The Stakes are High (Habs/Bruins Preview)
Posted 1:34 PM ET | Comments 1
Ah finally, the time has come again - for another high scoring, bone-crunching, fists swinging tilt between the Habs and Bruins.
I just finished my Habs/Bruins gameday routine, which includes shining up my #8 Canadiens jersey, picking up a case of cold beverages, and calling up some of my favorite Hab fans to join me for game seven of this season series. The only obstacle between now and 8:30 (NL Time) is somehow convincing my girlfriend leave for a while - because tonight, I have a date with history.
Whenever one mentions Canadiens and Bruins in the same sentence, many words come to mind. But none more outstanding than the word "hatred". Much like Hab/Leaf battles, these two teams are bitter rivals, and salivating at the chance to put a damper on each others' season. Before little David managed to slay the almighty Golliath, or even before the Tyrannosaurus Rex became the Ultimate King of Dinosaurs, the Habs and Bruins were clashing at the Montreal Forum or the Boston Garden - or so it seems. In the past, present and future, when these teams lock horns, two points isn't the only thing on the players' minds. Revenge and bragging rights are on the table as well. From the words of God Ol' JR, if history repeats itself, "this one should be a slobberknocker." Goals will be scored, people will get hurt, and blood may be spilled. The Bruins are 0-6 against the Habs this season, have been embarrassed on occasion, and will be hungry tonight. This is a team not only playing for revenge and bragging rights, this is a team fighting for their playoff lives. And on the opposite side of the ice, the Habs aren't only trying to stick a dagger into their original six rival, they are fighting for the division title as well. Folks, you don't wanna miss this beauty!
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The Habs enter this game coming off a disapointing loss to the Blues. A loss in which I feel the Habs tried to be too fancy. It was a must win, but it may have taught our young team a lesson - Don't take any team too lightly, especially at this point of the season. Some teams are desparate to make the postseason, while others are fighting for their jobs next season. A win tonight combined with a Senators loss, and the Habs will be leading the Northeast by 5 points - their widest margin of the season. Lets hope the Blues and do us a favor tonight, and shut down those Sens. In regulation, I might add.
To no-one's surprise, "The Big Easy" (Carey Price) gets the nod between the pipes. Carey is 3-0 against the Bruins this season with a great 0.923 Sv%, along with a 2.33 GAA. After sitting the last two games, Price should be hungry for the win tonight. Unless he has a complete breakdown, I would expect Price to carry the load for the rest of the season, and into the playoffs. We are in a heated race for the division (and even Conference) lead, so we need to ice our best players at all times. And please Carbonneau, that means "no" Brisebois. I am sure Patrice is a nice guy, and I really like his desire to play here.... But this is CRUNCH time! We need our top guys, and he just doesn't fit the bill. Smolinski needs to sit as well. We all know this guy is slow and doesn't generate "much" offense. Smoke was brought in as a role-player, to kill penalties and shut down opponents. He isn't even doing THIS properly anymore. No better example crosses my mind than the 5 on 3 Penalty kill against St. Louis on Tuesday night. With less than a minute left on the Blues PP, the crowd cheered as Smolinski managed to find the loose puck in his own corner. Instead of slapping it down the ice, or hard off the boards, he decided to toss it down the middle - only to be picked off by the defender, and ultimately costing us a goal. We need to avoid these types of plays, especially in mid-March.
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What about those new line combinations? We have three lines that can provide scoring, and a 4th line of Lapierre, Streit and Begin/Kostopoulos that can chip in the odd goal as well. I have been very impressed with Sergei Kostitsyn lately. This kid gets better, and gains more confidence after every single game. He has exceptional vision on the ice, and isn't afraid of the rough stuff. Even though he wasn't chosen until the 7th round, I think this kid will be better than his brother - which says a lot! Grabovski and Higgins complete this line very well. Grabovski has all the talent to become a star on this team, but just needs to bulk up. I noticed he gets knocked off the puck rather easily, but seems to be improving a little.
Hopefully the new Koivu, Ryder and Latendresse line can get on a roll in the next eight games. When Higgins got injured last season, Latendresse was inserted on that top line and played quite well. This trio has shown some good signs in the past two games, now lets hope they can capitalize on their opportunities. I don't have to remind you how dangerous this team would be with Ryder and Latendresse consistently scoring.
Thats all for now.... Have a good one!
