to start tinkering again. Honestly, I think he's found his strike zone again; you need only watch his teammates standing around doing nothing. It's that factor that is allowing Théodore to make his Vezina-worthy saves again. Seriously though, I only noticed this from the last game but his positional game is on again. I wasn't UNSTABLE, I was DRUNK!!! I think both can still contribute but Audette seems to play like he wants another job somewhere else. Hackett's play has been for the team's benefit IMHO. I understand your logic though. You can't deny what Traverse has been doing. This guy took all sorts of criticizm and was referred to at times as "scrap," "useles," yadda, yadda, yadda ... However, to insinuate that of Bouillon is also worthy of counselling, again, IMHO. I, too, feel it unrealistic to compare the two; Bouillon has been toiling in the minors while Traverse has been doing a bang-up job in the pros. Trying to compare the two now can't be done accurately. I haven't heard too much in the way of criticizm on Quintal these days. And I like the examples you've cited for sure. But, I'll be honest, I've criticized this guy in the recent past, but my amateur opinions are based only on the games I've seen; and that's not too many this year. I was always apprecative of what Karl Dykhuis has done for le club in the past but I'd move him in a flash now. Quintal, well like Gilmour, he seems to be coming on after a slow start. I've always liked Kilger's acquisition. However, it was at the expense of another player I appreciated, Sergei Zholtok. As with Kilger, Zholtok had to be moved if for no other reason than to give him a change of scenery. Zholtok is doing very well in Minnesota and has 23 points in 35 games. He sure wouldn't get that chance in Montreal now I'll tell ya'. However, Kilger is just starting to pick up points on Koivu's line and though he only has 9 points in 27 games, he contributes to the club on whatever line he plays. I've said it before, Kilger is a bonafide 3rd-liner who can fill in adequately on either of the top-two lines. Fingers are crossed. I'd like to go out to the pub and watch the game but I have relations comning in for the holiday season tonight. The Islanders always play us well. I can't make a prediction. Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by TheHabsfan on Dec 23, 2002 13:58:16 GMT -5
Is anyone prepared to rethink the old criticism of Savard in taking Traverse for Weinrich way back when? The guy is only playing 24 minutes a game and handling himself with remarkable poise. If anybody thinks Franky Bouillon could've stepped in to the top four (or two?) on the left side and actually helped the team, they need counselling. Isn't saying very much about our D if Traverse can jump in and be a top 4 (or top 2, as you say)... I remain steadfast on my criticism...Traverse has been playing better, but I still think he, and Dykhuis are liabilities. Lets hope AS can follow up on the rumour... and bring in a solid D.
|
|
|
Post by HFTO on Dec 23, 2002 15:05:35 GMT -5
You have to pleased with the majority of everyones play especially Traverse, Quintal and Kilger. I hope they don't rely on Theo too much remember it was the Sabres that fired 38 shots a bad habit we stilll need to work on. I have always liked Kilger and thought he should have been given a better shot much earlier. The fact that he is big and can skate is a big plus.Give him some players to play with and what you see is what you get.Ideally he may still be suited to replace Juneau but he is defintelly not a fourth liner. traverse certainly is a pleasnt surprise he has been steady.as far as q ball I hope he keeps it up,gotta pull for a guy who stands up for his teammates. HFTO
|
|
|
Post by JohnnyVerdun on Dec 23, 2002 17:40:48 GMT -5
I have no problem with Quintal. I know he's sucked on occasion, but it's only the elite 10% of d-men who simply don't make mistakes. He's among the 40% or so who will struggle for a few games at a time now and again, but overall he's better than average and his physical presence on this team especially can't be overlooked. I wish he'd hit guys a bit more often, and same goes for Rivet. It may be that their wrist injuries are really nagging problems that make them a bit tentative when it comes to the rough stuff. Plus, the way the refs are calling games these days, and with our pk not being among the best, ending up in the box is more likely and more likely to hurt the team than ever before...
|
|
|
Post by montreal on Dec 23, 2002 18:07:19 GMT -5
They lose tonight, they're done. You can flush rest of the season down the toilet. This is a game they absolutely have to have. A tie is a loss. Must. Win. Must win. It's a must win game. Would you say it's a must win game tonight? ;D Well I don't agree that the season is over if they lose, or would I consider this a must win, but that's what these message boards are for. Also, I don't care much for Audette or Chow, and don't care which one is moved, and hopefully both will be. But I have seen Audette work harder then Chow at least on offence, while Chow seems to hardly ever work hard (although he did seem to play better last game) As for the Traverse deal, I must say I was very pissed that Savard resigned Traverse (I didn't have a major problem with the trade, as a had a big problem with resigning him) but he has been much better this year, after I had some harsh words about him over the summer. Quintal, has been better lately, but still struggles at times. All defensemen will struggle, but I for one will be glad when Komisarek is here and Quintal is not. Kilger, I've called stong hands many times, but his good play of late is really great to see. I still think he could play harder, but he's doing good for now. Perreault, I don't really like, but I prefer him to Audette/Chow anyday of the week. Perreault's line has been much better, and he has gone from a team worse -7 to -1 in less then 2 weeks, which is very good. He's scoring in bunches, but he did that last year too, and then would disappear for several games at a time. Lets see what he does on this road trip, as he disappears at times on the road.
|
|