Two-and-Oh

Well we can't say the sabres are roadkill... since we really didn't run them over. Actually, we got our asses chewed for pretty much the whole 1st period... it's incredible that we've found ways to win in even the most dire situations, like when we're being heavily outshot to the point where we only managed to fire one shot on net during a 15minute span.

The Habs are definitely fast... it's amazing to watch their speed, but that's individually... this team was pieced together and it'll take time for them to click... it's painful to see their potential but their chemistry still has a long way to go. It's not only taking more shots on net, it's getting puck control and getting dangerous shots on net. Last night so many things that should run smoothly looked to be incredibly hard to do. Cycling the puck around in the offensive zone for one... it's sad when your 4th line does a better job--and i think that's partially due to the fact that those guys have more strength to battle along the boards. lack of size on our top line is detrimental--it's killing our chances of keeping puck possession. It's great to have lots of speed and good ability to puck handle... it was really nice to see glimpses of greatness from Cammalleri--he's got amazing hands and a good vision. But so long as we don't have a guy up there to throw his weight around, we'll be seeing a LOT of lost chances in the offensive zone.

..and the whole sitting back thing is going to bite them in the ass if they don't wake up... it can work against so-so teams but the flames and nucks won't let them get away with it.
My other biggest issue is our D... not the injuries but their complacency in the neutral zone and on the blue line. these guys are just letting the enemy stroll into the offensive zone without much trouble.....not the defensive approach i was expecting from Martin.

Ahwell... only time will tell really. With Markov out till after the Olympics, and now O'Byrne out 6 weeks with a knee injury... our D-lines are thin. The habs will most likely have to call up Webber, I don't think he's ready to play in the NHL just yet but i have FAITH.

REMEMBER end of December last season. Tanguay, Koivu, Higgins, Lang were all out with injuries... so many people gave up hope and it was the YOUNG GUYS that stepped up and kept the team going. We had a 12-1 record and it ALL had to do with how much effort these rookies put in. This is a new team, new faces, but I DO BELIEVE they have the same determination--or MORE--to prove every critic out there wrong.

the injury bug's already struck, and on top of all that it's with a team that's still searching to find themselves among one another. I'm hoping we can pull through this. They have a few critical issues to iron out but as fans we have to stick behind them every step of the way, through good and bad.

GO HABS GO.