It's the eternel debate in hockey,when one era is compared to an another.This situation was brought up in 1995-96,when the Detroit Red Wings, then coached by the legendary Scotty Bowman, who was also behind the Canadiens bench in 1976-77,finished the season with 62 wins, which had broken Bowman's Canadiens record of 60.When Scotty's great Habs team established that mark, there was no overtime or shootout in the regular season, so they were purely obtained in the 60 minute time frame.Now of course,when Scotty's Red Wings beat the record,some of those wins came in overtime, so did they truely beat ? According to the record books, they did. But hockey historians will undoubtly keep the 1976-77 record intact, for one reason, that great season was crowned with a Stanley Cup, which was not obtained by Bowman's Red Wings. So for it to be meaningful in the end for the San Jose Sharks, they will have to win the cup this year.
You also can look at this in different angles. You can compare both the Sharks and the Canadiens team of the time, position by position, and even behind the bench. No doubt the Sharks lose out at all of the above. In goal, Dryden get's it hands down. On the defense, with the big three, all Hall of famers, no contest. Up front, again no contest, of course, what past or present coach can come close to Scotty Bowman ? It's obvisious, it just wouldn't add up for the Sharks in the end.
So Canadiens fans, don't worry,you can be assured that the record will be remembered for a long time.
You also can look at this in different angles. You can compare both the Sharks and the Canadiens team of the time, position by position, and even behind the bench. No doubt the Sharks lose out at all of the above. In goal, Dryden get's it hands down. On the defense, with the big three, all Hall of famers, no contest. Up front, again no contest, of course, what past or present coach can come close to Scotty Bowman ? It's obvisious, it just wouldn't add up for the Sharks in the end.
So Canadiens fans, don't worry,you can be assured that the record will be remembered for a long time.
Now that NHL commissionner, Gary Bettman, has made a joke of his league once again by giving it's worse ambassador a light sentence, what's next for Sean Avery ? Worse, he may have tied the hands of the Dallas Stars. I can understand in a way the NHLPA, is in obligation to protect of its own, the question is, can this same association vote him out ? It will be interesting to watch in the coming weeks.
Habs five away from win number 3,000
The NHL's most storied franchise is on mark to write an another great page in it's one hundredth year history. When the Montreal Canadiens hit win number 20 of the season, it will also be their 3,000th win since their existence in the NHL. Guy Carbonneau has been part of the history of this team and organization, has he is the last captain to win a cup in Montreal, but now as a coach, he will be the one that will be remembered as being behind the bench for win number 3,000. If you were to ask to Carbonneau, how he would feel about that, he would probably be flattered, but there is one win that he's waiting for and will gladly share with Saku Koivu, the one that brings the cup back to Montreal. Carbonneau being the team player that is, would pause, and thank the likes of Dick Irvin, Toe Blake and Scotty Bowman, and all others that came before and after them for the chance of being the guy that won win number 3,000.
When Guy Carbonneau became the Canadiens coach in 2006, he wanted to create a team and family spirit. So far he has done pretty well, espacially when he saw all of his players joke around after Thursday's trashing of the New York Rangers 6-2.
When Guy Carbonneau became the Canadiens coach in 2006, he wanted to create a team and family spirit. So far he has done pretty well, espacially when he saw all of his players joke around after Thursday's trashing of the New York Rangers 6-2.
