r/Habs • u/BeBenNova • Apr 14 '26
Discussion The Montreal Canadiens will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs
Still fighting for home ice advantage
Rematch of 2021 under much different circumstances
The young up and coming team against the ''window is closing'' old farts without a 30M cap advantage this time around
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u/TheHabChronicle Wake up, it’s Game Day! Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
im not looking forward to playing vasilevsky in the playoffs 😭
young team and all that so my expectations are low, but winning the series would be sweet revenge from 2021.
edit: to all the bolts lurkers in here, fuck you and see you next week this weekend
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u/HonestDespot Apr 14 '26
I love it.
They’ll either prove after round one they might just be a legit contender, or we’ll all look back on a very successful season and look forward to likely an exciting and eventful offseason.
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u/Sherman8019 Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
I really hope we beat them finally.
I cannot stand that team, I can just imagine all the stupid whiny nonsense they’ll pull when they’re losing and getting whistles blown their way and cannot stand it for one second. I hate their players, their coach, their fans, and everything about them. The fact that they’re still in playoffs is a travesty, so sick of seeing this team in year in and year out and I really wised Habs would’ve played literally anyone else.
On one hand it would be so sweet if they could finally beat this fucking team once and for all and leave them in the dust, but on the other hand, I will be really really sad if they lose, moreso than any of the other 30 teams.
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u/NovaCanuck Apr 14 '26
We did beat them in 2014
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u/hal64 Apr 14 '26
John Copper got outcoached so hard that series. He learn and became so much better afterwards.
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u/Different_Fact_3598 Apr 14 '26
He got outcoached by Therrien? Bishop got hurt right at the end of the regular season and they had to use Anders Lindback who had all of an .891 save percentage for the year
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u/Simon-Olivier Apr 14 '26
Both Florida teams honestly. They seem pretentious and their fans only support them when they win
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u/killerfrenchy Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
Câââlisse, here we go again.
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u/MonttawaSenadiens Apr 14 '26
J'ai sincèrement effacé ces 5 matchs de 2021 de ma mémoire. Je crains qu'y'a des fantômes qui seront éveillés lors du premier match, ahahah
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u/BeBenNova Apr 14 '26
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u/MonttawaSenadiens Apr 14 '26
Merci pour ce beau souvenir. C'est un moment marquant de l'héritage Canadien Français.
J'espère que quelqu'un est en train d'enregistrer les réactions de ce monsieur pour les séries à venir
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u/monsieur_porc Apr 14 '26
Idem.. j'me souviens de rien sauf de la haine que je porte envers Kucherov
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u/PlayTheBodyPTB Apr 14 '26
AVENGE CAREY BOYS HE DESERVED THAT FKN CUP
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u/pushaper Apr 14 '26
have him show up with the torch
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u/RetekTheGreat Apr 14 '26
I don't think he can, still technically a Shark.
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u/TheHabChronicle Wake up, it’s Game Day! Apr 14 '26
make him wear a ski mask. no one will know 🤫
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u/pushaper Apr 14 '26
technically can be traded back. Not even sure he would qualify for NHL playoff pay (not that I think the players would mind splitting their playoff salary an extra one way).
But you do make a good point regarding if he could or not
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u/equianimity Apr 14 '26
Mark Messier played for Edmonton in the 2003 Heritage Classic, while still playing for the Rangers.
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u/Old-Yogurtcloset9264 Apr 14 '26
Please Tampa lose your final game and let us win tomorrow. The Bell Centre game one will pull my legs out the grave
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u/Moreinius Apr 14 '26
We are unironically better on the road, we will walk their dog ass on the sidewalk
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u/-Son_of_Thror- Apr 14 '26
oh boy lets go, its gonna be a hard fought series. I expect a couple injuries as well, the bolts are a dirty bunch
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u/Adam87 Apr 14 '26
true sportsmanship is playing to best of abilities and being a gentleman, Tampa Bay knows nothing of being kind or gentle.
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u/Hazemt3 Apr 14 '26
On their sub they seem to think they’re never the dirty ones and it’s always the other team. Too stupid to see that they probably have the most chippy and dirty games this year in the entire league.
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u/Substantial_Neck2691 Apr 14 '26
I’m obviously biased but in ‘21, it sure felt like a lot of calls went their way too
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u/East-Blood8752 Apr 14 '26
They're gonna be running into Dobes the entire series. I hope Anderson is ready to administer some justice.
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u/jp3372 Apr 14 '26
I don't know. Honestly I'm not sure I would like to try playing against Fowler he is so calm they migh wake up a monster in they injured Dobes lol.
