How many Hutson passes ended up on unsuspecting sticks this year? Guys were wide open about 60 feet away from the play, in a seemingly empty area of ice. And Lane would wire a pass through traffic to find them. He and Demidov are going to think the game in new ways, and it will be special.
May 1, 2025 at 2:53 AM
How many Hutson passes ended up on unsuspecting sticks this year? Guys were wide open about 60 feet away from the play, in a seemingly empty area of ice. And Lane would wire a pass through traffic to find them. He and Demidov are going to think the game in new ways, and it will be special.
The Panthers look scary. Can get goals from anywhere in the line-up. Will beat you however you want to play. And looking like a freakin' demon at the far end of the ice is Bobrovsky, waiting to crush your dreams.
May 1, 2025 at 2:47 AM
The Panthers look scary. Can get goals from anywhere in the line-up. Will beat you however you want to play. And looking like a freakin' demon at the far end of the ice is Bobrovsky, waiting to crush your dreams.
If projections are correct, Fowler is the starter in Montreal in 26-27 when the big club actually arrives. You give him the crease with Laval to start and see what he does. You can fall back on Dobes if need be. Primeau is superfluous to needs and will be the back-up.
May 1, 2025 at 2:43 AM
If projections are correct, Fowler is the starter in Montreal in 26-27 when the big club actually arrives. You give him the crease with Laval to start and see what he does. You can fall back on Dobes if need be. Primeau is superfluous to needs and will be the back-up.
Come on. Really!?! What possible reason would the league have to bias against one of the two most profitable franchises they have, driving all of that revenue which is suddenly coming their way? Sorry, but you cannot be more wrong.
April 30, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Come on. Really!?! What possible reason would the league have to bias against one of the two most profitable franchises they have, driving all of that revenue which is suddenly coming their way? Sorry, but you cannot be more wrong.
In other news, the ghosts of every single coach who has ever stood behind a bench since about 1897 were "not happy with the current officiating in the playoffs."
How many fedoras were crushed underfoot after a phantom interference call!?!
How many fedoras were crushed underfoot after a phantom interference call!?!
April 28, 2025 at 3:39 AM
In other news, the ghosts of every single coach who has ever stood behind a bench since about 1897 were "not happy with the current officiating in the playoffs."
How many fedoras were crushed underfoot after a phantom interference call!?!
How many fedoras were crushed underfoot after a phantom interference call!?!
Brian, I respect your opinion, and I love your writing. But I cannot disagree with you more. A few days ago it was a lack of calls. Tonight it was the "wrong ones".
Officiating confounded both teams through 2 periods tonight.
But the Caps found a way and prevailed. By showing their skill.
Officiating confounded both teams through 2 periods tonight.
But the Caps found a way and prevailed. By showing their skill.
April 28, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Brian, I respect your opinion, and I love your writing. But I cannot disagree with you more. A few days ago it was a lack of calls. Tonight it was the "wrong ones".
Officiating confounded both teams through 2 periods tonight.
But the Caps found a way and prevailed. By showing their skill.
Officiating confounded both teams through 2 periods tonight.
But the Caps found a way and prevailed. By showing their skill.
Including the coach.
The real test will come next year when there'll be speed bumps. Will the crowds stay patient? Supposedly, Montreal has the most knowledgeable fanbase in the league. I often question that anymore reading the things I do online.
The real test will come next year when there'll be speed bumps. Will the crowds stay patient? Supposedly, Montreal has the most knowledgeable fanbase in the league. I often question that anymore reading the things I do online.
April 28, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Including the coach.
The real test will come next year when there'll be speed bumps. Will the crowds stay patient? Supposedly, Montreal has the most knowledgeable fanbase in the league. I often question that anymore reading the things I do online.
The real test will come next year when there'll be speed bumps. Will the crowds stay patient? Supposedly, Montreal has the most knowledgeable fanbase in the league. I often question that anymore reading the things I do online.
They should still be eyeing 26-27 as the year to make the big step. If the fan base goes over the top next season and panics, it all can fall apart so easily.
