Canadiens Team Effort Could Be A Turning Point

Bust open the bandwagon doors, your Habs are back!

How quickly perceptions of a team can change upon one simple convincing win!

Beating the Red Wings in Detroit is no small claim in the course of a long season. For a team that had been trudging precariously along for a month, it is a peak and compass point, a moment for reflection, and a weigh removed from a burden, all in one.

If, as a fan, one sound win such as this can alter your faith and perceptions, you can just imagine what it will do for a team desperately needing an injection of self esteem and identity.

Between periods, Habs forward Chris Higgins brought up an interesting point during an interview. When asked how the team would fill the void in light of leading scorer Alex Tanguay's injury, Higgins didn't flinch. In essense, Higgins spoke that with everyone on the team paying the same way, it just didn't matter.

These guys were on a mission last night, and the reward was self rediscovery.

The group wearing the blue, blanc et rouge on Wednesday were cohesive and unrecognizable. Poised, patient, and with purpose. Calm, while appearing intent. They looked as though they were being coached for the first time in a long while and reacted by playing the game as units of five rather than a scrambling bunch of improvising individuals.

What the club displayed was hockey in its most primitive and basic forms. They started by doing the little things right, paying more attention to detail than they have since the season began. Even better, the exhibited an enthusiam rarely seen, for doing such plooding workmanlike tasks as beating an opponant to the puck, only to place a soft dump down the ice because the situation called for it.




















Hockey is a game that is popular because of its flashes and artistry on ice. It bursts alive with dazzling manoeverisms of the puck at light speed. It captures your guts and imagination with smashing body crashes and reckless displays of wild abandon.

Winning at hockey, for a great part, involves snuffing out all these exciting aspects with tactical discipline and boring repetitive defensive management. Traps and walls, dumping the puck, and playing safe have no markee value, but they are effective when employed by groups of five lie minded players.

The system has its merits, as it allows are players buying into to it to shine when work is well done. Before teams can expect to razzle dazzle its way to the top, it must first learn command of the basics.

The Canadiens, with the win against Detroit, began building a unity of purpose that should serve them well in the coming months.

Working as a group within a cohesive system made everyone on the team look good for the entire game. In fact, it was as close to a perfect win as had been seen by this club in recent memory.

All during the game, the non stars of the team shone brightly. There was the always calculated Josh Gorges, commanding his position so effectively that you could just see the full potential of the player displayed on every shift. Often seen as a bottom pairing rearguard, by seasons end, he could be regarded as the Habs most reliable blueliner. He's going to run away with the Jacques Beauchamps unsung hero whatevertheycallit award.
















The fourth line bangers and zealots - Begin, Lapierre, Kostopoulos, and Dandenault - all wreaked havov consistently on Detroit's best wheels. They played like hellhounds, chasing down every loose puck, and poised to upset everything in their path. It's no coincidence that since Begin has reintegrated the lineup, the club has played sounder defense over the course of full games. His play has lit up Lapierre's game as well, and they are starting to get their due.

Carey Price had something about him in last night's game that had rarely been seen of late, the confident calm of an assured puckstopper. Price was focused so, because the mates in front of him allowed such a demeanor. He was not once caught out of position, never appeared distracted, and played as though the puck looked large to him.

The grinders on the team seemed to inspire the previously misguided offensive core into a more pronounced and deliberate effort. Players such as Kovalev and Plekanec played much better because instead of taking chances, they created chance by avoiding the lure of individual risks. You could see they were buying into a game that brought everyone along, rather than trying to carry too much responsability on their own.

It's tempting to detail each players contribution all down through the lineup, but in context, what each did was similar on the whole. It is how the Canadiens have to approach beating a team that plays like a team such as the Red Wings. Beating Detroit takes a group effort, and this is knowledge the Habs can use against any opponant.

Friday against Washington, with the likes of Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom in their midst, the same effort should yield the same reward. Should the Habs procced in the same manner and emerge victorious, it will be because they have begun to take themselves seriously.

That can only be good news!

Photos coutesy the Montreal Gazette / Habs Inside Out

.

How Gainey Could Fill Hamrlik's Doughnut? (Or, Gainey's Search For The Next Craig Ludwig)

While the 2008-09 season is still young, and the Montreal Canadiens are doing as well as possible could be expected with a haul of 17 of 20 potential points, the ultimate goal for the campaign is to bag a 25th Stanley Cup in it's centennial season.

The expectations are high, and anything less than a Cup final participation will be seen by many as a disappointment of sorts.

It has been suggested on many fronts that the Canadiens shoot for moon in this season, and continue to seek to acquire players who will take them to the promised land.

With an 8-1-0-1 record, spotting where the club needs an ungrade at present, is trickier than what it appears on the surface. The team is winning consistently, with a couple of ugly gains thrown in, is scoring at a decent clip, is playing sounder 5 on 5 hockey than they have in years, and overall the team is allowing less goals per game than it has in recent memory.

So what's the problem exactly, and why are fans and media alike clammoring for upgrades?

For starters, it has something inherant with being a Habs follower, that gets a playoff discussing off and running after the season's first game is in the books. It amplifies from there.

Soon, as other clubs have there woes, rumours begin as to who exactly on the available market could be of help to the Canadiens. Next thing you know, snazzy shooters the likes of Marian Gaborik and Ilya Kovalchuk are being speculated with much foundation.

Certain insightful fans of the team - and there's about a million of them with a concrete opinion - suggest that there is a hole that needs filling on defense.

Looking at the composition of the club so far this season, it is apparent that they have sufficient offence to see them through. With nine interchangable gunners up front, the club has the benefit of six "Joe the Plumbers" to fill out the fourth line duties on a given night. The depth at forward allows for some confident navigation through injuries, as we have witnessed so far.

In goal, Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak have been fairly consistent thus far, with each having had one off night that is of little concern.

On defense, Andrei Markov, an All Star, is paired with Mike Komisarek, an all purpose meanie who blocks shots and pounds with a wrecking ball's ramdom precision. A solid an experienced Roman Hamrlik hightlights the second pairing, often placed with either of veteran Patrice Brisebois or greenhorn Ryan O'Byrne. The third due is the solid is unspectacular Francis Bouillon and Josh Gorges, both efficient enough to see the club through. An emergency option lies in forward, and former defenseman Mathieu Dandenault, who could surely handle a few shifts when the penalty box holds three reargaurds or when injuries hit.

But that is all well and fine in the here and now. Canadiens fans meanwhile, are discussing the second, third and fourth rounds of the playoff, and they see a doughnut next to Hamrlik that begs for filling.

As time passes, it is becoming apparent that the play of Brisebois and O'Byrne will not suffice in that role. O'Byrne will be a good one - one day, but lacks the experience at present while enduring the rough road bumps that are what becoming a regular NHL defenseman is all about. Brisebois, on the other hand, has all kinds of experience (most of it wearily undemonstrated), but is too old in his game for it to be depended upon.

The outcry, if you will, has little to do with what is being asked of those players as it appears both are better suited in the roles of a fifth and sixth D-man. Breaking up the Bouillon and Gorges duo to fit one alongside Hamrlik, only brings the issue back to square.

It is clear that for the Canadiens to upgrade, this is where the need is most required.

