Kostitsyn Hit Anything But Legal

There is no news yet as to the condition of Canadiens forward Andrei Kostitsyn after being knocked unconscious by Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Kurt Sauer during Saturday's 4-1 Habs win.

News should be forthcoming in a day or so, after tests are done to establish the severity of the injury. As with any blow to the head, it is expected that matters will proceed cautiously.

Two things are angering me about the hit, and the lesser concern is that no penalty was called on the play. Considering the stagnant state of NHL officiating, it's almost not a surprise.

What bothers me most is that many are terming the check as a clean hit. I don't see it that way.

A clean hit is a body check, plain and simple. It is hip to hip, or shoulder to shoulder, but generally body against body. Clean checks never include targeting a player's head in any manner.

In this instance, Sauer raised both gloves together, one holding his stick, and thrusted into Kostitsyn's chest, above the logo. Sauer was practically immobile as Kostitsyn skated in on him, and the hit had the effect of a clothesline.

Watching the clip of the play included herein, one can see Kostitsyn leave his feet upon impact. His head then hits the glass before a second impacting blow, when he dropped to the ice. The injury, as yet not known, likely has been caused by the impact against the glass or the ice.

Some angles of the play pan straight down the right side boards, and show that Kostitsyn had perhaps six feet of room on the outside of Sauer to skate by. The defenseman instinctively knew where Kostitsyn would go, and chose the unsafest option to slow him down or stop him.



Defenders of the unclean check will state that it appears that Kostitsyn had his head down at time. That defense always makes me shudder.

Of course, it is good hockey sense and skill to skate heads up. In the instances in which a player bares down in stride and lowers his gaze to slip by an opponant, liberties are often taking to ring a player's clock.

However, the head down angle is still no excuse. Players simply should not target the one area of the body a rival will most need beyond his playing days. I find it inexcusable when players target the head area of a rival. There's never a good reason for it, especially when a body on body slam is a readily available option.

Kurt Sauer is not a dirty player, and it is reasonable to believe he simply acted instinctively to stop a slippery player. It happens all the time, but that doesn't make it right either.

In raising his forearms and fisted gloves into a round thrusting ball aimed at Kostitsyns upper torso area, Sauer committed a foul that ought to have been penalized. There wasn't a whole lot that was legal about the hit, other than Kostitsyn having puck possession.

Sauer's raised elbows also followed through on the impact. It's difficult to state for certain whether they were part of the blow to the head, but one can see Sauer's elbows leaning against the glass after Kostitsyn was bounced and is crumbling to the ice.



Because such moves commonly go uncalled in the speed and action of the game, it gives the impression that it is a tolerable play.

It might be, but it shouldn't be. When the head is involved, it is clearly a dangerous and disrespectful play. One that the rules of the game should be helping to deter.

From it all, I get the feeling that Kostitsyn will be okay after all proper precautions are taken. He most surely will be diagnosed with some grade of concussion. The fact that he rose to his feet himself, and resisted the use of a stretcher speaks of the trainers on the spot understanding that he was a good deal cognicent, if still somewhat dazed.

What is second in importance after his health will be his on ice recovery. Often an injury of the sort renders a player timid for a spell, and sometimes permanantly.

My take is that the elder Kostitsyn is one tough bugger, in an old time hockey kind of way. He won't allow such a thing to hinder him, just as he did not allow his epilepsy to hamper his career goals.











Photos courtesy of Habs Inside Out / Montreal Gazette

Progressing Habs Unveil New Layers

What was most likeable last night's sixty minutes of hockey against the Flyers, and in Saturday's win over the Leafs, was in witnessing how certain Canadiens players have evolved over last season. The progression of the young players is often a thing taken for granted, but watching them gel with equally motivated veterans is purely a thing of hockey beauty.

In just three games, I've noted some significant differences in the way players are approaching and embracing their roles on the club.

Alex Kovalev, has had a handful of great flashes already, but he doesn't appear as burdened with the notion he has to carry the team on his back like before. The translation of an urgent Kovalev into a more relaxed and defined attacker could prove to be addition by subtraction.





















As the team's most offensively gifted player, the focus on Kovalev has always been extreme. With the progression of linemates Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn into forces of their own, the focus on Kovalev has been lessened. The reduced puck time could show Kovalev to be equally dangerous without it, as he now becomes a delicious option for his linemates, rather than it consistently being the other way around.

It used to be that if a team were able to grind Kovalev into a quiet game, the entire line was shut down. That's not likely to happen much anymore.

As the Habs lineup has suffered little turnover in the past few seasons, players have adapted more to all that Kovalev does. Again, in the less is sometimes more analogy, it has freed him up to do different things. A Kovalev with more options, and an added split second to play with, is a scary proposition for opposing teams.

In Toronto on Saturday, Plekanec found Gretzky's office, and the immovable Kovalev was an unlikely recipient parked on the edge of the goal crease. It was quite the unfamiliar scene.

So was him finding a dashing Roman Hamrlik early in the third for the game tying goal.

Hamrlik is obviously comfortable moving up on the play, even in four on four action. It takes a level of confidence in team mates to pull such risks, and his security in knowing he is covered speaks well for the team as a whole.



















Andrei Kostitsyn made a pair of great individual plays to begin the second period. They showed his game reading skills to be progressing quite nicely.

On a Flyers breakout, he was in deep flattening Mike Richards to break up the play and turnover the puck. As soon as he recognized his team's possession, Kostitsyn got onside, received a pass, and fired a screened bullet through a defender past a stunned Martin Biron.

Last season's Kostitsyn might have taken a second or two longer in getting up and onside, and likely would have tried to beat that defenseman one on one, turning over the puck.

Don't be at all surprised to watch the elder of the Kostitsyn brothers hit for 35 to 45 goals this season. His confidence and hunger almost predict it.

Robert Lang has so far brought what was expected of him, and it has been a treat in getting to learn what it is he is all about.

Lang has all kinds of talent. He has a wicked shot, and above average passing skills. The knowledge of how to find open space in a hurry, or recognize when another player is about to gain it. He does not seem as slow or as hesitant as was advertised, but actually seems awfully motivated to deliver the goods.

The impression I get of Lang, is that while he is perceived as a one year rental player of sorts, he is poised to make himself an indispensable asset on the club. It's as though he is saying that he's comfortable as a third line center, and by the end of the season, he'll show that the Canadiens won't find a better suited one.

Alex Tanguay has had some roadbumps getting in synch with Saku Koivu so far, but it is only natural for two players whose games are so carved out and defined after many years in the league to take some getting used to each other.

