Habs 4, Devils 3 (SO): Try again

This is our backup goalie, guys.

Cory Schneider might have to sacrifice a goat or two to get this New Jersey shootout thing down right.

- Honestly I have no idea how to recap this game.
- I mean, after Gionta's "fuck you Jersey" goal, Habs played like idiots.
- And it was dull. And it was BORING. Coking my pasta was more interesting and exciting.
- Prust uppercut Janssen. And we all nodded in approval.
- And suddenly, the third period was full of goals!
- Obligatory Ryder goal.
- If Ryder played the way he does against the Canadiens when he played for the Canadiens, he might still be one.
- The Devils thought they had this. Lars Eller laughed.
- Then the TSN WORST PLAY IN THE SPORTS UNIVERSE FOR TODAY (really) by PK Subban turning over the puck for Elias to score happened.
- I blamed the ice. Which probably is likely. Guys were falling all over themselves.
- Hey Team Canada, yea PK turned the puck over for that goal, but Therrien put him right back out there because the Habs needed a goal to tie it back up and WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT like more often than not, they did with his help.
- Remember those long Gionta bombs from the point that never used to work? Well it worked.
- I repeat: IT'S NOT PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE FOR DESHARNAIS TO HIGH STICK A PUCK IN.
- If PK was this excited about tying a December game in New Jersey, imagine if these guys ever win the Cup?
- So why didn't Lars Eller not take more shootouts?
- Desharnais. Shootout. Cory Schneider tears.

Happy Birthday Habs!

Habs have the best record in the East over the last 10 games and are 2nd best in the NHL (Sharks are first). When Therrien said they want to coach the best team in the East, he wasn't kidding eh? Of course it helps he finally started doing things like what we were all screaming about. You know, by playing PK Subban more.

Hey look! Remember the Bruins? Yea those fuckwits are up tomorrow.

Habs 3, Wild 4: Coaching a loss

Hey coach. I know you like those fourth line guys and all, but not noticing the pattern pretty much cost you the game. They're on the ice, they get scored on. You benched them after the 2nd goal, then allowed them back out in the 3rd just as your team was rolling fine with 3 lines and boom, another goal against. That one was particularly terrible because of the terrible lack of attempt to backcheck on Parros' part and the statue-like attempt by Murray on the passer.

And then we get to watch Frankie Bubbles just stand around while the puck bounces to an open Pominville. C'est pathetique.

- Lars Eller, Alex Galchenyuk, and Brendan Gallagher are just so beautiful.
- With Markov and Subban, we're talking glorious.
- Too bad they can't play all game...
- NO ONE LIKES YOU POMINVILLE. POPULATION 1.
- Seriously fucking cherry picker.
- I can't wait for Briere to return so Leblanc can go back to Hamilton, SAID NO ONE EVER.
- Just look at him! You can't tell me this team is better with Briere.
- Though at this rate, maybe he can also just replace Desharnais...
- Bournival is also fantastic. All he missed was a goal tonight.
- PK goal? Big Karl on my TV!
- Seeing the dads all up in the stands watching their boys was just great. Too bad the coach had to fuck it all up.
- I have a suggestion: Play Douglas Murray at home, play Greg Pateryn on the road.
- Do it.
- JJD's stupid "fronting" defence is what happened on the winning goal. It was equally dumb because the puck could have just as easily bounced off Bubbles and in.
- What makes it worse is it was right after a killer shift by Markov showing WHY he should be a Hab for life. Even falling on his butt he still made an amazing play.
- The game needed more TV time of the dads. PapaPK, PapaGallagher, PapaGionta, and PapaBournival got some TV though.
- Let's go Wi~ld!
- Dudes, your team's name is one syllable. What is that chant?
- PK protecting that empty net because he's such a defensive liability guys!

Josh Harding is probably the best story in hockey. That said the Habs deserved better tonight. If not for their own inept coaching decisions, they probably would have taken this game. And tomorrow it's off to Denver to dance dizzying with Patrick Roy. I hear Pacioretty might be back. I'm also taking my family out for dinner. Thinking I'll enjoy that way more...

Habs 3, Bolts 2: Hey ugly

It really didn't have to be that difficult. Honestly. But why Galchenyuk gets a pitiful 8 minutes of ice time despite being on fucking fire I have no idea. And wouldn't you know it? Remove Patches from Desharnais and put him with Pleky and he still produces! SHOCKING.

Except for that powerplay. Holy face of palming, coaching staff. The Lightning were literally giving you this game, and you throw out the same unproducing lines you broke up? Does that make any sense? It was a miracle Gionta managed to get that goal with 40-something seconds left in the 3rd. On the 6th powerplay attempt.

Never mind how many breakaways they allowed Stamkos have while on the powerplay.

And the D-zone is still a rather wonky. Whenever Frankie Bou--who I will forever call Bubbles from now on--was just atrocious. And yet, he was out there every time I looked. Price was throwing up the flippers and doing everything possible to keep the puck out and there's Bubbles getting outworked by Pouliot of all people, made worse by watching Markov not cover Lecavalier for his goal. Yep. Markov was equally brutal. You can even fancy it up to brütal.

Other guys who needed this:
- Gionta with the two goals, including the winner.
- Weber smells playoffs. He always plays good in those.
- Price de Nice.
- Price's goalposts responded well to the beating he gave them in yesterday's game.
- Gallager/Eller/Galchenyuk were doing their job but now got to play together. Keep them like this please? Better yet, give them more ice time and powerplay time?

