Anyone else nervous?
posted by Mike Boone at 12h49 EST on Mar 31
If you were listening to CKAC Sunday afternoon – which I was, because I have no life – you heard many callers suggesting that the loss of Saku Koivu would cripple the Canadiens. He wasn't having a great season, they said. Just shift Sergei Kostitsyn to centre and everything will be fine.
Nonsense.
Saku Koivu is having a sub-par season statistically. He has 16 goals – the same as Guillaume Latendresse, who's played a lot fewer minutes. Koivu's 40 assists put him one behind Andrei Markov. A year ago, he posted 22 goals and 53 assists, both career bests.
He also has 93 minutes in penalties – a career high. And too many were cheesy offensive-zone hooks and holds.
So, not a stellar season.
Ask yourself, however, what Koivu's point total would be if Michael Ryder were having a Michael Ryder season. Or if Christopher Higgins had cashed even half of the chances Koivu has put on his stick. Or if the captain didn't have to centre a constant stream of new linemates.
Then there are the intangibles – stuff that doesn't show up on the scoresheet, like quiet leadership and the inspiration generated by a man who beat cancer and a career-threatening eye injury.
Another factor that doesn't show up in the stats: fatigue among opposing defenceman who have to chase around after a quick, shifty, tenaciouis and very smart centre who, lack of size notwithstanding, is very tough to knock off the puck.
As befits a savvy veteran, Koivu has paced himself and saved his best hockey for crunch time. He was outstanding in the March run that led to clinching a playoff position.
Saku Koivu is a helluva hockey player.
You don't need 5768 years of anxiety to realize Canadiens will have trouble winning without him.
Tags:
Comments
Submitted by MannyP on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 17:32.
I think that was the most eloquent testimony in favor of Saku Koivu, that I've ever read. And it was about damn time it happened.
Submitted by 9410 on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 13:05.
Anyone who knows the track record of Saku's post seasons performance will admit to anxiety without the Captain. He has always played hard in the playoffs and when he went down with the eye injury against Carolina in 2006 the team changed, like night into day. They did little without him, and everyone knew why; you can't replace leadership. While Kovy is the motor that runs this team on the score sheet, Saku has been its heart and soul for a long time. Saku has a reputation of fearlessness, tenacity and heart, and those are the qualities which bring home a cup. To have any chance of going deeply into the playoffs without him, the rest of the team will have to emulate his best qualities.
Submitted by Scott in Montreal on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 13:26.
He also played effectively despite nursing a serious injury in the last series the Habs won (against the Bruins). He may miss the opening game or two, but I'll bet he'll find a way to play before round one is put to bed, even if he isn't completely healed. It's just pointless to play him for the last four games of the season with a playoff spot already wrapped up.
Submitted by Richard on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 11:44.
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!!!!!!!!!
Koivu goes down but nobody knows what's happening and announcements are not made until MONDAY, MARCH 31st!!!
THEREFORE: Published on April 1st.
But wait: Carbo has a quiet, backroom, quasi-off-the-record talk with the media during this same press conference.
Anybody else smell April Fool's?
The media would freak out if they were duped, so why not let them in on it?
There is enough back-room chemistry for this to be successful, and since we're clinched anyway it doesn't have any major consequences before the truth comes out. We're playing well, why not have some fun?
Some fans will be annoyed but most will be relieved and or excited.
The Sens, however, will not be pleased. Suckers.
And it also pokes good fun at the league's new "Give information" policy... assuming that this is a real policy. They said they want details; they never said anything about the truth.
Let's be realistic, even if it was announced that Koivu's foot is broken, why would Bouillon be in a brace with no other info?
OK,
So. If I'm right you can all call me a genius. If I'm wrong, feel free to chalk it up to pure outright denial.
Submitted by moser17 on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 15:02.
Koivu's foot an April Fool's joke? That would surely be "fishy" of Les Habitants. I'll be at the game tonight at SB Place, so if Captain K comes flying out of the gates I'll be sure to turn to a Sens fan and wish him a Happy Poisson d'Avril!!
Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 13:31.