What has revealed itself so far, is that it is Tanguay's play that commands the line. Koivu's workload is in the process of being redefined. As a center who in the past often had to do much of the winger's work as well as his own, it will take the trio some time to get used to the makeover.

In previous years, Koivu has not only had to be the setup man for Ryder and Higgins, but he has also consistently been the second man into corners. It has led to him taking many seemingly desperate penalties over the years - hooks and slashes behind the play - and contributed to wearing him down earlier in the game than anyone would like.

With Tangauy able to work the puck as well as Koivu can, the line is freed up to approach things differently. Similar to Kovalev without the puck, Koivu is now able to complement his linemates in a different fashion, by being the recipient or the player on the edge of the crease.

Having Guillaume Latendresse use his better assets on this line also enables more options for Koivu and Tanguay. Latendresse has more size and reach than Ryder had or Higgins has, and with that he is better suited for one on one battles in the corners. How difficult he is to move off the puck is an often underrated facet of the big winger's game, but it can now be adeptly used to buy time for his mates.

Depending on where the puck placed, and the tightness of that possession, either Koivu or Latendresse will be heading for the net and bringing a player with them. As the line has the skills for better battling, passing and shooting options, it makes them more chameleon - like, and harder to pigeonhole as per tendencies.

It will take some time for Koivu to get used to not running interference for Higgins cycling out of the right boards, or having but Ryder as a triggerman on the opposite side in the high slot.

So far, even through some miscommunications between Tanguay and Koivu, one can already see the potential in the line developing. Fans will get to see a whole set of unfamiliar moves from Koivu this season, and they will begin to understand what a set of shackles having Ryder as a line mate was.

Perhaps the biggest blooming of a player I've seen so far, has been in the play of young Sergei Kostitsyn. I actually cannot rave enough about him so far.

It is difficult to see yet where he fits in best on the team, as he actually gels and plays great with just about anyone. He can bring a whole different set of skills to Koivu's line, just as he has so far done playing with Robert Lang.

When employed on the powerplay, his workspace involves his entire side of the ice, from the circle to the net, and back to the point. What enables him to be so dangerous is his vision. That he can adapt and play with anyone is quite a skill card, but the fact that he actually uses all his options is even more threatening.

Added to that whole package, is an obvious keeness to shoot more and go head first into rebounds. Throw in that he is brazen little bugger when it comes to battling for the puck and that he is defensively sound while being offensively unlimited, and you have yourself a player who has likely only showed the tip of the iceburg so far.

His training camp was a touch on the quiet side, but there he is after three road games, leading the club in scoring. There will be no sophomore jinx here!

Photos by Dave Sandford / Len Redkoles NHLI via Getty Images courtesy MontrealCanadiens.com and Tim Shaffer / REUTERS courtesy Habs Inside Out.

Habs And NHL Predictions for 2008-09

When it comes to making predictions about upcoming seasons, I don't put a whole lot of stock in them. It's a crap shoot of guesses more often than not, and anyone making them will be both right and wrong. Suffice to say that what I've posted below are not ideas that I am glued to.

I got lucky last season on the Canadiens front. I suggested that if the Habs avoided unforeseen situations such as another flu virus or a distacted GM, that they were worthy enough to snoop up on a tired Senators squad, who had gone deep into the playoffs in 2007. I had a sense that the Canadiens, who were quite surprising until December 2006 of the previous campaign, were ready for better things.

I also smelled a stench out of Ottawa that all was a little too cocky on the Senators front. Of course, Ottawa jumped out to a 15-1 record, but soon came crashing down. The two teams were headed for opposite destinies by Christmas time.

This season, I have no such hunches as defined as those, and I truly only pay passing attention to what other clubs are doing on the surface.

First up here, are what I see as Conference standing, as much based on last seasons tendencies, as well as off season moves this summer. Final standings will always be tight - one point separating - scenarios. There is lots of room to be wrong here, but what the heck. In a nutty system where 24 of 30 teams can post a .500 or better record like last season, the difference between 4th and 10th place is often nothing more than a pair of losses

Each team is ranked, with a word that sums up my perception of the club. Below these are the good stuff....my prognostications on the Habs players stats. Have fun, laugh, roll your eyes!

Eastern Conference

1 - Montreal: Superior depth, youth, offense, coaching. Balance and poised to build on experience.
2 - Pittsburgh: Crosby, Malkin continue to lead. Key offseason losses offset gains of young stars.
3 - Carolina: More mobility, transition from defense brings out the best in a strong group of forwards.
4 - Philadelphia: Excellent center depth and strong team identity helps Flyers challenge at top spot.
5 - Boston: The return of Bergeron and addition of Ryder gives club more offensive possibilities.
6 - Washington: Ovechkin will do it all again, but goaltending is a question mark on young team.
7 - Rangers: A solid core of veterans ingrained into a tight defensive system.
8 - New Jersey: Unspectacular as always, but efficient as usual with Brodeur as backbone.
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9 - Ottawa: Beyond a strong top line, Sens are no improvement over last season's misguided crew.
10 - Florida: Coming along slowly, but has little offensive clout
11 - Buffalo: Lineup has promise, but Ruff's coaching cannot hide thin backline
12 - Tampa Bay: Top offensive guns will not disguise AHL level defensemen
13 - Toronto: Directionless and dumbfounded.
14 - Atlanta: Nothing but Kovalchuk and a goalie who's name describes what he'll be doing a lot of.
15 - Islanders: No offense, no defense, and not a single hockey brain in the organization.



























Western Conference

1 - Detroit: Can adding Hossa actually improve a perfect team?
2 - Dallas: Great depth at center and a strong two identity means Stars can challenge Wings.
3 - Calgary: Most solid club in the Northwest with great leadership from Iginla.
4 - San Jose: Strong club despite panic moves, Thornton needs to show playoff balls.
5 - Ahaheim: Experienced veterans and young cornerstones add up to a perenial contender.
6 - Minnesota: Thinned out but still wisely coached despite player grumblings.
7 - Edmonton: An abundance of talented youth finally puts Oilers over the bubble
8 - Chicago: Organizations is finally moving in a cohesive directions.
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9 - Phoenix: Lots of young promise, Coyote's closer than ever to playoffs.
10 - Colorado: Goaltending and defense a big sore spot.
11 - Nashville: As systematic as Devils, but running out of miracles.
12 - Vancouver: Mike Gillis is the new Mike Milbury, and Canucks are poised to take a dive.
13 - St. Louis: Great young players not yet mature enough to make a difference.
14 - Columbus: Continuosly in a one step up, two steps back mode.
15 - Los Angeles: Aiming to be a joke.



























