Much like on Round 1, the Canadiens face an opponent they dominated during the regular season, going 4-0 against the Philadelphia Flyers. But as the Canadies learned against the Boston Bruins, the regular-season record means little during the playoffs.
After Zdeno Chara, Habs fans will now be booing Daniel Brière everytime he touches the puck after the Gatineau native rejected an attempt by the Canadiens to sign him during the offseason. While he didn't have a lot of success against the Habs during the regular season, Brière has turned it on in the playoffs with six goals and five assists to lead all scorers with 11 points.
Here's a look at what's being said about Thursday's series opener:
Ok... If you read Red Fisher's column you know that a bunch of the Flyers are hurting:
'The first thing you should know about the surprising Flyers, 3-2 overtime winners over Washington in Game 7 on the road, is that they're playing hurt. Defenceman Derian Hatcher is on painkillers, Mike Knuble missed the last few games of the series the Flyers once led 3-1 and isn't a likely starter in tonight's Eastern Conference semifinals, and I'm assured by people who know that "a bunch of other players are hurt."'
Over at one of the Flyers news Blogs (I think it was here? http://blogs.phillynews.com/dailynews/eagles/) they had reported Briere was in a knee brace before the Caps series started.
Just some FYI and, of course, we have our own walking wounded.
Good post...and I wouldn't expect anything different from any of the other teams who managed to advance to the second round. I'm sure the trainers know a lot more than any of the rest of us and this is the time of year where the going gets tougher but players feel the urgency to continue playing. Best time of the year for hockey.
with philly playing 3 games in four nights and travelling, and us resting since monday night, we have the def advantage for game one. gotta skate circles around the big slow flyers and win game one. carey has got to be more consistant and not get either a shutout or let in 5 goals per game. go habs gooooooo!!
this series is going to a good one i can't until game time i think we will win 5-1 tonight! and will skate the flyers into the ground carey price will be awesome again. tonight kovalev will score 2 goals and koivu will get 1 and higgins will get one with komisarek scoring in his second straight game and the 5th goal will come from markov on the p.p we will also score 3 of these goals that i predict in my post on the pp!
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 12:42.
Your math is off: Kovy 2 + Koivu 1 + Higgy 1 + Komi 1 + Marky 1 = 6.
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My ultimate dream: Captain Saku Koivu skating around the Bell Centre holding the Stanley Cup.
sorry mr.stewart your absolutely right it is i screwed!up it is 6!oh well nobody's perfect!
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 13:42.
but 6 goals is good!
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My ultimate dream: Captain Saku Koivu skating around the Bell Centre holding the Stanley Cup.
So... Do we start this series out this way for fun?"a wild pregame brawl that was ignited by Montreal's ritual of ending the warmup by firing a puck into the opponents' net. Philadelphia's Ed Hospodar wouldn't allow it and things escalated quickly. Players from both sides sprinted out of their respective locker rooms, several wearing just undergarments, for the free-for-all. Old-time hockey."
Naw... We lost that game and the series. We will be better served to have our guys with skills flying out there tonight.
Submitted by Habhopeful on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:51.
Huh! Check out this flyers fan blogger site...looks like an alright site
http://www.kristinshaw.com/
"12 'Till 25"
"If I wanted to hear from an ***, I would fart..."
Every article starts with, "The canadiens are heavily favoured and are puttin a lot of pressure on their young goaltender" Price played 2 bad periods, GET OVER IT. He is the real deal. I guess Brodeur couldn't handle the pressure then eh?
Naw, he's pointing at the People's Eyebrow he's going to use to browbeat Bobby Clarke and his goons into submission.
zing!
1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:22.
We will need twice the grit we used against Boston to dismantle the Flyers if they choose to come at us with their Goonery.
That said, having the big guys like Ryder/Obryne and Lats in the press box makes zero sense.
But, game 1 has not been played so we're only speculating on whats the correct matchup....I'm sure there will be plenty to say after tonight.
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:53.
Not that the reg season means anything in the playoffs, but here are some interesting stats:
Nov1, 5-2win , Lats & Ryder scored, Obryne Played, Breeze played and got a 10 min misconduct.
Dec13, 4-1 win, Breeze/ryder scratched, Lats/Obryne played
Feb16, 1-0 win, Breeze/ryder scratched, Lats/Obryne played
Feb17, 5-3 win, Breeze scratched, Ryder scored, Lats/Obryne Played
Submitted by Habhopeful on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:43.
Question HP, Who is that guy in your pic?
"12 'Till 25"
"If I wanted to hear from an ***, I would fart..."
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:57.
because of the guy in my picture we the fans and the teams are all going nuts for the next 2 months....the holy grail that we are chasing is his.
Well, I'm going camping tonight and won't be back till Sunday. I'm going to be losing my mind wondering what's happening in the series.
Here's hoping I come home to find out our boys are up 2-0!
Climb the biggest hill and look for the flames....I'm sure there will be some burning police cars if we win lol. Radios are ok camping too....you can still call it camping with a radio.
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:12.
When did we get a new coach?
