Game 59: Jets vs. Habs

Winnipeg 3, Montreal 1:

FIRST PERIOD:

- Guys who are likely being "watched" by the new coach (for good and for bad): Plekanec, McCarron, Lehkonen, Shaw, Beaulieu, Emelin. I believe eventually Julien will eventually see that Emelin is more deserved a 3rd pairing assignment. Eventually.

- Well, that's interesting. Habs defence way more active early on - certainly more positionally aggressive. That's a good thing.

- Jets have done their homework - shots have been on Price's blocker side, conventionally thought to be his greatest weak spot.

- Don't like the 4th line dynamics - Mitchell and McCarron looked disorganized - in particular Mitchell who seems inclined to play up the middle, one a couple of occasions, getting in McCarron's way, which generated a couple puck giveaways.

- Poor shift by the Galchenyuk line, which still looks out of synch, Laine with a sparking scoring chance undone by an excellent glove save by Price (who's looked excellent so far).

- Well, there's a bounce-back, Galchenyuk to Pacioretty to Markov for a tip-in to give the Habs a 1-0 lead. Markov (active defence!!!) and Galchenyuk doing a nice job anticipating the play in the Jets zone, Andrei creating the original turnover, Alex making a smart pass to Pacioretty beside the Winnipeg net. That's the kind of play that will please and impress the new coach.

- Habs PK also apparently adjusted, the box appears more traditional in its setup, more inclined to play lower, offering slightly more guard for high-danger shots on Price. Any adjustment to this totally dysfunctional unit is a welcome sight.

- First period in the newest version of the Cladue Julien era is in the books. Mixed bag for the Canadiens (to be expected), with the most apparent adjustments being defensive, which is refreshingly perceptive. First, Julien clearly wants his blue line more engaged in the play, which means more active positioning in the opposing zone. Secondly, the PK seems to have reverted to basics - a clear indicator that Julien spotted the fundamental dysfunctions of that unit and made a very quick adjustment. Both adjustments were in total contradiction to the approach of the person who is (was?) in charge - J.J. Daigneault. It's a clear sign that if any adjustment are to be made to the assistant coaching staff, Daigneault is likely the first to be relieved of his duties.

SECOND PERIOD:

- Jets played a good period, they generated more than a couple of o-zone turnovers, largely because Emelin and Weber continue to struggle together (when will Julien move those two apart?). 5v5 CF for the Habs, 40.0%. Carey Price saving their bacon.

- Jets had 5 home plate (high danger) scoring chances on Price in that 1st, Habs just 2 (one of which was Markov's goal). That's a stat that Julien needs to address - not only generating more high % attempts, but reducing opposing numbers - a major factor in Price's Sv% decline this season.

- Emelin must be moved off the top pairing. Sooner than later, please.

- Hoo boy, Nathan Beaulieu, far too casual with the puck at center ice on the powerplay, making an absolutely brutal puck turnover to Armia, who has as easy a breakaway as you'll get in the NHL. Game tied.

- Second powerplay, Julien takes a page out of Therrien's book, using Andrew Shaw on the first line powerplay, next to Galchenyuk and Pacioretty. It goes nowhere.

- Beaulieu nearly gives the Habs the lead again, stopped point blank after pinching into the slot on the powerplay, Hellebucyk with an outstanding save. To Julien's credit, he's giving players like Beaulieu the opportunity to prove his worth, instead of punishing mistakes (something Therrien was often guilty of doing).

- Habs slowly taking over the game, even though the Jets have been the only team to score this period. Winnipeg has mostly been a 1st period team this season, which explains why they're rated 30th for GA in the 2nd period, 28th in the 3rd.

- Galchenyuk being far more active and responsible in his own zone. His line has been pinned more than a couple of times this afternoon, but at least the forwards are backchecking and covering the passing lanes.

- Yeah, Emelin needs to be moved to another page in this lineup - not next month, or next week - but this game, next period. Right. Now.

- Paradoxical periods today - Jets out chancing the Habs in the 1st, Habs scoring the only goal. Habs out chancing the Jets in the 2nd period, Winnipeg scoring the only goal. The trend lines are what mater, though - and right now, it favours the Canadiens, not only because they outworked the Jets in that period, but because Winnipeg, as we mentioned previously, has struggled defensively as games have progressed this season.

THIRD PERIOD:

- After 40 minutes, you can see the Habs bouncing back in the 2nd period, methodically taking the game over, which is rather impressive considering how other NHL teams have struggled significantly this season in their first game back from a bye week. If not for Beaulieu's mistake (and a functioning powerplay), the scoreboard should still be favouring the Canadiens:

- It's likely too early to read much into these things, but Nikita Nesterov's ice time badly 6 minutes through 2 periods. Nesterov went down with a broken blade earlier in the 2nd, so I'm not sure if that's impacted on his deployment (I doubt it had since a blade is an easy fix). Anyway, it looks like Julien hasn't liked what he's seen, and has rotated him away from a regular shift. While the price tag was cheap, it's fast becoming apparent that he's not working out - either under Therrien, or so far under Julien.

- Woah, Galchenyuk removed from the top line, Danault in his place. Not sure what Julien saw and didn't like, but he's made a pretty startling mid-game adjustment.

- An awful, awful, horrible, no good first shift by Emelin to start his 3rd period, guilty of not one, not two, but three poor puck turnovers, and fails to cover, Perreault slamming home a loose puck. Pretty sure Julien can no longer ignore Emelin's poor play.

- Very good day at the office for McCarron - he's really carried the 4th line, which has seen some lacklustre play by both Mitchell and Flynn.

- Emelin, turning pucks over like crazy, making terrible passes. All by his lone self, he's killing his team today.

- 8 minutes on the clock, Habs haven't yet show any indication they are willing or able to shift their game into another gear.

- No reason for Habs to be fading in the 3rd, not on 5 days rest, but that's exactly what's happening. Ice is tilting heavily one direction, and it's not for the team that's trailing on the board. Forget moving up another gear, this team isn't even competing at an even keel.

- Just nothing going Habs way now. Galchenyuk, Pacioretty and Radulov all struggling significantly today - and when they struggle, the Habs struggle.

- Disappointing return from the break for the Habs - so many glaring issues - defensive puck handling is awful, Emelin is awful, the offence is awful, the powerplay is awful. Carey Price is just fine. Claude Julien, welcome to Montreal. Have fun!!!

GAME PREVIEW: CLAUDE JULIEN'S MAKES HABS COACHING DEBUT. AGAIN:

Vacation is over! It's back to the grind of watching Habs hockey, and fretting over their dwindling lead in the Atlantic Division. The dramatics of watching your favourite team's season slowly slipping away were tempered this week after, as you surely have heard, the Canadiens turned Michel Therrien, and brought in ex-Habs coach Claude Julien, who was turfed by the Boston Bruins a fortnight ago.

