February is usually the most brutal month of the year. Traditionally here in Montreal it was the coldest month. It's known as "flu month". It's a month with no holidays despite being shorter than other months. And if you don't really care for Hallmark Day, then you really have nothing. Those blahs appear to have hit the Habs and the Bulldogs both hard. While the Dogs had some relief, they appear to be back and down after suffering a string of loses, the latest of which was a 7-1 smack down by the hated Marlies. As fans, perhaps the only joy one can get out of that smack down was the "1" came from dear little Sergei!
Brutal. But none more brutal than for the Canadiens. They just stopped skating. They forgot how to defend or turn around to see the play and appeared more comfortable assisting the other team by interfering with their own goaltenders or turning over the puck in a nice shooting area. They couldn't generate any offense regardless of the other team's sucktitude. They let their goalies down despite their holding their heads high and taking 6-7 goals against. They sputtered through so-called shocking controversy that bemoan a gossip mag. They lost a sparkplug tank to an injury. They lost a leader to a few days off. They lost a man of great heart to a trade. And they're still without the smiling Czech or the dopey Gui to injuries.
Will March be the glimmer of hope? Will Carbo stop being an ass and move Chipchura to the wing to play him? Will they set back the goalie tandem schedule or will he be satisfied enough to run one's goal posts into the ground? Will Price get himself a better entourage of friends instead of people who just seem to enjoy posting his life all over the internet? Will Dandy ever go back on D or will we need to watch Turnover City? (Dude, for the love of all things great and small, SPLIT HAMMER AND KOMO)! If one thing at least he's realized to put your best players out more. We've seen Kovy and AK46 double shift every now and then in Laraque's place on the 4th line. We've also seen the Metro that plowed his way through the playoffs last season continue his ways. We've seen the Schneider Play resurrected and Markov go easy on the turnovers.
I'd also like to mention that as of now PK Subban is 3rd in the OHL scoring for defensemen (66pts but in less games than the top two) and has a +41 rating. See I wasn't kidding when I said "burgeoning Bobby Orr". As he would say, "disgusting." But if Bob uses the kid in a deal on the 4th, I'll seriously explode.
The final stretch is upon us. Avanti!