From TSN: "However, the Canadiens seemed to find an offensive spark in Game 7 against the Bruins when coach Guy Charbonneau teamed captain Saku Koivu with sniper Alex Kovalev on the top line. The pair combined for three points and Charbonneau plans to keep them together, at least for Game One."
And in their 'who's hot, who's cold' list, Price is cold!
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My ultimate dream: Captain Saku Koivu skating around the Bell Centre holding the Stanley Cup.
that's his new name when he gets raked over the coals
Submitted by Habhopeful on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:16.
Thats cause he was cold for the 2 games previous, thats how it always works for tsn's who's hot, who's cold, they go by 2-3 games...sorry just thought i'd clarify
"12 'Till 25"
"If I wanted to hear from an ***, I would fart..."
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:28.
I know, computer generized, just posting for a laugh. TSN's always good for a laugh.
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My ultimate dream: Captain Saku Koivu skating around the Bell Centre holding the Stanley Cup.
That's okay, let 'em pout in the corner. : )
1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."
Aw, they are just sulking.
After the Canadiens win tonight there will be a series in the Star tomorrow, running until the Habs win the cup, on the life and times of Sundin. If the series should be a long one, there is a plan to do the same on Domi.
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:13.
TSN's 'That's Hockey' first story last night was about the Leafs! ???
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My ultimate dream: Captain Saku Koivu skating around the Bell Centre holding the Stanley Cup.
Even worse is the fact that they lead off and continuously talk about Brian Burke coming to the Leafs, even though there's no story there. It's all made up by the media. No-one in the Leafs organization has said they're going after him and he has said he's not goint to T.O. and no-one's talked to him about leaving Anaheim, but the Toronto media doesn't ever stop talking about it.
Drives me crazy living in Southern Ontario. I honestly believe these people are all insane.
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:27.
It's amazing how they think every GM, player (Brunnstrom) and probably coach, is and wants to come to Toronto.
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My ultimate dream: Captain Saku Koivu skating around the Bell Centre holding the Stanley Cup.
Submitted by Habhopeful on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:11.
Makes sense...Im sure there not obligated to talk about the Habs...Look how good the Raps are doing...lol
"12 'Till 25"
"If I wanted to hear from an ***, I would fart..."
This first game should be a very good one. The Flyers for on thing might be willing to play a little hockey – something I've not seen since the regular season.
This is because, beyond their rough image, the Flyers actually have some quality going forward. The Bruins in contrast had a massive ogre on defence and a reliable goalie to pin a strategy on.
I too a quick look at someof the key players. Thought some of you might like it:
http://lionsinwinter.blogspot.com
Go Habs Go. Enjoy the hockey all.
Submitted by Habhopeful on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 10:57.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" (Angel Choir Singing)
As He Arrives, A Light Shines Down Upon Him, And Our Saviour, Jesus Price Says:
"I Am Here To Lead Us To The Holy Grail..."
Haha I dont know why I got all religious, Im just bored at work and can't wait for the game to start...GO HABS GO!!!!
"12 'Till 25"
"If I wanted to hear from an ***, I would fart..."
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 10:48.
Nightmare & RS --- Your right in the memorial cup, Suban and Weber.
And Shawn Matthias is back from mono and is skating, don't know if he will play in the championship game against Kitchener or not.
A venomous snake once bit Carey Price on the ankle. After three days of excruciating pain, the snake died.
1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."
Just repeating my one prediction from an earlier thread:
Concerning scratching a healthy Breezer or Dande and inserting a rookie in either of their places.
Carbo MAY sit them if the Habs are up 3-0 in a series. Just to give the old guys some rest for the next series and the rookies some experience where they can't do too much damage.
Otherwise? I don't expect either of those two will sit unless they are badly hurt. And I am pretty certain Stewart won't play unless about 5 other guys ahead of him are on the IR.
That is just the way it is and should be, IMHO.
Go Habs Go!
You simply can't woory about players feelings in the playoffs, each game is too important and if you haven't been playing it's tough. As for resting players, line 3-4 only play 8-12 minutes they don't nned rest. I would consider Breeze Ob switch once in a while to keep OB ready to play in case of injury. Breezer has proved his 600K was a worthwhile spend and he has limitations, I wish his ice time in the third was less when we have the lead. All in all don't take guys out in the playoffs unless they are injured, it si bad karma if nothing else, now if they stink or make stupid mistakes that is another issue but that has not been the case.
Of course it would be nice, but I really don't think the Habs will find themselves up 3-0 in this series.
To be honest, I'm pretty nervous about this one. I can't stand the Flyers. I sure hope they don't pull a goon and put one of our stars out of the playoffs.
I do think we can beat them but not if we play like we did against Boston. Even games 1 and 7, which we won handlily, will not be the type of effort we need to beat these guys. The intensity level has got to go up a few more notches.
I really think the Lapierre, Kostopolous, Begin line need to set the tone early in this series. If I were Carbo, I'd start them in game 1. Tell them to fly, forecheck like crazy and cause #$%@ in front of Biron. Then tell the 2 scoring lines to go do the same thing but add their skill to the mix.
