my prediction will be perceived as fantasy. But I'm sticking with what I've told people since before this terrible skid. I don't worry about any opponent Montreal might draw in the first round.

Rangers, Isles, Sens, Leafs... I think over a seven game series, Montreal has what it takes to get out. Can't say my confidence in that belief isn't mildly shaken, but as I wrote, I believe this week will be good for the Habs.

As for the Leafs specifically--I think it would be a tough series, but experience and depth is on Montreal's side of of it. I like the Canadiens' chances if they end up playing each other.

That said, if the Habs have a good week, they can easily still win the division. I'm not sold on Toronto staying ahead of the Sens, even if they have a decent margin right now.

Nothing would surprise me at this point, however.
- EricEngels

it's pathetic how Habs fans are petrified of drawing the Leafs and equally pathetic how Leaf fans are desperate to draw the Habs.

Wasn't he in browntown?
- muffin_man

Until last year, yes. But the Leaf fans are just as bad there.

put Ryder back with plek
- muffin_man

Bourque needs to use his shoulders if his stick is not working. Same with Pacioretty, Ryder and the 4th line. Gallagher and Eller can't be the only forwards finishing hits.

my prediction will be perceived as fantasy. But I'm sticking with what I've told people since before this terrible skid. I don't worry about any opponent Montreal might draw in the first round.

Rangers, Isles, Sens, Leafs... I think over a seven game series, Montreal has what it takes to get out. Can't say my confidence in that belief isn't mildly shaken, but as I wrote, I believe this week will be good for the Habs.

As for the Leafs specifically--I think it would be a tough series, but experience and depth is on Montreal's side of of it. I like the Canadiens' chances if they end up playing each other.

That said, if the Habs have a good week, they can easily still win the division. I'm not sold on Toronto staying ahead of the Sens, even if they have a decent margin right now.

Nothing would surprise me at this point, however.
- EricEngels

The Rangers look like they finally put their poop together and will be very dangerous in the playoffs imho.

it's pathetic how Habs fans are petrified of drawing the Leafs and equally pathetic how Leaf fans are desperate to draw the Habs.
- scotch_tape

I don't get the fear, I really don't. I think Montreal matches favorably against Toronto, despite what the season results show.

Wasn't he in browntown?
- muffin_man

Yup...

One poophole to another.

Wouldn't be surprised if he moves to Edmonton to complete the hattrick.

my prediction will be perceived as fantasy. But I'm sticking with what I've told people since before this terrible skid. I don't worry about any opponent Montreal might draw in the first round.

Rangers, Isles, Sens, Leafs... I think over a seven game series, Montreal has what it takes to get out. Can't say my confidence in that belief isn't mildly shaken, but as I wrote, I believe this week will be good for the Habs.

As for the Leafs specifically--I think it would be a tough series, but experience and depth is on Montreal's side of of it. I like the Canadiens' chances if they end up playing each other.

That said, if the Habs have a good week, they can easily still win the division. I'm not sold on Toronto staying ahead of the Sens, even if they have a decent margin right now.

Nothing would surprise me at this point, however.
- EricEngels

The Leafs match up well against the small Habs D, I could see this 1st round match up ending quickly if the Habs play the way they did the past 2 weeks.

ok bye guys, gonna go put the summer tires back on the vehicles, so if you live in northern Ontario get ready for at least one more blizzard (sorry Luc).
- Rayven

I put mine on last saturday...as soon as I started, wind picked up and it started to snow.

As soon as I was done, everything stopped.

The Rangers look like they finally put their poop together and will be very dangerous in the playoffs imho.
- Pecafan Fan

Their schedule has not been so difficult the last little while.

Meh, let Price suffer through it. Anytime you have a d core with Weber and Diaz, and Boullion as anything other than a 6, you're going to have issues.

Just my 2¢.

it's pathetic how Habs fans are petrified of drawing the Leafs and equally pathetic how Leaf fans are desperate to draw the Habs.
- scotch_tape

Except for one game, the Habs haven't played well against the Leafs this year.

The Rangers look like they finally put their poop together and will be very dangerous in the playoffs imho.
- Pecafan Fan

Can't disagree. But I don't fear them as an opponent for the Canadiens. Like I said, I don't really fear any of them.