The empty net is still a mystery. What a fucker.

Habs 5, Panthers 1+1: We like Florida

Woah woah tabernac. 

No contest.

Florida sweep.
- Watching how the Habs started the game, didn't look like they played last night. Then again, the travel from Tampa to Sunrise isn't much. So long as you stay on the road.
- Ryan White draws a penalty by taking a page out of what Steve Ott did to him. Except Ryan White wasn't being a dick and didn't deserve to get attacked by a Yonkman for a clean hit.
- DD practicing his golf swing on Markstrom. Hole in one.
- Markstrom probably having cold sweat flashbacks of his days in Rochester when the Americans were the farm team for the Panthers, and the Bulldogs typically ate him alive.
- Remind me again why Hoobadoo should get the Calder, RDS? Whobadoo?
- I'm just wondering but does that Calder trophy always go to a high-ish scoring rookie on a shit last place team or is it the "We're Sorry You Play For Edmonton" trophy?
- Ryder went from playmaker to tip-in-point-shot-dude. Next he'll throw in some wristers. Moving up.
- That big save on Armstrong wasn't as exciting as it the play-by-play guys made it.
- Captain takes an elbow in the face, rubs it off on the bench, replies with a goal soon after. Terrible Florida defence.
- You know, I think Price's cousin Keaton Ellerby is the happiest Panther ever because they traded him to the Kings.
- Frankie Bou gets paid by the icing.
- Hey he scored a goal!
- And another, for the Panthers. This time he actually shot it behind Budaj instead of just a bad lazy tip.
- Emelin couldn't stop laughing.
- PK Subban has 18 points in 20 games. Tied for 3rd in the League, with less games. Probably won't get talked about for the Norris because he actually plays defence. Oh and he's PK Subban. HATERS.
- OK Panthers, we spot you a goal and a half. Now go home.
- Ryder's 2nd of the game brought to you by PK Subban's wrister from the point. Hey, he doesn't just bomb them. His wrister is just as deadly.
- I hear Mathieu Darche is attempting to inject some respect and reasonable commentary by, you know, actually knowing the Habs on L'Antichambre. Good luck, but you might want to take a job with the NHLPA. You're too intelligent for those mouthbreathers.

Are you sure you want to join the Northeast, Panthers...?

Habs 4, Rags 0: The Devils you know

If only Scott Gomez could play like this more consistently than not, we'd all be totally cool with that. Maybe someone just has to hypnotize him that every team he's going out against is the Rangers?

It was Win One For Eddy night. Eddy... Eddy... Eddy...


Good day for Canadian teams (terrible day for my Blackhawks)
- Back to back shutouts for Carey Price, despite CBC's best efforts to seriously sabotage this by yelling SHUTOUT every five seconds in the third period. He only made 17 saves but if he doesn't get over fast enough to stop Gaborik sneaking in backdoor early in the first, this game is probably a little different. And the less pucks he's stopping means the more pucks he's moving. Could have gotten another assist but Pleky's shot was blocked.
- Habs blocked as many shots as he saved to match.
- Stop calling McDonagh "Brian Leetch" because he's not. Really.
- I love it when Pleky scores a powerplay goal but that just means he'll be stuck on the point more. Until Markov comes back, anyway.
- Kids were well prepared tonight again. And I'm so proud of Steady Freddy with how well he's playing. This is a guy who said that he really enjoys bus rides in the AHL because they're fun.
- Holding the Rangers to 10 shots for about 40 minutes, keeping players to the perimeter, getting in lanes, and keeping the puck on the other side of the rink does wonders eh?
- Diaz interview on HNIC. I half expect him to start yelling "Toblerone was 3D FIRST!"
- Been a while since we heard the ol' "Biiiiiroooooooon" jeer.
- Sure Gionta's first goal was hilariously weak, but he did break one of Biron's goalie pads.
- If you think you can outsmart the refs by waiting to touch an iced puck by allowing the penalty to expire, think again.
- Nokie doesn't appreciate you trying to kill him, Deveaux.
- Erik Cole laughs at your free-agency predictions. And what a great heads up pass by Weber.
- I love goals in stereo. Gionta's second goal broke their spirit. And that's the Gomez we want to see.

I don't care how many goals Gomez doesn't have. He was never a goal scorer so I'm not sure why people expect this. He is, however, shooting more. But his game is getting the puck, finding the open man, and making that quick pass. The onus really is on his linemates to put the puck in the net. So long as he's doing this, so long as he's skating and forechecking the way he was doing last night, we'll be happy. When he plays like crap and turns over the puck every drive, that's when I'm fed up with him.

Hey man, did you see Gaborik play tonight? Yea I didn't really either.

Gaborik sighs: "Do I really have to backcheck? There's four of them..."

Habs 3, Coyotes 2 (OT): Once the dust settled...

Talk about giving us the scare of the year there.

Already down Gomez, Kostitsyn, and Cammalleri, when Pleky tumbles awkwardly into the boards knee first.

As he's dragged off the ice, I bid adieu to the season that was sucking anyway and started picturing how Grigorenko would look with the Habs, considering the BJs definitely have a lock on Yakupov and we could use a big skilled center. Strange thing happened though... Habs went all out on Mike Smith in the first period even though they were down 1-0 and lost their number 1 center. It took his injury to show how effective the powerplay could be if Pleky wasn't on the point of it. And they left that period with 17 shots to Phoenix's 7.