The Jets, erstwhile, are likely playing out another season that will end before the playoffs begin. The Jets come into Montreal losers of 5 of their past 6 games, sending them further down the standings in the Western Conference. The Jets biggest culprit the season has been (at best) and inconsistent (at worst) incoherent defence, which has resulted in Winnipeg surrounding on average about 31 shots per game (20th rated). Mix that with what can only be described as iffy netminding performances by Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson this season, and you end up with the 3rd worst rated defence in the NHL.

So with that in mind, here's the starting lineup for the Jets this afternoon:

Ehlers/Little/Wheeler
Perreault/Scheifele/Laine
Matthias/Lowry/Armia
Stafford/Petan/Thorburn

Chariot/Byfuglien
Morrissey/Trouba
Stuart/Postma

Connor Hellebuyck

Meanwhile the Habs hope to get their lineup into a winning frame of mind under the new coach, who made a significant adjustment upon arrival in Montreal, shifting Alex Galchenyuk from a previously inhibiting role as 3rd line center under Therrien, back to top line duties. Ergo, the Canadiens' lineup today:

Pacioretty/Galchenyuk/Radulov
Byron/Plekanec/Gallagher
Lehkonen/Danault/Shaw
Mitchell/McCarron/Flynn

Weber/Emelin
Markov/Petry
Beaulieu//Nesterov

Carey Price

Couple of things I'll be watching today: Obviously, Galchenyuk back on the top line (something I was endless ranting about during Therrien's final month as coach), and Paul Bryon on the 2nd line. It's been a rather dreadful season for Byron, who's become more of a forgotten element on the Habs top 6. Bryon's struggle to score consistently has been one of the main reasons why the Habs secondary scoring has troubled this team - especially during its recent slide. A productive Byron makes the Canadiens a far more difficult team to play against.

Puck drops today at 2:10 EST.



HABS GAMEDAY NEWS 'N' NOTES:

- Scratches!! Sven Andrighetto, Greg Pateryn and David Desharnais will be watching from above tonight.

- With those being the healthy sitters, Mike McCarron will get a start - a roster move that is a pretty clear indicator that Claude Julien already has a pretty firm grasp of the Habs's assets.

- Game preview coming up.

Game 42: Habs vs. Jets

Montreal 7, Winnipeg 4:


FIRST PERIOD LIVE GAME BLOG:

- Plekanec is in, so lineup matters not quite as dire for the Habs tonight.

- So with Patrik Laine out, eyes out on Blake Wheeler who's been the Jets 2nd best forward this season.

- Not the start the Jets were hoping for, once again great work and pressure by Radulov generates zone turnover, Danault backhanding a loose puck home, and Habs grab very quick 1-0 lead.

- This isn't the first time the Danault line has been involved with an early Habs goal - they play an awfully fast and aggressive game, which I think takes a lot of teams unfamiliar with the Habs (Jets being an example) by surprise.

- Now it's Andrighetto's turn to make an impressive aggressive zone play, a perfect cross-ice pass on Flynn's tape, and he finds the top corner to give the Habs a 2-0 lead, barely 4 minutes into the game. Jets defence looking very flat-footed early.

Flynn scores his 5th of the year. #Habs up 2-0. pic.twitter.com/5HDOCPI3hu

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 12, 2017

- Moments after Habs nearly make it 3-0, Canadiens make very bad defensive error, with Petry and Beaulieu both chasing Stafford in the Canadiens' zone, springing Scheifele wide open for an easy goal. 2-1. Now both sides have demonstrated some pretty questionable defence, this could be a very long night for the goaltenders.

- This one's on Petry. Sorry Jeff, but this is not how you defence:

Scheifele with the easiest goal he'll score all year. pic.twitter.com/tzfQtHivfY

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 12, 2017

- Woes continue for Petry, as he's called for a (weak-ish) hold while on the PK.  Habs, however, survive the 5-on-3.

- Hellebuyck having significant puck issues this period - giving up rebounds, and having a lot of trouble covering up pucks. Habs forwards might want to continue to apply extra heavy pressure - there have been a lot of loose pucks presenting golden scoring opportunities.

- More shoddy defensive coverage, and again, it's Petry and Beaulieu failing to be on the same page - Perreault ties the game, Montoya more or less left out to dry.

- Plekanec top corner, 3-2 and Hellebuyck gets the hook. Hutchinson comes in, his line is 4W, 7L, 3.18, .894 in 13 starts. Not exactly the guy the Jets were hoping to lean on tonight.

- Getting Andrei Markov back into the lineup is key, but the Habs still should be concerned with how sloppy their defence has played of late. I understand that Therrien has been working on getting his blue line more involved offensively, which is an approach that I tend to agree with - but the fundamentals have been lacking of late - proper positioning and communications lapses have been the big culprits. Montreal must get this sorted out - certainly before the team starts its preparations for the playoffs.

- Kind of a missed opportunity first period - if not for some pretty bad defence by Petry and Beaulieu, the Habs could be three goals clear. Montreal certainly the better team, aided by some pretty questionable Winnipeg goaltending - which hasn't been a strong point for them this season. I suppose keep with the plan - play an aggressive game, but be a little more conscientious in the defensive zone, and who knows - the Canadiens might actually end up with a victory tonight?

SECOND PERIOD LIVE GAME BLOG:

- Fairly even period, Jets more or less down on the scoreboard because of goaltending.

- Sven Andrighetto having a little big of a statement game, no? Scores off more soft Jets zone coverage to make it 4-2, barely a minute into the period.

- Danault with a sweet, skilled goal makes it 5-2 off an end-to-end rush. Jets blue line, specifically Byfuglien, just waving his stick as Phillip skates by. Pretty awful 2nd period start by this Jets team, this game in danger of spinning completely out of control.

Another look at the Danault goal. End-to-end rush 101. pic.twitter.com/IV2MvKfhC2

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 12, 2017

- Paul Maurice is not having a good night. Might he be next on the coaching chopping block?

- Scheifele makes it 5-3 on the powerplay, the Habs PK unit continues to look soft at best, downright awful and disorganized at worst. Is somebody going to rattle the cages for this unit, because it sure looks like J.J. Daigneault (if he's the guy in charge) is utterly incapable.

- Weber and Emelin haven't been very good tonight, especially at even strength where they're already under -10 corsi. Habs defence in general one good reason why the Jets still have hopes of winning this game.

- There is no "off" on the Radulov light switch. There are very few players in the game of hockey that bring his intensity to the rink each night.

- Carr getting blasted in the face by Byfulien, which the officials won't penalize, of course.

- Much better 2nd period for the Habs, they came out strong, put the Jets on their heels, and extended their scoreboard lead, in spite of the Canadiens still playing soft defence, and very disorganized with their PK. Winnipeg hopes in the 3rd will rest on drawing penalties, and taking advantage through the powerplay.