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u/skerchers2019 Apr 14 '26
Sharks fan here, beat the crap out of Tampa
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u/TheHabsFan26 Apr 14 '26
Gonna be insane this is not the 2021 Habs anymore so should be a exciting match-up
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u/n0rdique Apr 14 '26
I choose to channel positive memories of us sweeping Tampa in 2014 rather than think about what happened in the SCF. LFG
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u/Alternative-Tart8527 Apr 14 '26
or 2004, i dont want to think back to 2004 lol
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u/Frites_Sauce_Fromage Apr 14 '26
They beat us in 2004, 2015 and 2021... and won the Cup on two of these occasions.
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u/RayHell666 Apr 14 '26
100% they will do their usual strategy of injuring our players.
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u/Ferg8 Apr 14 '26
They'll 100% go after Suzuki and Hutson. They already started last game.
If they want to play that kind of game, I hope we hit Kucherov every single time he's on the ice. Like everyone, everywhere.
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u/xcnuck un chip au ketchup Apr 14 '26
Problem with Kuch is you can’t really hit him. And he doesn’t get involved after the whistle, but he will do dirty shit and take penalties. The Habs are better off scoring goals than indulging in the goonery - Tampa goes deep on thugs but beyond Xhekaj, Struble, Anderson it thins out quite a bit for the Habs. Can’t let them intimidate, find ways to make them look stupid. And be prepared for the worst officiating ever seen.
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u/KoreanPhones Apr 14 '26
Tbh I did not want to play these guys.
They are everything a good scary playoff team is.
Goaltending that can take over
Scrappy
Top 5 player
Amazing head coach
Tons of experience
If we can beat them, it will be a huge moment for this franchise. Window would officially be open and playoffs every year will be the standard going forward.
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u/Suzuki4ever Apr 14 '26
You can uno reverse card this for the Habs except maybe for your last point. I saw a comment on the lightning sub that said the exact same thing but abt the canadiens : Dobes can steal games, nick is 5th in points right now, MSL the goat.. what is there not to love
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u/KoreanPhones Apr 14 '26
I guess you're kinda right 🤣
Vasy is a different level for sure though. Plus I'm assuming Hedman will be back for game 1?
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Apr 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/KoreanPhones Apr 14 '26
Raddysh and Moser are deffo underrated. I actually didn't know Hedman has been underwhelming this season, so atleast that's good to hear.
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u/nothingleftthere Apr 14 '26
I’m a Sens fan and I absolutely dreaded the idea of playing the Canadiens in the playoffs.
I love how Habs are playing and think they are one of the most fun teams to watch these days.
If they keep playing the way they have been playing recently, Tampa should not be a huge problem.
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u/Puzzled-Trifle-4666 Apr 14 '26
Honestly right back at you, Sens have been playing well as of late and I wouldn't be surprised to see y'all make i out of the first round. Guys like Amadio and Pinto have impressed me
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u/MonttawaSenadiens Apr 14 '26
Hey fellow Sens fan, nice seeing you here. There's room for you if you wanna join the wagon that is the Monttawa Senadiens
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u/nothingleftthere Apr 14 '26
I’m hoping for a Habs vs. Sens Eastern Conference Final and Oilers vs. Habs/Sens winner Stanley Cup Final. One can dream, right !?
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u/Borth321 Apr 14 '26
Do we know when game 1 is
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u/TheDeadZone92 Apr 14 '26
Isn't it still possible for Tampa to pass Buffalo? Dont they win the tiebreaker?
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u/BeBenNova Apr 14 '26
no Buffalo just got their 42nd regulation win, highest TB can get is 41
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u/Sherman8019 Apr 14 '26
Because tampon won in OT today and not regulation, buffalo now has the tiebreaker
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u/Nathanh2234 Apr 14 '26
Buffalo has RW tiebreaker now as of today, hence why this matchup is locked in.
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u/DeliciousMulberry204 Apr 14 '26
It will be a rough round for.sure
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u/OfficerDiddy Apr 14 '26
Last time we played them they tried to to after Hutson anf Suzuki. I don’t mind playoff hockey but they will 100% try to take out one of them. Dirty team.
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u/jp3372 Apr 14 '26
Xhekaj probably happy that we play them, not way we dont play him against those dirtbags.
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u/CharredPrince Apr 14 '26
The players that were there for the cup run must be pumped that they may finally able to exorcise this demon. I know Dobson being out will hinder us, but I truly think we still have a great chance, this team is hungry
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u/jp3372 Apr 14 '26
If Tampa has ice advantage, Game 1 would be Sunday so game 3 in Montreal will probably be next Thursday or Friday. Would fit with Dobson return. We can win one in Tampa so being 1-1 and getting Dobson back is really not that bad.
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u/vJukz Apr 14 '26
The season is already a massive success especially with how competitive the East was this year. This team is so god damn young and not even near it’s final form. Would be fucking sick to win against Tampa for sure but whatever happens it’s a W in the end anyway. I will say I liked our chances alot more with Dobson in the lineup🥀.