Then Pleky came back, and all of Montreal could breathe again. They got outshot 17-10 in the 2nd, but ended up ahead 2-1. Pleky was out there for both Habs goals. Gionta's quick steal pounced on a sleeping Mike Smith after Pleky did some work behind the net, and Gionta's pass to a flying Moen ended with a pileup between him and Pleky in the crease. Totally robbed a game star from the homer pick of Raffi Torres who was a non-factor until he found a free puck in a pileup with a wide open net.

Of course their bizarre formation in the 3rd which was basically 9 guys walled up around Price while Yandle had a triple lifetime to shoot on net for a bobbling puck that ran into Torres and into the net nearly cost them the game. The Coyotes were aggressive while the Habs tried rope-a-dope. Yes, I was screaming at my tv, "CLEAR THE PUCK OUT OF THE ZONE AND GET THE FUCKING POINT!" I want a team that plays to win, thanks.

And warning to Diaz. Throwing the suplex will only get you benched by JMart. Un-fucking-real, coach. Emelin's ice time cut in the 3rd when they could have used him to dump guys like Torres from Price's face. I swear he gets benched more with every hit he throws...

OT has Jorje getting rocked by Yandle. Jorje didn't appreciate it much. But that's ok because Eller finally gets to play with Cole, sets up the puck, and Jorje blasts it through Smith. He swears. We cheer. Two big ass desert points. An arena full of happy Habs fans (seriously). Price is now 5-0-0 against the Coyotes, which should make for interesting dinners with the Doans.

Hey look! Time for our annual "get shut out by the Nashville Predators" trip! Yea I'm trying the reverse-jinx, but honestly I'll be happy if they can score at least one goal against the Preds instead of going 4 years looking like they couldn't give a fuck to play against them...

In other news:
My parents found out that leaving a pack of 3 steaks in a shopping bag on the floor isn't a very good idea. Especially when they forgot about the steaks in the bag on the floor. Let's just say they came back to find 2 steaks and a very happy puppy...

Habs 5, Avs 6 (SO): El tipico

Habs, you've got some 'splainin to do!
Ai-yai-yai-yai-yai!
Habs, what do you have to say for yourself?
And as I recall, it was till death do us part. That event is about to take place right now!!
Mira lo que este equipo ha hecho...
Mira lo que este equipo loco ha hecho...
Ai que barbaridad...

PK! Son! You have got to stop trying to do everything yourself. If there weren't so many injuries, you'd probably be up in the pressbox right now. This team needs you. This team can't play Gorges or Gill for 60 minutes. You're the most veteran young defenceman on the team right now. But mostly that horrendous want to go coast-to-coast while your team is changing and you're the last man out there, going through 4 guys, giving Stastny the opportunity to go on a breakaway... That stuff just can't happen right now. Neither can you seriously float through the defensive zone, ignoring the guy behind you. Especially if you claim to be #AlwaysOn.

PK unit! Guys! With Diaz dinged for a bullshit call (seriously, if you call that trip and don't call the one in OT on Eller, you got no business calling that a trip) you've got to get the puck out and away. It was a crucial kill, yet y'all acted like there was still 3 periods to play instead of 3 minutes. Lose the faceoff? Jump on the player/puck like Halpern did in his "kill time" faceoffs. Get down and dirty! There was just waaaay too much scrambling, waaaay too much running around, and no one covering the point shots. And yes, once again, everyone facing the wrong way.

Pricey...

"It was a roller coaster," Price said. "I thought the guys played well and deserved better. It was a tough one for me tonight, obviously, with five goals. I wish I would have played better but at least we got a point out of it. We can move forward with that, I guess."

Not really worried about him. He's basically got a lot to take care off with the defense being the way it is. People making Luongo jokes need to get a clue. He's not sprawled helpless on the ground every fucking time like LOLongo, who's playing behind a much better more experience team and HAS to be better than what he's shown not just this year but previous years. If Luongo played for the Habs, they wouldn't have any wins this season so far. Actually he'd probably have had a nervous breakdown years ago and would have been traded elsewhere for his own sanity.

As for the shootout? Well, frankly, do what you gotta do in OT. Going to a shootout with Colorado is like praying for 6 numbers that count. Especially when JMart puts Pleky out first while Gio/Gomez are sitting there, watching. Especially when Colorado is full of shootout specialists.

Take the point and run. Though they did play better than what they showed against Calgary, it wasn't by much. Nevertheless, loved little DD jumping into Patches' arms after he scored that goal. Peanut butter and Nutella. That's what those two are, assisting on each others' goals. Also the powerplay looked a lot better. Ironic that Pleky, now removed from the point, scored from there with a wicked slapshot. Another great gritty goal for Moen. And Gionta's backhand goal was sick. Captain owes us some goals with all those he missed...

Good news! Apparently the live organ music has returned.

#OctoberProblems:
- John Tavares has the same amount of goals as the entire Rangers squad.
- He also has the same amount of goals as Winnipeg, who are still looking for their first win (0-3-0).
- MAB has more points/goals than Stamkos, St Louis, Lecavalier. RDS is pissed.
- RNH probably isn't going to play for Team Canada at the World Juniors.
- No one in Chicago can elevate the puck on Timmeh Thomas, causing Jack Edwards to explode on every routine save he makes.
- Don't let my dad watch hockey. Please. He's scaring the dog.
- Columbus is 0-4-1 and it ain't pretty.
- Toronto's planning the parade.

Game 6 - Habs 2, Bruins 1: Live to fight another day

Here we go!

