Taking out the trash

What day is pick-up?

Man, the Ottawa Senators suck.  

You know, it wasn't that long ago that Hab fans (especially this one) would dread games against the Senators. For a number of years, playing a game against Daniel Alfredsson and company would give the feeling that another loss was merely sixty minutes away... and that was often the case.

My, how times have changed. For the fourth time in five meetings this season, the Canadiens defeated the Senators. Actually, 'defeated' isn't the right word. Let's try "annihilated". Or "obliterated". Kicked the tar out of. A 'sand in the Vasoline' type of win. A 7-1 spanking, and it wasn't even that close. And there's always something quite satisfying about hearing Hab fans cheering, singing, and booing the opposing goaltender in their building.

Save for a post, two flubbed 2-on-1's and a broken stick with a wide-open net in the first period, this one could have just as easily ended up in double figures. Tomas Plekanec led the way with two goals, and Brian Gionta, Andrei Kostitsyn, Benoit Pouliot, Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban had the others. Only a horrible defensive breakdown off of a faceoff kept them from getting Carey Price, who had another great game, his fifth shutout of the season. For Price, his 24th win ties a season high for him, in only game 48 of the Habs' season.

As for the Senators goaltending? It hasn't been their biggest problem, but get a load of these numbers: Pascal Leclaire has been their best guy between the pipes, and he leads the team with just a .908 save percentage. He's 4-7-1. Their other three goalies all have save percentages of under .900. That ain't good.

Tonight, the Habs chased starter Mike Brodeur after 4 goals on just 15 shots. Enter Brian Elliott, who fared a little better, but not much: another 3 goals on 20 shots.

The win sits the Habs second in the Northeast Division, one point behind Boston. The Canadiens are now 7-1-2 in their last ten games. Tomorrow, Saku Koivu returns to Montreal. If he scores the winner in overtime, I'd be happy with the Habs being 7-1-3.

.
.
.

A royal butt kicking

I didn't mind them in gold... just not that much gold

As a Hab fan, you've got to love having RDS.

Firstly, they show every Canadiens game live. Secondly, they repeat the game--in an hour-long condensed version--about an hour after the game ends. This means that on nights like tonight I get to see the game, even though I missed the game. And watching the replay has benefits over watching it live: in order to make the game fit an hour format, they cut out all of the boring parts.

Not that there were many boring parts in tonight's game; it featured two very evenly matched teams that are built on speed and great goaltending. But tonight, one team did most things better than the other.

After the Kings held the early edge in the game with tough, hard forechecking, the Habs got their skates under them and did pretty much everything that they didn't do over the last 40 minutes of their last game against Philadelphia: skate hard, go to the net, and make smart decisions both with and without the puck.

Price makes a spectacular lunging save to foil a Kings' 2-on-1. Photo:Allen McInnis/The Gazette

Halfway through the first period, Andrei Kostitsyn used his quick-release wrist shot, one of the best in the league, to beat Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier for the 1-0 lead. Scott Gomez went to the net with 2 1/2 minutes left in the period and was rewarded with his fourth goal to make it 2-0 after one period. ***Scoring Change: Mike Cammalleri was credited with the second goal, a one-timer from the deep slot.

In the second period, just under 2 minutes in, the Kings Alec Martinez scored his first of the season on the powerplay, though it wasn't without some controversy. After making the initial save, Carey Price was prevented from moving across the crease by a King to make the second save. The replay showed that there was a good case for a goaltender interference call, but instead it was a 2-1 game.

Showing their tenaciousness, the Habs answered right back with a Tomas Plekanec goal to make it 3-1, then with 2 minutes left in the period Lars Eller scored his first as a Hab when he picked up a rebound in the slot from a shot off the near post, then spun around to slide the puck in along the ice on the far side to beat Bernier and make it 4-1. Close checking and a willingness to take the puck to the King's zone prevented a third-period comeback to round out a very satisfying win.