HRU
I just finished my Habs/Bruins gameday routine, which includes shining up my #8 Canadiens jersey, picking up a case of cold beverages, and calling up some of my favorite Hab fans to join me for game seven of this season series. The only obstacle between now and 8:30 (NL Time) is somehow convincing my girlfriend leave for a while - because tonight, I have a date with history.
Whenever one mentions Canadiens and Bruins in the same sentence, many words come to mind. But none more outstanding than the word "hatred". Much like Hab/Leaf battles, these two teams are bitter rivals, and salivating at the chance to put a damper on each others' season. Before little David managed to slay the almighty Golliath, or even before the Tyrannosaurus Rex became the Ultimate King of Dinosaurs, the Habs and Bruins were clashing at the Montreal Forum or the Boston Garden - or so it seems. In the past, present and future, when these teams lock horns, two points isn't the only thing on the players' minds. Revenge and bragging rights are on the table as well. From the words of God Ol' JR, if history repeats itself, "this one should be a slobberknocker." Goals will be scored, people will get hurt, and blood may be spilled. The Bruins are 0-6 against the Habs this season, have been embarrassed on occasion, and will be hungry tonight. This is a team not only playing for revenge and bragging rights, this is a team fighting for their playoff lives. And on the opposite side of the ice, the Habs aren't only trying to stick a dagger into their original six rival, they are fighting for the division title as well. Folks, you don't wanna miss this beauty!
*************************************************************
The Habs enter this game coming off a disapointing loss to the Blues. A loss in which I feel the Habs tried to be too fancy. It was a must win, but it may have taught our young team a lesson - Don't take any team too lightly, especially at this point of the season. Some teams are desparate to make the postseason, while others are fighting for their jobs next season. A win tonight combined with a Senators loss, and the Habs will be leading the Northeast by 5 points - their widest margin of the season. Lets hope the Blues and do us a favor tonight, and shut down those Sens. In regulation, I might add.
To no-one's surprise, "The Big Easy" (Carey Price) gets the nod between the pipes. Carey is 3-0 against the Bruins this season with a great 0.923 Sv%, along with a 2.33 GAA. After sitting the last two games, Price should be hungry for the win tonight. Unless he has a complete breakdown, I would expect Price to carry the load for the rest of the season, and into the playoffs. We are in a heated race for the division (and even Conference) lead, so we need to ice our best players at all times. And please Carbonneau, that means "no" Brisebois. I am sure Patrice is a nice guy, and I really like his desire to play here.... But this is CRUNCH time! We need our top guys, and he just doesn't fit the bill. Smolinski needs to sit as well. We all know this guy is slow and doesn't generate "much" offense. Smoke was brought in as a role-player, to kill penalties and shut down opponents. He isn't even doing THIS properly anymore. No better example crosses my mind than the 5 on 3 Penalty kill against St. Louis on Tuesday night. With less than a minute left on the Blues PP, the crowd cheered as Smolinski managed to find the loose puck in his own corner. Instead of slapping it down the ice, or hard off the boards, he decided to toss it down the middle - only to be picked off by the defender, and ultimately costing us a goal. We need to avoid these types of plays, especially in mid-March.
**************************************************************
What about those new line combinations? We have three lines that can provide scoring, and a 4th line of Lapierre, Streit and Begin/Kostopoulos that can chip in the odd goal as well. I have been very impressed with Sergei Kostitsyn lately. This kid gets better, and gains more confidence after every single game. He has exceptional vision on the ice, and isn't afraid of the rough stuff. Even though he wasn't chosen until the 7th round, I think this kid will be better than his brother - which says a lot! Grabovski and Higgins complete this line very well. Grabovski has all the talent to become a star on this team, but just needs to bulk up. I noticed he gets knocked off the puck rather easily, but seems to be improving a little.
Hopefully the new Koivu, Ryder and Latendresse line can get on a roll in the next eight games. When Higgins got injured last season, Latendresse was inserted on that top line and played quite well. This trio has shown some good signs in the past two games, now lets hope they can capitalize on their opportunities. I don't have to remind you how dangerous this team would be with Ryder and Latendresse consistently scoring.
Thats all for now.... Have a good one!
HRU
Canadiens and bruins both are my favorite teams in an Ice hockey game and I keep watching their previous matches as well. I have been thinking to get australian assignment help online to complete my work on time. I do not care who is going to win the game I just enjoy the action of the game.