Author: Dose

Categories
Uncategorized

Laine absent or not, Demidov must play on the first wave of the power play tonight

Patrik Laine did not take part in the Canadiens’ practice this morning at the Bell Centre.

And we don’t know if he’ll be able to play tonight in Game 3 of the series against the Capitals.

But it doesn’t matter: whether Laine is there or not, he deserves to lose his place on the first wave of the power play.

Laine may have a quality shot, but it hasn’t been working for him for a while.

The sniper hasn’t scored in powerplay since March 30… and it’s time to change some things.

Add to that the fact that he doesn’t seem interested in playing right now. Some are talking about injury… but seeing him be so soft in the first two games of the series, it’s got to make Martin St-Louis make a decision.

And if Laine is in uniform tonight, St-Louis needs to send him a message: you don’t want to go five-on-five? Make room for another guy on the first power-play unit.

There is one guy, after all, who just waits for his chance.

And you’ll understand that I’m talking about Ivan Demidov…

The Canadiens must find a new formula to be effective on the power play.

The club hasn’t scored with the man advantage since the start of the series… and if we push the note even further, we realize that the CH has justone goal on its last 25 power playopportunities .

Not nearly enough.

If Laine doesn’t play tonight, we’ll see Caufield take over his spot on the powerplay.

And the addition of a playmaker like Demidov on the first unit could help find results because we know the Russian has the offensive skills to be dangerous in the Capitals’ zone.

It’s not as if Demidov is overused at even strength, either. As long as we’re benching him, I’d like to see him get a chance to showcase his talent… and I know I’m not alone on my island in thinking this way.

All this to say that the Patrik Laine experiment must come to an end… even on the first wave of the power play.

He hasn’t brought anything concrete to the ice – even on the power play – for some time now, and the time has come to make a decision.

In gusto

– He revived his career when he joined the Blues.

– Win or lose tonight?

– Big fine… #OuPas

– Oh, wow!

Categories
Uncategorized

CapFriendly acquisition and Capitals success: Just a coincidence?

In June 2024, the Capitals purchased the CapFriendly website.

The organization acquired the platform in order to integrate it into its day-to-day field hockey operations.

The Caps also hired Jamie Davis, the site’s co-founder, to work with the team.

Simon Boisvert and Mathias Brunet talked about it in an episode reserved for their Patreon subscribers, and one question came up: is the Capitals’ success explained by the purchase of CapFriendly?

The Snake and Mathias Brunet believe the answer to that question is no.

The journalist from La Presse explained it well: the Capitals draft the right way, and they’ve been doing it for a long time. And they’ve been offering great contracts to their good players (like Protas and Strome) even before they acquired the CapFriendly site.

The two Processus hosts believe this is simply a coincidence.

It’s true that the timing of the team’s successes is funny… because the Capitals finished the season 2nd overall in the National League after purchasing the CapFriendly site.

After all, the Caps didn’t have as good a season in 23-24 (17th in the NHL standings).

And they were even worse in 22-23 (25th overall in the NHL)…

But most of the club’s success can be explained by the individual performance of the team’s best players, who were already there before last summer.

Some guys stepped up to the plate and produced the results we see today:

  • 82 points (29 goals) for Strome – 82 games
  • 73 points (44 goals) for Ovechkin – 65 games
  • 66 points (30 goals) for Protas – 76 games
  • 66 points (33 goals) for Wilson – 82 games
  • 57 points (26 goals) for McMichael – 82 games

These guys produced more than we could have imagined, allowing the Capitals to be dangerous offensively all season long.

The acquisition of Dubois (66 points, including 20 goals) was a game-changer, as was that of Chychrun… and Logan Thompson was excellent in front of his net in 24-25.

Thompson ($766,667) and Chychrun ($4.6 M) were excellent for less money, and perhaps the purchase of the CapFriendly site helped the Capitals achieve some of their goals.

But the team’s best players who were already in place gave a lot too… and that’s something to consider.

In Brief

– GO!

– Well done.

– Wow.

