In a collaborated effort, TPiddy and myself bring to you the Sports Blog Networks first ‘writeoff’, and ifttingly enough, it involves the Leafs and Habs! To read why the Leafs might win tonight, the link will appear at the bottom of this article.
The pre-season hasn’t exactly been generous to the Montreal Canadiens. With Carey Price delivering performances that would be akin to pouring gasoline over a five-alarm inferno, the last game has only helped to amplify fan frustrations with their main offensive threat Michael Cammalleri being suspended for one game for slashing Nino Niederreiter. And now it is reported that the flu bug is making an early appearance in the Habs dressing room, taking out the teams top defensemen (if not also the most star crossed) and their starting goalie, Markov and Price respectively. While the debate is still out on whether Nino should be looking at a career in Hollywood in the offseason (or Michael as a half blind lumberjack), and the flu bug might be a Leafs fan, the fact that the Habs will start the season without their lone reliable offensive weapon, their top defensemen, and their starting goaltender would make any follower of the tri-colour wonder just what cloud of bad luck has landed over their team.
However, as the season opener draws near, I’m here to tell fans of the Habs that things are not nearly as bad as they may seem. In fact things might turn out just fine. Here’s the reasons why.
Their opposition: They open the season against the Leafs, which for most teams not named the Islanders or Oilers is like Christmas in October. While it makes for a good rivalry, the reality of it is that it’s been largely one-sided for the last almost half century. And the only reason why anyone knows many of the players on the team would be either they starred for other teams (such as Phaneuf), or seem to show on TSN’s front page like there’s no other sports news that occurs in Canada (like say, Kaberle this year). Indeed if there wasn’t’ baby-boomers to remember the last time the Leafs were a challenge on a regular basis, this match would have as much marketability as the Atlanta Thrashers being in town. While the Leafs aren’t on par talent wise with the Thrashers (shockingly enough, they have one or two decent players on the ice, or at least they’re better then the crew that started last year), they’re a far cry from the teams that the Habs have faced, such as the Flyers, Penquins, and Capitals.
Deep defense: While Markov is out, the rest of the defensive crops are not. And without Markov, they proved their mantle against teams with more offensive talent on one team then the Leafs have seen since The Big M patrolled the Gardens. Stalwarts such as Hal Gill (yes this is a compliment for Hal Gill. Dont’ adjust your screen) and PK Subban were able to shut down lines that featured Ovechkin and Crosby, they should little trouble with lines that feature Phaneuf as its most dangerous scorer. Add to this a coach that seems to favour a more defensive style of play, and Leaf forwards should become quite frustrated, which leads too…
It’s not easy being green: In an odd (for Toronto anyways) setup, the leafs actually have a fair amount of youth on the ice, enough to where Scheen could be considered a veteran. While this is an almost radical, and some would argue almost verboten, departure from the Leaf mantra of team building over the last half-century, it brings with it some new upsides, as well as downsides. One of the downsides is that their prone to make rookie mistakes. Bad positioning, quick dekes, and poor discipline can turn a rally into a giveaway, and a quick body check into a power play. Add to the case the pressure cooker that is the ACC, whom these greenhorns haven’t been tempered in, and the Leafs mantra is to take the Flyers playbook of hard-nosed psychical play, and apply vigorously to opponents with no restraint, and there’s a good chance of seeing a parade of blue sweaters going to the box all night long. Doubly so if the Alex Auld that appeared in Ottawa arrives at the ice. If the Leafs let the pressure get to them, and start going goon, it’s going to be like a breath of fresh air to the Habs, especially if the Leafs atrocious penalty kill from the last four years begins as it left off.
The goalie: While I feel that Price isn’t the second coming of André “Red Light” Racicot, it is a bit of a relief to see that he’s getting a break to cures what ails him. And his replacement is no slouch, as the multitude of Leaf fans wishing Price was back can tell you. Auld has the talent to be a strong backup (or even a starter for a team that has no reliable goalie…..like Ottawa a few years back), and can deliver performances that will make you wonder why he’s not starting for an NHL club. Add to this a defense that has proven its worth and it makes the likelihood of victory practically as strong as it would be with Price between the pipes. And the ignominy of being beaten by the backup would be the cherry on top of a two point sundae.
So even with our main scorer being sent off for a game by film critics, and the Blue and White flu bug taking out our star defense and first string goalie, there’s a good chance we can end up leaving “The Centre of the Universe” with two points and a sullen Leaf Nation. Cant’ ask for a better start to the season then that. To find out why the Leafs will win tonight, check out Leafs blogger TPiddy’s column by clicking here.
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The owner of the Sports Blog Network, Chris tells it exactly as he sees it, be it in the stands, in front of the tv, or on his semi-trusty laptop. And always with a can of trusty Dr. Pepper by his side, and spell-check working overtime. 
Good preview. While it’s too bad that your prediction didn’t come to fruition, it seems the two teams have followed your path.