Will Vanek score with the Habs?
- Pea-Brain

March 24th he'll score a hat trick

Eric, you wrote a good blog, but I strongly disagree with your assessment of Therrien's performance so far.

-The EGG line was on fire at the beginning of the season, and he dismantled it, leading a formerly productive player (Eller) into a massive slump
-He used Murray (one of the worst defensemen in the NHL) for nearly the entire season, at times having him play 20 minutes or more, and playing him over productive players like Beaulieu, Tinordi, and even Weaver
-He destroyed Subban's confidence until recently by constantly punishing him and chiding him like a child for any mistake he made, despite others making the same mistakes without the same punishment, and despite him being the reigning Norris Trophy winner (i.e. best defenseman in the league last season)
-Moreover, he constantly lambasted Subban for his supposed "defensive deficiencies," refusing to back his bid for Olympic team membership until the last minute, and then proceeded to take the credit when Subban made the team
-He totally mismanaged Briere, who is second on the Habs roster in goals/60 mins of ice time (now he's third with Vanek on the team), using him on the fourth line at times
-He at times played Parros instead of infinitely more productive players such as Bournival, Weise, etc.
-He constantly shuffled his lines and pairings, seemingly at random and without any discernible method or rationale, even when certain lines/pairings were doing well (and yes, he recently got lucky with the current setup, but how can you mess up with so much talent in the top-9?)
-At least 3/4 of the lineup is having a worse season possession-wise than last season
-The team is in the bottom-5 in the league for puck possession
-The above two points happened because he switched from a highly-successful puck-possession system to a disastrous dump-and-chase system, which is objectively worse, as per recent studies (if you want, I'll find you the link to the article I'm thinking of)
-His success is highly dependent on ridiculous goaltending from Price and Budaj for most of the season, and the team has gotten better only very recently (past 3 games)

Also, the following points you listed are the result of more random line jumbling and incoherent coaching, as Therrien had the opportunity to take those measures all season (indeed, he should have) but didn't:

I could go on, but I think you get the point. The team has been succeeding in spite of Therrien, not because of him.
- MrData

Wow, enjoy your ban !

It was loose in the crease. Clear as day.
- 3M

Yeah. I didn't see a thing.

Vanek....more like Vanot!!!


lololo....

What's to love about ham and eggs with maple syrup?
- pete26

It's all about enjoying a meal without any Muslims or Jews around really.

Yeah. I didn't see a thing.
- hscesq

Ottawa fans say it was frozen, no doubt.

It's all about enjoying a meal without any Muslims or Jews around really.
- stinger67

It's all about enjoying a meal without any Muslims or Jews around really.
- stinger67

If this is the sort of thing you like, have I got the party for you!!!

Ottawa fans say it was frozen, no doubt.
- DoubleDown

I wouldn't dare go in there.

It's all about enjoying a meal without any Muslims or Jews around really.
- stinger67

LIBERTÉ!

Ottawa fans say it was frozen, no doubt.
- DoubleDown

I've seen worse...like that Letang goal last year when the Penguins literally pushed the puck from under Price.

I wouldn't dare go in there.
- hscesq

Time for me to say hello!

Time for me to say hello!
- Scabeh

Don't come asking for help.

I've seen worse...like that Letang goal last year when the Penguins literally pushed the puck from under Price.
- stinger67

What were your feelings on that goal?

Just wondering.

What were your feelings on that goal?

Just wondering.
- stormeyAlterEgo

Lenher never had control, or frozen the puck....


You may now stfu AND gtfo.

Lenher never had control, or frozen the puck....


You may now stfu AND gtfo.
- Pecafan Fan

I never knew Furlat was FC, did you? Obviously, that is the reason for the calls in the Habs favor.

Lenher never had control, or frozen the puck....


You may now stfu AND gtfo.
- Pecafan Fan

Oh....I didn't see the play.

Lenher never had control, or frozen the puck....


You may now stfu AND gtfo.
- Pecafan Fan

Don't come asking for help.
- hscesq

I don't remember having asked for help before, but ok, good to know.

- Crimsoninja

That winnipeg (frank)wad is getting on my nerves lately.

Oh....I didn't see the play.
- stormeyAlterEgo

I know.


TROLL!!!!!!!!!!!

That winnipeg (frank)wad is getting on my nerves lately.
- Pecafan Fan

lately?

It's all about enjoying a meal without any Muslims or Jews around really.
- stinger67

Yikes!

Yikes!
- pete26

Similar to your shower issue.

Similar to your shower issue.
- hscesq

PEte showers at the sugar shack ???