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Post by UberCranky on Dec 16, 2002 22:17:17 GMT -5
I thought by now we would be discussing the get together for the Richard Riots Part 2 but instead this team is winning against some damn fine opposition. I thought that there would be no way that they could get it together after what seemed to be one stupid move after another. Yet, after MThead little cuckoo clock finally clicked and put Kilger on the top line and stopped playing musical chairs with Audi and Cz, it seemed to fall together. Now t he entire team is playing with some desire and authority. A couple of things I did notice is that they took the play away from the boards (infamous “trough system”) and playing up the center. Kilger and McKay are playing like they deserve their multi millions and generally they are playing as a team. I still wont give MThead any slack because he is still responsible for the stupid Audi experiments but I will say that he has not caused any loses (yet). The Scary Sixteen has become the Sweet Sixteen? Anybody else have any thoughts on this? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To stay on track for the playoffs we need 18 points. (1 of 18) So far it is not looking pretty. Fri. Nov. 29, Canadiens @ Bruins 12:00 AM (LOSS) Sat. Nov. 30, Flyers @ Canadiens 7:00 PM (LOSS 1pt) Wed. Dec. 4, Montreal Canadiens @ Dallas Stars 8:30 PM (Loss) Fri. Dec. 6, Montreal Canadiens @ Colorado Avalanche 9:00 PM (OT Loss) Sat. Dec. 7, Montreal Canadiens @ Phoenix Coyotes 9:00 PM (Win) Tue. Dec. 10, Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins 7:00 PM (Win) Thu. Dec. 12, Tampa Bay Lightning @ Montreal Canadiens 7:30 PM (Loss) Sat. Dec. 14, Boston Bruins @ Montreal Canadiens 7:00 PM (Win) Mon. Dec. 16, Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM (Win) 34 points so far and we need 42 by the end of the year if we are to stay in the thick of things. Can the Habs get 8 points over the next 7 games? It appears so. Tue. Dec. 17, San Jose Sharks @ Montreal Canadiens 7:30 PM ( 60% win ) Thu. Dec. 19, Montreal Canadiens @ New York Rangers 7:00 PM ( 70% win ) Sat. Dec. 21, Buffalo Sabres @ Montreal Canadiens 7:00 PM ( 55% win ) Mon. Dec. 23, Montreal Canadiens @ New York Islanders 7:00 PM ( 50% win ) Fri. Dec. 27, Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM ( 50% win ) Sat. Dec. 28, Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins 7:00 PM ( 60% win ) Tue. Dec. 31, Montreal Canadiens @ Calgary Flames 8:00 PM ( 60% win ) So I am an optimist now.
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Post by JohnnyVerdun on Dec 16, 2002 22:24:09 GMT -5
They're just a whole lot better in the neutral zone. Fewer odd man rushes, good puck support, and a willingness to get in there and scrap and fight no matter how ugly it gets along the boards. If they play like that, and get good goaltending, they'll get more pp opportunities than they give and they'll be okay.
The lineup is also important. The second line has been a lot better since Gilmour woke up (notice he's the playmaker whether he's at center or on the wing), and the first line has been given a great boost by Kilger's energy and physical play.
The D are keeping it simple and the gaps aren't as big between them and the forwards, so they have more short, quick passing opportunities when they turn and look up ice to make a decision. That means less blind lobs off the glass, more puck possession, more shots on goal, fewer quick turnarounds against them and better changes.
I think that's it. They can play with almost anyone if they keep this up. Gilmour is a huge key, imo.
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Post by MPLABBE on Dec 16, 2002 22:29:44 GMT -5
HA, make post 2000 a scary sixteen update ;D
I'll say it again...ever since big/strong/tough/gritty Kilger and McKay have been put on lines with playmakers(Koivu and Gilmour) and scorers(Zednik and Perreault) this team has been playing much better. The mix is much better up front
Now, if we can deal one of if not both of Audette/Chow and call up Hossa or Ward...we could have a Hossa-Ribeiro-Petrov or Petrov-Ribeiro-Ward 4th line to round out the lines nicely.
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Post by UberCranky on Dec 16, 2002 22:46:56 GMT -5
They're just a whole lot better in the neutral zone. Fewer odd man rushes, good puck support, and a willingness to get in there and scrap and fight no matter how ugly it gets along the boards. If they play like that, and get good goaltending, they'll get more pp opportunities than they give and they'll be okay. The lineup is also important. The second line has been a lot better since Gilmour woke up (notice he's the playmaker whether he's at center or on the wing), and the first line has been given a great boost by Kilger's energy and physical play. The D are keeping it simple and the gaps aren't as big between them and the forwards, so they have more short, quick passing opportunities when they turn and look up ice to make a decision. That means less blind lobs off the glass, more puck possession, more shots on goal, fewer quick turnarounds against them and better changes. I think that's it. They can play with almost anyone if they keep this up. Gilmour is a huge key, imo. "The Duck Walker" may indeed be the key to the entire thing. Not because he is doing odd and amazing things by himself, but because he is taking away some heat from the top line. Opponents can no longer focus in on ZeKoKi ( ) line and shut down 70% of our offence. Now, if MThead can get Ward and add him to Audi and Ribs. A fourth line masquarading as a poor mans second line could be conjured up. Balance and hard work are the keys. Let's just hope it lasts.
