Game 21: 'Canes vs. Habs

Montreal 2, Carolina 1

FIRST PERIOD LIVE GAME BLOG:

- Habs making lineup tweeks for warmups, specifically the 3rd/4th lines:

Hudon/Desharnais/Shaw
Danault/Mitchell/Terry

- Welp, 10 minutes in, not exactly frantic action. Habs a bit faster tonight, but generating few high grade scoring attempts. Carolina with only 1 decent attempt so far. Both teams very guarded, tight checking.

- Another surprisingly weak goal surrendered by Price off a sharp angle wrister by Lindholm. That's two very, very iffy goals by Price in two periods, extending back to the game winner scored by Ottawa in the 3rd period on Tuesday night.

- Habs might be the faster team, but they're defiantly not the best team with the puck. Canes doing a much better job gaining the zone, while the Habs guilty of far too many puck turnovers while on the attack.

- A softie goal in the Habs favour, Andrew Shaw courtesy some excellent work by Hudon, who continues to make a bigger case for staying with the team. I sadly suspect, however, that Hudon is destined for another trip to the rock once Brian Flynn is healed up.

- Scoreboard might be square, but this is shaping up to be an ugly period of hockey for the Habs. Very little flow to their game, puck advancement looking particularly dreary.

- Habs about to tackle Carolina's League-best PK (92% success rate).

- "meh" powerplay. Don't see anything special about Carolina's PK, except that they like to drape their blue line with their four skaters during opponent zone entries, thereby making it hard to gain the zone by carrying the puck in. The only viable alternative is the dump-and-chase, which is not preferable since the success rate for those isn't even 40%.

 - Uninspired period for the Habs, who seemed to get little momentum as the period finished. Still, the  'Canes are playing better fundamentals with the puck, while the Habs, apart from little bright spots here and there, are having a tough time setting up quality scoring chances. Fortunately Shaw converted one chance because of Hudon's hard work, but if they can't figure this issue out, a win tonight won't be easy.


SECOND PERIOD LIVE GAME BLOG:

- Habs and 'Canes after 20 minutes. Habs SA CF (5v5) was 46.3%:

- 7 Minutes into the 2nd, Carolina continues to be the better team - they're far more aggressive in the Habs zone, and as the game has progressed, the faster team. It has not been a good night for the Galchenyuk line - they're getting badly outskated.

- Pacioretty and Gallagher are clearly getting nowhere, either together, or with Plekanec up the middle. Maybe give Galchenyuk a shot with one (or both) of the two, see if that gets something, *anything* sparking.

- Comments are sparse tonight, because for the most part, so is the hockey action. We're 12 minutes into the period, and we've had 3 shots on net. Total. Pretty dreadful hockey being played.

- 'Canes tossing checking kitchen sink at Galchenyuk line, and it's worked brilliantly. So you'd hope for the guys who should have been scoring a long time ago, and who haven't been scoring this season, to step it up. So far the call has not been answered.

- Kind of annoying - whatever the Habs have going, it isn't working. So this seems like the ideal time to try a couple of new line combinations - maybe slot Pacioretty next to Galchenyuk. Something. Anything. But Therrien is sticking with the starting lineup. Kind of bewildering.

- Habs come to life. With 40 seconds left in the period. How convenient.

- Terrible period of hockey. Unwatchable. Habs with paltry 5 shots on goal, Carolina basically suffocating their opponents to death, assisted by Montreal's already dysfunctional offensive attacks. Canadiens have been totally stymied not only in gaining the zone, but for simply reaching the 'Canes blue line. Carolina has their trap running on overdrive, and the Habs simply have no reply. At this point, it'll be up to Price to find a way of preventing Carolina from scoring again, because all indications point to the Habs only getting a victory via extra time.


THIRD PERIOD LIVE GAME BLOG:

- Habs dreadful sub-40% CF, just to give you a good idea of how poorly they've executed play tonight:

- Max Pacioetty, finally. We talked about either he or Gallagher stepping up, and he's delivered. Gallagher getting the puck to the net, and Max jamming it home. Habs take 2-1 lead.

- Maybe, just maybe, that goal (and points to Gallagher and Plekanec) will break the logjam.

- Galchenyuk might own the team scoring lead, but there is nobody else on this roster that passes the puck better than Radulov. Nobody.

- Would it be ironic to note that Weber, the guy with hardest shot in hockey, is kind of not good firing the puck out of his zone?

- I've said it before, I'll say it again, hockey is won in the neutral zone. Classic example is the Galchenyuk near miss, off a sweet pass from (of course) Radulov. Play all began with Byron intercepting the puck pretty much on the red dot - feeding it forward to Radulov, high grade scoring chance realized. That's where you win (or lose) hockey. At centre ice.

- 5 minutes left, looks like Habs are attempting to execute a sit-on-it strategy. It's not going well, as Barberio gets called for a slash because he fails to properly cover the slot. Carolina gets big powerplay chance.

- Price comes through in the final minutes to secure a narrow victory. Again, it's not overwhelmingly impressive, or for that matter, even just impressive. Carolina was the better team, outshooting the Habs rather badly, and finishing with 60% possession. Positives?? Well, Pacioretty actually scoring is a start, but apart from the goal, he, along with Gallagher and Plekanec, continue to underwhelm. I'm not exactly sure what the issue is here - perhaps it's Plekanec losing a step in his game - he is nearing his mid-30s, after all. Meanwhile, Desharnais continues to contribute little to nothing to this roster, which is negatively impacting those who are saddled next to him - specifically Hudon, who had another strong game in spite of being shifted with Desharnais.