Final shots were 33 for the Habs, and 25 for the Kings. Brian Gionta led the way with seven of them, while Roman Hamrlik played a very solid 23:31 to lead the way in ice time for the Canadiens.

Carey Price? Just another day at the office. 24 saves on 25 shots, and considering the play that led to the Kings only goal, it could have just as easily been his 5th shutout of the season and a GAA of under 2. As it is, after 21 games he's tied his win total from last year with 13, has 4 shutouts, a GAA of 2.00 and a SV% of .933. 

Their next game is in Atlanta on Friday night, in a week that sees them having to travel before each of their 4 games. Crazy schedule.

.
.
.  

Coyote (not so) ugly

Ugly?! They're kind of cute! Photo courtesy National Geographic


Tonight, the Habs begin their busiest week of this young season.

It'll include tonight's game against the 2-2-2 Winnipeg Jets Phoenix Coyotes, that rarely-viewed, endangered breed that makes its home by scavenging for scraps on the outskirts of desert cities. Tonight's game will be followed up with a Wednesday/Friday home-and-home against the surprising New York Islanders, and the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre on Saturday, which could mark the return of Andrei Markov.

That squeal you just heard was the Montreal powerplay jumping for joy.

Though the Habs' power play currently sits last in the league (30th, at a measly 4.2%) the 'Yotes efficiency with the man-advantage isn't much better: they're tied for 27th in the league. Could be a rough night at the rink if neither team fears plating shorthanded.

Speaking of rough, Phoenix captain Shane Doan won't play tonight; he continues to serve a three-game suspension for a blindside hit on Anaheim's San Sexton. Interesting fact: Doan is the last active player to have played for the Winnipeg Jets, having played all 14 of his seasons with Winnipeg/Phoenix.

On the road, Phoenix is playing .500 hockey, while the Habs are an average 1-1-1. at home. They'll need to bolster that record if they want to do more than just fight for 8th place in their conference. Their 3-1-0 record, good for 2nd in the conference, it's what's bolstering their ranking of 1st in their division and 3rd in the conference.

I'm really liking what I'm seeing of Carey Price, Andrei Kostitsyn, and P.K. Subban. To this point Carey's played every minute in goal (I wouldn't be surprised to see backup Alex Auld play Friday night in Long Island), AK46 is making use of all of his assets by leading the team in goal  scoring, and Subban is starting to focus his enthusiasm on the ice, more often than not making the right play instead of having to use his natural talents to dig himself of holes. He's also chipped in with 3 points in his last 4 games. Unfortunately, a streaky Mike Cammalleri is heading in the wrong direction. He's only been good for a point in his last 4 games. Tonight would be a good time to turn that around.

On the home front, my better half is off to Calgary for a two-day conference, which means that I get to watch tonight's game in my underwear. Hopefully the dog won't stare and make me self-conscious.


2010-2011 Regular Season, Game 8: Phoenix at Montreal

FIRST PERIOD:

• Hate that commercial. If I ever Double Down, please slap me. Then pump my stomach.
• Coyotes/Jets haven't fared well here over the years. Let's hope that trend continues.
• I love Gionta's 3rd gear. Forced the Yotes into a penalty to prevent a breakaway
• Great hustle as Lapierre's speed generates another interference call. Sadly, a lot or razzle, no dazzle on the ensuing powerplay
• Some dude in a neon yellow shirts keeps standing up and waving when the camera pans across him. If you're at the game, please slap him for me.
• Habs seem to go into goal prevention mode in the last minute of a period a lot. I know that you don't want to get scored on late, but that system tends to generate scoring chances for the opposition

A fairly evenly split first period, though Phoenix probably had the better scoring chances. Both Price and Bryzgalov had to be sharp. But man, both teams' powerplays are struggling. Habs now 1-for-27 on the season. The Coyotes had a slight edge in shots, 11 to 10.