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Post by PTH on Dec 16, 2002 22:47:38 GMT -5
I thought by now we would be discussing the get together for the Richard Riots Part 2 but instead this team is winning against some damn fine opposition. I thought that there would be no way that they could get it together after what seemed to be one stupid move after another. Yet, after MThead little cuckoo clock finally clicked and put Kilger on the top line and stopped playing musical chairs with Audi and Cz, it seemed to fall together. Now t he entire team is playing with some desire and authority. .... I still wont give MThead any slack because he is still responsible for the stupid Audi experiments but I will say that he has not caused any loses (yet). ...... OK, you know what's coming don't you ? MT might not be to blame for the use of Chow and Audette.... I still wonder how much pressure he was under from AS to play them, to try and get them going, either for the sake of their production, or to allow AS to move them...... and now MT has finally gotten some autonomy and is playing the guys he needs to win. Whether it's his own choice to change things around or orders from above is impossible to know though...... all this just to say that it's impossible to blame MT only for the debacles we've had.... he might be 100% responsible and make most decisions on his own, or he might just be a tool being used by AS, in which case AS is just keeping him around as an expendable minion to throw to the wolves when needed, or it's half-way between the two, and MT was under a bit of conflicting pressure, and eventually made up his mind to sit the vets. We just can't know...
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Post by MPLABBE on Dec 16, 2002 22:49:13 GMT -5
Opponents can no longer focus in on ZeKoK ( ) line and shut down 70% of our offence. That's sick dude!
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Post by UberCranky on Dec 16, 2002 23:01:55 GMT -5
That's sick dude! What's wrong with that line combo? As long as they stay up, on top, as the best offensive line and don't sputter out, then the Hab's will have a chance to enter the playoffs and even go deep into them. Now, where the heck did I leave my medication............
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Post by MPLABBE on Dec 16, 2002 23:13:11 GMT -5
the name for the line is sick... ;D
and thanks for posting the sweet sixteen...the big points came against Boston and tonight
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Post by HFTO on Dec 16, 2002 23:31:55 GMT -5
HA, Don't you ove those rose coloured glasses? I won't put mine on just yet though they really have put themselves in a good position. This team has rarely takes advantage of their schedule it would be nice to do that for a change don't you think? Gilmour and McKay certainly are making there presence felt Kilger is looking good on the top line and Theo is rounding into shape.still I think As has to do something rather than sitting back.Be proactive AS and get this team over the hump. HFTO
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Post by montreal on Dec 16, 2002 23:51:55 GMT -5
They're just a whole lot better in the neutral zone. Fewer odd man rushes, good puck support, and a willingness to get in there and scrap and fight no matter how ugly it gets along the boards. If they play like that, and get good goaltending, they'll get more pp opportunities than they give and they'll be okay. The lineup is also important. The second line has been a lot better since Gilmour woke up (notice he's the playmaker whether he's at center or on the wing), and the first line has been given a great boost by Kilger's energy and physical play. The D are keeping it simple and the gaps aren't as big between them and the forwards, so they have more short, quick passing opportunities when they turn and look up ice to make a decision. That means less blind lobs off the glass, more puck possession, more shots on goal, fewer quick turnarounds against them and better changes. I think that's it. They can play with almost anyone if they keep this up. Gilmour is a huge key, imo. In reguards to the 2nd line, I noticed Gilmor seems to be handling the play down low (centers job in our "system") instead of having Perreault trying to do that. Or maybe it was just the way it worked out, but I noticed several times, Gilmor down low, and Perreault covering the winger. If that is the "new" plan, I love it, cause I will sleep easier knowing Perreault will have less to do in his own end, thus making him a better player. And Kilger and McKay are also good additions to the top lines. I have called Kilger stone hands many many times, but he doesn't look bad on that line at all. Plus I really like the way MT rotates McKay/Petrov on that line.
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Post by UberCranky on Dec 17, 2002 8:25:05 GMT -5
HA, Don't you ove those rose coloured glasses? I won't put mine on just yet though they really have put themselves in a good position. This team has rarely takes advantage of their schedule it would be nice to do that for a change don't you think? Gilmour and McKay certainly are making there presence felt Kilger is looking good on the top line and Theo is rounding into shape.still I think As has to do something rather than sitting back.Be proactive AS and get this team over the hump. HFTO There ain't no Rosie coloured glasses resting on this schnozzle. When your second line average age is 36 years old and Traverse is one of your best defenseman, well, a losing streak is just around the corner. If the second line was 6 years younger, then we would have something. Just think of it, Gilmour and McKay flying, err, flogging around the ice with their trusty sidekick and sniper extraordinaire, Yanic NoPanic...............