THIRD PERIOD LIVE GAME BLOG:

- Jets with just 2 shots in the 2nd, only 1 shot first 17 minutes, although attempts show a slightly closer game, it was still mostly Habs in that frame:

- Jets start the 3rd fairly strong, maybe Paul Maurice had another rant at his team? Habs be wise to play a road period, slow the game down, keep the checking close.

- Andrighetto with possibly his best game of the year, not only picking up two points so far, but playing some pretty good defence in his own zone, meaning he's hustling both directions. Therrien likes that kind of effort, so the kid might stay up with the big team a bit longer than usual.

- Weber with a blast that likely went off Lehkonen to make it 6-3. Jets simply had to score the next goal, and now trailing by 3, the rest of this game is likely elementary.

- Anyway, any doubts now about how huge the Habs off season signings were? Radulov is having a Hart Finalist season, and Lehkonen - he's going to be a part of this team's future core. Strong performances by both yet again tonight.

- Jets really loose on the PK, lanes far too wide open, and slot unprotected, Lehkonen bats home a rebound to make it 7 for the Canadiens.

- Little makes it 4 for the Jets, Johnston with a poor turnover trying to carry the puck out of his zone through heavy traffic.

- Solid win for the Habs tonight, bolstered by secondary scoring support by the youngsters, with Andrighetto and Lehkonen being the brightest lights. Meanwhile Danault continues to add to the Marc Bergevin mystic of finding diamonds in the rough. Road gets much steeper for the Habs as they head down the road to face the very tough Minnesota Wild tomorrow night - again with the same lineup as tonight's, meaning the Canadiens will need another solid effort from the supporting crew if they hope to have a positive result to wrap up the mini road trip.


GAMEDAY GAME PREVIEW: HABS FACE THE NHL'S MOST MEDIOCRE HOCKEY TEAM

What do you do if you're the Winnipeg Jets? You're a team not quite good enough to make the playoffs, but you're too good to finish somewhere in the standings to gain a decent draft pick (for a very mediocre 2017 draft)?.

The Jets are the quintessential middling hockey team playing in a middling city that's almost quite literally right in the middling of a giant country. Let's go to the stats machine.

First off, the conundrum the Jets currently face at the moment.

The Jets are in that tricky "are we, or aren't we?" playoff qualification zone. Yes, they're hanging in there as a possible contender for qualification, but then as we dig a little deeper, the picture becomes even more uncertain:

Let's look at the baseline stats, to see how the Jets stack up against the rest of the League:

STAT             RAW          RANK

CF% (5v5)     49.6           22nd

GF60              2.18           14th

GF (5v5)        74               14th

GA60             2.42            22nd

PP%               16.8            19th

SV%               .916            25th

The numbers are, well ... not horrible, but not good. The Jets' shooting chart at even strength pretty much sums up their position in the NHL:

The Winnipeg Jets. Kinda dull. Kinda bad.

Not helping matters is the recent injury to their fine rookie (and arguably better player than Austin Matthews) Patrik Laine, who suffered a serious concussion Saturday night against the Sabres, after taking a serious (clean) hit near center ice from Jake McCabe. Laine's return is totally unknown - it could be days, weeks, or even months.

Laine, at the time, was the Jets leading point-getter, so for a team that on most nights struggles to generate offence, his injury comes at a particularly bad time.

Then again, the Jets are playing an injury-decimated team tonight, with the Habs again missing many key players from their lineup - the latest possibly being Tomas Plekanec, who reportedly has come down with the case of the flu. If Plekanec can't play tonight, the Habs will be icing a team with four centres that were originally designated 3rd line duty (Danualt), or 4th line duties (Flynn, Mitchell and McCarron). When your forwards lineup is comprised of just 4 top-6 forwards, you're in some serious trouble

So yes, the Jets are mediocre, bordering on bad - but they're taking on a very vulnerable and undermanned opponent tonight, so the possibility is very good that Winnipeg can muster up 2 more points in the standings.

Which just might make them believe they're playoff contenders again.

It's Al Montoya (5W, 4L, 2.76, .911) versus Connor Hellebuyck (16W, 13L, 2.65, .913). Puck drops at 7:40, EST.

          

GAMEDAY NEWS 'N' NOTES:

Fairly quiet day, Habs-related, except for reports this morning that Tomas Plekanec has come down with a bought with the flu, making him a "game time" decision for tonight's game. With Andrei Markov, Alex Galchenyuk and Andrew Shaw not joining the team for this road game, the Canadiens are right back to (possibly) having 7 regulars out of their lineup, and in Plekanec's case, one more top-ish center not being able to play.

So with Plekanec possibly not playing, the Habs went with these lines during practice:

Pacioretty/Danault/Radulov
Lehkonen/Flynn/Byron
Andrighetto/Mitchell/Terry
Carr/McCarron/Scherbak

Yeeesh. That's a pretty thin lineup, especially down the middle.

- Al Montoya was last to leave the ice during this morning's practice, so he'll be starting tonight.

- Erstwhile, the Jets lines tonight will look as such:

Ehlers/Scheifele/Stafford
Perreault/Little/Wheeler
Matthias/Lowry/Armia
Copp/Petan/Thorburn

Morrissey/Byfuglien
Enstrom/Trouba
Chariot/Postma 

Connor Hellebuyck

Game preview coming up in a bit.

Game 66: Habs vs. Jets

FIRST PERIOD:

- It don't mean a hill of beans that Galchenyuk is playing centre if he doesn't get adequate ice time. We'll monitor closely how Therrien deploys his lines tonight.

- Good first shift for the AK27 line, with Pacioretty nearly scoring off a hard wrist shot that gets through Jets starter Pavalec, but squirts wide of the post.

- Jets definitely the faster of the two teams out of the gate, which shouldn't be. But then the Habs don't like to play "individualistic", do they?

- AK27 line really carries the zone well with Galchenyuk leading the way. Such an improvement over what we've seen among everybody else on this team the whole year. That said, Pacioretty takes a shot that hits Gallagher in the hand that was broken back in October. Hold your breath.

- Gallagher's fine. Relief. Meanwhile, first half of the period pretty much a way, although the Habs rushes are definitely more dangerous than the Jets' have been, most notability the AK27 line's.

- Oh gawd, Gallagher off to the dressing room. You cannot be serious.

- Mike Johnson on the HNIC has been relentless in passive criticism of Michel Therrien, putting up all the numbers showing how Galchenyuk's is superior at centre, and wondering out loud how Therrien doesn't seem to either accept, or understand the statistical basics.

- Even period, but depressing nonetheless, with Gallagher getting hurt in just the 2nd shift with Galchenyuk and Pacioretty. What a ridiculously frustrating turn in a depressing season. It's like the Habs could have *nothing* good this year. And so it goes on.


SECOND PERIOD:

- Guess the eye test deceived me. I thought it was evenly played, turned out the possession stats disagreed. 37.5 CF (5v5) for Montreal. Yikes.

