I have been in the camp that Chara has been hurt as well, but I also think with his size and age, he just can't bring the same game he has been known for. He has never been a great skater, but when he can't also bring on the same physical energy in hits, irritating goalies, and loosing those point shots, you just won't have the same effect from having him on the back end. Over the past season (and then some) he has looked quite gaunt and tired, and the Bruins missed him this round for sure. Rangers will probably be a much different challenge for Montreal. Another battle of strong goalies, but they can match our speed and certainly have offensive skill and depth. Sad to see the rivalry with Boston end, but you can't ask more than a seven game stretch.
Woah Dan Bylsma and Ray Shero just got axed in Pittsburgh. Bylsma wasn't a shock, but Shero too? I think the Pens need a solid stay at home defenceman and a solid goalie, well an a new coach that doesn't pamper superstars. EDIT wait: apparently Bylsma is keeping his job for now (mistake IMO): http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/10941 ... -ray-shero Oh an yeah it turns out Chara needs surgery on an open finger fracture he got in game 4: http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bru ... s_sur.html ouch, that had to hurt! Also; and Canadiens fans this hurts for me to even say: As much as I hate the Habs and Subban's on ice antics, I watched a few post game interviews and he is a very classy guy off ice. The one where he embarasses Pierre Mcguire by kissing him on the cheek was funny. Looks like he's just trying to have fun and doesn't get into all the on ice stuff. Good stuff. Oh and that's the last time I'll say something nice about the Habs
He's one of the few players that aren't completely boring during interviews. He seems like a fun guy to be around.
Player interviews are generally one of the most painful things to watch. Worse still is the on ice ones, followed closely by those one in the locker room hallway.
Erg. We had a great start, with Bourque almost getting a goal in the first minute again - but now, yikes. The Rangers are burning us early. Still lots of game left, and in the Bell Centre, we can easily come back, but time to focus boys.
That was a rough one indeed. I hope it is at least going to be a lesson to the coaches and players to get a [new] game plan together. The Rangers are far from unbeatable, but we really need to adjust to their play - I don't think the team came ready for that at all.
As soon as I saw that play I felt it hit my stomach. But contrary to the terrible call of the game, which implied his skate hit Price (it did, and of course that is incredibly dangerous as well), you could see that his right foot got caught up against the post as he tried to stop a goal, but then his body was pushed right in past it. Ech! So many possible ankle, leg, and knee injuries possible from a jam and twist like that, and even if Price was in, he is such a mobile goalie, I was worried. I am not saying it contributed to the blow out - they walked all over us - but still, fuck. We might just be screwed indeed. I think actually Tokarski might be a good bet here, not to say Budaj is terrible or anything. Dammit all. Kreider's hit was 100% intentional. I do blame him, but in a league where you have to do anything to win, and especially against a stellar goalie like Price, I also understand it. BUT, that doesn't mean there should be no repercussions for a play like that. If he is willing to sacrifice himself and be thrown out of the game/series to give the Rangers the win, okay, I might hate it but it works, but to have no consequences on the play is utter BS. Not only was it not called on goalie interference, but the league should have reviewed the play for disciplinary action for sure after the fact. You can see him leave his feet FFS! Inconsistency and bullshit in the NHL per status quo.
Charge?! What charge? Weise whacked at Kreider's feet which caused initial imbalance and he (Kreider) looked like he tried to stop right at the crease. No offense Oli but Montreal in general whines too much about every little perceived injustice. There was no intent on Kreiders behalf to charge Price. AND this is coming from a guy who hates the Rangers as well. Rangers were beating the Canadiens whether this happened or not that day. I thought Budaj was a decent goalie? It's a team sport, if the Habs can beat the Bruins (even if they were a little off their game) and they are as good a team as they claim (and tired of being disrespected) surely the Rangers pose no challenge to them? How about Weaver's nice blind side hit on Brassard? Works both ways:
Kreider crashed accidentally on purpose. These guys know how to take a fall and he didn’t do much to avoid contact with Price, just went skates in. Like G said, he's a 3rd times recidivist, tabarnak.
