Which Habs Players Have Success Against The Bruins?

Now that we know that the Montreal Canadiens will square off against the Boston Bruins in the second round of the Stanley Cup finals, why don't we have a look at which players of the current Habs edition have had success against the Big Bad Bruins during their career.

The 30-year-old Austrian, who had played his entire career for the Buffalo Sabres (another fierce rival of the Bruins) prior to being moved to the Islanders earlier in the season, was GM Marc Bergevin's biggest acquisition at the trade deadline. Without any surprise, we see that Vanek leads all players with more than on point per game against Boston during his career. Quiet during the first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning (1 g and 2 a for 3 pts), Vanek will need to continue his dominance of the Bruins if the Canadiens have any hope to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

Player	POS	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PPG	Plus/Minus
Thomas Vanek	LW/RW	55	30	32	62	1.13	22
Daniel Briere	C	50	14	28	42	0.84	-6
Brendan Gallagher	RW	8	1	5	6	0.75	4
David Desharnais	C	19	5	9	14	0.74	6
Max Pacioretty	LW	22	8	7	15	0.68	11
Tomas Plekanec	C	56	11	26	37	0.66	-1
Andrei Markov	D	59	9	27	36	0.61	-2
PK Subban	D	20	4	8	12	0.60	-1
Brian Gionta	RW	46	13	12	25	0.54	0
Alex Galchenyuk	LW/C	7	1	1	2	0.29	-2
Alexei Emelin	D	11	2	1	3	0.27	-2
Lars Eller	C	18	3	1	4	0.22	-7
Josh Gorges	D	32	0	6	6	0.19	2
Travis Moen	LW	28	0	5	5	0.18	-2
Brandon Prust	LW/C/RW	16	0	2	2	0.13	1
Ryan White	C/RW	8	0	1	1	0.13	-4
Francis Bouillon	D	44	1	4	5	0.11	-3
Mike Weaver	D	21	0	2	2	0.10	-6
Rene Bourque	LW	8	0	0	0	0.00	-4
Michael Bournival	C	3	0	0	0	0.00	0
Dale Weiss	RW	3	0	0	0	0.00	-1
Douglas Murray	D	11	0	0	0	0.00	1
	Total	545	102	177	279	0.51	6

Another veteran who has had tremendous success against the Bruins during his career is playoff performer Daniel Briere. The veteran who struggled mightily during the regular season was pivotal during the first round's sweep of the Lightning, feeding Dale Weiss in overtime for the game-winning tally in Game 1 and scoring a big goal in Game 4 to give the Habs the lead. The 36-year-old centre, who now has 111 points in 112 career playoff game will be instrumental against Montreal's arch-enemy.

Other players such as Rene Bourque and Lars Eller are struggling against Boston and will need to raise their level of play to chip in offensively if the big guns are not producing.

Who do you think will be the Habs' offensive heroes against the mighty Bruins?

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Fred is a professional freelance translator/writer;#NHL #MLB Lead Editor at http://  dobberbaseball.com/  & Lead Editor and Senior Columnist at http://habsaddict.com 

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98 Points. Who cares!? Michel Therrien is not the right coach.

by Eitan Calmy

not with Michel Therrien as a coach!
image from @weber514 

The date is April 11^th, 2014. The Montreal Canadiens are sitting in second place in the Atlantic division. The NHL playoffs are about to start. The Canadiens are red hot (yesterday doesn’t count); actually they’re one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. However they’re not even close to being considered a contender for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Are the Montreal Canadiens this good? Or is this just an illusion? In the coming weeks and most certainly next season, we will get a better idea of where this organization really stands.

Most experts had the Canadiens missing the playoffs. Now that Habs have secured their spot in the post-season, most experts are not giving them a chance to get past the second round. Will the Montreal Canadiens suffer a rapid elimination in the same manner as they did approximately one year ago?

I am a fan; I have been a die-hard HABS fan for years. I am one of those guys that has mood swings when the Montreal Canadiens win or lose. Some will say that at this level all we should care about is wins. Although I love when my team wins and overall the 2013-2014 NHL season has been wonderful in that aspect. I will say that I truly think that this season was a complete waste, a disappointment. Let me explain.

-PK Subban won the Norris trophy last season and seemed to be gaining the coaches' trust but actually that is completely false. Some will say look at his ice time. I would say he is misused. He does not play on the penalty kill, his coach does not use him in crucial defensive situations and Michel Therrien benches him at will. It’s clear that Subban is not playing with the liberty to do his thing and because of that he can't be effective. PK Subban has regressed this season. His confidence is at all-time low and I hope I am wrong, but it does not look good for the playoffs.

-Alex Galchenyuk has had sparks of superstardom since he came into the NHL last season. Nobody expected the Montreal Canadiens to do as well as they did this season and for that reason Chucky should have started the season at center. Alex’s natural position is in the middle. He’s exactly what we have been looking for. His passing and play-making skills are comparable to some of the best. Alex Galchenyuk did not improve in any way shape or form this season.

-Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu. No reason whatsoever for these two guys to have spent as much time as they did in the minors this year. They have reached a level in their game that can only further develop with the players in the NHL. I can’t understand how the organization thought that it was better to use Douglas Murray or Francis Bouillon instead of them. They talk about depth and development. The team would have been better served if Beaulieu would have gained experience in the NHL. His offensive contribution would have been a major asset on the power play.

The bottom line is the Montreal Canadiens are not even close to being a serious contender for the Stanley Cup. Michel Therrien has to trust some of the young guys. He won’t! He is a veterans’ coach. He believes that Murray and Bouillon’s  experience is more useful than the size and mobility of Tinordi or than Beaulieu’s smooth skating abilities, first pass skills and sparks of offensive genius. Yes a little late to throw them in the mix with full confidence that they won’t make mistakes but WHO CARES? They can’t be worse than Murray and Bouillon.

THE MONTREAL CANADIENS WILL NOT WIN WITH MICHEL THERRIEN AS A COACH. I don’t care about the record right now. It does not matter how many games we won in regular season. We don’t stand a chance to win the cup “TODAY” so he should have given Alex Galchenyuk more ice time. PK SUBBAN should be used in every situation. HE IS NOT A LIABILITY, he is your best defenseman for God’s sake, and he is amongst the top-ten defensemen in the world! He overused the veterans. Gionta, Markov and others should have never played as much as they did all year. So many strange decisions.

