Habs 1, Devils 4: I'll show you a distinct kicking motion...

Right to the face.

Kerry Fraser on disallowed Gallagher goal: That puck was behind his (Gallagher) vision scope & rotated in positional battle with Greene. Incidental perhaps; not distinct! I say good goal!

So Murphy and/or Campbell and/or whoever they have in the closet in Toronto is so full of shit to overturn what the ref called a goal on the ice that they should be fired.

Also Clowe bowling for Price on the second goal was complete bullshit, considering Gallagher got tossed into the Sacred Cow and got a penalty for it. Hell you can't wave a stick in his face without him bitching about something.

Fuck the Devils. Glad we don't have to see this shit excuse of a boring trap team for the rest of the year.

However, I suddenly have an urge to eat pizza...

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, Devilzz 2: Old men bested by young men

HEAAAAAA!

Hell yes. The Devils and their old farts can get their discount trip back to New Jersey for the rematch in thist first of a home-and-home series. Speaking of which, who the fuck thought "A home-and-home series with the Devils is JUST what we need! Let's pick the speedy Habs team to do it too!"

Kill me.

- PK Subban had more saves than Brodeur.
- Carey Price had more saves than Brodeur. Haha Habs were outshot 22-9 by the end of the 2nd. And were up 2-1.
- Obligatory goal by Bernier. Seems to remind himself he's a hockey player when he plays here. Still not enough to warrant that 3rd star though. Wondering if he has family in the media or they've promised him a job later..
- Obligatory goal by Ryder. Because of course.
- Jagr has big feet.
- Bourque LIVES!
- What is with the slide whistle? Did Molson hire a clown to provide musical entertainment?
- Remember folks, Galchenyuk could technically join the USA WJC team. But won't, obviously.

Also this.

- Needed more yakety sax.
- I found video of Desharnais forchecking the Devils with great puck pursuit.

- PK Subban and Carey Price combine like Voltron into Subbrice, Ultimate Goaltender!
- Moen crunched Fayne and it was loud. And crunchy.
- Zidlicky tried to take out Desharnais knees. The refs ignored it.
- This game was so dull even the puck was refusing to join in.
- Pacioretty fist pump celebration, still being reviewed by Toronto.
- Plekanec and Eller went all beast mode preventing Brodeur from going to the bench.
- Regardless of the win, the broadside of the barn is totally safe. (Practice those empty net shots or give it to Price dammit).

Oh my god we have to deal with these fuckers again? At least that takes care of two Devils game.

Habs 2, Devils 1: The answer

And 42 is Tinordi.

Welcome to the NHL, Jarred Tin Man Tinordi.

The delicious irony of our highly touted defensive defenceman getting on the score sheet with a heads up assist on the game winning goal by intercepting a clear and getting the puck on net where Plekanec tipped it in.

Ended the night with the 1 assist, a +2, and a few seconds shy of 15 minutes. Also stood up for the Captain when Clarkson decided to slash him after the whistle. His gigantic father must be proud!

Exit New Jersey ASAP
- Felt like the last 5 minutes took an hour.
- I don't put much stock in the Devils playing in Philly last night to a shootout. It's practically next door.
- Only took Chris Lee the 2nd period to be Chris Lee. Still, not as bad as Tim Peel.
- CBC's Hot Air Stove claims these reality show things are the reason why a bunch of teams are doing badly (New York, Philly, Washington, Edmonton). Guess it's not bothering the Habs...considering they always have cameras in their faces.
- HOLY FUCKING SHIT ARMSTRONG SCORED A GOAL.
- Then proceeded to freak out with the puck the rest of the game.
- And parked in front of Hedberg? Mike Blunden, who's flight was cancelled out of Newfoundland yesterday and only got in close to lunch time this morning.
- Yo Habs. The diamond formation you're using on the penalty kill isn't working. And I'm waiting for you to notice this....
- And waiting...
- Guess I shouldn't hold my breath on that considering it took a fucking injury to Diaz to get PK the icetime he very much deserves...
- Who, by the way, was amazing tonight.
- That "Hey YOU SUCK" chant is bush league, Devils fans.
- Also I thought everyone agreed to ban that pedo's song from arenas.
- Lars Eller was also amazing. I don't know but every time someone says "I want to see more from him" HOW MUCH FUCKING MORE?
- Lost in all this, yea he hasn't gotten a point in a while but Galchenyuk's defensive abilities are crazy for a 19 year old who missed all of last year.
- He even dumped people out of Price's crease.
- So every time Pleky scores, half the fan base salivates at the thought of trading him? Fuck you. Pleky for life!
- Mark Tinordi is a giant giant man. I feel bad for the person sitting behind him.
- Still convinced Price can't steal a game? That was 18 saves in the 3rd period alone. You're welcome.
- By the way Habs are 2-0-0 on the Devils this year.