Canadiens projected stats for 2008-09

This is basically just what I see happening, on a whim, and based on where I see players heading in regards to what last season was.

Kovalev 33-52-85
A. Kostitsyn 42-39-81
Plekanec 31-49-80
Tanguay 26-38-64
Koivu 20-40-60
Markov 14-44-59
Higgins 31-27-58
S. Kostitsyn 17-23-40
Latendresse 19-20-39
Lang 15-24-39
Lapierre 8-12-20
Chipchura 8-11-19
Hamrlik 5-14-19
Pacioretty 7-10-17
Komisarek 5-12-17
Laraque 6-7-13
Begin 7-5-12
Bouillon 4-7-11
O'Byrne 3-7-10
Gorges 1-9-10
Weber 4-5-9
Brisebois 3-5-8
Kostopulos 3-3-6 (traded)
Dandeneault 2-3-5 (traded)
Price 38-17-5
Halak 15-5-2



























To sum up and explain in some part, where I'm going with what you see above. Nothing too scientific here, except for a bunch of gut feeling and hunches.

The Canadiens will not own the Bruins and Flyers as they did in last year's regular season. Contest against Philly will be split down the middle, and the Bruins are confident enough to take a pair from the Habs this time around.

Montreal will chew up and spit out the remnants of the Leafs, Sabres, Islanders, Thrashers, and yes...the Senators!

Teams giving Montreal the roughest ride will be the Huricanes and Capitals.

The top line will continue to be the trio of Kovalev - Plekanec - A. Kostitsyn, with the elder brother poised to have breakout season in terms of goals. I base this mainly on confidence and familiarity factors. Plekanec will play head to head against the league's better pivots, which make his gains appear more subtle. Kovalev will shine again, although he will have certain difficulties against clubs that play him tight.

Alex Tanguay will help keep his linemates producing, and Higgins will benefit the most by becoming a more regular contributor tot he score sheet. Koivu will be found closer to the net more often, and will spend less time battling in corners.

Andrei Markov will post his usual numbers due to powerplay time, where his partners on the blueline will be Tanguay and Sergei.

The contributions of the third line of Latendresse - Lang - Sergei will be modest but steady. They will have their ups and downs when Carbonneau tries to match them against other teams top lines.

Higgins and Sergei will be shifted on lines 2 and 3 from time to time.

Injuries will neccessitate the callups of Weber and Pacioretty, perhaps leading to the trades of Kostopoulos and Dandenault.

The injury bug afflicts Koivu, Begin, Latendresse, and Sergei the most, which explains why I feel that both Lapierre and Chipchura will stick with the club as regulars for the majority of the season. Lapierre gets shifted to wing in this scenario.

Players given a rough ride this season by fans and media will be Brisebois - who plays only sporadically, O' Byrne - whose learning curve will produce the odd brutal game, and Sergei - who becomes Carbo's doghouse pet at times for his risky play and cockiness.

Pacioretty could see action in 30 to 40 games due to injuries, splitting his time between a fourth line role and playing alonside Tanguay when the latter is moved to center due to injuries to players at that position.

As for Dandenault and Kostopoulos moving on, again it is pure gut hunches and foreshadowing. Dandenault will play sparingly at best, as it becomes clear that the club has outgrown what he has to offer. The neccessity of dressing Weber for his powerplay contributions makes Dandy expendable and frustrated. Gainey will quietly find him a place to play, and he is likely moved via the cheaper recall waiver method.

At forward, someone will need to be let go, and I sense it could the popular Kostopoulos - a player whose traits are appreciated by everyone. Feelers inform Gainey that neither Kostopoulos or Begin will pass through waivers, and the GM opts for the player who returns the highest draft pick - the younger Kostopoulos.

Things will also be interesting in goal, where solid performances by backup Halak help keep Price focused and working on his weaknesses and soft spots. Price will have his rough games, and have a spell of soft goals to keep Roland Melanson busy. He will be solid overall though, as the Canadiens offense keep his lesser games in the W column while he works out the kinks.

And for those of you counting, the totals above give the Habs 309 goals scored for the season.

Photographs of current Canadiens players courtesy of the Montreal Gazette and Habs Inside Out (Allen McInnis).

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Sergei K Says "No Way" to the KHL

Robert L Note: Here a very interesting interview with Habs forward Sergie Kostitsyn from Russian Prospects. He touches on quite a lot of subjects, including Alexander Radulov's signing to the KHL, his own brother's non-offer, the stealing of Michael Ryder's job, and the importance of not putting his sights on a big contract ahead of his progression as a player.

Do you miss hockey that much to attend that game?

My friends were playing, so I decided to go. It was fun.

Fun, especially when being a "specially invited star".

Stop joking. Yes I was giving out autographs, but attention to my person is not as it is in Montreal.

You've spent your vacation in Turkey as usual. Do you have some favorite place over there?

No, my friends go there so it's more fun to have their company. No special place, just disco clubs. I was having really good time. Met some people I know. For example, Radulov was in the hotel next to mine.

Didn't he tell you details of his escape from Nashville?

No, it was before the scandal. But even then Radulov were telling he wanted to go to Russia and mentioned an offer from "Salavat Yulaev".

Why did he have the intention to leave NHL?

I think it's obvious. "Salavat" has offered him several times more than he could have made in Nashville.

What would be your choice in this situation?

Right the opposite. To leave the best league in the World?.. No, thank you.





















That means you're skeptical about the potential of KHL?

I disagree with the statement that KHL can catch up and take the lead against the NHL in the nearest future. If it ever happens it is a matter of not few years. Also, it's too early for me to talk about "zeroes" in the contract. I'm still young, will get mine when it's due. By the way, rumor that Ak Bars wanted to sign Andrei was not true. The rumor circulated all over the internet, but not a single phone call was made to my brother. Again, I don't know my brother's intentions, but as for me, I do not even plan on returning to Europe in the foreseeable future.

Don't you feel regret that even after successful debut in the NHL you'll have to play for Montreal on the rookie contract without the right to re-negotiate it? And we're talking about Russia, where you'd been offered double of "untaxed" at least.

I'll get over. There is time for everything.

You earned the spot in the lineups in part because of your gritty stile of play. We never knew you like that before.

I'm not trying to be a tough guy, but when I'm being challenged I'm not gonna shy away.





















Any other memorable episodes?

Well, only if the time when we clinched the first place in the Eastern conference.

Why do you have a special knack against Washington, scoring every third of your goals in the regular season?

I don't know, it just happens. Although it's a pity that Henlon left Washington. I would have scored not three but six against them. Let him see who is "too young for the national team".

Are you frustrated with the results of the World Championship?

