Brandon Smillie: Habs Beaten By Vasilevskiy + Consistency Still Work In Progress...

Brandon Smillie: Habs Beaten By Vasilevskiy + Consistency Still Work In Progress...
- Brandon Smillie

When the Habs were forced by the Lightning to play more of a East/West passing game to get out of their zone and move the puck, rather than the North / South game they have mostly played this season, the team looked ordinary (at best). Seemed to me they were panicking with the puck in their zone and forcing bad passes in the offensive zone.

Habs play down the middle, but when the opposition clogs it up and forces them to the outside, the Habs have no game.

Teams are starting to catch up to the Habs.

For the most part, exciting hockey when it works, but no response when the opposition counters properly.

Everyone at church?

Everyone at church?
- pete26

The church of satan.






























































For chicken.

The church of satan.




For chicken.
- deadpoulet

Popeyes??

- Pat1993

When the Habs were forced by the Lightning to play more of a East/West passing game to get out of their zone and move the puck, rather than the North / South game they have mostly played this season, the team looked ordinary (at best). Seemed to me they were panicking with the puck in their zone and forcing bad passes in the offensive zone.

Habs play down the middle, but when the opposition clogs it up and forces them to the outside, the Habs have no game.

Teams are starting to catch up to the Habs.

For the most part, exciting hockey when it works, but no response when the opposition counters properly.
- Mashadar

i think this is a bit harsh. let's remember that Tampa is a (if not "the") Cup favourite this year, so it's not surprising to see Montreal have some trouble with them. also, Montreal's second period was pretty dominant. it wasn't that Tampa and other teams have caught on, it's that Montreal lacks elite finishers who can beat good goalies like Vasilevsky when they're on their A game. biggest difference in a game like that is one team has a guy like Stamkos, the other doesn't.

i think this is a bit harsh. let's remember that Tampa is a (if not "the") Cup favourite this year, so it's not surprising to see Montreal have some trouble with them. also, Montreal's second period was pretty dominant. it wasn't that Tampa and other teams have caught on, it's that Montreal lacks elite finishers who can beat good goalies like Vasilevsky when they're on their A game. biggest difference in a game like that is one team has a guy like Stamkos, the other doesn't.
- DoubleDown

I hate McDonnagh now.

i think this is a bit harsh. let's remember that Tampa is a (if not "the") Cup favourite this year, so it's not surprising to see Montreal have some trouble with them. also, Montreal's second period was pretty dominant. it wasn't that Tampa and other teams have caught on, it's that Montreal lacks elite finishers who can beat good goalies like Vasilevsky when they're on their A game. biggest difference in a game like that is one team has a guy like Stamkos, the other doesn't.
- DoubleDown

Very true, was thinking the same thing......and that it won't get any easier tonight against Greiss who's hot right now.

Very true, was thinking the same thing......and that it won't get any easier tonight against Greiss who's hot right now.
- Snots33_77

Never throw water on hot greiss it will only make it worse

Never throw water on hot greiss it will only make it worse
- MortChicken

i think this is a bit harsh. let's remember that Tampa is a (if not "the") Cup favourite this year, so it's not surprising to see Montreal have some trouble with them. also, Montreal's second period was pretty dominant. it wasn't that Tampa and other teams have caught on, it's that Montreal lacks elite finishers who can beat good goalies like Vasilevsky when they're on their A game. biggest difference in a game like that is one team has a guy like Stamkos, the other doesn't.
- DoubleDown

Bang on.

With a little more luck, Habs could have won the game.

It didn't happen, losing to Tampa shouldn't bring shame to anyone.

Let's all remember this team was supposed to finish close to dead last and is playing much better than anticipated.... doesn't mean they're the top dog in the league.

Bang on.

With a little more luck, Habs could have won the game.

It didn't happen, losing to Tampa shouldn't bring shame to anyone.
- Scabeh

Shame on Price for not stopping Stamkos! Vasilevsky is out of this world for stopping Lehkonen and Hudon.

Shame on Price for not stopping Stamkos! Vasilevsky is out of this world for stopping Lehkonen and Hudon.
- Good On Paper

For what it's worth, I'm not blaming Price.

But considering how much we are paying him, I do hope he stops elite players and steals games from time to time.

It hasn't really happened this season, despite overall good play by him.

For what it's worth, I'm not blaming Price.

But considering how much we are paying him, I do hope he stops elite players and steals games from time to time.

It hasn't really happened this season, despite overall good play by him.
- Scabeh

I think the only game this season when we saw the "elite" version of Carey Price was against Boston. He's been good in other games, but not on the same level

For what it's worth, I'm not blaming Price.

But considering how much we are paying him, I do hope he stops elite players and steals games from time to time.

It hasn't really happened this season, despite overall good play by him.
- Scabeh

I completely agree. I was being facetious. His contract is just too ridiculous and his play will be scrutinized based on it for the next 8 years (and rightfully so).

I just realized the Islanders are leading the Metropolitan division.

What a weird season it's been.

I just realized the Islanders are leading the Metropolitan division.

What a weird season it's been.
- Scabeh

They're 6-0 against Metro opponents thus far..... good to see. Trotz is making them play some serious defense.

I just realized the Islanders are leading the Metropolitan division.

What a weird season it's been.
- Scabeh

Tavares was a cancer in the room. Dragging this team down.

Tavares was a cancer in the room. Dragging this team down.
- BashCH

Hopefully that spreads to the Leafs now..........

For what it's worth, I'm not blaming Price.

But considering how much we are paying him, I do hope he stops elite players and steals games from time to time.

It hasn't really happened this season, despite overall good play by him.
- Scabeh

That's the problem since he's been here. They are relying on him too much to win games. If the plan is to rely on your goalie to "steal games", it's a bad plan. They never have scoring, year after year, because the focus is always on the (frank)ing goalie, every (frank)ing season.

That's the problem since he's been here. They are relying on him too much to win games. If the plan is to rely on your goalie to "steal games", it's a bad plan. They never have scoring, year after year, because the focus is always on the (frank)ing goalie, every (frank)ing season.
- stinger67

Well when you ask for 10 millions dollars per season you kinda put the spotlight on yourself and you better deliver.

That's the problem since he's been here. They are relying on him too much to win games. If the plan is to rely on your goalie to "steal games", it's a bad plan. They never have scoring, year after year, because the focus is always on the (frank)ing goalie, every (frank)ing season.
- stinger67

You may be right , but at 10,5 M.....

Well when you ask for 10 millions dollars per season you kinda put the spotlight on yourself and you better deliver.
- MortChicken

He's a victim of his own contract