Game Thirty-Nine: Caps vs. Habs

First Period:

- Lots of buzz in the Bell Centre tonight. This game has suddenly become one of the hottest tickets of the season.

- Bad news comes early. Chris Lee tonight. Sorry Habs fans.

- World class saves by Price out of the gate. Caps' offense looks really good.

- The Bouillon-Beaulieu combo is making me mighty nervous. Caps trying to get Ovechkin out there when they're on.

- Pretty sure the word "quit" is not part of Gallagher's vocabulary.

- First five minutes was all Caps. Since then it's been mostly Habs. Working the puck out of the D zone with relative ease.

- Caps seem to be taking the "E" word to heart tonight.

- Eller opens the scoring, Caps offense way too flippant and fancy on the rush, and took way too much time hustling back to cover their man. Eller was all alone.

- Ovechkin gets called for a slash as time expires.

- Price with one of his best periods of the season, Caps had many fine chances. Big picture though, Habs were miles ahead on the fundamentals, especially transitioning out of their zone. For the most part, Canadiens did a very good job containing #8, who appeared more interested in hovering around centre ice for a break pass. Ovie wanting it all himself, I guess.


Second Period:

- Excellent first powerplay, should generate some additional momentum.

- Once again the Eller line is setting the tone for the game. They're the 3rd line but they're playing like the 1st.

- Since Caps went up 9-0 in shot total to start the game, it's been 15-3 Habs.

- Was at Jets game when Bell Centre scoreboard was hit. Just happened again. I swear it's not me.

- Ovechkin. You just know Price wants that back. Simply whiffed on what looked like a harmless wrister.

- Caps with all the mo now. Habs not moving their feet in their zone.

- And there it is. 2-1. Game turned on its head just like that.

- Pushback by Habs here. Lots of buzz around Caps net.

- Credit where credit due, Neuvirth has been very solid.

- Odd duck period, Habs were arguably the better team except for 1:46 when the Caps potted two iffy goals off a mysteriously and suddenly shakey Carey Price. Now the Habs enter some pretty unfamiliar territory. Trailing on the scoreboard after 40 minutes.


Third Period:

- Habs have one hit tonight from their defense. One. In 40 minutes. Alexei Emelin, where are you?

- If nobody else will bother maybe Tinordi is due a chance. At the very least you know he's good for a bodycheck or four.

- While we're at it should also mention Habs defense guilty of lobbing far too many long passes that have no chance of being received, many resulting in turnovers and quality chances for the Caps.

- Caps forwards have been ALL over Subban tonight, barely giving him room to breath and absolutely no lanes to shoot. Kudos there.

- At least Price couldn't see that shot. Not much consolation. 3-1.

- Habs have got nothin going here. Absolutely nothin.

- Chris Lee will require his usual escort out of the building. Just brutal.

- Caps have had a stick or a leg in front of anything resembling a dangerous shot or pass this period. Frustrating.

- Eller! We might do this yet.

- Frantic finish. Not sure how that puck didn't go in, but it didn't.

Pregame Game Preview

Bonjour! It's yet another night of live blogging from the Bell Centre, the seats at centre ice (yay) and the opposition none other than the very hot Washington Capitals and the even hotter Alex Ovechkin. This one won't be easy.

Just how hot are both the Caps and their captain? Well, last time we faced Washington they were firmly in control over 15th and last place in the Eastern Conference. Mr. Ovechkin was getting plenty of criticism not only for his lack of offensive production, but his lacklustre on ice effort. Some were speculating that the Caps would be scraping their season and dangling out Ovechkin for picks and prospects.

Fast forward a few weeks and the Caps suddenly find themselves in 3rd place in the East, granted that being a benefit from playing in the terrible South East Division, where there's an outside possibility that this year's division winner might end up with fewer points than the Conferences' 9th place finisher.

Still, Ovie has been on fire - scoring 15 goals the past 11 games, for a grand total of 25 for the season, tying him for the League lead. That ain't bad, turnaround-wise.

So tonight, keep number 8 under wraps, and you've got a good shot at victory. The Habs will almost certainly look to their number one centre, Thomas Plekanec, do to most of the Ovie shadowing, although keep an eye on Rene Bourque, who's making his return tonight after many weeks missed from concussion. Bourque will play on the Habs 4th line, so don't be surprised to see Michel Therrien send Rene out for a few shifts to cover Ovechkin in order to free Plekanec up for some powerplay shifts.