They gave it a try and they won. Sure it wasn't without controversy. Habs were up 1-0 in the first with 2 goals if you know what I mean. Surprisingly enough it wasn't Chris Lee causing the problems. Much.

And now we barely have time to get our hearts back to normal speed. Breathing was overrated anyway.

A great, big, bushy beard: If Paul Mara doesn't own a plaid shirt jacket and a blue ox, someone needs to fix this.

The power of Kent Nagano compels you: Undefeated in playoff games. And the MSO is just so much better to hear than some warbly opera understudy.

Head and shoulders, knees and toes: Eller's arm looked to be ripped out of its socket. Like a ragdoll.

Then he came back to play.
Lars Eller is the Martin Riggs of Denmark.

It's not the glass, stupid: Dirty hit on Lucic from behind on Spacek game him 5 and a game. Spacek came back but left a bloody mess on the ice by the time keeper's box.

Speaking of headshots: It is physically impossible for Plekanec to hit Chara in the head so stop your bellyaching.

Accidentally on purpose: Cammy called it a safe play so as to not get the icing but ended up getting the Bruins a Too Many Men penalty. Most believe it was an "I'm sorry" note from the ref for blowing Gionta's first goal.

Know thy enemy: Price nodded and winked at Thomas as the two crossed paths for the 2nd intermission.

Cloud VS Claude: Bitching about penalties, again. No one forced Bergeron to throw the puck over the glass or trip Carey...

GORGES! PATCHES!
And...Pouliot's stuffing his face...

The thunder rolls: Hockey Gods were rumbling as the 3rd period started, lightning and all!

Lucky number 7: You worked hard to get here. You showed us your resilience. You even surprised us with your toughness. And more importantly you didn't roll over and take the easy way out. You brought it to Game 7. It either starts here or ends. The outcome depends on how badly you really want it, or how capable you are to take it. I said the Hockey Gods would howl and rumble for you and they did. I said your destiny depends on your effort and you definitely tried to win Game 6. You succeeded the first step, now finish it. And well see you in Washington, proud.

Cowboy UP!

Triple low-7

GYFH!

Game 1 - Habs 2, Bruins 0: And Bob Gainey smiled...

Piss on Gomez all you want my fine Habitant friends, but this is why he was brought here. Besides, he can't hear your complaints with his two Stanley Cup rings in his ears. Seeing him make Lucic look silly is worth the contract alone.

Legends unite: Knuckles is in town. He's still waiting for that PTO contract.

Anthem: Annakin Slayd wants you to STAND UP

Perfect pylon: Mr. Overrated, Tomas Kaberle. NOT worth the price Toronto asked.

BAMF: Ryan White hit everything and anything in yellow that moved and some that didn't move.

Rookie watch: Eller laughing as Thornton was chirping at him on the faceoff.

Still useless: Chicken Thursday.

Blood in the beard: The Wink from Carey with love to Brent Sopel for the shot blocking. Moen and Kostitsyn blocked the Chara Shot and lived, even played.

Leadership debate: Brian Gionta scored both goals in a 2-0 win and was a furious gnat in all three zones. Zdeno Chara lost his shit and tried to grind Plekanec into the ice with 2 minutes left in the game.

Lady luck: Kissing Thomas' ass. Plekanec could have had a hat trick if he didn't have a serious allergic reaction to wide open nets.

Mr. Zero: Third playoff shutout for Price, all against the Bruins, all big games. Could also be the graphical examples in a geometry book.

Claude vs Cloud: You did have guys in front of the net. The only difference was this time Habs weren't pussyfooting around and actually dumped them out of the way. THAT'S a hockey play.

New rally cry: COMPETENCE!

Beau Coif: Though a healthy scratch, Mara's beard came in full playoff form. If the Habs can go all the way, we'll have ZZ Top on D. And Price's hair might rival Tim Lincecum's.

Sports switch: The Gahden already getting set up for basketball.

Romanian gypsy curse: So far so good.

One down...

Habs 4, Leafs 1: HamsterPleky is out of hibernation and ready for the playoffs

I came home to a very happy and awake hamster who took a nice run around the "play area" in his ball (he likes to chase me) then a nice nap on my shoulder. Pleky was purring happily. He's such a sweet little rodent.

Highlights of the night in a meaningless game:
- Olé olé olé at the ACC.
- Gio was one goal short of 30. All he needed was a hat trick. All he got was two goals the slacker.
- PK couldn't tie the Guy Lapointe record but hey 14 goals by a rookie D in this League on THIS incarnation of the team is pretty fucking hard to do!
- Oh how I missed those Tomas Plekanec shorthanded breakaways. Suck it, Optimus Reim.
- Cammy one shy of 20 with a twice injured shoulder. Too bad. He had his chances but he just couldn't elevate the puck.
- RYAN WHITE SCORED A GOAL!
- RYAN WHITE HAD A FIGHT!
- Ryan White didn't have another Gordie Howe hat trick but RYAN WHITE DUMPED DION PHANEUF INTO THE BENCH. TEEHEE!
- Also White's head got lumpy and he couldn't put his helmet back on so he had to sit out for a bit. But he was having the time of his life in the penalty box with a giant bag of ice.
- Should have been the 3rd star instead of Kessel but someone was sucking Leafs on that pick.


