barry33 wrote:

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Seems to be much debate in other threads regarding Abby playing ahead of Huet so I thought that perhaps it deserved it's own thread. First of all, I agree that goaltending was not the difference in either loss by Abby. Defensive breakdowns, especially by Souray, and lack of scoring from guys who are expected to score, was the difference. Plain and simple. Gainey stood pat at the trade deadline (unless you consider the blockbuster Todd Simpson move), preferring to ride the horses he had this year.  He obviously felt that another stud center would not be enough to get us over the hump this year. But it still baffles me as to why he would not be playing the hell out of Huet!? I am sorry, I have coached and played this game a very long time. Muller suggested that perhaps Gainey wants to have a better look at Abby so he knows what he has (the reasoning being that BG feels we are going nowhere in the playoffs anyway so may as well get a look at Abby). Sorry I do not buy that. Bob, if you are using these crucial games to scout your backup goalie, then please stop? The team plays much more relaxed and confident in front of Huet. Maybe the dmen do not make the stupid mistakes with Huet in net because they are not so scared to screw up? I am sorry, but Abby still makes every save look like an adventure in Disney land out there. To top it off he he throws his stick!!!! Uhmmm David...newsflash buddy..ya cant do that! Yes we will probably get our butt booted by either Ottawa or Carolina in the first round. Big deal. I still feel that Gainey owes it to HUET and the FANS of Montreal to play the guy who got us to the dance. One thing I will say about Gainey..he has canoles. Because I would not want to be him right now answering questions from the Montreal media.

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I do agree with that post. But I figure building a team is like investing: You build for the future and make sure you have a solid understanding of all your holdings...and the long-term gain will be better than any short trem sell-offs.

Oh and by the way...did anyone notice that it was in fact Markov who lost the game for us last night? He bunged up big time on that short-handed goal.

I agree to a point Barry, Huet standing on his head could have made a difference over the Reboundatron who has looked questionable on a few goals in his young tenure with the Habs...but coulda woulda...I'm starting to think Huet may be nursing an injury.  I trust Gainey, and people have been too quick to point their fingers at him.  Maybe there's more going on than meets the eye.

I'll still offer up my gaurantee that the Habs will not only get in, but they will get in 7th and upset Ottawa...Huet will play the remainder of the games including playoffs.  Kahuna has spoken.

flowerpower wrote:

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I hope you are right - I am still keeping the faith but it is by a thread. Gainey has to stop coaching like a GM.   He made a HUGE mistake playing abby last night.  The confidence level is so different when Huet is in net.

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I agree Flowerpower. As I said, cant blame Abby for the loss, or losses. But Huet may have made a difference in the jump of the players and confidence level. The guys seems to play better in front of him. Of course, Miller standing on his head did not help. At any rate..in Gainey we trust..we have no choice at this point. As I said, I give him points for having th ecanoles to make his own decisions.

As relaxed and more jump that the players have with Huet in net, they have lost their last 3 games when he has played. Also, when is the last time they had 45 shots in a game, not to mention all the ones that were blocked?

We are still going to make it.

Habtastic

mperra (Admin) wrote:

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In the Abby vs Huet debate, ask yourself this question:  has any goalie stolen a game this season?   Okay, Abby hasn't played that many games with Montreal but he hasn't stolen any games either.  Sure he's kept us in one, but still gives up too many rebounds. Huet has stolen a few games already. Huet plays Tuesday.  Should the team win or advance through other combination (Tampa or Atlanmta lose), then Huet should get the call for the playoffs because without his play this season, we wouldn't even be in a fight for a playoff spot.

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Couldn't have said it better myself

-- Edited by mperra (Admin) at 20:31, 2006-04-16

Habtastic wrote:

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By the by, the media has made it quite clear that Carbo took over the team a month ago... so doesn't that mean that the Abby decision was his? And Mario, I agree, as well. Habtastic

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Love the Avatar Habtastic

MC Girl wrote:

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Habtastic wrote:
By the by, the media has made it quite clear that Carbo took over the team a month ago... so doesn't that mean that the Abby decision was his? And Mario, I agree, as well. Habtastic
Love the Avatar Habtastic

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Thanks! I would love to say that I made it, but that is not a skill I possess!

Habtastic

I never said it was a good or bad decision, but thanks for clearing up that Bob said it, as I hadn't heard the interview. I guess you could say that I am sitting on the fence in that I don't think it was a good or bad decision. Yes Huet brought us this far, but he might be fatigued mentally or injured... I don't know. What I do know is that he lost his last three starts and Abby had won his. I don't make strong judgements until I have more facts. I will not congratulate or bash Gainey for his goalie decision in the last, or the next game, because I do not know the state of his goalies. I rarely make any judgements about who is in or out of the line-up because there are so many little things that could be making the decision. I even kept silent when one of my fav players, Bulis was out.

Habtastic

See now Macneil, you could never sell yourself as a battery..cause you're all negative and no positive. Lighten up dude, your 20 post whine is getting boring.

barry33 wrote:

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Whether we make the playoffs or not, I will still question the "logic" behind this decision all summer.

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C'mon, Barry! The only strategy you'll be questioning this summer is whether you should lay up with a 6-iron or pull out the 5-wood.

Saku11 wrote:

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J
How can anyone say it was a Wise decision by gainey to start aebischer??? It was DUMB....just like he has been doing all year. Dumb moves! Gainey is not a Coach.

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Gimme a break. Look at BG's record since he took over as coach as compared to the period before. I agree that Huet should have started the other night, but BG has done what he can to squeeze the most out of the players in his locker room. At this point, it's up to the guys on the ice.

Jonny G wrote:

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barry33 wrote: Whether we make the playoffs or not, I will still question the "logic" behind this decision all summer. C'mon, Barry! The only strategy you'll be questioning this summer is whether you should lay up with a 6-iron or pull out the 5-wood.

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Nahhhhhh...I am usually in the woods so it is not an option. I guess as a coach I look at decisions like these and try to get into the coach's head. That is one of the things I am looking forward to next winter if CJ is a head coach again..being able to second guess him. This one by Gainey has me baffled.