In today’s game you have to trust your young guys. The game is so physical and fast that the older slower guys are lucky to still have jobs in NHL.

The future is Carey Price, PK Subban, Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, Nathan Beaulieu, Jarred Tinordi. PLAY THEM NOW! Use them, teach them! Bring this team to another level.

The amount of points we cumulated this year will mean absolutely nothing once we get eliminated. And then we will evaluate and realize that this season was simply false hope.

Will I be happy if we win? Of course. Do I think we stand a chance? No, I don’t. Do I think the future is bright? Absolutely! BUT NOT WITH MICHEL THERRIEN AS A COACH!

If Therrien got fired from the Penguins with the players that he had and after reaching the Cup Final, why would he be the man to do it here? He did not change. He calmed down, but he did not change. We need a coach that is not scared to trust the youth.

-Have PK Subban and Alex Galchenyuk regressed? (notice I'm not even mentioning Lars Eller)

-Should Tinordi and/or Beaulieu be used instead of Murray and Bouillon?

-Is Therrien the coach that can bring to the promised land?

Let me know what you think. @habsaddict

----------------------------------------------------

I've been involved in the game for 25+ years, as a player, a referee (over 15 years), and now as a minor league coach (I coach my 7-year-old son) I can say that I know and understand the game. I'm definitely not an expert, but who is?

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What Will The Playoffs Hold For The Habs?

Hopefully this post is not considered to be too premature, but the Montreal Canadiens appear to be on their way to another attempt at a playoff run. According to sportsclubstats.com the Canadiens are looking at a 99.8% chance of sealing a playoff berth. Considering the way they have been playing of late, this does not come as a shock. After running through some tough times after the Olympic break, the Habs are back in form, and at the perfect time.

The Canadiens have won six of their last seven games, carrying possession in five of those games. Key players for the Canadiens have stepped up their play including two new faces in Thomas Vanek and Mike Weaver. Vanek seems to be finding his offensive abilities with this Habs team as they keep pushing to the playoffs, while Weaver is fitting in nicely on the back-end showing his small stature is capable of throwing bruising hits. The same old faces seem to be proving why they are an integral part of this squad, with the likes of PK Subban, Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty, and Andrei Markov stepping up to the challenge. Sophomore Brendan Gallagher has been showing his talents all season, and appears to be becoming a serious part of this team. Carey Price is obviously a huge reason for this teams success, as he has been excellent all season. If these players keep performing, and the rest of the team follows suit, the Habs could very well make a serious push for the eastern conference title. 

Montreal still has some challenges they need to over come. First, Michel Therrien needs to look at his lines, and seriously consider what kind of team he wants to ice. Make lines, and stick with them. That will create some confidence in the room, and create chemistry before the playoffs hit. Montreal has also been hit with some injuries, including Brandon Prust, Travis Moen, and Dale Weise. Basically the full fourth line. The Canadiens are lucky enough to have some decent depth to be able to fill this line with Lars Eller, Ryan White, and Michael Bournival. The big question with that is what to do once the team is healthy again. Hard to experiment in the playoffs.

It is looking more and more like the Canadiens are going to be squaring off with Tampa Bay in the first round of the post season. This could potentially go either way. As much of an obvious statement that is, it is probably one of the most even match-ups that could potentially occur. In the previous three meetings between the two teams this season, all three have gone to extra time, including two shootouts. The combined scoring, 5-4 Tampa Bay. All three games were won or lost by a score of 2-1. Montreal had an average Corsi for percentage of 45.33% which is not great; however, it is not terrible. Considering Montreal is having their best possession numbers (consistently) of the season, I wouldn't be surprised to see these numbers increase if this match-up occurs.

Should Montreal make the playoffs, this is probably the scenario I like the most. Both are quality teams, but when Montreal is on, they look like a team that can take on anybody in the East, and threaten for the Stanley Cup. They carry all the keys to success. Scoring threats on all lines. Players willing to put it all on the line. An elite goaltender capable of stealing games and the depth to be able to contend through injuries. In the last month, they managed to fabricate the comeback of the century, defeat arguably the best and hottest team in the National Hockey League with only ten forwards, and the backup goalie, and are sitting pretty with a 99.8% chance of a playoff berth. Now if you ask me, the Montreal Canadiens are looking pretty damn good right about now.

Thank you for the read and feel free to comment!

Follow me @Darrinharmy on twitter

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Willey's Look At The Habs Beyond The 2013 Playoffs

BY Bryan Willey - Habsaddict.com (@bryanwilley78)

So this morning my wife wakes up and overhears the score of the Habs-Sens game last night and upon hearing the outcome quickly turns to me and asks if I am upset.

 

I cannot speak for all Habs fans with this, but without hesitation I told her, “No”.

Perhaps it is just my own opinion, but I like to consider myself a knowledgeable hockey fan without bias and with realistic expectations.  I am not one of those band wagon fans who come to life in the playoffs but rather just a regular guy who bleeds Bleu Blanc Rouge, 365 days a year. 

My expectations, you might ask, were realistic yet disappointing as I expected a first round exit in what I thought would be a 6 game series. 

This prediction was made without even knowing  of the injuries to Max Pacioretty, Brian Gionta  and Brandon Prust or that Lars Eller would be lost for the playoffs with his devastating injury of game 1.

You see, there is an old adage in hockey that you need to learn how to lose before you can learn how to win.

 

Perhaps it is nothing but BS but if you take a look at recent victors of Lord Stanley’s Cup and you’d see a Pittsburgh Penguins or Chicago Blackhawks team, to name but two that needed to face playoff disappointment before ultimately hoisting the cup.  With such a history why would I expect the Canadiens to be different?

Hell No. 

Yes we finished second in the Eastern Conference but this team has way too deficiencies  at this stage which need to be improved upon before truly making the next step.

First let’s discuss experience.

In Game 4 of the first round of the 2013 playoffs our lineup consisted of Brendan Gallagher, Alex Galchenyuk, Gabriel Dumont, Jarred Tinordi, Max Pacioretty, and Raphael Diaz who were all disputing their first playoff series.

