Eric Engels: Habs Deserve the Benefit of the Doubt

No ten questions ? C'mon EE you're killing me here.

What used to be the stength of the team is now their weakness, they now come out flat in the 1st period and end up trying to catch up after 20min.

Looks like they are exhausted physically and mentally, they can't play the system anymore, key guys aren't playing well and producing. It's not only one guy, most of the top 4 D's and top 9 forwards aren't playing well (except for the rookies).

Not looking good for the playoffs.

Was at a family dinner on Saturday, and my brother-in-law (a Leaf fan) was saying that he was looking forward to playing Montreal in the first round, and was convinced that Toronto is a lock for the 2nd round if they play the Habs because they'll sweep the series.

My dad wasn't so sure, but was openly unsure about Montreal's ability to compete in the playoffs.

For the sake of busting his rocks, I told my brother-in-law that I was equally as sure that should that matchup take place, and that Toronto is golfing after 5 games, citing that there's virtually no chance that in the playoffs Montreal forgets to show up and/or can't get a save for 4 straight games. Anyone (including by brother-in-law) who thinks that Toronto can get 4 goals on 5 shots in the playoffs is living in Wonderland.

Likely, this all means a 7-game series where half the games go to OT.

What used to be the stength of the team is now their weakness, they now come out flat in the 1st period and end up trying to catch up after 20min.

Looks like they are exhausted physically and mentally, they can't play the system anymore, key guys aren't playing well and producing. It's not only one guy, most of the top 4 D's and top 6 forwards aren't playing well (except for he rookies).

Not looking good for the playoffs.
- Symba007

Good stuff

What used to be the stength of the team is now their weakness, they now come out flat in the 1st period and end up trying to catch up after 20min.

Looks like they are exhausted physically and mentally, they can't play the system anymore, key guys aren't playing well and producing. It's not only one guy, most of the top 4 D's and top 6 forwards aren't playing well (except for he rookies).

Not looking good for the playoffs.
- Symba007

yep. it all looks bad when it's going bad. if something was a strength through 40 of 45 games, it has to be redeemable. That's kinda what I'm suggesting in this blog, even if it's harder to argue in the face of such ugliness.

What used to be the stength of the team is now their weakness, they now come out flat in the 1st period and end up trying to catch up after 20min.

Looks like they are exhausted physically and mentally, they can't play the system anymore, key guys aren't playing well and producing. It's not only one guy, most of the top 4 D's and top 6 forwards aren't playing well (except for he rookies).

Not looking good for the playoffs.
- Symba007

It's about work ethic; it's evident in the shoddy defensive play. If they tighten up defensively, they'll be fine. Forwards need to support the puck better in their own zone, and the D need to make safe plays instead of high-risk ones that end up turning the puck over.

This will all work itself out.

yep. it all looks bad when it's going bad. if something was a strength through 40 of 45 games, it has to be redeemable. That's kinda what I'm suggesting in this blog, even if it's harder to argue in the face of such ugliness.
- EricEngels

What's your prediction if you end up facing us?

Was at a family dinner on Saturday, and my brother-in-law (a Leaf fan) was saying that he was looking forward to playing Montreal in the first round, and was convinced that Toronto is a lock for the 2nd round if they play the Habs because they'll sweep the series.

My dad wasn't so sure, but was openly unsure about Montreal's ability to compete in the playoffs.

For the sake of busting his rocks, I told my brother-in-law that I was equally as sure that should that matchup take place, and that Toronto is golfing after 5 games, citing that there's virtually no chance that in the playoffs Montreal forgets to show up and/or can't get a save for 4 straight games. Anyone (including by brother-in-law) who thinks that Toronto can get 4 goals on 5 shots in the playoffs is living in Wonderland.

Likely, this all means a 7-game series where half the games go to OT.
- 3M

Truthfully, I think both teams have overachieved this year and are starting to show the signs of it with recent slides. (Yes, I know TO spanked Ott on Sat, despite getting outshot 51-21). I think this is the best matchup for both teams though, as I really believe either one could be swept.

