Author: Dose

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Ticket prices at the Bell Centre have dropped significantly

The vast majority of Montreal Canadiens fans never expected to see their club in the playoffs this season.

The Tricolore proved it could be more than just “in the mix” with a very fine end to the season.

It was to be expected that the price of a ticket to the Bell Centre for the series against the Capitals would be very high.

And indeed, when I looked up the price of a ticket in the pit on Ticketmaster as soon as the tickets went on sale, it cost around $450 to be in the 400s…

And that’s understandable, because the excitement of seeing the CH in the playoffs is very high, especially with the surprise arrival of Demidov at the end of the season.

On the other hand, after losing the first two games of the series in Washington, ticket prices have dropped sharply.

By way of comparison, currently on Ticketmaster, the cheapest tickets for game #3 are just over $300 in the pit.

(Credit: Ticketmaster Canada)

And I’ve also taken the opportunity to store around for prices on Billets.ca right now, but they’re a little more expensive than Ticketmaster (starting at $349).

Still, there’s a big drop in price for a ticket.

Jean Trudel has seen tickets for sale on Facebook at good prices.

On the other hand, looking at prices on Ticketmaster, tickets may be slightly cheaper. Well, obviously, it depends on the view and the precise location of the seats chosen. The ones on sale in the post above seem to have a very nice view, even if they’re “in the pit”.

With a win tomorrow (Friday) in the first game of the series at the Bell Centre, expect prices to skyrocket, possibly to the starting price at the very beginning.

Whether it’s $450 or $350, that’s still a pretty hefty price for a ticket in the 400s, and that doesn’t include food, drinks, parking and so on.

In bursts

– Renaud Lavoie had a lot to say about the officials’ work since the start of the playoffs.

– Senators fans are doing everything they can to upset the Maple Leafs.

– Two great sets for Marner.

– A first career point for Zeev Buium on this Kaprizov goal.

– Yes, there’s a Cam Ward who’s been drafted first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Patrik Laine may play injured

Patrik Laine is a hot topic with the Montreal Canadiens.

The maverick is simply not capable of making the red light flicker…

There’s a glaring lack of motivation in his game, but could there be a hidden injury?

That’s the idea that Arpon Basu raised during his recent appearance on TSN 690.

” He’s not as dangerous as he used to be with his shot and I think there’s something that’s affecting his ability to shoot on the catch.” – Arpon Basu

That would explain a lot about him.

Of course, his lack of intensity has always been known.

However, as soon as he returned from his knee injury, he proved his worth on the power play, scoring in abundance in that situation.

For some time now, it’s been much harder for the Finn.

He’s taking a lot out of the team, especially in the current playoffs, where he’s just a big burden on the team. He can’t get to the net, and when he does, his shot just doesn’t go in as quickly and accurately as it used to.

Lately, we’ve seen him draw several times and miss the target by a wide margin.

His strength (and probably his only strength) is his devastating shot. If he can’t shoot like he’s really capable of, you have to question his usefulness in the line-up.

What’s the point of keeping a big guy who doesn’t play physical, isn’t a speed merchant, is atrocious defensively, never forces himself and could be injured?

In the same column on TSN 690, Jon Still talked about ESPN’s Steve Levy, who reportedly briefly mentioned that Laine would try to play with a wrist injury.

If this possible injury is to his wrist, it explains even more his atrocious performances of late.

Should Martin St-Louis give Laine a rest? Clearly, all he does is slow down the group and create turnovers, so this idea shouldn’t be ruled out.

In bursts

– If Laine were to remain in the press gallery for a game, would Kapanen be the best choice to replace him?

– Senators fans are loud tonight.

– Good news for young Canadian players.

– Now that’s good.

– Interesting.

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“Laine, ça lui tentait pas”: Félix Séguin believes young people must not like it

Patrik Laine’s second period in Game #2 against the Capitals won’t go down in history for all the right reasons. It’s the talk of the town today, and everyone has something to say about the usefulness – or otherwise – of #92 in Montreal.

This morning, I wrote that his talent no longer makes up for his disinterest, lack of effort and 5-on-5 play. For the sake of the club’s culture, this must be the end of the Laine experiment.

Over the course of the day, many called for him to be left out of the lineup for the third game and doubted his future with the Habs.

Michel Bergeron, however, made no bones about it during TVA Sports’ pre-game show. The tiger hopes that the Finn will no longer wear the Tricolore jersey.

“He’s invisible. Laine from the start, he’s the only one who can’t stop and start (go). He never stops, he skates all the time, he skates in circles, but he doesn’t skate fast. I think it was a good decision [to bench him], and I’d like him to have played his last game with the Habs

– Michel Bergeron

However, the former coach wasn’t the only one to come down hard on Patrik Laine today on TVA. The match commentator himself, Félix Séguin, was on TVA Nouvelles, and he too talked about team culture.