One thing is very clear - the Habs must clean up their game, and figure out a way of improving their puck movement, or they're going to be eaten alive in their upcoming road trip, including a visit to California, which if history has shown us, has been death to this organization.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING, TRUMP LOVERS

Hey, it's American Thanksgiving. Which for Canadians, means little except for Thursday afternoons filled with unwatchable American football. But let's not be cynical. In tribute to our friends south of the border, and given the celebration, we present this oldie but goodie:

Anyway, turkey killings aside, we do have hockey to watch, and tonight the Habs take on the red-hot ... Carolina Hurricanes? Yup. Believe it or not, the 'Canes are playing some pretty fine hockey, winners of 5 straight (one of those 5 a win over the Habs last week in Carolina). So first, let's get the lines out.

Habs first:

Byron/Galchenyuk/Radulov
Pacioretty/Plekanec/Gallagher
Danault/Mitchell/Shaw
Hudon/Desharnais/Terry

Weber/Emelin
Markov/Petry
Barberio/Pateryn

Carey Price

Noteworthy is that tonight's game will be the first of the season for Mark Baberio, who was called up yesterday after Joel Hanley, who played a week of dreadful defence, was sent back down to the isolated iceberg also known as Newfoundland. Also noteworthy is the latest on the health of Nathan Beaulieu, who took a puck to the neck Tuesday night. He was released from hospital yesterday, but there's no timetable for return - which means he's likely out for awhile.

Alright, how about those 'Canes?

Skinner/Staal/Aho
Teravainen/Rask/Lindholm
Stalberg/Ryan/Stempniak
Nordstrong/McClement/McGinn

Gainsay/Faulk
Slavin/Pesce
Hannifin/Tennyson

Cam Ward

Things to watch out for - the 'Canes PK has been running at an insanely with 92% kill rate, which is the best in the League, but likely due for some correction. Meanwhile, Cam Ward is quietly having one of his better career seasons, with a save percentage this month that'a actually better than Carey Price.

Meanwhile, the Habs will be hoping that three of its key forwards, which just so happen to all play together on the same line, will finally start producing actual goals. Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher have had poor starts to their season, combined they've scored just 18 point combined since October 22nd, which works out to a meager 1.12 PPG combined, a production level that can be basically summed up in one word: atrocious.

Puck drops tonight at 7:40, EST.



WEDNESDAY NEWS 'N' NOTES:

Let's see ... there's a little bit of player movement and other assorted shenanigans happening today:

- Joel Hanley, who barely, just barely played all of 7 minutes in Tuesday night's loss to the Ottawa Senators, was mercifully demoted to the neitherlands of Newfoundland this morning. Mark Barberio has been called up, and will play tomorrow night.

- Nathan Beaulieu, who took a nasty shot to the neck last night resulting in a stay at a local hospital, is okay, thank goodness. Beaulieu is out of the Habs lineup indefinitely.

- Also on the injury front, Michel Therrien said this morning that Artturi Lehkonen and Zach Redmond are close to rehabilitation from recent injuries, and that Brian Flynn is expected to be in game shape in about a week.

- ICYMI, Vegas unveiled their team name last night in what could only be aptly described as an example of how not to hold a high profile event. The NHL's newest team will be known as the Vegas Desert Golden Knights, a terrible, terrible name which will almost certainly change within 5 years (likely to just "Knights").

- We like to make fun of the Ottawa Senators on here and how terrible a team they are because they mainly consist of a roster made up of terrible human beings, but today we have a documented study that shows the Sens' fans are just as horrible. Why does Ottawa even have a team?? Ship 'em west to play in a place that actually appreciates hockey, like Saskatoon I SAY.

- Shenanigans!!! Habs MVP (not named Carey Price) Alex Radulov and the other Habs MVP (not named Carey Price and also with the same first name) Alex Galchenyuk had a little shoot off (sounds kinky, I know) contest at practice this morning. Guess who won? Why, Alex, of course.

Radulov said he won their competition, and so Galchenyuk's punishment is that he has to carry the PlayStation in his bag on the road. https://t.co/pq0OPnTG8b

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) November 23, 2016

More later.

Game 18: Habs vs. Canes

Carolina 3, Montreal 2:

FIRST PERIOD:

- Hudon in the lineup!!! Good news. Andrighetto out. Hmm ... not so good news. Desharnais in. Yeah, what can ya do?

- Fast paced start to the game, very few whistles. Could be fun to watch.

- Wow, Jeff Skinner. Did everything right, putting Montoya on his belly (tsk, bad form), but somehow failed to flip the puck into the empty net. 

- Puck luck is not strong with this 'Canes team - 24th overall PDO, mainly because of below average shooting percentage, and sub-par goaltending. 

- Definite Weber weakness, he's slow on his feet, and gets nailed for slash because he fails to reach quickly enough to Lindholm driving the net. 

- Carolina has defect powerplay, 12th ranked this season, but you wouldn't know that from that first man advantage. Habs doing pretty decent job containing Canes in the D zone - passing lanes to high danger zones have been well protected. 

- Gallagher does not look like a confident player right now - definitely goal weary, it being nearly a month (October 24th) since he last scored a goal. He'll need to get something greasy to break this drought. 

