On the ropes

posted by Mike Boone at 14h16 EST on Apr 30

Does the R. stand for Rocket?

R.J.F. Umberger: The first goal and the last, an empty-netter. He has six in four games against the Canadiens.

In between, Scott Hartnell created the Flyers' customary 2-0 lead before Tomas Plekanec and Saku Koivu beat the unbeatable Martin Biron in the span of 37 seconds to make it a new game with seven minutes left.

That's when Steve Bégin took what might have been the worst penalty of Canadiens' soon-to-be-completed season:

A mugging of Sami Kapanen, who didn't have the puck. Even in a 2-2 game, the refs had to call it.

(Fans with long memories may recall the Bégin penalty that let Toronto back into that fateful April 7, 2007 game.)

On the ensuing power play, Daniel Brière tucked in the winner.

Guy Carbonneau did not like the call. When asked to comment, his reponse was:

"I don't want to get fined. You watch the whole hgame and tell me after. You know what was written in the paper today ..."

That was an allusion to the Flyers whining about Canadiens getting all the calls. Each team had four penalties tonight

I thought the Bégin play was blatant. In a tight game, he cracked a guy into the boards for no obvious reason. It had nothing to do with the flow of the play.

Canadiens come home down 3-1 and reeling.

Once again, they outshot and substaintially outplayed the Flyers.

And once again, Martin Biron was a brick wall long enough – 28 saves through 40 minutes – for his teammates to get the lead.

Flyers got two goals on four power plays.

Canadiens went 0-for-4.

3P 00:01:

R.J.F. Umberger

3P 00:33:

Another faceoff. Last one was a mess

3P 00:59:

A faceoff. Halak out. Canadiens timeout

3P 1:20:

Smolinski?

3P 2:40:

Canadiens roar right back, but Biron ..

3P 3:38:

Good call on Bégin. And Danny Brière just won the series.

3P Break:

Steve Bégin for interference. Horrible. I'm surprised they called it in a 2-2 game

3P 5:20:

Lapierre, Kovy and Higgins

3P 6:00:

I admit it. I thought this game – and the series – was over.

3P 6:24:

Wow!

Streit.

Koivu.

3P 7:01:

Finally! Pleks win the faceoff, goes to the net, Gorges sends in an accurate shot and Pleks redirects

3P 7:30:

That Kostopoulos 40-footer is what Philly will concede at this point.

3P Break:

Flyers know how to protect a 2-0 lead. They've had lots of practice in this series. maybe Derian Hatcher will take a major.

3P 10:47:

Ouch! Did Bégin block one with his cup?

3P 12:00:

Pedneault whining about Biron holding Lapierre's stick. Whoah! Big turning point.

3P 12:27:

Replay shows Smolinski was the goat on the goal. And now Lapierre goes.

3P 13:13:

Prospal off the post, right on to Hartnell's stick. Note the lucky time of the goal: 13:13. As we say in Québec, les carottes sont cuites.

3P 13:30:

Biron is doing everything. Horrible PP.

3P 15:43:

PP. Key is the faceoff

3P 16:30:

Kovy hits that big bull's eye on Biron's chest.

3P 17:30:

D has to pinch, and Flyers will get chances.

3P 18:35:

At least Latendresse hustles.

3P 19:36:

That was nearly 2-0, against Koivu line

3P 20:00:

What can the Canadiens do that they haven't done? Kovalev with Pleks and AK46?

Between periods:

Canadiens have 28 shots. Flyers have blocked 16 and Canadiens have 19 high, wide or muffed. So 63 through 40 minutes, and no goals ... It didn't help on the PP that Mike Richards beat Koivu on two faceoffs ... Pleks and the Brothers K. are on fire. They HAVE to score, eventually ... Braydon Coburn is doing a good job overplaying Kovalev and it's driving Kovy right out of his game. He keeps holding the puck with Coburn all over him.

2P 00:00:

It's like watching The Myth of Sisyphus on Ice

2P 2:23:

The Koivu line is a mess.

2P 3:13:

Kovalev and Higgins need a bounce. Or a Red Bull

2P 4:00:

Carbo looks frustrated.

2P Break:

Nice save on Dowd. Halak is lousy at puckhandling.

2P 5:00:

Pleks is outstanding tonight.

