Game #36 Fans Stirred From Naps To Watch Habs Who Didn't

Details

Date: 26/12/2010
Opponent: Islanders
Location: New York
Loss: 1-4

Habs Goalie: Price (L)
Opposition Goalie: Roloson (W)

Habs goalscorers: Plekanec
Opposition goalscorers: Comeau, Grabner, Parenteau, Wisniewski

Play of the game

There were a few nice things going on with the Habs, but this display hardly deserves recognition of something like that. Instead, a play I thought was very important and very encouraging from the game was the 5-minute major called on Max Pacioretty in the third period. The Canadiens were behind, the Islanders fans were outnumbered, Eaton didn't "protect" himself; there were lots of reasons not to make the call. However, if the league wants to get rid of hits that endanger players, then it needs together a lot firmer on making the calls. It buried my team, and I can see the arguments of those that thought it was grey area. But as a fan who wants to see hockey without senseless injuries, then I applaud the refs convictions for making it.

Dome hockey team

The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the dome

Tomas Plekanec - Game Puck
One of the reasons we all like Tomas Plekanec is that he delivers a consistent brand of hockey. His effort falls within a tight band between 85-100% and the results tend to follow that in the positive. On nights when teammates are having trouble forgetting eggnog and turkey, Tomas' consistency makes him stand out. His goal was excellent, and he could have had more goals and points with a bit of luck and/or support.

Lars Eller
There's holding a player back , and there's holding a player back. When we extol Jacques Martin for doling out Eller's apprenticeship in short doses, we do it when it doesn't cost the team. Tonight, a stubborn reliance on top lines that weren't in the spirit of the game cost the team a win. Eller often looks convincing and determined during his cameos, and it's high time that in games like this, where something new is being sought, that Eller be given a real chance to show what he can do.

Mike Cammalleri
Cammalleri played a typical no-goal game for a goalscorer. There were good chances that bounced wide or didn't stick. Through luck and lack of support again, not much came of his efforts this time. He still stood tall over most of his compatriots.

Defencemen

Hal Gill
One of the Canadiens most dangerous shots was Gill's. He killed penalties. He defended the AHLers very soundly. If Plekanec's average standard stood out up front, it was Gill's that did so at the back.

Josh Gorges
Gorges sneaks in here for me. He played a sound game, which is fine. But sometimes against a team like the Islanders, players who play soundly need to do something to rouse their teammates who always provide the spark. Gorges had chances to do that and didn't. That said, it was his excellent "goal line" play and the referee's line of sight that prevented a goal form ending this contest even sooner.

Goaltender

Alex Auld
As much as anyone on the team, Carey showed the signs of disdain for the Islanders. The scoresheet says he let in 4 goals and that yet again he committed giveaways without doing any harm, but for the lack of the definitive camera angle he let in five and did get burned for puck play. It's not to say that this isn't forgivable, because after 30+ straight domes, a player deserves a break from the fans. Again we must ask, though, doesn't he also deserve a break from the ice. When will the Habs coach show a little faith in his teammate?

Comments

"The Habs didn't show up", I can see the headline. But come on. The team started a road trip with lots of traveling to games in Colorado then Dallas. Then inexplicably to Carolina. The schedule shows the games follow in Long Island, Washington, Tampa and Florida. What it doesn't show is that the team rushed home to have 2 days of Christmas holiday in Montreal before being spirited away from family and friends for a game in front of 2,000 Montrealers and a handful of New Yorkers. It's not a recipe for "showing up".

I thought the coaches might have been more creative in their efforts to coax some life out of this contest. Auld, for instance, would have been excited to start. So would Subban. Eller is raring for ice time. Instead, the coaches decided the formula for success was to go with the trusty old game plan and then decided to stick with it when it was highly apparent it wasn't working. If the players deserve plenty of blame for showing up to work with foggy minds, then the coaches too deserve to be called out for misusing their resources.

Anyway, it's only a game. A single game. Next the team rolls into Washington where they will face a rejuvenated Caps squad and then to Florida, where excuses for lethargy are not as believable. I'd like to see three contests with hard fought results. 3-4 points would be a good turn out.