Categories
Uncategorized

Huge buzz at TVA Sports and rumors of dismissal despite playoff wins

Where will you be watching tonight’s game, boys and girls? Will you be at the Bell Centre? In front of the Bell Centre? At Taverne 1909? At La Belle et la Bœuf in Repentigny? With your buddies in your living room? In the Donnacona prison common room?

One thing’s for sure, there’ll be a ton of Quebecers plopped down in front of a TV screen tonight. And I’m pretty sure you’ll all be among them.

Wednesday’s ratings were 10% lower than Monday’s at TVA Sports. It happens!

But tonight, with all the buzz in town over the next few hours, I’m pretty sure we’ll break the 1.2 million viewers-per-minute barrier.

Incidentally, I’m told that the TVA Sports app was so inundated with new subscriptions on Monday night (first game of the series) that it crashed for 45 minutes. With a $35 package for three months, many people wanted to subscribe at the last minute.

Yes, having a ton of new customers is good for TVA Sports, but how many potential customers who had made the move in their heads couldn’t subscribe, opted for illegal streams and may never come back?

In short, thumbs up to the sales and marketingteams… and thumbs down to the technical team on the Web.

A winning coach on the verge of being fired
It’s not just the Capitals vs Canadiens series that has my attention in the first round.

Kings vs Oilers… Toronto vs Senators… the Battle of Florida..

But the most exciting series so far pits two of the best teams in the Western Conference against each other: Stars and Avalanche.

The Stars have managed to win the last two games in overtime and currently lead the series 2-1.

But just because he’s helping his team win games doesn’t mean Peter DeBoer will keep his job next season.

According to a reliable source, Jim Nill, Scott White, Mark Janko and Rich Peverley have their doubts as to whether Pete DeBoer will start the 2025-26 season at the Stars’ helm. DeBoer is currently completing the third year of a four-year contract paying him just over $4 million per season.

DeBoer, unlike a guy like Martin St-Louis, often leads teams that are less and less successful, season after season, or are eliminated earlier and earlier from the playoffs. His old-school coaching style doesn’t appeal to all players. Nor all managers..

And it’s eroding over time…

Of course, it’ll be harder to thank a guy for winning the Stanley Cup, so nothing’s decided yet in Dallas. But if the Stars don’t watch out late this spring, I’m told the chances of DeBoer losing his job over the summer are very high. We’ll see.

Note that DeBoer could also decide to leave on his own, according to my source.

Patrick Roy: it’s all over for him
Speaking of NHL coaches who are less and less successful year after year: Patrick Roy.

The Islanders fired Lou Lamoriello a few days ago, and since then, everyone has been wondering what the future holds for Isles head coach Patrick Roy.

Officially, Roy is still on the job, but the future GM of the organization will be the one to decide his fate. It’s rare to see a coach survive a change of GM. And when it happens, it doesn’t last very long most of the time..

From what I’ve heard, Patrick Roy has already started telling people that he’s done with New York.

Some see him applying for the job of president of field hockey operations and/or GM, but I don’t think the Islanders’ higher-ups have any intention of giving Patrick that kind of power. Roy was Lou Lamoriello’s guy, and Lou is gone..

There are rumours that Marc Bergevin is an excellent candidate to rebuild the Islanders. If that ever happens, he certainly won’t keep Patrick Roy, whom he never wanted anywhere near him in Montreal.

But hey, Bergevin or not, Patrick’s carrots would be cooked in New York. And what Louis Domingue told us last week on Stanley25 goes some way to explaining why Patrick Roy can’t make a convincing case for himself in the NHL.

Mind games have had their day.

Extension

– Is it realistic to think that Sidney Crosby could be the Canadiens’ second center?

@9millions_ Crosby in Montreal, is it possible? Yes and no, believes Louis Domingue 😲 Extra bacon episode of #Stanley25 available everywhere! 🚨 #montreal #quebec #qc #gohabsgo #canadiens #habs #hockey #nhl #fyp ♬ original sound – 9millions

– If all goes well, Giacomo Vrioni should start training with the group again next week.

– The Montreal CF players broke bread at the Palma earlier this week. I guess someone told them that teams who come to play the Habs and dine there the night before a game at the Bell Centre almost always win their game..

– At least it’s not “five times more expensive”. That’s the important thing..

