Overtime losing has it's benefits

Robert L at Eyes on the Prize has the sneaking suspicion that the Habs recored may be fooling everyone into thinking they are better than they are.

Well, he's right isn't he?

Overtime losses do skew the results a little, but I would like to point out a few reasons we should at least be optimistic about the Habs:

1) Many of their OTLs were actually shootout losses. So they didn't actually lose those games. Let's say they tied, with the opponents getting a bonus point. The Canadiens are 2-5 in the shootout, so let's say then that they are 17-13-2 with 5 ties and 2 bonus points. As you can see it's above .500 in actual game play.


2) As much as we dislike them, OTLs do count for points. As I've harped on and on about, in the end points are all that matter in the regular season. I would rather get a point for losing and have a skewed feeling about where we stand than not. I bet the Islanders and Leafs didn't mind beating us last year on the strength of 5 and 6 more OTLs each.

3) Nothing is more disheartening than a 4-0 loss. So, any game that goes to OT is a game we played well enough (or almost) to win. 26/39 is very good in that light. Take into account there were a few games lost before OT that the Habs could have won, then the picture looks alright. Of course, most Eastern teams could do the same exercise for a feel good exercise, but that's why you go back to Point 2 (above) and give less credence to rationalizations like this and more to concrete points.

4) The Habs have 19 wins out of 39. If points were only awarded for winning, we would still be in playoff striking range (T8).

5) The Habs are just below the pace for 96 points (94.6 to be exact). With 3 points in the next 2 games, the Canadiens would be halfway to a 96-point season – the very target I set out. I think we'd all agree that 96 points would be a success and a good step towards improvement and possible playoff success.

Come on Habs fans. Chins up. The kids are alright...

A New Season: A New Attitude

Hi all, I'm back from the Greek Isles and ready to sit down and watch this season unfold. As it's the first season of Habs hockey behind the keyboard for me, I have taken the time to consider how to approach each game, each win, each loss.

I used to be like nearly everyone and getting probably a little over-excited after each win and over-exasperated after each loss. But, my rethink led me to the conclusion that what I am after is a Cup. I want to recreate the exhileration that I took for granted in 1986, 1989 (most of the way...) and 1993. I want to see this team win the Cup. That's it.


I'm not here for 82 regular season victories and 3 playoff round sweeps if it ends in a summer sans Cup. That's why I'm taking the practical approach - 96 points, however and whenever they want to get them. Building and learning to be a Cup winner, not a playoff attendee (Atlanta).

So, how about this start?
From my point of view: good. 3 points from 2 games is better than the pace we need to keep to get it done.

I also don't mind the loss. To the Leafs - even better in a way.

Am I crazy?

The Leafs got 2 points, we lost to a division rival. Very true.

But, in my opinion, this team has more than a few things to learn before they can win a Cup. And as painful as it may be for all of us sitting on tenderhooks night after night, players will inevitably do their best learning after a loss. Why is that? Human nature, maybe. Coaching nature, perhaps.

I'm not sure how many have been able to catch a bit of the Rugby World Cup in France (Canadian TV is making it hard enough for anyone to do that). It's been fantastic, and in many ways proves the point here. Each rugby team played 4 round-robin games to qualify for the second round; and, each game was separated by a significant number of days in between. The teams that came to the tournament in top form (New Zealand and Australia) played very well in their first games and cruised through the rest. Others came in and slipped (France, England) but tweaked their approach and most importantly their attitudes. Well France and England play each other next week after both putting in upsets of top sides NZ and Australia, respectively. Had it not been for their earlier losses, I don't see how those upsets could have occurred.

It is the same way with the Canadiens, a painful loss to the Leafs. Giving up the lead in the third. Losing in OT. These are all unforgiveable errors. All things that they need to work on. This game put that into focus. A few more losses will reveal the size of these holes as well as others. Review of the game will lead to creative solutions. And, over time, given the players want to improve, they will.

Even the miracle 93 Habs knew this, taking a couple of devastating lessons in Quebec before setting off down to Buffalo, Long Island and LA. At the time, I wish they'd have learned a few things about scoring on QC in the regular season instead though.

I'm not quite at the point of hoping for losses, but as the Habs inevitably lose a few (there are many losses even in a 96 point season), I'll be calmer this year. Mybe not as calm as the gang on 110%, but hey, I'll try.

Briefest of season previews

I had a big plan. Honest.

But, once preseason started and every topic was discussed and rediscussed for a couple of weeks, it seemed like a season preview would be repetitive and unnecessary.

If you want a good preview of the players on the Habs, try Four Habs Fans

If you want a division by division deal, and who that prognosticator would have finishing in the playoffs, TSN did a good job, even if they did get the results wrong.

As for me, I'll say this...


... I like this year's team better than last year's. I like the way we stuck to building from within (though we came awfully close to derailing the whole process with the Briere fiasco).

I think it means we will make the playoffs. More specifically, I think the Canadiens will get 96 points to 100 points this season. That's playoff material based on the past few years, barring an eastern conference OT loss binge of Floridian proportions. In fact, it should mean we get in without that Toronto game meaning anything (take that schedule makers!).



I'd tell you where the wins will come from, but I said it'd be short.

From what I've seen we have caught up to the Senators to play games with them now, we beat the Sabers regularly enough, the Bruins we love to play, and the Leafs, well we'll probably get 8 points from 8 games there.

Ouside the division, I think we take majority points from Atlanta, Washington, Islanders, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. Splits are available with New Jersey, Florida and thanks to the new rivalry Pittsburgh. Carolina and Rangers still like playing us a bit too much for big points harvests there.

Then in the West, we miss goalie central and Canadian match-ups so should catch some teams sleeping to at least even out there. Throw in a few OT losses and we have 96+.

Sounds easy, too bad all the other teams think they can pull the same trick.

Coutdown to 96 is on...