By now you've heard about the season-ending injury to Alexei Emelin, which is a very significant blow to the Habs physicality on its blue line, PLUS it means the Habs will have to lean more heavily on Frankie Bouillon, who to be frank, has been terrible the past three weeks, and now finds himself slotted as the #4 defenseman in a League where he ought be no higher than #6. What can ya do??

Carey Price will start tonight, while Michal Neuvirth, who's been pretty iffy this season, gets the nod for the Caps.

Game Seventy-Nine: Habs v Caps

Four to go. Nearly there. The finish line in sight and then we can take six months off and pretend none of this happened.

So we lost last night. Great!! The Oilers ... lost. Sheesh. Com'on Edmonton. This sucking is kind of hard to do. We might actually win one of the last four so WIN A GAME already.

Carey Price will start tonight. Or maybe not. It doesn't really matter.

First Period:

- Budaj actually gets the start.

- St-Denis having mobility issues, gets called for the trip.

- PK looked pretty solid, but then Campoli/St-Denis come on and leave Budaj high and dry. Caps strike early.

- I think it's fair game to reexamine Budaj's future in the off season. As a backup, he's performed alright. The question for debate is whether he fulfills the role of pushing Price in his performances - I think it fair to say that Budaj isn't and hasn't fulfilled that role.

- Habs offense has been as close to zero as humanly possible. Plekanec has been feisty this period, but is saddled with wingers utterly incapable of scoring.

- The old Ovechkin would have easily converted on those chances. Today's Ovechkin ... well ....

- It's a sure sign that something's gone terribly wrong when a 3-on-1 is surrendered and Pacioretty is the one guy back. Markov in dreamland. The collective quality of this team's play ... horrendous. Caps now lead by two. I sense a blowout on the way.

- Habs get a PP. Will they also get one scoring chance in the period?

- Plekanec with a reasonably challenging shot on goal. So that's one.

- Hah. How'd that get in? Cole with his 32nd. Habs play one of their worst periods all season and yet find themselves on the scoreboard and just a goal down.

Second Period:

- When Markov is QBing the PP this team is vastly more effective and efficient gaining the opposition zone. It's a skill that Kaberle was incapable of executing and Subban has yet to learn.

- Um ... uh oh? During the time out Markov stepped on the ice to do a few strides - definitely seemed to be favoring his leg.

- That noted, Habs management would be crazy to allow Markov to participate in the upcoming Worlds. They retain the right to forbid him from doing so.

- Desharnais hammering himself for not putting that puck in off Cole's shot. Game really should have been tied.

- The past four or five games the only Habs line that's produced scoring chances is the Desharnais/Cole/Pacioretty combo. Nothing else has been working.

- Habs with a good bounce-back period going. This game could have easily spun out of control into a blowout. But they've held tight, provided Budaj with some excellent protection, and given Neuvirth a few challenging tries.

- Eller very pretty setup to Geoffrion in front of Neuvirth, but he can't convert.

- Plekanec's feisty night finally pays off. Since Bourque and Blunden are totally incapable, Pleks does a solo rush and finishes with a tricky sharp angle shot that eludes Neuvirth. Tie game (deservedly).

- Haven't seen Markov since his little hurt skate. That ain't good.

- Really solid frame for Montreal, while Washington even with Backstrom's return, has looked really listless since taking a 2-0 lead. The Caps *have* to win tonight, which makes their disappearing act all the more mystifying. Sets up a compelling third period.

Third Period:

- Markov did have one more shift late in the second (during the Plekanec goal) a 40 second shift.

- Habs continue to push into the third. The Caps are really playing with fire. No way Montreal should even be competing for a win tonight.

- Ovechkin just watched Eller pass him by along the boards. Infuriating if you're a Caps fan.

- Pretty dismal PP for Washington, scattering of boos reigning down.

- Great save by Budaj on Ovechkin.

- Silly tripping call on Plekanec who was merely going through a motion of pulling the puck back from the drop.

- Caps PP tonight strongly resembling what ours has looked like all season - really bad.

- Fine effort by Cole draws a tripping call, and Habs go on the PP, oh-for-three so far.

- Pacioretty's wheelhouse slapper leaves much to be desired.

- How'd Bourque not get called for a slash? His stick breaking in two as he made a lazy slash check.

- Wow. Budaj in the wilderness close to the neutral zone than his own crease. Really got away with that one.