– Montreal CF’s new (young) attacking player is capable of scoring goals.

Categories
Uncategorized

Unsigned contract: Alexander Nikishin’s agent seriously threatens the Hurricanes

Alexander Nikishin’s situation in Carolina is bizarre.

On April 11, two weeks ago, the Hurricanes announced that the player had agreed with the team on the terms of a two-year NHL entry-level contract.

But now… said contract doesn’t seem to have been officially signed yet.

There are still details to be ironed out, and the player’s agent is frustrated. Both parties agree on the terms of the contract, but nothing has been officially sent to the NHL yet.

Alexander Chernykh – in an interview in Russia – therefore criticized the Hurricanes’ organization, saying it’s illogical that his client’s contract hasn’t yet been settled.

He claims that everyone is frustrated, that the Hurricanes “always act like this”… and Nikishin’s agent gave the organization an ultimatum, saying this:

If it continues, Alexander will return home or ask for a trade. – Alexander Chernykh

Wow…

Do the Hurricanes know something and that’s why the contract hasn’t yet been made official with the National League?

It’s a possibility. After all, Nikishin is one of the organization’s top prospects, he was allowed to leave Russia to come to North America… and the Hurricanes don’t seem to be in any hurry to sign him.

By way of comparison, the Canadiens wasted no time in reaching an agreement with Ivan Demidov.

It happened on the same day that we learned (by surprise) that the forward had been released by Roman Rotenberg and SKA St. Petersburg…

Alexander Nikishin has already arrived in Carolina and met with Hurricanes management. He hasn’t played yet (because he doesn’t have a contract) and clearly, he’s got some frustration on his side right now.

At least, for his agent to make threats like that… there has to be someone not happy somewhere.

In gusto

– Barkov could play tomorrow.

– Wow.

– Dawson Mercer’s little brother signs contract with the Wild.

– Of note.

Categories
Uncategorized

Go Habs Go: threats to OQLF employees

The famous “Go Habs Go” situation is getting out of hand.

Due to a complaint to the Office Québécoise de la Langue Française regarding the mythical inscription on STM buses, the city’s buses wrote “Allez! Montréal Allez!” instead.

And let’s just say the jokes about it on social networks are plentiful.

In fact, it got so bad that the OQLF received threats. Some of the company’s employees received these, and clearly, we’re going to say that this is going too far under the circumstances.

Even if the situation doesn’t make sense, employees have to deal with the complaints that come in under the existing rules.

If we wanted things to change, they had to be decided at a higher level. And that’s what happened, as CAQ minister Jean-François Roberge took the matter into his own hands.

He posted a lengthy message on Twitter to set the record straight.

Minister Roberge, whose responsibilities include the French language, claims that “Go Habs Go” is ingrained in the Quebecois way of life, and that it’s what’s known as a Québécisme.

For the time being, a complaint about Go Habs Go will be deemed inadmissible.

It’s good that a representative of the CAQ has spoken publicly in this way to calm things down. After all, the situation was becoming increasingly difficult to control on social networks, in particular.

On to another call, then.

en rafale

– This is good.

– Interesting.

– Winning four games in a row: it can be done.

– One to watch.

Categories
Uncategorized

Repeated blows to the face: several hours at the dentist for Brendan Gallagher

Brendan Gallagher is a little warrior. He’ll do anything for a Canadiens jersey.

He’s willing to eat sherwood in the face to help his club. And against the Capitals, it happened twice this week.

The playoffs, they’re a blast.

Given that referees put away their whistles in the playoffs (especially for hits to the face) and that Gally has a reputation that precedes him, it’s clear that the player is a victim of the playoff game.

And that’s bound to affect him.

As he told the journalists who follow the Habs this morning, and as reported by Eric Engels yesterday, the CH player spent several hours in the dentist’s chair.

Nothing less.

With so many players making game time decisions ahead of tonight’s game, you have to wonder if Gallagher is one of them. After all, his anecdote raises doubts.

But because #11 is the real deal, I expect to see him play tonight.

We’ll just have to hope for better refereeing tonight. Will the crowd have an effect on how the referees work if there are ever blows to the face?

