Montreal Canadiens First Round Opponent What If

[ericd]

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern/Northeast/Montreal.html

Four clubs are the most likely to play Montreal at 50/50:

Toronto: 31.6%
NY Islanders: 21.6%
Ottawa: 19.5%
NY Rangers: 17.7%

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Winnipeg: 4.7%

Why not send some scouting to these four team games?

Click to read more...

 

[Pierre Dagenais]

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern/Northeast/Montreal.html

Four clubs are the most likely to play Montreal at 50/50:

Toronto: 31.6%
NY Islanders: 21.6%
Ottawa: 19.5%
NY Rangers: 17.7%

------------------

Winnipeg: 4.7%

Why not send some scouting to these four team games?

Who says we haven't been scouting these teams?

 

[mim0910]

I think facing the Rangers would be our best bet. We have their number this year.

 

[Pierre Dagenais]

I think facing the Rangers would be our best bet. We have their number this year.

Winnipeg would be the easiest opponent but I don't think they will make it

 

[Habsawce]

I'd like them to play Ottawa for some reason.

 

[Bob Cole]

All those would be easy opponents except for the Islanders

 

[ourobouros]

All those would be easy opponents except for the Islanders

uh? why?

edit : nabokov can be good, but is not better than Rask, Anderson, lundqvist... and even if Tavares/Moulson are a deadly combo, it take more than that to win in playoffs... so, why?

 

[dreamingofdrouin*]

I'd like them to play Ottawa for some reason.

probly cause they're screwed

 

[Hackett]

I'd throw out the regular season stats in the playoffs. Montreal went 8-0 against boston in 2007-2008, but needed 7 games to eliminate them in the 1st round.

All these teams present different challenges for Montreal. Winnipeg is probably the most favourable matchup, but that is a highly unlikely one. The Islanders have a deadly PP, something the habs struggle to contain. The leafs present beefy wingers with a nice blend of speed and skill. The rangers are similar to the leafs with a little less speed but much more proven goaltending. Ottawa has goaltending that can get super hot, and still have enough impact players in the lineup to cause concern.

I'd prefer them like this

1. Winnipeg
2. Islanders
3. Sens
4. Leafs
5. Rangers

 

[WhiskeySeven*]

I fail to see how Toronto has any of the skill or depth required of a playoff team. They don't really scare me... the only we'll lose is if we beat ourselves with reckless defensive play.

 

[Hackett]

I fail to see how Toronto has any of the skill or depth required of a playoff team. They don't really scare me... the only we'll lose is if we beat ourselves with reckless defensive play.

Well, they have grabovski who plays up to another level against the habs, kadri has kinda broken out, and kessel can be dangerous too. There's some speed in spades. While they don't possess the same depth in that regard, they do have other dimesnions to their game that can come into play.

There's another wildcard in all of this. Rivalry series usually brings out a bit more unpredictability in terms of the outcome. We've seen that with montreal/boston alot going back many years. The most recent example being philly/pit last year. They are gong show matchups.

 

[Habsawce]

probly cause they're screwed

That team just feels like the perennial "back into the playoffs" team that could be ripe for getting gong showed.

And I'd enjoy MTL to be the team to bring that reality!

 

[HuGo Sham]

I don't give a ****. Got to beat the best to be the best (nice cliche). Bring on whoever. this team is playing with house money. want home ice though, would be very difficult for opposing teams to play at the BC

 

[No More Subban]

I hate speculations. It doesn't really matter who we face. POs is a new, different season. Anybody can win. Someone might upset us too. Who knows. But bring it on! I'm ready.