Game #10Auld Stops 30 in Debut Win

Details

Date: 29/10/2010
Opponent: Islanders
Location: New York

Win: 3-1

Habs Goalie: Auld (W)
Opposition Goalie: Roloson (L)

Habs goalscorers: Plekanec, Pouliot, Moen
Opposition goalscorers: Martin

Play of the game

The lob-out has become such a big part of hockey over the past few years that I am not surprised that teams are using it more and more often as a way to break-out rather than simply to clear the puck. Tonight's game-winner was a prime example of this. Subban, who has this move down, flicked one up, high in the air into the neutral zone. Anticipating that type of a pass was Halpern who caught the puck and found himself on a 2-on-1. Instead of passing to the player on his left, however, he went back to the trailer, Pouliot. Ben then showed us the shot we all thought we remembered that he had and picked the corner very nicely.

Dome hockey team

The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the dome

Jeff Halpern
Jeff has been playing well and I was hoping that he would again tonight as he deserves some recognition for his hard work. He took advantage of an off-night (well, less on than usual) from the top line to be our best centre. His play on the winner was very nice indeed, but so was his 2-way play the rest of the time and his 8-3 record on face-offs.

Brian Gionta
Another good game from the skipper. He keeps putting pucks on the net and that was rewarded tonight when Moen tipped one of those in. His speed, shot and responsible play are all so valuable to this team right now and are all contributing factors to our success.

Maxim Lapierre
Another bottom-line forward to do well tonight was Max. Had Andrei, Pleks and Camms lit it up for 2 or 3 more goals this effort would have been forgotten, but on this night I couldn't ignore it. 6 hits and an aggression and energy that we don't see every night in the regular season from him. His goaltender interference penalty cost us 2 minutes, but if it even helped in a tiny way to throw Roloson off his game then it may have been worth it.

Defencemen

Roman Hamrlik
Roman and Jaro played well tonight. I actually wanted to get Spacek into the dome as I thought this was one of his better games. I couldn't, however, overlook Hammer and Gorges in this one. Hamrlik played a team-high 24 minutes in his last game as acting general. Tomorrow is part 2 of our season and I think we're all pretty excited to be getting our best player back.

Josh Gorges
When Hamrlik and Subban are playing well (which they have been doing) our D all of a sudden has some serious depth. In fact, with Markov back our top-4 is very, very good. Josh, as a number 4, is so reliable, patient and clever that I think he may be one of the best #4's in the league. Spacek and Gill also played well tonight which gives us a very good top-6. Gorges led the way tonight with 5 blocked-shots and also had one very good one-timer which he almost scored on.

Goaltender

Alex Auld - Game Puck
I was pleasantly surprised with the work of our back-up tonight. In all he faced 31 shots and did a very good job to keep all but 1 of those out. His positioning looked good, he was quick and he made some important saves when he had to. I think that this game will have earned him a lot of confidence and respect from his teammates and a few extra starts from Martin. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him about once every five games rather than every eight or ten.

Comments

10 games without Markov and here we are with 15 points in the bank - unbelievable. Tonight's game was the type of game that you know you should win and if you lose it you are left wondering what could have been. New York played a decent game, but their defence and goaltending has too many holes for us to let an opportunity like that pass us up. The Habs didn't play as well as we did on Wednesday, but what we did do was we played a simple road game. We had very few mistakes, didn't over commit too many times and took advantage of our limited opportunities. We took a few too many penalties for my liking, but that may have more to do with Tavares, the actor than the Habs, the criminals. John made sure that every time he was touched there was a dive or a fall that followed. He earned his team a few chances, but our PK and Auld, in particular, would have none of it. It is back home tomorrow to play against another very beatable team. Florida then Columbus - could we be at 10 wins by the end of next week? It starts tomorrow when #79 comes back and I, for one, can't wait!

Islanders Preview

In the wacky world where Leafs and Canadiens lead Penguins and Capitals, where Devils and Sabres forget their gains of a season past, it's perhaps not surprising that the AHL entry in the East, the NY Islanders, are off to a good start.

Here's what LIW has to say about them:


Key match-ups

Canadiens PK and Islanders PP
The Habs have squirmed out of trouble and gained points this year through a combination of timely scoring and timely defence. Nothing has been more timely than their PK which ranks second in the league at over 90%. The Islanders have the 5th ranked PP at 26.2% and have used it to get their wins. James Wisniewski may or may not get 90+ points this year, but he currently has 8 in 6 games thanks to PP action.