- Markov now with Weber. Not sure why of the shakeup. Possibly an injury or benching (Pateryn?)

- Pretty even period of hockey, both teams not really putting together very many good scoring opportunities - 'Canes with a couple, Habs were pretty passive. Pretty good period for the Galchenyuk line - they had some very strong shifts. Not such a great period for the Danault line - they struggled to gain puck possession. 

SECOND PERIOD:

- That opening period, which had a sprite start, really ground itself down as the 20 minutes progressed. Scoring chances were pretty limited:

- Habs first powerplay, they buzzed Cam Ward, but couldn't finish - in particular Beaulieu, who somehow missed scoring from 10 feet away with the top half of the net basically free for the picking. He's struggling, and Gallagher is struggling. These funks are clearly getting in the heads of both players.

- Greg Pateryn, unless he's hurt and his time is being limited, seems to have arrived in Therrien's doghouse. Joel Henley, start warming up your skates. You might be going back in tomorrow night.

- A Habs team with a Gallagher and Max Pacioretty producing points is a very hard team to beat. A Habs team with those two producing almost 0 points is very hard not to beat.

- Hudon hasn't had many opportunities tonight, but he just had a very good shift, including a very hard wrist shot on his off wing that tested Cam Ward. At least the kid is producing some scoring chances. Others on his team are failing even that bar pretty miserably tonight.

- Habs continues their strong play - in their own zone. 34 minutes into the game, 'Canes have just 6 shots on Montoya. Canadiens doing very good job shot blocking and covering the passing lanes.

- Controvery. Petry scores into essentially empty net after Daniel Carr runs into Ward, with Ward falling on his back. Replay shows that Carr was hit into Ward, although was it hard enough?? Close call:

Ward not happy with the Petry goal after the contact. If the goal stands Hudon picks up an assist. pic.twitter.com/Es3UrGtXs6

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 19, 2016

- Good goal, says NHL control in Toronto. Habs take 1-0 lead. Hudon (!!!) picks up an assist. 

- Looks like Pateryn getting very minimal shifts. Weber paired with Beaulieu, as Therrien switching pairs up to even out ice time to his defence with Pateryn stapled to the bench.

- Andrei Markov, par excellence tonight. 

- Pretty Habs dominated 2nd period - excellent defensively, and while the offence isn't exactly running on all cylinders, they did manage to crank out a goal. Just 4 shots for the 'Canes in that period, Habs lead 21-8 all. That's pretty one-sided.

THIRD PERIOD:

- Habs pretty good effort tonight, CF (SA 5v5) over 60% through 40 minutes. The Galchenyuk line has been excellent, with Alex a 85.7%, Gallagher 84.2%. Better than excellent. That's outstanding.

- Definitely better start for Canes in this 3rd period, and they tie the game with Hainsey a wrist shot that goes off Skinner's foot. Sure looked like a kicking motion to me, but it's ruled a good goal. Tie game.

- Not sure if it's Carolina making a push, or Habs not showing up for the period, or a combination of the two, but 'Canes dominating first 5 minutes of this 3rd period. Most of the play has been entirely in Habs zone.

- Habs with a little pushback here, which isn't a big surprise. That it came from the Mitchell line, is. 

- It's all coming undone for the Habs, here. Replay of their first goal, Hainsey a point wrist shot, crazy skill deflection past Montoya, this time it's Teravainen with an incredible deflect, and it's 2-1.

- Tres implosión, Rask a very simple wrister that Montoya totally muffs, and in the span of less than 5 minutes, Carolina scores 3. 

- Therrien, realizing these are not good times requiring urgent measures, finally caves and puts out a superfine - Galchenyuk/Gallagher/Pacioretty. They come within 2 inches of scoring. Gotta roll the dice, at this point.

- Obviously Habs were due for a correction - three losses in a row is a sure sign this team has begun its return to earth, not to mention with it, the puck luck. Tonight Carolina reaping that benefit.

- Now Therrien pairing Pacioretty with ... ugh ... Desharnais. Yup. He never learns. 

- Another hard wrist shot by Hudon off the wing - Ward forced to make another good glove save. 

- Habs make it interesting, Markov shot deflected by Shaw to make it 3-2. More than 4 minutes left. Plenty of time.

- Habs pouring it on. Gallagher hits the goalpost (unbelievable), Ward with a sparkling desperation save off Markov, who's been outstanding tonight. Hang on to your hats.

- Habs pushing incredibly hard for the tie, all ended with an absolutely brutal hooking call on Shaw to end the game.

- Stop me if you don't want to think about last year, but Habs dominate puck possession, shots, zone play, have to incredibly fluky goals scored against them, one bad goal let in, and lose the game. Nightmares? I'm having them already.

HABS - 'CANES GAMEDAY GAME PREVIEW

Don't look now, but the Montreal Canadiens are in some injury trouble. They've been without Brian Flynn for a week, which no offence to Brian or the Flynn family, isn't a very big deal when you're talking about someone that barely cracks the 4th line of an average NHL team. Since then, however, the Habs have had to add a few more names to the sick and wounded ledger, including Alexander Radulov, who's out again tonight from the flu (thanks, Carey), and of course, Artturi Lehkonen, who's been on injury reserve with an upper body injury, and isn't expected back until at least next week, at the earliest.