So, Tinordi eh... Can we keep him?

Markov interview bomb for the win.

Habs 4, Devils 3: The Markov Process

This is not Andrei Markov

Andrey Markov was a Russian mathematician with a crazy beard who helped develop the theory of stochastic process, particularly those aptly referred to as Markov Chains. Don't ask me how to tie this to hockey. I studied art not math.

Andrei Markov is the reconstructed Russian defenceman of the Montreal Canadiens who developed the ability to not give a damn about errors in overtime (but will bitch about them if they prove costly) and score game winning goals. Also I don't think he can grow a beard.

I HATE THE FUCKING DEVILS
- But wait! What was that?! Actual exciting back-and-forth h...h...hockey?! I swear I think I even saw the Devils players enjoying themselves while their coaches got super uncomfortable.
- Then again, the Habs scored two goals in the first period. This is like foreign territory for the Devils.
- Ryan White, guys. Ryan White! BAMF!
- Gallagher's first NHL goal was so beautiful, the video and a photo of the moment was whisked over to the Habs Hockey Hall of Fame!

- OK it wasn't, but it should! Gally Squared!
- Lost in all this fun was the Double Giontas...
- And Pierre Gauthier was back, scouting for the Hawks...
- You know who pisses me off? Patrik Elias. If that goal had sound it would be BOING.
- Naturally the fun we had in the first period was quickly snuffed back to bore you to death Devils style hockey. How dare we have a good time, right?
- A Prusty goal is a pretty one! And it wasn't shorthanded either.
- Price thanked his goalposts, Siegfried and Roy, with a stick tap to Goon.
- My heart stopped seeing Kovalchuk break through on a breakaway (cherry picker). Cassé!
- The Cole Train is just warming up...
- We STILL need PK. The penalty kill is really reaching with those tiny legs in the back.
- As is the players who can't seem to skate fast enough to get that one icing that turned into a really stupid goal.
- Meanwhile I advocate no-touch icing.
- DD appears to have trouble handling anything these days, including pucks. Yet somehow Eller gets punished for it. Truly fascinating.
- Zubrus was a fairly useless Hab, by the way.
- OK so I really don't hate Patrik Elias. I just hate him as a Devil. He's a pro and totally didn't cry about the OT penalty like most players do.
- Of course various random Leaf fans on twitter called it a dive when it was clearly a penalty. They're just upset the Leafs blow. And not just at hockey.
- I'm stunned every time Rene Bourque does something really good then absolutely misses the net. If the goal were in orbit, he'd be Wayne Gretzky.
- And I was stunned watching Markov leave the point only to make his way down to the side of the net and get replaced by Bourque. He shot it wide. Markov fixed it.

The Devils could do us all a favour and kindly fuck off back to Kansas. No one will miss them.

Well, this is good.  Doing it without Patches who had an appendectomy the night before. Oh right, Kaberle was scratched, whatever. It was ugly but they powered through it to beat an actual team that was rolling 3-0. Whatever Therrien did or fed them, keep doing it.

WOO!

Habs 1, Devils 3: They just want to be close to you

Like real close. Must suck to be a claustrophobic hockey player when playing the Devils. They're also real touchy feely.

So anyway, lovely tribute to Gary Carter. The team wore #8 jerseys in warmup and #8 stickers on their helmets. And if you felt nothing when Youppi came out in his Expos shirt, then you're heartless! Also an actual moment of silence. It was so quiet you could hear the air conditioning.

Sadly not such a great game for the Habs. After that first shift, they shrunk back to the perimeter. Don't even ask how their own zone was. Actually do! Because it was shit! You know, you got Yannick Weber trying to clear the crease...or Campoli on the ice with a few seconds left while Bourque lazily stretches some half-assed attempt to clear the puck. Stuff like that. Two tipped in shots, one off Clarkson's knee, and a screened shot. Habs have zero idea how to tip the puck in themselves, other than into their own net accidentally.

Also Erik Cole has been playing injured for a while now. He kept coming and going. We thought for sure he was done in the 3rd when he tossed his sticks and gloves down the tunnel. But he came back. He couldn't even sit on the bench though... Definitely deserved Hal Gill's A, but I'm worried February is going to kill him.