Maybe, but I can't say I was a bust there. It was very hard after a difficult season in the NHL and being injured to switch to play for National Team without the loss in your game. We didn't become one of the 8th, but spilled some blood of many favorites on the tournament.

You jumped from AHL to the next level very fast. Can Stefanovich follow your lead?

Why not? But it'll be extremely difficult for him to make regular team right after the draft. Most likely he'll get back to juniors.

What played the most important role in your transition to the next level - plain luck or your hard work?

Everything, but the second one is definitely took bigger part. Coaches were looking to replace Ryder and could have chosen anyone. But picked me and assigned to the Koivu line. To secure the spot on his line you have to work very hard.

Do you remember the most original question American journalists have asked you?

You should not expect originality from them. Every other time they ask the same: "How do you like to play with your brother?"

How do you get ready for the net season?

I skate and go to gym on my own.

What do you think about the situation when "Gomel" and "Khimik" debate over $200,000 that Canadiens transferred for raising you?

I can't understand why they fight over it. If it was for me, I'd split half to my first coach, other half to "Gomel"

What's your opinion on being the third best Belarussian hockey player after last season?

(Calmly) I had a good season and it was a pleasure to be among firsts in the company of my brother and Salei.

Are you ready to conquer the top in the upcoming season?

Yes, I am. But many have warned me, Radulov for example, that no matter how good was your first season in the NHL, second one will be much harder.

Habs For Breakfast - April 26, 2008

A few notes about today's links.

There is a story in La Presse today about the relationship between Carey Price and his father Jerry. As it is not in english, I wanted to point out a little anecdote from it.

When Carey was playing midget, he was involved in a tournament where his team was so outmatched, they were given no chance of winning at all. The heavily favored team outshot Carey's team 65-15. Carey's team won 3-1. The other team had already ordered their rings!

Hockey's Greatest Legends is running down all the Stanley Cup winners starting with the Canadiens in 1930 and 1931. Check 'em out - it's a good history lesson.

Blogger Dennis Kane had an interesting idea - a dream actually - he wants to be the flag boy at the Bell Centre for one game.

Usually the Canadiens emply a couple of kids from local minor hockey and have them do a lap around the ice and Dennis wants in on it.

I can't blame him. What a thrill that would be!

I got a good mind to mimic his letter to the Canadiens organization.

How cool would that be? A pair of Habs hockey bloggers carrying the flag in honour of their favorite team.

I've had crazier things happen in my life!

I should write that letter!

Puck Stops Here - Globe Sports

"He bends a long finger up toward the line from John McCrae's In Flanders Fields that graces the Canadiens' dressing room wall ("To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high ...") and runs it across faces once distributed across the country by Beehive Corn Syrup — the Rocket, the Pocket Rocket, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Plante — until he stops at one that it seems no 20-year-old aboriginal kid from the isolated northern B.C. community of Anahim Lake could possibly know. "There's George Hainsworth," he says." - Roy MacGregor

Brothers Providing Spark For Habs - Globe Sports

"Down 2-0 in the second period, the Kostitsyns enjoyed some dynamite shifts. Their stellar play resulted in a penalty shot for Andrei and a skillful rush from Sergei that his older sibling finished off, scoring Montreal's first goal en route to an important come-from-behind 4-3 victory in overtime in the second-round series opener against the Philadelphia Flyers." - Tim Wharnsby

Gritty Sparkplug - Gazette

"Things can change so quickly," Kostopoulos said when asked about his newfound celebrity. "Halfway through the year, a lot of fans probably weren't too happy with me. The way things are going, there are some fans behind me, but it goes so quick." - Pat Hickey

Flyers Refuse To Blame Bad Breaks For Game 1 Loss - Gazette

"But if Kovalev doesn't hit it, it probably goes in the net anyway. The rebound shouldn't have been there in the first place. It should have been smothered or in the corner instead of popping up in the air. I don't want to put the rebound up in the air for somebody to whack it in." - Martin Biron

'It's not about me,' Flyers' Brière says - Gazette

"Brière had three shots, including one late in the second period that temporarily eluded Carey Price before the goaltender fell on it in the crease. Brière also was removed from the faceoff circle three times, was minus-1 and looked more like the player held by the Canadiens to two assists in four regular-season games." - Herb Zurkowsky





















Habs Grinders Gain Carbonneau's Confidence By Producing - TSN

"The Habs checking line hasn't necessarily lit it up in the playoffs, but it's produced goals when the team needed them. Through the first three games of the Canadiens first round series against the Bruins, the line combined for eight points - with Kostopoulos scoring twice - while Montreal's big guns had trouble getting into playoff mode."

1930: Boston Chokes, Hainsworth Shuts The Door - Hockey's Greatest Legends

"Hainsworth was the key player of the post season. He led all performers with a brilliant 0.75 average and three shutouts in six games." - Joe Pelletier

1931: OT Hero Gardiner Can't Ground Flying Frenchmen - Hockey's Greatest Legends

"The year in 1931. The Montreal Canadiens are defending Stanley Cup champions are flying higher than ever. They are heavy favorites to repeat as title holders, facing the Chicago Black Hawks, who entered their first Stanley Cup finals." - Joe Pelletier

There's Still A Chance I Can Become A Montreal Canadien - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"This letter is regarding the two young kids at the beginning of the game who are dressed in Habs uniforms, carry flags, and skate around the Bell Centre ice. I would like to apply for this position.























Kostopoulos impressionne - RDS

"J’étais très excité après la victoire jeudi soir. Contre Boston, j’avais raté une belle chance en prolongation et j’y avais songé toute la nuit ", commente Kostopoulos. "Cette fois, j’ai obtenu deux chances marquer. Il est certain que je n’aurais pas dormi de la nuit si j’avais été incapable de compter." - Reneaud Lavoie

Le regard de papa Price sur son fils Carey - La Presse

"La chance n'a évidemment rien à voir là-dedans. Price s'est démarqué partout où il est passé. Chez les midgets, son équipe avait remporté contre toute attente le championnat provincial. «En finale, elle avait été dominée 65-15 dans les tirs au but, mais elle avait quand même gagné 3-1 contre l'autre équipe... qui avait déjà commandé des bagues de championnat», raconte papa Price." - Jean François Bégin

Carbo ne demande que d'être chanceux dans 16 matchs - La Presse

"On voudrait tous jouer des matchs parfaits, a-t-il repris. On n'a pas bien joué dans le premier match contre les Flyers, mais on a gagné. On a fait ce qui était nécessaire. On demeure une jeune équipe, je serai toujours inquiet." - Robert Laflamme