2P 6:30:

Higgins skates 100 miles and accomplishes nothing.

2P 8:00:

My man Josh Gorges is really good tonight.

2P Break:

Shots are 27-11. This is ridiculous.

2P 9:35:

I can't believe Biron. He's having a career out there.

2P 11:38:

Another PP. BETTER SCORE!!!! Shots are 22-11

2P 2:13:

Who else? R.J.F. Umberger.

2P 13:29:

Koivu: O-zone interference. Again.

2P Break:

The Canadiens can't be more dominant than this. It's diabolical. Science Fiction stuff. Biron in Blade Runner.

2P 14:30:

The Brothers should have five goals.

2P 15:16:

Andrei K shoots right at Biron. Sheesh!

2P :

Halak turns it over on a clearing attempt. Another PK

2P 18:00:

Good trade: Prospal for Markov. And 4-on-3

2P 18:16:

OBVIOUS holding by Breeze on Briere.

2P 18:40:

Tough forechecking by Upshall and Knuble. RDS guys say Kovy looks frustrated.

2P 19:44:

God backcheck by Smoke. And a good shot.

2P 20:00:

If Canadiens keep playing the same way and if Halak holds the fort ...

CARBO!:

Jack Adams finalist, with Mike Babcock and Bruce Boudreau. Gotta like Guy's chances. Props to fellow McGill man Babcock, but a monkey – or maybe Mike Milbury – could coach Detroit.

Between periods:

Canadiens played a great period and have nothing to show for it. The hope is that jaroslav Halak won't give up a softie early in the second period ... Canadiens defencemen are jumpig up to join the rush and the power play is working much more efficiently. The goals have to come, right? ... Flyers' shots on goal in the last seven periods: 7. 9. 7, 5, 7, 2, 7. They've won twice, and this one's scoreless.

1P 00:00:

14 shots. No goals.

1P 00:46:

I hate late-period icing.

1P 1:50:

Richards nearly beats Halak, then Latendresse steams past Hatcher (!!) and Smolinski misses an open net. It's déja vu all over again.

1P 2:40:

"Plaquer Plekanec" is really hard to say.

1P 3:00:

Gorges gets caught pnching and Halak has to make two good saves.

1P 4:00:

Notice how the Philly fans wildly cherer checks along the boards? Real connoisseurs.

1P Break:

Canadiens haven't played a bad shift. How long can Biron stay hot?

1P 6:40:

Much better PP. No more dump-ins. Biron is hot, though.

1P 8:45:

Heck, yes! Bug Biron! And another PP

1P 9:50:

Quite a stat: Five of 10 Philly goals scored on Price's glove side.

1P Break:

Streit is driving me nuts. Breeze should play the point on first wave PP.

1P 10:30:

Canadiens gaining blueline rather than dumping and chasing. It seem to be working.

1P Break:

Couldn't wish for a better start. But again, no f.ing goals. Maddening

1P 13:00:

What a pass by Sergei! But Biron is unconscious

1P 14:04:

GET STREIT OFF THE ICE!

1P 14:33:

Canadies all over them. And now a PP. Defencemen are really pinching to great effect.

1P 15:00:

What a shift by Pleks line, Komisarek and Markov.

1P 17:00:

Latendresse is bugging them.

1P 18:00:

Breeze cracks Briere

1P 18:45:

First save on Knuble. Big rebound.

1P 19:20:

Biron! Again! Bugger.

Jaro:

I'll say this: They won't lose because of him.

Pedneault says:

Flyers will go to the net to unsettle Halak, who's much smaller than Price.

Starters:

Sergei in. Smolinski, Kostopoulos and Latendresse to start against Richards line. Downie out for Flyers.

Steve Bernier:

Playoff beard? Not shaving till former teammate Joe Thornton plays a decent postseason game? (He'll look like ZZ Top.)

1P 20:00:

Halk better make that big first save. Flyers will have the wind in their sails. They've knocked out one goalie, now on to the backup guy.

Renaud Lavoie:

reports Price's glove hand may be injured.

Refs:

Bill McCrearey, Kevin Pollock

Kovalev and Higgins:

Gentlemen, start your f.ing engines already!

Pedneault says ...:

Carbo made up his mind after Game 3 Monday night. Says the coach is not afraid to make tough decisions, eg. benching Craig Rivet last season.