I don't see us going up 3-0 either... Kind of the point of my one prediction. Just a gentle poke at the fans that want the rookies in. heh :)
Personally? I want the guys with skill out there flying and seeing what happens if they force the Flyers D to turn over and over again. See if their purported slower D can handle it even half as well as the Bs managed on some games.
Submitted by usversusthem on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 10:34.
Anyone read the article "La bataille des deux coqs" by Michel Blanchard of La Presse? Seems like jondean is not the only crazy one in this town... and I'm not talking about the post-game-7 looters. The stuff he said about Koivu having an adverse effect on Kovalev is stupid, but at least it's debatable...
Now, the idea that the reason Briere didn't come to Montreal was due to Saku's vetoing a Higgins-Briere-Ryder line... That's something else. Anyone who believes that for a second does not deserve to be able to write about hockey period... let alone for a major city newspaper.
First: That debate is easily settled by looking at Koivu's pre-season comments concerning his worries that the team had so many rookies. Did that sound like a player that would (if he could) veto a trade for a player like Briere?
Second: Does anyone in the hockey world really believe that a) Briere would consider dictating linemates to a coach or manager? AND b) Koivu would or could veto any trade?
It is all just silliness for the rumour mill.
And if the brothers K continue to perform like they did in game 7 on a line with Pleks... A big part of it will be because the other teams have to key in on the Kovalev-Koivu-Higgins line. Though, I won't be the least bit surprised if Carbo puts them all back into the lines that he had at the beginning of the Boston series.
Submitted by The Teacher on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 16:38.
I'm expecting our year long lines. Or at least lat 15 games and first 6 of playoffs.
"One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."
"Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 10:46.
Just to show my ignorance , who the hell is Jon Dean.
Submitted by usversusthem on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:04.
He's Koivu Hater #1 on HI/O.com... pretty notorious guy. You don't want to run into him in a dark Boone blog post late at night, he'll do his very best to convince you that Koivu is a human plague who doesn't deserve to live, let alone be the Canadiens' captain...
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 11:37.
verus - I thought he was someone of importance in the media and not just a jealous troll. Thanks for the advice and i usually pass those types up as they are only seeking attention and have nothing to offer and we already have enough of them.
If I were a gambling man I would be willing to bet jondean's real name is Don Cherry if that is his attitude. At the very least a Leafs fan disappointed that they got Sundin instead of Koivu, no doubt. lol jk
Some OHL News-- P.K. Suban and the Belleville Bulls just now finished off the Oshawa Generals in 5 games to win the eastern conference 11 to 0. They will play the Kitchener Rangers for the league championship. Both teams will have a birth in the Memorial Cup as Kitchener will host this year.
P.K. set up the first 3 goals tonight and had many points in the 11 goals produced.
I can't begin to say how great it is that all of this reading material is now at the tip of my fingers.
Thank you Kevin
Submitted by smiler2729 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 10:20.
Daniel Briere will get booed so fiercely, he'll wish he were Zdeno Chara handcuffed to a bonfire of cop cars... I'm betting he'll be crying so much after the game that he'll have to call his mommy to come and drive him home.
I'm glad the Habs didn't get this guy, I think he'd be one of those types that disappears under the intense spotlight of the Montreal media, oh yeah, he chose wisely to go to a city for 8 years where they boo Santa Claus and safe landings at the airport, have fun Dan!
And the trash talk has begun, can you tell I can't stand the Flyers? It goes back to the '70s. As well as hating the Flyers and the Leafs (of course), lump the late Nordiques (no-brainer), the Islanders (hated that 'dynasty' team), the Flames (1989) and the Thrashers (ugly uniforms and a franchise that should never have existed) in there...
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 10:36.
Your anger management class has been rescheduled to 11:00AM - Apr/24/08 due to it's urgency.
Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 10:13.
Hit first and ask questions later.
Go Habs! Go!
Habs will take this one. Bell Centre will be rocking. Score of 4-1 Habs tonight.
It's a "Game One", both teams will be loose after a pressure packed series, look for the series to intensify after a couple of games.
Prediction:
Split at home, split on the road, all hell breaks lose for a 3 game sprint of which we have 2 home games. Should be fun.
About Kevin Mio is a Montreal Gazette editor who grew up playing hockey, watching the Canadiens every chance he could on television and reading articles about the team by some of the people he works with today. He still remembers going to the Forum with his father to watch the Canadiens and was even fortunate enough to skate on Forum ice with his minor hockey team.
From Mats Naslund to Saku Koivu, he has always enjoyed watching the small, speedy and skilled players, while also admiring the gritty players that are essential to any team’s success.
From his one-on-one interviews with members of the team to a look at other coverage of the Canadiens, he will keep fans posted on their favourite team and looks forward to sharing his love of hockey with other passionate fans.
Habs Inside/Out encourages lively debate, but there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding racism, profanity and behaviour that we deem to be offensive. We will, without warning, ban those who do not abide by this simple rule, so as to maximize the enjoyment of readers and participants of both sexes and all ages.