- Kadri's a douche.
- I would switch Benoit Pouliot with Raphael Pouliot any day. At least he would have buried Kessel at center ice...
- Carey Price is full of win and awesome. At least he got his piece of Habs history. That's win 38 (that's FIRST in the League tied with Luongo who plays for the best team in the League) in his 72nd start! A first in Habs history since Ken Dryden...
- And no that puck didn't cross the line, it was right ON the line. Matrix save!
- Tee time for the Leafs and the Marlies. Bulldogs FIRST in their division even though the Habs have picked them clean of their top players.
- NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED THIS TIME!
- Win #600 for Jacques Martin. Price: "(...)We've all enjoyed playing behind Jacques and I think he's done a pretty bang up job." What say you, Laraque?
- Cry more, CBC.

Here's to one hell of a season, boys. I'll have my playoffs stuff up soonish. Bring on the Booins.

Habs 3, Bolts 2 (SO): Rrrrroll up those socks to win

"Well the Bulldogs played pretty good," giggled Price.

Pretty good was an understatement. The raw, troll-like skating of Aaron Palushaj with his wild hair poking out from under his helmet was quite the sight tonight. Think he was excited? Fact is, the kids were alright. The vets...could have been better. But considering Cammalleri's out there on one leg, hey give the guy a break. No, not a real break. Last thing we need is more broken bones.

Tonight, Habs/Bulldogs played their hearts out with 9 important top tier regulars out...and it almost all came crashing down thanks to Benoit Pouliot being a jerk. Lucky for him they got the win. Shitty thing is they gave up a point to a team they were trying to catch.

Guy Boucher refers to Carey Price as a "brick wall"
- Happy 1300th game for Roman Hamrlik! Now go out and play 30 minutes.
- AK46 is two goals away from 20. Suck it, haters.
- Gionta's shorthanded goal is the bazillionth allowed by the Tampa Bay Lightning this year. Baroo?
- Why even bother reviewing a goal when the goalie was first pushed over and into the net by Stamkos? Oh right, the rules don't apply to superstars.
- Unless you're Lecavalier, who lost his fucking mind and two-hand smacked Subban on the hip real hard with his stick. Got 10 and a game. Ciao, bai!
- We wanted Gomez to shoot more but not really kill Roloson......
- As they say: NIGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWES!
- Carey Price laughs at your spinorama, St Louis.
- Stamkos is o-for-7 in shootouts. Yes you read that right. No wonder Coach keeps using Adam Hall.
- None of the Canadiens shooters were over 6-feet tall.
- Teddy Purcell failed at the Linus Omark move.

Off to the Monosodium glutamate centre.

Habs 4, Booins 1: Beauty and the Beast

He's a beautiful boy. He's our baby power forward. When I see him I see Mike McPhee with a hint of Brian Skrudland in OT during the playoffs.

I'm a little out of sorts right now. Fact is, it takes a lot to make me cry and I was in tears. And when they had him in the stretcher and Carey Price put his hand on his arm, I lost it. I bawled.

All this on the very day Todd Bertuzzi ended Steve Moore's career. We've come a long way to go nowhere, NHL. Just like my dog when he chases his tail. It's never ending.

We should be talking about Lars Eller, who together with linemates Andrei Kostitsyn and Travis Moen have something like 17 points in 6 games. They were all over the Bruins every time they touched the ice. They were intense, quick, they beat them will skill and toughness. Eller was responsible for the 2 even strength goals in the first period.

We should be talking about Brian Gionta. The little captain who could has now scored a goal in every game against the Bruins this year. His powerplay goal in the 2nd made it 3-0 and started planting seeds of doubt into the Bruins.

We should be talking about James Wisniewski, who added another powerplay goal to make it 4-0 and completely crush the spirit of the Bears. Sure the cage is still getting in the way but he's still a better defenceman with the cage on than Bergeron will ever be.

We should be talking about the dominating effort by the Habs, who played the way they always play against this team when they win instead of that gong show last game. We should be talking about Scott Gomez, who played like he saw the Stanley Cup waiting for him around the corner. We should be talking about Ryan White, who stood up for Subban and introduced his fists to Boychuk's face. We should be talking about Carey Price's 32nd win of the season and the Habs' 5th in a row. We should be talking about the strong defence, or how Brent Sopel hasn't been in a loss yet. We should be talking about Paul Mara.

Instead we're left talking about the ugly side of this sport. We're talking about an extra shove with 15 seconds remaining in the 2nd period that left Kevin Weekes thoroughly disgusted on NHLNetwork for how unnecessary it all was. This while Blob McKenzie gathers tweets from his colleagues to prove a point that he thinks it wasn't dirty. Funny that, 'cause I'm sure you could easily gather a collection of quotes on how various serial killers were "nice guys" too.

Carey Price said it best, that there's no excuse, they all know where they are on the rink. Especially a veteran like Chara. The man must be an idiot. And to come out (well he was hiding on the bus, but the Boston PR guys told him to come out) and basically blame the victim was as classless as can be. But don't worry, Chara. Damien Cox is blaming THE RINK! That's like running over a guy with your car then getting out to yell at the guy for hitting your windshield.

I'm sure Brad Marchand thought he was diving.

And there I was ready to credit the Bruins for keeping quiet in the 3rd and basically hoping it ends quickly when Lucic prodded Pouliot with 2 minutes left in the game and wanted to fight him while Horton smirked in Subban's face. (What an ugly fuck he is). You know what Bruins? Take you classless asses back to Beantown and drown in your chowdah. Even most of the Bruins fans were disgusted by Chara's actions tonight. They know. They've been through Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron. (Bergeron acted more captainly than the giant petulant child post-game with his comments so kudos to him).