The problem is, fourth defenseman are not in abundance, and teams looking to deal a potential suitor to the Habs will be greedy for quality returns.

I've no doubt that sooner or later, GM Gainey will start staring into the doughnut, and it will hypnotically gain in size. Something will need to be done.

After all, you only get one chance to win a Stanley Cup in a 100th season once!

Gainey captained the unlikely 1986 Cup champs, a team taken a great length by Patrick Roy, some savvy vets, a fermenting crew of quality youngs, and some able role players. Gainey, as seen by his retirement ceremony last season, has a fondness for the Joe Plumbers workers of the lunchpail crew, and it is likely that he seeks out such a type to fill the apparent void.

The kind of player he may target, could easily resemble former defenseman Craig Ludwig, an unsung player on that 1986 squad.

Ludwig paired with a young Chris Chelios, while Larry Robinson tandemed with Rick Green. Further down, Gaston Gingras, absent from the regular season, ate up PP time and stole Petr Svoboda's (a gingerbread Brisebois if there ever was one!) role, with Mike Lalor added to mix.

The bulk of the work went to the Robinson, Green, Chelios, Ludwig quator, and the were all employed well above 20 minutes per game.

Ludwig was a low maintenance, stay at home, with an angry lumberjack's temperment. His disposition was personified by his stickwork, and he was all shoulders and elbows in his crunches. His first pass was a solid and consistant efficient clearing, and his game held no delussions or surprises. He was what O'Byrne may one day become. Unfortunately, the role Ludwig fillled, is now being taken up to some extent by Hamrlik, who is losing some of his true game by having to be wearly of his partner's failings.

In order to bring the best out of Hamrlik and reduce his workload, a Ludwig of sorts is sought.

Now fans hoping for a splash in acquiring a defenseman, name players like Florida's Jay Bowmeester, or Nashville's Shea Weber as top line players on their want lists. Other names I have heard in pure speculation have included Jay McKee of St. Louis, Matt Schneider in Atlanta and the Leafs Tomas Kaberle - all doubtful for varying reasons..

Once caller into CKAC yesterday said Gainey should even make the Ducks an offer they can't refuse for Chris Pronger!

It's doubtful that Gainey is on speaking terms with Brian Burke from a two year old misconception, but maybe targeting Francois Beauchemin, a free agent next summer, is a sounder and more probable fit next to Hamrlik.

One interesting option could be Nicklas Havelid, a 35 year old vet with the Thrashers who would fit in nicely. He's inexpensive at 2.9 million and a UFA next season, and holds Atlanta's D together most nights. Ruslan Salei and Adam Foote of Colorado are salaries in the same ballpark with an added season that fit the mold.

Detroit's Brad Stuart is signed long term, but word is he is available, as he is standing ion the way of Niklas Kronwall's progression. Would the Wings deal with Montreal? Stuart could be the Habs perfect one year solution, and his contract could easily be turned over a season from now.

Sean O'Donnell of the L.A. Kings at 36 has an interesting resume. A member of the 2006 Ducks championship, and at 1.25 million in his final contract year, a Habs scout should check his foot speed to see if he fits in with fleet footed younger boys. O' Donnell would strictly be a depth addition, should the Canadiens see fit to work Gorges in alonside Hamrlik.

Would Minnesota part with 28 year Martin Skoula, an other skilled vet with Cup experience, and a cheap 1.9 M pricetag?

It doesn't look promising for a return of Mathias Ohlund to vancouver next season. The UFA could be a trade deadline darling that Gainey, with an alluring package could snatch earlier.

Ideally, what Gainey will look for is to acquire someone by the mid season mark. Working a defenseman in takes time. Thirty to fourty games before the playoffs is ideal. The salary would have to be mid range, and preferably expire at season's end without complicating next year's salary issues.

Some of the names mentioned above may or may not be attainable without a great sacrifice of prospects, picks and roster names. Some others might be had by simply swapping O' Byrne, and a third rounder. The Canadiens could also dangle former first rounder David Fischer, who has been slow to come around, but has shown some late bloomer upside of late.

What Gainey would offer in return is anyone's guess, but my take is that such a move would not test team chemistry. The prospects not going anywhere, anytime soon are Max Pacioretty, Yannick Weber, and Ryan McDonagh. Matt D' Agnostini's name will come up, as will goalie Jaroslav Halak's.

Beginning on Friday November 7, the Canadiens play their next 13 games in the following 23 days. It will be a rigourous test. It should also answer some questions regarding Hamrlik's doughnut.

.

Habs Make Leafs Early Thanksgiving Turkeys

Take your pick: was last night's Canadiens dismantling of the Leafs more reminiscent of Thanksgiving, Christmas or April Fools?

I suggest Thanksgiving merely because the Leafs served up a turkey of a game to the Habs on a silver platter. Their indiscipline offered the Canadiens a feast.

Christmas, maybe? Toronto goalie Vesa Toskala sure looked to be in a giving mood, going so far as to gift wrap a third period debut for backup Curtis Joseph.

Perhaps it might best be a very early April Fool's joke. The Canadiens looked overpowering at times, but it is neccessary to ground oneself in excitement and consider the weakness of the opponant. While some might term this year's Leafs team a joke, 82 games will tell if the Canadiens have the last laughs.


















If truth be told, the 2007-08 Toronto Maple Leafs are not the foe that the Canadiens are best judged against.

The Leafs in fact, had some good moments in the game. Coming off a win against the Cup champion Red Wings to open the season, Toronto began the game with some semblance of confidence. Along the way, Toronto hit posts numerous times, were disallowed a goal, and were robbed by a stellar Jaroslav Halak more than once.

While Halak was the early difference in the game, the contest was settled when the Leafs indiscipline brought out the Habs killer instinct.

For Toronto, this one game might just play over like the Groundhog Day movie. Leafs coach Ron Wilson looked very Bill Murray-ish and befuddled behind the bench in this one.





















Several Canadiens players made the most of their evenings work, and in assessing the positives it is important to remember that things will not be this easy most nights.

A multi point night for the likes of Alex Tanguay, Sergei Kostitsyn, Saku Koivu, Guillaume Latendresse, and Andrei Markov, will be how most watchers recall this game, but while their performances were stellar under the circumstances, it must be pointed out that the Canadiens were simply not firing on all cylinders.

Perhaps a jittery opening night shootout loss to Buffalo was on the minds of several Canadiens players wishing to make amends against the Leafs.

As much as the Sabres game looked like what it was - an opening night contest - this second game of the season also looked exactly like what it was.
















Midway through this game, the Canadiens led by five goals, and by that point, all focus on doing the simple things correctly was shot to hell. Looking to pad their stats, several Habs took the padal off the gas, became individualistic, or simply expected the Leafs to cave.

Montreal should have won this game by a 10-1 score.

Defensemen Markov and Mike Komisarek were not their usual selves. They seemed at times too keen to think transition before looking up ice and reading the defensive coverage.

Rhino Burn had an up and down game, but the second year player seems to be in a process of learning what he can and can't do in this league. When he gains possesion of the puck in an area of space, he seems to want to become Larry Robinson, but he might be best off sticking to remaining what Craig Ludwig once was - a stay at home bruiser.