“Patrik Laine was disinterested, it didn’t appeal to him. That’s a huge criticism I’d level at him, because there are young Canadiens players who watch him go and say to themselves, that’s not how you play in the playoffs “.

– Félix Séguin


I find it interesting to see him talk from the perspective of the team’s youngsters, who shouldn’t be negatively influenced, but who aren’t crazy either. They can see that it’s not working. Lane Hutson must be happy to have the option of throwing to left field, but fully aware of the lack of effort.

Félix Séguin is normally more cautious in his analyses and opinions as the club’s official commentator. He doesn’t often make outings like this one. For him to drop a juicy one like this on Laine, it’s really not working.

Add to that his 2-3 viruses this season…

Free translation: if you don’t feel like playing field hockey – especially in the playoffs – you’re not cut out to play in Montreal.

In a gust

– Has Laine been given too much rope?

– Newhook, a fraud on the second trio.

– The Quebecer almost tops the podium of the NBA’s best defensive players.

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Mapper returns to TVA Sports tonight

A nice surprise on our TVs tonight. Good old Mapper was back at the NHL rink, complete with jacket, tie and TVA Sports microphone.

Now a police officer in Gatineau, Marc-André Perreault was brought out of media retirement by his old boss, LP Neveu, for Game #3 of the Maple Leafs vs. Senators series. The police jokes were quick to follow. “The Habs so far refuse to dress a cop, NOT US!” quipped Jean-Charles Lajoie at the start of his JiC show, after the famous Mappelicious theme.” I traded in my bulletproof vest for a jacket tonight,” added Mapper.

From what we understand, this is just a one-night stand. Perreault said it felt strange to be back in that position, but that he was happy to be back. Sure, the Canadian Tire Centre isn’t the Bell Centre, but it’s still playoff field hockey and, above all, the Battle of Ontario.

We imagine that if he’s in Ottawa for the game, we should see him back in his old role during tonight’s game coverage for a pre-game interview and possibly some interviews between intermissions.

If so, it’ll be good. Mapper was certainly one of, if not the most beloved face of Quebecor’s sports subsidiary.

And while he notes that he won’t be doing a Dominic Michel on his own, many will be hoping he does.

In Rafale

– Vinzenz Rohrer, third-round pick in 2022, is a Swiss champion for the fourth time in a single calendar year. He’s now eligible to sign with Laval, but beware: he’s also on Austria’s roster for the World Championships, which start on May 9. My guess: it’ll have to wait for North America .

– A reminder of his history!

– Another returner!

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It’s been over three months since Jake Evans scored on a goalkeeper

And how do you like the series between the Canadiens and Capitals so far?

After two games, it’s safe to say that the CH isn’t being downgraded. It doesn’t look like a last-place club, but it doesn’t look like a real playoff club either. It looks like a mix team… which was the organization’s main objective at the start of the season.

But for the CH to be able to be more successful, they also need a little more help from their supporting players. Like Jake Evans…

The Canadiens’ center has scored just one goal since signing his new contract in early March.

And that goal was scored in an empty net.

But we can take it a step further: Evans’ last two goals were scored when there was no goalie on the other side of the rink.

The last time Jake Evans beat a goalie was on January 21.

And that was over three months ago. Today is April 24…

Evans had given his team the win by scoring late in the game, when the Lightning were visiting the Bell Centre:

Jake Evans has a role to play in the Habs’ lineup because he’s good on the power play.

He’s not the only one to point the finger at right now… because only three players have scored since the start of the playoffs for the Habs.

We’re talking about Christian Dvorak, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

But Evans must also be able to help his club offensively. He gets chances to score… but he can’t convert them.

If Evans had put it in last night, the series might be tied 1-1 today. And I wouldn’t be writing this…

It takes better production from everyone and at this level, I wonder if Martin St-Louis wanted to boost Evans by putting Ivan Demidov on his trio last night.

The experiment didn’t work, but the coach tried anyway.

All in all, it’s going to take some goals to beat the Capitals in the playoffs. And if the supporting players aren’t able to contribute – as is the case with Evans and the others right now – the guys are going to find themselves on a golf course soon enough.

In bursts

– It all continues tomorrow.

– It’s funny to say… but the Leafs really impress me.

– Four games tonight in the NHL.

– Absolutely. Good thing he’s here!

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Arber Xhekaj: David Ettedgui begins to believe it’s a personal vendetta

The Capitals’ big players had (more) fun last night against the CH.

Alex Ovechkin (eight checks) and Tom Wilson (four checks) bothered the Habs all night long, and it was clear that the Caps had the physical advantage.

If only the CH had a player in its ranks that it could use to try and change this trend… #Ouain

Because no, Arber Xhekaj didn’t play last night.

