3rd round NHL

[mberube]

My second round predictions were:

Habs - Check
Chicago - Check
Sharks - Check
Boston - Pending but it don't look good.

3rd round:

Habs in 6
Chicago in 7

Two of the original 6 teams face off. We might see Huet in nets!

[Chambokl]

I was wondering today if the Habs will be the favorite in the next series... what do you think?

[sensfan63]

I was wondering today if the Habs will be the favorite in the next series... what do you think?

Absolutely. They beat the #1 team and the defending champs. Plus, they have the clear advantage in goal with Halak. Especially against the Flyers (third string minor league goalie).

[jonf]

Depends who they play. I think they are clear favourites against Boston. Their inability to score is quite impressive. Can't see them having any success against a team playing as well defensively (and in goal) as Montreal. However, I think Philly could cause them problems. Their size and physical style could well cause problems for a much smaller Montreal lineup. Philly is a team that can score if they need to, and will likely be helped by the return of Carter (they have also been so much more impressive since Gagne came back). Habs will definitely have the goaltending advantage. But, I think Philly is well built to deal with Montreal.

[mberube]

I don’t think so. All three team have been playing game 7 games since three weeks before the post season started just to make the playoffs. The habs were ranked 18th in the NHL coming in to this years post season They would not have made the play-offs if they were in the West. Philly for example are as much on a run as MTL especially if they comeback from the 3-0 deficit, something that has been done only twice in NHL history.

Against the Bruins, MTL is probably the favorites.

Against the Flyers, me think they would be the favorites. On paper they have a better team on paper.

No matter what or who they play, I like the Habs chances.

[mberube]

Depends who they play. I think they are clear favourites against Boston. Their inability to score is quite impressive. Can't see them having any success against a team playing as well defensively (and in goal) as Montreal. However, I think Philly could cause them problems. Their size and physical style could well cause problems for a much smaller Montreal lineup. Philly is a team that can score if they need to, and will likely be helped by the return of Carter (they have also been so much more impressive since Gagne came back). Habs will definitely have the goaltending advantage. But, I think Philly is well built to deal with Montreal.

I agree. Philly has a lot more secondary scoring talent then the Pens. The Habs will have to contain more then one or two lines.

Is Carter scheduled to come back for the next series?

[nokids]

Go Sharks Go!

[fundonny]

Go Sharks Go x 2.

Wish those few Habs fans in Montreal acted like they'd been there before. Baffling that a city with such a storied history and so many cups is going ape sh1t after elimination rounds.

[atomic]

Go Sharks Go x 2.

Wish those few Habs fans in Montreal acted like they'd been there before. Baffling that a city with such a storied history and so many cups is going ape sh1t after elimination rounds.

You'll have to excuse us FD, it's been a while...

[Chambokl]

Is Carter scheduled to come back for the next series?

Carter is out until the final if they make it there... Fractured foot... out for 6 weeks... from late April...

[jonf]

Carter is out until the final if they make it there... Fractured foot... out for 6 weeks... from late April...

I wouldn't be so sure about that. I was pretty sure it was 4-6. in mid-late april. I wouldn't be surprised to see him suit up for round 3 if they make it (at least part of it).

Just checked tsn. Had surgery April 23 (roughly 4 weeks ago).

[Chambokl]

Exactly 3 weeks ago... Friday April 23rd to Friday May 14...

[jonf]

Exactly 3 weeks ago... Friday April 23rd to Friday May 14...

Ya, but thats 4 weeks in playoff time.

[sensfan63]

Wow! Flyers complete the 3-0 comeback in the series by coming back from a 3-0 deficit in Game 7!

Unbelievable heart from the Flyers, and frankly unbelievable choke job by the Bruins. How many times does the team who "sits back" after grabbing the lead have to lose to show these coaches that it's not the best idea in the world?

[mberube]

Habs vs philly. It's going to be quite the series. Both are no quitting comeback teams.

[Chambokl]

I don't know what you guys think about this... I have now seen this in 2 or 3 games... The referee doesn't call any penalty in the 3rd period (lets all the crap go) and then the linesman call a too many man on the ice. Is it deserve... no doubt but also the interference, tripping, slashing, etc... that they let go...

[brucestats]

I think the Habs and Flyers will be an interesting series. Philly brawlers against a total team approach. Habs will win simply because the goaltending is much better for Mtl, and Philly is literally with their last professional goalie. Big trouble if Leighton goes sour.

[Timbuktu]

It doesn't really matter who wins the East. The Sharks and Hawks are much Deeper and Physical teams than both East teams even Philly.

[Chambokl]

It doesn't really matter who wins the East. The Sharks and Hawks are much Deeper and Physical teams than both East teams even Philly.

That is what they said about the Caps, Penguins, Devils....

Remember, the Caps won the President trophy.

[nokids]

It doesn't really matter who wins the East. The Sharks and Hawks are much Deeper and Physical teams than both East teams even Philly.

Philly has no shot against the West teams, but the Habs could pull off a New Jersey Devils 1995 sweep like they did to my Wings.

I still remember that series like it was yesterday.

[hoolio]

Snagged a pair of tickets for Game 4 next Saturday... Hells yeah!

[jeffc]

That is what they said about the Caps, Penguins, Devils....

Remember, the Caps won the President trophy.

the Caps play in an uber weak division...they are the only team in their division to make the playoffs so consider their point totals to be a little inflated....

[nokids]

the Caps play in an uber weak division...they are the only team in their division to make the playoffs so consider their point totals to be a little inflated....

caps fans would disagree because they swept pittsburgh and manhandled almost every team in the league. their record against the east was just as good as vs their own division. i'm too lazy to look up the stats.

[Sakuraba]

Snagged a pair of tickets for Game 4 next Saturday... Hells yeah!

Where are we sitting?

[Hacker]

Snagged a pair of tickets for Game 4 next Saturday... Hells yeah!

Do you really want to be in the building when the home team is swept out of the play-offs??

J/K but I'd certainly invest in some quality industrial strength ear protection!!

[DLIII]

Habs took a beating tonight. Philly can play D. Montreal is use to playing offensive teams that leave holes in the neutral zone. Could be tough for Montreal this round

[nokids]

Habs took a beating tonight. Philly can play D. Montreal is use to playing offensive teams that leave holes in the neutral zone. Could be tough for Montreal this round

Riot police in Montreal are on high alert. Win or lose.

[sensfan63]

Nice to see the Habs take a beating again. And, Philly fans rub it in by ole'ing in the last 5 or 6 minutes.

Habs are making a journeyman goaltender look like a star. I wonder how long he can keep it up. So far, Halak has been badly outplayed - and that was supposed to be to the Habs advantage.

[Timbuktu]

So much for Halak bouncing back from blowouts. The air is being choked out of Montreal faster than Plekanec's turtleneck! Halak has allowed 7 goals on 34 shots so far...better cue up those trade rumors again. In fact, Michael Leighton is the new Jaroslav Halak, and Halak is the new Carey Price. Habs #FAIL

[jonf]

Doesn't matter how well your goalie plays if you can't score.