- Gallagher won't return tonight. So the injury is serious. I cannot believe it. But then again, I kind of do.

- Seven shifts. That's all that line got. A lousy 7 shifts. And just like that, it's over.

- Habs with a pretty inept powerplay attempt, got a few shot attempts away, but they were either impossible (easily blocked), or poorly attempted (6 feet wide of the net). Habs slipping back into bad habit of overlying on point shots.

- Oh ... P.K. Doing too much, or at least trying to. Giving up the puck, giving up goals. I understand the principles of risk and reward, but there are times when you just have to get rid of the puck. 1-0 Jets.

- Nifty blind backhand pass by Pacioretty right on AK27's tape who bangs it home. Habs tie the game up quickly, perhaps no person more relieved that Subban to see that happen.

- Far stronger 2nd period for the Habs, who really ought to be leading on the scoreboard, but aren't because of the Subban gaffe. Still, they've had far more zone pressure, mainly because of the Galchenyuk line.

- Jets are a pretty terrible puck passing team, and it's hurt them more than a few times tonight off the transition. They're more apt to score off broken plays then generating scoring off anything structured.

- Wheeler with one fantastic rush to start Jets late period powerplay, otherwise, Winnipeg really struggling to gain possession in the Habs zone. A good Habs team would eat this Jets team for lunch. This bad Habs team simply staying tight on the scoreboard.

- Spirited start to the 2nd period, which halfway through, became bogged down by mostly broken and sloppy passing and playmaking. Not a particularly tight checking game, more of an ineptly played game - by both sides. Fair to assume the winner will probably back their way into victory, meaning it's not improbable this game will be decided by a mistake.


THIRD PERIOD:

- 2nd period was much better frame for the Habs.

- You might have been somewhat positive about the Habs fortunes in the 3rd, if you'd witnessed the 2nd period. Safe to say from what we've seen the first five minutes, you'd be fooled.

- Ice broken, it's Copp with a tip past Condon, Jets take the lead.

- Pateryn has a sneaky hard slap shot, and after an incredible one-sided effort by Pacioretty, he blasts the puck past Pavalec. Game tied. Pacioretty has been fantastic tonight, that effort is one you have to bookmark. Inspirational. Will it motivate his team to victory, though?

- Um, answer appears to be nope. Scheifele with a nice redeflect off a nifty shot/pass by Stafford. Markov the culprit here, letting the Jets centre go directly to the net uncontested. Jets retake lead.

- Subban with a stupid slash, 6 minutes on the clock, sent rightfully to the box. Tough night all around for Habs blue line, sans the Pateryn (brief) game tying goal.

- Jets have been really sloppy with the puck in their zone tonight, I think it's fair to guess most of the Habs scoring chances have occurred because of unforced turnovers. That speaks poorly not only of Winnipeg's zone play, but how much the Habs have struggled offensively during this western road trip to Loserville.

- Scheifele with the empty netter, hat trick, and the icing on the cake. Habs had all of two shot attempts on goal after Scheifele put Jets up ahead 3-2 with 6 minutes left on the clock. Absolutely dismal, just like this road trip. Four games, four losses.


WHELP, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. BUT YEAH. IT'S TOO LATE.

So today, we slept in (Saturday!) and more or less woke to this:

Galchenyuk, enfin au centre, avec Pacioretty et Gallagher.#habs #NHLJets

— Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) March 5, 2016

Holy mother of crap. It's taken four months of screaming, begging, pleading, crying, killing (okay maybe not that last one), but finally, ALEX GALCHEYUK IS PLAYING CENTER.

It's a well overdue move, of course, and comes only just a few days after G.M. Marc Bergevin endorsed Michel Therrien's (mis)use of the Habs best young forward on the wing for pretty much the entirety of  a lost season.

The key is, for how long will Therrien keep AK27 down the middle? Hopefully he'll be willing to give him at least the rest of this season, but you never know with coach. If Thursday's dismal effort against the Kings where Therrien was sending out a mush of perplexing line combination for most of the 2nd and 3rd period, tonight's game might be the only one Alex gets to "try" at his natural position.

Anyway, a few more good bits of news. Mike Brown will (thankfully) be scratched tonight, and with Galchenyuk centering the first line, the Habs will look like this:

Pacioretty/Galchenyuk/Gallagher
Eller/Plekanec/Andrighetto
De La Rose/Danault/Mitchell
Matteau/McCarron/Byron

We're not sure why Torrey Mitchell is on the 3rd line, while McCarron is bumped down to the 4th, but at least Andrighetto is back on the 2nd line. So it's the little mercies that we take without reservation.

Tonight's opponent, the Jets, are also a lousy team playing out the string of a lost season. So it's the battle of two nowhere organizations hoping to finish somewhere around 13th or 14th place in their Conferences. FEEL THE EXCITIMENT. HEAR THE THUNDER.

Mike Condon will be in net for the Habs, because Ben Scrivens would probably have a tough time holding down an AHL job.

Puck drops at 7:15 EST.

Game Thirteen: Jets vs. Habs

THIRD PERIOD:

- Habs are collectively determined to get Flieschmann a hat trick tonight. Two great setups so far that he's bungled. 

- Incredibly beautiful three line pass from Subban to spring Flynn on a break. One of the sweetest forward passes I've seen this year.

- Thorburn wrecks the shutout bid, as Beaulieu and Gilbert totally muck up a 2-on-3 Jets rush. Again, those two have zero chemistry now, as they did from the very start of the season.

- Sadly, no hatty for Flieschmann. Still, easy win. Routine win. This is what happens when you greatly out skate and out possess your opponent. 

SECOND PERIOD:

- Excellent transition by Habs from one end to the other, from defence to Desharnais, Weise to Flieschmann in two seconds, Hutchinson way too deep in his crease. 3-0. Habs cruising.

- Habs swarm off another easy rush, Hutchinson really can't be blamed - Desharnais finishing the play. Winnipeg simply skating in quicksand tonight. 4-0. Goaltender change.

- Safe to say the Desharnais line is on fire tonight, although that may be more reflective a pretty poor effort tonight by the Jets. 

- Just no contest tonight. Winnipeg is most definitely Jets lagged.

- Habs putting on passing clinic during one of many powerplays in the period, maybe a bit just too much. Habs playing with lots of swagger this period. 

- This Mike Condon guy, who's had limited activity, making a couple of sparkling desperation saves. Looking, again, very Price-like. Still think playing with Carey has has a profound effect on Condon. Certainly more so than on Tokarski.

- Jets finally show a little life here, the Habs - dare we say it, shifting into a coasting mode? Guys - don't you learn?

- Yay, Lars Eller scores, nice redeflect using his skate, and it's 5-0. Hopefully another step towards reestablishing regular shifts and proper ice time.