- Eller and Geoffrion with some nice chemistry tonight. Wonder if there's maybe some future potential there.

- Great block by St-Denis who has like his team, has bounced back nicely after a rough first period.

- Caps desperate to end this before regulation.

- Not to be. Habs earn a gritty point tonight, and depending on OT, possibly two.

Overtime:

This is the Habs' 22nd game this season where extra time was required. Crazy. Only 7 have resulted in gaining an extra point. There's your playoff spot right there.

Overtime:

- Campoli easily follows and then strips Ovechkin of the puck. That's how far he's fallen.

- What a great 125 foot pass from Markov right on the tape of a wide open Desharnais, who fails to do anything.

- Bourque with another open net missed to add to his large collection.

- Pacioretty looked like Gretzky there maneuvering around the Caps defense and setting up Eller who couldn't tip it home. So many great individual efforts wasted.

- And to shootout once more. 16th time this season. Caps desperately need this extra point to stay ahead of the
Sabres.

Shootout

- Hendricks will shoot first. Will he try his funky fake? Now's a good a time as ever.

- Yup. He does. And Budaj is frozen solid.

- Ovechkin almost lost the puck on that attempt.

- This just in: Habs are terrible in the shootout.

Game Sixty-Two: Habs v Caps

Happy game day!! Did you know if the draft were held today, we'd probably pick 3rd overall! Isn't that great? It's been an incredible season in Montreal. Even when we lose, we win. Everyone happy!

Well, I guess not everyone's happy. The Caps' Roman Hamrlik has a sad :o( ... poor Roman got benched by the League's craziest temporary coach Dale Hunter for taking a questionable penalty last week (relatively meaningless as the Caps were already well headed towards ANOTHER loss), and in response, the Hammer kinda threw his supervisor under the team bus.

OH ROMAN. A few months ago you probably thought you'd just signed yourself up for a sure-fire Stanley Cup ring, didn't you?

I just LOVE that page. Let's link it again, shall we?

ANDREI MARKOV GETTING CLOSE: So right now I'm watching the Habs do their morning skate in Washington, and guess who I see out there practicing with the boys? One Andrei Markov.

Markov was doing some pretty intense stops and starts, so that's a pretty good sign that he's ... getting ... close to a return?

TRADE SPECULATIONS: So the latest banter around the "insiders" is that the Habs have made significant inquiries about the Jackets' centre Derick Brassard. He'd fit the bill - local boy from Hull done good. Get that francophone quota up to an "acceptable" level. If you're going to be a losing team in Montreal, at least be a losing team with plenty of french speaking players! Then it doesn't matter, see?

But yeah ... if you're thinking Brassard is the heir apparent to Martin St. Louis ... welll ... er ... that's not likely.

But it's worth asking, I guess. Not sure what the Jackets are demanding or how difficult they are at the negotiating table (although they DID get fleeced yesterday by the Kings in the Carter trade ... so ... maybe?)

- Habs just wrapping up their morning skate - Markov was the 5th last guy to leave the ice, did some intense stretching at the bench just before exiting to the dressing room.

First Period:

- So Ovi returns tonight, which two years ago would have struck fear into the hearts of most Habs fans. How tines have changed.

- So Kostitsyn gets a "promotion" to the Plekanec line. Whether it's Cunneyworth's attempt to get him scoring, or the organization's attempt to showcase his abilities is anyone's guess.

- Um, yeah, Rene - you can't bodycheck the other guy's goaltender.

- Diaz lucky to not get an interference call on that Caps PP rush.

- Even with Gill's departure the Habs PK still looks very good.

- Caps' forwards making many attempts to carry the puck to the slot, Habs defense so far having little trouble swatting them away.

- Price with outstanding lateral motion keeping Washington off the scoreboard.

- Kaberle. Just. So. Ridiculously. Soft. In front of his net. Easy goal for Perreault. 1-0 Washington.

- Even if Kaberle were making no more than $1M a year, the Habs still probably wouldn't find a taker. He's our next "Gomez" as far as problems are concerned.

- Kostitsyn-related news: Just announced that Hemsky has resigned with Edmonton, which takes another potential forward off the trade market.

- Hemsky gets $5 million per, which is kind of crazy high. Can't blame him for grabbing that offer.

- Subban made the commitment to block that rush. If he misses, it's a 3-0 break for the Caps.

- Quite maddening to watch this team's offense flail around like a carp in a boat against a mediocre team like the Caps. How to explain it?

- Emelin's checks are fearsome. His shots ... not so much.

- Subban with an interception at his line, turns puck up ice and would have been part of a 3 on 2 break if he didn't peel away and retreat.

- Laugh or cry? It's now 235+ minutes and counting since Habs have scored on Washington.


Second Period:

- An NHL forward of average skill and ability would have easily put that puck in the back of that open net. Scott Gomez on the other hand ...

- Emelin called for a trip. The reply clearly shows he merely made body contact on Ovechkin. Bad call.

- Price with some superb goaltending on this Caps PP.

- Most of the play on Habs half of the ice. Second Caps goal seems inevitable.

- Shots are 4-4 in the period? The shot keeper must be dozing off.

- Eller with a bad giveaway, Emelin and Diaz completely asleep at the line, and the Caps Chimera scores.

- And now Ovechkin. Habs, all of them, standing around. Price with a total reaction of disgust. For good reason. He kept his team in this game and nobody responded.

- Unacceptable turn of events here. First the errors that lead to Chimera's goal - that kind of thing happens, but the response, which was a total team meltdown - simply not acceptable. Cunneyworth must start benching.

- White having maybe one of worst NHL games ever, -3 tonight. Also, Eller -2, Emelin -2, Gomez -2.

- Cole called for a pick. Looked incidental, but at this point, doesn't really matter.

- Habs chances of drafting as high as second overall taking a major step forward tonight.

- Kostitsyn with Desharnais and Pacioretty. Doubt that'll do much to light a fire.

- Over/under on Habs scoring ... I mean, actually scoring once on the Caps? I'm taking under.

Third Period:

- What is there to say, really? Game was over at 3-0. Actually 2-0. Habs did manage to score one goal (yay?) while shorthanded no less (I swear this team is more dangerous a man down than it is a man up) but otherwise Caps shot down an incompetent team. Fish in a barrel.

As stated before, team takes major step towards clinching #2 pick in the draft. 

Game Fifty-Two: Caps v. Habs

Anyone wanna talk about last night? Yeah, me either. It was the usual pattern, start fast, build a lead, and watch it just fade away. With 31 games left, and 11 points out of 8th, I think it's pretty safe to call this season a wash. So let the fire sale begin!!

Actually, no ... let's not. At least in the sense of just dumping anything that will move, because this organization has a pretty good core of players. But let's at least take a look at moving a few commodities that really don't have much of a future in Montreal beyond the end of this season. Campoli, Gill are two obvious candidates. Moen and Kostitsyn as well, although I think there's much merit in retaining both for next season and beyond (especially Kostitsyn). Of course in dream land, we'd be able to figure out what to do with Gomez (we won't, we can't), and Kaberle, after starting out nicely, has pretty much fallen back into the abyss, so that little trade didn't pan out. I doubt, though, anybody would be remotely interested. So we're stuck with 'em.

We're really in next year mode, I'm afraid. It sucks, but this team, which had MORE than enough talent to easily claim a playoff spot, and even challenge for the Division, is now seriously tinkering with last place, period. You can't define a season like this as anything other than disastrous.

ANDREI MARKOV IS ALIVE: Basu snapped this pic of Markov skating (apparently much more) in Brossard this morning. Is it possible he'll be return before the Easter bunny arrives?

Or ... with this season now pretty much over, do the Habs really play the safe cards and wait until next fall before putting him back into commission?

UPDATE: Markov just finished his skate. It wasn't any longer than last time. 20 minutes. He's still miles away from game shape.

- Habs announced that Budaj will start Saturday afternoon against the Caps. Price, I assume, will start Sunday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT LAST NIGHT OR TODAY: PK's hit on Larsson last night. It's a beaut, eh?

DIRTY HIT UPDATE: The hit by Elias on Blunden last night (which will probably keep the later out of the lineup for the two games this weekend) didn't go unnoticed by the League, who brought the hammer down via a fine of $2,500, or about what Elias gets paid per shift. That'll really show 'em.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT GOMEZ UPDATE!!!!

Oh gawd. Really? Yup. Really.

If Cunneyworth had some semblance of humanity, he'd have Scott a healthy scratch today.

First Period:

- Campoli in, Weber out. Hopefully to showcase the former.

- The national anthems. My ears. They bleed.

- And that's why Budaj is the backup. A knuckleball, but still should have been stopped. Sinking feeling already started.

- Goals like that are moral killers, especially for a team as fragile as the Habs. Must respond quickly or this game could spin out of control quickly.

- A few cheers (jeers) as Gomez touches the puck. There was no song sung at 11:11.

- Maybe Budaj was a bit dazed from the anthems. I know I'm still in recovery mode.

- Habs trying to work the cycle, but Caps defense having little difficulty breaking it up.

- Linesman missed that offside, not that it matters much.

- Did I just see Kaberle attempt a shot on net?? It nearly deflected in.

- Not sure if it's because this is an afternoon game, but the crowd is really quiet.

- First impressions today, Caps are imminently mediocre, like so many others in the East. Makes it all the more frustrating that the Habs aren't competing for a playoff spot, there were so many games that could have been won, should have been won, against teams like Washington.

- Still a bit more about this mediocrity, Ovechkin looks terrible, at least by the standards of the Ovechkin we used to know. He's not nearly as fast, not nearly as agile. He still throws the weight around pretty good, but he strikes no fear. He's just an average NHL forward.

- Terribly forgettable period. No real pace, no rhythm. Two not very good teams clashing to produce a nothing result. I think the anthem set the tone. Please, get this over with so we can all go home.

Second Period:

- Gomez just recorded a shot on goal. With a shot that could and would never beat an actual NHL goaltender. #didgomezscoreyet

- The Caps were, remarkably, the Stanley Cup pick by The Hockey News before the start of the season. There's no way that's gonna happen. Not with this team the way they play.

- Carlson at 9:24 is currently the ice time leader for the Caps. Two years ago, that wouldn't have been possible.

- Eller/Darche/Gomez. That line has no chance. I mean, zero.

- Has Vokoun faced a single shot today that was even moderately difficult? I don't think he has. This is horrible.

- Vokoun just got tested, by Desharnais, who held on to the puck too long trying to go around the Caps netminder. Just shoot the puck, guys. Just shoot the puck.

- So penalty shot was called for Budaj trowing his stick? Looked pretty clear that it slipped unintentionally out of his hand. Oh well. It didn't matter.

- Habs just got their second scoring chance ... of the game. Six minutes left in the 2nd.

- Cole sets up Pacioretty with picture perfect cross ice pass, and he redirects it two feet wide. Pacioretty simply has to convert on those.

- Fans booing now. Mainly out of boredom, I suspect. At least the Habs are going to the powerplay. Now everyone can go to sleep.

- Habs have zero confidence. It's written all over this PP.

- Gomez sent out on PP. Crowd erupts with huge cheer.

- That was awful. The PP is a total disaster. The passing patterns were all mixed up.

- A lot of organizations would look at that 2 minute debacle, and immediately fire the coaches behind the bench. Problem is, we've tried that already.

- 20 minutes to go. It can't happen fast enough. The hockey on display today is a disgrace to the game. It really is that bad.

Third Period:

- Little push here by the Habs, but Caps are doing a pretty good job protecting their crease. Sensing a momentum shift, Washington calls for time (a strategy rarely if ever used by Cunneyworth the countless times the Habs were protecting a third period lead, by the way).

- Good number of shots on Vokoun coming from low percentage scoring spots. In other words, the Habs push is going nowhere.

- Budaj has trouble controlling the puck, Habs defense breaks down, forwards are standing around, and Hendricks scores an easy one. Total team effort by the Canadiens in giving up that goal. People already headed to the exits. Take me with you??

- The Bell Centre would make an excellent funeral home right about now. Hardly a sound to be heard. Maybe this is a good time to bury the season?

- There is 12 minutes left, but we already know there is no way the Habs will recover. That's a pretty sad, but true statement.

- Habs star of the game? Um. I'm stumped.

- Not to take anything away from Vokoun, but I'm pretty sure the game score wouldn't be much different if I was in goal for the Caps. Tough saves today: Zero.

- Subban gives a few fans something to cheer about with a check on Hendricks.

- Another wretched breakdown, Kaberle gives Semin a penalty shot and the Caps a 3-0 lead. Kaberle ... where to start? He's fallen back into the abyss.

- Very embarrassing game today if you're a Habs fan. I mean, really, really embarrassing.

- Is it too late to ask for Spacek back?

- See you again tomorrow!! It couldn't possibly be any worse than what we saw today, right?

Right?