Game 3 - Monday Night

Well, I have to admit, playing the Phillidelphia Flyer's is not as scary to watch as the Boston Bruins. Although the series is tied 1-1, they don't create a lot of chances that make you twist in your seat and think, wow, that was close. There was never a moment in either game, until the fourth goal in game 2, where I thought we wouldn't be able to score.

The forwards are fast and Phillidelphia is relatively slow, especially with big ogre's like Hatcher. We generated lots of chances on Biron but Biron won that game for the Flyers.

With game 3 going tonight in Philly, you can expect a really hard fought game. The corners are going to be well patrolled and expect to see some big hits. Montreal has really stepped up in the toughness category and has really impressed me with their ability to finish off checks. We have come to expect that from guys like Boullion and Komisarek but the whole team is now in on the action. Hamrlik, the Kostitsyn brothers, even Streit, are trying to punish the opposition.

Kovalev has been hot and cold. Game 2 I thought he dominated most of his shifts but had a couple shaky ones. I expect to see Carbonneau putting him on both the first and second line to switch things up and try and throw off Stevens and the Flyers. For the most part, he generated a number of chances when changing things up with Kovalev.

Plekanec needs to play better. He hasn't played poorly, but this is the NHL playoffs and he needs to generate more offense. Price has been uncharacteristically inconsistent and I expect him to improve on his game...

Well, enough of the mumbo jumbo, it's playoff time and game time is 7:00pm est.

Achievers???

Well, with a 3-1 lead on the Boston Bruins, it is safe to say that we are looking good and in a good position to move on to the next round. However, the team needs to play better as they are not playing up to the potential of the Canadiens.

The Smolinski line is playing great, and even better than they should. Carey Price is playing better than anyone could expect. He made some stops in game 4 that were unreal. Not to mention, he still hasn't appeared to ever have to regain his confidence and composure because he never seems to lose it. There is no doubt that Price is one of the reasons, if not the main reason, that we are up in the series.

The Plekanec and Kovalev line however is really not playing that well. It is true that they are playing against the top defensive unit of the Bruins but they need to find ways to be better, quicker, and smarter. They need to contribute on the scoreboard or else this playoff run is not going to last. Lets hope that tomorrow nights game puts this line back on the scoreboard and gives them something to build off for the upcoming games.

Game 2 - Amazing

Well, I am back from Montreal after seeing game 2 of the series. The game was a habs fans dream, an overtime winning goal in the playoffs.

Kovalev, after taking a dumb penalty that resulted in a goal, came through as the hero with a rocket upstairs that beat Thomas.

The crowd and the atmosphere were electric. They were painting faces, free of charge, outside the rink before the game, which is where I picked up this sweet habs look. The Canadian anthem was louder than any other national anthem I have ever heard because 90% of the fans were singing away. After each Habs goal, the rink erupted into a constant roar with the rally rags swinging madly. It was a moment that you felt in your heart, and in your lungs after the game as your throat hurt from all the yelling.

After the game, the downtown in Montreal was chaos. Every car was honking the horn, windows down, people screaming, the rally rags still swinging in the air. It was a site to see. I had a 25 minute walk back to the hotel and the entire walk was filled with horns and screaming. If you ever get a chance to see a Montreal game, especially a playoff game, go. You will not regret it. I know I will never forget this experience.

You Voted Correct

90% of you who voted on my blog that the Habs would finish in first place in the conference and they did. Therefore, you are smart readers!

The next pole is how far will they go in the playoffs... Good Luck!

I Have Tickets for Game 2

Well folks, I got tickets for game two in Montreal on Saturday night. Unfortunately they are the noise bleeds in the corner but thats ok, I am going to the game.

I guess the thing I am looking forward to most is the roar of the crowd and the enthusiasm of the city. It is going to be electric. I went to a game against Washington back in January and the game was amazing when the Habs scored so I am sure a playoff game is going to be that much louder.

I will let you know how it goes, but I am sure it is going to be out of this world.

1st in the Eastern Conference!

Well, it is official, the Montreal Canadiens have clinched first place in the Eastern Conference. Not many people would have predicted that the Habs would accomplish this feat.

Better yet, we are going to be playing the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs. A team that we seem to be able to destroy. This is great news. You guys who are going to try and get tickets for the playoffs will be fighting it out with me because I will be trying to get tickets for one of the games. Just to hear the rumble of the crowd, in the playoffs, is worth the money.

Can't wait till Thursday.

First Round Matchup

With the final game of the season tonight against the Maple Leafs, the Canadiens will be playing to see who they will play in the first round of playoffs. I was hoping that Ottawa would finally get a couple of wins so that Montreal would not have to play them early in the playoffs but now that Alfredsson and Fisher hurt, the high scoring (not as of late) Senators should not have the same bite that they could with both of those guys in the lineup.

Boston would be a good matchup, with an 8-0 record this year. Price versus Huet could be a pretty intense matchup as well.

But tonight we play the Maple Leafs. The Leafs will be gunning to hold the Canadiens back from claiming the Eastern conference so the game is not to be taken lightly even though the best player, Mats Sundin, is not in the lineup. On that note, rumour has it Sundin might sign with Montreal in the off season. We can all hope...but don't bank on it!

Komisarek Ready for Playoffs?

With the season winding down and Koivu looking like he is going to be injured for a month or more, we turn our attention to our shot blocking, hard hitting, work horse Mike Komisarek. It appears that he is skating again with the team and is expected to be playing come playoff time.

This is critical for the Habs to make a good run into the playoffs because they need his grit and power to ensure no one walks over Price. We also Markov fight Spezza last night and I think we all know that Markov is a far better puck mover than a fighter.

The playoffs are almost here...the excitement is almost more than we can take, two more games decides if we finish our best season since the 80's.