TERRIBLE game for Pleky's line. A key factor in the 3rd Devils' goal by completely failing a few times to clear the zone. Also that lost faceoff assisted on the first. Seriously, if you want to be a key defensive specialist, WIN A FUCKING D-ZONE FACEOFF! Time to change up this "line", drop Darche back down to the fourth line, and give Eller some fucking ice time. Every little chance he got something, as slight as it was, happened in the OTHER end. I mean for most of the game you could hear Brodeur snoring...

Probably the only "victory" is they scored a powerplay goal. Shocking I know! It was Patches! His 25th of the year. Oh and they actually did look semi-convincing with the empty netter, though firing blanks until Eller finally got out there and actually got a shot on net. Probably the most frightening thing was seeing Kaberle...play goal.

And they weren't shut out by Brodeur. I guess we can be semi-cool with this considering his dad just went in for brain surgery. Hope he has a speedy recovery.

I still say a block of wood could play goal for the Devils.

NOTHING MAKES PEOPLE HAPPIER THAN A PACK OF CORGIS!

Habs 3, Devils 5: Take a pass

Don Cherry just bitched about a guy who makes 6.5 million dollars and how it's inexcusable for him to allow a guy walk around him and score...and I thought he was talking about Mike Cammalleri. (It was Phaneuf).

OK so immediate dividends, the team looked energetic. They had more movement, and more intensity. They showed more attack. They got another powerplay goal. Problem was they lost track of things. They need to be more aware of their surroundings. Elias' goal, usually the penalty kill box cuts that pass off but he blew in by everyone back door. Clarkson has 11 goals already, most of them on breakaways, came in from behind the D on a linechange and took advantage of Campoli to hid the puck for a perfect shot. Zubrus absolutely flew through two defencemen who looked like they didn't notice he was there until it was too late. Major killer tho was when Campoli decided to skate it out instead of chipping it out and fell on his ass causing a 3-on-fucking-0... Well yea, Price can work miracles but come on! That's just cruel.

So they got secondary scoring and a powerplay goal, but the first line... AK46 finds himself stuck on yet another line trying to get something going when he was doing just fine. We saw the AK46 moves that we haven't seen in years. The puck through the legs dipsy-doodle to the net highlight reel stuff. And yea, I'll say Cammy started off good...but man... I don't want to see the puck roll slowly off his stick and then watch him saunter off to the bench. I don't want to see him with a wide open net backdoor only to launch the puck into the netting. And I'm not going to put down Plekanec because the man only does EVERYTHING. This team needs Cammy to get his head out of his ass, pull out a box of pucks after practice, and start shooting. It's what he did when he first came here and couldn't score. It's what he needs to do now. And for once in your life win a fucking puck battle.

Eller: "It looked like the same old shit in the 3rd period." Gold. His line was great tonight. He almost got them within one but I don't even know how he missed. But he got them a goal already. His line was trying to get them more. For DD's line? Something was up with Cole (I'm told he's playing ill). He went to the room a few times and was dinged for a few penalties (two of which were bullshit players running into him). Patches was gone for a long time after he and Clarkson collided, which is worrisome. That screwed up a lot, and put more emphasis on the need for Pleky's line to get something going. And though Campoli's screw up pretty much killed the game, he did score a great goal during a very strong shift by the fourth line.

They had a meeting after the game, understandingly, and kept the media out for a long time. As Cunney said, he's got a frustrated group of players that know it wasn't enough to win. And as Gorges said they let him down, they let the fans down, and they let each other down. Now they head off on a pretty long road trip. Let's hope they use this time together well and can start playing better together.

Habs 2, Devils 1: Miracle?

That was no miracle. That was Carey Price.

This team would be beyond hopeless without him. And to think there are still haters out there! People who think he gives up when he's scored on. People who mistake his calmness for being nonchalant. There are people who do not understand his loyalty to his team, nor do they understand his will to win. Considering he's been standing on his head for this team and still gets the loss most nights is enough to depress anyone. But when he stops Parise on a bullshit penalty shot in a one-goal game and gets so excited over it that he practically does a little dance in celebration, to these idiots I say GET A CLUE.

Welcome to the Habs, Kaberle. He matched Spacek's debut with the Canes (2 assists) and the powerplay did look significantly better with him on it. All this without any practice or knowing how your teammates play. Pretty good I'd say. Pacioretty's finish on his dish to Cole was a powerplay goal. His complimentary play after Desharnais intelligently worked the puck out of the corner came as a powerplay was expiring. Sure, he's Kaberle, which means he's defensively soft. But they put him with Emelin, which was another experiment all together 'cause it threw Emelin on the wrong side. Nevertheless Emelin adapted pretty quickly to the change and the NHL rookie did pretty good to cover up for his soft partner. And yes, I know they were on the ice for the lone Devils' goal that came off a terrible partial block.