There were times this year when the clamoring chorus of the crowd were ready to run certain folks out of town for a couple of bad games.
There were times this year when the clamoring chorus of the crowd were ready to run certain folks out of town for a couple of bad games.
April 28, 2025 at 3:17 AM
They should still be eyeing 26-27 as the year to make the big step. If the fan base goes over the top next season and panics, it all can fall apart so easily.
There were times this year when the clamoring chorus of the crowd were ready to run certain folks out of town for a couple of bad games.
There were times this year when the clamoring chorus of the crowd were ready to run certain folks out of town for a couple of bad games.
While I agree, in principle, that is also the trap to which rebuilding teams succumb, far too often. There is no guarantee all of the chips fall so perfectly. There can be sophomore slumps and injuries. The key thing now is for the club to stay the course and not go swinging for the fences.
April 28, 2025 at 3:11 AM
While I agree, in principle, that is also the trap to which rebuilding teams succumb, far too often. There is no guarantee all of the chips fall so perfectly. There can be sophomore slumps and injuries. The key thing now is for the club to stay the course and not go swinging for the fences.
1000% Both teams are playing a bit confused right now. The standard from the first 3 games has clearly changed.
April 27, 2025 at 11:28 PM
1000% Both teams are playing a bit confused right now. The standard from the first 3 games has clearly changed.
I try to not ever complain about officiating. In fact, in the first 3 games, I was fine with everything being let go. But that inconsistency is a huge problem for both teams tonight. You can see the players on both sides not sure how to handle it.
April 27, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I try to not ever complain about officiating. In fact, in the first 3 games, I was fine with everything being let go. But that inconsistency is a huge problem for both teams tonight. You can see the players on both sides not sure how to handle it.
My grandmother used to make "Prune Cake". But here is the catch, there were no prunes anywhere in the zip code of the cake.
It was this monstrosity which had a coconut frosting. Every slice weighed about 3lbs. It was so dense. If you looked at it wrong you got diabetes.
But it was perfection.
It was this monstrosity which had a coconut frosting. Every slice weighed about 3lbs. It was so dense. If you looked at it wrong you got diabetes.
But it was perfection.
April 24, 2025 at 3:32 AM
My grandmother used to make "Prune Cake". But here is the catch, there were no prunes anywhere in the zip code of the cake.
It was this monstrosity which had a coconut frosting. Every slice weighed about 3lbs. It was so dense. If you looked at it wrong you got diabetes.
But it was perfection.
It was this monstrosity which had a coconut frosting. Every slice weighed about 3lbs. It was so dense. If you looked at it wrong you got diabetes.
But it was perfection.
An 8-seed; the youngest team in the playoffs, that made it in the last game of the season; going up against the second best in the NHL (who are huge and heavy).
And the Habs have had them humbled on their heels for long stretches. These kids are on the verge of something special!
And the Habs have had them humbled on their heels for long stretches. These kids are on the verge of something special!
April 24, 2025 at 3:23 AM
An 8-seed; the youngest team in the playoffs, that made it in the last game of the season; going up against the second best in the NHL (who are huge and heavy).
And the Habs have had them humbled on their heels for long stretches. These kids are on the verge of something special!
And the Habs have had them humbled on their heels for long stretches. These kids are on the verge of something special!
While I completely disagree with all of the comments about officiating, Brian hit it out of the park talking about this experience for the young core of the Habs.
Watching Hutson, Slaf, and even Demidov starting to adapt to the pace and intensity is invaluable for the future.
Watching Hutson, Slaf, and even Demidov starting to adapt to the pace and intensity is invaluable for the future.
April 24, 2025 at 3:13 AM
While I completely disagree with all of the comments about officiating, Brian hit it out of the park talking about this experience for the young core of the Habs.
Watching Hutson, Slaf, and even Demidov starting to adapt to the pace and intensity is invaluable for the future.
Watching Hutson, Slaf, and even Demidov starting to adapt to the pace and intensity is invaluable for the future.
