Our players are so soft they can't even hoist the cup let alone win it..
Well, if they hoist it, it will still be a few inches too low according to some around here...
The point with height/weight/strength is that it is indeed a factor. But you just have to be tall/big/strong enough for it not to be a factor against you.
For example, the average of the current top 150 players (according to points scored) is just below 6'1 and 200 pounds. Similar picture if you use +/- instead of points.
Among these guys, there's absolutely no correlation between height/weight and points scored (or +/-).
Thus, in my view, height/weight is a factor, but only below a certain level (and even then). Heck, Cammalleri/Gionta were clutch for us in the playoffs in 2010.
If you look at the teams that have won the last several Cups, then you will notice that this is the ONLY way to win a Cup in the modern NHL.
LA was very aggressive last year on offense and defense. They constantly attacked the puck to force turnovers on defense and to establish a fast paced game on offense. So did the Bruins, the Blackhawks, the Pens and the Red Wings.
Give credit to the Red Wings for breaking the NHL out of the over-reliance on the trap to be successful.
Passive/trapping hockey does not work any longer. Jacques Martin is living proof in his early retirement. The Islanders game was also proof for the Habs when they got away from the aggressive system.
It is sink or swim with this system. Execute it, we will make a deep run. Not execute it, we lose. As simple as that.
What makes this playoff question so interesting is that we have absolutely no idea how this team will do. The Habs of 2013 are like a brand new present we've just opened -- it's exactly what we wanted (thanks Uncle Geoff!) but filled with parts we haven't figured out how to use yet. Who the hell knows how a team with Galchenyuk, Gallagher, Prust, Cole, Emelin, Diaz, Pacioretty and Bourque will do in the playoffs, since we've never seen any of them play a playoff game for us!
We're clearly not the same team we were last year. So who are we? We look better than the Habs of 2011, with a healthy Markov, Pacioretty and Gorges, plus some real offensive depth on all four lines. Are we the clutch Habs of 2010? Maybe, if our forwards keep producing. Bottom line is we don't have a clue what this team's real character is.
Weaknesses? As stated earlier, we could use some added size, especially on D. We also have to hope we don't lose a key player or two to long-term injury. And since we're a strong systems team, a lot depends on Therrien's ability to sell his message, especially through adversity.
Whatever happens, I'm just enjoying the ride, wherever it leads...
Looking at the stats, we are a team that is currently ranked 3rd in the NHL for 5 on 5 goals for vs goals against. Being better than your opponent in 5 on 5 situations is, most probably, one of the most important factors in the playoffs given the reduced number of penalties called. That being said, we also have a powerplay that can chip in once in a while, to provide that extra burst of momentum or even get us out of trouble on the score sheet in addition to a penalty kill good enough to keep us in the game. Coupled with great goaltending, this is essentially, the recipe you want to have to perform well in the playoffs.
I'm not overly fond with Michel Therrien's bench management. I think the team is winning despite his questionable decisions. I worry about how he'll react when it's time to adjust. His handling of PK has been nothing short of terrible imo.
Looking at the stats, we are a team that is currently ranked 3rd in the NHL for 5 on 5 goals for vs goals against. Being better than your opponent in 5 on 5 situations is, most probably, one of the most important factors in the playoffs given the reduced number of penalties called. That being said, we also have a powerplay that can chip in once in a while, to provide that extra burst of momentum or even get us out of trouble on the score sheet in addition to a penalty kill good enough to keep us in the game. Coupled with great goaltending, this is essentially, the recipe you want to have to perform well in the playoffs.
Agree. I would much rather have a team that is effective with 5 on 5 scoring than having a team dependent upon the referees to call a penalty because we are a great PP team.
We have had teams like that in the past and it never turned out well for us.
We'll start taking about playoffs once a spot is clinched. Until then it's a bit premature. Things are going very well right now but all it takes is a couple of bad stretches (IE: Going 2-7-1 in last 10) and everything can turn to **** very quickly. That's even more true in a short 48 games season.
Mind you that the opposite is also true so the Habs good start certainly is going to help make the PO even if they don't play at that level for the rest of the season. We'll see in two months
Southern Hab is right, Boston and LA won the cup by crashing, banging and generally wearing the other team out. That is how you win in the playoffs now, we are not equipped to do this yet, must get grittier and nastier. We may fluke a round if we make the playoffs. That is all.
Wow the skepticism here makes me wanna puke, especially when 2 years ago we went to the conference final with a team where Plekanec, Gomez, Cammalleri, Gionta and Marc-André Bergeron were our top 5 scoring leaders.
Wow the skepticism here makes me wanna puke, especially when 2 years ago we went to the conference final with a team where Plekanec, Gomez, Cammalleri, Gionta and Marc-André Bergeron were our top 5 scoring leaders.
Yes but the Habs were also bottom dwellers last year. I think it's wise to be cautious when it comes to expectations this year , even more so with the great start. Many people think they are overachieving right now and i tend to agree.
Anyway i'm pretty sure we are all happy with the way things are going right now so let's just hope that it continues
