ECR1: Montreal Canadiens (W2) vs Washington Capitals (M1) - CAPS WIN 4-1

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

I love Habs fans personally, maybe because I am surrounded by them.

They are obviously passionate about their team and knowledgeable about the game. The Bell Centre is a fun atmosphere as are the hundreds of bars around town that are packed in the playoffs. Even though the seats are very pricey, it doesn't feel corporate at all. There is a reason players, who would normally avoid Canada, love to be here.

The Habs are a uniting element of the culture here that provide a common ground for all generations of anglos, francos, quebecois & immigrants to celebrate together.

The Habs are everything I think of and I think most Americans (hockey fans) think of when they think about Canada’s love of hockey. It’s a shame other Canadian cities and fanbases can’t match the passion, but I think they lift Canada’s hockey reputation up for everyone on this side of the border.

[BlAcKNoVa]

Go Caps Go! Let's end this series tonight!

[trackercowe]

Well that's one Canadian team down... Three to go! Since one of Leafs and Sens will take each other out.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Dream scenario:

Caps dust off the Habs tonight, Senators come all the way back on the Leafs, and the Kings get a favorable bounce/call late in game 6 to flip the script on the Oilers and inflict maximum heartbreak.

I don't care too much what happens with the Jets as Helle is clearly still a fraud. They won't go far even if they advance.

[habernac]

Great start to the period, #### finish. Just bad luck on the first, shattered stick on the draw, easy one timer for Ovi. Caufield taking a nap on his coverage on the second goal. This team has a history of comebacks, we’ll see if they have another left.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Put up a decent fight for a bit, but it was inevitable.

91 point team going out like a 91 point team. That shouldn't even get you in.

[Mathgod]

Ovi keeps scoring like he's pushing 30 not 40.

[Mathgod]

Ok, if the Habs come back to win this, I'll KNOW I have jinxing powers.

[hwy19man]

It is the final countdown for the Habs.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Ok, if the Habs come back to win this, I'll KNOW I have jinxing powers.

You don't have jinxing power Mathgod.

[habernac]

To the bitter end.

Excellent effort. This team has a very bright future. They’re kids, they’ll learn from the experience.

Canada’s Olympic team would be foolish to ignore Suzuki. Guy’s a player. Hutson and Guhle will anchor Montreal’s defence. A top goal scorer in Caufield. Slafkovsky and Demidov are babies. I love the core. On to next season.

[troutman]

Hutson minus six in the series.

[White Out 403]

too bad we only got 2 mtl home games

[habernac]

Originally Posted by troutman

Hutson minus six in the series.

How many were empty netters ? 4? The rookie who played 25 minutes a game. 27 tonight. Will be a perennial all star. What a ridiculous criticism.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by habernac

To the bitter end.

Excellent effort. This team has a very bright future. They’re kids, they’ll learn from the experience.

Canada’s Olympic team would be foolish to ignore Suzuki. Guy’s a player. Hutson and Guhle will anchor Montreal’s defence. A top goal scorer in Caufield. Slafkovsky and Demidov are babies. I love the core. On to next season.

Agreed on Suzuki. He's a very under the radar great player. Not so much on the other guys you mentioned...still lots to prove. But Suzuki is the real deal.

[Enoch Root]

Habs were competitive, and made it a good series. Tip of the chapeau.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by habernac

How many were empty netters ? 4? The rookie who played 25 minutes a game. 27 tonight. Will be a perennial all star. What a ridiculous criticism.

Hutson is going to be amazing.

[Enoch Root]

With the goalie pulled and the Habs pressing at the end, Hutson was really doing a good job of controlling the play from the blueline. In today's NHL, you HAVE TO have that player. Hutson is a good one. Hopefully ours is even better.

[CroFlames]

Hard to criticize the Habs in any way. They put up a great fight against a superior team and goalie. Their coaching and strategy was good, effort good, hard forecheck, did their best defensively.

You might nitpick players, like Laine, but they were overall good.

The way she goes Bubs.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Hutson is going to be amazing.

He's Johnny on defense.
Love watching him. Should have drafted his brother last year!