SECOND PERIOD:

• Bad defensive coverage leads to a Kyle Turris shot from point-blank range. Price gets a piece of it, but not enough as it slided through his pads. 1-0 Phoenix.
• Heavy pressure in the Coyotes' zone has them running around in their zone, and Pleks cashes from 15 feet. Tied at 1! And a quick powerplay to follow...
• Hey... a powerplay goal! Cammy all alone in the slot, wrist shot, blocker side. 2-1 Habs!
• Great stuff! Habs' speed (this time Pleks) nullifies another Phoenix powerplay
• I can't say that I mind hearing english interviews on RDS. It gives my french a break
• Aaaand... Moen takes a boarding penalty late in the period. 'Yotes'll start the 3rd period on the powerplay

Habs finally score their second powerplay goal of the season not long after Plekanec (who's having a great game, IMO) ties the game. Habs take a 2-1 lead into the third, but will start on the penalty kill. Considering how good that part of their play has been, that might not be such a bad thing. Shots that period: Coyotes 7 (18) and Habs 8 (18).


THIRD PERIOD:

• Moen's dumb penalty costs them. Morris smokes one from the point on the powerplay into the top corner; Carey completely screened. Tied at 2.
• Habs looking a little haphazard in the early part of the period. Phoenix coming on a little here.
• Price has had to be sharp this period.
• Spacek hasn't been his best this game. Markov back to take some of the high-pressure minutes will help.
• Definitely more energy in this period than in the first two
• Puck went into the crowd. I'm glad that the dude in neon didn't get it
• 2 minutes left. We're essentially in overtime
• At least a point!

Shots through 3 periods: Phoenix with a 29-28 edge. The game has been as evenly-played as the shots would indicate.


OVERTIME:

• Neither team has won in overtime this season (Montreal, 0-1 and Phoenix 0-2)
• Andrei flies! (literally). Doing his best Bobby Orr impersonation, AK46 cashes a rebound 1:25 into overtime to send everyone home happy
• Kostitsyn gets the 1st star selection, then takes a tour of the ice tossing a few pucks into the crowd.



Getting ready for takeoff: AK46 nets the OT winner just before Derek Morris (#53) gives him the Bobby Orr treatment. Photo courtesy Habs Inside/Out



Fantastic! These guys are really coming together, and it's nice to see it happen in the first month of the season instead of the last. :) 5-2-1, won four of their last five, at the top of the conference... and all without Andrei Markov available to quarterback a powerplay that up until now has only potted two goals in their first eight games.

And who's leading the way? The guys that you want to see: the core of the team for years to come: Kostitsyn, Price, Plekanec, Cammalleri, Gorges. Subban has been evolving every game, and even Lars Eller has been doing the little things right. The kid's got some good hockey sense; the goals and assists will come in time as he earns himself more minutes with the top-six forwards. Scratch that... he got an assist--his first point as a Hab--on AK's overtime winner.
.
.
.

Here we go again...



Go get your own history, 'Turds



Didn't we just see this movie?

I hated Groundhog Day. Didn't find it funny at all. Hopefully this rerun will be just as good as last Saturday night when we plopped our butts down to watch the Habs and Sens square off at the Bell Centre. Or at the very least end with the same result, a win for the good guys. 

Tonight's tilt goes down at the Scotiabank place in beautiful Kanata. Ok, so Kanata isn't really that beautiful. It's more serviceable than anything... kind of like Scotiabank Place. I've seen a number of games at that rink (only when the Habs are the visitors, of course) and every time I leave I promise myself that I won't be back. It's too difficult to get to, too much traffic, and I have to remember to bring along a good book for the walk to the rink from the parking lot. But the Habs are playing, so I'll willingly suffer.

It's another of those round, one-concourse cookie-cutter rinks that reflect the boring, bureaucratic personality of the community that it serves. The Palace in Auburn Hills is another one of those; a nondescript round building surrounded by a nondescript parking lot in the middle of a nondescript nowhere.

