Habs were a defense first team.

Then they lost Weber, Edmundson and Carey Price.

Now they are a team without an identity.
- Scabeh

I think you're wrong about that, I believe that they do have an identity.

I think you're wrong about that, I believe that they do have an identity.
- TheMussel

I'd ask you what it is but I'm not sure I'm gonna like the answer.

They're best in league FFS.

You obviously need more of the blue stuff
- 21peter

Just shows the NHL is a pathetic league. Thanks Bettman!

I think you're wrong about that, I believe that they do have an identity.
- TheMussel

They are only 5pts back of top 3 and its only the end of November.
Still so much time and so much can happen.
Tampa or florida get covid, the leafs go on a losing skid or have injuries, boston rifles off a couple of wins and they are right back in it.
Too early to say right now.

I mean F them I hope they miss the playoffs....but its early
- Fakepartofme

and most teams at the moment have a few games on hand over the Leafs.

All guys that could still be with the team if the Leafs hadn't signed Tavares.


*runs*
- Scabeh

Not allowed to have 500 man roster. Run faster

and most teams at the moment have a few games on hand over the Leafs.
- dmnted

Conversely, you could argue that the Leafs have played a lot compared to other teams lately and still win

and most teams at the moment have a few games on hand over the Leafs.
- dmnted

It’s like raaaiiin on your wedding day

Habs were a defense first team.

Then they lost Weber, Edmundson and Carey Price.

Now they are a team without an identity.
- Scabeh

Last year they were a mediocre team that very nearly missed the playoffs and lost 8 more games then they won in the regular season. Price had statistically one of the worst seasons in his career. But hey, nice lucky run they had there in the playoffs!

Soooo... what exactly was their identity last year?

It’s like raaaiiin on your wedding day
- Canada Cup

Is it ironic that Alanis Morisette's song "Ironic" isn't actually filled with ironic situations? 🤔

Last year they were a mediocre team that very nearly missed the playoffs and lost 8 more games then they won in the regular season. Price had statistically one of the worst seasons in his career. But hey, nice lucky run they had there in the playoffs!

Soooo... what exactly was their identity last year?
- mjones242

Last year they were a defense first team that was "built for the playoffs" if you wanna quote Bergevin.

I'd say they pretty much filled that bill wouldn't you say?

I don't believe in "luck" carrying a team through 3 rounds, they deserved to go to the SCF after defeating 3 good teams.

Last year they were a defense first team that was "built for the playoffs" if you wanna quote Bergevin.

I'd say they pretty much filled that bill wouldn't you say?

I don't believe in "luck" carrying a team through 3 rounds, they deserved to go to the SCF after defeating 3 good teams.
- Scabeh

Killed Tavares. Forced Scheifele to commit suicide. Killed epic first line stud Chandler Stephenson.

See a pattern?

Killed Tavares. Forced Scheifele to commit suicide. Killed epic first line stud Chandler Stephenson.

See a pattern?
- AdamFrench

Was Ted Nugent on the team.?

Killed Tavares. Forced Scheifele to commit suicide. Killed epic first line stud Chandler Stephenson.

See a pattern?
- AdamFrench

Came back from 1-3, swept the floor with the Jets, made most Vegas players not named Pietrangelo useless.

Bottom line, last year's Habs team gave everything they had and went to the SCF and they deserve all the credit for making it there.

Did that make them long term contenders? Of course not. Was it a surprise to see them go that far? Obviously.

Calling it "luck" is the equivalent of Tanner saying every NHL player has a similar shot and the ones who score more goals are just "lucky".

Last year they were a defense first team that was "built for the playoffs" if you wanna quote Bergevin.

I'd say they pretty much filled that bill wouldn't you say?

I don't believe in "luck" carrying a team through 3 rounds, they deserved to go to the SCF after defeating 3 good teams.
- Scabeh

You're entitled to your opinion and I strenuously disagree on just about every conceivable front. But I'll spare the playoff debate as it's a waste of both of our time.

