Live Q&As

Bonjour! And my French is spent at that point, so good morning to you all from beautiful Montreal. I can report that I have had no trouble thus far despite my lack of French, except at Starbucks, and I think that was less of a French problem and more of a barista problem.

I declared this to be Apology Fest, so yes, we need the "swept" person to admit his/her mistake. I am a big believer in admitting wrong. For instance, I said last week that the NFL and the Steelers would move quickly to punish Roethlisberger in order not to distract from the draft. Instead, they are delaying it till after the draft. I'm sure I was wrong about many other things, so call me out!

Well, last week, when his ERA was 12.96 after two starts and I said I thought this was not the offseason upgrade Nats fans had hoped for, I was scolded for not realizing he's no better than a .500 pitcher.

So here at Apology Fest, I'd like an apology from those who lit me up for that remark.

It's completely outrageous. That performance Sunday from a veteran starter -- the kids up from Syracuse don't look that bad. I'm not sure he needs rest in April, and if he does, that's a whole nother problem. A little relief work?

Yes, I'm very angry about it and I'd like an apology.

Kidding. I think it was meant to be a joke. Maybe it didn't work.

Well, I can't explain it. Tarik said they have done this before. I thought at first they were booing the singer, though why they would I don't know because he was good. Obviously that never happened at the Olympics so I was unprepared for it here.

I was trying to think whether I would ever boo a country's national anthem. I mean, other than, like, Nazi Germany. It's so unbelievably disrespectful.

Yes, I think the Habs fans feel the Caps crowd in to much on Halak. There was a lot of booing and whistling in a few such plays last night. I don't think interference is what caused Halak to allow three goals last night, and the Habs fans must not have thought so either, since they began chanting for the backup goalie.

I think last night will prove to be the kill shot for the Canadiens. They expended a lot of energy last night with one goal to show for it. They were feeling pretty good about being even with two home games to play.

Conversely, if they had won last night I think the roof would have blown off that place and Wednesday night would have been very tough for the Caps. I think Wednesday night could still be very tough for the Caps. But I think they will win the series.

Oh, one of the loudest places I've ever been. The bowl is very steep so everyone is close to the action, really, though high up. The sound just spins around in there. The press area is sort of a suspension bridge so there are fans behind us as well as below us and there were times I just couldn't hear myself think.

And until the second period onslaught, very active, lots of chanting.

I honestly did not hear booing during the Canadian National Anthem and hope I don't in Game 5. For one thing, a lot of the guys you've come to cheer for are Canadian, so that seems kind of crazy. It'd be like booing the Russian anthem, then chanting for Ovie. The anthems ought to be off limits to all partisanship, and that includes screaming "O's" and "red" during our own. God, I hate that.

It could be bandwagon fans, although I think bandwagon fans get a bad rap. For years the Caps fans have bemoaned the fact that no one comes to their games and now that people do come, they don't like them. Can't have it both ways. The best thing to do is instruct the newbies.

Yes, Mike Green is having a bad playoffs. Don't understand it. There will be more on this topic.

I don't know what to say to this.

Habs. Sorry, but it's not a debate. A lot of it has to do with the shape of the arena -- Verizon flattens out somewhat and the aisles aren't as steep. I'm probably not describing it very well but it's noticable. Fehr was asked about it and said without hesitation this was louder. He didn't mean it as a rip; it's just a fact.

I'm quite sure it has. I had just never experienced it. Still no excuse. I'm reasonably sure that John Carlson had little to do with U.S. policies in the Middle East.

Agreed. I think now it's Varlamov's job to lose, as it was last year.

They are going to scour all the top squash programs in the country and make absolutely the best hire for Harvard, for squash, and for Americans everywhere.

And you thought I wouldn't know the answer!

Backstrom isn't as flamboyant as Ovie -- at least on the ice -- but he is incredibly skilled; even I can tell that. I think 40 goals next season is possible.

Yes, they need both Green and Semin to step it up.

I'm with you in this effort. It really bothers me that this was invented in Baltimore, where the damn anthem was written in the first place. I know I'm old-fashioned, believe me, but I just think some things shouldn't be monkeyed with and this is one of them.

My guess is once more too. I don't know him, but if he's inside his own head now the next start could be absolutely brutal. Some guys are like that.

Yes, they need to figure out if it's physical or mental or what, and deal with it. There aren't a lot of Livan Hernandezes out there waiting to be picked up.

You know, it's hard to tell from where I sit. The Caps are big but then when you see them in the dressing room, out of pads and off skates, it's kind of amazing. But Washington's roster, overall, has some size on Montreal's.

You know, you are right about uniforms. Maybe when you see the Bears uniforms, you think "Monsters of the Midway" and they seem bigger? Maybe some uniforms are slimming?

Perhaps all lineman ought to wear horizontal stripes to look bigger? Fashion and football ... I think you're on to something.

I try to throw in a French phrase wherever possible and they try not to laugh at my accent. We're working it out.

I am sorry to tell you I didn't get up in time to read the Montreal papers. Three hours of sleep the night before last, and yesterday was a long day. So when we're done here I'm going to speak to Mr. Tony on his radio show and then head to Starbucks -- hope springs eternal --and then the skatearound and I'm sure Tarik or I will have some update on the papers. Should be interesting...

Nats are doing great. Top offseason pitching acquisition is not. Eager to get out and see them -- on a day when Marquis is not pitching. :)

I know why you do it, too. Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Well, Francis Scott Key would have been an Orioles fan, I'm sure. Maybe I need to look at it that way and adjust my attitude.

Another thing on my to-do list today: find the cuisine! I'd better get started, hadn't I? Let's chat again tomorrow; thanks, everyone!