In fact I predicted a Canadiens series win. Yeah I know it's way early and it seems like I've become one of those Ole` Ole` second period singing lunkheads but I'm not celebrating anything yet.
But: even if FrankenChara returns tonight there's no way he will be his usual "Herman Munster on Steroids" self. And while he is the leader of the Big Sad Bruins where are the other stars on the team? His absence doesn't explain the collapse. Where's Dr. Recchi? Krejci? Kaberle?
Thomas has been outplayed by Price. Not even close. Rask will start tonight. Bergeron? Pleky has been better. He's finally no longer the "little girl." There may not be a more responsible (or more effective) two way forward in the league. Pleky has the defense of a Carbonneau and the hands of a playmaking goal scoring standout. PK has been growing, maturing, improving defensively and still shows the offensive flash and hot-doggery we love from him. Balance. The other D have been nearly letter-perfect.
Neely's unprofessional comportment in the "loge" hurts his team and sullies the B's image. You want that kind of intensity from the players, not an executive. It's like cutting off Julien's legs and introduces more doubt into the players' minds. It's not Julien's fault Luchicken has turtled again, the goaltending is average or that Chara got sick.
Remember I did say Canadiens in six and while I predict a CH win tonight it remains unlikely there'll be a series sweep, no matter what happens I think the Broons are too good and too proud for that. But the "Bumble B's" being 0-26 in a series when trailing two games to nothing it looks very good for a Canadiens triumph within the next week.
Sweep? Probably not. But a round one win? Likely. Somehow they dug down and whether it's muscle memory or some 2010 flashback they're getting it done again. There's a quiet confidence and businesslike aplomb. Ole`.
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