Habs Talk: Five consecutive wins and a bone to pick, by Andrew Saadalla The Habs defeated the Rangers by a score of 4-1, but the elephant in the room needs to be addressed.

first. and 100% agree on Price.

Great article Andrew. Unfortunately I've seen this trend with the habs for far too long of not standing up for their respective teammates. Ever since the Chara-pacioretty incident where not one single person stood up for him, a similar trend continues to persist for their mvp Price. Its a sad sight to see. Hopefully its not their downfall.

I remember Scott Gomez did shove Chara after the Pacioretty incident but because of the size difference he didn't do anything further. I totally think that with the size the Habs have now and with Weber as well as other guys with size they do not have to put up with this crap. We don't want that stupid Kreider guy to slide into Price again and end playoff hopes.

Great article Andrew. Unfortunately I've seen this trend with the habs for far too long of not standing up for their respective teammates. Ever since the Chara-pacioretty incident where not one single person stood up for him, a similar trend continues to persist for their mvp Price. Its a sad sight to see. Hopefully its not their downfall.
- CivilHabFan

Thanks a lot. You hit the nail on the head, and with Price, it really has been ongoing for far too long. It's kind of embarrassing- how is this team supposed to be considered "tough" or "hard to play against" if no one does a damn thing?

I'm just shocked at how Weber hasn't done anything. That was part of the reason he was brought in!

I wouldn't dwell on "what if's". Price was out of the blue paint and got hit. It happens.

Look at the end of he game, this is what Bergevin brought in. Guys to kill penalties, create a tough and decent 4th line, and to bully some other guys who think they are tough (Miller). I wouldn't worry. You have to hope most NHL players have some integrity to not run goalies. Doesn't really happen as much as it used to and you can't even stop it if it does.

I think the Canadiens look a lot better since the coach change and if the new additions can play like they did last night I think they have a playoff ready team.

I remember Scott Gomez did shove Chara after the Pacioretty incident but because of the size difference he didn't do anything further. I totally think that with the size the Habs have now and with Weber as well as other guys with size they do not have to put up with this crap. We don't want that stupid Kreider guy to slide into Price again and end playoff hopes.
- habs8888

Exactly my point, but it has to end IMMEDIATELY and not when it's convenient for Weber and company...

I wouldn't dwell on "what if's". Price was out of the blue paint and got hit. It happens.

Look at the end of he game, this is what Bergevin brought in. Guys to kill penalties, create a tough and decent 4th line, and to bully some other guys who think they are tough (Miller). I wouldn't worry. You have to hope most NHL players have some integrity to not run goalies. Doesn't really happen as much as it used to and you can't even stop it if it does.

I think the Canadiens look a lot better since the coach change and if the new additions can play like they did last night I think they have a playoff ready team.
- SmielmaN

History has a funny way of repeating itself, and I can guarantee you that if this team starts making noise in the playoffs opponents will rely on these garbage tactics to take Price and/or Montoya out because there are NO consequences for their actions. Nothing. 0!

However, as usual you make a good point! This team looks much, MUCH better under Julien. Kudos to him for giving his players what he promised the media he would- "confidence". You see it up and down the lineup, and honestly, it's quite refreshing given the January-February .500 hockey we came to witness.

first. and 100% agree on Price.
- Markiz

Sad, isn't it?

Good blog. I also agree the team needs to abandon its wussy mentallity.

Good blog. I also agree the team needs to abandon its wussy mentallity.
- BashCH

Thanks... is that what I alluded to? haha

Better blog. Here's a piece of advice: Start writing blogs that are different from the usual recap and news that Jen does. Not saying we don't need those, we do it's just there's only room for one main Habs blogger to do that and it's Jennifer. Do something different like analytics or something to set you apart so you can co exist as Habs bloggers on this site. Just my two cents.

History has a funny way of repeating itself, and I can guarantee you that if this team starts making noise in the playoffs opponents will rely on these garbage tactics to take Price and/or Montoya out because there are NO consequences for their actions. Nothing. 0!

However, as usual you make a good point! This team looks much, MUCH better under Julien. Kudos to him for giving his players what he promised the media he would- "confidence". You see it up and down the lineup, and honestly, it's quite refreshing given the January-February .500 hockey we came to witness.
- Habs Talk

For sure, and thanks for the kind words.

I hope we have seen the end of punishing young guys for one bad shift. Hopefully Julien has a longer leash. Either way, I could barely watch since mid December and now I've watched this Julien era entirely and I'm liking it.