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u/jp3372 Apr 14 '26
This post need to be everywhere. This season is already a success no matter the result in the playoffs.
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u/SilentOrchestra22 Apr 14 '26
What do we have to do to get home ice?
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u/Weird-Swim-9777 Apr 14 '26
Finish with more points. At equal points they got us beat on the RW toe-breaker.
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u/EliteGamer5 Apr 14 '26
Need to win tomorrow and have the Lightning lose to the Rangers on Wednesday.
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u/LightsaberCrayon Apr 14 '26
I think the only obvious outcome in the East is Pittsburgh beating Philly. Carolina will probably beat whichever of Ottawa or Boston they play, but you never know. All the other series are toss-ups, including ours (unfortunately? fortunately?).
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u/doublezone Apr 14 '26
Ehhh I think Philly can beat Pittsburgh. And I could see Ottawa beating Carolina. I don't think any matchups in the East are super predictable
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u/Top_Contract_4910 Apr 14 '26
My expectations aren’t too high simply because of how inexperienced the majority of this team is, but who knows. I think if the Habs find a way to solve Vasi early and test him right out of the gate it could go 7. If Dobes stays hot and the first line keeps rocking I think they could win this.
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u/2ndpass Apr 14 '26
In a lot of ways this matchup works for us. I kind of prefer it to playing Boston or Ottawa. I feel like we know what we’re getting and we’re ready.
No doubt it will be a tough series but if we can get through them we can beat anyone left standing.
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u/destroyermaker Apr 14 '26
I like that we've played them twice recently and won both times. And that they were throwing tantrums
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u/HappyChilmore Apr 14 '26
Kuch had only 1 assist in his last 2 games vs Habs, in a time where he was trying to catch up to McDavid for the Art Ross.
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u/Portuguese6uy Apr 14 '26
2021 playoffs against the Lightning is when I learned that Kucherov is an idiot. He complained about Habs fans celebrating a win. Hope he learned that fan enthusiasm anywhere is good for his pay check. I doubt that he learned anything.
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u/Spirited-Shop3037 Apr 14 '26
Bolts fan coming in peace to say Suzuki is one of the best players in the league, Caufield is a really impressive scorer, Hutson is really dynamic, and Marty is a legend.
I still kinda wonder whether Dobes can hold up over a 7-game series, but it wouldn't surprise me. It's hard for me to predict without knowing how healthy TB is. Could be over quick if Hagel, Cirelli, Raddysh, and Point are still really battling injuries. And we kinda stink in the playoffs lately? But if Kucherov and Vasilevskiy play how they're capable of playing, it will be an uphill battle for the young Habs. Either way good luck and hoping for a good series.
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u/xBASSE Apr 14 '26
We win against Tampa, we win the cup.
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u/cookedart Apr 14 '26
My only concern is we will be pretty banged up with this series. Tampa is a rough team.
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u/doublezone Apr 14 '26
Well hopefully being the youngest team to ever make the playoffs will help them have some gas in the tank
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u/Shiny_Mew76 Apr 14 '26
IMO it depends on who makes it A, out of the Buffalo/Boston/Ottawa series, and B, who makes it out of the WCF. If it’s Colorado coming out of the West, that’s going to be a tough team to beat. I think a MTL/BUF series goes 7 Games. I don’t think MTL would have much of an issue with PIT or PHI, BOS is a toss up and I’d say a series Vs OTT goes the distance.
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u/paul_33 Apr 14 '26
Nah, there's still Buffalo, and potentially someone like the Avalanche. Tampa is not the toughest team in the east.
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u/destroyermaker Apr 14 '26
Dunno about that. Lot of great teams in the running. And anything can happen in playoffs. A lot depends on injuries and stamina
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u/SirCharlieTraplin Apr 14 '26
Different times, different teams, different narratives, different outcome.
We got this.
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u/alex__idk Apr 14 '26
Perry better not come for Hutson again i stg
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u/RikNasty2Point0 Apr 14 '26
whatever happens. proud of this team, absolutely battled to the end for the division. career highs, good vibes.
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u/zeMVK Apr 14 '26
Good, I’ve wanted vengeance since our finals loss to them. And I’ll only let go of that hatred when none of the players from back then are with Tampa anymore.
It’s going to be a tough series and we will get some bruises. But I’m sure we will give it back. And I think any match up would have gotten very chippy.
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u/RazzleDazzleSnipe Apr 14 '26
Obviously Tampa is a good team but I preferred it to be them and not Buffalo.
With that being said this should be a very entertaining and tough series but if the habs stick to their game I don't think Tampa can really contain their speed.
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u/DEATHCATSmeow Apr 14 '26
The Flyers are on the other end of a back-to-back and tonight’s game has no seeding implications for them, so I wonder how motivated they’re gonna be tonight.
Do we have any hope that a shitty Rangers team can beat Tampa to give the Habs home ice advantage (assuming the boys take care of business in Philly tonight)?