Add these names to the likes of Ryan White, Rene Bourque, Lars Eller, Colby Armstrong and David Desharnais who are all surprisingly only playing in their 2^nd career playoff series.

Think about that for a second.  11 players who suited up for this team in the past 4 games were either playing in their first or second playoff series in their career.

Does this sound like the make-up of a team destined for success this time around?

Then let’s talk about our D-core. 

Our top five defensemen are currently Francis Bouillon, Andrei Markov, PK Subban, Raphael Diaz and Josh Gorges.

Now I do not know about you but when I see this group I see some experience and some very good movers but I also see a list where four of the five players are 6 feet or smaller. With only Gorges coming in at 6’1. 

I also see a gaping hole with the loss of the 6’3, 220 lbs. Alexei Emelin.  There were numerous complaints about him this season but Alexei Emelin I might point out is our biggest, meanest, hardest hitting and one of the leading shots blockers. 

Did fans really expect to see a level of success in a playoff battle of attrition missing this key element?

We need to be realistic here guys and girls, the Montreal Canadiens are on the right track but this was not our year. We cannot let the success of the regular season blind us, because we are not ready to make that next step, yet.

However as each of you read this piece, I don’t want you to leave with a sense of ill will or negativity because this team is on the verge of something bigger.

Yes we are down 3-1 and yes I still believe that this team will put up a fight for game 6 and maybe even game 7 but my optimism is what will be in 2013-14.

I salivate at the thought of a blue line patrolled by Jarred Tinordi, PK Subban, Alexei Emelin, Nathan Beaulieu et al.

I drool as I envision a more experienced Galchenyuk, Eller and Gallagher or a playoff battle with a healthy Prust, Pacioretty or the Emelin #Boom.

Be wary Eastern Conference, the Habs are coming !!!

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Cole Nursing Injury, Kristo Gets Another Game, Winter Classic Canceled? And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

It seems the the current lockout isn't all bad for Canadiens fans. Okay fine, trying to find any posistives that come from a shortened - if not canceled - season is kind of reaching but at this point we can use some optimism.

In an interview with Dave Stubbs, Erik Cole talks about an injury he suffered either at the end of the season or during an April workout. Suffering a "lower body" injury, Cole may not have been ready for the beginning of training camp or even the pre-season.

That's right, the prospect of starting the season without one of the team's top producers last season is the possible silver lining to the delayed start of the 2012-13 season. This lockout has officially begun to have me desperate to find any good news on the NHL front.

Habs And Hockey News

- A report out of the Toronto Star claims that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman plans on canceling the Winter Classic if an agreement isn't reached by November.

- The Los Angeles Kings will have 52 names engraved on the Stanley Cup, look here to find out who will be left off.

- Habs prospect Danny Kristo received an additional game suspension following a team party on September 15th

- TMZ reported friday night that the family of the late Derek Boogaard is suing the NHLPA for money remaining on his contract. Sportsnet however has reported that the NHLPA has yet to be served.

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images North America)

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SCF Resumes, Habs let Westin go, A flurry of signings, and more

Morning puck addicts!

How are you enjoying the break in the Stanley Cup final?

Blech. Me either.

I'm not sure why, but for the last several years it seems the NHL just can't get the scheduling right. Oh sure, they are waiting till Saturday so they can get the big TV audience. I get that.

But there is something to be said about the rhythm teams and fans get into, with games every second night. The intensity tends to be much higher when the schedule is more regular.

But alas, such is the Gary Bettman NHL.

At least the games resume tonight, where the Devils will be trying to even the series with the Kings. Should L.A. continue their road winning ways (they are an unbelievable 9-0 on the road so far in these playoffs), this thing could be over in a hurry.

But I fully expect Jersey to pull out the win tonight. We'll see what happens starting in a few short hours!

Hockey News

RDS - Le Canadien ne tient pas à John Westin

TSN - NHL TEAMS WARY OF PROSPECTS WHO COULD BOLT FOR KHL

TSN - GABORIK NEEDS SHOULDER SURGERY, COULD MISS SIX MONTHS

TSN - DEVILS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER ANOTHER SERIES-OPENING LOSS

TSN - KINGS EXPECT DEVILS TO COME OUT HARD IN GAME 2

TSN - GM CHIARELLI CONFIRMS THOMAS MAY TAKE NEXT SEASON OFF

TSN - BLUES SIGN 2011 SECOND ROUNDER RATTIE TO CONTRACT

TSN - PREDATORS, POTENTIAL UFA SUTER MEET TO DISCUSS NEW CONTRACT

ESPN - Scuderi a key piece to Cup puzzle

THN - Without Tim Thomas, will Boston go after Rick Nash?

(Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

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Yotes top Preds, Bergevin and the Habs, Forsberg, Draft and more

That's it folks, the second round of the 2012 NHL playoffs have officially begun.

And just like in the first round, last night's premiere between the Coyotes and Nashville was exciting, tight, and went into overtime.

And who woulda thunk it, the 'Yotes came out with the victory. And that despite taking their foot off the gas and letting the Preds back into that game.

This Phoenix team continues to impress and suprise, pulling out Game One versus a Predators group who many feel are the odds on favorite to win the Cup.

Man, I love playoff hockey!

Habs News

Hockey Inside/Out - Coyotes take Game 1 over Nashville in OT

Cyberpresse - Marc Bergevin a discuté avec le Canadien

Cyberpresse - Filip Forsberg: «J'adorerais jouer pour le Canadien»

Hockey News

TSN - WHITNEY SCORES IN OT AS COYOTES EDGE PREDATORS IN GAME 1

TSN - HODGEMAIL: CANADA'S TEAMS HEAD INTO THE OFF-SEASON

TSN - CULLEN: SHOTS AND SAVE PCT. INTO RD. 2 OF NHL PLAYOFFS

THN - Coyotes get away with letting off the gas in Game 1 win

(Photo - Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)

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Sens, Caps push Bruins, Rangers to brink, Blues bounce Sharks, Habs prospects and more

Man, are the 2012 NHL playoffs ever not playing out the way I thought they would. Most of the series aren't over yet—except for the Blues who eliminated the Sharks last night.

That series aside, the underdogs are mostly winning or leading their respective series'. And that is surprising, to say the least.

