forgot to mention, i think it's far to early for people here to talk about playoffs.
i know it's montreal and we're fanatical about our hockey but with about 14 games left for montreal, we're still in the middle of the crowd vying for a spot and generally 2 to 3 games played ahead of them.

it's too early.

also, when has it become popular to think it's a good thing when we get in to the playoff because another team loses a game. let me explain a little more. we're in 8th place with 88 points, tampa is in 9th with 87 but they have 1 game left to play. tampa loses the game so we make the playoffs. sure we're in but where's the pride?
like when montreal made 1st in the division a couple years back. we only made first because Pittsburgh lost their final game.
i just think these things should be taken realistically. sure they deserve praise but they should also know that they made it because they're lucky.

Realistically I think the playoffs are doable if they continue to play team games like the one they did last night, on Saturday against the Kings and previously against the Bruins. Even against the Sharks (before they stopped skating in the third......). They need to do the quick starts because they've been successful all year when they have done that. (And I'm not just talking 1 goal). I'm not really worried about the forwards as much as the D, 'cause if they play their roles (ie. no backing up, no watching, play smart) then we won't see games like the first period vs the Ducks.

Last year Habs squeaked into the playoffs because they won more games vs Florida and earned that OT loser point. This year, the playoff cutoff marker is projected to be 88 points (that's how weak the East is). Tampa looks like they're out of it unless they're playing a bunch of games vs weak teams (like the Islanders). The Bruins are in deep poo right now with Savard out, and unless Bergeron/Ryder/Wheeler have an epiphany they better hope they got a bunch of games vs the Leafs (though even they cause problems for them). I don't see much switching in the standings really. Thrashers, maybe...