Martin St-Louis decided to leave him out again, and the results are the same as in the first game. Will this prompt the coach to change his line-up for tomorrow’s game at the Bell Centre?

If not… David Ettedgui (BPM Sports) is beginning to think this may be a personal vendetta against the Sheriff.

We don’t know if Arber Xhekaj did anything wrong outside the rink. Nor do we know if the Canadiens are punishing him for X reason.

What we do know is that the defenseman has some flaws in his game… but that he can still help command respect on the ice.

Arber isn’t small, after all, and he doesn’t hesitate before throwing down the gloves to defend his teammates.

Michel Bergeron’s comments are also along these lines: right now, Jayden Struble isn’t the greatest guy on earth.

And as long as I have an average Struble – who hasn’t been super physical since the start of the playoffs – in the line-up… I’d rather have an average Xhekaj, because at least Arber hits the opposition.

The way things have been going for almost a month now, I won’t be falling off my chair if Xhekaj has to take another pass tomorrow night.

But at this point, it would really make sense to send him into the fray. The Habs are trailing 0-2 in their series against the Capitals, and they need to find a new way to bring energy into the lineup.

And for sure, if St-Louis gives Xhekaj the go, he’ll be hungry as a lion.

Breaking news

– News from CF Montreal training:

– Well done!

– It’s going to be a great experience.

– All the better.

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Here are Ivan Demidov’s NHL 25 odds

Fans of NHL 25 haven’t yet had the chance to play with Ivan Demidov in the game.

And the reason is simple.

EA Sports had not yet created his character, since Demidov was playing in Russia. KHL players are not in the game, nor are NCAA players.

But EA Sports today revealed Ivan Demidov’s rating – and those of Zeeb Buium and Quinn Hutson.

Lane’s brother has a rating of 75, Buium’s is at 80… and Demidov has a rating of 83.

That’s not bad for a guy who’s played two regular-season games in his NHL career.

I was curious, so I turned on my PlayStation to check the ratings of the other Canadiens players.

And to my surprise, Nick Suzuki still hasn’t reached 90, despite his really interesting season.

Besides Suzuki, Cole Caufield (88), Juraj Slafkovsky (85), Jake Evans (84) and Patrik Laine (85) are the CH’s best forwards in the game :

(Credit: PS5 Screenshot)

And on defense, Lane Hutson (86) is on the verge of overtaking Mike Matheson (87).

That said, EA Sports still thinks Arber Xhekaj’s place has been earned in the lineup… and we don’t see Struble :

(Credit: PS5 Screenshot)

Samuel Montembeault has a rating of 84. Jakub Dobes’ climbs to 79.

But no matter: it’s still special to see that Demidov is already one of the Canadiens’ forwards at NHL 25 despite the fact that he has little experience.

Everyone knows he’s a great talent… and obviously, the game’s developers know it too.

So much the better!

And those who want to use Demidov in the game will now be able to do so, which is good news too.

In a row

– Sens must convert scoring chances.

– He’s good.

– Wow!

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Patrik Laine: “I’ll cr*sse you this in the stands”

Patrik Laine isn’t the most popular guy in town right now.

Maybe his lack of effort yesterday was injury-related. It’s not impossible. But for the kind of player he is, let’s face it: he just didn’t feel like playing.

And that puts a lot of people off, clearly.

I don’t know how Josh Anderson, Brendan Gallagher and Christian Dvorak, veterans who are giving their all at the moment, perceive their Finnish teammate’s game.

But in any case, we know how Éric Bélanger sees it all.

In the eyes of the man who took part in the “La Poche Bleue Blanc Rouge” podcast following game #2, seeing Laine wearing the CH jersey is a disgrace. He doesn’t understand what it means, and he doesn’t deserve to play.

According to him, as soon as the CH benched him, it showed in the momentum of the game.

The next game, I’ll cr*sse you in the stands. – Éric Bélanger, who also wants to redeem him

Let’s just say that right now, there’s a big push for Laine to get as little ice time as possible. Seeing him do in the playoffs what he did during the season just doesn’t cut it.

Yesterday, it seemed like everyone had had enough.

What’s also annoying for many people is his I-don’t-care attitude. For instance? Saying you don’t mind facing a guy like Alex Ovechkin… and then not answering properly.

This one doesn’t go down well.

When you see guys giving it their all, you think yes, Laine should be ashamed of the way he’s playing. While Josh Anderson is transforming himself in the playoffs, Laine is…

Ah well, you get the idea.

in a row

– That’s right.

– Seen the same.

– Ouch.

– Of note.

– That’s a good one.

