Habs need to give Markov help

Matthew Ross gives you his take on the major Montreal sports stories of the week.

Unbelievable time of the year. You got MLB playoffs, NHL season starting, NFL in high gear, CFL playoffs around the corner and NBA preseason starting up. Hmmm, maybe I should include the Impact somewhere on this list.... naaahh.. (I should, however, wish my wife a very happy anniversary today. Thanks for putting up with my sports-watching, babe!)

First thing's first, the Habs. They are going to have a strong regular season campaign, no doubt about it. But, what will they do come postseason play? I still maintain they need another offensive defenceman to shoulder some of heavy load from Markov. To make room, my suggestion would be to move Bouillon, who will be a free agent anyway at season's end, for a pick. Then, go out and try and bring in someone, anyone with a proven offensive track record who can play some decent defence. Going through the whole season with only Markov as your blueline scoring is not smart and Bob Gainey knows it. It's a nice sentiment to put Tanguay at the point on the power play, but how many odd-man rushes do you want to see him trying to stop shorthanded when the Habs are tied or down a goal late in meaningful games? Bob - go and get a playmaker on the back end.

Next, the Als. I admit I have gotten quite complacent about this team in recent years. Due to the poor competition in the East, it's always a foregone conclusion that this team will be in the postseason. This year, the games have been even less compelling when we knew by week 5 that this team was going to win the division. But, we're creeping closer to the playoffs and now is where it gets interesting. This organization has become the Atlanta Braves of the CFL. With only one title to show for the years and years of success, Anthony Calvillo has to bring it home this year if he really wants to go down as a Montreal sports legend. Go get'em, Anthony. There are fewer guys I root for more in this city than you.

Moving on to baseball. I correctly picked on air the four division series winners. I will take the Phillies and the Red Sox in each league championship series. Everyone is ready to annoint Joe Torre and the Dodgers the NL champs. Not so fast, people. The Phillies boast the best offence in the NL and I just think that they are slump-proof. I don't care what kind of pitching you are going to throw at them, this team can flat out rake. I like Philly in seven. And I still like the BoSox to repeat so I'll take them in six. Yes, they lost the season series to Tampa Bay and only won one road game at the Trop. But, did anyone see how they came out on the road in Anaheim? I rest my case. I expect Beckett to be better in this round and I fully expect Tropicana field to be overrun with Bostonians. Give me Boston to meet Philadelphia in the World Series.

On to the NFL. Am I the only one who is stunned that Tennessee is 5-0? I keep picking against them and I apparently don't learn. Jeff Fisher is the master motivator and that defence is so clutch when it comes to not allowing points it's scary. But, Kerry Collins at the helm? It's still hard to believe.

In Dallas, you knew it was only a matter of time. Pacman Jones gets into a scuffle off the field. Shocker. During a week in which the team learns they'll lose another defensive back in Terence Newman, this one hurts. Expect the Cowboys to lose this division to either the Skins or the Giants. Too many distractions - and I didn't even mention T.O. worried about what people think of him.

I found it absolutely incredible how everyone was reading the last rites to the Patriots after they took that beating from Miami a few weeks ago. They had a bye week to correct things and came out and won on the road in San Fran. That's the way to rebound. Did you really expect anything less?

I'm not sure which is a sadder situation, the Browns, the Bengals or the Lions. We knew the Lions and Bengals weren't going to be any good. But Cleveland? Their fans finally thought they turned a corner and then they begin 0-3? That's sad. Another lame duck year in the pound.

Let's wrap up with some NBA and news on Joel Anthony. You remember him. The Montreal native I did a story on for the Gazette? Well, the Miami Herald recently reported that he is progressing so nicely as a Heat player in his second year that he may have a chance to start some games. Not bad for a guy that didn't make the Dawson team a few years ago. I am going to have to get him back on the show.

That's it for now. Tune in after the late Sunday night NFL game for Game Points, until 2am. It'll be fun.