The thinking:

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when Carbo, Roland Melanson and Bob Gainey talked about this. Maybe it's just a hunch. That's Pierre McGuire's theory.

Jack Adams finalists announced tonight:

Carbo?

A question mark:

John Stevens told reporters the Flyers have no book on Jaroslav Halak. Why would they? He hasn't started a game since March 29 in Toronto, when Halak faced 37 shots and lost 4-2 to the Leafs. His sum total of playoff experience: 20 minutes, two shots on goal. He stopped them both.

Either Price is hurt ...:

Or they think the Flyers are in his head. Only logical explanation.

Breeze in:

But Sergei K. is game-time decision. Ryder standng by.

Mystery?:

Mitch Melnick and Stephen Brunt were talking like Carbo is going to make his decision known TO THE GOALIES at 7. That's crazy. I'm certain they've known all day, and everyone else will know by watching the warm-up. How can you tell a guy five minutes before the puck drops?

No class:

One of the ice-level cameramen told Jacques Demers the Flyers are yapping some very raw stuff at the Canadiens, and Carey Price in particular – doubtless pertaining to his mother, a First Nations chief in B.C.

Brutal schedule:

If a Game 6 is necessary, inshallah, it goes Sunday evening in Philadelphia – 24 hours after Game 5 at the Bell Centre. A Game 7 would be back here on Tuesday. The Penguins, meanwhile, will be relaxing and awaiting their next victims.

Are these guys tough or what?:

Sean Avery lacerated his spleen (it even sounds pianful) off a hit IN THE FIRST PERIOD! And didn't miss a shift.

Tags:

Boone
Flyers

Comments

Submitted by bantamcc on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 11:04.

Habs fan Since '54... Mike, About ``Penelope Cruz has about as much chance of showing up at my door before Carbo starting Halak in game 4.`` Well, I’de like to know if Penelope likes Chardonnay or Reisling and wether that cute Spanish accent is staged or the real thing ? Also, was she early or late ? Can I have a `blow by blow` synopsis of how the the evening played out ? Did you have to translate for her during 110% ? ;-)

Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Sat, 05/03/2008 - 21:53.

I can't believe the Flyers put us out. I could cry. I don't think the Habs played like they wanted it apart from Saku. They seemed to want the season to end. Saku wanted a Cup this late in his career. Anyway, the heck with it. Dirty Philly beat classy Montreal. Won't they love that?

Submitted by Jim Halpert on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 04:07.

Not to take any credit away for the flyers - they have played well, but they don't deserve to be in second round. Yeah ok they have neutralized our power play, but didn't Boston do that too? The book on our PP is out yet there have been no changes to it. The Habs are the better team out on the ice but they can't find the back of the net. It seems as though everyone can see what the habs are doing wrong except them. They habs need to crash the net and get in Biron's head, no one has gone to screen him, no one has sprayed him, and no one has trash talked him. All the shots he is stopping he can see, we have no one in the slot to pick up the rebounds.... has anyone else noticed that the rebounds he gives up always go to the slot? No habs are in the slot.... seriously if someone was parked in the slot or in front of Biron then this series would be OVER. If the habs don't adjust by next game then this series is donezo!

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 05:11.

You can also put your post on Chris's "View from the Blues" or maybe you have , let me check.

Submitted by habs-til-I-die on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 02:17.

this one's for you Boone, and for the habbies of course... Sure, they're bigger than us, they're stonger than us, but that doesn't mean we haven't got strength in us too. When we fall, we get up and skate, and when we hit 'em, we hit 'em hard. If we lose, that's allright, that's fine, because we'll gain it back the next time around, and the next time, we'll show 'em something that they'd never seen. I can feel the roar of the crowd tremble the ground, feel it beneath my skates that it vibrates up and down my spine, feel it all the way up to my pounding heart. We'll skate hard, play fast and fight furiously. Until we give 'em the hardest hit that would make them wish they'd die. Until we score that winning goal that would make them wish they had chosen another profession. Until we lift that cup above our heads. Until we bring that cup home again.

Submitted by dysonsphere on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 02:13.