"Kostopoulos est sur une nuage": Carbonneau - Le Journal

"C'est le plus gros but de ma vie", a lancé un Kostopoulos tout sourire après avoir procuré une victoire de 4 à 3 au Canadien en prolongation jeudi soir. T.K., comme le sur nomment ses coéquipiers, a mangé son pain noir durant la saison. Il a souvent été laissé de côté par Guy Carbonneau." - Pierre Durocher

Des soldats venus d'ailleurs - Le Journal

"Don Cherry a repris une vieille rengaine à l'occasion de son segment télévisé, jeudi soir. Il a répété que le hockey appartient au Canada et que les meilleurs joueurs au monde sont canadiens. Quelqu'un pourrait-il nettoyer ses lunettes?" - Bertrand Raymond

Le temps de s'observer et s'ajuster - Le Journal

"Plutôt que de s'inquiéter, on devrait simplement saluer la victoire de jeudi obtenue de haute lutte. On a tendance à oublier que le hockey est un sport d'équipe et que les vedettes n'existent que pour traîner leurs coéquipiers dans leur sillon. C'est ce qu'a fait Alex Kovalev en marquant deux buts essentiels, dont l'un douteux évidemment mais combien important. Kovalev, dans sa version 2007-2008, joue un rôle majeur pour motiver ses jeunes coéquipiers." - Guy Lafleur

More from Habs Inside Out, RDS, La Presse, and Le Journal.
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Was Habs KO Win Over Flyers A Ghostly Voodoo Thing?

I like the insinuation the letters K and O have - Knock Out - as in knockout punch!

What follows here, is just some simple fun with letters, numbers, and coincidence, which may or may not mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things. I guess that is for readers to decide.

Here's a little segueway into why things that weird me out are captivating my attention lately.

Truthfully, I don't put a whole lot of stock or faith into such things as karma and luck. Things happen by coincidence and I figure that's it and that's all when it comes to those weirdities. Like 15 years ago when I found a rusted horseshoe and nailed it to my shed door and won big money in different forms for three straight days.

Coincidence.

Like my father in law asking me to pick him up after he has dropped his car off at a garage just two days ago for only the third time since I married his daughter 16 years ago, and along the way getting a traffic violation ticket each time.

Coincidence.

Like yesterday, when I rose from the throne thinking about a friend I hadn't seen in months and walking downstairs only to see him walking up the front steps to my house.

Coincidence.

Faith healers are money grabbers. Fortune tellers are transparent flakes. Snake oil is the sister of greed is the mother of invention is the root of all evil.

In short, I don't buy anything I cannot logically understand. But like many people, I allow the questions regarding coincidence to captivate me once in a while.














Now back to last night's game.

The Canadiens have six players whose surnames begin with K and O, Komisarek, Kovalev, Koivu, Kostopoulos, and the Kostitsyn brothers.

The KO's dominanted the entirety of the scoresheet in the win over the Flyers from start to finish.

So I get to thinking...

After the Flyers were up 2 zip, the Habs Andrei KO misses on a penalty shot, but redeems himself by scoring the Canadiens first goal, assisted by Sergei KO.

Sergei KO then takes a penalty, followed by Mike KO, and while he was in the box, Alex KO tied the game, assisted by Tomas Plekanec, whose name doesn't start with, but whose full name includes, the letters K and O.

With a little less than 2 minutes to go in the second period, Mike KO visits the sin bin once more, and the Flyers scored the go ahead goal early in the third at the 19 second mark.

Alex KO tied the game up with 29 seconds left, assisted by Saku KO.

Meanwhile, I'm noticing all of these KO's while checking NHL.com between periods for goals and assists because I'm in a hockey pool (which also includes the letters K and O), and I see that there is still one KO to go.

So me thinks that "wouldn't it be cool if, in overtime...."

BIngo!

Tommy KO!















I always have fun with things like this but it's usually to do with numbers.

Things like the KO brothers, Sergei and Andrei scoring the first two goals of the Bruins series 2:02 into game 1, and the bookending the series by each scoring in the final 2:02 of game 7.

That's kinda deja voodoo weird when you thing about it!

It gets stranger!

The goal scorers for the Canadiens in game 1 against Boston were Sergei KO, Andrei KO, Tommy KO, and Bryan SmOlinsKi. Three other types of KO's figured in on the assists, and Mike KO had 2 penalties in that game as well, with the other going to Andrei MarKOv.

In game 7 against the Bruins, other than the KO brothers scoring - 2 for Andrei KO, 1 for Sergei KO - things got started with a rare goal by Mike KO.

I'm not sure if there is a word for the coincidence of letters turning up timely and appropriately - maybe it's synchroalphabeticism or something - but it can't be any weirder than all that numerology stuff.






















Last night, the Canadiens scored their first two goals at the 9 and 16 minute marks of the the second period. Not exactly on :00 minute mark, but I digress.

9 and 16 are the numbers belonging to the great Richard brothers, hung high in the rafters of the Bell Centre. So you could believe that a theme has presented itself - scoring goals in the number minute's of retired jersey numbers.

The Flyers scored their third period go ahead goal, that should never have counted to start with, at the 19 second mark. Now 19 is Larry Robinson's number, which of course hangs alongside the Richards numbers up by that hallowed ceiling under which the Flyers are about to be doomed.

Larry Robinson scored his first career playoff goal, and I believe only overtime goal against the Flyers in 1973.

Late in the 3rd period, with Carey Price, who wears number 31, sitting on the bench, the Canadiens even the score.

Alex KO from Saku KO.

Time of the goal - 19:31! Robinson's number and Carey Price's number.

Seconds left in the game? 29, Ken Dryden's number.

Last two numbers hung to the rafters prior to current GM Bob Gainey's 23. Robinson's and Dryden's.

And some say the ghosts haven't moved from the Forum to the Bell!

Tommy KO's OT goal came at a brisk 48 seconds into overtime.

Now who just happened to wear that jersey number in this game. Well, none other than the Flyers Daniel Briere, who shunned the Habs off season free agent offer to him because he felt Philly were a stronger team.

Flyers score 19 seconds into the 3rd, Habs evenit with 29 ticks to go. Add 19 and 29!

What is it they sometimes say payback is?

Now I have mentioned Dryden and Price's jersey numbers in all this weirdness, but not Patrick Roy's.

Price has been compared to both these Hall Of Fame netminders, an almost unfair burden considering the expectations heaped upon him.

Carey Price could have been handed any goalie type number, such as 30 or 35, but he accepted the 31 he was handed at first training camp two seasons ago.

The odd thing is, if you add the numbers of Dryden, Roy, and Price ( 29+33+31 ) the sum equals the last year, 93, that the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.