Subban and Tavares
A cocky rookie and a cocky sophomore. Apparently they're even best friends and having dinner together pre-game. With Markov out, Subban has been a key and will continue to be an important piece of the Habs tonight. With all the Islanders injuries, Tavares is even more prominent than PK on his team and looks to continue to impress tonight. Look for PK to offer his usual feistiness and make a point of putting friendship aside as he attempts to steal the spotlight.


Gionta and Mottau
All the hype about finding a winger for Gionta and Gomez could be ended with a good performance (by that I mean stats, stats, stats) from none other than Gionta and Gomez. There aren't many worse defensive brigades than on Long Island. Gionta knows this, he knows how to get the media off his back and he knows Mike Mottau as the -11 defender on the mostly positive +/- 2007-08 Devils. Step around him, push him aside and put this media story to bed Captain.


Media and Bloggers
The Islanders love their bloggers. The Montreal media is uptight and uppity at the sight of outsiders. Though they probably won't meet tonight in Montreal, the access at the Nassau Colisseum later in the week means they might. Should be fun.


Momentum

Andrei Kostitsyn believes in hard work. Carey Price no longer craves exorcism. The momentum on the Habs is squarely moving in the right direction. They look like a team that can finally get ready for games against beatable opponents and the first period should be theirs.


Islanders the Habs covet

John Tavares
He's the kind of player that can make the difference between running with the pack every year and cruising into the playoffs, a special offensive talent. The Canadiens, and everyone else, crave these sorts of players.

Dwayne Roloson
A back-up you're not afraid to use.


Habs the Islanders covet

Scott Gomez
An American who can help them attain the salary floor. What's not to like?

Josh Gorges
A cheap defender who can actually defend. They're not as common as one thinks. If they were Radek Martinek wouldn't have had a career.


Impact of this result

This is a game for points and not much else. I can't see a lasting rivalry coming between these two teams, as the Islanders will find a way to make their way back to disarray by the offseason.

Free Agency II: Tanguay Finds Fit To Further His Career

After exactly two months in purgatory, bleeding earning power like a Harlequins rugby player with a sack of red dye, Alex Tanguay has signed with the Lightning.

For the Lightning, the deal was a steal. They get a player who has proven he can play with talented guys (which Tampa can provide) and at a price that is very un-2008 free agency for their parts.

For Tanguay, the deal makes a lot of sense too. He could do worse than Stamkos at centre, and he may ride with Lecavalier if he keeps his game up to the right standard. Either way, he'll be wingman to someone who can finish his crafty centering efforts. What's more, he won't be asked to do the labour on the line of carrying the puck, digging it out and other elements of hard work.

The details of the story have emerged with stories of other offers, interest and intrigue. Pierre Lebrun covers it well as he answers the pertinent Alex Tanguay question:
Why did Tanguay choose Bolts over Isles, Wild?


Salary win-back

It's Tanguay's needs being filled here that really answer Lebrun's question most fully. If he's to scale back into the salary zone he covets, he must have a good year. He can't very well risk that on John Tavares or Martin Havlat, for that matter.

If Tanguay signs with the Wild, sure he's a first line player, but he has to cobble out a living with Mikko Koivu and Cal Clutterbuck. He'd be part of a project with a new GM and a team without Lemaire for the very first time. In other words, it could be an adventure.

Ditto for the Islanders. After Tavares, the talent reads remarkably like last year's AHL mirroring squad. Tavares has a lot to gain from playing with a smoothe game reader like Tanguay, but teaching John isn't going to make free agent season in 2010 a bigger bonanza than 2009 was for Tanguay really.

It's interesting to read in Lebrun's piece that Tanguay did indeed take less than he was offered from the two rival bids from the Lightning. Lebrun floats many reasons to suggest the fit: Lecavalier and St. Louis, Rick Tocchet's time as an assistant coach in Colorado, a wealth of linemates. All are plausible. All are likely. But it's Tanguay himself who sums up his reasoning best:

"Last year, I was hurt and didn't perform like I wanted," said Tanguay, who still put up 41 points in 50 games with the Habs. "The year before in Calgary, it wasn't my best year. I'm 29 years old and it's really important for me to have a good year and play at the caliber I know I can play at."