Phoenix leading Chicago? Check.

The Caps leading the Bruins? Check.

The Sens leading the Rangers? Check.

Who woulda thunk it? Especially with the Bs and Rangers. But hey, that's why they say the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win. You can do so much during the regular season and, in the playoffs, it doesn't mean squat.

Can you imagine the Sens eliminating what looked like an unstoppable juggernaut in the Rangers? How about the lowly Caps, barely squeaking into the playoffs, bouncing the defending champion Bruins? They'll get that chance, today and man will that ever be a good game.

Will you be watching? I know I will.

Habs News

Hockey's Future - Hard work and character headline the first edition of Montreal Prospect Awards

RDS - Dernier hommage pour Émile Bouchard
Hockey News

Hockey Inside/Out - Rangers teetering vs Senators, Blues advance, Caps can bounce Bruins today

TSN - SPEZZA'S GOAL THE DIFFERENCE MAKER AS SENATORS SINK RANGERS

TSN - CAPITALS PUSH DEFENDING CHAMP BRUINS TO BRINK OF ELIMINATION

TSN - PANTHERS BLANK DEVILS TO MOVE A WIN AWAY FROM SECOND ROUND

TSN - TORRES SUSPENDED 25 GAMES FOR LATE HIT TO HEAD ON HOSSA

TSN - VIGNEAULT: CANUCKS NEED MORE CLUTCH PERFORMERS IN GAME 5

TSN - WINGS' LIDSTROM SAYS HE NEEDS TIME BEFORE DISCUSSING FUTURE

ESPN - Rising Blues close window on Sharks

THN - Thomas' play has Bruins on brink; Devils own deeds their undoing; Anderson doing Lundqvist impression; Sharks window closes

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

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Montreal Canadiens Study: Does Preseason Success or Failure Matter?

So how 'bout them Habs? Not so good, eh?

To say that the Montreal Canadiens have not fared very well in the 2011-2012 NHL preseason, would be a huge understatement.

Through seven games, the Habs have rolled out to a less than stellar 1-6-0 record, scoring a measly 14 goals and getting scored on 28 times in the process.

Further compounding fans' angst is the fact that star defenseman, Andrei Markov, is injured and won't be ready for the start of the season, Scott Gomez and David Desharnais have both missed time with lower body injuries, P.K. Subban has allegedly been plagued by back issues, Alexei Yemelin has shown he still has adjustments to make and, overall, the veteran core of this team has thus far been pretty underwhelming.

So naturally, as the Canadiens prepare for their final preseason game tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Quebec City, Habs addicts around the world are sitting shiva on a season that hasn't even begun.

Of course they are.

No matter how many media types, myself included, say that preseason results don't matter, it never ceases to amaze me how much stock fans put into exhibition games.

Forget the fact that the Habs preseason lineup has largely been filled with rookies and prospects on most nights. So much so that on many a night they have been icing only six to ten veterans against teams who are icing upward of 15.

The bottom line is that with players like Brendan Gallagher, Gabriel Dumont and Nathan Beaulieu, to name a few, the Habs have a bevy of talented and intriguing prospects in their system. That they kept them around so long and continued to play them shows how badly management wanted to get a look at these kids.

The only game, so far, where the Canadiens have put a veteran lineup on the ice was Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. No, the Habs didn't fare very well, but the lineup and the players are making adjustments and it can take some time to get the motor running.

That and backup goaltender, Peter Budaj's, play has so far left much to be desired.

But still, the hand wringing continues.

So, in an effort to throw water on the raging fire of disappointment that Habs addicts are struggling with, here is a look at the Canadiens preseason record since the 2002-2003 season and how it reflected in their regular season and playoff success—or lack thereof.

Why did I select the 2002-2003 season as a starting point?

Well, to be honest, those were the stats that were most readily available to me and, writing this piece at five in the morning while my three-month-old son sleeps means that I have no problem going for the low-hanging fruit!

My analysis follows but I've broken down the numbers in greater detail at the end of the article, for all you stats junkies.

It's just the preseason

We all say that the preseason has no bearing on the regular season, but is that really the case?

Since 2002, the Canadiens have finished in the top-four in Eastern conference preseason standings, four times—they were first twice and fourth twice. However, Montreal was only able to finish in the top-four during the regular season once over that same span—during the 2007-2008 season they finished first in the Eastern Conference.

The other three times they finished seventh or worse during the regular season, even missing the playoffs during the 2002-2003 season when they finished 10th overall in the East.

If that wasn't enough, the Habs finished ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins in preseason play during the 2008-2009 NHL season, a season in which the Pens ended up winning the cup—Pittsburgh was fourth in preseason play and fourth during the regular season.

Four other times, the Habs finished in seventh place or worse during preseason play, twice finishing 12th overall, once seventh and once eighth.

Montreal missed the playoffs again in the 2006-2007 season, finishing 10th overall during the regular season. The other three seasons they finished seventh (12th during preseason play), eighth (12th during preseason play) and sixth (eighth during preseason play).

So what's the difference?

Well, over the four seasons that Montreal finished in the top-four during preseason play, their average end-of-year position was 6.5. So let's round down to seventh overall, for the sake of simplicity.

Over the four seasons where they finished seventh or worse during the preseason, their average end-of-year position was 7.75, rounding down to eighth overall.

So there is one position difference between the four years they finished in the top-four and the four they finished seventh or worse. But if you look at the actual finishes, they are pretty similar:

Top-four preseason
2002-2003 - 10th
2005-2006 - Seventh
2007-2008 - First
2008-2009 - Eighth

Seventh or worse
2003-2004 - Seventh
2006-2007 - 10th
2009-2010 - Eighth
2010-2011 - Sixth

So the anomaly here is clearly the Habs first place finish during the 2007-2008 season.

If you remove the best regular season in each category (first in 2007-2008 and sixth in 2010-2011) the Habs have identical seventh, eighth and 10th overall finishes for the subsequent years, for an average 8.33 end-of-year position, or eighth overall.

And this despite having completely different levels of preseason success.

Conclusion

So what does this all tell us?

Well, aside from the fact that Montreal has had a stunning lack of regular season and playoff success over the last decade, it tells us, empirically, that success or failure during the preseason does not usually translate into regular season results. You could also infer that the numbers tell us that Montreal is in for another season of relative mediocrity, but that might be stretching things a bit.