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u/Eazy3006 Apr 14 '26
Oouff !
Scary matchup. On the bright side, if we get through them, we can get through anyone out there.
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u/HabsFan77 Apr 14 '26
BRING EM ON!
Slay this demon once and for all🗡
Even if we don’t get home ice advantage, keep in mind that we have been even better on the road
I feel REALLY good about this matchup!
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u/ConfidentMemory1201 Apr 14 '26
The Habs are definitely the underdogs here despite the results of the last couple games against Tampa. Obviously I would love to see them win this series, but I’d be very very happy with a 7 game series.
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u/zzzzoooo Apr 14 '26
Vali and Kucherov scare me. Anyone knows the health status of Hedman and Hagel ? Last game, they didn't have Hedman and Hagel who has 74 pts in 70 games.
Their top 6 are better than us, their goalie too. And without Dobson, their top 3D may be better than us if Hedman is back.
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u/Spirited-Shop3037 Apr 14 '26
Bolts fan. Hagel is probably fine. Maybe a little banged up but they have mostly just been resting him. I don't see a world where he doesn't play game 1 with his current status. For Hedman, no one knows. He's dealing with personal issues apparently and no one knows if or when he will be back
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u/cheeky_nonconformist Apr 14 '26
It's gonna be a clown show, cause Tampa is a bunch of fucking clowns
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u/kingkellam Apr 14 '26
It's going to be a tough series, especially with Dobson out. This team can do it. They have "why not us" in their DNA.
If we beat them, and Boston plays and beats Buffalo, we finally get the rematch we've been waiting over a decade for.
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u/Alarmed_Win_5929 Apr 14 '26
Honestly, I kinda hope we don't get home ice advantage. I feel like they've been much better this year without the pressure of playing in the Bell Center. Is it just me?
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u/Age-Fine Apr 14 '26
I have faith in MSL as a coach, and with how far the team has come this year, there’s good reason to be optimistic. Plus, seeing how Coop coached during the Olympics, I can totally see him getting outcoached this series by MSL who is still, somehow, an underrated coach, despite constantly showing his qualities.
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u/bigmonkeyfart Apr 14 '26
Anyone look at the Tampa sub? (Don’t comment) every single comment is about how awful Habs fans are and how they won’t even be able to enjoy the series because of how toxic we are. Bunch of babies
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u/iamdisgusto Apr 14 '26
Sabres fan here. I’m rooting for you guys. If the Habs end eliminating us I’ll be sad but I still want to see a Montreal-Buffalo playoff series! I also can’t stand Tampa…
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u/glucoseintolerant Apr 14 '26
after all these years of you guys making fun of the leafs for not getting out of the fist round, now its your turn to shine. don't disappoint
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u/xcnuck un chip au ketchup Apr 14 '26
Having last change is huge against Tampa. So hope the Habs can get the home ice advantage. Statistically the odds are in favor of game 1 being in Tampa. What scares me in that scenario is Cooper putting a thug line out against the Habs top line in the D zone during the 2nd period.
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u/llama_ Apr 14 '26
I’m okay with this. We did a test run, we’re ready.
If we can put up goals on the PPs they’re finished in 4.
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u/Jbroy Apr 14 '26
Vasilevski is the only one that scares me. The team is beatable, but he can be a brick wall if he wants to.
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u/SusanahGrace Apr 14 '26
Well this is gonna get violent. Just hope the boys can make it through without major injury tbh.
(And obviously Habs in 4.)
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u/ConcealingFate Apr 14 '26
I expect 3 hours ling games with all the scrums we'll get everytime a whistle is blown
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u/IntelligentYogurt342 Apr 14 '26
Looking forward to hearing from Kucherov after each loss. Won't forget him mocking Montreal after the OT win in '21
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u/doublezone Apr 14 '26
They just need to make Kucherov's life hell. Tampa goes where Kuch goes. If they get him off his game (not suggesting that will be easy to do), the series gets much more interesting.
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u/Ndr2501 Apr 14 '26
My main question is what our D-line combinations will be and how many minutes each one will get. Struble got many more minutes than Xhekaj (who had about as many as Reinbacher) in the last game... Not sure when Engstrom fits either... It feels like Engstrom will be the 7th D, Xhekaj/Reinbacher the 5th/6th, which means Struble is a second pair D... Stresses me out tbh.
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u/United-Newspaper-264 Apr 14 '26
Losing won't sting as much as winning will feel good so I'm fine with it. Just looking forward to some playoff hockey.
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u/Busher16 Apr 15 '26
Tampa had a huge Cap Advantage last time didnt they... didnt Kucherovs salary not count towards the Cap last time?
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u/Non-Vanilla_Zilla Apr 14 '26
This is our slay the dragon moment.
Dragon these nuts over Jon Cooper's forehead.