You just hope you're on the right side of it. I think that will be the biggest coin flip of matchups if the standings do in fact stay put. However, if Carey Price can regain form, I don't see any circumstance where the Habs don't run over the Leafs.

yep. it all looks bad when it's going bad. if something was a strength through 40 of 45 games, it has to be redeemable. That's kinda what I'm suggesting in this blog, even if it's harder to argue in the face of such ugliness.
- EricEngels

I hope the key guys (Price, Markov, PK, Gorges, Plek, DD, Pacs, Bourque, Gio and Eller) can find their mojo again.

It's not like it's been one or two bad games, it's been like that for a couple weeks now. It's like we've been watching last year's team, bad at 5 on 5, totally rely on the PP to score a goal or 2 per game.

Eric Engels: Habs Deserve the Benefit of the Doubt
- EricEngels

no.

What's your prediction if you end up facing us?
- Tee-Dot

Who are you? JVR?

Truthfully, I think both teams have overachieved this year and are starting to show the signs of it with recent slides. (Yes, I know TO spanked Ott on Sat, despite getting outshot 51-21). I think this is the best matchup for both teams though, as I really believe either one could be swept.

You just hope you're on the right side of it. I think that will be the biggest coin flip of matchups if the standings do in fact stay put. However, if Carey Price can regain form, I don't see any circumstance where the Habs don't run over the Leafs.
- Jordo

That's the thing. Price has shown he can be lights-out in the playoffs, and that he can be the second coming of Andre Racicot.

But the most amusing part of it all was that despite not being in the playoffs for 8 years, and having two goalies with zero playoff experience, Leaf Fans are immediately convinced that they're going to go 16-0. Some things never change...

It's about work ethic; it's evident in the shoddy defensive play. If they tighten up defensively, they'll be fine. Forwards need to support the puck better in their own zone, and the D need to make safe plays instead of high-risk ones that end up turning the puck over.

This will all work itself out.
- 3M

They play like they don't want to get injured.

Truthfully, I think both teams have overachieved this year and are starting to show the signs of it with recent slides. (Yes, I know TO spanked Ott on Sat, despite getting outshot 51-21). I think this is the best matchup for both teams though, as I really believe either one could be swept.

You just hope you're on the right side of it. I think that will be the biggest coin flip of matchups if the standings do in fact stay put. However, if Carey Price can regain form, I don't see any circumstance where the Habs don't run over the Leafs.
- Jordo

reimer has been excellent this year.

I hope the key guys (Price, Markov, PK, Gorges, Plek, DD, Pacs, Bourque, Gio and Eller) can find their mojo again.

It's not like it's been one or two bad games, it's been like that for a couple weeks now. It's like we've been watching last year's team, bad at 5 on 5, totally rely on the PP to score a goal or 2 per game.
- Symba007

people no longer playing their backups against us...

I hope the key guys (Price, Markov, PK, Gorges, Plek, DD, Pacs, Bourque, Gio and Eller) can find their mojo again.

It's not like it's been one or two bad games, it's been like that for a couple weeks now. It's like we've been watching last year's team, bad at 5 on 5, totally rely on the PP to score a goal or 2 per game.
- Symba007

It's starts and ends with Price. If he gets his swagger, everyone follows, and it'll be extremely pleasurable to watch. If he doesn't, the team looks like a beer-league team, and it'll be over quickly and painfully.

Who are you? JVR?
- Symba007

I'm speaking on behalf of the team I cheer for.

It's a figure of speech.

Looks like Moen will be out tomorrow, and Armstrong in.

That's the thing. Price has shown he can be lights-out in the playoffs, and that he can be the second coming of Andre Racicot.

But the most amusing part of it all was that despite not being in the playoffs for 8 years, and having two goalies with zero playoff experience, Leaf Fans are immediately convinced that they're going to go 16-0. Some things never change...
- 3M

Not consistently.

They play like they don't want to get injured.
- Jean_Perron

While annoying, if that's all it is, then they will be fine.

people no longer playing their backups against us...
- muffin_man

And the favorable home schedule is over!

Not consistently.
- hscesq

Hence the Racicot comment.

Looks like Moen will be out tomorrow, and Armstrong in.
- Jean_Perron

Well, it looks like they can't lose!