I think Saku will be back for the 3rd game of the 1st round if it looks like Habs need a momentum booster or in the second round if it doesn't. Either way with the type of injury he has I am sure they can freeze it, tape it well and he'll play if needed.
But I say let him heal cause 4 rounds is a long way to go.
Submitted by Richard on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 13:13.
No. Just trying to convince myself this won't be another 2006 against Carolina. Unfortunately it's not working.
Submitted by MikeL on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 01:37.
Great blog Boone. It seems nobody realized the importance Koivu had on this team until he is lost. I agree with everything you say, but I am very hopeful he will be back for the playoffs. 'Cause everyone knows that is when players like Koivu really shine.
Submitted by GHG33 on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 00:42.
Boone... your post makes me nervous. Thanks a lot! (sarcasm)
Submitted by Vid on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 23:43.
In spite of Carolina having point totals similar to Philly & Boston they have been doing surprisingly well since their captain, Brind'Amour, got injured. Even Samsonov has been producing without him. I think that the Habs can do at least as well as the Hurricanes without Koivu. If Samsonov can step up so can the entire Habs roster, no excuses.
Submitted by Norm0770 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 23:34.
Given the Habs depth they should be able to play well despite the injuries. If Boston can go long periods this season without their best players (Bergeron, Chara, Murray), and compete with much less talent than the Habs, there isn't any reason the Habs can't do the same. Koivu is one of my favourite players and brings so much more than his point total to the table every game, but it would be hard to argue that he is more important to the Habs chances than Bergeron or Chara are to the Bruins.
Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 22:49.
The sign of a great team is when that team can pick up the slack when a teammate goes down and dig out victories regardless. Does this team have that kind of heart, depth, and willpower? We've seen them pull off a history making comeback with a full lineup. But, now is what athletes call "gut check" time. Personally, I think they can still win. But, if they sustain any more key player injuries it could be curtains.
The game vs. TO was listless, heartless, and gutless to say the least. Carbo said when a team plays not to get injured, injuries follow quickly. Others have echoed the same idea in different words. The team needs to play with conviction, even when the opposition is bound for the 'links'. The top of the standings is a great place to be, but a very tough one mentally. Once that final regular season game is over, I think players will get pumped and start focusing on the prize.
Submitted by Moey on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 22:39.
I'm not nervous, and the hoofbeats are mine Boone, so please put your sharp instruments away, I am a flight animal, my Habs need me.
The habs will step up for the captain, they'll take two of the last three. It's all good people, some of our key guys are getting some much needed rest. There is strategy at work here.
Submitted by Bouleau noir on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 22:34.
Nervous ?.. terrified would be more like it.
Could Itzhak Perlman's limitless virtuosity made up for a missing string on his violon ?
Could the CH go deep without Koivu ?
The arrival of Grabs gaved our team the true scoring depth profile I feel team's must have in order to go deep,... Koivu's absence would terminate our pretention of having 3 capable scoring lines and I dont think we would survive without it and without him for too long of a time.
Submitted by Richard on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 21:39.
Small victories:
Penguins lost, albeit in OT.
Submitted by stephen on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 21:47.
Speaking of the Pens, should they not re-sign him in the off-season, I suggest Bob make a big pitch for Ryan Malone. I like his grit, and he seems to have decent hands...
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 10:21.
I said the same thing a couple of days ago, and how about Brian Rolston, as well.
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My ultimate dream: Captain Saku Koivu skating around the Bell Centre holding the Stanley Cup.
Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 20:29.
Man standing are so tight, we can play anyone from Ottawa to Carolina to Washington and in between. I hate this one point garbage.
Submitted by likehoy on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 18:31.
it's not the end of the world...but we're weak down the middle in terms of offensive centres throughout our organization. The only two that come to mind are corey locke and grabovski...and does anyone feel confident of either of them fitting into the second line at the moment?? Our depth as a full team was just good enough, missing a top 6 player makes us look mighty thin now. If Saturday's game is a foreshadow of what's about to come...we're in for a crap end to the season. Kovy's line was fairly neutralized, and the second line was disgustingly weak, though higgins seems to have woken up a bit since koivu being injured...maybe he feels it's his time to step it up.
Does this mean ryder's actually going to get more than 7 minutes of ice time?