Patrice Brisebois still makes me nervous. His propensity for firing shots into oncoming shinpads on the powerplay is a rookie mistake he should have corrected sixteen seasons ago. I'll buy the Brisebois experience argument once he wears a suit and tie behind a bench of a team with the lowest GAA in the league. In the interim, hell will freeze over and there will be peace in the Middle East.






















The Canadiens best blueliners last night were Roman Hammer Lick and Josh Gorges. Hammer had one bad shift on the penalty kill, but otherwise astutely read when to pinch and when to sit back with veteran perception. Gorges was faithfull to his perutation. All game long he took hits to make the proper plays and bounce back in Gumby like fashion, as he is becoming known to do.

Up front, the Canadiens forwards were a rabid bunch, but were often failed by their own blueliners zest. The multitude of broken plays and cutoff passes up ice, were hardly their blame, but after the game's outcome was settled, too many of them were frothing to participate in the rout.
























One forward who particularly stood out in this was Maxim Lapierre, who twice turned breakout two on one's into dead end saves by Joseph in the third period. Lang and Sergei K were also guilty of looking too hard for the cherry picker play in the final frame.



























It is tempting to detail all the goodness that emerged from the line of Koivu - Latendresse - Tanguay, but the quality of the opponant keeps me in check here.

The Canadiens next rivals are the Flyers and Bruins. Once passed those tests, we will all have a much sounder assessment of where this season's edition of the Canadiens truly sits.

Until then, it was nice to participate in the Leafs recurring Groundhog Day nightmare. There is still much work to focus on, and the Habs would be best served not to use last night's illusion.

Photos of the Canadiens / Leafs game courtesy of Getty Images / Dave Sandfield and MontrealCanadiens.com

Game Highlights

T.C. Denault's take on the game at the Canadiens Hockey News blog

Dennis Kane's viewpoint on the game.

Carbonneau Needs To Make Adjustments

The analysis of a game should never be measured by the final score.

After the Canadiens narrow 3-2 overtime win game 2 of the series, one could sense the gap between the Bruins and the Canadiens was closing. Despite the fact that it was the Habs 13th straight win over the Bruins, it hardly looked by the the Canadiens play that they could commandeer such a streak of domination. Regardless of this series being a first against eighth seed, there isn't that big a difference between the teams in terms of overall effectiveness.

Looking back over the Canadiens run over Boston, the assessment that the Bruins did a whole load of dumb things to enable a 13 game losing streak would be just.

Over this season, and stretching back to 2006-07, the Canadiens have always found a way to beat the Bruins. Often, it was a case of the Bruins becoming frustrated with losing to Montreal, and somehow beating themselves.

There is much to be learned from continuous losing to the same team in same way over and over again, and the Bruins have been able to make the correct adjustments. On the Habs side, the biggest danger is complacency, and that is something that a team can never adjust to until after it happens.

With game 4 fast approaching, this is where the two teams sit.

When a coach gets the sense that something is slipping away from his team, he has the choice to react strongly, or simply place faith in his players bouncing back.

It's a tough read for a coach, to scan around the room, or look down the bench, and take the pulse of a team that has been winning and decide changes are imminent. His reactions can be misconstrued as over reacting, and on the flipside, his silence and faith can enable the complacency to set in. It's a hard call to make either way, but often a decision has more impact than not making one does.

The storyline of game 2 had the Bruins gaining ground on the Canadiens, who were fortunate things went their way in overtime. Without the benefit of a day off between games, Boston coach Claude Julien didn't hesitate to make a change and send a message to his troops, dropping the potentially offensive, but so far ineffective Phil Kessel from the lineup.

Guy Carbonneau for his part, adhered to the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" motto, and was likely left second guessing himself.

Many people were perhaps caught off guard by the fact that Carbonneau chose to make no adjustments. Perhaps the coach didn't see the cracks forming. There was nothing in Saturday's game for a coach to be alarmed about, but Carbonneau's patience with certain players will be questioned as the series wears on.

With as many as six players on the Habs card offering less than stellar results so far, many thought Carbonneau would be ready to tinker by game 3. Names mentioned as being a little off have included Michael Ryder, Tomas Plekanec, Alex Kovalev, Mathieu Dandeneault, Mark Streit, Josh Gorges, and Patrice Brisebois, so Carbonneau is not at a loss for places to start making changes.

Even though some big names have been pointed to by some, don't expect Carbonneau to do anything as drastic as Julien has.

















Plekanec and Kovalev have been shadowed and keyed upon moreso than they have been all season. It's a playoff thing and nothing else.

The often maligned Brisebois is safe as well, having just playing some of his most alert hockey all season. With his defense partner Roman Hamrlik being so effective in all areas, the Bruins has constantly pressured Brisebois' side, and he has responded with toughness beyond expectations.

Josh Gorges has been the goat of a few tentative moves, and it is in all likelyhood due to his pairing with the more adventurous Mark Streit, who hasn't played a whole lot of defense for the Canadiens this season. For his part, Gorges normal game will return with the steadiness Francis Bouillon brings as a partner.

Streit, bluntly put, is out of place on defense and getting pounded more and more. He may have been the Canadiens third leading point getter this season due to powerplay time on the point and forward line duty, but as a rearguard he has revealed himself to be a liability. Perhaps assessments on him have been harsh - his positional instincts must be confused after almost 80 games on the wing - but excuses aren't what is needed in his case.

Mathieu Dandeneault offers an honest effort every game. The fact that he cannot physically complement the right side of the pounding Lapierre and Latendresse duo with the same carsh and bang shouldn't be a knock on him. In his place, Mark Streit offers no more weight, but when it comes to having natural defenseman play that wing, Streit brings more creativity by far.

The case of Michael Ryder must concern Carbonneau greatly. This season Ryder has placed more emphasis on his play without the puck, and has come away a more solid forward in that regard. Unfortunately, it has come at the expense of his scoring chances. Ryder is not in his usual slot positions when receiving the puck, and still has trouble telling the difference between a playmaking opportunity and a dump in when a clear shot at the net hasn't presented itself. It might be time for the coach to cut the deck in response to what Ryder creates offensively and what he gives away to other teams by not recognizing what really is a scoring chance.

Adding in that the Habs have been pushed around more than they'd like, it is time for adjustments. The more physical Ryan O' Byrne would be a welcome addition, and should Francis Bouillon be cleared to go, a ripple effect might be felt through the Habs starting lineup.

If for no other reason than to shake off some complacency, it could be a good call by the coach.


















Bring in the tall and pounding O' Byrne, move Streit back in to a more comfortable role alongside Lapierre and Latendresse.

Sit Dandeneault.

Play Bouillon if he's ready if for no other reason than to calm the steady Gorges at the expense of Patrice.

Have a one on one with Ryder, and make him understand that there is a kid named Gregory Stewart that they will not hesitate to give another start to. Stewart did more in his first NHL game with top standing in the East than Ryder has done in three games since the playoff puck was dropped.

Shake some foundations. Rattle an ego or two. It has worked all year - witness the effort given by grinders named Kostopoulos, Smolinski, and Begin - the Habs best line in this post season - who have all sat out games uncomfortably this season while inhaling the message.

