Plan The Parade

Written by: Iain Carnegie, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC. — What speaks two languages, breeds passion, and wears blue, white, and red? The schizophrenic fan-base of the Montreal Canadiens. The roller-coaster ride of the Habs 2011-2012 campaign took an upswing last night by means of a 3-1 victory over the faltering Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Center.

The feel-good sensation from the commanding win gave a much needed spark to the residents of Montreal, who haven’t had a lot to cheer for in this topsy-turvy season. There were many positives to be taken away from the game itself, but I still remain skeptical about something positive regarding the result, in relationship to extended hockey come April.

The quick-paced, back to back road trip into Pittsburgh and Toronto managed to allow the Canadiens to acquire three of a possible four points, and more importantly, resulted in the Habs gaining ground on the Leafs. The Maple Leafs are a team that they will face three more times this year, and a team that is also playing on the fringe, looking to gain access to the post season, so the win against them last night was mandatory.

Is it possible; however, to take the strength of play from the past two games and shine a light into the dark tunnel of playoff hope?

I’m still not even remotely convinced.

Everyone who knows the game realizes that it will most likely take a minimum of ninety points to acquire the coveted eighth spot in the conference, and gain access to the playoffs. So despite the past two games results — which in hind-sight should have been four points — doing the math only becomes more discouraging.

Les Boys have a total of thirty-four games left to play and currently sit with forty-five points (11th place overall in the Eastern Conference). Sitting currently in eighth are the Washington Capitals with fifty-two points and two games in hand.

So what does that mean? In straightforward terms, if ninety really is the winning number, it means that the Habs need to win twenty-two of their remaining games and secure at least one tie in regulation. That’s the minimum! That’s also if every other potential contender out there decides to play along.

I’m not saying that it’s out of the realm of possibility, but anyone who’s watched the consistency level of this team over the past four months knows that expecting a 22-10-1 record for the balance of the year is a tall order. Le Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge will need some serious assistance from Washington and Toronto to pull off this miracle (The Penguins are defeating the Capitals 2-0 right now as I type).

In order for a surge like this to happen, and the unbelievable to become a reality, it will take the continued hard work of Erik Cole, David Desharnais, Max Pacioretty, Rene Bourque, Lars Eller, and Andrei Kostitsyn. It will also require Scott Gomez to keep the pace he’s playing at, and some improvement from Tomas Plekanec.

But the real difference maker that will be required is a serious turn-around from the power-play, which is currently not worth the expired Metro ticket that lies on the ground outside the Bell Center. I’m not so sure that can happen. After watching the results of their attempts in seven outings against the Capitals last week, I can merely shake my head and sigh.

I’ve always been one to maintain hope, spur on belief, and never give up. This years team has challenged me to the core to be able to maintain that sort of spirit.

In my heart, I want to believe, and on the surface – I’m doing just that. I’ve never written off this franchise in the past and now would not be a good time to start. But in the end, when I look at the mathematical requirements, somewhere deep inside, I’m finding it hard to keep the flame alive.

Just as the team is starting to get hot, we will face the almighty Red Wings, and then head into the All Star break. I know it’s been said many times over the past two weeks, but the Detroit game is a MUST win. Going into a long rest having to deal with a bitter loss could be the back-breaker for the season.

So I’ll sit here, and wait for Wednesday, and the arrival of the Red Wings as they take to the ice in our barn. I’ll softly blow on the whimpering flame of hope that resides in the very depths of my being, and I will pray to the hockey gods that some way, somehow, a miracle can happen.