It's really important for him to have a good year. Not put himself in a winning situation. Not give himself a new challenge after riding some pretty hefty coat-tails. No, having a good year.

And make no mistake, he means a good year statistically. He means a year getting back above his average point totals. No mention of Cup, no mention of team having a good year. He's playing 2009-10 as a $2.5 million player in an effort to re-emerge with a $5 million contract.

Were I an agent, a wife, a child, a parent, an advisor I wouldn't blame him. As a fan of his former team, I have a different conclusion.


Gainey did the right thing

Up to this point, I've been pretty ambivalent about Tanguay. From an academic point of view, I knew we lost a very useful piece. His skating is good, his passing is at times sublime. And his timing is uncanny. He has the pieces.

Emotionally, however, it was less painful to see him go, simply because his loss pales compared to Kovalev, Koivu and even Bouillon for me. I never made a connection with the player beyond that academic curiosity, that superficial admiration. He did things proficiently and smoothly, but rarely got me up from my seat.

Reading what I've read from his mouth now, though. All that about having a good year and the importance of it happening this season for him -- it gives me a sense of relief to know he won't be around.


Why?

That does sound crazy doesn't it? Relief to have lost a player that wishes to rebound to new heights, a player that craves success. A player who I fully acknowledge has talent oozing from the pores.

Maybe it is. In fact, it probably is. But let me reason with you.

I think Tanguay has salary very much on the mind. Too much so. Salary, at least for this season may well take precedence to a Cup for the guy.

Oh sure, maybe once he's restored his reputation as a 75-point scorer, he'll turn his thoughts to a championship; but I find that to be too late.

You see, to win a Stanley Cup, I think it takes a burning desire from quite a number of players on the same team. It's not chance that sees Cupless veterans produce the form of their lives when they get their opportunity at a run late. It's not coincidence that teams celebrate scrappy (and unexpected) heroes year on year. The thirst for victory is that added dimension that makes the Saku Koivus of the world find two more notches in elimination games. The lack of that drive is what stifles gold-gilded and salary-bolstered teams when they face an opponent who plays with energy.

For this season at least, I think Tanguay seems to have lost the plot. Sorry, not the plot, rather my plot -- he has found a very different one to mine, and indeed I think to many fans.


Had the Canadiens signed Alex, there'd have been none of this you know. We'd never have known what he'd choose given the chance to select his own destination. He'd have been a very good winger pencilled straight in next to Scott Gomez.

But what might the season have held for Tanguay and the Canadiens? What if Alex and Gomez didn't hit it off? What if Alex looked at the prospect of his third season of decline in succession and thought first of years 30-40 for Tanguay and not games 83-99 for his Canadiens?

That's why I think Gainey did the right thing. After all, Bob may well have known of Tanguay's propensity to look out for #1, given that he'd just coached the player during the stretch of his first potential free agent win fall. What's more, he filled the vacancy he created with similar expertise.

A couple of months and a few interviews later and I'm resolved that the puzzling case of Alex Tanguay has ended the right way for this Habs fan.

Draft Week First Round Live Commentary

The Habs take Louis Leblanc. It's a good pick, and the best of the Quebec crop. Playing with Kristo must have helped and it certainly helped me to swallow the option.

RDS in their infinite professionalism still haven't mentioned Kristo as they collectively salivate from the press box.

Poor Louis gets his first taste of the press and does ably.

The Habs aren't any better for next year. I'm not sure we thought we would be. Louis Leblanc won't help us for ages yet and we have a third rounder coming up. Suddenly Koivu and Kovalev looking really good.

As for me, that's a good night for now.


9:34 RDS cameras have gone way over the line and they will be fined I think. At least they are consistent with their usual level of professionalism. RDS is a complete and utter joke.

9:31 Have we all recovered from our last big Quebec pick, Eric Chouinard? I hope so, Boivin's smile tells me we're trying big hometowner again...

9:27 Montreal will now be faced with a Quebec prospect who could have gone earlier. If they eschew the province again, they'll have hell to pay. That's the flip side. They could trade down, I suppose.