Well, like I was saying, I can see this hit both ways, but that doesn't change the fact that it was a reckless play that could have easily resulted in injury, especially a serious one. If, god forbid, Price got his head bashed in, cut with a skate, or fractured a leg or something, you can bet they would review it. I am just tired of them always taking a stand of judging plays based on outcomes of them. How many times now have we seen completely different calls made based on whether there was an injury or not? That can't be the way to handle things; especially in a league that claims to be so concerned about player safety. And as for Price himself, I don't think there is any Montreal fan who will claim anything but he is the best player on our team and proved that every game on the ice in the first two series. That doesn't mean we can't win, but obviously without him it is a much different thing. Bottom line: there has always been rules (both written and unwritten) that you protect the goalie. It's part of the game. Kreider charged him - as might be his right as a player, but he shouldn't have, and someone should have come after him for it. I just hope the Habs use this to rally around.
I agree with you on going in skate blades first, that's reckless, BUT that's what makes me think: No one could be that careless and intentionally do that. It was a breakaway so stopping on a dime while defenders are hitting you with sticks would probably be hard to do. Anyhow here's my thoughts on goalies and I think I've said this before: No one should be allowed to crash or touch the goalie. PERIOD!!!! If an opposing player is interfered with and pushed into the goalie, or in no way can humanly stop in time that's one thing but the NHL needs to make that blue paint area a little larger IMO. Screening the goalie is one thing and I'm all for it- but too often I see pile ups in the crease. I don't think that should be legal at all and the goals scored like that are complete BS. How the hell can a goalie make a save with people falling on top of him? Anyhow even though I'm a diehard Bruins fan and the Habs are my mortal enemy (only the Pens are hated more lol) I do hope Price is alright and comes back quickly. He's a brilliant goaltender and I want the Canadiens to lose- but lose with no asterisk next to the loss (I.E. Price was hurt). But hey if they pull off going to the Cup without Price, my respect will go up a notch. Promise.
Habs need to play to their identity as a fast skilled team and quit with the nonsense btw whistles, diving, and whining to the refs for calls. Also quit playing the tough guy routine with the chip on your shoulder. No team in the league takes the Habs serious when they try that. It's fitting the Canadiens are losing because they are not playing like the team that beat the Bruins. Just like the Bruins did not play like themselves against the Habs.
^ Well that game was pretty shitty (in its outcome). Glad we came back and played a better game though. Lundqvist stole it for the Rangers, but the Habs have to expect that too. He is a great goalie, and we still need to pick it up and make more of a challenge. It could have easily went our way too, I think we edged them on play and suffered a bit of bad luck against us, while we could have benefited from some bounces too, but down two now heading to NY.
It's been a depressing first period. Again, the Habs not playing their game. Not sure pissing off the Rangers is going to bring much good. Shitty move by Prust, shitty error by Subban. Only stupidity by the Rangers was Carcillo's. Hit a linesman, really?
Definitely stupid plays all around. Montreal was really not looking so hot, bonehead passing and barely any offense, defense, or hitting. They still don't seem to know what kind of game they want to play against the Rangers, and they are all too happy to strip us down and make us pay. Thankfully we had Tokarski back there standing on his head. Good on the kid. I still think we can make a good series out of it, but we need to get our head in it. This is the playoffs boys! I am hopeful for a surprise return from Price if the series goes deep; not necessarily for the goaltending, but to booster the team. Oh, and the defense needs to protect Tokarski. What the hell man? Kreider being a nuisance is one thing, but Boyle? That kind of play is completely outside of normal hockey, and they (the Habs) need to start standing up for their netminder and putting the opponents in their place. He is saving you the game, give him the respect for it.
While I dislike the Rangers, my seething hatred for the Canadiens continues to grow. I really hope more Habs get hurt and of course lose the series. Prust is a scumbag. The officiating all playoffs has been atrocious.
Ouch! Don't hold back Lixx, tell us what you really think. Hahahaa. Just kidding, I agree that the hit was extremely dirty - I am sure the league will probably come down on it after a review, and of course the officiating only seems to get worse. The 2013-14 season has been as bad as I can remember for this.
He got 2 games and hopefully the Habs season will be done by the time he's ready to come back. I'm just looking forward to the 2015 schedule coming out this summer so I can mark what day the Bruins will annihilate the Canadiens. I don't even care if Boston wins I just want to see as many punishing hits put on the Habs as possible. I doubt the Bruins will do that much tweaking over the summer so hopefully the physical aspect of their play will be full throttle on that 1st meeting.
