<H2>Reasons to Believe: Updated</H2>

Wow, not being overwhelmed by everyone's positivity. Maybe it takes an extra day?

The reasons are slowly accumulating though, thanks to replies from positive fellow fanatics Tru7h and Stevens. Keep more coming...

Believe:

1) Saku Koivu


The best pressure player I have ever seen on any team I support. In the past 4 NHL seasons, he has played in 6 elimination games. In those 6 games, he has 2 goals and 9 assists, and has been the star of most as well. That's even without considering his victories over terrible injuries and illness. Can he play better? We may find it hard to conceive how he might, but he will – it's what he does. And, so for Captain Courageous:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

And, how many times has he done just that?


2) Carey Price's form since his 2008 anointment (Tru7h)

Prior to this series, Carey has always been able to bounce back into his best form.


3) Elimination games (Tru7h)

The Canadiens have a way to play big in these even BIGGER games. I guess some guys just thrive in that pressure cooker environment of "do or die" (see Koivu).


4) The fans

21,273 screaming fanatics behind the Habs on Saturday.


5) Bob Gainey (Tru7h)

With his team facing elimination, I honestly believe that Gainey will step-in to tell Carbo to cut the crap and play his best lineup.


6) It has been done before (Stevens)

Makes me feel that this has to be the team that pulls off something crazy. Like what was already said, Philly beat us 3x in a row, why can't we do it to them?


7) The Canadian media has jumped off the bandwagon

Ottawa
Toronto
Winnipeg

I feel that this is good in two ways. First, any feeling of unreasonable expectations will be temporarily eased. Second, it will turn the mentality into more of a siege mentality – where the coaches and team will add the desire to proving people wrong to their motivations.


8) The desire to prove people wrong

Worked well in those recent playoff upsets. Worked well following pre-season write-offs. Worked well when the ability to win the East was questioned.


9) Philly's victim currency has run out

People (even in Philadelphia) have had enough of the Flyers pathetic conspiracy theories and crying games.



And, finally, another good blogger has more positives in a good post on The H Does Not Stand For Habs


I know there's more. Send in your own reasons as we build up to this big game...