The Habs were a poop team last year (again, 8 more losses than wins) that had a hilariously lucky Cinderella run. It happens.

You may have noticed that Bergevin has been fired as GM. If the Habs truly had an "identity" that was hamstringed because of Weber, Edmundson, and Price being MIA this season, why sack your GM?

Killed Tavares. Forced Scheifele to commit suicide. Killed epic first line stud Chandler Stephenson.

See a pattern?
- AdamFrench

VGK also made the completely bizarre goalie decision to start Fleury in Game 5 after Lehner had an unbelievably great OT win in Game 4.

You're entitled to your opinion and I strenuously disagree on just about every conceivable front. But I'll spare the playoff debate as it's a waste of both of our time.

The Habs were a poop team last year (again, 8 more losses than wins) that had a hilariously lucky Cinderella run. It happens.

You may have noticed that Bergevin has been fired as GM. If the Habs truly had an "identity" that was hamstringed because of Weber, Edmundson, and Price being MIA this season, why sack your GM?
- mjones242

Because despite the run, it's a fact the Habs are not a top tier team you can expect to repeat what they did on a regular basis.

Adding Weber, Price and Edmundson would make them better and surely would contribute in giving them their "defense first" identity back but they would still be a borderline playoffs team in a full season. I'm not even debating that.

I just can't stand the whole "luck" speech about any team that makes it deep in the playoffs. Give the players the credit they deserve even if they were underdogs.

Is it ironic that Alanis Morisette's song "Ironic" isn't actually filled with ironic situations? 🤔
- mjones242

I believe this qualifies as irony, yes

Was Ted Nugent on the team.?
- dmnted

So what you're saying is the Habs are the Ted Nugent of hockey?

This seems about right for their identity

Because despite the run, it's a fact the Habs are not a top tier team you can expect to repeat what they did on a regular basis.

Adding Weber, Price and Edmundson would make them better, but they would still be a borderline playoffs team in a full season. I'm not even debating that.

I just can't stand the whole "luck" speech about any team that makes it deep in the playoffs. Give the players the credit they deserve even if they were underdogs.
- Scabeh

Sure, because "luck" devalues your position that the Habs absolutely earned their walk to the Finals. Luck IS a factor in sports whether you like it or not. Sometimes there's a little bit of luck and sometimes there's a lot of luck.

Losing John Tavares was a lucky break for the Habs and an unlucky break for the Leafs. poop happens. 🤷

I believe this qualifies as irony, yes
- TheMussel

What's even more ironic is how unintentional this irony is.

Sure, because "luck" devalues your position that the Habs absolutely earned their walk to the Finals. Luck IS a factor in sports whether you like it or not. Sometimes there's a little bit of luck and sometimes there's a lot of luck.

Losing John Tavares was a lucky break for the Habs and an unlucky break for the Leafs. poop happens. 🤷
- mjones242

Or you just can't accept your team blew a 1-3 lead against Montreal and are putting it on luck.

Who knows really?

So what you're saying is the Habs are the Ted Nugent of hockey?

This seems about right for their identity
- TheMussel

The only song in Nugent's repertoire that I think kind of kicks a lot of ass. The rest of his career was lucky.

You're entitled to your opinion and I strenuously disagree on just about every conceivable front. But I'll spare the playoff debate as it's a waste of both of our time.

The Habs were a poop team last year (again, 8 more losses than wins) that had a hilariously lucky Cinderella run. It happens.

You may have noticed that Bergevin has been fired as GM. If the Habs truly had an "identity" that was hamstringed because of Weber, Edmundson, and Price being MIA this season, why sack your GM?
- mjones242

lame duck
not extended
the FALL GUY for the teams poor start even with major player out with injuries

Or you just can't accept your team blew a 1-3 lead against Montreal and are putting it on luck.

Who knows really?
- Scabeh

If John Tavares is in the lineup there's no way the Habs win the series.