I'm willing to give the man a chance. And it's not like his contract is untradeable... If the need should arise, there is always a playoff team looking to add someone like him to give them a little bit more whether for a powerplay or just general depth on D, especially if they're confident enough they can pair him with someone who can cover up the bad side of his game.

Habs 1, Devilzzz 4: Pillows not included

Seriously? Interpret the rule any way you want. Kovalchuk hooked on his way to the empty net through a sleeping sorry sack of Habs as they just pulled Price, still got free and took a shot at the net, and HIT THE FUCKING POST. Rewind back many games ago when Pyatt was tripped on his way to an empty net goal and they didn't give it to him. Gomez was thrown out of the game right there as he just tore the ref a new one for missing the zillion dives Hedberg did, missing the zillion high sticks in their faces, missing every thing and then calling that shit. A guy can only take so much garbage and a back-to-back game just accentuated it. Game was over anyway. Gotta let 'em know you're there.

Doesn't matter since the Habs were asleep all game. Perhaps thinking about their potluck for the Stupor Bowl later tonight.

It's like the complete opposite of the great game yesterday:
- Gomez does a brilliant play to remove Kovalchuk from the puck but as he always does, he reverses the play, handcuffs his defenceman, and ultimately Hal Gill turns it right over to Zubrus who surprises Price and everyone else in the world.
- A shot going wide escapes everyone but Kovalchuk who tips it into the net. How this shit always happens to us, I don't know...
- It could have been 3-0 Devils in the first five minutes had Price not lassoed the play on another horrendous turnover right in front of him. Not a happy man, right there.
- Hamr and Spacek reunited to shit the bed and not move or clear the net, handcuffing Price who actually makes a brilliant save on an uncontested point shot where the rebound goes to an uncontested Zajac who simply tucks it around him and in.
- The most unluckiest game I've seen in a while concerning goals bouncing everywhere but in the proper direction for the Habs. Then again, the Devils had their feet up yesterday and it looked like it too.
- Brodeur flopped wrong and fucked up his knee. Hint hint, Marty: You're old.
- PK Subban made it respectable by rifling a shot off Kovalchuk for some revenge to tip that puck behind Hedberg.
- Benoit Pouliot is the most aggravating player ever, and if he had a Russian name the media would let you know this. I think I caught Andrei rolling his eyes a few times though they played well together, Benny needed to bring more and turnover less.
- And turnover less to Kovalfuckingchuk. Better be giving Price extra wings tonight for saving his ass a 100 times.
- Pacioretty was the best player on the ice in red, and the Devilzzz opened the door to their bench on him as he hit it. Douchey.
- I think Hal Gill does more coaching than Perry Pearn.
- Hedberg flopping like a fish all game, but Price gets run by a guy who was not pushed and made no attempt to stop and no one calls it. So fuck you too, zebras.
- Cheeseheads in the crowd. Yea.

I swear the Habs always do this after Price gets a shutout. It's like they think "hey, we can leave him defending the back end all game and wait for the puck to bounce out eh"? Hockey is a team sport and even yesterday he was largely left alone to face the Rags and preserve the shutout. Today they repaid him by shitting the bed. Either way, Devils are just fucking up their draft position. Bravo idiots.

Also I'm back to saying BENOIT BRUNET MUST BE STOPPED.

Well, 6 out of 8 in double back-to-back wasn't so bad. One more this week with the Bruins and the Islanders. May I request Habs work on scoring goals and pairing one old guy with one young guy on D?

This is why you can't have 4 days off

Here's how it goes.

It was reported that new Coach Yippee-Ki-Yay wanted to open things up offensively with the Devils, especially after the very expensive acquisition of Kovalchuk fucking up the League's payroll schematics. However they went on a terrible tear, and poor Marty Brodeur's stats were suffering because he no longer found himself protected by the choking defensive shell that's going to vault him into the Hall of Fame. Marty made a big stink to the media, throwing his defense (or lack of) under the bus because the Devils can't dress a full roster and a sudden rash of injuries have piled all the pressure on Andy Greene to save his career and Lou Lamoriello's face.

