Brian Wilde
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bwildemtl.bsky.social
Brian Wilde
@bwildemtl.bsky.social
A Montreal sportswriter covering the Montreal Canadiens. I write for Global TV the column the Call Of The Wilde. May comment on other sports, music, TV, movies. Phillies, Eagles Liverpool Broncos Bears fan.

https://globalnews.ca/tag/call-of-the-wilde/
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One team wanted to win it in the alley; the other wanted to win it on the ice. And without a good goalie early, braun may have won it.

Also, what each player, the coach, the GM wants for Christmas as I have a bit of fun in this Call Of The Wilde for Global Montreal.

globalnews.ca/news/1158961...
Call of the Wilde: Montreal Canadiens withstand barrage to take 6-2 win Boston - Montreal | Globalnews.ca
The Canadiens tried to win this one with talent, while the Bruins tried to win it with brawn. Brian Wilde has more on Tuesday night's Montreal-Boston matchup.
globalnews.ca
I believe that of all goalies with a minimum of 5 starts that Fowler is number one in the entire NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected per 60.

It's a small sample, but it's an impressive one all the same.
December 24, 2025 at 3:39 AM
One team wanted to win it in the alley; the other wanted to win it on the ice. And without a good goalie early, braun may have won it.

Also, what each player, the coach, the GM wants for Christmas as I have a bit of fun in this Call Of The Wilde for Global Montreal.

globalnews.ca/news/1158961...
Call of the Wilde: Montreal Canadiens withstand barrage to take 6-2 win Boston - Montreal | Globalnews.ca
The Canadiens tried to win this one with talent, while the Bruins tried to win it with brawn. Brian Wilde has more on Tuesday night's Montreal-Boston matchup.
globalnews.ca
December 24, 2025 at 3:05 AM
There are some games that Lane Hutson puts in a number so shockingly high it barely seems possible.
#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Montreal Canadiens on 2025-12-23

#GoHabsGo
December 24, 2025 at 2:57 AM
For the first time this season, the Canadiens are eight games over NHL 500.

Last year they made the playoffs with 9 games over NHL 500.

This season in the East it is trending toward 13 games over 500. In the west, it's trending to barely 500. WTH is going on over there.
December 24, 2025 at 2:50 AM
I believe they should add an assist to Slafkkovsy for a 3 point night. He tapped it over to Caufield on his goal.

Let's see tomorrow.
December 24, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Fowler takes a Goals Saved Above Expected of 1.49. Another big number. Most of that 1.49 he stole from them was in the first two periods.

Fowler is 3rd in the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected per 60 minutes.

What a difference a save can make.
December 24, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Call a time out. make this 40 seconds count. And get Demidov on the first unit... go win this thing.
December 24, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Oh no, no no.... Suzuki is out of the blue paint.

The refs explained this to me clearly. If it is out of the paint, it is not interference...
December 24, 2025 at 2:22 AM
That line sure is out of sorts at the moment.

You couldn't hope for a better pair for a two on one than Suzuki and Caufield and they don't even try a shot.
December 24, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Texier out for the rest of the night.
December 24, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Reposted by Brian Wilde
Suzuki rightfully said after Pgh loss that his line was bad. It’s no better tonight. Rare flash of anger by the captain when he slammed his stick against the boards after Bolduc missed him with an easy pass.
December 24, 2025 at 1:57 AM
The Bruins player goes in the crease on his own. He then pushes the Canadiens player into the goalie.

Textbook.

It was so textbook that even in the crazy world of who the hell knows what could happen on goaltender interference, they still didn't challenge it for goaltender interference.
December 24, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Love MSL. You all know that. He's one of my favourite coaches ever. Nearly always on his side with his choices.

With that said, really can't understand Demidov not on the first unit.

I don't understand the decision to have less talent on the first unit.
December 24, 2025 at 1:43 AM
No, the second goal on Fowler is not a bad goal. Try to remember what a bad goal looks like. It's 55 feet without a screen going 58 miles per hour.

Not that shot from 20 feet. I know you want them all saved, but calme-toi la.

By the way, Fowler has a .92 Goals Saved Above Expected.
December 24, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Danault looks like the guy I know.
December 24, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Fowler is impressive. Wow, how little he bites on this slap shot, and is ready for the shot still in good position square to the shooter.

Technique. Solid solid technique
December 24, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Reposted by Brian Wilde
Bad turnover by Zadorov, and Ivan Demidov takes it before undressing Swayman to tie the game.
December 24, 2025 at 1:15 AM
That fellah who just scored on the breakaway there.

He seems like a good choice for a shootout.
December 24, 2025 at 1:15 AM
The down side of those giant lug nuts on the ice to fight is they often play hockey like shit.

Ivan Demidov takes the turnover and makes a world class move on a breakaway for 2-2.
December 24, 2025 at 1:14 AM
The Bruins are bringing a lot of energy and a lot of hunger here.

I am impressed. The Canadiens are gonna have to match this energy or it could be a long one.
December 24, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Matheson gives it away twice when he had it right on his stick to do the safe thing. I'm gonna preach this simple shit until you hate me.

1-1.
December 24, 2025 at 12:35 AM
This feels 9-7 ish to me tonight.
December 24, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I wrote the other day that behind the net is a good place for a clear. You can't score from behind the net.

I may need to rethink that.

The reverse VH is making goal scoring from behind the net a possible thing. It's not just Caufield.

Samuel Blais with a beauty of Swayman's back.
December 24, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I tracked Danault there on that PK. That dude can PK.
December 24, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Xhekaj and Zadorov now. This guy's reach is enormous. Not sure how you win a fight when his reach is that big.

Like I said, they got one plan out there: beat them in the alley, then beat them in the ice.
December 24, 2025 at 12:27 AM