This season has been a rollercoaster for the Philadelphia Flyers. At one time they were at the top of their division, then later on they went on a ten game losing stretch. They have had myriad of injuries plauge their roster through out the year yet, through it all, they have looked like a playoff team. Because if there is one thing the Flyers don't lack it's heart, they have an abundance of it and they will need it in the post season because my guess is the Flyers will face Pittsburgh in the first round.
Buffalo still have a shot at a playoff berth, however, the Flyers need only two points to keep the Sabres out. Washington, who have left to play Florida and Tampa Bay at home, probably have the easiest remaining schedule and will probably snag third place overall away from Carolina who are on a two-game losing streak. Washington beat Carolina last night and are 9-1-0 in their last ten games and are looking strong after a slow start to the season.
Montreal will end up second and play Ottawa in the first round and eventually go all the way to the Stanley Cup. And I say this despite the fact that the Habs just lost their captain, Saku Koivu, for the season because there are to major factors that favor Montreal. The most important is Carey Price who is in a similar situation to that of Patrick Roy in 1986 and the Canadiens do have a pretty good track record when it comes to rookie goalies. The second reason is the fact that they made no major aquisitions at the trade deadline which, as history shows, is something most previous Cup winners also did not. Another, less fact based reason, is the names on the roster. Whith names like Latendresse, Bouillon, Brisebois, and Lapierre how can not go all the way?
That, along with the fact that they possess the best powerplay record in the NHL, is why I think the Montreal Canadiens will take home the Stanley Cup.
Showing posts with label Montreal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Montreal. Show all posts
12/05/2007
Detroit, class of the league
The Detroit Red Wings once again got into trouble with their airplane. A few weeks ago it got stuck in the St. Louis mud, this time they had trouble landing in snowy Montreal. After turning around four times the plane could finally land safely.
Luckily this did not effect the Wings, who are the class of the league right now, and they comfortably beat the Canadiens 4-1. It is a shame we don't get to see more games between these teams, or between Detroit and Toronto, Boston, or the New York Rangers for that matter. Hopefully, with the new schedule the Wings will make a lot more trips to these cities next season.
The highlight of the night was when Chris Chelios was awarded the 3rd star of the game and the ovation the crowd, that booed their own team, gave him when he acknowledged his old fans. This is where he began his NHL career in 1984-85. That really warms your heart. In a pre-game ceremony he was joined by a bunch of greats, Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio among others, to celebrate the 81 years of competition between the two so-called Original Six clubs.
* * *
Today the total amount of visits to my blog reached the 1,000 mark (since October, when I started monitoring the blog). I just want say that it is great that so many people from all over the world seem to enjoy what I'm writing about. I will do my best to keep it up and not disappoint you.
Luckily this did not effect the Wings, who are the class of the league right now, and they comfortably beat the Canadiens 4-1. It is a shame we don't get to see more games between these teams, or between Detroit and Toronto, Boston, or the New York Rangers for that matter. Hopefully, with the new schedule the Wings will make a lot more trips to these cities next season.
The highlight of the night was when Chris Chelios was awarded the 3rd star of the game and the ovation the crowd, that booed their own team, gave him when he acknowledged his old fans. This is where he began his NHL career in 1984-85. That really warms your heart. In a pre-game ceremony he was joined by a bunch of greats, Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio among others, to celebrate the 81 years of competition between the two so-called Original Six clubs.
* * *
Today the total amount of visits to my blog reached the 1,000 mark (since October, when I started monitoring the blog). I just want say that it is great that so many people from all over the world seem to enjoy what I'm writing about. I will do my best to keep it up and not disappoint you.
11/14/2007
Streaks
All streaks will eventually end. Just like the Detroit Red Wings winning streak ended against the Chicago Blackhawks, so did the scoring streak of Henrik Zetterberg yesterday, against the St. Louis Blues.
Not knowing when the inevitable end will come is part of the fascination we have with streaks. Of course there are both good and bad streaks and they all have a tendancy to create psychological obstacles for the players. The media thrives on them, while players, fearing a jinx, try not to think about the streak at all.
The bottom line is, the rest of us love them, it is an exciting ingredient that elevates the sport. Some streaks become records and the player or team responsible for it are remembered forever. Here are three of my favorite streaks. They are all impressive, some perhaps more so than others, but more importantly, they are all part of NHL history.
Brian Boucher
Longest shutout streak by a goalie
As a rookie he led the Philadelphia Flyers to within one game of the Stanley Cup Final in 2000. After a few less than successful seasons, where he struggled to regain his rookie form, he was finally traded off to the Phoenix Coyotes. His problems with consistency continued but in 2005 his five consecutive shutouts shattered Bill Durnan's 56-year-old record, set with the Montreal Canadiens. The record, set during 332 minutes secured Boucher a place in history.
Montreal Canadiens
10 consecutive OT wins in playoffs
In the 1993 playoffs the Montreal Canadiens were down 2-0 in the first round to the Quebec Nordiques, but then snatched Game 3 in overtime. After eliminating the Nordiques by winning the next three, they went on to face Buffalo in the second round. Montreal swept the Sabres in four, but needed OT wins in three of them. Montreal racked up a record 11 straight playoff wins, including two more OT wins in the first three games against the New York Islanders in the Conference Final. The Stanley Cup Final, against Wayne Gretzky's Los Angeles Kings, was won in five games, three of which were in OT.
Wayne Gretzky
Longest consecutive point-scoring streak
With Zetterberg's point streak fresh in everyone's mind this record is hard not to include. In 1983 Gretzky had at least one point in each of the first 51 games, before the Los Angeles Kings put an end to the longest scoring streak in history. During that span Gretzky racked up a total of 61 goals and 92 assists.