Scotiabank Place is also under served by what has to be the worst score clock and videoboards in the entire league. Honestly, I'd have a much better view of the replays if I were to stay at home and watch it on TV. And for a lot less money, too. And don't even get me started about the Sens hanging Stanley Cup banners for the accomplishments of the original Ottawa Senators, a successful, though long-defunct franchise that ended it's days known as the Eagles, strung up and left swinging in the wind from an old, knotty tree limb somewhere in St. Louis.

But they still have AK27, who for some reason I still like even though he has the distinct ability to play lazy, yet get payed a lot to do it.

They also have Daniel Alfredsson, who woke up from his slumber last night in Buffalo to smoke the Sabres with a hat trick, including an empty-netter, to notch his 1000th point in the NHL. Great... NOW we have to play him. And speaking of milestones, Kovy sits at 991 career points. That of course means that even though he's only got one point on the season (an assist) he'll pot 5 and assist on 4 more tonight to join his buddy Alfie in the K club.

The Habs will be looking to awake from their own slumber, having sleepwalked through Thursday night's game against the Devils. At least they should be well-rested for tonight. Puck drops at 7pm.


2010-2011 Regular Season, Game 7: Montreal at Ottawa

FIRST PERIOD:

• I'm predicting another one-gaol victory. Not sure who'll get the 2 points, though
• Brian Elliott's got a .888 Save%. Hopefully the Habs can lower that tonight by a few notches
• Kovy, skating backwards, misses a rub-out check along the boards. I guess that's whe he wasn't a defenseman
• Lots of hitting so far by Ottawa
• AK46 takes advantage of a loose puck in the slot... great wrist shot! 1-0 Habs!
• In a scramble, Ottawa forgets that they're playing hockey instead of soccer and blatantly kicks the puck into the net. No goal

The needed to do what they had to in that period, especially considering their terrible performance in their last game against New Jersey. Habs outshoot Ottawa 10-4, and lead 1-0.

SECOND PERIOD:

• You just know that Ottawa's going to come out charging after such a flat first period. They must've been read the riot act between periods
• Lovely. Chris Neil throws an elbow at Lapierre, then looks back to make sure that the referee didn't see it.
• Can the Habs find a way to keep the opposition from taking liberties with them?
• Moen robbed on a shorthanded 2-on-1, and tempers flare around the Ottawa goal
• I like that Subban seems to be making more conservative, wise decisions with the puck tonight
• Man, I LOVE hearing the ole's in the other team's rink!
• My new pet peeve this season: odd-man rushes that don't genereate a shot, never mind a scoring chance. Wasted opportunities by trying to be too fancy
• That's a money off of Pouliot's back! Powerplay just expired, Georges shot from the point off the end boards, tap in for Benny. 2-0 Habs!
• He's playing like a beast this year. AK46 sneaks in off the wing to cahs a short rebound. His 2nd of the game... 3-0 Habs! 

A chippy period, but the Habs manage to put a couple of short ones behind Elliott to move their lead to 3-0. Shots that period: Montreal with 17 (27) and Ottawa with 12 (16).

THIRD PERIOD:

• The dog keeps staring at me. I wonder what she wants?
• Uh-oh! One of our best penalty-killers in the box... Gill sits for 2 minutes
• Nice to see the Habs pushing instead of sitting back on the lead
• Subban and Georges have played solid games tonight
• Ottawa's been laying on some pressure over the last few minutes, but to no avail
• Lots of ole's and na-na hey-hey's. Sounds like a HUGE contingent of Hab fans at the game
• Stymied, the Senaturds look to goon it up with a minute left in the period. I'd like to see coaches get fined more often for this.



Benoit Pouliot celebrates his first goal of the regular season. Photo courtesy Habs Inside/Out



Sweet. Carey Price gets the shutout (his last one, almost two years ago, was also against the Sens), Andrei Kostitsyn pots two, and Benoit Pouliot gets the third. The young guns lead the way as the Habs play a great road game to beat the Sens 3-0. Shots in the 3rd were 7 for Montreal (34 total) and just 3 for Ottawa (19 total).