- Two periods complete - not much to say except the Habs have dominated tonight in just about every department. Cruising to an easy victory tonight.

FIRST PERIOD:

- Fleischmann called for a pretty marginal hook, by NHL standards. And we're off.

- First six minutes, Habs offense appears to be more willing to carry the puck into the opponent zone. That's a good thing.

- Wow. Paul Byron, shorthanded monster. His speed is ridiculous - why couldn't he find a spot on the Flames' offensively starved roster? Goal came as a result of a dumb play by Byfuglien, who recklessly went for a meaningless hit instead of playing the puck at centre, which helped spring Byron free. 1-0.

- Eller's second shift is a good one. Very sprite, impressive job applying forechecking pressure in the Jets' zone.

- Another too many men call on the Habs, whose bench management has been poor the past week. Desharnais jumping off way, way too soon. Not smart.

- Winnipeg's powerplay looks an awful lot like the Habs' from earlier in the season - flat, disorganized and overly reliant on passing. 

- DSP moved up to the second line, first shift produces glorious scoring chance for Galchenyuk. DSP doing nice job hacking at Hutchinson top of the crease.

- Both offenses struggling to finish - shot totals are meager - we may not have a combined total of 10 in the period.

- Great net drive to the net by a pretty soft and slow Jets defence, Fleischmann with an easy rebound deposit to give the Habs a 2-0 lead. Habs might as well keep carrying the puck in if Winnipeg continues to play this soft. 

- Sloppy shift by Gilbert/Beaulieu, who've struggled since the first game to find some kind of chemistry. Still think Beaulieu would be much stronger paired with Petry.

- Byfuglien, so much talent but so little on ice intelligence. If he played smarter he could be a potential superstar. I don't think he'll ever reach those heights.

- Smith-Pelly, if this period is any indication, is far better on that second line than Flynn. By miles.

- Good period for the Habs, who's biggest adjustment from that western trip appears to be zone entries. Lots of emphasis on carrying the zone, rather than the shoot and chase. Scoreboard results are positive reinforcement.

 
GAME PREVIEW: CAREY PRICE IS INJURED. WHERE DO WE GO TO PANIC??!

AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. CAREY PRICE IS HURT. Oh GOD WHO WILL TAKE HIS PLACE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE HIS COACH LOOK WAY BETTER THAN HE ACTUALLY IS??!!?

You've probably heard, but in case you hadn't, Carey Price is off the roster tonight with a "lower body injury", and probably won't play until (gulp) next week. The specifics of the injury aren't clear, although it may explain a couple of sub-par (at least by Carey Price's standards) consecutive outings against the Canucks and Oilers earlier in the week, both losses.

So, out is Price, in is Condon, and up is Tokarski. Remember him?

Habs lineup tonight is exactly the same as Friday night, which means more Flynn on the 2nd line. Will Lars Eller get benched again? Who knows??

Alright, the Jets now. They're playing pretty good hockey right now, coming off recent wins over the Hawks and Wild, which ain't too bad. The Jets feature two very strong top 2 lines, and the rest is .. well .. meh. Their netminding is also ... meh. Ondrej Pavelec, who's been stomped playing against the Habs in recent history, won't play tonight. Instead, it'll be backup Micheal Hutchinson who'll get the call.

Anyway, back to those top two Jets lines. Bryan Little centring Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler, while on line two, it's Mark Scheifele centring Mathieu Perreault and Nikolaj Ehlers. Contain those two lines, and you've essentially boxed the Jets out of producing any substantive, threatening offence.

Meanwhile in Habsland, the Canadiens, after starting the season strong in puck possession, has over the past 10 days, reverted back to their bad old habits of passive hockey. The result has been two disappointing losses, mixed in with a couple of fortunate/lucky wins over Toronto, and Friday night, against Calgary.

The big question fans are asking - is Michel Therrien "getting it", or does he actually believe his team is playing quality hockey lately? His benching of Eller on Friday night, and steadfast healthy scratching of Alexander Semin, suggests the coach is struggling yet again to understand hockey fundamentals.

Oh well, tonight's another day! Jets are a quality team, so it should be an interesting game.

Puck drops at 7:10, EST.

Game Sixteen: Jets vs. Habs

Third Period:

- Seems pretty clear this club's lack of offence has gotten into their heads. Too much focus on setting up the perfect play, not enough on getting pucks on the net. 

- That's a killer goal for Galchenyuk, the Jets defense way too soft in their slot. 2-0.

- Habs are gonna try to ice this game to death. Folly, I say. We'll see.

- It's not very pretty, but Habs doing pretty good job strangling the play. Not a lot of places for the Jets to muster a rush or find an open lane right now.

- Pacioretty and Desharnais are lousy odd man rush mates. Desharnais is judgement impaired, Pacioretty should just stick to shooting.

- Price getting good protection this period by his defense off the initial shot. The few rebounds Price gives up aren't much of a threat.

- Jets pulling a Roy with 3 minutes left.

- Enstrom with a dive in his zone, obvious dive. Refs blow the call. 6 on 4 with 92 seconds left.

- A post and two totally open nets missed by the Jets on this powerplay. Enstrom's dive had serious karma attached.

- Plekanec with the empty net as he returns to the scoresheet after a couple of weeks off. Habs win 3-0.

Second Period:

- We said they be hummin' in the first, and to no one's surprise, Sekac drives the net utilizing his speed, Pavelec surrenders a loose puck and Eller puts it home. More great Sekec. 1-0. 

- Habs PK has had one scoring chance tonight. Their PP? Zero.

- Pretty sloppy hockey resulting in poor penalties being committed by both sides. Game had flow in the first period. The second? A mess.

- Six minutes left, Jets are swarming the Habs, but Price is standing on his head. Habs forwards guilty of far too many zone turnovers.

- Kind of wondering why Subban isn't shooting. At all. Had the entire lane wide open and a red carpet to Pavelec, makes a meek and useless backhanded pass.

- Frantic end to the period on both ends, the Habs, outplayed, escape with a one goal lead. Carey Price, as he has so many times in the past, masking his team's glaring flaws - they being specialty units, forwards unable or unwilling to shoot, and sloppy puck possession. Another stolen victory tonight? Stay tuned. 

First Period:

- So Drayson Bowman gets his first NHL start of the season tonight on the fourth line, which means he'll likely get ... oh ... seven or eight shifts for the game. #TherrienEffect

- Gallagher beats Pavelec. Offside by four feet. Oh well.

- So Gilbert, who's been very good this year, is demoted to the third line, and Weaver, who's been so-so, gets promoted to the 2nd. Mmmkay.

- Eller/Sekac line be hummin' right where it left off Saturday night.

- Another terrible Markov turnover in the neutral zone, creating a Kane break. Price with an elegant blocker save.

- Price has been receipient of tough shots tonight, but looks very sharp, very cool. Could be tough customer for Jets offense tonight.