The Canadiens will be able to exhale easier if they should return to Montreal with a three to one lead in games.

If the Bruins tie up this series tonight in Boston, the Canadiens will no longer be facing an adversary they have beaten in 13 consecutive game.

They will be matching up against an opponent that has the momentum from back to back wins, in what amounts to a best of three series.
.

Habs For Breakfast - 2 Down, 2 To Go

Over 20 links here today, as there are many good reads apart from the game rundowns. Lots of stuff on Kovalev and not much of it redundant. You gotta love how the Montreal media turns over every stone. Lots of people say the media coverage is why Habs fan are weathered and wise.

Throw in neurotic and impatient in there too!

I've been posting from Brampton this weekend, where my daughter was involved in the Provincials tournament this weekend. I did a total Claude Julien impression Saturday afternoon, ragging out the refs. My kids Typhoons team went 1-1-1 in the round robin, but it was frustrating to see my kid score the only goal in a 1-1 tie, before she had two more goals disallowed that would have given her team the win. Me and the kid left pretty disillusioned.

I understand Julien this morning. Refs suck everywhere!

"We Haven't Won Anything Yet" - Gazette

""We were trying to get him off the ice, but he's like a pitcher who wants to be out there in the ninth inning," Carbonneau said. "I think if you asked Alex, he'd say he hasn't been playing his best hockey, but he's been our leader all season and he came through when we needed him tonight." - Pat Hickey

Julien Keeps An Even Keel - Gazette

"What the Bruins delivered last night was their Triple-A game. Hoo boy ... how they played en route from rallying from two goals down after two periods with two of their own in the third - and would have had more if Carey Price hadn't brought his 'A' game to the Bell." - Red Fisher

Habs Energy Line Brings Smoke And Fire - Gazette

"Maybe we could call them the Bing, Bang, Boom! line ... or Smoke and Fire (Smoke is Smolinski's nickname). Because when these three guys are on the ice together, bodies are going to be flying around. Basically, anything moving in an opposing sweater is going to get hit - and hard." - Stu Cowan

Bruins Left Steaming After Late Penalty Call - Gazette

"The Bruins were loath to overly criticize the officials since it was the refs who helped them get back into the game, erasing a 2-0 deficit with two unanswered third-period goals. David Krejci scored the equalizer at 9:34 of the period, while Montreal was two-men short." - Herb Zurkowsky

Kovy's Revenge - Montreal Canadiens.com

"Staring at the possibility of leaving the Bell Centre wearing goat horns should the Canadiens have gone down to defeat, Kovalev got payback in overtime by scoring the winning goal." - Manny Almela

The Numbers Game - Game 2 - Montreal Canadiens.com

"0 - Career playoff games in which Sergei Kostitsyn has failed to score a goal, after finding the net in each of the first two games of this series."

Kovalev Bails Out Habs - Globe Sports

"Canadiens forward Alex Kovalev made sure the game wasn't prolonged any further when he scored on a blast from the sideboards, 2:30 into the extra period. The shot appeared to change direction off the stick of Boston captain Zdeno Chara." - Tim Wharmsby

Habs Come Through On OT Powerplay - Faceoff.com

"Two nights after playing like they already had tee times booked back in New England, the Bruins scratched and clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit on Saturday night to force overtime against the Montreal Canadiens. And then the push stopped." - Sean Fitzgerald

Kovalev's Overtime Winner Beats Bruins - TSN

"It was a tight game where whoever got the bounce would win," said Kovalev, who is serving as captain in place of the injured Saku Koivu. "We expected them to come out better and they did.















Kovalev's OT Goal Lifts Canadiens To 3-2 Win - NHL.com

"We had more of an opportunity on earlier power plays and I had a better line to shoot with," Kovalev said. "But at the end of the game, I took the shot from the outside and it was a good switch for us."

Game Two Is In The Books, Kovalev Gets It Done - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"Aside from the fact that Montreal won the game, was that Don Cherry was proved wrong and full of shit by the instant replay. He went on and on about the high stick to the Bruin player’s face just before the guy took a penalty which led to the winning goal. But the camera showed that it was only a follow through from Markov’s shot, which Ron McLean, who is a referee, firmly stated SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A PENALTY."

Kovalev, Habs Get The Job Done Despite Playing With Fire - Lions In Winter

"Kovy cannot have two quiet games in a row, it is impossible. After a very good, but subtle effort in game #1 he came back with quite the opposite performance tonight. His play on Kostitsyn's goal was pure magic as he held the puck for over 10 seconds in their end, his OT goal was fantastic, but what will surely grab the most attention was his blatant slash on the back of Aaron Ward's very well padded leg. Controversy, magnificence, villain or hero, Kovalev did it all tonight." - Tobalev

Kovalev se fait pardonner - RDS

"Au cachot pour voir les Bruins créer l’égalité en troisième période, Kovalev s’est fait pardonner en laissant filer un boulet le long des oreilles de Tim Thomas au tout début de la prolongation, procurant une victoire de 3-2 au Canadien, qui s’en va à Boston avec une avance de 2-0 dans la série opposant les deux équipes."

Une excellente leçon pour le CH - RDS

"Dans un tel contexte le Canadien doit seulement travailler aussi fort que son adversaire durant 60 minutes pour sortir vainqueur. Avec un effort soutenu, je ne vois pas comment les Bruins peuvent mettre la main sur une partie. En plus de son talent supérieur, le Canadien compte sur un meilleur gardien en Carey Price ainsi qu’un avantage numérique de premier plan." - Benoit Brunet















"Roman, c'est la force tranquille"- La Presse

"Roman n'est pas le plus flamboyant, mais maudit qu'il est utile. C'est la force tranquille de notre défense", a déclaré Brisebois, admiratif de son partenaire. À un contre un, il est imbattable. Il écoule les pénalités, il bloque des tirs et quand il décide de frapper un adversaire, il le fait pour vrai. Ce gars-là est capable de tout faire, et tout ce qu'il fait, il le fait bien."

Chris Higgins s'impose au centre - La Presse

"S'il n'a pas récolté de point, Higgins a démontré de belles qualités en s'assurant de prêter main forte à ses défenseurs et en distribuant la rondelle avec agilité lors des sorties de zone." - François Gagnon

Kovalev tenait à rester sur la patinoire - Le Journal

"Kovalev était frustré, a-t-il fait savoir. Il ne jouait pas aussi bien qu'il le voulait dans cette série. Il aurait notamment pu mieux jouer sur le premier but des Bruins." - Carbonneau

"C'est quand on me tape sur les nerfs que je suis à mon mieux": Kovalev - Le Journal

"Mais j'ai reçu des coups de bâton et des doubles échecs qui n'ont pas été signalés par les officiels. Je n'ai pas pensé à l'équipe quand j'ai écopé de cette pénalité pour avoir cinglé, mais j'étais frustré." - Kovalev

Stewart ne veut pas se réveiller - Le Journal

"Malgré une récolte de 10 points seulement en 58 matchs à sa première saison junior, le Canadien a cru bon de le repêcher. Il est un joueur qui apporte de l'énergie et il a démontré des habiletés insoupçonnées à son premier match avec le Canadien." - Marc De Foy

