Montreal Canadiens

The Habs Meet Their Toughest Opponents

May 17, 2010

The Philadelphia Flyers are going to be the toughest opponents that the Montreal Canadiens have faced thus far in this year’s playoffs. That’s not only because Peter Laviolette’s 2010 squad is somewhat reminiscent of the old school Broad Street Bullies, but because they are a team that wins by out-working their opponents and doesn’t rely on raw talents like Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom or Crosby and Malkin. It would only seem logical that if the Habs can eliminate two of the best teams in the league, as well as the NHL’s top-two superstars, that they should be destined to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals and possibly win hockey’s greatest prize. But right now they are faci...

Habs - Flyers Game 1: Destinies Collide

May 16, 2010

George Prax

1 Comment

Yeah, Yeah. By now, we've all heard of what the Philadelphia Flyers have accomplished. Coming back from a 3-0 series deficit, only the third team in history to accomplish such a feat. Moreover, coming back from a 3-0 deficit in game 7 to win by the score of 4-3. Kind of poetic, isn't it? Leave it to the Flyers to overshadow the triumphs of the Montreal Canadiens in these playoffs. For those who forgot, the Canadiens defeated the Washington Capitals in the first round, in the biggest upset in NHL history. If being an 8th seed defeating the #1 overall team in the league, the Canadiens did it with the least amount of points in the history of any 8th seed in the current playoff format....

A Team to be Proud Of

May 14, 2010

George Prax

4 Comments

You might be wondering why it took me nearly two days to roll out a blog on the Montreal Canadiens game 7 victory. Simply put, I had no words to describe what myself, and nearly every Montreal Canadiens fan, especially the ones in this city, were feeling on Wednesday night. And really, there ARE NO WORDS to describe it. Even now. We can try to convey the emotions as best we can, we can review the games, specific goals and plays, what many consider turning points in the game, in the series, hell, in the season, for the Montreal Canadiens. But the truth is, this team, and it's connection to THIS CITY, supersedes any analysis I could make right now. I haven't traveled out of Montreal ...

Montreal This Year's Cinderella Team?

May 12, 2010

Rob McGowan

4 Comments

What defines a Cinderella team when it comes to the NHL playoffs? I would have to say that the team finished the regular season in either 6th, 7th or 8th place and managed to come on top with multiple upset victories in the playoffs, pushing the franchise to the Stanley Cup Finals. In recent years, fans have seen the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers wear this title with pride. The Philadelphia Flyers came pretty close one year too, but lost in the Conference Finals in 2008. Now it appears the Montreal Canadiens are more than determined to be the Cinderella team of 2010. So far the Habs have taken out Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals after bei...

Pens - Habs Game 7: The Biggest Game Since 1993

May 12, 2010

George Prax

0 Comments

Join us LIVE tonight for yet another game 7 LIVE BLOG! Steven Hindle, Kamal Panesar, and a bunch of panelists! Just open this thread back up at 6:30PM EST for all the pre-game coverage! TCL Presents: Pens - Habs Game 7 *LIVE BLOG* ----------------------------------- Not too long ago, the Montreal Canadiens were standing in the very position they find themselves heading into tonight's game. Game 7 in Washington, after a long, hard fought, come from behind series to tie things up. While many Habs fans were optimistic, the expectations were low. The Canadiens had proved that they CAN beat the best teams, that the CAN take teams like the Capitals to the edge of elimination and t...

Pens - Habs Game 6 Notes + Live Blog Details

May 10, 2010

George Prax

Comments

After a short break (at least for me) from live blogging this past week, the crew has been re-assembled for another outing tonight right here on TCL! Join myself, Steven Hindle from Hockeybuzz and Kamal Panesar from Habs Addict as we welcome a host of panelists and readers to cover tonight's game between the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre! Just set your reminders in the box below, and make sure to be here starting at 6:30PM for all the pre-game coverage! The puck will drop just past 7, and we'll be with you every step of the way! TCL Presents: Pens - Habs Game 6 *Live Blog*! --------------------- PRE-GAME NOTES For a detailed recap of all the...

Habs Injury Updates: Markov, Gill, Mara, Spacek

May 9, 2010

George Prax

0 Comments

The Montreal Canadiens flew into Pittsburgh on Friday looking to hammer the proverbial nail into the Pittsburgh Penguins coffin. With the series tied at two wins on each side, the Canadiens had momentum on their side coming off a win and a big confidence booster at the Bell Centre on Thursday night. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, the Penguins depth, skill and experience was simply too much for them, as they Pens took last night's game by a score of 2-1, to take a 3-2 series lead and take an opportunity to clinch an Eastern Conference Final berth at the Bell Centre tomorrow night. The Canadiens, of course, have nothing to be ashamed of, they've held the Penguins to two goals or le...

Pens - Habs Game 5 Preview: Markov, referees, more!

May 8, 2010

George Prax

1 Comment

Something eerie is a brewin' in Habs Land today. While the team is in Pittsburgh, mere hours away from game 5 against the Penguins, a game which will give the wining team a 3-2 series lead, Pandora's box has been opened in Montreal when it comes to the status of defenseman Andrei Markov. Are reported yesterday right here on TCL, the injured defenseman made the trip to Pittsburgh with the rest of the team. Among the speculation as to why Markov would fly down if he was injured was that he was just there to cheer the team on (as was Paul Mara) and that his injury was not as bad as originally thought, and he might actually be able to suit up for the Canadiens tonight. Dave Stubbs f...

Breaking News: Markov to play?

May 7, 2010

George Prax

4 Comments

In a developing story, Conor McKenna of the team 990 (later posted on Habs Inside/Out and RDS) has reported that Habs defenseman Andrei Markov has made the flight to Pittsburgh along with his teammates. RDS has confirmed the story, but added that he will not play tomorrow. Nevertheless, McKenna has hinted that since Markov has not had surgery yet, there is a possibility that he could return to action before the Canadiens' playoff run is done, just like, ironically, Sergei Gonchar in last year's playoff run for the Pens. An ACL injury like the one Markov has could be devastating for a player, but most injuries can be played with before the player goes in for surgery. If Markov i...

Pens - Habs Episode 4: The Search for Consistency - PLUS Live Blog Details!

May 6, 2010

George Prax

Comments

----------------------- LIVE BLOG TONIGHT! Yes, we'll be back for another live blog today, as the Canadiens as well as our record when we do these things look to get back on track! Set your reminders below and join us at 6:30PM for all the pre-game fun! TCL Presents: Pens - Habs Game 4 LIVE BLOG! ---------------------- IT'S NOT ALL BAD The Montreal Canadiens will attempt to tie things up tonight at the Bell Centre, as they gear up to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals! I know things aren't looking so great for the Canadiens in this series, but how many people thought they'd be saying that a few months ago? A few weeks ago? ...