Want to beat Biron? Get your noses dirty and get to the net! Saku seems to be the only one willing to pay the price and he has come up with two big goals that way. Biron is going to stop how ever many shots he sees from the point. If no one is there to pick up the rebounds and garbage around the net he will not be beat often. I love this team and am very happy with this exciting season, and it is not over yet. But it would seem that for this team to be playoff effective, it will need some extra grit. Perhaps the current roster will look within themselves and find it. They can beat the Flyers skill-wise. They proved it 4 times during the regular season (wins) and during this playoff (dominated play but only 1 win and 3 losses). The only thing missing is that playoff edge. I hope they find it this week. If not, then Gainey will have to get it for them in the off-season.

Submitted by saskhab on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 01:32.

Well, if that Bégin hit wasn't a penalty, than neither was Richards' tripping penalty in Game 1. It was a penalty. And the Habs lost the game before they came back and tied it. Want to beat Biron? Here's a hint... GO FIVE-HOLE. They haven't tried very much... it's open. He's going to make the glove save, as he's proven about a gazillion times in the first 4 games. Even if the Habs pull off the miracle comeback, they've already lost. Going 14 games in the first 2 rounds and then playing Pittsburgh who has played potentially 8 games? Yeah right.

Submitted by POPS on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 00:52.

Disappointed after two games in Philly, as a matter of fact I have been disappointed in the playoffs with this team but I refuse to bash them or give up hope.They have the coaching staff and player personnel to overcome this deficit.Carbo and the organization have proven that they will pull out all the stops to win by starting Halak over Price and I am interested to see if any changes will be made to the line-up Saturday.Many posters seem to think Ryder could help and I can't say that he hasn't crossed my mind as shooter but, we have to remember that he scored only 14 goals in 70 games.He is however worth a shot.The guys that I think need to pick it up are A.Kostitsyn, Higgins, and Plekanec.These three have been important cogs in the Habs machine all year long and have not carried their weight in the post season.Often when a team is looking for answers they must get back to the basics in all facets of the game.Maybe you reunite the Kovy/Pleks/A.Kost line or the Higgins/Koivu/Ryder line?I really don't know what will work but, I really want to see Carbo make some changes to help us get that all important first goal on Saturday.

Submitted by the_larry on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 00:28.

There are 3 guarentees in life: death, taxes and The Tie making an appearance at the Bell Centre Saturday.

Submitted by Wencz on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 00:14.

I've had a chance to see it a few times and I change my mind, no penalty. Still, in that situation, I think you have to make sure you don't give the referee the chance to make a call; not much to be gained from that hit, too much to lose. Welcome back Steve.

Submitted by Chuck on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 00:12.

Damn, I love the Habs. Have the calls be going their way? Not yet. Have the bounces been going their way? Not yet. But if they'll eventually go in the Habs' favour then it'll happen in the next few games. I still have faith. We've deserved better. And we will get better. Go Habs Go!!! . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

Submitted by Kris on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:42.

I can't let this go. I am 26. I have seen enough playoff hockey to know that is not a penalty. THE NHL IS A JOKE. Ballsile, Bettman, Rule etc.. I like rough playoff hockey. Pussies rule the day. Nothing like seeing Casper Grin on the CBC. I'll take Thomas over BrieGay any day.s WWF ON ICE and I hate to say it.

Submitted by Y on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 00:06.

Of course its a freaking joke league. These goons don't even deserve to be here if those crap refs would've disallowed their goal after they ran the Caps player into Huet. Exact same play happened in the Caps game in Carolina 10 days prior and the goal was WAVED OFF! Call me a conspiracy nut, but the reason for the inconsistency is the fact that this league wants some teams in and others out of the playoffs, plain and simple. The really retarded thing is here in Tokyo, where no one apparently gives a crap about hockey, they have those Flyers victories posted on the train news service every 10 minutes. I even hate taking the train here now.

Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:46.

The NHL is a joke, I agree. Have been saying it all year. The refs are a joke and the League is a joke. But that's not why we lost today. "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 Kris on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:49.

I hear ya. But we need consistency. Thats all. You can't make that call. PERIOD.

Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:50.

That was a good call. It was a dumbass penalty. You have to make the punching Halak call, I agree. "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 Kris on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 10:44.

As far as I know you get 2 second after the guy touches the puck to hit him. And it was 2 seconds. late in the third in the playoffs. Maybe in the first but not with 5 to go. Your right though its not the reason we lost.