Deux survivants du hockey - Le Journal

"Gorges et Bouillon ont un cheminement qui se ressemble étrangement. Ils ont tous les deux passé quatre saisons dans les rangs juniors. Ils ont tous les deux gagné la coupe Memorial à leur dernière année. Ils ont été des piliers à la ligne bleue de leur formation respective, mais ils ont vu toutes les équipes de la Ligue nationale les ignorer au repêchage." - Betrand Raymond

Des airs de carnaval - Le Journal

"La pluie et le temps froid n'ont pas freiné l'enthousiasme de milliers de partisans du Canadien, qui ont envahi hier après-midi les alentours du Centre Bell pour transformer le centre-ville en véritable carnaval bleu-blanc-rouge. Des heures avant le début du match, une musique festive et l'odeur des hot-dogs emplissaient déjà l'air. Sur la terrasse de l'édifice, impossible de faire quelques pas sans croiser les vendeurs de bière qui arpentent normalement les gradins à l'intérieur du Centre Bell." - Jean Louis Fortin

More from RDS, La Presse, and Le Journal.

Stolen Win Could Mask Playoff 101Lessons For Young Habs

There are many elements a team needs to win come playoff time, and you will often hear extolled the virtues of timely scoring, lucky breaks and bounces, and goaltending so solid it steals the occasional game.

Both teams profited from timely breaks in this game, and it could be said that Montreal simply had the last good break.

A team would be wise not to count on such things happening on a consistant basis, and focus and apply the virtues of hard work instead.

In game two, the Canadiens took a foot off the pedal slightly, and might have cost them had they not had certain things come their way. They did just enough of these things right to edge the Bruins, but they also took their gaze of what worked best for them in game one.

As could have been expected, and to some degree it was, the Bruins came out much hungrier in the second game. I'd guess that getting beyond the five minute mark of the game without being behind on the scoreboard would constitute some sort of moral boost to the Bruins. From then on, and even after falling behind by two goals, they continued whittling away at the Canadiens until their efforts created their own lucky breaks.

I was a little concerned while watching the Habs chasing their tails for a few precarious moments in the third period. Montreal were up two goals, but Boston had controlled more of this game by that point. A pair of discipline and soft play boobs later, and the score was tied.





















Oddly enough, once Boston finally managed to work all the way up to knotting the game, their worst side reared itself again and it bit them where it hurt most.

Despite the Habs not giving their most inspired performance in game, a silver lining emerges from this close call. Had they lost and headed to Boston with a win apiece, the series would have been anybody's to win. Now a Boston team that has not found a way to beat montreal in 13 straight contests are now faced with the trying task of having to pull off the trick in four of the next five games, if the series lasts that long.

There's one notion that should never be cast aside or forgotten about this edition of the Habs - and that is how young and inexperienced it is.

It will not win a Stanley Cup without first learning to face and deal with adversity.

The young Habs ought to have learned a few things about themselves from game two. The silver lining is that it cost them nothing. A free lesson courtesy of the Boston Bruins.

Teams often learn to win through losing. Winning erases the focus on all kinds of small details and little things gone wrong, wheras losing magnifies those mistakes and concentration lapses.

The good news is that with another game today, the Canadiens have as littler time as do the Bruins for studying what failed to work.























There is a danger with a young team becoming overconfident in victory.

Don't get me wrong, confidence is always a good thing. But with such a young team, a fear of losing, and the lessons learned from it, also has it's worth.

Possibly gone unnoticed in all the playoff frenzy is that the Canadiens have now won 5 games in a row for the first time this season. That's nine wins in their last ten games, or an overall record of 16-5 since the trade deadline, for those who put stock in such things.

Being hot and on a roll at the right time of the year is all good, but again, and eye must be kept on the things winning masks.

I'll be curiously watching to see if Guy Carbonneau makes any lineup adjustments for game 3, because staying the course with same players might invite complacency after an average performance by the team. Don't be surprised to see Ryan O' Byrne inserted into the lineup with either Mark Streit moving up from defense, or Patrice Brisebois sitting one out.

This thought is not to fault either player particularly, but the entirety of the Habs game of speed is very dependant on it's transition game. Where the Bruins found success tonight, was in exploiting the defence pairings.

Roman Hamrlik was so effective on Thursday, that the Bruins steered clear of him and worked on Brisebois enough to wear him down. Josh Gorges is used to working with the stay at home Francis Bouillon, and not with the rushing, chance taking Streit.



















The buffer in sheltering the Habs errors in this win was Carey Price. In his first two NHL playoff games, Price has given up 3 goals on 57 shots. In game 1, he was beaten by a deflection less than ten feet in front of him, when two sticks dropped in front of him, with one causing the changeup that dribbled through his pads. In game two, Price was beaten on a rebound that changed direction on Gorges stick, and another on a 5 on 3 powerplay, where only Gumby could have stretched out wide enough to make the save.

Game two's first star was also it's biggest burglar. He has yet to be beaten on a shot that he should have stopped, and has been positionally sound enough to stop some he has had no business seeing. I cannot recall too many teams that have gone deep into springtime hockey where a goalie didn't rob opponents of a win or two or ten.

In fact, Price has been so focused and dependable that the team in front of him may soon begin to take his night's work for granted.

That would be playing with fire!

Looking 180 feet down ice, should the Canadiens continue to expect Tim Thomas to give up 40 footers to Roman Hamrlik, rebounds to Sergei Kostitsyn, and narrow angle shots to Alex Kovalev?

Expecting what has happened in two games in Montreal to become deja vu in Boston is unrealistic. The game three scenario will be a totally different one.

Perhaps it will be a chance for more lessons to be learned by these young Canadiens - lose or win.

And this young team has to profit from all the lessons in can get. As Bob Gainey put it, for many of them, this is Playoffs 101. Study hard - and no cheating!
.

Habs For Breakfast - March 9, 2008

Baptism Of Fire For Habs Young Guns - Gazette

"There has been a lot of talk about the importance of experience in this series and both teams offer a mix of seasoned veterans and raw rookies. Much has been made of the fact that the Habs have 10 players with no NHL playoff experience and that group includes 20-year-old goaltender Carey Price." - Pat Hickey

Higgins Prepares For Playoffs - Gazette

"A mature voice and a leader in the dressing room and on the ice as an alternate captain, Higgins admits he's hardly the go-to guy for younger players seeking insight into the nuances of the playoffs. He has only six postseason games to his credit, all against the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005-06, scoring once and adding three assists in that series." - Dave Stubbs

Getting Chara Off His Game Key For Habs - Gazette

Chara had a goal, three assists and a minus-6 rating in the Bruins' eight losses to the Canadiens this season. He also had a team-high 31 penalty minutes against Montreal, though that's a misleading statistic; he earned 25 of them on Nov. 17 when he pretty much lost his mind in one incident. But Chara's discipline can be fragile, if not invisible, especially if he's laid into often. Montreal was the NHL's highest-scoring team, with its most prolific power play. The equation, then, is simple: Bruins minus Chara could equal big trouble for Boston." - Dave Stubbs

