They Have it Backwards

Key Lime · Guru

They Have it Backwards

barry33 · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

The Habs have proved all season that they can match up with most top teams and steal a few wins. BUT they lost all 5 games against the 2 worst teams in the Conference; Pitts and Wash. It seems like the intensity is never there when they play against teams that are below them in the standing and the opposite agianst top teams. Are they mentally prepared to go to war against the top teams and take the weaker teams for granted? No doubt but why?

I am not sure. I mean Toronto seems to give them fits as well and if you cannot get up for a Leafs/Habs matchup then you need your pulse checked. As well, Carolina and Ottawa have owned them too. I just feel there is a general need of a heart transplant on this team and trust me, I have played on enough teams like that to recognize the symptoms.

Key Lime · Guru

barry33 wrote:

Key Lime wrote: The Habs have proved all season that they can match up with most top teams and steal a few wins. BUT they lost all 5 games against the 2 worst teams in the Conference; Pitts and Wash. It seems like the intensity is never there when they play against teams that are below them in the standing and the opposite agianst top teams. Are they mentally prepared to go to war against the top teams and take the weaker teams for granted? No doubt but why? I am not sure. I mean Toronto seems to give them fits as well and if you cannot get up for a Leafs/Habs matchup then you need your pulse checked. As well, Carolina and Ottawa have owned them too. I just feel there is a general need of a heart transplant on this team and trust me, I have played on enough teams like that to recognize the symptoms.

Barry since I was 11 years old, I've always been the captain on the teams I played for. I understood at a young age that a team can go through a bad period BUT when I sensed that there was a lack of effort/heart, I made sure it didn't last by pumping them and LEADING BY EXAMPLE....à la Henri Richard!

barry33 · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

barry33 wrote: Key Lime wrote: The Habs have proved all season that they can match up with most top teams and steal a few wins. BUT they lost all 5 games against the 2 worst teams in the Conference; Pitts and Wash. It seems like the intensity is never there when they play against teams that are below them in the standing and the opposite agianst top teams. Are they mentally prepared to go to war against the top teams and take the weaker teams for granted? No doubt but why? I am not sure. I mean Toronto seems to give them fits as well and if you cannot get up for a Leafs/Habs matchup then you need your pulse checked. As well, Carolina and Ottawa have owned them too. I just feel there is a general need of a heart transplant on this team and trust me, I have played on enough teams like that to recognize the symptoms. Barry since I was 11 years old, I've always been the captain on the teams I played for. I understood at a young age that a team can go through a bad period BUT when I sensed that there was a lack of effort/heart, I made sure it didn't last by pumping them and LEADING BY EXAMPLE....à la Henri Richard!

Exactly my point with Saks. We need this guy to step up, be a leader, and carry this team. Is this fair to ask? maybe, maybe not. But it is reality and it is where we are at right now. Guys like Messier (IMHO the greatest leader of all time in ANY sport) did it. They walked the walk after they talked the talk. Remember the Rangers being down to New jersey and Messier guaranteeing a win..and then delivering with 3 goals?!?? This is what we need from our captain right now. Come on Saks..nothing would please me more than to have people say "Barry we TOLD you he was a great leader" in 2 weeks.

Key Lime · Guru

barry33 wrote:

Key Lime wrote: barry33 wrote: Key Lime wrote: The Habs have proved all season that they can match up with most top teams and steal a few wins. BUT they lost all 5 games against the 2 worst teams in the Conference; Pitts and Wash. It seems like the intensity is never there when they play against teams that are below them in the standing and the opposite agianst top teams. Are they mentally prepared to go to war against the top teams and take the weaker teams for granted? No doubt but why? I am not sure. I mean Toronto seems to give them fits as well and if you cannot get up for a Leafs/Habs matchup then you need your pulse checked. As well, Carolina and Ottawa have owned them too. I just feel there is a general need of a heart transplant on this team and trust me, I have played on enough teams like that to recognize the symptoms. Barry since I was 11 years old, I've always been the captain on the teams I played for. I understood at a young age that a team can go through a bad period BUT when I sensed that there was a lack of effort/heart, I made sure it didn't last by pumping them and LEADING BY EXAMPLE....à la Henri Richard! Exactly my point with Saks. We need this guy to step up, be a leader, and carry this team. Is this fair to ask? maybe, maybe not. But it is reality and it is where we are at right now. Guys like Messier (IMHO the greatest leader of all time in ANY sport) did it. They walked the walk after they talked the talk. Remember the Rangers being down to New jersey and Messier guaranteeing a win..and then delivering with 3 goals?!?? This is what we need from our captain right now. Come on Saks..nothing would please me more than to have people say "Barry we TOLD you he was a great leader" in 2 weeks.

How will he lead by example if he is, without doubt, fatigued? He has to find a way to muster up the energy and do what he needs to get this team flying again.

...and GB needs to motivate these guys and tell them that loosing is not an option anymore.

barry33 · Guru

IMHO, gainey made one of the worst coaching decisions I have ever seen by starting Abby back to back. Yes it was not his fault they lost against carolina, but to go right back with him and leaving the hottest goalie on the bench in Huet, during a playoff race, is to me, inexcusable. Had Julien done that people would have been ALL OVER HIM!

Key Lime · Guru

barry33 wrote:

IMHO, gainey made one of the worst coaching decisions I have ever seen by starting Abby back to back. Yes it was not his fault they lost against carolina, but to go right back with him and leaving the hottest goalie on the bench in Huet, during a playoff race, is to me, inexcusable. Had Julien done that people would have been ALL OVER HIM!

Ok, that is in the past now Barry. It's doesn't change today's reality. He made a decision that came back to hurt the team. Let's talk about now...we are still very alive in the playoff picture. We need leadership and the absolute disgust to loose. i haven't seen it yet. The players seem wishy washy after a loss, I haven't seen any player really pissed or disgusted. You can't teach that; therefore, do they really care at the point we hope they do?

barry33 · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

barry33 wrote: IMHO, gainey made one of the worst coaching decisions I have ever seen by starting Abby back to back. Yes it was not his fault they lost against carolina, but to go right back with him and leaving the hottest goalie on the bench in Huet, during a playoff race, is to me, inexcusable. Had Julien done that people would have been ALL OVER HIM! Ok, that is in the past now Barry. It's doesn't change today's reality. He made a decision that came back to hurt the team. Let's talk about now...we are still very alive in the playoff picture. We need leadership and the absolute disgust to loose. i haven't seen it yet. The players seem wishy washy after a loss, I haven't seen any player really pissed or disgusted. You can't teach that; therefore, do they really care at the point we hope they do?

Exactly..and that starts with the Captains.