Ultimately, we have to remember that the regular season is an 82-game marathon, not a sprint. It is a battle of attrition where even the best teams can be felled by injuries and bad luck.

So try to keep this in mind as you watch the Canadiens tonight against the Lightning, whether they win or lose.

Sure, it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy when your favorite team rips it up during exhibition play. But ultimately, no matter how good or bad a team is during preseason, all that matters is how they play over the subsequent 82 games. That's when playoff positioning is decided and when wins and losses actually mean something.

Montreal Canadiens Preseason, Regular Season and Playoff Results since 2002

Finished in the top four in the East during the preseason

2002-2003 (first), finished 10th during the regular season, missed playoffs.
Stanley Cup champions: New Jersey Devils, finished eighth during preseason and second during the regular season.

2005-2006 (fourth), finished seventh during the regular season, bounced in the first round by the Canes
Stanley Cup champions: Carolina Hurricanes, finished third during preseason and second during the regular season.

2007-2008 (fourth), finished first during the regular season, lost in the second round to the Flyers
Stanley Cup champions: Detroit Red Wings, finished second during preseason and first during the regular season.

2008-2009 (first), finished eighth during the regular season, swept by the Bruins in the first round
Stanley Cup champions: Pittsburgh Penguins, finished fourth during preseason and fourth during the regular season.

Finished seventh to 12th in the East during the preseason

2003-2004 (12th), finished seventh during the regular season, swept by the Lightning in the second round
Stanley Cup champions: Tampa Bay Lightning, finished sixth during preseason and first during the regular season.

2006-2007 (12th), finished 10th during the regular season, missed the playoffs
Stanley Cup champions: Anaheim Ducks, finished eighth during preseason and second during the regular season.

2009-2010 (seventh), finished eighth during the regular season, lost in the third round to the Flyers
Stanley Cup champions: Chicago Blackhawks, finished fifteenth during preseason and second during the regular season.

2010-2011 (eighth), finished sixth during the regular season, lost in the first round to the Bruins
Stanley Cup champions: Boston Bruins, sixth eighth during preseason and first during the regular season.

Chronological Breakdown

2002-2003
Preseason: First in the East with a 7-2-0 record, 43 GF, 23 GA
Regular season: Habs finished 10th in the East with a 32-36-10-4 record, 78 points, 210 GF, 231 GAA
Playoffs: Missed the playoffs

Eventual Stanley Cup Winners – the New Jersey Devils
Preseason: Eighth in the East with a 3-3-2 record
Regular season: Second in the East with a 46-20-10-6 record, 108 points

2003-2004
Preseason: 12th in the East with a 2-4-1 record, 14 GF, 18 GA
Regular season: Seventh in East with a 41-30-7-4 record, 93 points, 208 GF, 192 GA
Playoffs: Swept in four straight games, in the second round, by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning

Eventual Stanley Cup Winners – the Tampa Bay Lightning
Preseason: Sixth in the East with a 4-3-1-0 record
Regular season: First in the East with a 46-22-8-6

2004-2005 - Lockout

2005-2006
Preseason: Fourth in the East with a 5-3-0 record, 27 GF, 23 GA
Season: Seventh in East with a 42-31-9, 93 points, 243 GF, 247 GA
Playoffs: Eliminated in the first round (six games) by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes

Eventual Stanley Cup Winners – the Carolina Hurricanes
Preseason: Third in the East with a 5-2-1 record
Regular season: Second in the East with a 52-22-8 record

2006-2007
Preseason: 12th in East with a 3-5-0 record, 26 GF, 33 GA
Season: 10th in East with a 42-34-6 record, 90 points, 245 GF, 256 GA
Playoffs: Missed the playoffs

Eventual Stanley Cup Winners – the Anaheim Ducks
Preseason: Eighth in the West with a 3-2-3 record
Regular season: Second in the West with a 48-20-14 record

2007-2008
Preseason: Fourth in East with a 4-3-1 record, 21 GF, 24 GA
Season: First in East with a 47-25-10, 104 points, 262 GF, 222 GA
Playoffs: Eliminated in five games by the Philadelphia Flyers, in the second round

Eventual Stanley Cup Winners – the Detroit Red Wings
Preseason: Second in the West with a 6-3-0 record
Regular season: First in the West with a 54-21-7 record

2008-2009
Preseason: First in East with a 6-3-0 record, 23 GF, 22 GA
Season: Eighth in East with a 41-30-11, 93 points, 249 GF, 247 GA
Playoffs: Swept in four straight games by the Boston Bruins in the first round

Eventual Stanley Cup Winners – the Pittsburgh Penguins
Preseason: Fourth in the East with a 4-0-1 record
Regular season: Fourth in the East with a 45-28-9 record

2009-2010
Preseason: Seventh in East (Toronto finished 1st and missed the playoffs!) with a 4-2-1 record, 15 GF, 18 GA
Season: Eighth in East with a 39-33-10, 88 points, 217 GF, 221 GA
Playoffs: Eliminated in five games by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round

Eventual Stanley Cup Winners – the Chicago Blackhawks
Preseason: Fifteenth in the West with a 2-3-1 record
Regular season: Second in the West with a 55-22-8

2010-2011
Preseason: Eighth in East with a 4-3-0, 28 GF, 24, GA
Season: Sixth in East with a 44-30-8, 96 points, 216 GF, 209 GA
Playoffs: Eliminated by the Boston Bruins in Game seven of the first round

Eventual Stanley Cup Winners – the Boston Bruins
Preseason: Sixth in the East with a 4-3-1-0 record
Regular season: First in the East with a 46-22-8-6

---
Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com and Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 9 - 10 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/

Follow Kamal on Facebook and Twitter

(Photo by Getty Images North America)

Read More

Jagr and the Habs, Desharnais, Auld, Boston parade, Caps, Flyers, Rumours and more...