Also I didn't see any posts mentioning this but Kovalev gets to wear the C for the second time this season. (still makes me feel uneasy).
Submitted by Komi For Captain on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 08:31.
Doesn't make me feel uneasy. I think both Carbo and Kovy know and respect that Koivu is this team's captain. But Kovalev's not a bad stand-in while Koivu is out. Kovalev has proven his leadership skills this year by constantly pushing this team to be better and by showing up and playing a full 60 minutes for about 99% of the games. Kovalev deserves the fill-in C till Koivu is back and he'll do a fine job of holding this team together.
Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 20:24.
Third time if he was Captain last game.
Earlier in the season everyone went nuts when he wore the C and said he deserved it. Funny, i didn't hear too much of that after he didn't put in a good performance.
"Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"
Submitted by likehoy on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 22:08.
true...didn't notice if he wore the C on saturday or not.
Deserved or not, it's just something to get used to not seeing the C on number 11.
Submitted by usversusthem on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 00:30.
He did. I think it suits him, but I'll admit I feel a lot more comfortable when Saku's around to wear it.
Submitted by Les-Habitants on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 17:38.
I agree with you Boone, and I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who sees the contributions the Captain makes. Koivu has always been one of the team's better (if not the best) playoff performers, and he'll be missed.
That said, we didn't develop great depth for nothing. Without Komi, Cube, Streit and Koivu for any prolonged period of time, I would have a lot of doubt about our team, but with one more point we'll have clinched the division and be either #1 or #2 in the East. Our roster is still good enough to do that. Komi, Cube and Streit seem almost certain to return for the playoffs, if not before, and I doubt Koivu will be that far behind. Remember in the Boston series where we played with broken ribs? The captain has and can play through pain, and he will. He'll take the few weeks now to heal up as much as possible, but I'm positive he'll be back early in round 1 when we'll need him again.
Submitted by Geezerfan on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 17:24.
Oy gevalt, Boone. Those putz's reflexively spouting dreck about Koivu are nothing but golem. What has anyone done for them lately, eh?
Submitted by wild flower on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 17:22.
TSN sports experts??
check out their poll question which doesn't include Carolina (same division as Washington with less pts than the Rangers,Boston, or Philly):
Which team will be on the outside looking in on April 7?
NY Rangers
5%
Boston
24%
Philadelphia
29%
Washington
41%
Submitted by HabsFreak (not verified) on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 17:06.
I just read Boone's piece without reading the posts. I hope everyone isn't as doom and gloom as Boone. Of course Koivu is an intregal part of this team and it's success this year. Stats don't even come close to what he means to this team. But I think the boys can get through the 1st round without him and hopefully he'll be back for when the series may be on the line in round 2. He'll be a big spark when we might need it.
This isnt the year when Carolina picks his eye out and we don't win another game. This team has much more depth. Besides, other than Pittsburg who is just warming up, the East is full of problems. Now we have one too. If we can establish our game and get the goaltending we need, I think we will be alive when Saku gets back. He just won't be blocking many shots.
Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:47.
Guys and girls, we have to remember that we have a MUCH different team than the one that faced Carolina.
Yes Koivu is a big loss. Komisarek is a big loss. Bouillon is a big loss.
But don't forget, the Buffalo Sabres were missing their top 4? defencemen last year and still made the Conference finals.
Komi is coming back and so will Koivu before the 1st round is up. Bouillon hopefully is ok, but I'm worried now.
We need to all step it up another notch. Especially our posters. now isn't the time to criticize, it is to SUPPORT.
our team...no?
"Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"
Submitted by 24 Cups on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 17:03.
Well said Teach. As Mike Boone's byline intro states, "share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom". We can't let the agony of this past weekend ruin the great ride that we have been on this season. Personally, I can't wait for the playoffs to begin.
The Original 24 Cups
Submitted by Wamsley01 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:59.
Sabres probably would have won the Cup in 06 if they did not have those injury problems, and maybe the Habs will pay the Price if Koivu misses to much time. But worrying about getting one point? That is total paranoia.
You are right that this team is way better than the 06 edition. It also has a goalie that has proven in the past that he rises to the occasion.