So with all of these missing bodies, the Habs lineup will look tonight much like it did Tuesday night in an overtime loss to the Florida Panthers:

Bryon/Galchenyuk/Gallagher

Pacioretty/Danault/Shaw

Desharnais/Plekanec/Terry

Carr/Mitchell/Andrighetto

Weber/Emelin

Markov/Petry

Beaulieu/Pateryn

Al Montoya.

Now, I don't want to make a huge deal out of this, but with Radulov, Lehkonen and Flynn unable to play, this seems like a perfect opportunity to give Charles Hudon, who was leading the AHL in scoring before his call up a couple of days ago, the perfect opportunity to slot at the expenses of say, Desharnais or Chris Terry. Hudon, however, will have to sit and wait and hope that his number somehow comes up, so that he might once and for all prove he's ready for the big club.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the rink, the 'Canes will stack up like this tonight:

Skinner/Rask/Lindholm

Teravainen/Staal/Aho

Stempniak/Ryan/McGinn

Nordstrom/McClement/Stalberg

Hainsey/Faulk

Slavin/Pesce

Hanifin/Tennyson

Cam Ward.

Carolina made some unfortunate news this week, specifically forward Bryan Bickell, when it was revealed that Bickell had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and is now on long-term IR. 

Otherwise, the 'Canes are currently on a 2 game wining streak, both impressive victories over good teams, the San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals. So like Tuesday night struggle against the Panthers, the Habs might have their hands full against Carolina.

Carolina players to keep an eye on: Cam Ward, who did post a nifty 1-0 shutout against the Sharks Tuesday night, hasn't exactly stormed out of the gate this year between the pipes - mustering up a 4-4-3 record with a 2.51/.908 split, which amongst goalies that have had at least 10 starts this season, ranks Ward 15th/19th out of 30 in the NHL. Ward is, as he has always been, reliably mediocre. If Ward is off his mark tonight, it could give the Habs a window of opportunity.

The other Carolina factor is their speedy second line consisting of Jordan Stall, Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. Stall, in particular, is having an excellent season, posting a team-high (and nearly League high) 5v5 CF of 65.8%, which is the best of career. The Staal line, in combination with the Rask line, should give the Canadiens defence and their starting goaltender Al Montoya, plenty of headaches to deal with tonight.

Puck drops tonight at 7:40 EST.

HE'S BAAAAAAACK. FINALLY. 

I mean, com'on. This was long, long overdue.



GOD BLESS YOU KIRK MULLER FOR EVEN JUST TRYING



I still say he's auditioning for the top bench job. Keep working on it, Kirk!!

Meanwhile, in case you were pining for the good ol' days of the 2015-16 season, we have good news for you from Tuesday night's game!

Mmmmm yeah .... that's the stuff. Give me more of that sweet, sweet David Desharnais top line deployment. I can almost see that Cup presentation.

Game Fifty-Nine: Habs vs. 'Canes

Second Period:

- Pretty dismal sloppy start to the second period by both teams. Lots of poor passing generating turnovers. 

- First goal, Ruutu creating the perfect screen on Price on point shot - Habs defense yet again indifferent about opposing forwards in the crease, and this time in burns them.

- Subban was at least near Ruutu, his partner was literally off in the corner, for some reason. Yes, it was Doug Murray.

- Habs had 54% Fenwick after 20 minutes. With shots on goal this period now 8-2 Carolina, that advantage is almost certainly gone. Miserable period for Montreal.

- Habs accumulative Fenwick now barely north of 40%, which means they're probably around 73% in the second. That's how bad the Habs have been.

- Eller quite simply has lost his game. It's just totally, totally lost - and I'm not sure what can possibly be done to salvage it.

- Carolina running away with this. Habs just chasing, chasing. Fruitlessly, chasing.

- Signing off now - but the way Habs are playing, I fully expect the final score to be at least a 2 or 3 goal margin for Carolina. No contest tonight.

First Period:

- So Bouillon gets a start tonight, 7 defense dressed, for reasons that are of compete mystery to yours truly. I guess to keep Frankie from completely rusting up.

- Sums up their seasons. Bourque with empty net wraparound on the backhand, but fails to deposit the puck in because Lars Eller is standing in the way. 

- More reasons why Ryan White's value is vastly undervalued. His work on that (and others) PK.

- Oy. Pacioretty hits the Canes net hard, looks to have sustained a serious injury. Has left the game.

- Ergo the folly starting 7 defense. If a forward goes down, especially a leading one, is hurt, then you've lost an entire line.

- Weise it appears, will take Pacioretty's spot on the DD line. Habs don't have any room to maneuver.

- meek period all around. Canadiens though, are more concerned with Pacioretty's injury status. Without him, this offensively starved hockey team will be doubly affected. 

================================================================

Game Day Yay:

Last game before the Olympic Break. I'll be covering this game. The first half, give or take. Then like the rest of the NHL, I'M OUT.

Habs look to pad their playoff lead tonight. They really ought win this game, but you know ... the Habs ...

Puck drops at 6:10 EST. LAST GAME FOR LIKE ALMOST EVER. So watch it.

Game Thirty-Five: Canes vs. Habs

Gameday Game Update

Not much to post right now, but lots of speculation around Montreal today that the Habs are amongst three teams seeking Ryan Clowe, who hasn't scored in a year. Didn't the Habs already unload someone fitting that exact description to the Sharks a few months ago?