NHL News

RDS - Le premier choix de Jagr serait le CH
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321448.html

D. Desharnais ne se voit pas ailleurs
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321460.html

Cowhide and Rubber - No to Jagr, version 2.0
http://www.cowhideandrubber.com/no-to-jagr-version-2-0

Habsworld.net - Free Agency Assessment: Alex Auld
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2508

TSN - STANLEY CUP CHAMPION BRUINS ROLL THROUGH STREETS OF BOSTON
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369324

OFF-SEASON GAME PLAN: WASHINGTON CAPITALS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369397

REPORT: RAMSAY MEETING COULD COME THIS WEEKEND
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369304

CANUCKS INSIST 'TRUE FANS' NOT TO BLAME FOR STANLEY CUP RIOT
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369247

OFF-SEASON GAME PLAN: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369256

THN.com - VIDEO: One-on-one with Swedish defenseman, NHL prospect Rasmus Bengtsson
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40912-VIDEO-Oneonone-with-Swedish-defenseman-NHL-prospect-Rasmus-Bengtsson.html

Spector's Hockey - Father’s Day NHL Rumor Roundup – June 19, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5906

NHL Free Agent News & Rumors – June 19, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5900

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Jagr to Habs, Gauthier, NHL Draft, Flyers, Bryzgalov, Hamhuis, Oleksiak and more

NHL News

Hockey Inside/Out - Happy parade, Boston
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/happy-parade-boston

Jagr interested in joining Habs?
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/jagr-interested-in-joining-habs

RDS - CH : les dossiers de Pierre Gauthier
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321412.html

Marc Denis, analyste aux matchs du CH
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321398.html

TSN - POTENTIAL RFA WEBER IN CONTRACT TALKS WITH PREDATORS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369291

CANUCKS' HAMHUIS WILL NEED SURGERY; EHRHOFF AVOIDS KNIFE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369245

FRASER: IT'S THE FINAL CALL FOR THIS HOCKEY SEASON!
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369227

PROSPECT OLEKSIAK MUST DECIDE - U.S. OR CANADA
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369217

STARS PROMOTE MINOR-LEAGUER GULUTZAN TO HEAD COACH
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369215

DEVILS FILE FOR TEAM-ELECTED ARBITRATION WITH PARISE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369261

FLAMES HIRE FORMER NHL PLAYER MALARCHUK TO COACH GOALIES
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369230

GILLIS SAYS CANUCKS NEED ONLY MINOR IMPROVEMENTS TO WIN CUP
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369242

FLYERS BEGIN TALKS BRYZGALOV AFTER ACQUIRING GOALIE'S RIGHTS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369243

THN.com - Kennedy: Who I would pick at the NHL draft
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40905-Kennedy-Who-I-would-pick-at-the-NHL-draft.html

VIDEO: One-on-one with Swedish center, NHL prospect Victor Rask
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40902-VIDEO-Oneonone-with-Swedish-center-NHL-prospect-Victor-Rask.html

Latest on the Canucks & Bruins – June 17, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5872

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Bruins win the Cup, Luongo, Markov, Thomas MVP, Jackets, Hawks and more...

NHL News

Hockey Inside/Out - Bummer … on many levels
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/bummer-on-many-levels

B.C.’s team
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/boone/can-we-hope-for-a-classy-game-7

RDS - Les négos avec Markov se poursuivent
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321306.html

B. Trotter de retour avec le Canadien?
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321281.html

TSN - THOMAS WINS CONN SMYTHE TROPHY AFTER TWO FINALS SHUTOUTS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369084

CANUCKS SHOULD NOT LOOK BACK ON SEASON AS A DISAPOINTMENT
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369098

LUONGO, SEDINS WILL SHOULDER MOST OF THE BLAME FOR CANUCKS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369104

ANGRY CANUCKS FANS RIOT IN VANCOUVER AFTER STANLEY CUP LOSS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369101

DREGER: MACTAVISH EXPECTED TO MEET WINNIPEG GM CHEVELDAYOFF
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369037

BLUE JACKETS GM TRYING TO RE-SIGN HEJDA, TALKING TRADES
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369050

BLACKHAWKS EXTEND BOWMAN'S CONTRACT, PROMOTE BERGEVIN
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369052

OILERS HAVE TWO-WEEK WINDOW TO BUY OUT BLUELINER SOURAY
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368983

BLUES SIGN SOBOTKA TO US$3.9 MILLION, THREE-YEAR DEAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369021

OFF-SEASON GAME PLAN: NASHVILLE PREDATORS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369007

THN.com - THN at the Stanley Cup: Bruins built for prolonged success
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40866-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Bruins-built-for-prolonged-success.html

THN at the Stanley Cup: Can Roberto Luongo continue as a Canuck?
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40849-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Can-Roberto-Luongo-continue-as-a-Canuck.html

Spector's Hockey - Updates on Hemsky, Jagr and Ehrhoff – June 16, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5841

Updates on the Canadiens, Predators, Avalanche & Panthers – June 16, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5838

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

Read More

SCF GM 7, Raymond fallout, Canucks, Bruins, Leafs, Rumours and more...

NHL News

Hockey Inside/Out - The end is near
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/the-end-is-near

Woeful and unworthy of a champion
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/woeful-and-unworthy-of-a-champion

On to Game 7
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/boone/last-game-at-the-gahden

TSN - KESLER, TORRES LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING ON HISTORIC STAGE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368939

BRUINS' THOMAS EMBRACING THE MOMENT OF STANLEY CUP GAME 7
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368949

SENATORS NAME MACLEAN NEW HEAD COACH
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368780

FRASER: MY TAKE ON JOHNNY BOYCHUK'S HIT ON MASON RAYMOND
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368912

CANUCKS' RAYMOND OUT THREE-TO-FOUR MONTHS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368842

SCHENN WEIGHS IN ON STANLEY CUP FINALE, GIVES EDGE TO BRUINS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368905

MAPLE LEAFS RE-SIGN GUNNARSSON TO TWO-YEAR CONTRACT
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368882

ESPN.com - Stanley Cup finals, Game 7, let's predict!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2011/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=6662947

THN.com - VIDEO: THN Puck Panel - Stanley Cup final Game 7 preview
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40818-VIDEO-THN-Puck-Panel-Stanley-Cup-final-Game-7-preview.html

Boylen: Player suspensions only apply to the worst acts
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40820-Boylen-Player-suspensions-only-apply-to-the-worst-acts.html

THN at the Stanley Cup: Will Mason Raymond injury galvanize Canucks in Game 7?
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40830-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Will-Mason-Raymond-injury-galvanize-Canucks-in-Game-7.html

VIDEO: One-on-one with Finnish left winger, NHL draft prospect Miikka Salomaki
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40813-VIDEO-Oneonone-with-Finnish-left-winger-NHL-draft-prospect-Miikka-Salomaki.html

Spector's Hockey - NHL Trade Rumors – June 14, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5818

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images North America)

Read More

SCF GM 6, Thomas, Luongo, Habs, Sunday Shinny, Rumours and more...

