It's not always easy for people in the Toronto Maple Leafs' catchment area - an area where an alien abduction seen live on TV would be less startling than a Stanley Cup parade along University Avenue - to truly understand the different brand of insanity hockey inspires in Montreal. The popular habit of calling it a religion is overstatement, but it does say something that rioting happens when things go well.
When things go poorly? Look out.
So after a season that ended with a surprising playoff run, breeding wild optimism for this year, there are two fascinating storylines to watch for in Montreal if things don't turn out as hoped. Both have the potential to last all season. And both have their roots here in Hamilton.
You've already seen hints of the first. If Carey Price plays like anything less than the cloned combination of Jacques Plante, Patrick Roy and Georges Vezina, he'll be abused in a way few can comprehend. Particularly because fan favourite Jaro Halak has started his post-Montreal career in St. Louis with two wins, allowing just two goals.
If the fans were on Price in the meaningless first game of the pre-season, it's almost painful to imagine what it'll be like for him if he struggles when it counts.
Blame this on his time in Hamilton. Expectations were already big for him after his starring role in the world junior tournament. But when he came here and backboned the Bulldogs to the Calder Cup championship with a performance that was to goaltending what Dom Prignon is to sparking wines, all perspective went out the window.
Apparently, living up to the nickname Jesus Price isn't easy.
The other narrative that's a little more subtle and that'll be even more intriguing really begins to percolate Wednesday night. That's when Guy Boucher and his Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Bell Centre for an early-season showdown - the Habs' pomp-filled home opener, no less.
Boucher, as you'll recall, was last season's Bulldogs head coach who had been lured out of junior hockey by the Canadiens. When he led Hamilton to a surprising first-place finish and Game 7 of the semifinals, the hype began to grow as many fans began picturing him as the next great Montreal bench boss.
Trouble is, when the Habs did better than expected in the playoffs, solidifying Jacques Martin's position behind the bench, there was no place for the very-much-in-demand Boucher in Montreal. Suddenly, he'd slipped out of the franchise's grasp and was on his way to Tampa with his assistant coaches.
Seeing how this could cause an outbreak of apoplexy among the Montreal faithful doesn't take much imagination. If the Lightning catch fire and the Habs struggle even a little, allowing the young, francophone genius to escape will be a point of massive consternation.
Don't think for a second that's a long-shot. In just a short time in Florida, Boucher has already won over the dressing room (veteran star Vinnie Lecavalier is just one of the players who says he's been rejuvenated by Boucher), become a fan favourite and earned rave reviews from the media who've noticed his innovative style and intriguing philosophy. The same stuff Hamilton fans saw a year ago.
More important, he's winning. The Lightning went 4-1-1 in the pre-season and opened the regular slate with a 5-3 win over Atlanta. Sure, it's early and numbers like that usually mean little at this point in an embryonic season, but remember - this was a team that missed the playoffs last season.
Boucher told the Montreal and Tampa media he hopes Wednesday night's visit to his home province can be without much fanfare. Just do the job and move along to the next stop.
That might happen this time. But if he wins - and if his team starts pulling away from the Habs in the standings - the winter temperature in Montreal is going to start to rise quickly. Because if there's one thing a Montreal fan hates more than losing, it's losing to someone they feel should be wearing Habs colours.
sradley@thespec.com
905-526-2440
