Role Reversal - Montreal & Toronto - What a Difference Two Weeks Makes

[RGM81]

Let's rewind the calendar to Saturday, January 11th, shall we?

That night, the Canadiens played their best game of the season, knocking off the Chicago Blackhawks (your reigning & defending Stanley Cup Champions) 2-1. Everything about that game was amazing as a Habs fan. With the win, the Habs were 2 points back of the Boston Bruins for 1st place in the Atlantic Division. Times were good.

Meanwhile...

That same evening, the Leafs were idle, licking their wounds from a fourth consecutive loss - a streak that that included two absolute thumpings by the Rangers and Hurricanes. People were calling for Carlyle's firing. They were mired in the middle of the conference standings, fearful of falling out of a playoffs spot.

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In the two weeks since, the Habs have won only a single game, and have given up four or more goals in every single contest. They've lost their past four games by a combined score of 19-5. Now the fans in Montreal are saying that Therrien has lost the room and should be replaced. They're ready to trade everybody. The team can't score and they can't defend. Despite the bloated GAA and diminished SV% Carey Price has still been the team's best player - were it not for at least half a dozen ten-bell saves the past couple weeks we're looking at 7-1 losses to Pittsburgh and Detroit--two nationally televised games.

And now the Leafs occupy the 3rd playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. They reeled off a six-game win streak that included a win over the Habs that has restored the confidence of the fans in the coach. They're still looking for better consistency but they're getting results. Kessel & JVR are on fire. They're on the ascent and have some very winnable games in the next days before the Olympics that could further bolster their position, including the two games against Tampa Bay.

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Hockey's fun some times, and cruel at others. LOL

[mooneyes]

I think the big thing is so much more parity now, the pool of well coached, well trained, fit, fast, skilled young athletes from all over allows every team to have some quality players. As a B's fan I wouldn't minddomination, but for every other team's fan, no fun at all....Parity is what makes the NFL so popular, and now in the NHL, you never know who might catch fire...or go into a tail spin....

I also suspect the Habs were really amped to beat the Champs, the Cap's, who have their number, not so much.
It seems the biggest challenge in this league is getting your team to play every game like they have something to prove. It is no coincidence the players snubbed by Team Canada are all on fire right now!