It's great to see AK46 coutinuing to play like his hair is on fire. I know, bad analogy considering his (lack of) hairline, but two more goals tonight and another all around great effort can't solely be chalked up to a contract year, can it? And if it can, sign him for another year. Then another. And another.

It looked to me like PK Subban was being targeted by the Sens tonight, including an unwarranted pile-on twards the end of the game. In fact, he's been in the sights of a number of teams so far this season as they try to take the rookie off of his game. And for the most part, he's handled it well, and good on him for it. It's all part of his maturation process as he becomes comfortable and learns to play defense in the NHL. He continues to learn to judiciously pick his spots to display his offensive talents, and it's becoming apparent that if he continues to show that he can take on even more responsability that he could very well be in the running for rookie of the year.

Man, I hope that I haven't just jinxed the guy.

And for the record, winning by more than one goal rocks. I don't know if my nerves (of the sanity of my dog) could have taken another close one.
.
.
.

Truckin' up to Buffalo



It was 40 years ago today...



Game four of the regular season, and tonight Centre Hice will be taking it in live from the HSBC arena.

I've always found Buffalo to be a strange hockey town. It has a rich hockey history, and in fact before tonight's game the Sabres will hold a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of their first game. But to me it's always felt like a minor-league town. I don't mean that in any offensive way, it's just that Buffalo has never struck me as a place that a player would go to play in the limelight. On top of that, the HSBC, though a competent arena, feels like an overgrown AHL rink. Thank goodness their fans tend to breathe a little life into the place, and having thousands of Hab fans descend on the place when the Canadiens roll into town definitely helps the atmosphere.

The pregame ceremony should be interesting; the Pocket Rocket will be on hand to help commemorate the Sabres' first game, which just so happened to be against the Habs 40 years ago tonight. Hopefully the Habs will be able to lend a hand with the retro feel of the game by repeating the score in that first game: a 3-0 shutout for the guys in blue, white and red.

Speaking of uniforms, the Habs will be sporting the red unis tonight; Buffalo will be wearing their "new retro" whites. On this point I have to tip my cap to the Sabres' organization; thank goodness that they killed off the BuffaSlug. Mind you, a logo that looked like a cross between something slimy and Barney Rubble's hair was always fodder for a good taunting to a Sabre fan, especially in their own building, but it had no place on an NHL jersey. Thanks for coming to your senses, Buffalo.

In any event, the Habs need to start converting some chances. Buffalo hasn't had a good start to the season, and at 1-1-1, the Habs, if not for some great goaltending in their last two games, could easily be 0-3.He Gio... pot a couple tonight, would ya? Preferable on the power play. And Cammy... no lame-ass penalties, please.

The best news from today is that Andrei Markov is targeting next Thursday for his return from knee surgery. One can hope.

Well, off to sit in line at the Peace Bridge border crossing. I might update this after the game. Or not.




Patrick Kaleta makes his "I'm Carey's bitch" face. Photo courtesy Habs Inside/Out.



UPDATE > > > Victory in the Sabrehood! (I'm trademarking that, by the way) 

In a repeat of the Sabres' first ever game, the Habs come in to town and ruin the party. 2-1 final. Alexandre Picard and Josh Georges with the goals. Carey great. AK great. Moen great. Spacek save, great. Pre-game ceremonies? Not so much. I found the waiting room at U.S. Customs more interesting. And who the hell does a ceremonial face-off in one end of the rink? The Sabres, that's who. What, too lazy to stroll all the way to centre ice?

The Slug lives. Even though the Sabres have dropped the BuffaSlug/Barney Rubble's hair as their logo, it's still plastered all over HSBC including their entertaining, kid-friendly ridiculous smoke-belching scoreboard. I guess that they forgot to call the exterminators. Somebody step on that thing, will ya?!

Light crowd tonight, too. Upper corners in the 300 level were empty, as were noticeable stretches of seats in the lower bowl. Good thing so many Hab fans were in the arena, or it would have looked like a Toronto Marlies game. They announced the crowd at 17,500. The 15,000 in attendance shared a good laugh at that. 