While Pacioretty spends a night at the Montreal General with his parents by his side, I hope Chara goes home and hugs his children and Blob McKenzie calls his son to see how he's doing with his hockey career. Tonight, Pacioretty could have had his neck broken on that divider. Tonight, Pacioretty's career could have ended.

Freaks 3, No-Names 2: Pucking superb

Yes they shit the bed against the Sabres, and previously the Islanders (but considering the Islanders have lambasted a few teams right around that time, losing in a shootout isn't so bad).

Yes they were on the Moon in Edmonton 'cause lord knows it's probably better, comfier, and warmer than Edmonton.

And yes they pissed off their entire fanbase by not showing up in an outdoor pond hockey contest where the old timers put on a better show on worse ice.

However like they always do when you least expect them to, they walk into Vancouver with half the world preparing for a slaughter, and the cocky Canuckians licking their lips at the thought, only to score two in the first to walk out with a 3-2 victory in a place they haven't won in 10 years. I'm just happy they didn't embarrass poor Carey in front of his family again. Yea they gave up two powerplay goals, and could have easily killed them if Hamr was facing the right way or if they didn't allow that much space for the point man to shoot but whatever. It was a solid team win. And we finally saw Pouliot benched for gross stupidity!

On notice:
- For the record, I had a really good feeling about this one. I believed they would bring it. So glad I wasn't left tired and disappointed.
- No names on the jersey, while retro, is now annoying.
- Finally West Coast Habs fans can cheer them live and happily.
- Those two early goals were scored by the smallest men on the ice. Desharnais was siiiiiiiiiiick.
- For very big men, the Canucks sure fall down easily. (What a bunch of divers).
- Classic AK46 goal ends with classic AK46 victory: flat on his back with his limbs in the air.
- I have more gray hairs thanks to Roman Hamrlik. You're killing me, man...
- Hal Gill's reach to preserve the lead right near the end, get an icing call, and propose marriage to me through the TV (I won't tell your wife *wink*!)
- Could have done without the many views of Alain Vigneault gnawing his gum and staring incredulously in various directions, usually at refs even though they got away with pretty much everything.
- Simon Pegg was there. His first NHL game. He was left in awe from the skill and called it pucking superb. Sadly he was watching with Tom Cruise.
- No walls were punched this year.
- In case you haven't noticed, I really hate the Canucks...

Price has 6 shutouts and 28 wins, but this was the only game puck he wanted. Mara got it for him. He was also the first star.

Come on home, boys. Yes it's 2-out-of-6 points but you kept pace with those behind you anyway. And you're clear for drinking 'til 2am if this is the result it brings. (I could have sworn Guy Lafleur played better hung over anyway). Maybe they'll get thrown off the plane like the Russian World Juniors?

Nicholas Courtney 1929-2011

Sadly, Nicholas Courtney, better known as our beloved UNIT leader Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, died today at 81. He was THE man. Deadpan in the face of many alien invasions and just once wished they weren't all immune to bullets, he was the Doctor's best friend. His voice was like silk. There was just something superbly charming about him...even when he put on the eye patch to be Evil Brigadier in an alternate universe. When you play a character that long, you pretty much become that character. I will miss you, Brigadier.

Habs 3: Leafs 0: Universal balance restored

The happy bulldog is happy

That felt good.

Nothing like beating the Leaf utterly after a 3-game losing streak.

Nothing like shutting out the Leaf when all TSN/CBC mentions all days is how they're only 14 points behind the Habs! No mention of the five teams ahead of them or the fact they feed off fellow non-playoff teams. It's a tale of two teams going in two different directions! Leafs won 4 of their last 6! Plan the parade!

Booya.
Should send that to CBC and their KesselTracker.

Also have to note that David Desharnais has finally scored in a game they WON! Hurray! Sadly looks like Patches' shoulder tweaked again. Sigh...

This is the second time the Habs have shutout a team while I was drawing my entry for that mask design contest. I best start printing out more blanks in case they need my help to slumpbust another day...

I need a video of what Price was doing at the end of the game. He's too funny.

Habs 3, Panthers 2: Bank shot!

There's a diagram of the game winning goal by Captain America.

Habs and Panthers both ended their previous night in a similar fashion: a shootout. Only the Habs won theirs while the Panther's lost theirs. And now both games in a back-to-back situation were a comeback grind. Stick to the plan, good things should happen.

I suck at pool.
- Finally someone decided to win the Molson Cup other than Price, and it's Mr. Underrated Tomas Plekanec!
- Hey Tieman? Eat your words on AK46.
- No really, stop bitching about Andrei and stop trying to find ways to trade him for the impossible or useless.
- Text intercepted between Ellerby and Price: "Why is everyone hitting me? :("
- Text intercepted between Price and Ellerby: ":D"
- Actually Ellerby's hit on Andrei really woke him up because he was being lulled to sleep by the hypno-Panthers.
- Alex Auld should stop playing the puck.
- Habs need more goals like Halpern's. Perfect move to tip that sucker in.
- Yea the Panthers take plenty of silly penalties. But the PP is in predictable mode.
- Hamr's skate broke. For a guy that doesn't pivot, I don't know how this happened.
- Quote of the night: "Et Veber dit OUF!" (Other than that one gaff which he worked hard to correct, Weber had a solid night).
- With a lead and 2 minutes left, please don't send out the Hamr-Wiz pair...
- Things you've gotten used to hearing to the point where it doesn't actually surprised you: "Higgins! ...Shoots it wide!"
- Things you've grudgingly gotten used to: Gomez's stupid penalties.
- Things we learned from Twitter: According to RDS, Subban's the 1st rookie Habs defenceman to reach 20 points in 10 years. Last guy to do it was Andrei Markov.
- Panthers are a quiet, frustrating, hard-working team but they're meaningless in their existence.
- Where can I get that tuque Carey was wearing?

