The 2013~14 NHL thread

[cha cha]

I dunno about that, the Habs played with more intensity in the 1st and 2nd period. Of course the Bruins really outplayed them in the 3rd, but the Habs held on. Subban is amazing and they also are missing Yakupov, I commend their victory... and root for anyone that beats the Bruins (but yea, feels awkward rooting for the Habs)

[Luke]

I dunno about that, the Habs played with more intensity in the 1st and 2nd period. Of course the Bruins really outplayed them in the 3rd, but the Habs held on. Subban is amazing and they also are missing Yakupov, I commend their victory... and root for anyone that beats the Bruins (but yea, feels awkward rooting for the Habs)

Habs goalie had close to 50 saves, so there is that too.

[EllertMichael]

Well, I don't know why some teams like the Blues and Sharks never able to move over the hump, while some team like the Hawks and Bruins are able to rebuild and win the Cup, and others remain in oblivion like forever.

Well, the Blues thought an injection of some Buffalo Sabres "talent" into their roster was their ticket to the top.

Fucking Habs— Jesus. What I want to know is how many lambs they sacrificed to win that game. It wasn't won on skill alone; It was witchcraft. /bitter

Bruins didn't look great last night. Their passing game was way off and they just didn't look like they could get on the same page most of the time. And to say the pucks weren't bouncing in their favour is an understatement. The amount of negative puck luck puts a little weight behind your witchcraft claim.

But despite how "off" they looked, they still almost took the game.

I ain't scurred.

Habs goalie had close to 50 saves, so there is that too.

I wouldn't give Price too much credit seeing as how many shots beat him clean but just didn't find the back of the net.

[cha cha]

@Ellert- to be fair I think they liked how Steve Ott worked out. Miller was a crapshoot, they were wondering if his best years were behind him or if he could have a Brodeur-like comeback and resilience (he was also proven clutch in the playoffs of old)... apparently his best years are behind him. Sad to see, I personally just thought he was jaded with the Sabres spiral into futility and played like crap because of that...but I guess he is just done mentally.

[EllertMichael]

I was really just chriping @ you with that comment, buddy.

Too bad the Blues tanked the end of the regular season and ended up facing the Hawks in round 1.
Truth be told, I was really hoping for a Bruins v. Blues finals.

[pierrot]

Fucking Habs— Jesus. What I want to know is how many lambs they sacrificed to win that game. It wasn't won on skill alone; It was witchcraft. /bitter

Bruins didn't look great last night. Their passing game was way off and they just didn't look like they could get on the same page most of the time. And to say the pucks weren't bouncing in their favour is an understatement. The amount of negative puck luck puts a little weight behind your witchcraft claim.

I thought the Bruins played a pretty solid game, front to back. I think they got screwed over slightly by the plays the refs decided to start calling penalties on (as is often the case) but certainly no worse than TB was screwed over in round one. For 40 minutes the Habs were definitely skating. Bruins weren't really getting much space, but I thought their breakouts were fairly good despite that, and they weren't playing in their own zone very much. Would have been nice if Montreal hadn't scored on the one fucking scoring chance they had in the third period.

I think the main issue is not having Kelly. I'm hoping he's back soon, because he's an outstanding checking forward—probably responsible for the most defensive plays by a forward next to Bergeron—can take critical face-offs, kills penalties, and coupled with Eriksson, gives Soderberg more flexibility in the offensive zone, which really drives that scary four-line attack they had going for a month or so.

I'm a little afraid that the Habs could win the cup this year. Their play is infuriating, and they seem to have just enough fortune to potentially make it happen.

[EllertMichael]

Fucking Habs— Jesus. What I want to know is how many lambs they sacrificed to win that game. It wasn't won on skill alone; It was witchcraft. /bitter

Bruins didn't look great last night. Their passing game was way off and they just didn't look like they could get on the same page most of the time. And to say the pucks weren't bouncing in their favour is an understatement. The amount of negative puck luck puts a little weight behind your witchcraft claim.

I thought the Bruins played a pretty solid game, front to back.

They certinaly didn't look bad, but there was a lot of passing behind player's skates, scrambling, and no-look drop passes that resulted in turnovers. A bit of hesitation in front of Price at times that Pierre McGuire made a comment to the effect of "Price is in their heads" (again giving Price too much credit) but I think the B's were a little inside their owns heads with the constant barrage of missed opportunities. Just look at Price's terrible rebound literally sweeping the puck right back to Iginla only for him to miss that point blank open netter.

I think they got screwed over slightly by the plays the refs decided to start calling penalties on (as is often the case) but certainly no worse than TB was screwed over in round one.

And we're not even in the Bell Centre yet...

For 40 minutes the Habs were definitely skating. Bruins weren't really getting much space, but I thought their breakouts were fairly good despite that, and they weren't playing in their own zone very much. Would have been nice if Montreal hadn't scored on the one fucking scoring chance they had in the third period.

Maybe I'm being overly critical, but the first 40 mins to me the B's looked like they were scrambling around too much, not making the smart plays, not making the crisp passes, giving up 2-on-1 opportunities and while they were gaining the line with ease, not doing much in terms of X's and O's.

That Riley Smith goal was a beauty, though

I think the main issue is not having Kelly. I'm hoping he's back soon, because he's an outstanding checking forward—probably responsible for the most defensive plays by a forward next to Bergeron—can take critical face-offs, kills penalties, and coupled with Eriksson, gives Soderberg more flexibility in the offensive zone, which really drives that scary four-line attack they had going for a month or so.

Kells is certainly missed. Not the greatest hands in the game, but everything you said about him I agree with. And while I've really liked what little I've seen from Florek so far, last night I felt his youth and inexperience was apparent.

And those Swedes are a lot of fun to watch.

I actually went to the optional skate this morning since the B's practice arena is just down the street from my house, but no sign of Chris Kelly unfortunately. Seidenberg was there, though! It was nice to see him on skates again and he looks strong out there, good speed already. I hope the B's go deep enough in the playoffs to see him possibly return

I'm a little afraid that the Habs could win the cup this year. Their play is infuriating, and they seem to have just enough fortune to potentially make it happen.

[EllertMichael]

[cha cha]

Montreal takes game 7 tonight. Book it.

I took up this Pizzeria up on this wager: https://www.facebook.com/pescispizza

GIMME DAT FREE PIZZA!

[cha cha]

FREE PIZZA FOR ME!!!!

btw they should have put this cautionary statement on every box: