Max Pacioretty, who a week ago had a piece of his internal body ripped out by surgeons, and was placed on the injury list with an expected return of 4 weeks, could be in the lineup today.
Yeah, seriously, I know. From nearly having his head torn off his shoulders to this, the guy is an amazing gamer.
More in a bit with a little game preview.
GAME DAY UPDATE: Well, what is there to say, really? Ottawa trounced the Habs on Wednesday night, although that loss came at the end of back-to-back games (excuse) on Ottawa ice (another excuse) with some key players like Price and Pacioretty not on the ice (final excuse). And of course there's Craig Anderson, who hasn't - and this is true, allowed a single goal this season except for the first period.
So what does this tell us? Score early, and hold on for dear life.
If we lose again today, we won't have nearly as many excuses. Like Wednesday, we're playing two game in 24 hours, but unlike Wednesday, we'll be at home with Carey Price between the pipes, and quite possibly/probably, the iron man himself Max Pacioretty back in the lineup.
Who's hot for the Habs? Who isn't? Who's cold? Well Kaberle looked pretty clunky last night in what was otherwise a breeze victory for the Canadiens, so with Pacioretty returning, Therrien may shift back to 6 defensemen, which would likely make Kaberle the odd man out. The coach could opt to sit Raphael Diaz, who struggled with puck control on the Habs powerplay yesterday, and was the only guy with a negative +/- (hard thing to do when you've won 6-1).
That said, if Pacioretty does return, it'll probably be Kaberle.
Will Ryan White get a chance to redeem himself? That'll be an interesting story to keep an eye on. Also, will Therrien continue to reward Lars Eller with more icetime, with Eller coming off what was easily his best game of the season last night against Buffalo?
And will anyone freakin' score on Craig Anderson after the 20 minute mark? I mean, just once?
Let's watch.
First Period:
- Plekanec brushes Anderson, gets goalie interference call. I guess the refs have been getting some communication from the League head office. Silferberg cashes in on the man advantage, and the early year. Blah start.
- Habs really getting rewarded for their new attitude of driving the net. Desharnais ... he was slumping? Already forgotten. Nice deflection from the shot, Patches picks up the assist, which is mighty cool. Game tied.
- Anderson is being defined as a slow starter, but really no way he could have blocked the Desharnais deflection.
- Subban with an ill-advised attempt to deliver a huge body check creates a 2 on 1 break for Ottawa, but Boullion with a nice poke intercepts the pass saves the day. Plays like that are what's going to get Subban into the doghouse. He needs to be smarter about when to go for the big hits.
- Amazing patience and puck control by Habs powerplay, Cole with a great backhand to give Canadiens a 2-1 lead. Habs miles and miles ahead of last year's unit.
- Watching replay of Cole goal, Anderson was wayyy out of position, which bodes well, maybe?
- Diaz stock continuing to drop.
- The reborn Bourque. Fearless in the crease.
- Gallagher and Galchenyuk are a defenseman's nightmare. Handling one bearing down on your goaltender is tough enough, but handling both at the same time?
- Karlsson forechecking Habs defense? Creates 2 on 1 for Canadiens. Surely the Ottawa staff can't let that one slide, can they?
- Canadiens continue to drive the net, continue to create chances, continue to score, and who knows? May even continue to win.
Second Period:
- That boarding call on Gorges ... I'm speechless. Might be the worst penalty call I've ever seen. At the very least it's up there.
- I think officials realized they totally muffed up the Gorges call, and quickly call an even-up against Ottawa. Just guessing.
- Regin with an absolutely brutal board on Desharnais right in front of the official. No call. Inexcusable game management by the officials.
- Why do Habs forwards struggle so much hitting the net with their shot on breakaways?
- Anderson still hasn't allowed a goal this season past the first period. Habs will need to break that astonishing streak if they hope to collect two points.
- Carey Price don't need no stinkin' stick to play this game.
- While Habs have done great job driving the crease, Anderson still getting too many good looks at the shots. Going to need more distractions to push one through.
- Habs forwards perhaps being a little too precise in their attempts to score. Just get one, even if it's ugly.
- Eller gets two for giving a hug? Oy.
- Eller thinks he could beat Anderson with that shot?
- Embellishment? Just brutal officiating today. Just brutal.
- And Turris goes for phantom hook.
- Subban four sparkling chances in the span of 20 seconds. Comes up empty.
- Unreasonable to expect Price to carry this team to a one goal win. Habs will somehow have to solve Anderson at least once in the 3rd period.
Third Period:
- See, that's how you score. Ugly. Create a screen. Sens tie it.
- Woah. Silvferberg for goaltender interference? No way that should have been called. Habs gifted a goal. Wretched officiating continues.
- Ugly guys. Just go ugly. Pad this lead.
- Gary Galley, CBC colour commentator: "I don't know much about Francis Bouillon". This is Bouillon's 13th NHL season. I guess it's because Frankie hasn't played for the Leafs.
- Sens buzzing. No way this 2-1 lead holds.
- Subban is reputedly injured. Not sure how or why. In dressing room.
- Turris set up brilliantly in the slot, misses net. Should have converted. Nonetheless this is why the Sens will score - eventually. The chances they're creating in the period are just too good.
- Bourque did all the right things driving the net, but Anderson was there. Can somebody please just beat this guy once after the first period?
- Subban on the ice. Looks fine. Equipment problem?
- Apparently Subban had a broken skate, which isn't a quick fix. So that's a whew.
- Anderson finally beaten by a shot (Bourque), but not the goalpost. Ugh.
- Sens totally had too many men on the ice, refs didn't pick it up. Shocking.
- 6 minutes left. Will the lead hold? Hard to believe it was 1-1 two minutes into this game.
- Greg Kimmerly who had reffed 872 games, and Brian Pochmara who has reffed 329 NHL games are today's officials, in case you were curious.
- 3 minutes left, Sens will have to seriously gamble now.
- Prust line doing amazing clock killing work.
- Carey Price, just so solid. Habs defense on their heels, but Price doesn't buckle.
- Nail biting finish here.
- Alllllmost there ....
- Great win. Carey Price is the man. This team is so much unlike last year, it's ridiculous. The big bad Bruins next. Can't hardly wait.
Showing posts with label Anderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anderson. Show all posts
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Game Six: Habs vs. Sens
HAPPY WEDNESDAY. And thanks to the NHL not being able to get their labour agreements in place, that means we've got yet another hockey game. And then another one on Saturday. And then another one on Sunday. Thank goodness I have no life. But then you probably already figured that part out already, considering I blog every freakin' Habs game.
SO TONIGHT the puck drops at 7:00 p.m. in the arena somewhere way outside of the city it's supposed to represent, and we got Guillaume Latendresse (remember him? .... he was supposed to be the guy that Galchenyuk is now ... sheyah ... I know. You don't remember because it's all something we're trying to forget) and the Sens, who haven't beaten us in the past nine (can that be right?) games. It's true - unless you don't count overtime losses. Then yeah ... they've beaten us. Three times. But still! We've got Ottawa's number, and tonight, we be gunnin' for our fifth straight honest-to-gawd victory. The world's gone crazy, I tells ya.
Anyway, Latendresse has been pretty awful so far, but the Sens do feature the mighty Craig Anderson, who's never won a thing in his life, but is being hailed as this year's sure-bet Vezina winner, just like he was in 2008!
Soooo ... yeah. Anderson has a bit of a history being a little quick out of the gate, followed by a slow fade. Maybe that fade could get started tonight, ya?
So what else is going on. How could I forget? TSN via the Canadian Press, had a nifty little piece yesterday that somehow qualified as an article, stating that P.K. was getting the cold shoulder from his teammates. Looks like somebody from the CP was hoping to stir the pot with a little vigor. Keep working at it guys! Get them pesky Habs off their game and hope that this is finally the year where Leafs fans have a game to watch past the second week of April. It's gonna happen one of these years guys, don't worry.
Say. I'll bet you're wondering how Scott Gomez, with that spakin' new HUGE contract he signed with the Sharks, is doing, right? I know it's the last question I ask each night and the first thing I think about when I wake up. HOW IS SCOTT DOING?!?
Scott is doing just fine! Okay, so he hasn't scored a goal yet. But ... but ... BUT ... he has an assist! And even more importantly, he's found himself a valuable role for his team. So awesome. Seven hundred thousand dollars a year to sit in a box for somebody else. That. Is. Sweet. YOU GO SCOTT.
Peter Budaj will start in goal tonight for the Habs. Enjoy it Peter, 'cause it's probably only gonna happen five more times the rest of this season.
First Period:
- White went right for Zach Smith, right after Armstrong leveled him. Obviously there's some history between settled.
- As usual, a pretty big segment of the crowd in Ottawa are Habs fans. I'd estimate at least 1/4 (the tickets are more affordable, why not drive the two hour distance?).
- Phillips protesting a pretty clear-cut interference against Cole.
- Well that didn't take long. Pleks scores and Markov, who did a fine job carrying the puck towards the Sens net, just keeps piling up the points. 1-0 Habs.
- Prust and Neil square off in a fight that just wouldn't quit. Gonna be a fun game.
- Budaj gives up juicy rebound from high point shot, and O'Brien tucks the puck past his left skate. Hope you bet over for this one, 'cause I got the feeling there's plenty more to come.
- If not for Desharnais hustling back to cover the slot, O'Brien probably scores his second of the period.
- Budaj kinda just really stole one from Alfredsson there. Habs defense soft and sloppy more than once in the period.
- Emelin has been one of the big unsung contributors to the Canadiens' early season success, but he does tend to struggle adjusting to speedy puck carriers.
- Sens really taking some silly penalties here, Chris Neil, for the 5,000th time, not thinking before he acts.
- Chris Phillips a careless stick to Markov's skate. Take a time Therrien, get your very best out for the 5-3.
- Therrien not listening, Habs 5-3 advantage peters harmlessly away.
- Not wanting to state the obvious, having Subban in the lineup for 2nd line PP unit would be huge benefit. PP definitely not the same when Markov not on the ice.
- Ottawa most definitely toughest opposition Habs have had this year, but Canadiens are holding their own very well. Very close period, fully expect the final to be one goal margin.
Second Period:
- Artstrong doesn't possess much of a shot, probably should have passed off on a clear-cut 2-on-1.
- Desharnais trying to find the sniper in his former self. Still searching.
- Gotta say Budaj doing everything and more for a sparingly played 2nd stringer.
- Ryan White's penalty probably just saved a goal. Weird play there. Oops, never mind, Sens score immediately off the draw. 2-1. White stays in the box.
- This Ottawa powerplay is kinda firing on all cylinders. Habs simply can't find an answer.
- Yup. And there's another. And it's 3-1. And Budaj crashing back to earth.
- Habs have been picking up way too many unsportsmanlike penalties. Roster could do with some anger management sessions.
- Price may play yet. Ottawa now making this a blowout. Habs defense not sure which way to turn. 4-1.
- I think it's safe to say at this point P.K. will be in the lineup Saturday afternoon.
- Therrien really mixing the lines up, trying to get Eller going, trying to get something going.
- Habs started getting their act together last 3 minutes of the 2nd. Otherwise I think we can easily qualify that 20 minutes as a disaster. Can't win 'em all.
Third Period:
- Since this game is pretty much decided, we turn our thoughts to who sits on Saturday. Kaberle? Boullion? Or does Therrien go with seven D, and Eller sits in the pressbox?
- Anderson on Gallagher. Just not happening for the Habs tonight.
- At the very least, Cole has come out of his shell tonight. Playing like a madman right now.
- Prust two glorious chances this period, Anderson finding a way to keep it out.
- At some point, Anderson will return to earth. Tonight was not that night.
- Budaj doesn't quite have the same lateral movement as Price. Okay, it's not even close.
- A game to forget. Habs had their moments, but Anderson was pretty much perfect. Defense was way too soft in the crease, and Eller had yet another forgettable outing - he's struggling badly. Canadiens can provide their response, with Price in net and quite possibly Subban at the line, on Saturday afternoon.
SO TONIGHT the puck drops at 7:00 p.m. in the arena somewhere way outside of the city it's supposed to represent, and we got Guillaume Latendresse (remember him? .... he was supposed to be the guy that Galchenyuk is now ... sheyah ... I know. You don't remember because it's all something we're trying to forget) and the Sens, who haven't beaten us in the past nine (can that be right?) games. It's true - unless you don't count overtime losses. Then yeah ... they've beaten us. Three times. But still! We've got Ottawa's number, and tonight, we be gunnin' for our fifth straight honest-to-gawd victory. The world's gone crazy, I tells ya.
Anyway, Latendresse has been pretty awful so far, but the Sens do feature the mighty Craig Anderson, who's never won a thing in his life, but is being hailed as this year's sure-bet Vezina winner, just like he was in 2008!
Soooo ... yeah. Anderson has a bit of a history being a little quick out of the gate, followed by a slow fade. Maybe that fade could get started tonight, ya?
So what else is going on. How could I forget? TSN via the Canadian Press, had a nifty little piece yesterday that somehow qualified as an article, stating that P.K. was getting the cold shoulder from his teammates. Looks like somebody from the CP was hoping to stir the pot with a little vigor. Keep working at it guys! Get them pesky Habs off their game and hope that this is finally the year where Leafs fans have a game to watch past the second week of April. It's gonna happen one of these years guys, don't worry.
Say. I'll bet you're wondering how Scott Gomez, with that spakin' new HUGE contract he signed with the Sharks, is doing, right? I know it's the last question I ask each night and the first thing I think about when I wake up. HOW IS SCOTT DOING?!?
Scott is doing just fine! Okay, so he hasn't scored a goal yet. But ... but ... BUT ... he has an assist! And even more importantly, he's found himself a valuable role for his team. So awesome. Seven hundred thousand dollars a year to sit in a box for somebody else. That. Is. Sweet. YOU GO SCOTT.
Peter Budaj will start in goal tonight for the Habs. Enjoy it Peter, 'cause it's probably only gonna happen five more times the rest of this season.
First Period:
- White went right for Zach Smith, right after Armstrong leveled him. Obviously there's some history between settled.
- As usual, a pretty big segment of the crowd in Ottawa are Habs fans. I'd estimate at least 1/4 (the tickets are more affordable, why not drive the two hour distance?).
- Phillips protesting a pretty clear-cut interference against Cole.
- Well that didn't take long. Pleks scores and Markov, who did a fine job carrying the puck towards the Sens net, just keeps piling up the points. 1-0 Habs.
- Prust and Neil square off in a fight that just wouldn't quit. Gonna be a fun game.
- Budaj gives up juicy rebound from high point shot, and O'Brien tucks the puck past his left skate. Hope you bet over for this one, 'cause I got the feeling there's plenty more to come.
- If not for Desharnais hustling back to cover the slot, O'Brien probably scores his second of the period.
- Budaj kinda just really stole one from Alfredsson there. Habs defense soft and sloppy more than once in the period.
- Emelin has been one of the big unsung contributors to the Canadiens' early season success, but he does tend to struggle adjusting to speedy puck carriers.
- Sens really taking some silly penalties here, Chris Neil, for the 5,000th time, not thinking before he acts.
- Chris Phillips a careless stick to Markov's skate. Take a time Therrien, get your very best out for the 5-3.
- Therrien not listening, Habs 5-3 advantage peters harmlessly away.
- Not wanting to state the obvious, having Subban in the lineup for 2nd line PP unit would be huge benefit. PP definitely not the same when Markov not on the ice.
- Ottawa most definitely toughest opposition Habs have had this year, but Canadiens are holding their own very well. Very close period, fully expect the final to be one goal margin.
Second Period:
- Artstrong doesn't possess much of a shot, probably should have passed off on a clear-cut 2-on-1.
- Desharnais trying to find the sniper in his former self. Still searching.
- Gotta say Budaj doing everything and more for a sparingly played 2nd stringer.
- Ryan White's penalty probably just saved a goal. Weird play there. Oops, never mind, Sens score immediately off the draw. 2-1. White stays in the box.
- This Ottawa powerplay is kinda firing on all cylinders. Habs simply can't find an answer.
- Yup. And there's another. And it's 3-1. And Budaj crashing back to earth.
- Habs have been picking up way too many unsportsmanlike penalties. Roster could do with some anger management sessions.
- Price may play yet. Ottawa now making this a blowout. Habs defense not sure which way to turn. 4-1.
- I think it's safe to say at this point P.K. will be in the lineup Saturday afternoon.
- Therrien really mixing the lines up, trying to get Eller going, trying to get something going.
- Habs started getting their act together last 3 minutes of the 2nd. Otherwise I think we can easily qualify that 20 minutes as a disaster. Can't win 'em all.
Third Period:
- Since this game is pretty much decided, we turn our thoughts to who sits on Saturday. Kaberle? Boullion? Or does Therrien go with seven D, and Eller sits in the pressbox?
- Anderson on Gallagher. Just not happening for the Habs tonight.
- At the very least, Cole has come out of his shell tonight. Playing like a madman right now.
- Prust two glorious chances this period, Anderson finding a way to keep it out.
- At some point, Anderson will return to earth. Tonight was not that night.
- Budaj doesn't quite have the same lateral movement as Price. Okay, it's not even close.
- A game to forget. Habs had their moments, but Anderson was pretty much perfect. Defense was way too soft in the crease, and Eller had yet another forgettable outing - he's struggling badly. Canadiens can provide their response, with Price in net and quite possibly Subban at the line, on Saturday afternoon.
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