Submitted by Bouleau noir on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:39.

With a little over one minute left in the game 2 days ago Richards went out of his way to punch Halack in the face,... I dont think I have ever saw a more flagrant infraction than this one was.... but it wasn't called. The call on Begin tonight was o.k. according to the book but not according to the allowed permissivity thus far in that match..... considering the time left in the game it was a bad call. The call was bad but Begin should never have push it to the limit in the first place,... his decision to hit Kopanen in the neutral zone was way worse than the refs decision to call him for an infraction for it.

Submitted by Will Longlade on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:52.

Agree, very bad judgment by all involved.

Submitted by Bouleau noir on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:39.

Submitted by Kris on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 10:41.

I love you Boone but that wasn't a penalty

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:34.

love what they played in dallas after san jose just won the game: tom petty's "even the losers". . . with the chorus "even the losers get lucky sometimes" funny how they've come from 3-0 to 3-1 tonight and now head back to their great fans in sj and if they win there all of a sudden they have a series. something to remember if you're a habs fan.

Submitted by Kris on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:28.

terrible call END OF STORY.

Submitted by lesleyw on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:21.

Horrible lines- they just aren't working... can't make passes, they don't look comfortable

Submitted by lesleyw on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:22.

Oops...dbl post

Submitted by Jim Halpert on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:18.

We need a goalie with eyes bluer than Biron's. That is the secret to winning.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:08.

now add "homophobia" to your list of transgressions that includes offensive terms to describe to mentally retarded. . . you should just stop, pal.

Submitted by twilighthours on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:16.

I flagged it.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:21.

and it's gone. . . but now poor jim halpert looks like he's being slagged when we had no issue with him. jim - i was referring to something another poster wrote.

Submitted by Jim Halpert on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 03:40.

Oh my god I read this and I was like oh no what did I do???

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:22.

apologies; double-post

Submitted by 24 Cups on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:22.

Sexy Hab - What's wrong? Free speech sometimes comes at a high price. I've had enough of your drivel, time to call it a night. The Origianl 24.4 Cups

Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:12.

Agree. "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 forskis on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:57.

I agree on the not shooting aspect despite all the shots they did take...Kilgour's was exploding with: "SHOOT!" "WHY DIDN'T YOU SHOOT?!" "NO! BE GREEDY! SHOOT!" It was a fun atmosphere...yes, les Boys are in tough...but hey, it happens, they still played alright, overall they did outplay the Flyers... I still believe that they can win this...it isn't over until someone wins 4 games and the Flyers still need that fourth, the Habs will keep that from happening....too much good stuff happened this season to let it slip away... Biron's horseshoe up his butt has to be out of power by now...I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE HABS WILL WIN! I HAVE FAITH! GO HABS GO! YOU CAN DO IT!

Submitted by Jim Halpert on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:04.

Man if you ever go to the futureshop on yonge and dundas (the new one) and see that one of the touch screens is on the habs website, that is me. whenever i go to that futureshop i go to the habs site and leave it there.

Submitted by JB_15 on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:51.

Two players sit the next game: Steve Begin Andrei Kostitsyn Two players inserted: Michael Ryder Matty Dandenault Just reading this, and imagining it, makes me have infinitely more confidence in this squad.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:13.

could you explain the logic? my retort would be that (1) save for the penalty begin has been a huge energy boost, (2) akost is no worse than pleks or skots, (3) ryder has to be rusty at this point - he should never have been sat this long but he was and now it's kind of hard to reverse, and (4) dandy isn't a difference maker for me. What am I missing (and I think you're aware that I honestly want to hear your informed opinion - not being clever).

Submitted by Chris on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:17.

Regarding Andrei Kostitsyn, I think its actually not that bad idea to sit him, as I think he needs to be sent the message that he's not playing hard enough. I don't know how many times he has had the chance to bodycheck the Flyers defencemen while forechecking but instead peeled off, but its been enough that I've been yelling at my TV. :)

Submitted by Vid on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 00:15.

I think before you outright bench a top player you should demote him. Carbo demoted Kovy to the 4th line during a regular season game (not this past one but the one before that). At least that way if he shows some energy/good play then you can reward him by putting him back on the top line.

Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:40.