Not knowing when the inevitable end will come is part of the fascination we have with streaks. Of course there are both good and bad streaks and they all have a tendancy to create psychological obstacles for the players. The media thrives on them, while players, fearing a jinx, try not to think about the streak at all.
The bottom line is, the rest of us love them, it is an exciting ingredient that elevates the sport. Some streaks become records and the player or team responsible for it are remembered forever. Here are three of my favorite streaks. They are all impressive, some perhaps more so than others, but more importantly, they are all part of NHL history.
Brian Boucher
Longest shutout streak by a goalie
As a rookie he led the Philadelphia Flyers to within one game of the Stanley Cup Final in 2000. After a few less than successful seasons, where he struggled to regain his rookie form, he was finally traded off to the Phoenix Coyotes. His problems with consistency continued but in 2005 his five consecutive shutouts shattered Bill Durnan's 56-year-old record, set with the Montreal Canadiens. The record, set during 332 minutes secured Boucher a place in history.
Montreal Canadiens
10 consecutive OT wins in playoffs
In the 1993 playoffs the Montreal Canadiens were down 2-0 in the first round to the Quebec Nordiques, but then snatched Game 3 in overtime. After eliminating the Nordiques by winning the next three, they went on to face Buffalo in the second round. Montreal swept the Sabres in four, but needed OT wins in three of them. Montreal racked up a record 11 straight playoff wins, including two more OT wins in the first three games against the New York Islanders in the Conference Final. The Stanley Cup Final, against Wayne Gretzky's Los Angeles Kings, was won in five games, three of which were in OT.
Wayne Gretzky
Longest consecutive point-scoring streak
With Zetterberg's point streak fresh in everyone's mind this record is hard not to include. In 1983 Gretzky had at least one point in each of the first 51 games, before the Los Angeles Kings put an end to the longest scoring streak in history. During that span Gretzky racked up a total of 61 goals and 92 assists.
11/10/2007
Who's most overrated?*
*Interesting that no one pointed out that the title read "Who's most underrated" before.
Right now the Ottawa Senators are hosting the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Place in a game where the guests are better at pretty much everything. While I'm waiting for the third period to start I thought I'd make a list of the most overrated players in the NHL right now. This is never an uncomplicated task but here is my shot at three of the top names on this unflattering list.
You have a different opinion? Let's hear it.
* * *
The Ottawa-Montreal game just finished and the Sens turned things around in the final period to win it 3-1. Daniel Alfredsson scored two and Chris Neil got the winner to save the team from what looked like a second straight loss.
Right now the Ottawa Senators are hosting the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Place in a game where the guests are better at pretty much everything. While I'm waiting for the third period to start I thought I'd make a list of the most overrated players in the NHL right now. This is never an uncomplicated task but here is my shot at three of the top names on this unflattering list.
Scott Gomez (New York Rangers)
The Rangers are forking out a cold $10 million this year for a guy who does nothing. How can it possibly be that complicated to play with Jaromir Jagr, one of the greatest goal scorers ever?
Dustin Penner (Edmonton Oilers)
The Anaheim Ducks chose not to match to $4,3 million offered by the Edmonton Oilers, and I doubt they are regretting that decision now. Penner has 3 goals and is a -1 in 16 games.
Bryan McCabe (Toronto Maple Leafs)
And this is not just because he is putting the puck in his own net, but this guy, who is supposed to anchor the Leafs defense, is costing Toronto roughly $7 million this season and is not exactly a guy you can lean on.
The Rangers are forking out a cold $10 million this year for a guy who does nothing. How can it possibly be that complicated to play with Jaromir Jagr, one of the greatest goal scorers ever?
Dustin Penner (Edmonton Oilers)
The Anaheim Ducks chose not to match to $4,3 million offered by the Edmonton Oilers, and I doubt they are regretting that decision now. Penner has 3 goals and is a -1 in 16 games.
Bryan McCabe (Toronto Maple Leafs)
And this is not just because he is putting the puck in his own net, but this guy, who is supposed to anchor the Leafs defense, is costing Toronto roughly $7 million this season and is not exactly a guy you can lean on.
You have a different opinion? Let's hear it.
* * *
The Ottawa-Montreal game just finished and the Sens turned things around in the final period to win it 3-1. Daniel Alfredsson scored two and Chris Neil got the winner to save the team from what looked like a second straight loss.
11/03/2007
Koivu under fire
In Montreal Saku Koivu is taking some heat because of his poor French. According to CBC News the Habs captain was criticized in front of a "reasonable accommodation" commission hearing. Apparently there is a bill in Quebec that insures people the right to be addressed in French.
The leader of the Parti Québécois, Pauline Marcois, even proposed that all non French-speaking Canadiens players should perhaps take lessons.
There are many foreign players who have had to take English lessons when coming to the NHL, not because of a law made to preserve the English language or to protect the people from being subjected to a strange language, but for the simple reason that they'd understand the coach and teammates. The interesting thing here is that in the Montreal dressing room, even though most players speak two or even three different languages, they communicate in English.
Koivu, who admits his French is sub-par at best, said that in no way should that reflect his commitment to the city of Montreal or the club. Vive le Fin!
Read more at CBC News
The leader of the Parti Québécois, Pauline Marcois, even proposed that all non French-speaking Canadiens players should perhaps take lessons.
There are many foreign players who have had to take English lessons when coming to the NHL, not because of a law made to preserve the English language or to protect the people from being subjected to a strange language, but for the simple reason that they'd understand the coach and teammates. The interesting thing here is that in the Montreal dressing room, even though most players speak two or even three different languages, they communicate in English.
Koivu, who admits his French is sub-par at best, said that in no way should that reflect his commitment to the city of Montreal or the club. Vive le Fin!
Read more at CBC News
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