Mr. Underrated is your first star of the night.

Gionta 3, Caps 2 (SO): Small captain, big heart

Don't you just want to grab him and huggle him?

Perhaps Ovechkin could learn a few things from Captain America. What I saw tonight from the Great 8 was an embarrassing, ridiculous childish display of pent-up frustration tipping to the point of stupidity. His attempts to draw penalties by slashing Halpern's stick only to break his own and scream at the ref who didn't fall for it? His facewashing exchange with PK where the official pulled only PK to the box considering the exchange ended in a pile by Price's feet. If his swan dive against the Rangers was bad, tonight he pulled out the whole gamut of tricks. Humour not lost on me, the 3 All-Star participants were heavily engaged in each other on the ice tonight, with PK in his face all night like Gorges usually is. I'm sure if Mcguire was doing the game, he'd be warning us about not poking the bear, yada yada yada. In all honesty everyone knows Ovie's going to cut to the middle pretty much every time.

It all came down to Price stopping him in the shootout and going nuts for the win. Dans ta face.

Regardless, Habs did us proud and earned these points after kicking off the dust from the ASG break. I was actually shocked to see they have a semi-winning record post-ASG break but for a while it looked bad. However, the Captain did what a captain should do: take control of the situation and prop up his team on his tiny little back instead of flailing at the officials, banging his stick on the boards, and bitching about not getting the puck when HE wanted to. Gionta knows how to handle a team and knows the team is all that matters. Price settled comfortably back into his crease. (Funny video of him coming late to practice 'cause his gear pulled a Corey Locke on him). The D played rather well even with the few Hamr brain farts. I thought Weber was fantastic and I wish people would stop saying he's pure trade bait. I also wish Wiz would get a dark stick because you can see the puck from the Space Station when he has it... And for some long stretches it was back-and-forth action my brother said resembled the ASG but with effort and defence.

And I know the Habs can't do this every game. I'm not stupid. But this game was Gionta's statement. He buzzed around the Caps all night, even with their extra long fat bladed sticks. Not sure if it's officially called a hat trick since the winning goal was a shootout goal, so we'll call it a Kovy Hat Trick. And if it were physically possible, I think Superman wears Brian Gionta pijamas.

I love Ben Cahoon. I love Brian Gionta. To me, these two are cut from the same amazing cloth.

Hover! Habs bromance!

Habs 7, Sens 1: Stomping grounds

Yup.

I feel for the Sens.

OK no I don't. I have no pity, no sympathy for them. We've got a team reconstructed by Hamilton Bulldogs. They have a team form fitted with BingySens. We're missing way too many key guys. They're missing Giggles Spezza and didn't realize how bad Gonchar or Kovalev are these days. We got a boring coach who's players want to be exciting but have to wait for opportunities. They got a coach who just wants them to be aggressive and play hard and they don't seem to care to do that. We've got a damn good goalie. They got some pretty good backups playing like they think they're good but really aren't. Our GM is a mysterious ghost who somehow finds players no one thinks can play key roles in this team's success and end up surprising everyone. Their GM is Sylvester the Cat who created a monster and really needs to pay for it.

Our team scored 7 goals on them. They scored 1. Don't care they got mauled by the Flyers yesterday, everyone gets mauled by the Flyers. Pacioretty got shot by Wisniewski and still played, earning a goal and assist and 5 shots on net which was #2 on the team under Pleky's 6 shots. They got guys playing hurt and seem incapable to really suck it up. Hell, Stephane Auger and Chris Fucking Lee were officiating the game tonight. They actually were outshooting the Habs early too.

Great game to introduce Engqvist to the NHL with. He was solid, won most of his faceoffs, and got a taste of the noise from a home game despite being away from home.

Like their big brothers, the Hamilton Bulldogs beached the Whale 7-3 so thankfully they're still doing OK even though we've pillaged and plundered them of many key players.

Tomorrow, Saku comes home. There will be tears. But mostly there will be an ovation. And if you boo him, I will cut you.

Habs 3, Bruins 2 (OT): Divine intervention

When Darche scored in the 3rd, the War Room called it off. RDS slow mo shows Tim Thomas punched it into his own net from 3 different angles after Darche knocks it over him. Darche's tip had the puck going right, and in Thomas' scramble you can see it clearly change direction left as he punched it with the back of his glove. His sheepish look also gave it away. He knew he knocked it into his own net. Apparently there's some little footnote that says if the puck goes in off an official or player after a high-stick, it's no goal, WHICH MAKES NO SENSE because I'm sure the Habs got screwed on plenty of those bouncing off their own guys and in. But like Stamkos and his illegal penalty shot, the Hockey Gods smiled and said unto the Habs, "Don't worry boys, We got this."