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Post by BadCompany on Dec 17, 2002 8:47:46 GMT -5
I thought by now we would be discussing the get together for the Richard Riots Part 2 but instead this team is winning against some damn fine opposition. Really helps when your goalie stops more than 75% of the shots against him. This team will always live and die by its goaltending. We still gave up what? 32 shots last night? 31? Something like that anyways. Granted, Theodore didn't have to be spectacular, but he did have to be good. Otherwise... And can somebody remind me again why there 2 refs? Wasn't one of the supposed to watch behind the play, for incidents like last night? 4 freaking officials on the ice, and not one of them sees a guy's face get sliced open...
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Post by UberCranky on Dec 17, 2002 8:58:45 GMT -5
Who got hurt? I did not see the game last night. As far as the shots go, the Hab's are still opportunist and don't have the horses to play keep away. How much abuse can Zed and Koivu take when the cycle low and play keep away? Pretty soon they are going to slow down. Or get hurt. If you are built like Kilger, Primeau or Holik, you can keep at it all season, but when you are 180 pounds.....................
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Post by MPLABBE on Dec 17, 2002 10:28:47 GMT -5
HA,
Habs PP in the first...Markov goes to the slot and then Chara high sticks Markov right under the eye...blood..yet no penalty!
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Post by Willie Dog on Dec 17, 2002 10:32:44 GMT -5
I've said it before, If Kilger keeps going like this, he could be a LeClair type... that would be awesome.
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Post by hab1fan on Dec 17, 2002 16:42:43 GMT -5
Plus I really like the way MT rotates McKay/Petrov on that line. Yes, I've noticed that too. When Petrov comes on, it's instant speed and seems to give the opposing defensemen a lot of trouble. Something I thought we would have the luxury of doing this year was rotating some of the older guys in and out of the line up when the schedule got rough (like this week!). However, I don't think MT or AS feel confident enough to rest a Gilmour/McKay/Perreault a game here or there. To be honest, we have to think of the future as well and get some of our guys like Hossa and Hainsey up here for some more stints and not let injuries dictate their presense. Does this make sense? I guess when you are winning, it's hard to make any lineup changes.
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Post by Viper on Dec 17, 2002 16:45:17 GMT -5
Kilger turns into leclair !!!!!! I always worried that we possibly erred in a similar fashion by trading MR. October. thankfully he still sucks. Wouldn't that be a great turn of events Kilger the 50 goal man holy calzones.
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Post by montreal on Dec 17, 2002 17:01:13 GMT -5
Yes, I've noticed that too. When Petrov comes on, it's instant speed and seems to give the opposing defensemen a lot of trouble. Something I thought we would have the luxury of doing this year was rotating some of the older guys in and out of the line up when the schedule got rough (like this week!). However, I don't think MT or AS feel confident enough to rest a Gilmour/McKay/Perreault a game here or there. To be honest, we have to think of the future as well and get some of our guys like Hossa and Hainsey up here for some more stints and not let injuries dictate their presense. Does this make sense? I guess when you are winning, it's hard to make any lineup changes. I would like to see some vets get a night off. I think Juneau really should get a night off, as he plays a lot, and his back was giving him trouble last year, but we don't have anyone to replace what he brings to the team. The defense must be getting tired, Quintal and Brisebois come to mind, as Brezzy plays a lot, and always has some minor injury he plays through. But a roster move would have to be made in order to do so.
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Post by MPLABBE on Dec 17, 2002 17:29:18 GMT -5
Kilger turns into leclair !!!!!! I always worried that we possibly erred in a similar fashion by trading MR. October. thankfully he still sucks. Wouldn't that be a great turn of events Kilger the 50 goal man holy calzones. don't hold your breath lol
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Post by Willie Dog on Dec 18, 2002 10:58:26 GMT -5
don't hold your breath lol I would be over the top if Kilger got us 25 goals. He would do more for us than the million dollar floaters we have.
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Post by MPLABBE on Dec 18, 2002 11:28:47 GMT -5
I'd be happy if he turns into a 20 goal scorer.
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Post by Willie Dog on Dec 18, 2002 11:31:19 GMT -5
I'd be happy if he turns into a 20 goal scorer. I can't remember the last 25 goal scorer on the habs.
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Post by MPLABBE on Dec 18, 2002 11:33:20 GMT -5
I can't remember the last 25 goal scorer on the habs. Perreault last year(27..)
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Post by Willie Dog on Dec 18, 2002 11:34:38 GMT -5
Perreault last year(27..) It's pretty sad isn't it.
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