So what have we learned ?
Les Habitants departed the fair city of Montreal with sticks between their legs.This was a team that had more men over six feet tall in the clinic than a heartbreaking episode of M*A*S*H. When six foot men are mentioned regarding the Canadiens – it is relatively easy to decipher that the men in question are not forwards. A Hutch with four drawers would be all that is needed to comfort fallen forwards on this team. Stick the ‘ Smurfs ‘ into a padded , warm place and all that ails them will be forgotten.If the defencemen commence falling – who will stop the rain on the Habs parade ?
Gorges , Markov , Spacek , Gill and then – in a scene straight out of A Night of the Living Dead , James Wisniewski stops a puck with his face and joins his mates in le clinique. The Habs played the majority of their game against the ‘ powerhouse ‘ Oilers without the ‘ Wiz ‘. In the one match that presumably Les Habitants would win in their three game excursion West – Montreal proved once more that a game against a lesser foe , is no money in the bank or points in the standings . The team dropped a 4 – 1 decision to the former Sather squad before heading outdoors to play the Flames in the Heritage Classic. Never mind the Tuques boys and girls – get out your sticks !
Calgary means Cold !
If Les Habitants had a team party that brought everyone together at a fair – it would be best if Martin and the team brain trust kept the boys away from any type of game that involved shooting ! The plastic ducks that are used as targets and the various sizes of stuffed critters handed out as prizes for hitting the aforementioned plastic ducks are safe when the good bunch Canadien are around. It is no surprise if the ‘ Carnaval ‘ keeper allows the players to play for free in order to save overhead. Rumour has it that a fairground in an adjoining suburb hired extra workers as the ducks in their game were falling faster than a post – Christmas Pittsburgh Penguin.
Never the less , the gang that could not shoot straight ( thanks Red Fisher ) , were on their way to the outdoor classic against the second to last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup . Montreal ( who else ? ) being the last.
Once the Habs’ Oldtimers proved they were better than the Flames’ ‘ Fogies in a late Saturday afternoon game – a match that featured the legendary Hab netminder Eric ( you know him – you love him ) Fichaud , it was time for the current day Canadiens to face another inferior opponent under the moon , the stars and the breaths of Chinook air.
Calgary has been playing better of late as they attempt to gain entry into Bettman ‘s play -off Barn. It is certain that the Flames would rather be stallions eating hay and from the time the frozen disc was dropped onto the frozen water , it was obvious that the frozen team wearing the western equivalent of the Habs’ classic pyjama look , was going to beat the other frozen team in front of 41, 000 frozen spectators. The only thing missing were frozen dinners for the frozen victors . The return of Cammalleri , Gill and the ‘ Wiz ‘ along with the re – return of Paul Mara , could not stop the Flames from ‘ burning ‘ right through the cold and past Carey Price’s goal line on four occasions. Meanwhile , the Flames netminder Kiprusoff , blanked the Habs’ frozen sticks as Calgary won 4 – 0 . In two games outside of their comfort zone – the Habs were 0 – 2 and outscored 8-1. As the trade deadline looms , it is obvious to everyone that the Habs are in dire need of a goal scorer, toughness or a combination of the two.
Vancouver here we come … !
The Olympics were held last year in this fair city. It was a time for the ages as Sidney Crosby became the pre – Justin Bieber Bieber. The Montreal Canadiens proved their allegiance to Crosby and imitated the Pens’ fallen star and pulled off what most people were aware of . The Habs can beat good teams. Boston , Washington , Pittsburgh and now following a 3 – 2 victory , Vancouver have all fallen to the Habs this season. This is a good thing.
Aside from the possibility of meeting the Carolina Cheer…er…..Hurricanes , the Habs will only face formidable foes in the post – season. Philadelphia is the sole team that has manhandled Montreal on a regular basis going to last year’s play-offs. The Habs are two tough players away from being able to handle the Bruins and one Psychiatrist removed from defeating the Flyers.
Gauthier is smart ! ( We Hope ).
It is less than a week away from the day that gets the folks at TSN more excited than the average Joe Malone’s opportunity to date Gwyneth Paltrow.The trade deadline !
Pierre Gauthier is no Jim Carey in the film Dumb and Dumber. Pierre is also not Mike Milbury in real life . The ‘goat ‘ lies somewhere in between.He is well aware that his team requires a power forward. A tough guy to stand up to Milan Lucic in both points and fighting. He is also aware that his team is missing a guy who can score goals on a consistent basis. No more Kostistyn – no more Gomez . Kostistyn can be moved – Gomez probably not.
If the proper player can be picked up for Kostistyn , this may kill ‘ two ducks with one shot.’ A goal scorer along the lines of Dustin Penner , Bobby Ryan or Brad Richards could suddenly give Scott someone to feed his passes to. Someone who could help remove the seven million dollar elephant off of Gomez’ back. There is a G. M in the land of Bettman that is more tham willing to bet their brand new SUV that Andrei would soar in new surroundings. A skating surface that will never win a Stanley Cup yet a skating surface that will enable Kostistyn ‘s totals to go where no Kostistyn’ s totals have gone before.
Cammalleri on the Move ? ( Ouch – won’t I lever learn).
Mike Cammalleri has not been a happy camper all season long and that fact is refelected in his goal and point totals. He demanded a trade and then was promptly shelved with a shoulder injury when checked innocently enough into the boards. Lucic’s kid sister would have not been injured on that play and it is easy to see why Cammalleri’s stay in LA and Calgary were short lived. Mike is the English version of Alex Tanguay. Tough on goalies but weak on every other component of their game.
The Habs have certain players that will not be traded. The ‘ Elliot Ness’ of hockey. The ‘ untouchables ‘.
They are :
PK Subban – Carey Price – Brian Gionta and Tomas Plekanec.
The rest are expendable. Heck – there is a price for everyone and even Subban could be traded given the right bait. (see King, Rodney – beating, riots ).
That is what Peter Pocklington and Wayne Gretzky taught us. This is what we have learned.
Notes
The Habs play the Leafs at home on Thursday and the Hurricanes on Saturday. Both these teams are fighting for their play – off lives so expect a great pair of matches !
Check with Myles Robinson as he attempts to make sense of it all in Hogtown.
Too Many Men on the Site will not further your insight yet it may further your site !?
Things that make you go hmmmm…….
Jacques Lemaire
Eric Fichaud
Mike Milbury
Rick in a Leafs Jersey …
P.J Stock in any type of jersey …
All You Can Eat Wings for 14. 95 at La Kachette with purchase of a beverage ! Mention A Winning Habit and receive 10% off anything you want !