Blues take David Rundblad. Not surprising with Kekalainen the reknowned Euro scout at the helm. A good pick. not one for the Habs either.

Now the fans want Leblanc. We await. Even I'd be scared to stand up and take Jeremy Morin now. Perhaps if I pronounced his name with a real Sorel twang?

9:23 Surprised there aren't more cheers. It's better here with beer as predicted, I suppose. Montreal picks survive as offensive Dmen are not on the mind. Nick Leddy is a good pick, but you can see why Minnesota traded down.

9:18 6'2" isn't big everyone. Not anymore. Koivu can knock over a 74-incher no problem. ONe I was hoping we wouldn't pick, now we can't. Two more ahead and all my five survive. Schroeder should go in the next 2.

9:12 Hey at least Jacques Martin can lead a group of scouts, if the coaching thing doesn't work out. Kulikov at 14 is a great pick. Drummondville's turnaround was epic and Dimitri played a large part.

9:10 RDS cameraman crossing the line as he zooms in on Florida scout's screen. Russian names on the list. Someone's brave...

9:07 Gillett need not sell anymore bricks. The rest of the NHL is happily providing them today. Kassian to Buffalo, not as offensively talented as Lucic. Not good news for Buffalo.

8:56 Not a trade I'd have done. Kullkov survives. De Haan not a player I'd have taken at 18 even given the talent that remains.

8:54 Well done rookie GM in Minny. Value right there.

8:51 Montreal salivating for our Russian Quebecker? Trades in the wind...

Nashville took Ellis. Had bright eyes, looked an intelligent one.

8:38 At this point, we're about as expected. Only the amazing Kullkov remains from the players that should have been top ten. Oh that my fingers could all stay crossed and type at the same time.

Edmonton took the player I feared Toronto would get. Thankfully Edmonton is far away and Paajarvi-Svensson shouldn't hurt us too much more than the current Oilers squad did last Feb.

8:29 Meh. Ottawa have had some history of drafting good D, so I'll give them some benefit of the doubt here. But they missed the Swede.

8:18 Montreal will have to get the spin machine going if they're to outdo TO at this point. Brian Burke after all could have had the first overall pick and a local scoring phneomenon, but would not give up a 19-year-old defenceman to do it. Montrealers will be anxious but if teams continue to overlook people as they have been, it'll be a different story come #18 than we thought.

Dallas takes Scott Glennie, Robert's fantasy pick.


8:12 Out of spite, The Toronto Maple Leafs take Nazem Kadri. Ottawa will be pissed when they get Svensson.

8:07 That leaves Toronto with a good few options here. My system says go for the Swede Pajaarvi-Svensson. My hope is that they don't and take a defensive defenceman.

8:05 Now that's a surprise. I think it's a good pick. Ekman Larsson to Phoenix.

7:57 Anyone else notice that the Habs haven't acquired a big centre yet?

LA takes Brayden Schenn. Hooray. Not even overrated. Nor anyone in his family. never have been.

7:45 Rumour from Big D: Kaberle for Niskanen and their first this season. Sounds like a good deal for Toronto. Not so sure for Dallas.

Atlanta toe the line and take 48-goal man Kane. I'd have been happy with this guy. 48 goals don't lie.

7:39 Once Colorado get the last pre-set pick over with, I'll finally have something to say. Duchene looks a good pick now. Will all 3 make it here? Will there be a Pat Falloon? A Patrik Stefan? An Alex Daigle? You get my point. History tells us there might very well be.

And Philly. Ouch. That first in 2010 might be worth a bit by the time the roster is readjusted...


7:28 Tampa keep the script going, take Hedman at #2.

7:26 My mistake not a 2nd, 2 firsts. Blinded by the 2.

7:24 Mirtle has Sbisa, Lupul and a 2nd for Pronger. Haven't decided.

7:19: Islanders don't surprise anyone. Take John Tavares. Wow the hype was good though...

7:15: At least bettman has a sense of irony...

7:10: Dreger says Pronger traded to Philly. Not good news for the Habs. It's good news for Philly who hope to absorb half the league's entire salary load themselves.

6:49: Duchene, come the Island. Trade if you're throwing away your pick. Tavares over Hedman, fine. Duchene over Hedman, welcome to another 15 years of morass.