A dumbass penalty, idiotic passes all game long, nobody in front of the net, and an unwillingness to truly pay the price are they only reasons we lost tonight. How come they finally figured out how to dump the puck in properly with 7 minutes left in the game? "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 The S1C1L1AN on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:45.

My exact thoughts , Ppl lets not give up on our HABS. I believe this is gonna be another 93 against all odds comeback. All signs point you to DESTINY in the making. I believe .... BELIEVE ...... GO HABS GO

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:40.

You can't list four things and then say "the only reasons", teach. It would be more compelling if you found a single unifying theme. You could paraphrase your post by saying: "the only reasons we lost tonight were because we played poorly offensively, defensively, and on special teams." :)

Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:42.

you can also add scaredtoshootaphobia to that. "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 doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:48.

At first I was inclined to disagree, given that we had 38 shots on goal and like 60 shots including blocked ones and those that missed the net. But then I dissected your word, and if you break it down "scaredtoshootaphobia" would best be translated as "the fear of being afraid to shoot", which fits pretty well with how many shots they took in order to manager their phobia. but i have a feeling that's not what you meant?

Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:51.

how many times did sergei and kovalev have a shot, but no they make idiotic passes again and again, how many times did Andrei Kostitsyn pass to Philadelphia? Is that clear enough for you? Freaking Peewee players know not to put the puck into the middle of the ice as softly as a baby's ***. Forget Smokes, that's the first mistake he's made in 11 games, same goes for Bwegin, but it was a dumbass penalty. "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 doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:53.

I agree with your assessment. I just enjoy getting you going.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:35.

Most important point to remember when we passionately call Carbonneau an idiot: we have more disparate opinions on here than we have posters (a few of us are bipolar, which explains the paradoxical more than 1:1 ratio). Nothing any coach could do would satisfy more than 55% of us without a Cup win following an 82-0 regular season.

Submitted by frank81 on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:31.

One last thing before I call it a night... The Habs played their best hockey when they were on the verge of elimination in the first round and they won the game rather decisively. That was after all of the momentum had shifted to the Bruins and Thomas looked unbeatable. Our "shaky" goalie looked pretty good in that game, too.

Submitted by New on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:40.

Maybe that means that it's a team game and goalies don't score. Now that I think of it they're sort of the last line of defense. By the time the puck gets to a goalie it means someone on his team has been beaten by the opposition, usually more that one someone. A goalie stops mistakes (even strength means 5+goalie against 5). If they can see it, at the NHL level and Theodore aside, they can generally stop it. Usually, on a scoring play, the calmest player on the ice, the only one who kept his head, is the goalie. (Again, Theodore aside)

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:38.

i can only say that Thomas never looked unbeatable... ever.

Submitted by frank81 on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:50.

I dunno... checking out his game log, he had a stretch of 3 games where his SV% was above .964. He wasn't elegant, but he was effective (and lucky). But if Biron is anything like Thomas, he's due to turn back into a pumpkin right about now.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:31.

I didn't see the play so can't comment on Begin's penalty. But with the momentum we had after coming back we should have been able to kill the penalty. Good teams do that. We lost as a team, and I hate blaming the refs. Blaming the refs, by definition, is for whiners and losers.

Submitted by Chris on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:51.

I agree that the refs are not to blame for the loss...Montreal is losing because they haven't quite figured out how to adapt to playoff hockey. Pittsburgh went through it last year, getting swept by the Senators, and our young players are going through it this year. That being said, NHL refereeing is currently bordering on garage league status. I don't think that they are necessarily deciding games, but they just seem to have no clue this season. Referees jumping on top of the net to get a look at the puck, over-demonstrative signalling of penalties and goals, and some extremely questionable calls and inconsistencies have made the current group of refs some of the least professional I have ever seen in the NHL. Some of the guys clearly crave more face-time the way they act on the ice, and the quality of the reffing is I think significantly weaker than previous seasons.

Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:53.

They have been pathetic all year. Why should it change if they get "they're doing a great job" from the league? PA- THEEEEE- TIC. "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 ebk on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:34.

excellent post doug, although it was a very stupid penalty.

Submitted by Chris on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:31.

