Game 82: Oh how you snuck up on us

It's here. It's finally here. And it all comes down to the wire. This is the game of the year and it just has to be against the Leafs.

In Game 1, Habs strolled into Toronto, showed little chemistry, Markov got too close and left with a cut on his leg that knocked him out for half the year, Price made 43 saves on 46 shots and stole the game, while Josh Gorges of all people followed up on a rebound to score the winner with 12.6 seconds left in OT. Mike Komisarek helped by taking 5 minor penalties.

Here we are now, the final game of the rollercoaster season. All they need is one simple little point to clinch the playoffs.

They couldn't be bothered to get that point against Carolina at the Bell Center, where Price was booed on his 3rd star selection by the idiots who felt Jaro should have played like it would have made a fucking difference when Pylon Hamrlik bowled the puck into his own net along with his goaltender.

They couldn't be bothered to get that extra point against the Islanders, where they basically fucked around most of the game and let the kids walk all over them.

They couldn't be bothered to get that point IN Carolina. Oh hey booing idiots, Jaro was in nets for that one, happy? Realize now that it made no fucking difference when the rest of the team doesn't show up?

Add in all those other games they couldn't be bothered to show up in, all those games they were shutout in, the Nashville game where Price made 53 saves on 55 shots and still lost 2-0 while Pekka Rinne yawned, all those 1-goal games where they just couldn't be bothered to get even a dirty goal with 6 (and accidentally 7 once) players on the ice. Those game they couldn't be bothered to inspire a win even with their goalie making over 40 saves hurt now. Those full two points they pissed away in two final minutes while in Buffalo really sting now eh?

All those pucks kicked into their own net. All those inability to hit open or empty nets. All those missed opportunities on AHL goalies and AHL defencemen...

They all accumulate here.

Word on the wire is Jaro will be in nets. Does it matter? Not really. But Habs fans seem to think of 2007 when Huet was put in instead of Jaro even though Huet just returned from NOT playing for months from an injury and Price is perfectly healthy and able. Stats nerds be damned. Game 7 vs the Bruins in the 2008 playoffs, Price had his 2nd playoff shutout. The city was set on fire. Tonight, this will be Jaro's Game 7. Please Ole proudly in the street and DON'T SET SHIT ON FIRE!

There's also word that Sergei might be a scratch. We still have no idea what he did in Carolina to warrant a game long benching and frankly he better have the fucking flu or else Jacques Martin is a fucking moron. That third line has been our best line when he's on it.

Komisarek is still out for the Leafs so no 5-minor penalties from him. No idea on the rest of that motley crew. Hopefully Phil Kessel is out with a season-ending hangnail. (I hate that chipmunk). Ron Wilson was already seen popping champagne when the final siren rang in Raleigh.

The Rags beat the Flyers in regulation last night. The Bruins beat the Sabres.

It's destiny in your own hands, Habs. No looking like a squirrel frozen while crossing the road as the truck barrels down on him. No dicking around on the powerplay with pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, lose the blueline, pass. Giguere isn't god's gift to goaltending and neither is the Munster, go make their life miserable. No flailing around defensively. And for the love of Jean Beliveau, CLEAR JARO'S REBOUNDS! Hey Bergeron, you were hired to rocketblast the puck into the net even if it means killing a few goalies with that shot, DO NOT DO ANY BOARD WORK! Cammy, you're due for another hattrick, you've waited long enough. Gio, keep doing what you're doing but take Gomez with you. Pouliot, manapult more before we callup Pacioretty to do it instead. Moen, punch Colton Orr in the face. Or Dion Phaneuf. (Unless Pleky gets to him first). Andrei, show us big Belarusian power. Rhino, exterminate all Leafs who cross the blue line. HMCS Hal Gill, may you save us on the powerplay with your long reach and lying down skills. Markov...just don't get injured.

It has come to this. Shove that smirk down Jack Todd throat. Wipe that nervous side-smile off Brian Wilde's face. Make Pat Hickey eat his words. Francois Gagnon can go cover the Lightning if he misses his Chez Nous boys so much.

It's a gorgeous day. Such a gorgeous day would end better with a wicked win against the hated Leafs.

GO HABS GO!