- Calling this Habs powerplay a tire fire would be an insult to burning rubber.

- New powerplay system seems to be emphatic that neither Markov or Subban are to shoot from the line. Mystifying.

- Habs get last minute man advantage, Therrien doesn't ice Markov or Subban. Results are pretty much hapless. 

- Reasonably even period, Price with key saves off tough chances, Habs specialty units are as much a mess as ever, and their neutral zone puck possession left much to be desired. Eller/Sekac look fine again, Markov and Subban ... not so much.

Habbies Acquire Gonchar

Well, hmm ... this is interesting. Habs have traded 32 year old Travis Moen to the Dallas Stars in return for 40 year old defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Moen, who's been around for five seasons believe it or not, hasn't had a particularly productive year, and has been shuffled in and out of the lineup. With Michael Bournival now established, there really wasn't a whole lot of room left.

Gonchar? Man, he's old. Used to be pretty good. But now? He's old. Experienced I guess, he'll be a UFA at season's end. Now the Habs have 8 bonefied starters on their roster. Markov, Subban, Gilbert, Weaver, Emelin, Beaulieu, Tinorodi and now Gonchar.

If Beaulieu and Tinordi are going to continue to evolve, I'm thinking somebody else is going to be moved soon. But who? Emelin? Dare we to dream?


Habs 'n' Jets Gameday Game Preview:

Welcome to the Bourqueless era of the Montreal Canadiens! Man, don't you ... I don't know ... almost feel cleaner now? Almost a little extra spring in your step almost knowing future Habs games won't be so frustrating to watch? Almost? Yeah. Almost!

I suppose we could add welcome to the Moen-less era in Montreal, but we liked Travis.

So tonight. What is with this Habs team? We suck. We don't suck. We score. We can't score. We defend. We can't defend. We're a playoff team. Good luck finishing above 80 points. We're a Stanley Cup contender. Are you on crack? On and on it goes.

Anyway, here's the Jets' lineup for tonight game:

Line 1: Ladd-Little/Frolik
Line 2: Kane-Scheifele-Wheeler
Line 3: Perreault-Lowry-Byfuglien
Line 4: Galiardi-Slater-Thorburn

Enstrom-Bogosian
Stuart-Trouba
Clitsome-Postma

There you have it. A meh roster for a meh hockey team. Still the Jets do have 8 wins in 15 games, most of them against pretty competitive teams, like the Hawks, Preds and Rangers. They could be considered, along with the Calgary Flames, to be one of this season's early surprises. Bryan Little, whose best season came last year (64 points in 82 games) is off to a solid start, 11 points to lead the team. Blake Wheeler is, as anticipated, producing (10 points). Disappointments? Dustin Byfuglein, just two goals and five points this year (.33 ppg), far below his usual output (career .56 ppg).

The BIG surprise in Winnipeg this year is goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. After consecutive years putting up numbers that would barely qualify him for a backup role in the League, Pavelec has a sparkling .928 SV% and 1.98 GAA. He's a big part of the reason why the Jets are off to a respectable start this season.

Over in Habsland, with Bourque and Moen gone, the lineup is beginning to settle. With Sekac finally (mercifully) now established, he'll be playing again along side the underrated Lars Eller. Meanwhile, it'll be the usual defensive lineup tonight, with Beaulieu slotting in, and Tinordi slotting out.

Carey Price, of course, will start.

Game time is 7:40 EST.

But, these are the Jets, and they are facing the Habs, who have beaten Winnipeg seven of the nine times these two have met since Atlanta moved north. 

Game Fifty-Six: Jets vs. Habs

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you NHL officiating at its finest. We may hear more about this later today or tomorrow. But clearly, something very, very wrong took place with not a single interference call made. The League may wish that this play blows over, but the Habs are collectively furious this afternoon, and are demanding some kind of an official explanation.

The deep zone official, by the way, was Wes McCauley, who's been at NHL-level since 2007.



Meanwhile ...

Gallagher initiated inside crease w/Montoya & flopped w/Bogosian attempting to draw a penalty. He made his own bed & ref made him lay in it!
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) February 2, 2014

Third Period:

- Soul-sucking error by Price there misplacing the puck behind the net. Jets lead. Now seriously wondering if Price really ought never play these back to backs.

- Losing track of the number of odd man breaks created today via poor Murray pinches. 5? 6?

- Subban just doesn't look right. Isn't slapping the puck, seems inclined to wrist it toward the net. 

- Jets more or less sitting on this. Fair bit of time left on the clock.

- Desharnais really struggled with the basics today. Puck handling, passing, not shooting. Etc.

- Gallagher not allowed to clear the zone. At least four clear cut interference calls. Nothing called. Inexcusable.

- Habs loss today indicative of this team's inability to execute fundamentals. The team continues to be broken. I see little reason to believe this team will eventually finish the season north of 90 points.

Second Period:

- Markov sent off for interference 18 seconds in on what might be the most marginal call I've seen all season. It's as if the decision was previously made that the Jets turn was next on the powerplay.

- Sweet Jesus Murray has terrible decision making abilities in his zone. Chases after pucks he has no hope of retrieving, creating numerous odd man Jets chances.

- He might not be much of a scoring threat any more, but Gionta has been passing out of his mind the past few games. 

- Puck passing is, by the way, a no-no under the current Habs "system". If you're passing it means you aren't dumping.

- Murray is a complete train wreck today. He needs to be removed before any more damage occurs.

- Gionta. Crossbar. Montoya brought extra horseshoes today.

- If every Hab was Gallagher this team would probably never lose. 

- Gionta hits the crossbar. Again. But this time it goes in. Montoya's luck runs out. Tie game.

- We have an on ice official with an itchy trigger finger today. More marginal holding calls, this time Gallagher.

- Entertaining period - Price surrendering a pretty iffy goal but still, good duel happening here. Doug Murray has been absolutely brutal this afternoon - his performance so poor it's parody. How Therrien continues to give him regular shifts is just astounding. The Jets are getting quality scoring chances nearly every time Murray steps on the ice, and will continue to do so in the 3rd. If they do score or win, it'll likely be because of his incompetence.

First Period:

- Hah. Jets of all teams start their backup. How far we've fallen.

- Habs totally flat footed to start the game. Bushels of defensive giveaways, soft slot coverage, faceoff losses, icings. Michel Therrien hockey.

- Nearly no skate marks on the Jets' side of the ice. Just dismal.

- Habs chasing the puck, fruitlessly. Legs aren't moving, nobody seems capable of even completing a pass. 

- Habs in über dump the puck mode today. Gonna be a long, tortuous afternoon. Michel Therrien hockey.

- Jets early Corsi right now is 75%. Numbers don't lie. It's been that bad.

-  Montoya making a great save off the rebound. Helped that Mr. No-Finish took the shot.