Coach Julien The Underdog Once Again - Gazette

"The irony isn't lost on Bruins head coach Claude Julien, who finds himself in the same situation he was in 2004 when he coached the Canadiens. The Bruins finished second in the Eastern Conference that year with 104 points, 11 more than the seventh-place Canadiens. The Bruins were heavily favoured in the playoffs, but the Habs won the series in seven." - Pat Hickey

Bleu, Blanc, Rouge In The Red? I Don't Think So! - Gazette

"Multiply the capacity of the 21,273-seat Bell Centre by 41 home games during the 2007-08 season. For purposes of this exercise, we won't count the five exhibition games the Canadiens played at the Bell Centre in September. That works out to 872,193 paid admissions. At an average ticket price of $70, revenue from attendance was $61 million." - Mike Boone

Montreal Going Giddy Over Surprising Habs - TSN

"They captured their fourth straight Cup at a time when winning a championship in Montreal was no more of a spring phenomenon than potholes or drinking beer on a terrace. The mayor could announce that the Stanley Cup parade would be held on the usual route and everyone knew what he meant. Indeed, winning cups were so routine then, Montrealers never even bothered to riot." - Michael Farber

Canadiens Watch: Don't take Bruins Lightly - The Hockey News

"An optimist would say the Montreal Canadiens couldn’t have scripted it better. A pessimist, or at the very least a believer in the law of averages, would say watch out for dropping shoes. The Canadiens have beaten the Boston Bruins in 11 consecutive games. Recent playoff history has seen the Habs push the Bruins from the post-season in 2002 and 2004. Montreal holds an incredible 23-7 playoff series advantage all-time on Boston." - Ryan Dixon

Montreal Aware Of Julien's Resume - Globe Sports

"If the Montreal Canadiens start to feel a little too confident about their first-round playoff matchup against a team they dominated this season, the Boston Bruins, all they have to do is steal a glance at the bald, plump man behind the opposition's bench. Bruins head coach Claude Julien stands as a reminder of how an NHL playoff upset can be pulled off." - Tim Wharnsby

Easily Excited? - Lions In Winter

"It’s really the only sport in town, and in that building the fans get excited and get excited pretty easily." - Claude Julien

A Few Of My Favorite Things - The H Does Not stand For Habs

"Kirk Muller and Claude Julien screaming at each other at the end of a Canadiens' blowout of the Bruins. That was so bloody entertaining. I half expected them to go, and it made me laugh to see Muller so riled up." - J.T.

Here's Hoping The Flames Get Through And Lose To The Habs In The Final - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"If there’s one team I wouldn’t mind seeing come out of the western division in these Stanley Cup playoffs, it would have to be Calgary. Of course, Montreal would take them out quickly and effectively in the finals, but that’s not why I want Calgary. It’s because they were nice to me and a Russian couple a long time ago." - Dennis Kane

Begin prevoit la turbulance - RDS

"Steve Bégin sait qu'il va être un joueur marqué, à compter de jeudi. Le pugnace attaquant du Canadien s'est fait de nombreux ennemis dans le camp des Bruins de Boston, au cours de la saison régulière."

Hamrlik est charmé pat les partisans - RDS

"Ayant connu la fièvre des séries dans les uniformes des Oilers d'Edmonton et des Flames de Calgary, Hamrlik trouve que les amateurs de Montréal sont plus fanatiques que ceux de l'Alberta. "C'est pour le moins particulier ici, a-t-il affirmé, mardi. J'admets que je suis quelque peu surpris. Je ne m'attendais pas réellement à ça. Les amateurs sont plus enthousiastes qu'à Edmonton et à Calgary."

Le Canadien, une equipe trop jeunes? - RDS

"Il y a longtemps qu'on attendait un virage jeunesse à Montréal. Déjà muni de bons jeunes joueurs, le Canadien a décidé de faire confiance à une autre vague de petits nouveaux cette année. L'éclosion des frères Kostitsyn et la tenue du gardien Carey Price devant le filet ont contribué à la saison de rêve du Tricolore."

Le vrai test de Price - La Presse

"Carey Price n'a pas encore disputé un seul match en séries et déjà, Bob Gainey s'est fait demander d'établir un lien entre son jeune gardien et des légendes comme Ken Dryden et Patrick Roy! C'est qu'à l'instar de ces deux grands, Price se voit confier le filet en séries éliminatoires dès sa première saison, et surtout sans avoir amorcé la saison en tant que numéro un." - François Gagnon

Gorges mis K.O. par Gainey - La Presse

"Ma première réaction? Je suis sonné. Vraiment. C’est impressionnant de recevoir un tel compliment de la part de ton patron. Mais quand ton patron s’appelle Bob Gainey, avec tout ce que ce nom évoque, c’est encore plus gratifiant", a lancé Josh Gorges une main sur le front."

Komisarek: "Si Bergeron joue, il doit être conscient de ce qui l'attend" - Le Journal

"Je me prépare moi-même à retourner dans le feu de l'action après avoir subi une blessure», a dit le défenseur, blessé à la hanche après avoir été frappé à répétition par les joueurs des Bruins lors du dernier passage du Tricolore à Boston, il y a près de trois semaines." - Mike Komisarek



O' Byrne du même moule que Price - Le Journal

"Décidément, ils ne sont pas nerveux, les géants de la Colombie-Britannique. Ryan O'Byrne est aussi calme que Carey Price à l'approche de son baptême du feu dans les séries de la coupe Stanley." - Marc De Foy

L'intelligence bien avant la robustesse - Le Journal

"Les propos de Milan Lucic selon lesquels il entend secouer le pommier des joueurs du Canadien n'avaient pas atteint Montréal quand on a rencontré ses éventuelles victimes après la séance d'entraînement d'hier. De toute façon, les joueurs du Tricolore ne s'attendent à rien de moins." - Marc De Foy

Visionaire ou chanceux? - Le Journal

"Il y a plusieurs mois de cela, Pierre Boivin m'avait fait une déclaration que beaucoup de monde, pour une raison assez évidente, avait prise avec un grain de sel. Il n'écartait pas la possibilité que le Canadien profite des fêtes du centenaire, en 2009, pour célébrer sa 25e coupe Stanley." - Bertrand Raymond

More from RDS, La Presse and Le Journal De Montreal
.

Habs For Breakfast - April 8, 2008

How's your hockey pools coming?

I joined one last night with 6 people including a girl who chose 6 Ottawa Senators!

Pretty simply rules in this pool: One point for a goal and assist, one point for a shutout, 12 players plus 2 goalies chosen randomly in the draft.

I didn't get too adventurous, except for grabbing my 2 goalies with my first 2 picks!

Here's my guys in order chosen:

Nabokov, Price, Plekanec, Holmstrom, Sykora, A. Kostitsyn, Whitney, Rafalski, Michalek, Malone, Cheechoo, Cleary, Koivu, S. Kostitsyn.

In all 5 Habs, 3 Red Wings, 3 Sharks, and 3 Penguins. You could say I stuck with the favorites!
The Canadiens had by far the most players chosen of the 84 selected - 11, all the way to surprise picks a la Hamrlik and Latendresse. I grabbed captain K with my 13th pick!

If you are into joining a hockey pool, the Habs Inside Out site has one set up - no cost, no prize other than honour, and it is fairly straightforward as far as rules go. Check it out here.