Because let’s face it: while whining about referees is a national sport in the playoffs, the 2025 vintage is pretty special in that respect. I recently re-watched the Maurice Richard movie and it sounds like the 2025 referees came out of the movie when the Rocket got hit in the head.

in a row

– We’ll find out on May 5 whether Lane Hutson will be nominated for the Calder.

– Ouch.

– Read on.

– He skates.

Categories
Uncategorized

Patrik Laine out tonight and Arber Xhekaj in the line-up, according to JiC

This morning, at today’s training session, there was only one absentee: Patrik Laine.

Why was he absent? Is it because he won’t be playing tonight (whether because of a knee/wrist injury or for some other reason) in game #3 of the series? According to Jean-Charles Lajoie, it’s possible, yes.

He “would” be left out, according to his information. Big move on his part, if he’s right.

According to what the TVA Sports host is reporting, it would be likely to see Laine left out. We can expect to see Oliver Kapanen play tonight at the Bell Centre.

And it seems certain that Arber Xhekaj will play tonight, at the expense of Jayden Struble.

Details to come…

Categories
Uncategorized

NHL Draft collusion: Mathieu Chouinard tells his story

Is there collusion at the NHL draft? To hear Mathieu Chouinard tell it, the answer is yes.

The man we know today as an analyst for TVA Sports and BPM Sports agreed to tell the story of his draft while on the PoolCast podcast.

Here’s the result:

As Marco Normandin discussed in a text on the subject, Chouinard was drafted by the Senators in the first round in 1998. He was the 15th overall pick that year.

He had two years to sign his entry-level contract, but it didn’t happen.

The former goalie, who played one NHL game (with the Kings) in his career, was offered (in 2000, the deadline for signing) a smaller contract than the guys drafted before and after him. The Sens wanted nothing to do with offering him a good entry-level contract.

Chouinard said no, and in 2000, he became eligible for the draft again. And once again, it was the Sens who chose him.

In effect, because Chouinard wasn’t signed, the Sens got the 45th overall pick in 2000 as compensation. And it was with that pick that the goalie was drafted.

He lost all negotiating leeway and signed at a discount.

So Ottawa won out all round, but the Quebecer doesn’t believe things were done the right way. He can’t prove it, but he talks of collusion to keep him in Ottawa under such conditions.

In his eyes, goalies not as good as him were released earlier in the draft, which was suspicious.

We asked questions and were told by certain teams that they were obliged not to draft me and let me slide to the Ottawa Senators. – Mathieu Chouinard

That’s why the goalie talks about collusion in the Bettman circuit – and nobody does anything about it. After all, the Sens made sure to keep him in Ottawa, but under conditions that kept the club in control.

That’s not a good way to start a pro career.

in gossip

– Well done.

– To be continued.

– Wow.

Categories
Uncategorized

Anglo, franco, it doesn’t matter what color your skin is… as long as you push yourself

Right now, Patrik Laine is THE target of Habs fans.

Media and fans alike are talking about his flagrant lack of effort in Game #2. And Martin St-Louis must have noticed, too, because when the driver cut his bench on Wednesday, Laine was given the boot.

Just this morning, TVA Sports shared an article about Laine. It shows Michel Therrien, who coached in the NHL for many years, saying that Laine is a bad teammate on the ice.

Is Laine injured? It could be. But the CH hasn’t announced anything… and everyone’s a bit injured at this point… and Laine no longer has the benefit of the doubt because of his past as a guy who doesn’t always give his all.

That’s why Laine is being criticized right now.

And that’s what brings us to guys like David Savard and Mike Matheson. Even though they’ve played better in the past than they have in the last two games, they don’t get criticized as much. And they’re not losing playing time.

Are these guys less criticized by the French-language media becausethey‘re Québécois d’ici who speak French, as we sometimes read on Twitter?

The answer is no.

What you have to understand is that these guys force themselves. They give what they have to give by playing a role that Patrik Laine would never want to play, even if he is the highest-paid skater on the team.

In my eyes, there’s a big difference.

Martin St-Louis has continued to put Matheson and Savard on the ice in situations where they have to play, because they’re pushing themselves and because it would be bad for the club to give them a hard time . St-Louis did things differently with Laine (six against five at the end of game #2) because he doesn’t force himself.