- Speed is a good thing. Beaulieu draws a penalty. If this team would only utilize its strengths and assets properly.

- Pretty good powerplay for the Habs. Simplified, as I've been nattering on for weeks asking them to do. Montoya with key saves to keep it scoreless.

- powerplay has helped Habs to get their legs moving. Game far more even now.

- Montoya doing a pretty good 2013-14 Carey Price impersonation today.

- Lars Eller has zero going his way right now. Luck, confidence and arguably, smarts. Passing to nowhere in particular, not taking the shot. Zero.

- Jets had 7-0 lead on the shot clock to start. Habs 12-3 since then. So, significant rebound there, impressive, even. Beaulieu drawing a powerplay seemed to spark the team. So consider that period salvaged.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!

Yeah, who cares.

It's Sunday morning. It's way too early. So this pregame post is admittedly tossed together. So ... very ... sleepy ....

Anyway, here's a nice little line from yesterday:

G. Parros

R

0

0

0

0

14

0

0

0

0

0

-

0:00

0:00

1:43

Barely 90 seconds. What's the freakin' point? Are you telling me that 90 seconds of this guy against one of the less penalized teams in the League is a better use of resources than, say ... ANYONE else? Louis Leblanc? Charles Hudon??

Meh.

So today, the Jets. Yay! We always beat them. Sorry, what's that?  They've won 7 of their last 10? Ah, crap.

Habs can't mess around much longer, losing games they ought to have been owning. Looking down the road with games against Vancouver, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix ... the hill to climb is only getting steeper.

Today, it's another very winnable game. Even though they've been on a role of late, the Jets still have a thin bench, still have questionable netminding, are on the road.

But these are the Habs, who looked so fine against the Bruins, and for the most part, looked pretty terrible yesterday against Tampa Bay - the final score as usual, masked by the ridiculously good goaltending provided by Carey Price.

Speaking of, Price will play today, in his first back-to-back games in quite awhile. Jets will probably go with Ondrej Pavelec, who also happens to have a .900 SV%, which ranks him 2nd worst in the League amongst goaltenders who've played 30 or more games (the Oilers' Devan Dubnyk is worst).

Habs players to watch out for - Rene Bourque, believe it or not, has looked pretty good since it became a public spectacle that the Habs were desperately trying to trade him to someone, anyone who'd be willing.

Also, watch for a P.K. rebound game. Yesterday was not one of his finer outings. Lots of defensive lapses, turnovers, muffed up passes on the powerplay, etc.

Puck drops at 1:10 EST. Superbowl Sunday. Yawn. Who cares.

Game Six: Habs vs. Jets

News and Notes:

- Habs defenseman Drew Drewiskie had shoulder surgery today, and will be out for probably the rest of the season (estimated recovery March/April, 2014).
- Habs ticket buyers, including yours truly, love to complain about how damn expensive it is just to see one measly game at the Bell Centre, but according to Forbes Magazine, at an average pricetag of $257.06, fans in Montreal only have to fork out the 7th highest dollar to see their team in the flesh. So who's the most expensive hockey ticket? The centre of the hockey universe in Toronto of course, where the average price (reminder, this is just the average price to see one game) is a mind-boggling $368.60. Sheesh. Actually, it sucks to be a Canadian in this department, other canuck-based teams rate pretty high on the list with Winnipeg #3 (really?), Edmonton #4 (I'd be miffed), Vancouver #5, Calgary #6, and Ottawa a more "reasonable" 15th overall. The Hawks at #2, are the most expensive American-based team to see at $313.18 - but unlike Toronto, they have a pretty reasonable excuse for charging sky-high ticket prices: they're the Stanley Cup champions.

Cheapest NHL ticket? The endlessly bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes, the average stub price a measly $76.65.

See the full list here.

- Finally, Max Lapierre. Don't get me started about this human waste of a hockey player. By now you've heard about his dirty hit on Dan Boyle last night, which sent the Sharks defenseman to the hospital. Not embedding or posting a link to the hit - just take it from me, it was horrible. Anyway, Max will probably get 10 games for this latest incident of misbehavior - he's fast developed a reputation for being one of the worst people alive that also happens to play in the National Hockey League.

Lapierre has one career highlight:

That's it. That's all he has to show for his nothing career. Godspeed Max, we're all looking forward to the day when you won't be coming back to the rink again.

Montreal 3, Winnipeg 0. Stathead Stuff:

Okay, here it is:

Corsi: Winnipeg +28 (yeah, Price really was that good)
White: 56.3%
Prust: 56.0%
Desharnais: 52.2%
...
Plekanec: 24.1%

Fenwick: Winnipeg +8
White: 72.7%
Moen: 69.2%
Desharnais: 68.8%
...
Galchenyuk: 24.1%

Not entirely surprising numbers considering how the game was your basic grind-'em-out type victory not befitting the speed and elegance of the EGG line. Ryan White - for that matter, the Habs' 4th line continues to impress, doing an excellent job in swarming opposing forwards, generating decent zone opportunities, and setting the table up nicely for the Habs' top producing lines. If White continues this play, it'll be nearly impossible for Therrien to scratch him if/when Parros makes his return.


The Habs defense didn't have a particularly impressive outing, which anyone might find surprising since the Jets were shut out. But that's largely because of Carey Price's stellar performance. Nathan Beaulieu, still in learning mode, struggles with puck possession confidence. He's apt to shooting the puck away, either forced or unforced, for fear of creating a turnover. It's typical behavior for any defender trying to break into the NHL - but it's hurting the Habs transition. Beaulieu also doesn't do his defensive partner any favors by repositioning himself in a clear passing lane. In short, Beaulieu needs to really work on puck possession, mobility and effectively moving the puck up ice to a teammate. 


Anyway, largely nit-picky stuff. The trip was quite successful, and now the team can enjoy an extended home stand.

Third Period:

- Kane gets nailed yet again for a hook. That'll drive the coach up the wall.

- Desharnais and the Subban with clunky turnovers giving Jets 2-on-1 break, Price another excellent save.

- Desharnais having a decent night, except when he's put out on the man advantage. Then everything seems to go south.

- Subban with two consecutive terrible defensive shifts. Price bailing him and his team out.

- Not sure how much longer Price can keep 'em out.

- Another disappointing night for Gionta. Just not involved, very slow on the play. 

- Price's Sp% the past two games is now a nifty .986. 

- Price just zoned. Jets will have to fire it through him to score.

- Prust hurt last shift, now Plekanec is smarting. It's been a very physical game tonight. 

- Habs committing far too many turnovers in their zone, but Price just soaks anything up that comes his way.

- Jets swarming, can the Habs hold the fort for much longer? Desharnais line a real defensive liability in the 3rd period.

- Habs just hanging on right now. Dumping any puck in sight.

- Really can't understand putting Briere out right now, and he gets nailed for a hook. Oy.

- All Price needed to bring to the rink tonight was his glove. At least half his saves have been with the mitt.