Nothing will change that this season has been a massive success. If they can seize the moment and go on a miracle run...awesome. If they win the division and run into some injury problems causing an early round exit it does not change the fact that their youth has stepped up huge, their last draft yielded 2 blue chippers, and this team is on the rise.
This season is already a success. Paranoia and panic will not ruin it for me.
Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 17:02.
Agree 100% except I still expect them to win at least one series.
"Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"
Submitted by Norm0770 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 23:31.
If they can win the first series of the playoffs, that will end in about 3 weeks and Koivu would be close to ready then. They just need that 1 point to be 2nd overall to get the Boston or Philly matchup.
Submitted by port elgin on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:31.
Nervous....nah..a little concerned yes. Habs can get through the first round without Captain K, then he should be close to coming back. There will be lots of hockey left for the habs. Don't throw in the towel just yet!
Submitted by 1010 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:10.
go Ak27
Submitted by Wamsley01 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:10.
How many times this season has Boone called for the apocalypse? 79 times?
Once before every game? This is not the 2006 Canadiens that depended on Koivu for every ounce of offense.
This team is not in second place by accident, if losing Koivu means utter destruction down the stretch and into the playoffs then this teams sucks.
But Boone has feared a collapse upon every game and it has yet to happen. If the Leafs can win games without Sundin then the Habs can put up 1 point without Koivu.
Jeez. The team has stepped up all season. Carey Price is now the starter when everybody thought he wasn't ready, they were in 1st when the media thought they were a 15th place team, Sergei Kostitsyn made the leap with little problem, Plekanec turned into a number 1 center not a number 2 that most believed was his ceiling...and so on and so on. If all those things do not make you believer, what the hell will?
To steal Rick Pitino's line.
Patrick Roy is not coming through that door, Guy Lafleur is not coming through that door, Larry Robinson is not coming through that door.
Either you believe or you don't. If you don't Koivu was not going to change that.
Submitted by Chorske on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:30.
The Boone reverse jinx. Works every time. May his nervousness and anxiety continue. I figure all we need is a couple of days of hopeless despair from Boone and we will be GUARANTEED to make the conference final.
And who knows- maybe he's even good for some abject misery. If that happens, well... I for one will stake out a spot on Ste Catherine.
Submitted by Dana on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:15.
I think that even if you take away Koivu's actual hockey skills, his loss has other effects.. the motivation as a leader and also the disruption to the lines. At least, Carbo has been juggling lines like crazy the entire season though.. so we can hope for the best.
--
"Now, now my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
- Voltaire on his deathbed in response to a priest asking that he renounce Satan.
Submitted by J.T. on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:05.
I hope Kovalev steps it up and takes the team where it needs to go without Koivu. After all, he's one of the few with two working feet.
http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com
Submitted by Dana on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 15:58.
I'm confused, if the Habs only require only one point to clinch the division, doesn't that mean that we will also clinch the division if the Senators lose a point?
I realize that it takes away the whole self-determination part, but we are nearly sure of being a top 2 seed regardless, no?
--
"Now, now my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
- Voltaire on his deathbed in response to a priest asking that he renounce Satan.
Submitted by frank81 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:00.
The Senators need 6 points to catch us. If they lose one game, the Habs clinch the division title even if they don't win another regular season game.
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:03.
Exactly, so this is much ado about not a whole heck of a lot.
Yes I'm nervous. We're all nervous. Isn't that why this is fun? I'm going to stay nervous until we get our 16th win of the postseason, and then I'm going to head out for the parade!
www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
Submitted by Sbah Reverof on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 15:17.
Bubby, don't get your matzoh balls in a knot.
To paraphrase Sammy Davis Jr (on the plight of our people):
"The Habs are a swingin' bunch of guys; I've heard of bad seasons, but what they went through is ridiculous. But the important thing is, after so much adversity, hard work and hope and prayer, they finally made it."
This team is stronger than any one person; they may not win every game, but as long as they show up and work hard every time, they will have a great chance of going all the way.
Submitted by 1010 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 15:14.