With Cammy puking in the backroom from the 2nd period, Habs were short on offense. Guess we know why he looked really off tonight. After a very even 1st they went down 2-0 in the 2nd thanks to terrible turnovers in their own zone that Bergeron capitalized on (also known as "why the fuck is Wiz playing with Picard"). Habs were in tough. They were mailing it by then anyway and it looked to be another one of those valiant efforts by Price in a 2-0 shutout loss. But once that disallowed goal happened, the Habs didn't sulk. The Hockey Gods got them back another goal the Bruins put in their own net after a harmless pass by Gomez went off Chara's skate and into the back of his own net. And with Price pulled for the extra man, Chara's clearing attempt for the empty netter took a bounce to the right in front of a gaping cage and became icing instead. The Bruins were on the bench laughing, but it would be the Habs who would have the last laugh. The Wiz, at the blueline, dragged around an outstretched Bruin and sent a shot on net where the rebound bounced off a charging Gionta.

Another tight game, another overtime. Except Blake Wheeler is an idiot and tripped Wiz into the corner. Habs spent most of the OT on the powerplay but couldn't do much. According to Wiz, he and PK were being careful because the Habs had fucked up the ice the way they played the 3rd and the puck wasn't listening. Last thing you want is to lose the momentum with a clear or give up a breakaway to Bergeron for a shortie. But it's all ok because after the powerplay was done, Patches tuck his head in and rifled the top corner behind Thomas. "Biggest goal of my life," he said. Habs fans everywhere wanted to hug him for that.

Habs win. Bruins lose. Good over evil. Now tied for first in the division. And Chara is a tool. (That "push" was akin to a fly on a rhino. Next time get out of the way). Maybe Cammy left them a gift...

Feel the love, Lurch.

Habs 3, Panthers 2 (OT): Happy WizNewYear

If you squint you can maybe make out Wisniewski smacking in a rebound in OT (his second of the game) to give the Habs their 2nd win on this disastrous roadtrip. RDS was so shocked that they lost the feed. Happy New Year to you too.

Should Auld's acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should Auld's acquaintance be forgot,
And Auld lang sigh!

For Auld lang syne, my dear,
For Auld lang syne.
We'll take the Cup o' hockey yet,
For Auld lang syne.

Team Canada probably would have been better off using Auld tonight as well.

(Note: I'll get to Lapierre later...)

Habs 3, Flyers 0: Would you like some salt with your crow?

I think we've been here before. Actually it was last week when the Habs rolled into Boston to face the big bad Bruins. Despite shutting out the well-rested big tough Canucks, all I heard that day was how the Bruins would paint the glass with their brains and burn the red-light glare of the goal light into the back of Price's mask. How did that end? Oh right, 3-1 win.

Today a friend of mine at work asked me "Do you think the Habs will make it 4 in a row?" as I made my way to the kitchen for some much needed breakfast (perks!). I answered him "Yes" without hesitation. Thanks for proving me right, boys!

The Flyers are hot and were on a 9-0-1 kind of roll, beating Ottawa 5-1 yesterday. I saw that game, and since I know Price watches highlights I think he was totally prepared for tonight's game. They beat Elliott with a bunch of tip-ins and redirects, and even though Ottawa did manage to give it to them, Bob the Goalie stopped them when they actually managed to hit the net, and Karlsson/Gonchar make Hamr/Spacek look like awesome defenseman when it comes to holding the blueline on the powerplay... Naturally we heard it all day, how the Flyers were the best in the East, and they probably are. They can score, they can defend, they finally have decent goaltending. They also smacked Carolina for 8 goals and had many blowouts.

But maybe the Habs are right up there with the best in the East. For now, they're making a case for best in the Northeast. And while Price is a HUGE part of it, don't overlook the excellent work by the entire team. All four lines are working hard, every defenseman is keeping tabs on his man, and you can see/hear them communicating with one another as they give their teammates suggestions or make up plans. Ye Olde Czech Defense really stepped up, and found out the pokecheck is mightier than the shorthanded goal. The powerplay went 2-for-7! And Subban... People are so jealous of how good this guy is that they're trying to kill him.

Statement Game
- That's 41 saves so don't tell me the Flyers didn't show up. Shots were 33-18 for the Flyers by the end of the 2nd.
- I want to marry Cammy when he's like that on bended knee.
- Pleky is so sneaky... Totally fooled Bob the Goalie, using Travis Moen as a decoy.
- Gionta would like to thank Timonen's skate.
- Were the Habs always that quick? Flyers had problems keeping up.
- Claude Giroux went full Bobby Clarke on PK's ankles like 5 times before the ref blew a whistle. Gnat.
- PK is playing with O'Byrne's stick. The spirit of Big Sexy lives on!
- Mike Richards is a whiny little bitch. And I'm not just talking about after the game.
- I do believe Carey Price has ESP and x-ray vision.
- Alex Auld is his biggest fan. Seriously. The guy is in awe of how he's playing.
- Keep booing Briererererere! Fuck that dirty little prick.
- Now that's class, Laviolette: a 3-0 game, 1:30 left, on the powerplay and you send out SHELLEY AND POWE?! Thankfully Carcillo's knee will keep him out for 3 weeks or you'd have sent him out too.
- If Markov didn't get hurt last game he probably would have gotten hurt in this one. Thankfully Gorges is Gumby. Worried about Halpern but Dr. Mulder was seen in the bench area not long after so that's a good sign. Hoping he'll just have a really bad headache.
- So Gionta had to get the puck from Pronger to give to Carey. He claims he was going to toss it to a kid. This isn't your rink, Pronger. Price threw the puck to the fans anyway like he always does.
- Hockey > Asshats

Hilarious but if the playoffs started tomorrow, Habs would be facing the Bruins.