That's enough weird for me in one day.
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Bring On The Flyers! A Preview And A Look Back

The Canadiens have drawn the sixth seeded Philadelphia Flyers as second round opponants and the series should play out to be an interesting and wild one.

In all likelyhood, this is the opponent the Habs would have prefered to meet as they enjoyed more success this season versus the Flyers than they had against the New York Rangers. The Canadiens went 4 - 0 versus Philadelphia in 2007-08, outscoring them by a 15 - 6 margin.

Of course, the regular season is meaningless at this point, and the Canadiens have just come through learning the downside of overconfidence by perhaps taking a Bruins team they had dominated during the regular season a little too lightly.

This series will mark the fifth time the two team have met in the playoffs since the Flyers joined the NHL in 1967.














The Canadiens and Flyers first clashed in 1973 when the Bobby Clarke led Flyers were becoming serious Stanley Cup contenders with their combination of brawling hockey tactics and a stifling defensive system. Backed by the strong goaltending of Bernie Parent and the goal scoring exploits of players such as Reggie Leach, Bill Barber and Rick McLeish, the Broad Street Bullies as they became known would go on to win back to back Cups in 1974 and 1975.

The Canadiens of the day were led by veterans Yvan Cournoyer, Frank Mahovlich and Henri Richard, featured the big three of Savard, Lapointe and Robinson on defense, and had Ken Dryden in goal.

In the series, the Habs were a concerned and surely timid group after losing the first game of the series to the Flyers in Montreal. The Canadiens rallied the next night to tie the series and went ahead 2 games to one in Philly on the strenghth of an overtime goal by Robinson. They won the next two and went on to beat the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup final.

After the Flyers had imposed their rough and tumble histronics upon the NHL with two Cup wins, the teams met again in the 1976 Cup final. Although the game were close, the series wasn't, as the Canadiens swept in four to regain the Stanley Cup.

Serge Savard, at the time, likened the win as a victory for hockey and the NHL was rescued from a "Slapshot" style mentality that had made inroads into the game. The message was clear - Guy Lafleur and friends were no match for Dave Schultz and company.

Just as the Habs ended the Flyers reign at the top, Philadelphia did the same in knocking of the Cups champions in a six game set in 1987. Claude Lemieux's tactic of returning to the ice after warmup to score a goal into a deserted Flyers net had irked certain Philadelphia players and the charade erupted into a pre game brawl. The teams followed that up two years later in 1989, in a series that is best rememered for rekindling visions of 1973 when Flyers goalie Ron Hextall dashed from his crease to mug Habs defenseman Chris Chelios in retaliation for his hit on Brian Propp.


















Curiously, the Flyers were coached that season by Paul Holmgren, and the Canadiens lineup featured both Guy Carbonneau and Bob Gainey. Holmgren and Gainey are now opposing GM's, with Carbonneau behind the Habs bench.

It is noteworthy to remark this, as little seems to have changed over the years in terms of how the Flyers operate. Philadelphia are still attempting to reign supreme with goonerism, having seemingly learned little over the three decades of losing since that 1975 Cup. It remains a fact that the never could win with dignity or lose with any amount of class.

This season, several Flyers players have been suspended for various forms of idiotic behavior that has had no effect on the team winning whatsoever. Such acts might affect a timid team at best, but come playoff time it has little chance of success.

















Whether anyone can expect thuggish hockey overtones in this series with the Canadiens is anyone's guess, but if one looks at the Flyers method's versus how the Canadiens operate presently, the scenario of high flying hockey versus beat 'em in the alleys tactics looks ready to play itself out once more.

In the Flyers series clinching win over Washington yesterday, the outcome of the game itself was compromised when a penalty wasn't called as a Flyers forward pushed a Capitals defender into goaltender Cristobal Huet, leading directly to a Philadelphia goal.

It was described this way at NHL.com:

Right before a loose puck made its way to Kapanen, Philadelphia's Patrick Thoreson gave Shaone Morrisonn a shove, and the Washington defenseman plowed into Huet, knocking the goalie off his skates. The NHL posted an explanation on the Web, saying Thoresen legally body checked Morrisonn and no Philadelphia player made contact with Huet.

That reasoning apparently didn't make its way to the fans, who yelled insults and curse words at the on-ice officials.

Now why it is reasoned that Thoreson's body check was legal when Morrisonn never had puck possession is beyond logic, but you can wager the Flyers won't hesitate to try it again. The goal gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead at the time, one they would not relinquish.

Here's a clip of the incident:



Against Montreal, the Flyers were called for 3 goalie interference minors in their four meetings, twice in one game.

The Flyers make no apologies for their ways - when visiting their official site, viewers are greeted with the phrases "Enter / Loading Vengeance NOW!"























Philadelphia, on the surface, appear to be a team similar to the Habs first round Boston foes in terms of their rugged play, grinding forwards and less than fleet footed defence.

While they may have allowed more goals against than the Bruins, they were the fifth highest scoring team in the East with six 20 plus goal scorers. The Canadiens will surely be challenged as the Flyers are a very tough opponent when gaining the lead.

Here is how this season game's played out:

November 1 in Montreal / 5-2 Canadiens / Summary / Gamesheet
December 13 in Philadelphia / 4-1 Montreal / Summary / Gamesheet
February 16 in Montreal / 1-0 Canadiens / Summary / Gamesheet
February 17 in Philadelphia / 5-3 Montreal / Summary / Gamesheet

The best Flyers against the Canadiens offensively were Mike Richards with 2 goals and an assist, Daniel Briere with 2 assists, and Mike Knuble with a goal and an assist. Knuble is out for the playoffs with an injury.

For the Canadiens, Alex Kovalev had 2 goals and 4 assists, Andrei Markov had 5 assists, Saku Koivu had 2 goals and 2 assists, Andrei Kostitsyn had 2 and 1, Tomas Plekanec 3 assists, Mark Streit 2 and 1, and Chris Higgins with 2 goals.

In the first game on November 1, the goalies were Huet and Biron and Montreal outshot the Flyers 41-19. In the remaining three game, it was Price versus Nittymaki, and the Canadiens were outshot in all three by 31-23, 34-20, and 37-33 margins.

Carey Price had two first against the Flyers, earning his first career shutout on February 16, and his first NHL assist the following night.

The Flyers had the league's second most potent powerplay behind the Canadiens, but managed only one goal in 28 man advantage situations. The Canadiens for their part countered with 6 goals in 31 chances.

The Montreal media will have a field day with the Daniel Briere stories, as will the Bell Centre boo birds giving the Flyers forward the business everytime he touches the puck.

It should be quite the entertaining series!