If this team is done because Saku is out then they weren't going too far anyway. I'm not discrediting his value - he is after all their leader- but come on guys. Let's see if Grabs, younger Kosti and Ryder with more ice time can pick up some slack. Some people on this site have been complaining about Saku not playing like the Saku of old all season. Now we're done like dinner because he's gonna miss the first round. Without Koivu they lose to Boston or Philly? Then it wouldn't have mattered anyway: other than
Gillette adding a little more to the bank account and some young guys losing out on a little extra playoff experience.
Some on this site have complained about their lack of intensity lately. That, at this point, might be the bigger problem.
GO HABS.
Submitted by notbigbird on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 15:07.
Love your humour today. I like it many other days too, but I really appreciated it today. That's the important thing -- a good attitude. If worse comes to worse, we'll all survive and live to hope again.
Submitted by sidhu on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:54.
I'm not nervous. This team is full of character (e.g., the comeback against the Rangers).
What concerns me more is not the injuries, but the team's disintersted play during the last two games - even with Koivu, Streit, and Cube, in the lineup, we played like a team who didn't care because they clinched a spot. They were suffering senioritis, but still managed to win a game based on a few minutes of solid play. We only seemed to care when we were on the PK, when we were compelled to play hard.
What's more important at this stage is returning to the type of game we've dislayed for most of the season and playing a full 60 minutes of hockey, not the personnel.
Go Habs Go!
Submitted by MICP on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:33.
Nervous???? Yes! I am more nervous after watching us play Toronto with the division title on the line. We rolled over like dogs. I think we will get killed tomorrow in Ottawa, for some reason Toronto loves us and very well could beat us again on Saturday. Buffalo could do the same as they will either be playing for their playoff lives of playing their back up. Their back up did what to us the last time he played in Montreal?
Ottawa could win their last 3. Their toughest opp. will be us & I expect to be beat 5-1 if were lucky.
All year posts have stated that whatever happens here on out is a bonus, the Habs have done so much better than anyone expected. On that note then even if we dont win 1 more game this year we should all be happy. I then think about all the other teams playing through injuries and still winning. You have not seen Boston give up and throw in the towell. Savard just might have a fx to his back. Why are we doing hat now?
If other teams have the players to step up then with all of our depth I am sure all of you will agree that our Habs should be able to overcome this and make it out of the first round.
Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:28.
The Boone of Gloom! Love the comparison! :)
Koivu is very imporatant to the team as his loss has shown against carolina. However, no amount of Koivu will help if team plays the way they did against the laffs and the sabres in last couple of games. So while losing Saku could be a setback, it is by no means the end of the world and Habs can overcome his injury is everybody starts playing their 100% for the full 60 minutes.
(Samsonov ressembling drunken Cossacks - that's priceless)
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:00.
Next week: the Boone of Gloom meets the Hooded Fang!
www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
Submitted by MathMan on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:15.
It's true that the Habs need one point in three games without Saku to clinch a top-two spot. There's one big but though: they only need that point if Ottawa wins out. And the way the Sens have been playing lately (exhibit A: 4-0 vs. a battered, shortmanned Boston squad), that's far from a sure thing.
Ottawa might end up clinching the second seed for the Habs even in the face of a season-high four-game losing streak by Montreal.
Or so all the Sens fans at work tell me. Me, I'm like you, Mike: a continual fretter. At least when the Habs are up. For some reason, when Montreal sucks I'm a lot less stressed.
Now the playoffs minus Koivu would be a serious, serious problem. And that does make me very, very nervous.
Submitted by 1010 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:08.
The devils are only 5 points back with a game in hand. So a point doesn't gaurantee a top two spot. I believe the rangers have a game in hand also. If they ran the board they could end up tied with us, no?
GO HABS.
Submitted by frank81 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:15.
Division leaders are seeded 1-3. New Jersey, New York, and Pittsburgh are all in the same division, and fortunately for the Habs, it doesn't matter if all three finish with more points as long as we have more points than Ottawa.
Submitted by 1010 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:19.
Thank you frank81. I forgot about that.
GO HABS.
Submitted by Blitzen on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:08.
Mike, you need to do something else relaxing to take your mind off of hockey. Something like skydiving or bungee.
