Well, 4 games in, they’re even.
One more clash between the two, later this month (March 22 at the ACC) will settle the score once and for all.
“At this time of the year both team knew what was on the line and played hard between the rules,” said Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf following their loss at the Bell Centre on Saturday night. “I feel we stack up well against that team.”
Evaluating these two teams is very simple. Glaring strengths and weaknesses from both sides. The Habs have the edge in goal with Carey Price (although this isn’t a weakness for the Leafs in Jonathan Bernier.) Montreal is a better team defensively while the Leafs are leaps and bounds ahead offensively. Finally, the Canadiens need help 5-on-5 in terms of scoring and size. The Leafs can’t kill off a penalty for the life of them and face-offs are also a big time worry.
So what does all that mean? Well probably it means that the two sides will play in another one-goal hockey game to finish off the season series. We’ll see if Dave Nonis or Marc Bergevin is more active at the deadline.
My gut still tells me the Leafs edge out the Habs in the standings despite the current three point Montreal lead.
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On the other side of the country, the Vancouver Canucks are being driven into the ground.
GM Mike Gillis and coach John Tortorella appear clueless in their approach and direction.
Trade rumors rampant with Ryan Kessler, who reports indicate demanded a trade prior to the season beginning.
You think the Roberto Luongo saga won’t go away? Not true. It DID go away. Until Tortorella brought it right back.
Luongo, a franchise goaltender, has been given the captaincy and had it take away. Was supposed to be traded after two years of battling for his job with Corey Schneider. And now is in the middle of another goaltending controversy with Eddie Lack for no reason what so ever. Many backup goaltenders have a pair of consecutive good games, but the starter always gets his net back. Not in Vancouver, where they give their guy no respect. You think PK Subban gets mistreated in Montreal…? LOL
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Outdoor games bore you now? Annoy you maybe? Has the novelty warn off…
It doesn’t matter.
The only people that matter when it comes to liking the game at BC Place in Vancouver, are the people in Vancouver. If they had a good time and enjoyed the spectacle, then mission accomplished.
And let’s be honest here, more likely you tuned into that outdoor game between the Senators and Canucks to check out the scenery and setup, than a regular game in the same time slot between those two teams.
Follow the money.
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The Slick Awards
MVPs of the Week: Alex Ovechkin, Max Pacioretty, PK Subban, James van Riemsdyk
Unsong Hero: Peter Budaj, Alex Galchenyuck, Roberto Luongo
Crybaby: Ted Nolan
Most likely to make a bad decision this week: Mike Gillis, John Tortorella, Garth Snow, George McPhee,
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