NHL News

HabsAddict.com - New Sunday Shinny podcast - June 12, 2011
http://pc.habsaddict.com/2011/06/franchise-weekend-morning-shows-sunday_13.html

Hockey Inside/Out - Will the Canucks nail it down?
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/will-the-canucks-nail-it-down

CANUCKS' ROME STILL SMARTING ABOUT MISSING STANLEY CUP
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368691

CANUCKS WITHIN REACH OF STANLEY CUP WITH WIN OVER BRUINS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368511

FRASER: THE ONE REGRET IN ADDRESSING A PLAYER'S WHINING
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368750

FANS JAM AIRPORT TO SEND OFF BOSTON-BOUND CANUCKS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368594

ESPN.com - Canucks' Bieksa steps up as leader
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2011/columns/story?columnist=lebrun_pierre&id=6654358

Cup finals: Kesler rests, Canucks face heat
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/9235/cup-finals-kesler-rests-canucks-face-heat

THN.com - THN at the Stanley Cup: Thin wallets, big mouths, tiny vacations and immaculate homes
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40775-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Thin-wallets-big-mouths-tiny-vacations-and-immaculate-homes.html

Spector's Hockey - Latest on the Flyers, Penguins and Blue Jackets
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5802

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Read More

The Franchise Weekend Morning Show's Sunday Shinny - June 12, 2011

In this episode of the Sunday Shinny Gary Whittaker, Nick Murdocco, Kamal Panesar and Amanda Stein discuss the following:

The Stanley Cup finals:
-Was this the series you were expecting?
-In the end what does this series come down to? Goaltending? Sedins?, Bruins Forwards stepping it up?

The Aaron Rome Suspension
-Too much? Not enough? Or just right?
-Why did they look at injury to Horton, but not for other similar infractions?
-Is there a hypocrisy in Bruins thinking? Horton was tweeting and visiting team in same time span as Max Pac...
-Is this the step towards the bigger picture re headshots, regardless?

Habs sign Darche and AK46.. done already...
-Who do the Habs need to confirm next? (Markov, Gorges, Max Pac, DD, White?
-Do they surprise everyone and go off the charts with another UFA at forward?
-If they stand pat with relatively same squad as last year: better worse or same result?

Click play below to listen in (listing time 48:58):

Read More

Luongo on Thomas, Bruins/Canucks, Heritage Classic, Trotter/Habs, Rumours and more

NHL News

Hockey Inside/Out - Grand Prix day in Montreal
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/grand-prix-day-in-montreal

TSN - FRASER: HOPING THAT THE EMBELLISHMENT STOPS IN CUP FINAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368656

JULIEN SAYS LUONGO'S COMMENTS WON'T MATTER TO THOMAS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368622

REPORT: HERITAGE CLASSIC CANCELLED FOR 2011-12 SEASON
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368620

CANUCKS SETTING RECORDS ON WAY TO TAKING LEAD IN CUP FINAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368605

CANUCKS WITHIN REACH OF STANLEY CUP WITH WIN OVER BRUINS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368511

MCKENZIE: SHIFTING SCENES THE PERFECT REMEDY FOR CANUCKS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368552

EPSN.com - Luongo has even more to say about Thomas
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/9202/luongo-has-even-more-to-say-about-thomas

Faceoff: Stanley Cup finals memories
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/9207/faceoff-stanley-cup-finals-memories

THN.com - THN at the Stanley Cup: Head games aplenty, but to what effect?
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40764-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Head-games-aplenty-but-to-what-effect.html

Tom Thompson: The reality behind the Winnipeg-NHL relationship
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40720-Tom-Thompson-The-reality-behind-the-WinnipegNHL-relationship.html

Backchecking: Dave Dryden
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40739-Backchecking-Dave-Dryden.html

Spector's Hockey - Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 12, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5797

(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Canucks win, Bruins, Luongo, Habs sign Darche, Pens, Rumours and more...

NHL News

Hockey Inside/Out - The best twins in the playoffs?
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/the-best-twins-in-the-playoffs

One W away
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/boone/looooooooooo

New Rule 48 could be just as confusing
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/new-rule-48-could-be-just-as-confusing

RDS - Darche : le gazon le plus vert est à MTL
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321039.html

TSN - CULLEN: LUONGO BOUNCES BACK, BLANKS BRUINS
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/scott_cullen/?id=368547

FRASER: THE KEY TO CONTAINING SCRUMS AFTER THE WHISTLE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368508

UNLIKE BRUINS, CANUCKS SAY NO TO UNSUNG HERO AWARD
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368499

MAPLE LEAFS SIGN GOALTENDER REIMER TO THREE-YEAR CONTRACT
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368360

CANADIENS SIGN DARCHE TO ONE-YEAR, $700,000 DEAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368452

PENGUINS RE-SIGN ADAMS TO TWO-YEAR DEAL WORTH $1.35M
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368426

AHL APPROVES MOVE OF MANITOBA MOOSE TO ST. JOHN'S, NL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368454

MCKENZIE: SHIFTING SCENES THE PERFECT REMEDY FOR CANUCKS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368552

THN at the Stanley Cup: Luongo comes up large for lucky Canucks
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40757-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Luongo-comes-up-large-for-lucky-Canucks.html

Spector's Hockey - NHL Free Agent Rumors & News – June 11, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5790

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Rome gets 4, Bruins/Canucks Gm 4, Habs dev camp, Leblanc, Rumours and more

Habs News

Hockey Inside/Out - Audio from development camp
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/audio-from-development-camp

RDS - Jacques Martin heureux du retour de Gill
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/320903.html

La guérison de Louis Leblanc va bien
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/320855.html

