NHL/LNH : le Capitole ou la Roche tarpéienne ?

Tanguay, maybe Sundin. Interesting.

Bob Gainey's Canadien suddenly gets into high gear and increases the stakes to make it 25 Stanley Cups for the team's 100th anniversary.

The little team that -nearly- could may sson become the big one that must. Not quite the same puck game.

Le Canadien could only pleasantly surprise in a zero pressure (notwithstanding any claim to the contrary by the local media who love to think they scare away half the NHL roster), it may, starting in three months, be required to succeed at all cost.

Will the team raise to the occasion or collapse under the challenge ?

In his first coaching year, Carbonneau was pathetic -he admitted so much- at handling the changing room.

Year 2 was a definite improvement.

What about year 3, with bigger names, bigger egos, bigger expectations ?

No more Mr. Canadien nice guy, it is time for Real-hockey-Politik : instead of an offer, Mark Streit shall do with a courtesy meet where Bob Gainey will politely show him the door : "bugger off and thanks for the help, it is no longer Kindergarten here."

Le Canadien is bound for "le Capitole ou la Roche tarpéienne", as the old Romans from Montréal used to say on the way to the Forum.

(PM)