Bringing language into this is bad faith. But I’m not surprised it’s happening.

After all, yesterday there was a CH-related language debate(the famous “Go Habs Go” on the buses) and it always brings out the worst in everyone, these debates.

And that’s even if, in this case, even the Francos find the situation mostly thick.

If the Habs weren’t losing their series 2-0, maybe the mood in town would be different. But right now, it looks like a lot of people are forgetting the wise words of Loco Locass in the song Le But.

When it comes to field hockey, we don’t mess around, okay?It’s more than a sportIt’s a metaphor for our fateIt’s what we’re all aboutThat’s what brings us togetherAnglo, franco whatever your skin color

Regardless of skin color or language, CH fans must want players who sweat and bleed for the Montreal Canadiens’ tricolour jersey. Because it’s more than a sport: it’s a metaphor for our fate.

Laine doesn’t do that. If a player doesn’t force himself, his language doesn’t matter. And CH fans have proven it in the past: everyone is liable to get booed.

And that’s why, instead of talking about the first playoff game since 2017 in a full Bell Centre, this morning we’re talking more about the passengers in the club, whose face Laine has become by necessity.

All the people with tickets for tonight’s game want is for the guys on the ice to give it their all so they can give themselves a chance to win and shout… Allez Montréal!

in a row

– Ah well.

– Big duel, this.

– A woman as Islanders GM? [JdeM]

– We suspected it, but Tony Marinaro reminds us that there will be another season of the CH series on Crave.

Categories
Uncategorized

Series highlights: Leafs lead series 3-0 over Sens

Last night in the NHL, four series continued.

Two teams could take a 3-0 series lead: Toronto and Winnipeg.

Here are the results and highlights:

Overtime win: Leafs lead 3-0

The Leafs aren’t a playoff team.

At least, they weren’t under Sheldon Keefe. Not so under Craig Berube.

Yesterday, Toronto won 3-2 in overtime to lead the series 3-0. Ouch!

The Senators came from behind, however, thanks to Brady Tkachuk’s goal.

His second of the playoffs.

Auston Matthews had given Toronto the lead earlier.

What a play by Mitch Marner on the sequence!

Ottawa has yet to win a playoff game since May 2017.

The Leafs can end the series tomorrow.

The game will be played in Canada’s national capital.

Panthers come home 2-0 ahead

The Panthers could really hurt the Lightning with a win.

Florida won 2-0 and the club now leads the series 2-0. They return home for the next two games. In view of game three, two big players could forfeit: Brandon Hagel (suspension) and Aleksander Barkov (injury).

Nate Schmidt scored the visitors’ first goal.

His first of the series.

And the insurance goal was scored by Sam Bennett, in an empty net.

Paul Maurice’s club could take a 3-0 series lead tomorrow at home.

Florida currently leads the series 2-0.

Connor Hellebuyck is not the same

In St. Louis, the Blues had to win to avoid going over the cliff.

In convincing fashion, the team closed the gap in the series. Victory 7-2. They even managed to chase down the world’s best goalie, Connor Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck would never have put in such a performance in the regular season: 19 saves on 25 shots.

His defense wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t help himself, either…

For the Blues, Pavel Buchnevich scored the first hat trick of the 2025 series.

Cam Fowler became the first defenseman in franchise history to score five points in a playoff game.

Still!

St. Louis could tie the series on Sunday, still at home.

The Jets lead 2-1.

Another 5-2 Wild win

In game two, the Wild won 5-2.

And in yesterday’s game three, Minnesota won by the same score.

Kirill Kaprizov opened the scoring.

The duo he forms with Matthew Boldy is simply sensational.

He already has 13 points in three games.

While Kaprizov and Boldy were in charge of the attack, Filip Gustavsson was in charge of preserving the lead.

The two teams meet again tomorrow in Minnesota.

The Wild lead the series 2-1.

Overtime

– Of course.

– A first point for the young defender.

– What a goal!

– Adin Hill hunted.

– Bon.

– Fowler leads the charge.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Three games on tap tonight.

(Credit: NHL.com)