By the way, great song selection by the Buffalo production staff to serenade the Sabre faithful out of the arena after the Sabres collected 1 out of a possible 8 points in their first four games: "Up" by Shania Twain.

It's 'bout as bad as it could be
Seems everybody's buggin' me
Like nothing wants to go my way 
Yeah, it just ain't been my day
Nothin's comin' easily...
There's no way but up from here
.
.
.

Moving sucks without the beer

Ok, I'll come right out and say it: moving sucks. Or more specifically, it's the packing before the moving that I don't have a fondness for.

As you go through the pile of crap that you've accumulated since your last move you end up having to ask yourself, "Is this worth spending the time end effort packing, or would it simply be easier cutting the ties and tossing it in the trash?"

Yesterday was moving out day for the 2007-08 version of the Montreal Canadiens. Players packed ther belongings and got ready to leave the Bell Centre for the last time this season. Most will be back next season.

Some will not.

During this off-season, Habs GM Bob Gainey and his staff will have to decide whose getting kicked to the curb. Michael Ryder, Bryan Smolinski, Pratrice Brisebois and Mark Streit are the unrestricted free agent roster players, while Mikhail Grabovski, Andrei Kostitsyn, Ryan O'Byrne, Maxim Lapierre, Joroslav Halak, and Josh Gorges are all restricted free agents.

Considering that he was all but ignored by coach Carbo down the stretch and the playoffs, Ryder seems like a forgone conclusion for a ride on the last garbage truck out of Montreal, and Smolinski might soon follow. Smols had a decent stretch run, but was it worth re-upping for another two million per? Sorry, Bryan. You've been nominated to drive the truck that hauls Ryder's ass out of town.

Favourite fan whipping boy Patrice Brisebois will be interesting. While the popular thought is that he will retire before next season, he proved himself a valuable enough veteran presence on the blue line that fans actually -- gasp! -- demanded his inclusion in the lineup. Should he decide that he'd like one more kick at the can, another one year contract as a depth defenceman for insurance might not be out of the question. A more desirable scenario? The Breezer moves off the ice to coach the upcoming crop of young defensive talent that appears ready to make the leap to become full-time NHL'ers.

Mark Streit seems to be the only real question mark. He was third on the team in scoring with 62 points behind Kovy and the TurtlePlek, and proved himself to be a valuable and flexible asset during the regular season. Defence? No problem? Forward? No problem. Quarterback the powerplay? Got that covered, too. And at $600,000 a tremendous bargain. Unfortunately he disapeared like a magician's bunny during the playoffs, though a back injury no doubt hampered his play. Apparently the Swiss Mister's desire is to remain in Montreal, playing defence, for a while to come. Now all he and Gainey have to do is figure out for how long and for how much. Details, details.





As far as the restricted free agents go, both Andrei Kostitsyn and Josh Gorges had breakout years. Bob should do himself a favour and lock up the D-Cup before the Russian super league comes sniffing around and makes an offer that Andrei can't refuse. Georges started the year a little shaky, but quickly matured as the season progressed. Though not the biggest of blueliners, the kid can skate and can move the puck smartly out of his own zone. I'd take him on the Centre Hice team any day.
Ryan O'Byrne got his first taste of Hab action this year. Look for next season to be his breakout. I'm getting more than a little excited thinking about the twin towers of the Komisaurus and the Rhino crushing those foolish to go wide on them when entering the Habs zone. Sign him for a long, long time.
Will Jaro Halak be back next year? He's got the talent to be a starter in this league, but with Carey Price having staked claim to that position for the next, oh, 20 years or so, Halak seems to have it the glass ceiling in Montreal. If he can't find a starting job in the NHL, he might split for Europe along with Mikhail Grabovski. That said, I just can't see Yann Danis at Price's backup. Cedric Desjardins, anyone?
Anyone?
.
.
.