TSN - OFF-SEASON GAME PLAN: MONTREAL CANADIENS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368169


NHL News
Hockey Inside/Out - Teeing up Game 4
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/midweek-musings-2

TSN - STARS' BARCH BLASTS LAPIERRE, TAUNTING IN STANLEY CUP FINAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368189

MCKENZIE: NHL BREAKS NEW GROUND WITH ROME SUSPENSION
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368230

FRASER: THE LOWDOWN ON THE THOMAS HIT ON HENRIK SEDIN
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368195

THN at the Stanley Cup: Will Aaron Rome suspension be a new bar for the NHL?
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40688-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Will-Aaron-Rome-suspension-be-a-new-bar-for-the-NHL.html

VIDEO: THN Puck Panel - Animosity reaches new high in Stanley Cup final
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40686-VIDEO-THN-Puck-Panel-Animosity-reaches-new-high-in-Stanley-Cup-final.html

Spector's Hockey - NHL Rumors – June 8, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5737

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Bruins win, Horton out, Rome, Flames hire Hartsburg, Habs dev camp and more

NHL News

Hockey Inside/Out - In other news...
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/in-other-news

We have a series … and Canada’s Team is in trouble
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/boone/your-basic-must-win-game

RDS - La guérison de Louis Leblanc va bien
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/320855.html

TSN - CULLEN: BRUINS EXPLODE OFFENSIVELY, BLOW OUT CANUCKS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368114

BRUINS COACH JULIEN CRITICIZES CANUCKS FORWARD LAPIERRE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368050

TOP NHL PROSPECT LANDESKOG MEETS SEDIN TWINS AT CUP FINAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368077

FRASER: LACK OF NAMES ON REF JERSEYS STRIPS INDIVIDUALITY
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368089

SENATORS WORK OUT PROSPECTS AS 2011 NHL ENTRY DRAFT NEARS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368060

TRIO OF CANADIENS PROSPECTS EAGER TO GET TO TRAINING CAMP
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368068

FLAMES HIRE COACHING VETERAN HARTSBURG AS ASSOCIATE COACH
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368051

MCKENZIE: NO QUESTION THAT ROME SUSPENSION COMING
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368117

THN at the Stanley Cup: Rome hit on Horton worthy of suspension; Canucks effort shameful
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40670-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Rome-hit-on-Horton-worthy-of-suspension-Canucks-effort-shameful.html

Justin Bourne: What's wrong with Zdeno Chara?
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40660-Justin-Bourne-Whats-wrong-with-Zdeno-Chara.html

Spector's Hockey - NHL Trade & Free Agent Rumors – June 6, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5719

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Stanley Cup Final Notes and A New Sunday Shinny Podcast

by Kamal Panesar

I've just got to start by saying wow, is hockey an awesome game or what?

What incredible hockey we have been, and continue to be, treated to so far in these 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

If you haven't been watching the Stanley Cup finals, it has so far been a tremendously hard-fought two games with no quarter asked or given.

So far, it looks like the Canucks have the Bruins exactly where they want them.

But if there's one thing we've learned about Boston this offseason it's that they never give up. Ever. The Bruins are the most tenacious team in this year's playoffs and, as such, I don't expect them to roll over for the Canucks any time soon.

To steal a line from Teddy KGB, this team's got alligator blood. They keep hanging around and hanging around.

As such, I expect their strongest effort of the playoffs tonight as the series shifts to the TD Garden in Boston.


The Burrows Effect

Alex Burrows is a player that knows how to drive the opposition crazy. Not only by his lip-flapping after the whistle, but by his tremendously gritty on-ice play and timely goals.

So far in this series, Burrows continues to be the yin to the Sedins' yang as he does the dirty work, creating time and space for the talented twins. In addition, Burrows continues to agitate the opposition.

During Game 1, Burrows was accused of biting Patrice Bergeron's finger while in a scrum and, looking at the replay, he looks pretty guilty. That being said, Burrows got a good talking to by his father after Game 2.

His dad told him that he didn't like that Burrows was getting attention for foolish things like finger biting. He went on to tell Alex that he should get attention by scoring goals and not by performing foolish antics.

Well, it looks like Alex listened to his father because he scored a huge game winning goal in Game 2. 11 seconds into overtime, to be specific, sealing the victory and a 2-0 series lead for Vancouver.

And if that wasn't enough, Burrows, speaking to the media after the game, explained that the Canucks did some advanced scouting on Boston goalie Tim Thomas. He went on to say that Thomas tends to be overly aggressive and that he took advantage of that on the goal.

Since then, that seems to be the only thing anyone is asking the Bruins about, as the soon-to-be two-time Vezina winner's play is suddenly called into question. Boston, from their coach on down to Thomas himself, are pooh-poohing any notion their goalie needs to change anything, and I tend to agree.

That being said, the question is not whether Thomas should change anytime, but rather if Burrows' comments will affect Boston, and more specifically, Thomas. Thomas was noticeably agitated by questions about his play during interviews yesterday.

So does that mean that the next time a Canucks player comes down the wing Thomas will think twice about challenging the shooter and in doing so, get away from playing his game?

It remains to be seen, but you've got to love the playoff psychological games that are being played by Burrows.

Masterful.

While I fully believe that Vancouver will win this series and originally picked them in six games, the Bruins will not lose both games in Boston. They have too much pride, grit and determination to get swept. That being said, I think they'll lose one, however, and that the Canucks will wrap this up in five at home in Vancouver.

We'll see, starting tonight, if I'm right.


New Sunday Shinny Podcast - June 5, 2011

In this episode Gary Whittaker, Nick Murdocco and Kamal Panesar welcome Steve Hindle from HockeyBuzz.com to the panel.

Topics include:
-reflections and recap of the Stanley Cup Finals thus far implications for game 3 in Boston
-Winnipeg gets an NHL franchise... again...will it work this time? (see Atlanta, Minnesota etc...)
-Colin Campbell steps down...thoughts
-Shanny to take over functions...thoughts
-expecting drastic changes or same old same old?
-Habs signed Hal Gill: good or bad signing?
-Dallas will not make an offer to Brad Richards, should Habs follow suit with AK46?

Click play below to listen in (listing time 47:06):


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Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and Habs writer on TheFranchise.ca. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 8 - 9 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/

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