Here's a few clips featuring the Habs and Flyers starting with a Robinson and Schultz tilt from a regular season game in 1974, Andrei Kostitsyn's highlight reel goal against Philly this season, brother Sergei's nice hit on Steve Downie in the OHL, and an extended version of the last 80's pre game brawl.








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Habs For Breakfast - Next!

Great game by the Habs, no life shortening 3rd period drama, awesome goaltending, and a whole 8 points in my playoff pool thanks to Carey and the Kostitsyn's.

Very reassuring and comforting to see the boys bring it when it was needing most!

Unsung Habs heroes of the night were Streit and Begin - a guy a like to refer to as the team's captain without a "C". Chara might have been playing with a bad elbow, but Bégin wouldn't be slowed by a cracked skull!

Hopefully downtown Montreal isn't in too bad a shape this morning!

Maybe Carey should go on CJAD and CKAC and tell fans to "Cool it!" Coming from him,it would make some sense and maybe have an effect next round!

For a good laugh, listen to what Higgins has to say about Carey at this HIO audio link!

VICTORIOUS! - Gazette

"So, Carey Price, surely you tossed and turned on the eve of the most important hockey game of your young professional career? "No," the 20-year-old rookie goaltender said, shrugging. "I slept like a housecat." With Price purring along to his second shutout in six nights and his teammates firing on all cylinders, the Canadiens last night took a stride deeper into Montreal spring, advancing to the NHL's Eastern Conference semifinals with a 5-0 victory over the Boston Bruins." - Dave Stubbs

Habs Saved The Best For Last - Gazette

"On a night following a sun-splashed spring day, the Canadiens finally got what they desperately needed from their best players: their best. "Carey! Carey! Carey!" was the frequent chant throughout this 5-0 victory - the goalie's second in the series." - Red Fisher























Kostitsyn's Lead Scoring Parade - Gazette

"Tomas Plekanec said there were times when he felt left out while playing with brothers Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn. "It seems they have a way of finding each other," Plekanec said. "They talk to each other and then it seems they find a way to do something on the ice. Sometimes, I think they don't need me out there but I don't care as long they score goals." And that they did last night. Andrei scored two goals and set up Sergei for a third as the Canadiens wrapped up their best-of-seven quarterfinal series against the Bruins with a 5-0 victory." - pat Hickey

Habs Close To Perfection - Gazette

"The Canadiens just got better as the game went on. They had more hits than the Bruins; they had more blocked shots. They won more facefoffs and they had more shots on goal. Most importantly, they scored more goals." - Pat Hickey

Canadiens Dominate Bruins In Game 7 - TSN

"Some time in the second or third game we got away from our style," said Kovalev, who had a pair of assists. "They played hard against us and we tried to do the same back to them - maybe to try to show who's stronger. That's not our game. And then it takes a while to get your game back and I think that's why we lost the last two games. But we got it back. Fast-paced hockey for 60 minutes. That's our game."

Canadiens Finally Put Away Bruins - Globe Sports

"The Canadiens deserve credit for returning to their game plan Monday night. They brought their physical side, as they did for the first two games, and they reverted to their blue-collar worth ethic by dumping the puck in deep and using their speed to get to it first." - Tim Wharnsby


















Canadiens Turn Dread Into Cheers - Globe Sports

"Human nature being what it is, they started to count their chickens — not just the fans, but the players as well, who all too obviously relaxed after squeaking by in the fourth game — and then over the course of the weekend, learned an ancient lesson." - Stephen Brunt

Rioting Fans Torch Police Cars - Globe Sports

"Television helicopter footage showed one instance where a pair of vandals on a darkened street set ablaze the interior of a damaged, abandoned police car while a third person recorded the act with his cellphone. A handful of others stood by watching. Police spokeswoman Constable Anie Lemieux could not confirm the number of arrests but several men were taken away in handcuffs, including some wearing Canadiens jerseys who pounded a car with cement blocks. Several stores were also damaged." - Sid Banarjee


















Mission Accomplished - Lions In Winter

"With the game at 1-0 Boston was still very much alive. What the Habs needed was a little insurance and they got it with a spectacular effort from Mark Streit. The Habs were in the midst of a line change when Kovy hit a fresh Max Lapierre with a pass as he entered Boston's zone. Lapierre then dropped it for an equally fresh Streit. Mark then made a great move through the gaping hole in between Chara's legs and he was in alone on Thomas. He pulled off a great move to completely freeze the Boston goalie and then neatly slid the puck 5-hole to send us well on our way." - Tobalev

Montreal Remembers Their Game Just In Time And Puts Stake In Bruins - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"Alex Kovalev was flying, so were the guys who had been in a funk - the Kostitsyn’s, Tomas Plekanec, Chris Higgins, Mark Streit, and about ten others. Carey Price, who went from giving up ten goals in two games to none when it counted the most, in game seven, was fabulous, and showed he doesn’t rattle in a pressure cooker." - Dennis Kane

Nearer My God To Thee - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"Don't get me wrong. I'm not the breed of Canadiens' fan anyone can accuse of having become complacent about losing. I want a Cup every year. I want it badly. I'm really, really tired of waiting for the franchise to turn around. So, if (when) the Habs bow out, it will hurt. It will burn. Bruins' fans will laugh and TSN panelists and certain unmentionable members of the cast of HNIC will gloat." - J.T.

Elimination Schmelimination - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"So I should have believed last night. Despite the lousy performances in the previous two games, and the fact that the Bruins had imposed their game on the Canadiens for the previous five. I should never have doubted the Habs could pull it together when it really counted." - J.T.

TMS Rants - Four Habs Fans ( Robert L Note: Something every fan needs to read here!)

"Montreal is the greatest city in the world. I'm proud to call this city my home for nearly 40 years. But now we look like idiots to everyone else. So this morning, I am no longer proud. I'm just f*ck*ng embarassed." - Habs Fan29

Au suivant, finalement - RDS

"Cette série s'est terminée de la bonne façon. Mais ce ne fut pas facile, a commenté Saku Koivu. On n'a pas bien joué dans les cinquième et sixième matchs. Les Bruins se sont bien battus pour prolonger la série jusqu'à la limite."

L'union réussie des frères Kostitsyn - RDS

"J'ai appris après l'entraînement du matin qu'on allait jouer ensemble. J'étais très content", a dit Andrei après l'élimination des Bruins. "C'est la première fois qu'on jouait ensemble durant tout un match. Avant, on n'avait fait que quelques présences."


