Ironic note, I'll be occupied near downtown Montreal tonight, not too far from the Bell Centre, and won't be able to post much, if anything about tonight's game. With Price slated to start, one would normally expect a win, but the Canes are playing desperate game right now, sitting outside of 8th place in the East. So you just know they're going to bring it (although there's also gameday speculation that Eric Staal is injured and might not play tonight).

- Update: Apparently it's not Eric Staal, but Tuomo Ruutu who's hurt.

More later.

Game Twenty-Four: Habs vs. 'Canes

First Period:

- Habs early powerplay, looked reasonably efficient.

- Nice setup to Emelin, routine wrister and Peters gives up the big rebound, Gallagher slips it through. 1-0.

- Really? Absurd tripping call on Pacioretty off the faceoff. Unacceptable officiating.

- Shoddy zone coverage by Canes defense, Gorges sneaks in from nowhere and wide open, gives Habs quick 2-0 lead. Prust with the pass right on the tape.

- Canes look terrible their side of the ice. No organization, Habs aggressive forecheck giving Carolina more than it can handle.

- Price looking more like his Price self. So far.

- And a sparkling point blank glove save by Carey. Yup. He's on.

- Weber called for interference? Sheesh. Skinner turned into him WITH the puck and Weber with a perfectly good body. Canes overreacted and Staal cancels the original Weber penalty, which shouldn't have been called in the first place. It's gonna be one of those nights, officiating-wise.

Gameday Game Preview

Okay, let's get to the point(s) on this.

- Last time we played, we won 3-0. But it was Budaj in net.
- Last time we played, Carolina was riding a 3 game winning streak. Tonight they're riding a 4 game streak.
- Injuries. For Habs, usual suspects: Bourque, Diaz. For the Canes it's Ruttu, Pitkanen, Brent and Larose. Cam Ward, their number one guy, is probably done for the season.
- Top guns: Pacioretty for Habs leads with 20 points, Eric Staal, no surprise, is a League leader with 28 points. If he scores, as he's quite capable of doing, Carolina usually wins.
Keys: Aggressive Habs forecheck, the Canes like to control the puck. Get the puck away from them, you take away their major strategy, create frustration, make it difficult for them to score. Also, Tomas Plekanec will probably get the Staal checking assignment tonight, which means his focus is as much keeping Staal off the scoresheet then him actually creating offense (more so).
- Carey Price needs to start playing better. Not that he's been awful, but he hasn't been making the big saves lately. Tonight would be a good place for him to find his ground again.

This Just Breaking ...

- Weber in, Kaberle out.

- Price starting.

More Habs goo laters. We hope.

Game Fifty-Seven: 'Canes v Habs

WELCOME BACK Jaro Spacek. You didn't think you could get away from the Montreal media vermin that easily, did you?

Jaro has it right though. Whether Cunneyworth stays or goes, this franchise needs to just get past the french requirement, and focus on hiring the most qualified, best available person for the position.

If Lindy Ruff comes on the market (and he very well might) after season's end, this club would be CrAzY to not at *least* knock on his door. But ya know what? Ownership probably won't bother trying because they don't want to deal with the nationalistic headaches. Besides, they didn't even return Larry Robinson's call two years ago before (the now departed) Jacques Martin was hired, and Larry does speak french. Maybe his last name was too anglo sounding. Who knows.

SO TOMORROW NIGHT. Big opportunity to cut even further into that playoff deficit. The Caps lost today (good!), and with the Leafs now headed somewhere south of nowhere, the impossible might become possible.

But we gotta keep winning. 17-8-2 from this point forward to even have a chance.

GOAL OF THE YEAR UPDATE: I think we have our winner. It's from Minnesota high school hockey, of all things.

GUESS WHO'S PLAYING TOMORROW NIGHT AGAINST THE 'CANES? Why, it's none other than Mr. White!

GAME DAY UPDATES: John Lu updates that Moen's injury is more serious than first thought, and he won't be back tonight (ergo yesterday's call ups), and that Markov is nearly up to 60 minutes a day on the ice (it was 20 minutes two weeks ago), but there's no projection about when he'll be back (I'm thinking March-ish? - I suppose it depends on where this team is sitting in the standings, if we're actually battling for a playoff spot, then Markov would be played as early as possible - but if we're definitely out, then I could envision him being shelved until the fall).

POWER RANKINGS ARE SILLY: Basically invented to fill copy space, but for what it's worth, LeBrun has us at 24th, which isn't ... horrible? Meh. Who cares.

WE THINK WE HAVE IT BAD FOR COACHING? Wow. This one is ... I dunno. What the heck is going on with the Caps? First they fire off Bruce Boudreau (which is fine, Boudreau came off as more-or-a-less a loudmouthed buffoon without a strategic bone in his body in the HBO 24/7 series), but their replacement Dale Hunter ... well ... read this. But yeah ... to manage the bench based on +/- (the most simplistic hockey stat devised) is just plain absurd. You'd have to believe that the players are rolling their eyes behind the scenes. I see this club headed no other direction other than straight off a cliff.

MORNING PRACTICE INTERVIEW VIDEO GOODNESS. Ryan White talks about his return tonight. And Cole! Enjoy.

AVAILABLE COACHES UPDATE: So while there have been murmurs for weeks that the Sabers' head coach Lindy Ruff might not be coming back next year, there is plenty of conversation right now that Chicago's Joel Quenneville's neck is about to hit the chopping block. The media release from Hawks G.M. Stan Bowman this afternoon barely qualifies as a luke-warm defense of Quenneville, so the Habs could have two very qualified, very successful, and above all, very good coaches available for hire.