_____________________________________________________
Remember February 19th: The Comeback
Submitted by jimstr on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:24.
i was thinking under-ice scuba diving..
Submitted by tony d on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:56.
Mike you make me laugh.... but listen don't fret too much... my wife always thinks I'm the biggest downer, Mr. Negative... so if I'm hopeful, then you know I'm onto something... plus my Habs T shirt's facing the right way now thanks to Stubbs...so all is good in the world
Submitted by RS on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:02.
Yes. I'm nervous. Even with Koivu, the Habs aren't that impressive at centre. Plek, Grabs, Smok, Lapierre at centre doesn't exactly sound like a cup contender. Playing S. Kost at centre or adding Chipchura doesn't inspire much more confidence. I'm not even confident the Habs can pick up that much-needed one point in their last 3 games.
But this team has been full of wonderful surprises all year. And if the Habs don't beat the Sens, the Sens will proably lose to the Leafs or Bruins anyway!
Submitted by usversusthem on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:39.
Oh God, Boone. It's bad enough I have to deal with school, personal issues, and an inability to sleep when normal people sleep, i.e. when it's dark outside, but you have to confirm what I've been fretting about for the past couple of days... that the Habs are completely doomed. Thanks. I could at least try to ignore it so long as it was left unspoken by anyone with any kind of know-how, but now... All my jubilant optimism over the past couple weeks is completely going to bite me in the *** come Sunday morning, I just know it.
Now if you'll all excuse me, I'm going to bed. Maybe when I wake up, everyone will be magically healed.
(At the very least Bouillon and Streit... please?)
Submitted by tony d on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:53.
that's very funny... ok go back to sleep now, I'm just gonna blab on here and you don't have to stay awake to read it..
funny how we unanimously had the same thought when hearing of Koivu's injury.... it all came flashing back...the playoff series against Carolina where our team just peed their pants and called it a night...
I hope they have the cohones now to weather whatever storm comes their way...if not, Guy better get a sports shrink in the room PRONTO!
The good news is that Saku will return, as will Komi, Streit and Bouillon....so we have to remain optimistic...we play Buffalo, Ottawa and the Leafs before the real deal begins. I'm confident they can pull off 2 wins out of the 3...I just hope they feel the same way
Submitted by Fant-HAB-ulous on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:34.
I was nervous all weekend...but then I realized –
let the captain and co. take a few days of needed rest and rehabilitation.
We only need a single point to clinch the division. Who cares if we are first or second in the conference. THE ABSOLUTE worst case scenario is that we finish 6th in the conference.
Like another poster said, a broken foot are one of the only injuries that can be played on.
Nope...I am not nervous one bit anymore.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:20.
Mr. Boone - Mike Harris did an admirable job in your absence yesterday but i must say he lacks your humour, SWEEP !!
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:12.
I agree - Justin Williams showed us how important Koivu is to the team, and while Komi, Higgins and Kovalev have all stepped up in the leadership department, the captain is still the captain. Like so many have said here so far, this will be quite a test - one the Pens and Bruins have passed this season. Let's hope we do as well.
www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
Submitted by The Big O on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:11.
The one injury that you can play with, is a broken foot, thousands of hockey players have done it before and I'm sure Saku knowing what's at stake will do what is necessary. If he finished the last game he played in and did well with it broken....well guess what! Boone you always make me laugh with how dire you make things out to be...way too funny!
Submitted by Komi For Captain on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 12:58.
I'm not sure it as serious as you make it out to be Boone. In the beginning I had flashbacks of the eye injury that took Koivu out nad how we crashed and burned without him. However this year there's another leader for this team, his name is Alex Kovalev. I'm not saying Koivu won't be a loss, but if we have to play 2 rounds without him, I think we can do it if we don't focus on it. For me, Streit, Bouillon and Komisarek are the bigger problems because defense has been so key for us this year. We need something solid on D. I would want to see Sergei Kostitsyn center Higgy and Ryder. It could work while we wait the captain's return. Whatever the outcome, thank god we have another player worthy of wearing the C while Koivu's out. To Kovalev: Step it up another notch and lead this team to the victory they deserve, and Koivu deserves.
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