Should be fun stuff!























"Now that we're in the playoffs, our goal is to win the Stanley Cup." - Gazette

"We began in October with 15 Eastern Conference teams and our objective was to make the playoffs, in the best position possible," Gainey said. "Now that we're in the playoffs, our goal is to win the Stanley Cup." And just like that, the genius behind this remarkable Canadiens team turned playoff fever up another few degrees in a civic cauldron that's been on a rolling boil for weeks." - Dave Stubbs

One Step At A Time - Montreal Canadiens.com

"The first half of the season was a matter of preparing our team after having made room for our young players," explained Gainey. "Over the second half of the season, we began to see the results of our efforts and an improvement in our overall play."

Stretch Run Shows Price Is Ready - Gazette

"Price has no playoff experience in the NHL, but Gainey said he sees comparisons between the Price who has posted a 12-3 record down the stretch and the 19-year-old who led Hamilton to the Calder Cup a year ago." - Pat Hickey

Walking Wounded Making Progress - Gazette

"The Canadiens are still hoping to have defenceman Mike Komisarek in the lineup for Game 1 Thursday. He did a lot of hemming and hawing Monday, but his injured hip is on the mend. He still needs clearance from the team doctors, but he appeared to be handling the contact in practice Monday." - Pat Hickey

Gainey revels in young talent, but says veterans will lead Habs in playoffs - CP

Sharks to top Habs in Stanley Cup final, according to EA Sports simulation - NHL.com

Price, Jagr, and Huet named week's 'Three Stars' - NHL.com

Habs Lessons: 2002, 2004, and 2008 - Lions In Winter

"I have nothing against the 2008 Bruins themselves, nor the 2002 Canadiens for that matter. Half the league or more fits into this category. Most Habs teams for the past decade, too. But know this, Bob Gainey has been diligently working and building for 5 seasons since then to make sure we can ice better teams on a consistent basis than the 2002 Canadiens." - Topham

Who Should Win And The Best Things Boston Has Going For Them - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"Although Toe Blake said predictions are for gypsies, I’m going to have my say about who I think will win each series. And this isn’t rocket science." - Dennis Kane

Revival In Montreal - Bleacher Report

Bruins' Bergeron cleared for post-season play - CBC Sports























L'objectif de Bob Gainey : gagner la coupe Stanley, rien de moins - CKAC Sports

"Gagner la coupe Stanley, rien de moins. C'est l'objectif de Bob Gainey. Pour y arriver, le Canadien devra miser sur l'expertise de vieux routiers comme Alex Kovalev, Bryan Smolinski, Roman Hamrlik Mathieu Dandeneault et Patrice Brisebois." - Robert Laflamme

Komisarek, Bouillon et Ryder devraient jouer jeudi - La Presse

"Mike Komisarek n'est pas un très bon menteur. Le défenseur du Canadien s'est efforcé d'en dire le moins possible quant à son état de santé, lundi, mais on a pu lire entre les lignes qu'il sera à son poste pour le premier match de la série contre les Bruins de Boston, jeudi." - Robert Laflamme

Gainey vise la Coupe Stanley - La Presse

"Vous (les journalistes) et nos partisans n’aviez pas vu jouer Carey Price l’an dernier dans les séries de la Coupe Calder. Ce n’est pas juste le fait qu’il ait gagné le trophée, mais son attitude qui m’avait convaincu que nous avions sous la main un grand gardien. Le moment était venu de lui donner la place." - Bob Gainey

Carbo croit que les Bruins auront la rage au coeur - La Presse

"C'est le principal aspect (la discipline) sur lequel ils vont mettre l'accent, a-t-il opiné. Historiquement en séries, il y a moins de pénalités parce que les joueurs sont plus soucieux et concentrés. Peu importe le total de jeux de puissance qu'on se verra accorder, ce sera à nous d'imposer notre style et d'exploiter notre vitesse." - Guy Carbonneau

Barbes bleues, blanches et rouge - La Presse

"Même si le port de la barbe et celui d’un masque ne font pas bon ménage, Carey Price suivra la mode. « C’est dur sur le menton et c’est inconfortable à cause des frottements avec l’intérieur du masque. Ça frise la torture par moment, mais je vais suivre la parade." - François Gagnon

More links at La Presse











Le Canadien en six - RDS

"Les séries représentent une saison complètement différente et c’est pourquoi je concède deux parties aux Bruins lors de la première ronde, mais je prédis que le Canadien l’emportera en six parties." - Jacques Demers

Conférence de presse de Bob Gainey - RDS

Point de presse de Guy Carbonneau - RDS

L' éffet Kovalev - Le Journal

"Phil Goyette, lui, a surtout insisté sur l'effet Kovalev, qui s'est investi du rôle de leader dès les premiers jours de la saison. "En attaque, il essaie de créer des choses. Il est patient avec la rondelle, il ne s'en débarrasse pas. Kovalev, à cet égard, a donné le ton et les jeunes cherchent à faire comme lui. Au hockey, tu ne donnes pas la rondelle. Et quand tu ne donnes pas la rondelle, tu contrôles le jeu."

Josh Gorges: La plus belle surprise - Le Journal

"Plusieurs jeunes ont su saisir la chance qui leur a été offerte cette saison de jouer régulièrement dans la LNH et Gorges en constitue un bel exemple", a raconté Gainey. "Il voulait obtenir une place dans notre excellent groupe de défenseurs et il a su la mériter en jouant très bien".

Est-ce encore essentiel ? - Le Journal

"Il y a actuellement huit nationalités au sein du Canadien. Cinq de ses sept premiers marqueurs proviennent de pays différents, mais aucun du Canada. La présente situation a incité le quotidien national à poser une question quand même pas banale : est-ce toujours aussi essentiel aux yeux des Québécois qu'il y ait des vedettes locales au sein de l'équipe ? La réponse est facile. Bien sûr que c'est essentiel. Primordial même. Toutefois, si on en juge par le vent de folie qui souffle sur la ville, tant que l'équipe connaîtra du succès, on ressentira moins le besoin de crier à l'injustice." - Bertrand Raymond

More links at Le Journal
.

Habs For Breakfast - April 4, 2008

You have to appreciate how these bunch of Habs have the ability to win games in different ways, with a varying cast of heroes changing on a nightly basis. We looking one gelled team right now!

There are four intangible that I've always maintained a team needs to go deep into the playoffs and win a Cup with. They are goaltending, faith, harmony, and line depth.

Right now, the Smolinski, Begin, Kostopoulos line are playing about as good as one can expect of a fourth line.

This team gets along and there is no turmoil whatsoever this season.

They believe in themselves. How could they not.

Their goalie is a zone, mentally. Carey Price is not surrendering the type of goals he was earlier in the season, when concentration and puck tracking seemed his biggest woes.

Add it all up!

Ryan O'Byrne had this to say about Carey Price last night after the game:

"He’s just so relaxed. Nothing fazes him," shrugged O’Byrne. "He’s the first guy to be chatting it up with someone in the room before a game, and you never see that in a goalie."

Do I like our chances? I Love our chances!




