Except that every fan base, since the beginning of hockey, has always felt the officials are out to get their team. I have no doubt you could go back to the archives and find articles saying the Portland Rosebuds were robbed by the ref.
It is a lazy take. And makes no sense.
It is a lazy take. And makes no sense.
April 23, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Except that every fan base, since the beginning of hockey, has always felt the officials are out to get their team. I have no doubt you could go back to the archives and find articles saying the Portland Rosebuds were robbed by the ref.
It is a lazy take. And makes no sense.
It is a lazy take. And makes no sense.
Ummmm...is that not exactly what happened? String along all of your cliche one-liners, it is just silly.
April 23, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Ummmm...is that not exactly what happened? String along all of your cliche one-liners, it is just silly.
That is why you don't stand still and wait for the puck. You move your feet, initiate contact, and go shoulder to shoulder along the boards. If you were tough enough of a player to deliver the crosscheck, you'd also expect a winger who went to war on the boards on a clearing pass to negate an icing
April 23, 2025 at 3:15 AM
That is why you don't stand still and wait for the puck. You move your feet, initiate contact, and go shoulder to shoulder along the boards. If you were tough enough of a player to deliver the crosscheck, you'd also expect a winger who went to war on the boards on a clearing pass to negate an icing
Why? What possible reason would the league have to suddenly conspire against one of their most profitable franchises? I just don't get it?!? You are grasping at straws.
April 22, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Why? What possible reason would the league have to suddenly conspire against one of their most profitable franchises? I just don't get it?!? You are grasping at straws.
I'm sorry, but I disagree.
That has always been what makes the NHL playoffs something sublime. It is a two-month long war of attrition.
The same as it was in 1976 when the Habs stood up to the Broad Street Bullies.
Hockey in April has absolutely NOTHING to do with the games played in March.
That has always been what makes the NHL playoffs something sublime. It is a two-month long war of attrition.
The same as it was in 1976 when the Habs stood up to the Broad Street Bullies.
Hockey in April has absolutely NOTHING to do with the games played in March.
April 22, 2025 at 4:18 AM
I'm sorry, but I disagree.
That has always been what makes the NHL playoffs something sublime. It is a two-month long war of attrition.
The same as it was in 1976 when the Habs stood up to the Broad Street Bullies.
Hockey in April has absolutely NOTHING to do with the games played in March.
That has always been what makes the NHL playoffs something sublime. It is a two-month long war of attrition.
The same as it was in 1976 when the Habs stood up to the Broad Street Bullies.
Hockey in April has absolutely NOTHING to do with the games played in March.
He chose to crumple when he felt a stick on his back.
April 22, 2025 at 3:57 AM
He chose to crumple when he felt a stick on his back.
Shame on him, then, for not taking a glance over his shoulder before the pass got shot that way. For 63 minutes, every single player that tried to touch a puck immediately got hit.
He is 6'4". All he has to do there is turn and jam his stick to the board. He played it soft and lazy.
He is 6'4". All he has to do there is turn and jam his stick to the board. He played it soft and lazy.
April 22, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Shame on him, then, for not taking a glance over his shoulder before the pass got shot that way. For 63 minutes, every single player that tried to touch a puck immediately got hit.
He is 6'4". All he has to do there is turn and jam his stick to the board. He played it soft and lazy.
He is 6'4". All he has to do there is turn and jam his stick to the board. He played it soft and lazy.
Perhaps, as the most educated fans around, some of you can stop acting like there is a conspiracy. Or that the refs were to blame. Or that Player X and Player Y need to be shamed.
The core of this team is 25 yrs old or less. And they have battled since December to be here. Lets appreciate it!
The core of this team is 25 yrs old or less. And they have battled since December to be here. Lets appreciate it!
April 22, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Perhaps, as the most educated fans around, some of you can stop acting like there is a conspiracy. Or that the refs were to blame. Or that Player X and Player Y need to be shamed.
The core of this team is 25 yrs old or less. And they have battled since December to be here. Lets appreciate it!
The core of this team is 25 yrs old or less. And they have battled since December to be here. Lets appreciate it!