Have to disagree with you about the blatant comment, Boone. In a playoff series where every game has been marked by violent hits WELL after the pass (and Kapanen DID have the puck about 2 seconds before the hit but was admiring his pass), that one was not particularly egregious. Given that I have been telling friends all through the playoffs that they need to start calling some of the late hits before somebody gets badly hurt, I can't really complain too much about the penalty. But given that far later hits have been let go all spring, its a bit hard to take. I suspect the only thing that makes that one look particularly bad was that the bench door was open. Ah well. We did not lose the game on that penalty call, we lost it once again on the Habs inability to generate traffic in front of Biron. He's in a great zone right now, and if he can see it he's generally going to stop it.

Submitted by HabsFreak (not verified) on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:30.

I was hoping we wouln't have any more games 7's but now I want at least 1 more. They finally got to Biron in the 3rd so that should be out of their heads. We can pull this off. Price will be back in every way and we should kill in game 5 at home.

Submitted by Chris on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:19.

I will gladly take three more Game 7's. :)

Submitted by Keith on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:30.

Who knows, maybe this is just what they need, to be down 3-1 in this series to get them in that "desparation state of mind". I mean look what they did in game 1. Look what they did against the NY Strangers on Feb 19th. This team can do it, they have proven it in the past, so just maybe they can do it one more time. GO HABS GO!!!

Submitted by Forlando on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:26.

THe saddest thing: We don't have Hossa in the team because Bob would not trade Higgins. I guess that A was way too heavy after all.

Submitted by New on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:31.

You don't have Crosby, Malkin, Sykora, or Staal either.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:28.

Are you freaking kidding me?! Talk to me when Higgins matures. . . and Hossa gets $8M for 6 years for some poor team. And I don't exactly think it's been him that's been any form of force for Pittsburgh in these playoffs. Higgins needs a good long summer. . . he's better than he's played this season. He'll be a better player next year.

Submitted by ReverendJim on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:30.

I think Higgins is more of a grinder than a finisher. He's fast and strong, but he doesn't have the soft hands required to finish. He needs to get those dirty garbage goals, that's where he will be more efficient! That's why I'd take Higgins off the first line and maybe insert Ryder with Kovy and Koivu...Ryder just needs to get good positioning and Kovy or Koivu will give him the puck...Ryder can still snipe it, I think ;)

Submitted by Forlando on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:34.

´Higgins is a great player....in a third line. He will never be a 30-40 goal scorer. He simply does not have that talent. He is as strong as they come battling for the puck in the corner and is very good on D, but he does not have the hands of a sniper.

Submitted by ebk on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:37.

he had 27 goals, you care to wager he never breaks 30. Or is your mouth bigger than your wallet.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:37.

He scored 27 goals this season, I think. . . or something in that area. and it was a crappy season for him. He'll score 30. . .

Submitted by RS on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:23.

Save the lucky tie for game 7.

Submitted by Gary320 on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:24.

No. He better wear it on Saturday. I can't believe we are taking his tie thing.. seriously.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:51.

If he wore the tie in Game 5 it would be pathetic. In Game 7 it's funny/superstitious. In Game 5 it would be pathologic, tragic, and bush league.

Submitted by ReverendJim on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:28.

Hey...the tie is 3 - 0...Of late, the Habs are 0 - 3...coincidence! i think not. Wear the tie in game 5, we won't need it after that win!

Submitted by Wencz on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:22.

Despite controlling the play, we haven't been tough enough where it counts --- in front of Philly's net. We're still not sending anybody to stand in front of him, he can see ever shot, and when there is a scramble for a rebound, we're either in no position to get the puck or we're outhustled to it. Philly on the other hand, waits until there is one or two guys skating directly infront of our keeper and then they wire a shot. While they're moving the puck around our zone, at least one of their guys is right above the crease boxing out the Habs d-man, trying to create pressure on our goalie and then make a play on a rebound. Philly is just more committed right now to playing the way you have to at this time of year. One more thing, just to vent. Each and every goal Philly scored tonight came from a lazy or ill-advised play. 1st goal: O-zone penalty to Koivu (aaaaaahhhhh!) and then Gorges (I think) missed the net on the PK starting a Philly rush the other way; really it looked like Jaro was soft on it. 2nd goal: Smoke turns it over in the neutral zone and then doesn't hustle back hard enough to pick up Hartnell who has an open cage. 3rd goal: Begin loses his head. I really don't feel we're out of this one.