While I'm disappointed to not land a scorer, I sure do like what was brought in. Loved seeing the Habs as the bullies last night at the end!

Better blog. Here's a piece of advice: Start writing blogs that are different from the usual recap and news that Jen does. Not saying we don't need those, we do it's just there's only room for one main Habs blogger to do that and it's Jennifer. Do something different like analytics or something to set you apart so you can co exist as Habs bloggers on this site. Just my two cents.
- maxbart5

I disagree. The Habs Talk position was picked for the writers voice. Personally I like these more than Jens blog and even though I'm certainly in the minority I don't think Andrew should change his style.

Better blog. Here's a piece of advice: Start writing blogs that are different from the usual recap and news that Jen does. Not saying we don't need those, we do it's just there's only room for one main Habs blogger to do that and it's Jennifer. Do something different like analytics or something to set you apart so you can co exist as Habs bloggers on this site. Just my two cents.
- maxbart5

Thanks for the advice, but I agree with SmielmaN down below- I'm not going to change my style.

If you want to read more of my columns in order to hear more of my "voice", I would invite you to visit All Habs and take a look.

I disagree. The Habs Talk position was picked for the writers voice. Personally I like these more than Jens blog and even though I'm certainly in the minority I don't think Andrew should change his style.
- SmielmaN

Thanks for this! I won't change my style. If anything, my voice will keep developing and readers will get to "hear" it more as I continue to grow and learn. Cheers

Have a good one! GHG!

You got selected for what you brought. No need to change it. I was doing some writing for Habschronicle.com and after a couple months they asked me to be more point form in my recaps instead of writing a story to recap the game. Since then I haven't really written much for them because I didn't really want to take my "flair" out of it and just do straight recaps. Well, I slowed down also because my second son was born and the holidays are crazy at my house lol. Needed my time for the family. But asking me to make it more boring just turned me off. Maybe I'll jump back into it with them but I'm more likely to look into joining a dif website.

If you wanted to read some of my stuff just google Habs Chronicle Smillie. Should show up!

Have a good one! GHG!
- SmielmaN

I hear you loud and clear, and I promise I will check out your stuff as soon as I get a chance to! Changing it up to appease the masses is a recipe for disaster in my honest opinion, and nothing is ever going to satisfy anyone who's already got it out for you. DM me on Twitter (if you have it) I'd love to continue this conversation. @andrewsaadalla

Congrats on your second-born!

Andrew, if you had to guess, based on the way the Habs look right now and the possible matchup how far do you think they will get in the playoffs?

Andrew, if you had to guess, based on the way the Habs look right now and the possible matchup how far do you think they will get in the playoffs?
- habs8888

No further than the second round. They looked pretty decent in winning 5 in a row, but this team has struggled with consistency since going 13-1-1 to start the regular season. Good teams and even elite teams go through rough patches every single year, and how quickly they come out of them demonstrates just how resilient they truly are.

Sadly, for the Habs, they've been rather "fragile" confidence-wise, and one would have to think that last year's debacle scarred them psychologically. If they come out of the gates and lose their first two postseason games, it's going to look like history repeating itself over and over.

Initially, i thought they might not even make it, let alone get past the first round, but athletes are an interesting breed of humans who are impossible to predict. With the NHL's parity, you simply never know what to expect.

I will say that I like the new additions. Bergevin has said that he believes the slumping players will start scoring again, and he was right. Big players can use their bodies to knock opponents off of the puck and pass it to the speeding (albeit small) wingers along the boards for smooth and quick transitions which could lead to breakaways or 2-on-1 situations.

Rant over

I for one think they will be in the cup finals, hopefully it's 1993 all over again

I for one think they will be in the cup finals, hopefully it's 1993 all over again
- habs8888

Over the Capitals, Penguins, and Rangers?

I appreciate your optimism, and stranger things have happened, but I'm not quite sure!

I recall 1993 the Habs played some decent but surprising opponents in terms of seeds

I recall 1993 the Habs played some decent but surprising opponents in terms of seeds
- habs8888

Sure, but that edition of the Habs had Patrick Roy who (as far as I remember) hadn't been injured once in his career by the time the team went on a miraculous 11 consecutive overtime-winning streak.

Granted, they have Price now, but he's been hurt several times including in the playoffs... I'm not trying to take hope away from you, but I think it's important to manage expectations!

Still, I'm open to being wrong- always have been, always will be!

So what you are saying is that if Price is healthy and provided his confidence is there then the habs can go pass the 2nd round conditional to guys in addition to 1st line scoring such as Gallagher, Plekanec, Bryon, Lekhonen and Shaw.