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I’m currently worried about the Canadiens’ young players

Playoff fever is easing off in Montreal this lunchtime. It’s as if everyone has recovered from the virus simultaneously. All thanks to a vaccine from the capital of the United States…

The Montrealers trail 0 – 2 and now face the challenge of winning four out of five games against the top team in the East (overall). Good luck!

When you listen to Cole Caufield, Martin St-Louis and Juraj Slafkovsky talk, you get the impression that no one has a real solution for bouncing back. It’s hard to be confident as a fan when the guys don’t seem to be confident themselves..

Do the guys still believe in themselves?

Yet, in reality, the CH has only lost by one goal (scored against a goalie) in the first two games. If Jake Evans puts it in Logan Thompson’s empty net, it could be 1-1 in the series..

If the Habs commit one less turnover on Monday, it could be 1-1 too..

I’m asking myself – and I’m asking you – this lunchtime: is the Habs that close to the Caps? Are they that close to being a really good playoff team?

Or are they just lucky to have been able to count on Samuel Montembeault to keep them in the game when they weren’t playing their hearts out in the opening seconds of every game?

I think the answer lies somewhere in between.

The fact that the youngsters were the ones who took you to the playoffs this year gave us hope for the rebuilding of Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes..

But the fact that these same youngsters are struggling against the Capitals right now is cause for concern. The team’s best forwards right now are the veterans: Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak and Patrik Laine Brendan Gallagher (and the captain, of course). It’s not a random act of desperation that Dvorak and Gallagher were on the ice at the end of yesterday’s game..

Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky (despite his imposing size) and Ivan Demidov probably find it hard to go fast and hard in North America in the playoffs. At the blue line, Lane Hutson has started doing what defensemen are told not to do in Midget AAA: don’t go into the corner for fear of getting hit.

At least the kids are learning, say the eternal optimists…

No, the Habs don’t seem so downgraded when you look at the big picture, on the surface, but when you dig a little deeper, what encouraged us during the regular season can discourage us today: several veterans are dragging the team down right now… and we’re not talking about veterans you have to rely on to lead your rebuild. #NotCategoryA

Yes, Sidney Crosby Josh Anderson is playing great field hockey right now… but it’s Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky I want to see be great to believe in the future of this group of players. Not Josh Anderson!

I hope Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes realize that their group needs size, grit and toughness. Even if, at the end of the day, they leave the guy who best fits their criteria in the stands. #Xhekaj

Jeff Gorton lost his job in New York because he underestimated the physical aspect of ice hockey (especially in the spring). I guess – at least, I hope – he’s learned and will be grafting some toughness to his group over the summer..

Mike Matheson said last night that field hockey players who don’t like getting hit are in the wrong business. Clearly, there are a few in the Montreal dressing room who are going to have to take a look in the mirror, even if Matheson wasn’t directly targeting them..

I would add this to Matheson’s comments: it would be fun to have players who like to – and are able to – hit the opposition with conviction. Because that’s part of the job too..

Josh Anderson handed out six body checks last night. The second-most on the Habs? A host of players with three. And Jayden Struble has NONE !

in a row

– Max Pacioretty nears a comeback.

– Hard blow to Philly.

– Logical.

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It’s a good thing Samuel Montembeault is here

It’s a good thing Samuel Montembeault is here. Otherwise, it would be 2-0 in favor of the Capitals…

In all seriousness, the Canadiens’ goaltender, who had never played in the playoffs before in the pros, was an important player this week in the two games presented in Washington.

Without him, the CH wasn’t in the games.

In both cases, I thought he helped set the tone in the first period. He made some big saves that helped his team gain confidence quickly.

And that’s even if things were choppy on the ice.

In two playoff games, Monty didn’t taste victory, but he only gave away five goals. His 2.49 GAA and .921 save percentage are worthy of a goaltender who plays in front of a defense that can’t be described as airtight.

He basically does what he’s told.

It’s worth noting that since the start of the series, both goalkeepers have been getting the job done. Logan Thompson, who is coming back from injury, stole yesterday’s game a little for the Capitals, let’s face it. He hasn’t been tested enough, but he’s been good at the right times.

There aren’t really any nasty goals scoring on either side, let’s say.

At the World Championship in 2023, Samuel Montembeault has risen to the occasion. In the series, the Quebecer is doing well. He did a good job in the run-up to the series. He performed well when it came time to solidify his place at the Four Nations Confrontation.

When it’s important, the guy stands up.

We know he was challenged by Jakub Dobes for a few games to steal playing time, and he responded well. He’ll be going through the same thing with Jacob Fowler in the future.

But clearly, Monty is making a case for himself as the club’s keeper of the future and not just the one who’s there in the meantime. Not bad for a guy who was tossed out four years ago…

in gossip

– In the playoffs, it hits.

– Coach doesn’t criticize referees too much.

– What’s next for the Islanders?

– Things are going well in San Diego.

– Interesting.