It’s not always easy being an optimist–especially when high hopes clash with realism.
For some reason though, I still feel like the Montreal Canadiens have a fighting chance against the Washington Captitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Playoffs.
I think that a lot of the reason that I believe in the team is because they have been counted out all year long by all of the professional analysts.
First, according to them, the team was far too small and would never be able to contend and make the playoffs.
Then, if being small wasn’t a hindrance enough, the Canadiens lost their best player in Andrei Markov in the very first game of the season. The pros changed their predictions of the Habs just missing the playoffs, to them finishing last in the Eastern Conference.
Well, guess what? The Montreal Canadiens are in the playoffs. Sure, they may have backed their way into them (familiarly), but they still proved their critics wrong.
Do you think that they have gotten any respect for their feat? Perhaps the very same people who had counted them out have admitted that they were surprised by the fight in the little team and the drive to win, no?
Nope.
The Montreal Canadiens are being given the same chance in the playoffs as they were given in making them.
Even though the Canadiens split their season-series with the great Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals, it is expected that they won’t have a shot. They are predicting a slaughter.
When I was a very young boy I was taught that goaltending wins the Stanley Cup. As Tomas Plekanec pointed out, the Montreal Canadiens should have the edge in that category.
Jaro Halak, after his abysmal performance after posting back-to-back shutouts, will probably be on a short leash in the playoffs. Thankfully, if he falters–which I hope he does not–the Canadiens have a more-than-capable “backup” goalie in Carey Price (whom, by the way, faced off against the Caps in every game this season).
Also, the Habs are due! They are a team that has consistently gone on runs all season long–win three, lose two, lose three, win four–why should it stop now?
Perhaps my arguments are not as pointed as others, but they are valid, nonetheless.
In all likelihood, the Habs are not going to advance past this series, but, in my opinion, to count them out completely before even watching them play (as has been done before), is an ignorant analysis.
*sidenote* Theodore has been one of the most solid goaltenders since 2010 rolled in and hasn’t lost a regulation game in 3 months. Theo’s starting and I think he’ll surprise everyone and carry the team through the playoffs. So I don’t think Price is that much better than him.
Agreed here about the series. Focusing on the Capitals, while both teams have talent all over the ice, the Caps are much more deep with the talented players and the skill. The games themselves won’t be blowouts, but it could very well be a 5 game set or a sweep. Nonetheless, I think the individual games would be well-played on both sides, just with the Caps on the upper hand. We’ll see how this series goes starting tonight!
First of all, are you suprised that some of the analysts dont pay attention to actual facts and statistics, have no idea what they are talking about and end up with the wrong prediction. Second, like you, I personally dont believe that the Habs are going to make it much of series, but I have more faith in Price and/or Halak coming up with big saves and clutch performances then Theodore(who has imploded during the play-offs) and Varylamov, who is inconsistent. Third and final: Even though defense and goaltending wins championships, you need crucial goals to decide each game. Montreal has better goaltending then Washington, and can match them one through six on defense. However I think the Caps have too much firepower(beyond Ovie, Semin, Backstrom etc) and depth from lines 1-4 and that could decide the Series. I dont the series will be a slaughter but it could be a potential sweep.