Flyers' alternate history

Here is last night's game, through the eyes of Mike Richards and Flyers fans. Watch for the scene of PK Subban "getting the message" as the Flyers announcer put it.

A Montreal fan reacts to seeing the Habs' powerplay without Andrei Markov

About last night:

For all my readers, I apologize for not updating in a while. It seems I've been missing every single Habs game with work or other commitments lately.

So, here are a few observations from last night:
Don Cherry is still an idiot, and getting worse. Here's a hint, Don: Don't show highlights of a team (Canucks) that got shut out (by the Habs) as an example of how to activate your d-men to get offense. It only makes you look foolish and biased. Oh wait...
And while we're on the subject of offensive D-men, we all know why you won't talk about a certain rookie defenseman, due only to the colors of his jersey, and maybe the color of his skin too.

Carolina: Want to know why teams run up the score against you? Because you're a bunch of assholes. You never pull up or go easy when the game is out of reach, so teams feel obligated to slam you down until you won't get up any more. Case in point: pasty-faced captains who injure our best defenseman on a questionable play in the corner.

Dear Jack Edwards: the takedown counts for shit in a hockey fight. If anything, it signals that you are too tired or outmatched to continue. So Mark Recchi=fight loss.

Looks like I was way too optimistic in my projection about the Leafs' success this season. I thought the slide would come after the All-Star break.

Speaking of All-Stars. can someone explain why the Leafs have four on the ballot why the Habs only get three?

Back to the Habs: Holy shit what a save. That may be a highlight that will stick to him like the one Mike Richter made in the '94 finals.

Hamr actually played some good defense. On one play in particular he didn't go for the Frankie Bouillon crunch, but instead calmly played the body and separated the man from the puck. Good that he's actually playing to his strengths, and not trying to be someone he's not.

I am in love with the PHD line.

I didn't know Lars Eller was even playing until the third period. I'm worried.

In all, I'm very happy about last night and the last few games. Keep it up, especially that gorgeous breakout. But boys, please start learning to play with the lead better.

Meet the new Habs...Same as the old Habs

Is anyone else (and I include Montreal Canadiens players and staff in this) sick and fucking tired of getting shut out by the Devils, every damn time the Habs play them? At the very least, is anyone out there sick of penclilling in an "L" on the calendar on the days the Habs play the Devils? 'Cause I sure as hell am. But it doesn't seem this team has had its fill of losing to the New Jersey Devils.

Let us know when you feel like winning a game against the boringest, fan fail-est team in the NHL, boys.

Jesus. I deserve to get paid for the time I've wasted watching Montreal shit the bed against New Jersey.

Lightning 2, Referees 2, Canadiens 3

And so goes a normal day in Don Van Massenhoven land, where the Canadiens commit invisible slashes, apparently only detectable by his super x-ray eyes; where trips from Lightning players that lead directly to goals are not called due to mitigating circumstances that normal humans cannot comprehend; where interference on goalies, where they are pushed down to the ice, is not in the Special Edition NHL rulebook upon which only a select few have ever laid eyes.

And thus, Montreal is robbed of two points, and one of Bettman's Follies is granted two points.

Fuck this league.

Live tweet for tonight's game

WTF was the shit-ass music before the game, CBC?

Bob Cole should be wearing a Leafs sweater, given that he actively cheers for them on the air. 

Hearing Mike Komisarek booed IN TORONTO is effing beautiful. Fucker.

No problem mistaking Scott Gomez for Saku Koivu, given the lack of skill, and the big head the former possesses. 

I still believe in you Carey...

Oh Hal Gill...

This Lars Eller kid is the real deal. 

Montreal finally scores! Nice job by Lappy and Boyd.

Now we're settling into a real hockey game.

No call on the trip...no surprise.

Annnnnnd a Montreal penalty. Typical NHL/Tronna officiating. Here's my obligatory invitation for Gary Bettman to eat shit and die. Now back to our originally scheduled programming...

When, o when, is Carey Price going to play his way, not the bullshit "Go down early and often" butterfly style that DOES NOT WORK FOR HIM?

Don't bother mentioning the enormous rebound Giguere left, Jim Hughson

And with that, we eagerly await our first installment of Racist Ramblings!

You WOULD like Colby Armstrong, wouldn't you, Don?


End period


Observation on the Leafs: good top two lines, ECHL-level bottom two. This is going to be a horrible team after the All-Star break.

A Leafs penalty? Shocking!

Plekanec is making worse decisions with the puck than even Scott Gomez. Montreal, say hello to the new Jan Bulis.

I thought slew-footing was illegal? Oh right, not if you're wearing blue and white.

Good power plays.

Annnnd a bad puck decision from Gomez negates an excellent play from Subban. Scott, you can join Gary Bettman at the dinner table.

Turnovers from Komisarek are a beautiful thing.

Watching pre-season, I was not impressed with Mathieu Darche. Nothing has changed with that delay-of-game penalty.


End period

Whoa. What a bad song.

Enough crappy defense on both sides to supply the Maginot line.

Diving Leaf = Montreal penalty. Not even surprised enough to be mad. 2-man advantage.

Turning into a good finish.

Colby, you dive like that again, I'll come down there and kick your ass myself. And your daddy Don Cherry.

How many times does Montreal need to touch the puck before the referees decide the play is dead?

Did Price actually make that save, or did it hit the post?

Good way to finish: Scott Gomez does his best to fuck things up, but the puck is on PK's stick for the final play. This is the way the season will go.

Dear NHL

When will you announce the suspension for Nino Niederreither?

I have every confidence that all your talk about hits to the head is not bullshit and smoke.
I await your response.