Enter the Habs, seemingly ill-prepared from the 4 days off that killed any momentum they got from the pretty good start they had, and they happily stepped into the Devils' trap who have happily reverted back to their dull, boring, snuff the life out of your arena style else they find themselves on Marty's dinner plate. Brodeur gets a shutout. A couple of lucky bounces get scored. A terrible job by Stephan Auger who makes me believe there was some truth to Alex Burrows' claim (that or Lou paid him off to fix this much needed win by his team). And voila. Habs fans go to sleep. Devils get a dull win. The Bell Centre crowd was too bored to even boo and probably wanted their money back.

At least Kovalchuk didn't score, which just tells you about how the goals were scored (cafouillage behind the net, deflection off Boyd, traffic off a lost icing faceoff 'cause Pouliot fell on his face and missed the puck). Though the Habs couldn't even score on a WIDE OPEN EMPTY NET. Jerks. One scoring chance does not a game make.

And the PP is still poo poo. Call up Weber.

The Montreal Canadiens: we're your slump busters. No, not you Ottawa. Go away.

Habs 2, Devilzzz 4: DO NOT WANT

Wake me upzzz later, k?

Yea. DO NOT WANT a Habs/Devils playoff series, ok? If they do meet, could we at least get some GO HABS GO pillows or snuggies instead of towels?

So much for statement games though. I believe the statement was "we want the Sabres".

Oh well 4 out of the 6 games left are against out of playoff, under 500 teams so they're bound to win something before the season is over. That's 8 points extra. Could be 10 if you count the Flyers as floundering out of the playoffs and under 500 right now but no one knows what's up with them anymore.

Carolina next.

Habs 1, Devils 2 (OT): 10 minutes for entertainment

Lou Lamoriello seen here heading for the circuit breaker.

Last night in New Joisey, the Devils were sucking the life out the building while sucking so bad that they finally managed to suck the lights out to aptly cover up the 3-0 lead the Lightning had on them. The game was postponed until tomorrow.

Today they rolled into Montreal ready to suck out our souls and instead found themselves forced to play something uncharacteristically entertaining. Well, for 10 minutes anyway. The majority of the game was played along the boards, round and round, and then in the neutral zone. Habs lost in OT, but Gomez scored.

Hal Gill almost tipped a goal into his own net again just as I was muttering "watch your feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet". Lucky for us all he lifted his foot and the puck bounced harmlessly away. Please step away from the net?

However, my main concern is where was this great defence in previous games? We know you can do it, Habs. The inconsistency is maddening. As my brother and I were talking about it, either the goalies are left to their own devices while the team forgets to show up, or the offense is clicking and the defence is on vacation which causes all kinds of problems for the goalies, or the defence is shutting the other team down but the offence has died a horrible death.

Jaro needs to challenge lone or breakaway shooters more...especially when the puck is sitting out there all alone for a few seconds with no one around it.

It's so nice to have a legitimate fourth line. I also notice more hitting when Ryan White is playing. Of course it's mostly him doing the hitting. Can we keep him, Bob?

My brother thinks Cage aux Sport should give away one giant free baked potato if the Habs score 1 goal only in the game.

As for you, Don Cherry... Please don't compare Phil Kessel to Mike Bossy or Brett Hull.

The Bob and Patience: Habs 1, Devils 3

Yada yada yada Brodeur ties Roy's winning record. Yada yada yada Roy looked rather angry on that despite being happy for the "kid". Yada yada yada Breezer gets his 1000th. Yada yada yada Habs lose, city's in a turmoil, everyone's hating on Gainey...