6:45: Under starter's orders here.

Watching RDS for now. May have to switch if Luc Gelinas keeps prattling on and on about Quebec players. Apparently they're all from the 6th round. Urquart and Lapierre (2nds unrecognised by him), then last year's Fortier in the 3rd.

Never mind the Habs have already signed Dany Masse this year as a free agent. Hush hush, though, the fans might be placated...

Game #77Win-Win: Habs Get Their 2 Points, Isles Get Their Loss

The Canadiens Game in Review

Date: Thursday April 2nd, 2009
Opponent: New York Islanders
Venue: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY

Team Stripes

Score: 5 - 1 Win

Habs starting goalie: Jaroslav Halak (W)
Opposition starting goalie: Yann Danis (L)

Habs goalscorers: Saku Koivu, Mathieu Schneider, Alex Tanguay, Andrei Markov, Mike Komisarek
Opposition goalscorers: Jeff Tambellini

Play of the game
The play you're straining to see on the press catwalk monitor...

Markov's goal was the nicest play of the night. It was our 3rd PP goal and it gave us a 4-goal lead, something that this Islander team was in no way going to erase. The goal itself was a simple play and was probably one that has been practiced many times by the Habs. Kovalev, on the half boards, passed the puck down low to Koivu in the corner. The captain waited until he had a perfect cross-crease line to a streaking Markov. When the time was right the pass was fired across and all Andrei had to do was lift the puck.

Game puck
Trophies are for the end of the year, play well in the game, you get a lovely puck...

Alexei Kovalev
I was a little surprised that Alex didn't score tonight as it was the type of game in which he made things look so easy. He was walking around the Islanders defence as though it was their first time on skates. He did have some good chances though and Danis had to be sharp. In all Kovalev led the game with 5 shots in his 15 minutes of play - Gainey didn't use his top line much when the game was out of reach.


Dome hockey team
We're going into the last minute with these 6 (and they're attached to the ice, so they're not coming off)...

Forwards

Saku Koivu
Koivu set the tone early with a goal on a 1st period PP. He was skating and handling the puck very well all night. The puck movement amongst him and his linemates is quite nice to watch as they must now be considered one of the best (and probably the hottest) lines in the league. Saku added an assist to his goal and now has 47 points. He also had a great night in the face-off circle as he went 10-6.

Maxim Lapierre
Max gave it his all on every shift and, even though we were up by a lot for a good chunk of the game, he didn't stop. I love this approach to hockey and it is the way I would play too. I think we all know what happens when too many players on the leading team stop playing, if you don't know, ask the Rangers. Lapierre didn't figure on the scoresheet, but was a mind-blowing 14-3 at face-offs.

Alexei Kovalev
The best part about Kovy's recent success is that the team is winning too; all of these goals and assists would be meaningless without the wins. With better goaltending and defence his offence has really been the difference over the past few games. He picked up another 3 assists tonight and that gives him 59 points on the year. All I can do is thank Bob, though. I thank him for remembering the type of player Alex can be (and is) when the going gets tough. We need him, Koivu, Tanguay and Markov now more than ever and, oh boy, are we getting them.

Defencemen

Andrei Markov
I don't know how good Mike Green is on defence (despite a great +/-), but what I do know is that no one should write Andrei off for the Norris. It is so rare that one of the best offensive defenceman is also one of the best defensive. I really believe that Markov is top-3 in both categories and hope that the voters try and remember what the trophy is actually meant to reward - defensive play. He is, however, putting up those big numbers just to make sure no one forgets about him. Tonight it was a goal and an assist to bring his total to 64 points.

Josh Gorges
Josh continued his strong play beside Schneider tonight. That duo was very good in their own end although, to be fair, they weren't called upon much. He saw the type of game this was and decided to get a little more involved offensively too. He was, therefore, able to pick up another point with a good pass on Tanguay's goal.

Goaltender

Jarsolav Halak
What a solid performance. New York wasn't exactly the threat that most teams are, but they still had quite a few chances. I could count about 5 odd-man rushes (or breakaways) where Jaro shut the door and killed any hope that the Islanders had of getting back into the game. A low point for him (in that it cost him a shutout) was the goal against. It was the type of shot that he should have had and it may have been the result of a lack of concentration. Nevertheless he was stellar the rest of the way as he blocked the remaining 26 shots.



