The Canadiens lose a crucial game to one of the worst teams in the league, and suddenly Koviu is no better than a third line center, Aeibscher should be released, Bob Gainey is clueless and the Canadiens will not be contenders until 2010 at least. Quick analysis based on a short time span is not always an accurate assessment of a team. There were posters quick to dismiss Huet following his first three games as a starter for the Habs. Huet allowed 4 goals in each of his first three starts and did not look very good in the process. Since then Huet has turned things around dramatically. Aeibscher may or may not, but two games to determine his abilities is a little too short term. The reality of the Thedore trade was a salary dump, primarily and not a straight up goaltending deal to begin with.

    As to Gainey not knowing what he is doing, in other posts I think I have made some arguements about his past successes, and the fact that two years into his tenure with the Habs, this team is still a work in progress, lets give him through the offseason at least to see how he reforms this team.

    Koviu's play of late is giving a lot of amunition to the Saku bashers, no question. Nonetheless, he is the teams second leading scorer, and his line generates more scoring opportunites than any other line the Habs have at the moment. (I know this is faint phrase) Even with reduced effectiveness he is superior to being a third line center.

    Most would agree that at present this team is a minium of two, perhaps three quality players away from being a legitimate contender, so it is no surprise that this team as it is presently formned will be inconsistent and struggle to make the playoffs, a nucleus of talent exists and it does not need to be totally blown up.

    Of course the Habs would not be in this position, had they received first rate goaltending all sesaon long, as they probably gave away anywhere from 8 to 10 points via substandard goaltending earlier in the year. If that were the case the criticisms would be moot, as the team would be sitting comfortably in 5th or 6th place.