WAKE UP PEOPLE
- It's going to take some time to break the manner of thinking Carbo ingrained in these guys' skull. Pleky gets it despite being labeled more a defensive forward, the young guys weren't around long enough to be too much affected by it, but the rest still fall on their bad habits.
- Well when Brodeur walked out on the ice everyone pretty much knew the outcome. The refs of course aided and dictated that to make sure they had every opportunity. That goalie interference especially was BOLLOCKS as prime example.
- I've no idea what happened to the puck on that 2nd goal. Neither did anyone else save for Rolston.
- Thing that angers me is the conspiracy theories presented by the media about ooooh Devils coming to town, Halak will be a sacrifice. Frankly Gainey trusts him to do his job, and he did just fine. The concentration is on the guys in front of him that are in need of fixing.
- PJ Stock playing the "Gainey's got some damage control to do" crap like he would know what happened to this team. Complaining about how there were no pickups on trade deadline either. (Uh how about Schneider and Metro BEFORE the deadline)? Bruins suck.
- Bottom line is there's a lot to fix and he left it up to Carbo to fix but never did. Bottom line was his bottom line. There's only so much patience a man can have, even for Gainey.
- "If the Habs had played like this against the Islanders they would have won that game, that's was makes me angry" says Benoit "The Tool" Brunet. Well ladida, the Islanders are playing balls out good these days. Habs have been relying on luck and good goalies for half the year.
- I know the Devils threw something like 45 or more shots, but it didn't really feel like it that much.
- Brodeur was pretty shakey for most of the game. If the Devils weren't such a force they could have been in trouble.
- Apparently Don Lever played for the Devils once. He was their first captain and scored their first goal.
- Habs play better when shorthanded.
- KOVY IS MISSED! GET WELL SOON KOVY! PLEAAAAAAAAAASE SAVE US!!!
- With Kovy MIA, Higgins has turned beastly on the PK (more than usual) in his place.
- Breezer didn't really make any signature errors tonight, but he was well rested. ACTUALLY did an awesome defensive 1-on-1 move. I'm shocked.
- I really do believe Stewart's face is made of stone.
- Like Gainey doesn't feel bad enough to have to fire his best friend, you people at the Bell Center are fucking rediculous that every time the team continues sucking you chant "CARBO"? Get real...
- My brother: "It's like they each have their own zone on the rink to protect and if the puck is in another quadrant, regardless of who's near or not, they won't go for it."
- Me: It's like they think twice before passing or shooting the puck. So by the time it's off their stick the other guy is totally ready to steal it.
- I really don't like that old blue stripe sweater.
- Don Cherry's tie was unreal.

Conclusion: Hey the second period wasn't so bad this time, actually. It's getting there, but while Rome was pretty much destroyed in one day, it wasn't built in a day...

Bulldogs!
While they lost last night to the number 1 Manitoba Moose last night, they did bring it to overtime! However today was different. They BEAT the Moose 5-1. Sergei lead the way with a goal and two assists, in addition to his two assists the night before in the losing game. He also got the 3rd star that night, while he picked up the 1st one tonight. He's working the point on the powerplay, something that was WORKING more or less up here but for whatever reason Carbo screwed around with. But it's nice to see him work with Weber and Maxwell and other Habs draftees. These guys are gonna be great if they ever come up here (in a more permanent manner of speaking, after taking in their AHL experience). Mike Glumac had two goals, Wyman totaly stole the puck from a guy behind his net and snuck it in, and Rrrrrryan Russell once again got the last goal of the game. Hmm, will Russell be Mr.Clutch some day?

NHL Standings make my brain hurt
- Well, Philly did us some good and beat the Rags rather well. Thanks.
- Lots of shootouts tonight though... Sens>Pens, Bolts>Cats, Thrashers>Sabres, Caps>Canes. Funny how this works out eh?
- The Big Bad Bruins only beat the Islanders 2-1.
- Oh my... I don't even understand this 8-6 win by the Leafs over the Flames. And that includes Jokinen's hattrick and Grabs' empty netter! And the shots? Leafs 30, Flames 35. What is happening here?
- Lovely note about Don Lever. If Scotty Bowman says things like that, then that's good enough for anyone, really. When Bowman talks people listen.

Stuffy: Habs 2, Devilzzz 5

Unless the game is played at the Bell Center, Habs should just forfeit games against the Devils because no matter how intense they fly out of the gates or attempt to generate offense, the game ends up so clogged and stuffy that it's an absolute waste of energy. Never mind the fact they had to play them in a back-to-back game schedule.

The walking dead...
- For the love of all things good in this world and for my (our) sanity, will someone please get Breezer off the ice?
- Price was looking good. Made some insane saves. The second goal well, knocked over by a flying Devil and banked in by Bouillon isn't much against him. The fourth one knocked in by Sergei, which brings me to this...
- Why, with a 2-on-1, was Sergei the only one attempting to go back? Defense was where? Last I looked Sergei wasn't a defenseman.
- And yes, on the third one as RDS so nicely points out, D'Agostini fails to clear the zone, but what exactly was Komisaurus doing just standing there and avoiding the the puck as it flew towards him?
- The kids played alright though. D'Agostini combined with Pacioretty screening for a powerplay goal. Stewart was everywhere. The Lapierre line was creating mass chaos both to themselves and the Devilzzz.
- OMG GORGES SCORED A GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *ahem* Sorry.
- During the game we were shown clips of old time hockey. The defensemen in those days used to just grab and haul you. I looked at this game, the Devils still play like that even though the rules have changed.
- I kind of liked it when the Canadiens looked like they just said "fuck it" and started giving the Devils a choking piece of their own medicine. Frustrated them some.
- Devils could put a plank of wook that moves in laterals and it wouldn't matter. Seriously? They make anyone look good. Which makes me wonder about Brodeur... Though they're a lot more lackadaisical when he's there. I guess it's like when Halak plays, and the defense needs to actually clog the net/whack sticks/look out for those rebounds...
- Koivu was back, but...he kept falling everywhere. I'm not entirely sure it was a good decision to play tonight. I was so afraid he would re-sprain something every time he toppled over. Got an assist though.
- A sluggish play with an empty net while on the powerplay is not a good effort boys. The outcome? You gave Elias his 20th.