And no, Quenneville doesn't speak french.

HAWT GM SIGHTING UPDATE: Pierre Gauthier spotted!! He's not in Montreal tonight to watch his team try to narrow the playoff deficit to 5 points. No, he's in Washington to take in the Sharks/Caps game.

This will only add fuel to the speculative fire that Gauthier is churning the trade gears - but what are the possibilities here? He's certainly not going to make a deal with the Caps - they're one of the teams the Habs are trying to catch for a final playoff spot. So that leaves us with the chronically underperforming Sharks, who are desperately looking to make a move for somebody to get their slumping offense into gear.

What do the Habs have to offer that might perk San Jose's interest? Kostitsyn? Would they be so crazy as to take a flight on Gomez (the Sharks have lots of cap space). Too be honest, I can't think of anybody beyond Andrei, and even he doesn't seem like the right fit to spark the Sharks into some kind of turnaround.

The most likely scenario is that Gauthier will watch the game, kick a few tires, and nothing will come of it.

First Period:

- Surprise! Ryan White is a scratch. So maybe Boston on Wednesday??

- Bourque steaming down the wing two quality shots on Ward followed by a thunderous hit on Staal. Great first shift.

- Canadiens with terrific energy to start. The team looks pretty motivated getting back into the playoff race.

- Bad break there, good break for the 'Canes. Shot from Allan a harmless shot seemingly deflected over Price by a body in front. Not much you can do about those.

- Gorges doing what Gorges does, checking his man, saving a goal.

- Carolina the faster team but by far Habs more physical so far. Canadiens hoping this will pay dividend as the game progresses and the 'Canes tire from the hits.

- Careless high stick by Bourque. Could be 4 minutes. Hopefully just 2.

- Just 2 minutes. No blood was drawn.

- Habs PK just so tough with Price in the nets. Carolina doing everything right moving the puck into position, but Carey just locks it down.

- OH Gomez so nearly got his 2nd off a perfect feed from Cole. Ward with a great save.

- Change on the scoresheet. 'Canes first goal awarded to Tlusty with the previously suspected tip-in.

- Ward stealing one from Cole. Ward making some incredibly tough saves here.

- 'Canes faster, more opportunistic in the period. Plus Ward was exceptional handling some really good chances. Looks like it's gonna be a tough 2 points.

Second Period:

- Habs get a PP, from the faceoff Subban makes a clunky attempt to keep the puck in, creating a 'Canes break, and finishes by taking a hold. PP over before it had a chance to begin. Cunneyworth not looking happy.

- Subban with his head in the clouds.

- Canadiens utterly disorganized with the play 4 on 4. Passing totally all over the place, countless giveaways, and finally a penalty is drawn. Now 4 on 3 'Canes.

- Spacek finishes a beauty tic-tac-toe scoring play. Funny how those old players who never scored while they played for you, score for the other guys. Good on him, though.

- Spacek with a bad pinch creates a 2 on 1 for the Habs, Plekanec defers to Bourque and snaps one past Ward. Habs finally on the board.

- Habs not getting the calls tonight.

- Stewert just missed wide open net for 'Canes off a 3-on-1 break. Whew.

- Habs finally get a call.

- Cole!!! Brilliant shot!! Game tied!!

- To put into perspective how big that goal was, Habs have trailed going into the 3rd period 20 times this season. They have won only once.

- Habs ALL over Carolina right now. 'Canes go to the box again.

- Where HAS this Habs PP been all year???!!! 3-2!!!!!

- Better late than never I guess, but the PP is officially on fire.

- Admittedly the 'Canes were being awfully aggressive pursuing the puck while on the PK, perhaps too aggressive. Nonetheless, the Habs passing and puck control was superb.

- Outstanding comeback. This team could have easily thrown the towel in (as it has before) after the Spacek goal, but the team kept pushing, and maybe that physical 1st period started to pay off, as the 'Canes could not keep pace. Habs just 20 minutes away from moving to within distinct distance from 8th place.

Third Period:

- So about that powerplay. Kaberle looked like he was about 45 years old as Staal easily zoomed around him to pot a shorthander. Grr.

- Has anyone seen Andrei Kostitsyn lately?

- Kostitsyn just got his first shift of the period.

- And the lead is blown. Gorges without a stick creating a mini 5 on 3 for Carolina, and they take full advantage.

- A few of the usual suspects costing the Habs dearly. First Kaberle with the pylon play, then Campoli with the bad penalty leadinng to the 'Canes 4th goal.

- Bell Centre really quiet. The crowd has heard this song way too many times this season, and sense of resignation starting to settle in, even with plenty of time left.

- 'Canes looking for the kill.

- Habs defense simply awful right now. Price hung out to dry, but keeping team in it.

- Carolina backchecking really hard. Habs having tough time constructing anything resembling a rush.

- Canadiens offense going nowhere. Will have to start taking chances very soon.

- Pacioretty draws a trip on the rush. Can the Habs PP bail them out? Stay tuned.

- Plekanec/Gomez/Bourque start.

- Jesus. Desharnais. Shoot the damn puck.

- Canadiens coming incredibly close. Pushing hard to the net. Eller couldn't quite bury the puck side of the net.