- Habs kill the Briere penalty but Jets are still pressing hard.

- Winnipeg has some ridiculously awful ice tonight. Puck bouncing all over the place.

- There's your dagger. Jets get nailed for a crosscheck (Little). Habs can just kill the clock with barely two minutes left.

- Briere his first as a Canadien. Empty net, I guess he'll take it. Now Price for the shutout.

- 6 out of possible 8 points on the west swing, an excellent result. Tonight, Carey Freakin' Price. Haters are gonna have to hate something else because Price looks totally on focus this season. 

 Second Period:

- Pacioretty is officially done for the night, left leg injury. Max off a terrible start this year, luck-wise. 

- Gorges playing so much more effectively and efficiently than he was at very start of the season

- Diaz with a big red target on his body tonight. Not moving his feet fast enough along the boards and he's getting hammered like crazy by Jets forwards.

- Kane has been pushing the envelope all night, finally called for a hook.

- Habs chance to bury here.

- Prust injured?? In the dresssing room.

- Game getting pretty chippy. Price continues to play solid, if unspectacular perfect goaltending.

- Prust reportedly has equipment issue (skate).

- Jets have gone out moe aggressively in the 2nd to combat the Habs aggressive forecheck, but they haven't yet been able to generate much offensive momentum.

- Corsi and Femwick virtually tied right now, indicating decent rebound period for Winnipeg. 

- Winnipeg now generating serious zone pressure and quality shots on Price. Habs definitely on their heels right now.

- Okay at this point I'll gladly take a 2-0 40 minute lead. Growing concerned that the Jets might strongarm their way back into this.

- Price with a ridiculous save. Jets efforts not being rewarded.

- Habs lucky to maintain their two goal lead because Carey Price. Habs with a big let down period. Winnipeg has a decent shot if they play that well and the Habs that indifferently in the 3rd period.

First Period:

- There's that fast start and weak goal surrendered by Pavelec, Prust with the easy rebounder. 1-0 before most everyone has arrived at their seat.

- Maybe Habs fans hope that Prust is the cure that ails Desharnais?.

- White continues to be in fine form - making his removal from any starting lineup a difficult decision. 

- Galchenyuk to wide open Gallagher crashing the Jets net. 9/10 he puts that puck in the net.

- No goals, but pretty decent looking Habs man advantage there.

- Jets leaving passing lanes wide open, which allows the Habs to set Subban up for a cannon drive. Pavelec simply cannot adjust and it's 2-0 Habs.

- Reeling Jets burn their TO. 

- Price picking up exactly where he left off Saturday night. That's bad news for Jets fans.

- Desharnais seems to have found his legs tonight. Now we have to find Bourque's.

- Eller correctly assessed penalty for embellishment. He's gotten away with a couple over this road trip and the officials are starting to key in on it.

- Save the third period against the Canucks, easily the Habs' best played period of this road trip.

- Habs +10 Corsi, +7 Fenwick. Pretty one-sided 20 minutes, maybe most one sided Habs have had this young season

Gameday Game Preview:

The western stretch has finally arrived. The Canadiens wrap up their four game trip tonight, as they take on the Winnipeg Jets for the first and only time this season. Which is a shame if you're a Habs fan, since the Canadiens have amassed a pretty impressive winning record over the Jets lately. Since moving from Atlanta to Manibota's capital city, the Habs have posted an 8-4 record overall, a 3-2 record at the MTS Centre.

Anyway, those stats really don't matter. The season is new, the slate is clean, and both clubs are hoping to finish strong in their respective Divisions, although entering the season, the Habs were strong contenders for a high finish, while the Jets are presumed to be in tough to qualify in a very tough Western Conference.

The stats line, albeit early for the season, depicts a distinct Habs advantage. The Habs have the 7th ranked powerplay, the Jets 20th. Habs PK is a decently rated 11th, the Jets are 16th. The Habs have the 8th ranked offense, the Jets 16th. The Habs defense is rated 5th best, the Jets 16th. In other words, Winnipeg is a decidedly mediocre team on paper - at least, so far.

For you eggheads, Habs Corsi is rated 10th overall, Jets are 26th. Fenwick, Habs are 8th, Jets 27th (eek), and just for fun, the Habs PDO clocks in at 22nd overall, Jets are 11th (the lower your PDO, ranking the better).

So the stats really don't stack up well for Winnipeg - that much we can agree upon.

The Jets offense is anchored by one of the best wingers in the game in Evander Kane. Expect Michel Therrien to assign his best checking forwards (read: Thomas Plekanec) to shadow Kane through the night. Meanwhile on the blue line, the Jets rely heavily on the mobile Dustin Byfuglien, who's been off to a strong start this season, collecting 6 points in 6 games. Otherwise, the Jets aren't a particularly deep team, but they're well coached, so they have the ability to patch together a relatively effective and balanced attack. That said, if Kane is nullified, the Jets' ability to muster together victories becomes significantly limited.

Even though they have a .500 record, Winnipeg has also been hampered by inconsistent goaltending this season - their starter tonight, Ondrej Pavelec, was bombed out of the building on Friday night, as the Jets were manhandled by the Dallas Stars, 4-1. Pavelec let in a couple of questionable goals in the first period, putting his team in a deep enough hole that they couldn't recover.

On the Habs side of the ledger, Brian Gionta returns to the lineup tonight after missing two games relating to a family illness. With Gionta back, one can probably expect the so-called "EGG" line to return (Eller/Gallagher/Galchenyuk), while Daniel Briere and Max Pacioretty will probably be centred by David Deshairnas again.

Carey Price will start for the Habs. Puck drops around 8:10 EST.

Monday Update:

HAPPY MONDAY!! It's especially happy for we Canadians because 1) it's a no-work day (for most of us) and 2) it's Thanksgiving!! Actually yours truly just had his fill of Turkey, and Ham, and stuffing, and cabbage rolls, and mashed potatoes, and gravy, and pumpkin pie, and I think I'm 8 pounds fatter. Disgusting.

Seriously, I'm very thankful for the weekend, and that my life has been pretty fortunate, surrounded by family and friends. Not everyone is so lucky.

Know what else I'm thankful for? That in 2012, the Montreal Canadiens finished with the 3rd, rather than the 1st overall pick - when back at that time, NHL Central Scouting had rated Nail Yakupov as the next big can't miss hockey offensive sensation. Instead, we got "stuck" drafting present-day scoring sensation Alex Galchenyuk (dear CBC, he's still not Russian), while the Edmonton Oilers, unable to resist temptation even though their blue line was desperate for talent, used their pick on Yakupov.

So today, there's this in the Edmonton Journal:

"I really don’t like skating all the time, and forechecking, and hitting somebody every shift. I don’t think it’s my game.” - Nail Yakupov.

From everyone here in Habsland we say - thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU Edmonton!