Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts

Monday, May 17, 2010

Habs train derailed by Flyers? Not so fast we've seen this before.


Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 2010 Eastern Conference Final



OK I think it's time I jump on the bandwagon to defend my beloved Habs. Firstly let me acknowledge that losing 6-0 in the opening game of a series is not my preferred way to start now that the game is over the only important number is that the Flyers lead the series 1-0. The last time I checked this is a best of 7 series and there are still at least 3 chances for the Habs to pull out a win, or 3, before they can be counted out.

Lets take a trip down memory lane. At the start of the playoffs the Habs won game 1 of their series versus the Caps but then went on to lose 6-5 in game 2. Game 3 the Caps took control of the series with their 5-1 win leading many to believe that it was game over for the Habs. After the Caps won game 4 6-3 taking a gripping 3-1 lead in the series it was clear that the Habs season would be coming to a crashing halt very shortly. But it didn't. Habs went on to win the next 3 games taking the series in 7 and moving on to face the Penguins.

Critics quickly counted Montreal out and called their win over the Caps a fluke and a lucky break and advised Montreal fans to prepare for their ultimate demise at the hands of Sid the Kid and the Pens. After losing 6-3 in game 1 it was easy to believe that the critics may be right and that the 8th seeded Habs wouldn't stand a chance. But then game 2 comes along and the Habs, once again, prove the critics wrong with a strong 3-1 win over the Pens. And so went the series. The Pens would take game 3 and the Habs would tie it in game 4. After the Pens won game 5 many said ok it's over for the Habs now. Even if they win game 6 the Pens will take the series in game 7. Wrong again. Habs took game 6 and game 7 to win the series.

So why is it that, once again, after 1 game everyone has counted the Habs out so soon? Has history not shown that this team clearly has a solid game plan. These guys know what they were doing and I have faith that they will prevail in this series as well.

I expect a tight series, again, but the Habs have proven that they know how to adapt. Watch for a different team to show up on Tuesday night. My advice for the Flyers is don't get over confident, it will be used against you if you do.

Should be a great series, stay tuned.