Streit a l'habitude des matchs sans lendemain - La Presse

"C'est comme ça lorsqu'on joue pour la Suisse", racontait Streit avant le septième match que le Canadien et les Bruins de Boston devaient disputer, lundi soir, au Centre Bell. "Chaque rencontre est très importante. On ne peut se permettre de perdre contre l'Allemagne ou le Bélarus sans risquer la reléguation dans le groupe B."

C'était magique - La Presse

"Les « Olé ! Olé ! Olé » entonnés après les buts de Mike Komisarek, Mark Streit, les deux d’Andrei Kostitsyn et celui de son frère Sergei tout comme les arrêts du jeune Price ont fait vibrer le Centre Bell toute la soirée." - François Gagnon

"Ce gars la est phénoménal": Komisarek - Le Journal

"Price ne cesse de m'impressionner, a commenté Komisarek. Il n'a que 20 ans, mais il joue comme un vétéran de 10 saisons dans la LNH. "On savait qu'il allait rebondir avec une solide performance", a-t-il ajouté. "Il l'a toujours fait depuis le début de sa carrière. Il a démontré beaucoup de caractère."

Bégin: "C'est ça, le Canadien!" - Le Journal

Steve Bégin était bien fier de son équipe et il l'a fait sentir. "C'est un travail d'équipe qui vient d'être réalisé, tous ont bien joué, tous se sont impliqués", a-t-il commencé à dire en affichant un sourire de satisfaction. "Nous n'avons pas donné de chances aux Bruins, parce que nous avons tous fourni un deuxième et un troisième effort." - François Ferland

"L'important c'etait de gagner": Price - Le Journal

"Carey Price a peut-être concédé dix buts lors des cinquième et sixième matchs de la série, mais les deux jeux blancs qu’il a signés auront probablement fait la différence. Mais le principal intéressé ne semble pas trop s’en soucier. "C’est bien beau le jeu blanc, mais l’important c’était de gagner et de passer à la ronde suivante. Une victoire de 10 à 9 aurait fait pareil", affirmait Price le plus calmement du monde après le match. - Charles - André Marchand

More from Habs Inside Out, RDS, La Presse, and Le Journal
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Canadiens Need Koivu To Finish Off The Bruins

Sometime between games two and three of the Canadiens Bruins series, the question of whether the Habs still needed captain Saku Koivu was brought up. The Canadiens had won their final regular season games without Koivu, and seemed to be doing just fine in the playoffs as his injury kept him on the sidelines.

Now, just how quickly some hockey fans can jump to conclusions in regards to a player is rather amazing. Equally amazing is how fast that opinion can change given a shift of perspectives and situations.

One loss, now two, and the question is no longer whether the Canadiens can live without the usefulness of Koivu, but how much he is missed, and when is he coming back.

To be fair, the question of Koivu's pertinence to the Canadiens hasn't only been brought up with recent events. It has been an ongoing discussion that seemed to gain points as the season has progressed.

It's long been a knock on Koivu that for all he is worth, he has never been, and likely will never be a true top line centerman. That argument has had a certain merit, but in fairness, Koivu had a career season in 2006-07, wherein he tallied 22 goals, 53 assists, and 75 points, all career benchmarks. To put that season in perspective, only 12 other NHL centerman bested those totals.
















Perhaps Koivu simply cannot meet the high expectations placed upon him in a city where topline centerman on Cup winning teams have regularly recorded between 85 and 100 points. But honestly, does Koivu need to post Beliveau, or Lemaire, or Pete Mahovlich, or Bobby Smith, or Vincent Damphousse type numbers to prove his value?

Saku Koivu might just be a victim of being a slightly different kind of first line centerman in a less productive era.

It could also be said that Koivu's production drop of 19 points this season coincides with Michael Ryder's 16 goal dropoff from a year ago.

What has frustrated Canadiens fans most about Koivu this season, is his increase in penalty minutes. Koivu has taken close to 10 more minor calls in 2007-08 than any other season in his career. Some point to that stat as a sure sign the 33 year old is slowing.

Balancing that argument would be the fact that Koivu has lined up against different opponent's lines this season. With the emergence of a more viable number one line on the Canadiens - the Kovalev / Plekanec / Kostitsyn trio - the captain role has been altered some. He no longer lines up against other teams top lines and familiarizing himself with the challenges inherant in that is an ongoing progression.

This season, Koivu's role has been that of a number two pivot. His 56 points aren't unaligned with the expected production of a second line centerman unless people perceive the 2008 Canadiens to be the 1977 Habs.

Now numbers are but one facet of what a player like Koivu brings, and intangibles have no statistical column.
As team captain, and an experienced veteran of 12 seasons, Koivu brings many elements to his game that often go unrecognized. He is but one of six players on the Canadiens who played in the 2004 playoffs with the team, and one of thirteen who were in the post season in 2006.

His experience through those rounds is invaluable.
Who on the Canadiens team presently can help the yonger elements in Habs lineup better than Koivu? He has faced Eastern Conference rivals more than anyone else on the team, and his wisdom and trials are priceless in that regard.

In 2006, Koivu was felled by an eye injury in Game 3 against the Hurricanes. At the time, the 7th seeded Habs were in the midst of upsetting a second seeded team that would end up as Stanley Cup champions. The Canadiens had won both the first 2 games of the series, and Koivu's contribution was greatly missed in the next four one goal losses to Carolina.

If you recall, the Habs hopes fell on their chances with Radek Bonk as a the team's top pivot!




















This season, the Canadiens cannot be quite the same qualified underdog as they were two playoff years back. The Habs are favorites to win against the Bruins. Making Boston's work simpler in Koivu's absence, is the fact that the Bruins have been able to focus mainly on the Habs top line, as the trio pivoted by replacement centerman Chris Higgins has so far posed no offensive threat.

The absence of Koivu therefore has made Bruins coach Julien's job much easier. The Canadiens second line has practically been neutered, as Higgins simply seeks to keep his linemates from being victimized by playing a shutdown style of game.

Higgins is concentrating so much on doing the complete work of a centerman, he has rarely found offensive opportunities.

The Canadiens much vaunted power play has suffered as well in Koivu's absence. All the pressure is on the Plekanec trio to succeed because what composes the final 50 seconds of the power play unit amounts to a pop gun attack without the captain.

Should Koivu return, not only would he bring what he has to offer, it would also free Higgins to be the player he was heading down the stretch. Higgins was on fire when the regular season ended, but since Koivu's gone missing he has turned into nothing more than Radek Bonk, to be honest.

For Koivu, it is an ironic assessment of his value that is taking place. Maligned to an extent when he is around to give, missed greatly when he is gone.

Not unlike a steady job, a good life partner, the sun, and water.

Sometimes, you don't know what you've got, until it's gone.
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