- Staal fittingly with the empty netter. He was fantastic tonight. Huge opportunity goes by the board for the Habs.

- Under Cunneyworth, Habs have held the lead 13 times heading to the 3rd. They have blown that lead 4 times. That is a poor conversion percentage.

Game Twenty-Two: Habs v. 'Canes

A reprieve tonight? What with two brutal games heading this way, Philadelphia on Friday and Crosby and the Pens on Saturday, the Habs would be well advised to make short work on the same team they easily handled a week ago.

First Period:

- Ha. Oh wow. A routine shoot-in towards Price somehow gets behind him. Price panics, flops, and knocks the puck into the net. Possibly deflected. Matters not, that shouldn't happen in the NHL.

- If it helps, this isn't the first time Price has let in a very weak/freak goal early, but usually he bounces back with a strong game. Perhaps he bears down to make up for his error. He'll need to now.

- Very weak checking behind the net by Subban, Plekanec comes back to "help", leaving his man (Stewart) unchecked in front, 2-0. Price reeling.

- Habs complain that the play should have been blown dead seconds before the 'Canes second goal, as the puck was resting on the top of the net. Not sure if he rulebook specifies that the play should immediately be blown dead. Gotta look that one up.

- Suppose it's all moot. Bottom line Subban, Gorges and Plekanec were standing around, out of position, not doing their job.

- Game has settled down a bit. Cam Ward is giving up some pretty juicy rebounds (as usual), so there is opportunity to be had.

- Gionta/Moen/Gomez line playing strongest so far.

- Would be nice if Habs forwards were a bit bigger and stronger to take advantage of all these Ward rebounds.

- Apart from the two atrocious goals scored by Carolina, pretty even period. 'Canes just 5 measly shots.

Second Period:

- Over/under when the Habs PK streak is finally broken? I'm thinking Saturday night.

- Pacioretty with break down left side, ideal spot for any sharpshooter, Ward routine pad save. Blah.

- Gill VERY routine shot from the line, and Ward surrenders the juiciest of juicy rebounds. No Habs forwards nearby to cash in. Com'on guys.

- Subban looked like Gill skating back to cover a rush, Gorges forced to take a penalty.

- Carolina ALL messed up in their zone on the PP, mass confusion and turnovers eventually lead to easy Eller shorthanded goal (off a juicy rebound!!) ... and it's 2-1.

- Considering that the 2nd goal wasn't his fault, Price has been very steady since giving up that weird first goal. The Habs maintain a very good chance of pulling this one out of the fire if he can maintain the focus.

- Nice tripping call on Skinner who tripped up Emelin to spring a 'Canes break. Kudos to the officials when they do their job well.

- Weber on the left point PP just ain't working for me. Hasn't for close to a month. He's just too careless handling the puck or taking a shot.

- 'Canes PP. Streak end here? Hope not, that would be a dagger through the heart.

- Price incredible toe save off deflected shot from the point. He makes it look so easy.

- Habs win the period, although their defense was rather soft at times covering in front of Price. Game still very winnable.

Third Period:

- And there it is. Just 27 seconds into the period, and Cammalleri tips in a point shot to tie the game up. Yup. Very winnable now.

- Ward really struggling to handle the puck around his crease. 'Canes D also playing the slot very soft. The iron is hot.

- Habs defense AWOL on Brandon Sutter goal deflected off his right skate. Not a banner night for the blue line. 3-2 'Canes.

- Yikes. They're coming fast and furious. Moen with yet another deflected point shot - unstoppable. 3-3.

- Gorges hits the post, his second within the past three minutes of play.

- Gomez has not been seen this period. Speculation is he's injured again.

- RDS guys just mentioned Gomez is done for the night. The obvious question is whether he's aggravated his previous shoulder injury.

- Eller promoted to fill Gomez' spot on the Gionta line.

- By the way, Palushaj is in the lineup tonight, he played one shift, seemingly did something awful, and has been benched since. How bad could it have been to shorten your bench so early in a game?

- Really, with Gomez done, and the Palushaj benching, you have Nokelainen sitting unable to be paired with anyone. Ergo, you've cornered yourself down to three lines. It doesn't need to be that way.

- Wayyyyyyy too early writing this, but if this goes to a shootout, do you want Price in net?

- Ut-oh. Moen draws an interference. Can we please wait 48 hours for the streak to end? Please?

- Nokelainnen gets a shift .. on the PK.

- Subban with lots of stumbles, slow skating, poor passes, soft coverage tonight. Best this just be filed under 'O' for 'off night'.

- Habs count is now 36-for-36. Getting ridiculous.

- 3:27 from grinding at least a point out of this one. Gladly will take that.

- Gorges/Subban running around in their zone *again*. Price bails them out.

- Gorges sent out, but this time paired with Gill.

- Last minute Martin sends out Emelin/Diaz. That's giving the kids a nice vote of confidence.

- We'll take the point. Coming away with two would be major bonus.

Overtime:

- Reminder: Price hasn't stopped a shot in the shootout this season. Ergo, Habs have 5 minutes to win this.

- Subban zero confidence with his shot. Been set up on a tee three times tonight and each time he hesitated and coughed up the puck.

- Heckova pace in OT. And Ward absolutely saved the game robbing Gionta on beauty pass from Cole with 20 seconds left.

- Oh dear. Shootout. Pull Price. Pull Price. Ahhh. Who am I kidding, it'd never happen.