Conclusion: You couldn't PAY me to see this team live without Brodeur. It's so dull and boring, I dozed off a few times. And though the Habs played fairly well, it was the usual bad luck, no one in front of the net for rebounds, or defensive brain farts/Breezer-like errors (from not just Breezer, but Hammer and Bouillon) that ended up bitting them in the arse. Plus any actual chance they did have, the Devils just choked them to the point of absolute nausea. But cheers for Carbo. The kids will make mistakes but he's not going to throw them under the bus because of it.

In other news:
- Price is double dipping in the ASG because Ersberg is injured so he'll take his place for the Sophomore Team. Was actually wondering why he wasn't there in the first place but there you go...
- Habs ain't the only ones just wanting to go on break... Boston's tied at 3 against the Leafs right now. The ISLANDERS chased out Giguere and won a game against the Ducks. Tampa Bay beat Buffalo 5-3. The Kings are winning against the Avs, and it's 1-0 so far for the Blues against Chicago. The other night the COYOTES beat the Red Wings 6-3! Obama has turned the world upside-down!!! WTF!
- Flyers could probably thank us for tiring out the Thrashers for their game tonight. Beat them 5-3. See, that's the real Lehtonen.

It's so easy when you're evil: Habs 1, Devils 4

What the fuck is that thing?!

Regardless of the outcome of this game, two things have come to light. Well, maybe 3.

One: Carey Price is the glue that holds the team solid. Komo said he's like a calming influence on everyone when he's back there.

Two: Kovalev is not the problem people think he is. This man has fire, soul, and a drive to win it all. But if just one of his linemates checks out early, then there's not much he can do unless he goes at it alone.

Three: Max Pacioretty is the real deal. Welcome to the team, kid. T-shirts will be made tomorrow. For his first NHL game, to get his first NHL goal, especially against the oddly hot-handed Clemmenson and against the boring New Jersey Defensvils, I salut you. All night his line buzzed and caused fits. Hell Carbo had him out on the PK and the PP!

Conclusion: The outcome of this game meant nothing to me. I'm just so happy for Patches, and equally happy for the Patches-Chipper-Begin line who were probably the best line out there other than KovyPleks.

I also wonder if Weber will make an appearance next game. I mean sitting Breezer won't kill anyone...

Bulldogs report!
I'd like to send my congratulations to Loic Lacasse for winning his first AHL game. Despite a shakey start and being thrown in at the deep end, the game turned around and he turned around as well. Also to Thomas Beauregard and his first two AHL goals scored. Good work kids. Bulldogs beat the Syracuse Crunch 4-3. I managed to catch the end of it right after the Devils game and caught the sound of O'Byrne deep in an after siren line brawl behind Lacasse's net. I hope Rhino can pull himself together with the Bulldogs. We all know they'll take care of him. Good luck, kid.

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So I caught the WJC USA-Slovakia game this afternoon. Team USA can crow all they want about the game against Canada where a player was out too early from a penalty for a goal (hey, he doesn't let himself out of the box so don't look at him), but what I saw was a disjointed team who probably came in thinking it would be an easy game only to come face-to-face with a Slovakian wall who played on his head for his team and country: Jaroslav Janus. Also Team Slovakia had a few very good forwards who looked like they studied the Kovy DVD, and they worked hard together defensively. As a Habs fan though, I appreciated the great work displayed by Danny Kristo. Kristo is a high school hockey leaguer that Habs drafted last time. In this game, like most games, he was used mainly on the penalty kill but everytime he did he had a few short handed chances. Eventually as the game went on and panic hit the coach, he went on more thanks to a few line shuffles. Won some faceoffs, created things, had chances. It didn't amount to anything but he's one of the youngest on the team and one of the guys not asked to do much of anything. His speed is incredible though. As was Ryan McDonagh. He had two tough breaks in the Canada game (stick breaking on a Tavares giveaway, puck bounced off him and into his net). But this guy is a solid defenseman. I was more than surprised to not see him on the ice when they pulled McCollum for an extra man. What was the result of the pulled goalie? A goal for the Slovakian team. Sure the Americans scored one later on a second attempt, but by then it was pretty much over. Both players are young and can still improve, but I'm very satisfied with their abilities right now. It would not shock me to see McD next year in Hamilton. Kristo will come around later though. He's going to college first!