Anything can happen. Understand why Leafs fans what the Canadiens. It's gone well this season. Still don't think they can beat them over seven games.

Isles have been great against the Habs, but over seven games...

I think the team the Habs might have the most trouble with would be the Sens.

I've been wrong many times...

Meh, let Price suffer through it. Anytime you have a d core with Weber and Diaz, and Boullion as anything other than a 6, you're going to have issues.

Just my 2¢.
- Tee-Dot

That was the story of last season...teams running around freely in our zone.

What's the Habs record without Armstrong?

Meh, let Price suffer through it. Anytime you have a d core with Weber and Diaz, and Boullion as anything other than a 6, you're going to have issues.

Just my 2¢.
- Tee-Dot

Diaz is a top4 D.

What's the Habs record without Armstrong?
- Symba007

Effin' TERRIBLE!!!!

Here we are. We've reached the final week of what was shaping up to be glorious redemption for the Montreal Canadiens. Hard to imagine 40 games of hard work could be completely undone by five games of atrocious hockey, but that's a perceived reality for most fans of the team right now.

I'm bipolar

Can't disagree. But I don't fear them as an opponent for the Canadiens. Like I said, I don't really fear any of them.

Anything can happen. Understand why Leafs fans what the Canadiens. It's gone well this season. Still don't think they can beat them over seven games.

Isles have been great against the Habs, but over seven games...

I think the team the Habs might have the most trouble with would be the Sens.

I've been wrong many times...
- EricEngels

They'll give anyone they face trouble in the playoffs this year. Strongest team after the pens in the East imo.

Bourque needs to use his shoulders if his stick is not working. Same with Pacioretty, Ryder and the 4th line. Gallagher and Eller can't be the only forwards finishing hits.
- God_then_kovy

Yeah cuz Pacioretty and Ryder have a history of being hitters...

Can't disagree. But I don't fear them as an opponent for the Canadiens. Like I said, I don't really fear any of them.

Anything can happen. Understand why Leafs fans what the Canadiens. It's gone well this season. Still don't think they can beat them over seven games.

Isles have been great against the Habs, but over seven games...

I think the team the Habs might have the most trouble with would be the Sens.

I've been wrong many times...
- EricEngels

Their confidence is shot at the moment.

If they don't have a good week, I'm afraid their playoffs will be very, very short. No matter who they face.

Their schedule has not been so difficult the last little while.
- hscesq

schedule means nothing. I think people need to realize that. The Islanders are perceived as an easy schedule for any team that plays them, but they've been among the hottest teams in the league.

The Flames beat the Red Wings and the Wild over the last week.

This is the hardest time of year to win hockey games. Some teams are comfortable like Habs--losing to teams that are desperate for the most part--even if they'd be considered easy draws.

some teams are loose--ready to spoil the party.

Nothing easy about going to play in Jersey, and yet, it could be easy tomorrow considering the circumstances.

Schedule could be argued as favorable for the Bruins, who got rest over a few very tough days in the midst of a real slump they've been in for a while now. Some might say it was completely unfavorable, and might kill their energy for the playoffs.

do you realize the habs play HALF of their games at home???
- muffin_man

WTF how is that FAIR!!!

Yeah cuz Pacioretty and Ryder have a history of being hitters...
- CaptainK

I miss the Pacs that used to go to the net last year.

Except for one game, the Habs haven't played well against the Leafs this year.
- Symba007

got pasted 6-0 at home. aside from that?
lost 2-1 on opening night.
won 5-2 in a game that Montreal outplayed Toronto by a wide margin.
if you want to put a lot of stock into that game from last Saturday go ahead, but it was a complete anomaly. it's pretty rare to outshoot a team 13-5 in a period and get outscored 4-1.

Their confidence is shot at the moment.

If they don't have a good week, I'm afraid their playoffs will be very, very short. No matter who they face.
- Pecafan Fan

Harder to argue, but you never know. they could have a bad week and put it behind them as soon as the playoffs start. It's a different ball of wax, but we agree, they need the next three games to build up some confidence.