Submitted by shakey on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:38.

you are bang on right - carbo needs to make some adjustment to make this happen. i think that's why he maybe tried latendresse on the pp last game- just trying to find someone willing to stand in and screen and help get the ugly goal.

Submitted by twitch on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:21.

So who's in nets Saturday?

Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:33.

Price.

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:32.

it's gonna be price - without a doubt. Carbo needs to go back to his #1 after the break he's had and let him show his true colors. If, and I say if, the Habs win Saturday it will be all Price's heroics. If Carey is anything less than spectacular, it's over.

Submitted by RudeMood19 on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:24.

Bob Cole, because he isn't worth sh** as a Canadian hockey announcer. ___________________________________________________________ 1. February 19th, 2008, a day which will live in sublimity.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:26.

you certainly live up to your moniker. . . although "nonsequitur" might do just as nicely!

Submitted by piche on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 23:31.

LMAO!

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:22.

Price. . . I'd put $10 grand on it.

Submitted by OldGrover on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:21.

One more thing, before I call it a night.. Begin took a puck in the goolies for all us fans - and we want to hang him out to dry? Somebody takes one in the nuts for me, I'll have his back.

Submitted by Keith on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:32.

Well said man.

Submitted by VladIsMyDad on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:20.

Meh. If the Caps and the Bruins were both able to force a game 7 after trailing their series 3-1, I don't see why the Canadiens can't do the same.

Submitted by imafogdevil on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:17.

Goodnight all. Light a candle for the Habs and keep the faith. ___________________________________________ It can only get better!! Go Ryder, Go Habs!

Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:31.

Will do imafogdevil. Will do.

Submitted by ebk on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:16.

lets get back to the lineup and the lines that got this team to #1 in the Eastern Conference. Time to dance with the girl you brought to the dance.

Submitted by The Teacher on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:38.

I don't understand why he didn't start the Philly series with those lines anyways. "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 Cottoneye on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:25.

Agreed. A.Kost - Pleks -Kovy Higgins - Koivu - Ryder Lats - Lapierre - S.Kost Kosto - Smoke - Begin If you HAVE to have Streit on the team, put him on D and play him 5 minutes tops. Only on the PP.

Submitted by Gary320 on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:19.

The girl surely wasnt Ryder. (damn that would be one ugly girl) but she.. i mean he should be in the line up on Saturday. POSSIBLE last game of the year.. you HAVE to put Ryder. IF he doesnt, than SOMETHING is up. Latendresse, Lapierre could easily be benched for the game. Put Ryder in, place him with the 3rd line.. switch him up with the first occasionaly to see what happens.. RYDER HAS TO PLAY SATURDAY. I think he will.

Submitted by doug on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:25.

I love Ryder and he's been a class act all year. . . but he's not going to get the minutes and we've just not been playing that badly. It's been goaltending that's been the difference. Unlike the Bruins series, I head out with the same squad and same approach except get in front of the net more. They looked incredible in first period. One lead for us and we win the game - I truly believe that. Total time with the lead in this series: 0 seconds.

Submitted by sacha88 on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 22:14.

My problem is not necessarily with Begin or with the penalty being called. For me it is all about the inconsistency of the officiating. There were questionable plays being made through out the game and for the referees to let everything go and then call this one in a tied game when the hit was not a blatantly dirty hit is ridiculous. I agree with a lot of the comments about Higgins, I really like the guy but I feel like I'm constantly waiting for him to show up and he never does. Overall I'm just really dissapointed. I know that it was a substantial achievement coming in first and making the playoffs but I am dissapointed for the sole fact that I think the Canadiens could be getting a much better outcoming. I have faith though that if the Canadiens want to win bad enough then they can come back and win it in 7

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About Mike Boone

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Mike Boone

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About
I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife. While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking. I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life. The Canada-U.S. Gold medal game comes close .... but I wasn't there. I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette. The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey. And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..." Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers add a couple Super Bowl titles, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game. I like all the players. Covering baseball gives me a profound appreciation of pro athletes who aren't jerks. My weltanschauung was summarized by the late great Bill Hicks when he said "all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves." Have a nice day.

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On the ropes

posted by Mike Boone at 14h16 EST on Apr 30

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