Before the season began I wagered the Habs would finish 4th in the north division, ahead of VAN, WPG and OTT. While things are now looking bleak, despite the Habs recent play, I still believe 4th is likely and 3rd is possible. Outstanding issues in both WPG and CGY make this plausible.

I believe WPG will continue to encounter issues due to their striking lack of NHL calibre defenders. Hellebuyck is an outstanding goalie, but he cannot continue to routinely face so many shots. Additionally, I just reviewed the Jets schedule and realized WPG still has all 9 of their matches against TOR outstanding. It is likely these 9 matches will undermine the Jets momentum, possibly enough to drop below the Habs.

CGY has significant concerns surrounding its leadership group, with multiple players informing agents they are welcoming trades. After two players-only meetings it seems the issues cannot be resolved. With the dressing room in chaos it is unlikely the Flames will achieve what was expected. I mistakenly gambled they would finish 2nd in the north but can now easily see them finishing as low as 5th.

Thus, if the Habs stick with the better goaltender, can improve team cohesion, and can find a way to resolve mobility and scoring difficulties, they may either be able to stay ahead of the disgruntled Flames or perhaps catch the Jets. Better yet, if all goes well, perhaps they can finish ahead of both squads and face the lesser of the two juggernauts in the first round.
- Jackie Daytona

I think Habs have a tougher schedule than the Jets, not to mention they have to play OTT and TOR many times

wouldn't surprise me if at least one of VAN or OTT passes them. tricked people on an okay fakeoffs last year after 2 (two) 8 game losing streaks. Made lateral moves in the off-season, that the pro-habs media sold as "Winning the off-season" selling false hope to their fanbase.
- mr.peanut

you would know a lot about false hope wouldn't you? The Leafs couldn't even win a round in the "fakeoffs."

You need to review your definition of mediocre I’m afraid

But yes, they need to take shots from a better position and more challenging shots as well.
- Karine Hains

2.56 GAA .918 save percentage this year, 2.63 .917 career. Better than I gave him credit for, but he's also been on Winnipeg who have been at least decent for a long while. Anyway the point is he's not a prime Patrick Roy.

you would know a lot about false hope wouldn't you? The Leafs couldn't even win a round in the "fakeoffs."
- apex123

It was fake, so it doesn't matter.

Never happened

I think Habs have a tougher schedule than the Jets, not to mention they have to play OTT and TOR many times
- habs88888

In theory this should be a good thing. In theory.

In theory this should be a good thing. In theory.
- apex123

Agree in theory but the fact they don’t have a reliable centre on the face off outside of Danault (who is distracted obviously) is a big problem

Agree in theory but the fact they don’t have a reliable centre on the face off outside of Danault (who is distracted obviously) is a big problem
- habs88888

That's a problem against everybody, I was referencing the fact they should be accumulating points against the bottom feeding Senators, not the other way around. But yeah, it is a problem that Evans is the only reliable center good at faceoffs.

That's a problem against everybody, I was referencing the fact they should be accumulating points against the bottom feeding Senators, not the other way around. But yeah, it is a problem that Evans is the only reliable center good at faceoffs.
- apex123

Yeah but the Sens are playing everyone tough these days but I will be happy if someone gives that Tkachuk guy a beating

2.56 GAA .918 save percentage this year, 2.63 .917 career. Better than I gave him credit for, but he's also been on Winnipeg who have been at least decent for a long while. Anyway the point is he's not a prime Patrick Roy.
- apex123

Winnipeg’s defense is very suspect so those kind of numbers are really good. Habs defense are a lot better just that they need to stay out of the box and avoids brain craps in their zones

If they make the playoffs I won’t fear anyone the question is if they ship out Danault at the deadline who do we get back in return?
- habs88888

that won't happen

that won't happen
- fidopro

You don’t think Danault will be shipped at the deadline think he will if his stock goes higher and we get a centre back that’s good on face offs

You don’t think Danault will be shipped at the deadline think he will if his stock goes higher and we get a centre back that’s good on face offs
- habs88888

I don't see MB trading major assets when his expectations are a deep playoffs run

- KINGKENZO

Winnipeg’s defense is very suspect so those kind of numbers are really good. Habs defense are a lot better just that they need to stay out of the box and avoids brain craps in their zones
- habs88888

I thought the Habs defense was really good on paper at the start of the year, but after watching them they seem really slow which is a problem when Matthews, Marner, and McDavid are skating circles around them. Also Chiarot is a (frank)ing idiot.

I don't see MB trading major assets when his expectations are a deep playoffs run
- fidopro

Let’s see where we are at that time

I thought the Habs defense was really good on paper at the start of the year, but after watching them they seem really slow which is a problem when Matthews, Marner, and McDavid are skating circles around them. Also Chiarot is a (frank)ing idiot.
- apex123

We cannot have Chiarot and Weber on the same line , they are both not great skaters. I think Romanov has shown what he can do in the last few games so I would put him with Weber and see. Chiarot can play with Petry and Edmundson with Kulak

evening peeps

evening peeps
- Gramps28

Bonsoir

evening peeps
- Gramps28

allo

allo
- mr.peanut

hawks will unveil their retros tonight. not crazy about them but they are better than most in this series. have to see them in action. gonna be weird seeing the hawks with shoulder boards.

Bonsoir
- habs88888

so far. lol. see me in 3 1/2 hours.

hawks will unveil their retros tonight. not crazy about them but they are better than most in this series. have to see them in action. gonna be weird seeing the hawks with shoulder boards.
- Gramps28

Blackhawks should just wear their old black 3rds for this stuff. Really the only team that has it right with their sets. No need to wear anything else

Blackhawks should just wear their old black 3rds for this stuff. Really the only team that has it right with their sets. No need to wear anything else
- mr.peanut

i do like their black and white set. they are really nice in person. the old black ones work too because it is part of their color scheme

i do like their black and white set. they are really nice in person. the old black ones work too because it is part of their color scheme
- Gramps28

I kinda like their og winter classic set too

Time for a rebuild?