Eye-Openers
In this new section we are going to try and shed some light on certain plays or events that would otherwise go unnoticed

Maybe it was the defence we were up against, maybe not. All I know is that this is a team that beats us when we are slumping and is no match for us when we are on our game. Tonight the fact that they were no match really helped to open things up and I saw the type of offensive team that we can really be. The main thing I noticed was the speed at which we were passing the puck. Whether it was a pass to get out of the zone, a pass once we gained their zone or a pass once we were set up on the PP, they all seemed to be quick. I find that the quick movement of the puck is the sign of a very confident team and I think that is what we have become. The positives of moving the puck like we did are of course the fact that we open up their defence, we create more chances and we become able to get ourselves out of defensive jams. We are always called a fast team, but that doesn't always just refer to how fast you skate. Tonight it referred to how quickly we worked the puck around.

Overall Comments

It never really looked like New York cared tonight. They are obviously in need of someone better than Richard Park or Doug Weight up front, so it is no surprise that they want Tavares. The game started off at a horribly slow pace and I was afraid that the Habs were going to play down to New York's pathetic level. The Isles had a couple of early chances that were stopped by Halak which I thought was crucial. The last thing you want to do against a team like this is give them a lead; who knows, after that point they may actually try. Luckily we scored 2 in the first period to essentially wrap the game up. The Canadiens realized that there would be absolutely no excuse if they lost this one, so they made sure that they got a lead that would hold up. After we took that 4-0 lead early in second period we did slow it down a bit; that is of course when New York scored their goal. We started rolling all 4 lines, we had some new faces on the PP as all we cared about now was the result in Raleigh. The most important thing for us tonight were those 2 points, the second biggest thing was a no-OT result between the 'Canes and Rangers. We luckily got bot and now sit in 7th. With 90 points in the bank we are far from safe, but it is sure nice that we have 9 points in our last 5 games. I am glad that we control our own destiny now as all we have to do is to keep on winning.

Subban vs. TorpA Habs Undercard to Tavares/Hedman Bout

Remember when Ovechkin was the clear number one pick in his year? There was some talk of Malkin being a good consolation prize, sure, but it was just that. 4 years on and it's tight between the two: Ovechkin has all the trophies in his cupboard now, but Malkin is current scoring leader and if Pittsburgh make a substantial push (as they habitually do), he could be positioned to take silverware from his countryman.

The NHL draft class of 2009 is similarly intriguing. John Tavares has been on the radar from age 14, and was so good last season that pundits were trying to get him into the NHL draft early through rule changes. The relative newcomer onto the scene is Victor Hedman of Sweden. Coming into this tournament he was number one consensus, because he is already a giant and plays defence the way his older peers do.

Tonight's game will be a chance for Canada to get another gold, in Canada (again). Pardon me for getting a little blase about this tournament and game.

With the backdrop of the repeating scene, the underlying story of player matchups adds some much needed intrigue to tonight's game. Tavares vs. Hedman is going to be exciting to watch as both are touted as can't-miss prospects (a la Ovechkin, Malkin or – perhaps not quite that good, but good nonetheless). Hopefully, they will be matched against one another to accentuate the drama. Either way, looking at the game as a pretend scout will be exciting.

For the Habs, there is also interest. PK Subban, playing for Canada has had an amazing couple of weeks. He has figured in the offensive Canadian moves a lot and has 8 points in 5 games to show for it. Nichlas Torp, the Gorges to Hedman's Hamrlik, should be showcased this game as well, as Canada will test his defensive defenceman bill.

With a night off for the Habs, it should be fun to see these two defenders line up against one another and enjoy the spectacle of battle for number one ranking in CSS rankings.


Sam Pollock's kind of year

I can't help but think that this would be Sam Pollock's kind of year to really get down and dirty, manouevering and trading for draft picks. With the lottery, there's no guarantees anymore as there were with Lafleur/Dionne, but I don't think one could go far wrong with an Atlanta draft pick. Does Gainey have the nerve to ante up like Pollock would have? Probably not, so I'll leave those dreams for another time...