Karine Hains: In Hainsight: It Wasn’t Perfect, But It’s a Win The Canadiens didn’t play a perfect game, but they did enough to leave New Jersey with two points.

Joshua Roy is a guy that can/will play in the NHL. That's pretty much obvious.

Remains to see if he's gonna be a solid contributor in the top 6 or more a third line kind of guy. But the young man can play.

Slaf with now 9 points in his last 13 games while playing a physical game and being extremely effective on the forecheck.

Love the new Defense pairings as well. Doesn't look fun playing against Struble-Savard while Matheson-Guhle are moving fast and moving the puck even faster.

Kudos to Barron for having a better game after sitting one, guess he needed the wakeup call.

Caufield will get to 30+ goals, not even worried.

#Optobus
#RoadToAlmostMakingThePlayoffs

I'm happy for Roy.

He was a very high profile player coming out of Midget AAA. Probably went to his head a little and got out of shape his first two junior years.

But he learned that he would need to work harder at a young age instead of going down the wrong path. It allowed us to pick a guy with first or second round talent in the 5th round.

Joshua Roy is a guy that can/will play in the NHL. That's pretty much obvious.

Remains to see if he's gonna be a solid contributor in the top 6 or more a third line kind of guy. But the young man can play.

Slaf with now 9 points in his last 13 games while playing a physical game and being extremely effective on the forecheck.

Love the new Defense pairings as well. Doesn't look fun playing against Struble-Savard while Matheson-Guhle are moving fast and moving the puck even faster.

Kudos to Barron for having a better game after sitting one, guess he needed the wakeup call.

Caufield will get to 30+ goals, not even worried.

#Optobus
#RoadToAlmostMakingThePlayoffs
- Scabeh

at what point do you say "hey, they actually have a decent chance of making them..."

I'm happy for Roy.

He was a very high profile player coming out of Midget AAA. Probably went to his head a little and got out of shape his first two junior years.

But he learned that he would need to work harder at a young age instead of going down the wrong path. It allowed us to pick a guy with first or second round talent in the 5th round.
- Fredo

I think most people I've heard talking about him is that he's an instinct player but realized when becoming a pro that he couldn't rely solely on his talent, so yeah, makes sense. he sure looks like a guy who wants to do the right things now, he's fitting in nicely so far.

at what point do you say "hey, they actually have a decent chance of making them..."
- Pat1993

After each win.

Then I look at our conference and realise they actually don't

I think most people I've heard talking about him is that he's an instinct player but realized when becoming a pro that he couldn't rely solely on his talent, so yeah, makes sense. he sure looks like a guy who wants to do the right things now, he's fitting in nicely so far.
- Pat1993

Yeah, I remember him talking that he dropped like 20 pounds in a summer before his big years in Sherbrooke

After each win.

Then I look at our conference and realise they actually don't
- Fredo

there's a lot of teams with similar results though, things could move quickly so it isn't entirely impossible.

Yeah, I remember him talking that he dropped like 20 pounds in a summer before his big years in Sherbrooke
- Fredo

dropped 20 pounds while he should've gained 20 lol

at what point do you say "hey, they actually have a decent chance of making them..."
- Pat1993

If they somehow make them, especially without Dach in the lineup, I'll be both surprised and impressed.

Reality is, they are what? 4-5 points behind with 2 more games played?

It's not impossible, but it's still unlikely.

So I'm sticking with the original plan, which was progression, improved results as a team, improved individual performance.

Unlike some around here (Hi asp! Love you bud!) I think the improvement of the team and players in general is obvious.

at what point do you say "hey, they actually have a decent chance of making them..."
- Pat1993

Like I pointed out a while ago, the extra points (OT/SO win, loser points) make them seem a lot closer to a playoff spot than they should be. Also... so much extra-time hockey this year for the Habs.

But I guess that is what the NHL wants, make it feel that more teams are in the hunt to drive excitement. I am sure that works wonders in some markets for selling tickets.

The second half schedule looks pretty tough. We will see how long they can hold on... I had said at the start of the year they would be close, but start fading, in January. They continue to have played OK so far.

If they somehow make them, especially without Dach in the lineup, I'll be both surprised and impressed.

Reality is, they are what? 4-5 points behind with 2 more games played?

It's not impossible, but it's still unlikely.

So I'm sticking with the original plan, which was progression, improved results as a team, improved individual performance.

Unlike some around here (Hi asp! Love you bud!) I think the improvement of the team and players in general is obvious.

- Scabeh

funny how you don't hear him a whole lot when they're doing well lol

Like I pointed out a while ago, the extra points (OT/SO win, loser points) make them seem a lot closer to a playoff spot than they should be. Also... so much extra-time hockey this year for the Habs.

But I guess that is what the NHL wants, make it feel that more teams are in the hunt to drive excitement. I am sure that works wonders in some markets for selling tickets.

The second half schedule looks pretty tough. We will see how long they can hold on... I had said at the start of the year they would be close, but start fading, in January. They continue to have played OK so far.
- Mashadar

again, that depends on your interpretation of things, I don't see the fact that they went to OT so often as being a negative.

again, that depends on your interpretation of things, I don't see the fact that they went to OT so often as being a negative.
- Pat1993

Only pointing out how they are getting points... I just do not think that is a sustainable way to get into the playoffs. Especially if you are giving loser points to the teams you are fighting for a playoff spot with.

Only pointing out how they are getting points... I just do not think that is a sustainable way to get into the playoffs. Especially if you are giving loser points to the teams you are fighting for a playoff spot with.
- Mashadar

obviously you want more wins, I'm not saying this is a sound strategy or whatever and I wasn't expecting them to be in (although it's my bold prediction lol), just saying there's a small chance they make them.

dropped 20 pounds while he should've gained 20 lol
- Pat1993

Yeah well you drop the fat first and then he can start on gaining lean muscle. Slaf did the the same thing, he's lighter this year than he was last year.

there's a lot of teams with similar results though, things could move quickly so it isn't entirely impossible.
- Pat1993

Yeah but boy there's a alot of good good teams ahead. It's not impossible but it's gonna be hard.

Yeah but boy there's a alot of good good teams ahead. It's not impossible but it's gonna be hard.
- Fredo

good teams that aren't doing as well as everyone thought.


I don't see it happening but imagine Toronto missing the playoffs lol...


edit: I think you meant teams in the schedule? I was talking about the standings

canada, good morning.

Yeah well you drop the fat first and then he can start on gaining lean muscle. Slaf did the the same thing, he's lighter this year than he was last year.
- Fredo

He's also much better at the playing hockey part. That helps.

good teams that aren't doing as well as everyone thought.


I don't see it happening but imagine Toronto missing the playoffs lol...


edit: I think you meant teams in the schedule? I was talking about the standings
- Pat1993

Many articles these days giving a reality check to the Leafs, they are a middle of the pack team this season.

canada, good morning.
- kicksave856

'Murica, hello.


and congrats on your new position, that's awesome

'Murica, hello.


and congrats on your new position, that's awesome

- Pat1993

ty, friend. i have 2 weird weeks in limbo where i'm still doing my old job but after that i'm free as a bird to start the new gig.

Many articles these days giving a reality check to the Leafs, they are a middle of the pack team this season.
- Scabeh

I think many are starting to claim a coaching change in TOR, would be odd at this point but it could also be a good strategy to right the ship before it completely sinks.

ty, friend. i have 2 weird weeks in limbo where i'm still doing my old job but after that i'm free as a bird to start the new gig.
- kicksave856

of the chocolate cake variety.