- On the whole, Price has been pretty solid tonight. Surely he'll do better this time.

- Price: 1-for-1. Whew.

- Price: 2-for- 2. Barely.

- Gionta!!!!!!

- Price: 3-for-3! Attaboy.

- We'll take the win, thank you. Less than 48 hours for a tough Friday afternoon game in Philly. Now I have to figure out how to slip away from the office. Hmmmm.

Game Eighteen: Canes v. Habs

- So Spacek out, Gill still sick (and out). This leaves Gorges as the elder statesman on defense tonight (gulp) and the only starting D with more than 100 games of NHL experience (double gulp).

On the bright side, Cammalleri is reportedly back in, continuing his pattern of ying-yang starts so far this season.

First Period:

- Fourth line continues to do a fine job being a pain in the butt in the opposition's zone, determined checking and creating turnovers, but finishing ... just terrible.

- Nearly perfect PK. Eller leaves the box and joins the rush leading to Cammalleri unloading a rocket past Ward. 1-0.

- Can't underestimate Cammalleri's value to this team's offense. They take on a whole different dangerous dimension with him in the lineup.

- Welcome to the NHL Fred St-Denis. You'll need to adjust to NHL speed or this won't be the last time you find yourself in the box for being out of position.

- Looking at that blue line ... Subban, St-Denis, Emelin, Diaz, Weber, none have played over 100 NHL games, most of them have played under 50. Could this be their least experienced starting defense in Habs history? It's gotta rank up there.

- Gomez just got robbed by Ward, deflecting a shot by Gorges in a designed play. When he finally does put one in the net I'll have to go through the trouble of finding out when the last one happened.

- There's that fourth line again, working hard, causing trouble, and drawing the first PP of the game.

- And now the 5th-worst League PP goes to work!!

- HAH. And it scores!! Weber depositing a shot into a gaping net courtesy a beaut cross-ice pass from Cole. 2-0.

- Men vs. Boys right now. 'Canes totally overmatched in just about every aspect.

- St-Denis looking very nervous, very unsure. Who can blame him, really? First NHL game of his life in the Mecca of hockey. I'd have trouble merely standing up.

- Through 20, can't ask for much more. Totally dominated by the home team. Carolina looked sluggish, disorganized, disinterested. SOG 16-4 Canadiens.

Second Period:

- Not particularly surprising that Gorges checked in with 10 minutes total icetime in the first.

- Ward giving up some pretty juicy rebounds tonight. Fortunate his team isn't trailing by 3 or 4.

- Big reaction to harmless incidental contact on Ward after the whistle. Clearly teams are on high alert as an aftereffect from the Miller incident.

- When they're clicking, Plekanec/Gionta/Cammalleri line is about as dangerous as they come.

- Scott Gomez' shot is about the same as last year, which is to say it's as terrible as it is weak. You're simply never going to ever score on any NHL goaltender if your shot can't crack 65 on the radar gun.

- Subban *finally* scores, his first of the season. Overjoyed is his reaction. He knows he's been noticed for lack of offensive production, so some of the burden is lifted.

- Habs may have been the victims of highway robbery in their game against Miller and the Sabres early in the season, but Cam Ward is making up for it tonight.

- Wonder if Gomez is thinking "geez the way Ward is playing, if I don't score tonight, I might never get the chance to again"?

- Shots are 23-6. That's pretty reflective on what we've seen so far.

- Before he scored, Subban was 0-51 with shots/goals this season, which was worst in the League. Blake Wheeler now "leads", he's currently 0-42.

- Did I say that the 'Canes were getting beat on all aspects? Was wrong. they're 24-37 in the faceoff circle, a grotesque domination.

- Make that 25-38. Sheeeesh.

- Been awhile since I'd seen the Habs so thoroughly dominate their opposition the way they have so far tonight against Carolina. Could easily be 5 or 6 to 0.

- Ward totally out of position, Moen scores from behind the 'Canes net. He'll get the yank for the third, I'm sure. 4-0.

- 2nd period shot totals, 33-12. That's all you need to know.

Third Period:

- Okay, thank you TSN crack research for coming to my rescue. Gomez has four shots tonight, now exactly 100 since his last goal scored on February 6. The Scott Gomez legend of ineptitude and futility grows.

- Not to take away from what has been a pretty good Canadiens effort, but really, Carolina has been so terrible tonight, if this is all they have, this team is headed nowhere but 15th place in the Conference this season.

- Well, Ward is still in net, I suppose Paul Maurice is (rightfully) telling his lineup that tonight's disaster wasn't because of the goaltending.

- So who will be the frontrunners in the Eric Staal sweepstakes?

- Habs called for too many men, even though they actually had too *few* men on the ice. Mind-numbingly poor officiating.

- Assuming Staal is put on the trading block, who'd want to take on his salary, never mind his -17 rating?

- Darche with a minor league cross ice pass from his own zone that's easily intercepted giving Carolina their best odd man scoring chance of the night.

- Even with limited shifts, St-Denis takes second penalty of the night, not endearing himself to the coach.

- 'Canes going through the motions on their PP, team has collectively thrown in the towel.

- Patioretty ain't no fighter. Officials in quickly to break up his tussle with Tim Brent.

- Price collects his first SO of the year, really didn't have to do an awful lot to earn it. Habs return to bottom feeder action tomorrow night in Uniondale.