Saturday April 2, 2011
Montreal Canadiens vs. New Jersey Devils
You just might be on your own again, Carey.
Back to panic mode is it? Just two short games ago, There was absolutely no way the Habs were going to miss the playoffs. Here we are, the Habs sit 2 points up on New York and Buffalo with 5 games to go. Carolina sits 5 back with a game in hand. Panic at the disco!!!!
Let me put it to you this way. If the Habs win 2 of the next 5, they are in. If they win 1 of the next 5, they are more than likely in. If the Habs lose all 5 of their remaining games without any single point overtime/shootout losses, they are still, probably, in. Just chill out. Alright?
More important and terrifying than the standings right now, is the suspect play of the defence. Yes the forwards are having trouble putting the puck in the net, but the chances have been there. What has me worried, is how often the defense is getting beat and hanging Carey Price out to dry. Maybe Gill and Subban can play 60 minutes a game?
Who’s out?
Montreal
- Andrei Markov (Torn ACL-out indefinitely)
- Josh Jorges (out indefinitely)
- Max Pacioretty (Broken Neck)
- Jaroslav Spacek
- Alex Picard (Foot)
New Jersey
- Colin White
- Bryce Salvadore
- Zach Parise
- Matt Corrente
- Matt Taormina
Keys to the Game
The defense has got to be better. It doesn’t matter if they are rock solid for 95% of the game. It’s that 5% where they don’t exist and teams are rushing in on 3 on 1’s, 2 on 0’s, 5 on 0’s….it’s enough to give us fans a heart attack!
If opponents are going to be rushing wide on Gill and Hamrlik because they are slow, they have to cheat to the outside a bit and force them inside. When they do, WHAMMO! That’s where they should find Subban and Wisniewski.
My Prediction
Montreal 2 – New Jersey 0
HABit 