Habs Keep Conference Dream Alive - Gazette

"The Canadiens can put the pressure on the Penguins with a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night. The Penguins would then have to win their final game Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers." - Pat Hickey

Price Can Lead Canadiens To Promised Land - Gazette

Admit it: you knew all along that with only one game remaining in the season, the Canadiens would have the Northeast Division championship locked up and still be in the race for No. 1 overall in the Eastern Conference. Yeah, sure you did. - Red Fisher

Canadiens Eliminate Sabres With Win - TSN

"It gives us a chance to finish first," said Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau. "We don't know what will happen on Sunday, but if we win on Saturday, it will force Pittsburgh to play their best players."

How Sweet it Is - Except If You're A Sabres Fan - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"The Habs aren’t being stopped, eliminating the Buffalo Sabres tonight in a completely convincing, except for some brief moments in the third period, 3-1 win. And they won it in style, even with injuries, even with the northeast sewn up, because, like Alex Kovalev says, "a team starts the playoffs the way they end the season." - Dennis Kane

1st In The East Still Up For Grabs - Lions In Winter

Our first goal on the Power-Play was our nicest tonight. The Habs PP is so effective these days that I have come to take goals like this one for granted. Kovalev fed it back to the point to Hamrlik. Hammer then sent the puck straight back to the right side to Streit who released a very good slapshot. In front of the net Higgins was providing the screen and had just the right touch to tip it up over Miller. - Tobalev

Gorgeous Gorges - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"I wonder if Bob Gainey has allowed himself a small, secret smile at the way Josh Gorges is playing these days? Or whether Doug Wilson has stopped kicking himself yet. I wasn't sure how things would work out when Craig Rivet got traded to the Sharks for Gorges and the Sharks' first-round pick last year. I wasn't even sure how I felt about it. On one hand, Rivet was a lifetime Hab who'd given a lot of himself to the team. On the other, he was having a pretty rotten season and had betrayed the "A" on his sweater by getting angry and dividing loyalty in the room." - J.T.

Q & A With Mikhail Grabovski - McKeen's Hockey

"McKeen's recently had the opportunity to chat with Grabovski before he was recalled by the Canadiens at the trading deadline. The talented forward talked about his AHL exploits, splitting time between Hamilton and Montreal, coming back from injury, playing in Russia, representing Belarus, and his overall game." - Kevin Wey

4-3-08: Canadiens 3 Sabres 1 - Theory Of Ice

"It’s a little scary how irrelevant our injury ‘woes’ are starting to seem. No Koivu, Komisarek, Bouillon, Ryder, or (incidentally) Grabovski, and yet no obvious deterioration in the Habs’ overall game. Not to say that I don’t want those guys healthy again for the playoffs, but there is clearly more to the team’s success than just good luck with bones and muscles." -E















Eyeing The Calder Trophy - Montreal Canadiens.com

"You often hear about a goalie being in the zone for a period of time. Carey certainly was at the World Juniors, in Hamilton, and even with his junior team," explained head coach Guy Carbonneau. "And now since the trade deadline, Carey has been in that zone."

The Numbers Game - April 3, 2008 - Montreal Canadiens.com

"7 Canadiens players, now including Chris Higgins, to have reached the 50-point mark this season, the most since seven Habs also turned the trick in 1988-89."

Le trio de Smolinski a donné le ton - RDS

"Ce trio va très bien depuis le retour de Steve, a indiqué Guy Carbonneau. Chaque joueur comprend bien son rôle. On parle ici de vétérans qui font le travail défensivement et qui obtiennent ainsi des occasions de marquer."

Desharnais brûle le ECHL - RDS

"Le centre natif de Québec occupe le premier rang des compteurs (28-74-102) de la ECHL en plus de présenter un différentiel de plus-35 dans l'uniforme des Cyclones de Cincinnati."

Canadiens 3 Sabres 1: "Ramenez la Coupe" - La Presse

"Le message était on ne peut plus clair: ramenez la Coupe à Montréal. Coiffant, en grosses lettres, les noms de tous les joueurs du Canadien, ce message occupait chaque centimètre d'une longue bannière blanche que des partisans ont plusieurs fois déployée d'un bout à l'autre d'une rangée de la section 107, hier soir, au Centre Bell." - François Gagnon

Viacheslav Fetisov, compatriote et fan de l'Artiste - La Presse

"Je n'aime pas classer les joueurs. Mais Alexei Kovalev, du point de vue des habiletés, a toujours été en haut de la liste, autant aujourd'hui qu'à l'époque où les Rangers de New York ont gagné la Coupe Stanley, quand il était encore tout jeune. Dans la centaine d'années d'histoire du hockey, il y a peu de joueurs qui ont été capables de faire ce qu'il accomplit avec une rondelle." - Viacheslav Fetisov

Carey Price entre dans sa bulle - La Presse

"Carey est dans sa zone depuis la date limite des transactions, a estimé Guy Carbonneau. On a vu dans le passé, aux Championnats du monde junior et l'an dernier à Hamilton, que plus les matchs sont importants, plus il est capable de garder son calme et de faire les arrêts."

D' Agnostini et Srewart int cru à on poisson d'avril à retardement - La Presse

"J'ai été surpris et je suis excité. J'arrive dans une équipe solide qui a gagné le championnat de sa division. Je vais donc travailler fort si je suis appelé à jouer", a déclaré D'Agostini, hier matin, quelques instants avant que l'entraîneur-chef Guy Carbonneau ne confirme sa présence au sein d'un trio avec Chris Higgins et Sergei Kostitsyn." - Pierre Lacouceur

Comme l'année de la dernière coupe - Le Journal

"Le Tricolore a anéanti les der niers espoirs des Sabres de Buffalo de prendre part aux séries éliminatoires en l'emportant 3 à 1, hier soir, au grand plaisir de ses partisans avec qui il renouait après une série de trois matchs sur les patinoires adverses." - Marc de Foy

L'increvable Steve Bégin - Le Journal

"Steve Bégin nous étonnera toujours. À chaque fois qu'on le pense au bout du rouleau, il revient plus fort. Il est increvable! Le vétéran attaquant a joué comme s'il avait 20 ans hier soir. Il a secoué les puces de ses adversaires en appliquant huit mises en échec toutes plus percutantes les unes que les autres. Il lui reste du jus, le vieux! " - Marc De Foy

"Carbonneau a fait du très bon travail": Lindy Ruff - Le Journal

"C'était un pari risqué, a raconté le pilote des Sabres, Lindy Ruff, après la rencontre. On aurait pu se sortir du match, mais ça nous a remis dedans." Ce dernier a tenu à lever son chapeau au Canadien, qui n'a pas donné beaucoup de marge de manoeuvre à ses jeunes joueurs. "Nous ne voulions pas accuser un déficit. Le Canadien joue un système difficile et il a fait un bon travail à nous fer mer la porte", a expliqué l'entraîneur." - Charles Rooke

"Price ne connait pas ce qu'est la pression": Bryan Smolinski - Le Journal

"Ça fait du bien de contribuer à l'attaque, même si la mission de notre trio est surtout défensive, a raconté Smolinski. Des joueurs clés manquent à l'appel et il faut que d'autres en fassent davantage pour combler ces pertes."
.