The Devil You Know: Habs 1, Devils 2 (OT)

Pure trap hockey, if you can deal with this sort of stuff. One trap (the more exciting Habs one) trying to overcome the other trap (the choking Devils one). And though the puck was bouncing like a bouncy ball, and I'm sure he'd love that one that dribbled through him in the second to tie it back (hey, it was a damn good shot), the team needs to thank Carey Price for bringing them to overtime and giving them that one point.

Because people annoy me, I will take a stand
- First period was all Habs, second was a toss up, third was all Devils. But neither teams could convert on their powerplays (until the overtime thing).
- Matt D'Agostini! His family was watching, and he scores the first goal. If anyone else on the team had paid attention and copied his move, we'd have had 3 more goals like that because I saw Clemmer juggle the exact same rebound to the exact same area with the exact same opening ready.
- My brother on D'ag: I knew it! He's got a family member named Vinny! (His dad).
- Clemmer reads the play well enough and is definitely making a case to steal Weekes' job. But right now he's doing a good enough job to keep the Devils alive.
- Powerplay just couldn't do anything though they had a very good chance on the second wave in the first but Clemmer had the final word on it.
- Price earns this first star for sure. As the game waned on, I think the team just gradually got annoyed with how the Devils were playing and really couldn't do much in the 3rd.
- When the Habs did hold the offensive zone, they were absolutely incredible even if the puck had a tendency to trickle out to...no one.
- Kovy gets called for tripping with 30 seconds left and that was a very weak call. I mean, really. They don't call the early holdings Kovy had to deal with but he puts his stick down to hit the puck forward along the boards and a player falls over it, and he's off.
- Devils defense consists of holding, hooking, and general choking.
- Super Pleky! He was just everywhere doing everything! He just never ceases to amaze me.
- Laraque almost did a backhander that cashed in. Almost!
- We had some casualties that added to the problems. Dandy blocked a shot with his foot and was off for a bit, but he came back near the end. Markov caught a puck with his face in the 3rd and ran off the ice. With him gone, victory would have been very hard to grab and the powerplays completely fell apart.
- Price took a shot off the mask that stunned him for a few seconds but thankfully he's ok!
- Guh Breezer. He's really slow these days eh? But what the hell was with that giveaway that nearly opened the scoring for the Devils?! Even Rhino wouldn't think to pass to an opponent skating into the slot!
- Price's only home ice regulation loss came after he relieved Halak in that Ducks game. Pretty amazing. And the last time we faced the Devils, it was his second shutout of his rookie year. Looks like he's back to facing his sweater number in shots eh?
- Koivu has now passed one of my favourites, Mats Naslund, in points (613) for his assist on D'ag's goal.
- We need some help on the powerplay. I know Weber isn't ready defensively but he could maybe help. I do know if we bring Belle up he may not be able to be sent down without passing waivers so you'd have to hope if he does come up that he does well enough to stay. (At least, I think that's how it would work with him but I'm not sure as the waivers crap is so confusing). On the plus side, he's extremely fast and would be an improvement over a certain slow man we have back there, and he can't be any worse! But the guys just gotta shoot! And they need more guys near the net. I do believe Laraque was standing out there on a few powerplay attempts, actually.
- This is the type of game I think Sergei would have been helpful in. He had a lot of points against New Jersey last year in terms of assists, afterall. He just seems to have a knack for finding those lanes or finding the open man. But ya live and learn eh.

In conclusion: It's a trap! What else can I say? Playing the Devils is like betting on which side the coin will flip to. Next!

Bulldogs!
As I wrote this, Captain Chipper scored on the Grand Rapids Griffins, right inside the far goal post, interrupting their play-by-play guy on his advertising call. So it's 3rd period and 5-2 for the Dogs. Chris Chelios is playing with the Griffins right now (conditioning stint, he'll be back in the NHL soon now that his leg is healed). Desjardins is in nets, as Denis has been struggling lately. Chelios gave Pacioretty his autograph as he ran into him in a Starbucks near the hotel they were staying. I miss Chelios... would rather have that old man as our token veteran on defense than Breezer, that's for sure.

Chipper scored 2 goals and got the first start of their night. Desharnais was the second star and had the game winning goal that gave them the lead they didn't relinquish. Aubin and White scored the other two goals. Five goals and ten assists in total! And this with old man Chelios on the ice. Good job, boys!