Round 1 Game 4: Live, it was entertaining...

...until the defensive pairing of Bergeron and Hamrlik destroyed it.

But we have the smartest coach in the NHL according to Boudreau. He may be smart, but he's apparently too blind to notice that whenever those two are out, the Caps lick their chops and go off on odd-man rushes. Maybe our coach is a sadist?

You notice it on TV, but live it's just crazy, when you're sitting right above the net looking down, our defensive zone is like a bunch of flowers in a swarm of bees. The Habs either just stand around dumbfounded or run around like chickens without their heads. The Caps make every bounce and deflect do something that it's a miracle our goalies can actually breathe... At least I didn't have to poke someone's eye out for booing inappropriately.

The Good
- Price played a hell of a game. We have a goalie who stickhandled around OVECHKIN. He's just so calming. Even tossed a dude out of his aura. Even had to do some goalie hurdles over a Caps player who went sprawling into his net. And none of those goals were weaksauce. Two unsportsmanlike penalties? Please. He clipped a guy while trying to come over the bench with a load of goalie equipment on and was basically just telling the guy "he was there so move it" and the first was shooting a puck away that just happened to go into a crowd of celebrating Caps. Get the sand out of your vagina, Capitals, the refs were RELUCTANT to call all the infractions you guys actually did but called the Habs twice for playing hockey and then made up whatever they felt like calling garbage. Next time, maybe Price will get his fighting major instead.
- SERGEI WAS AWESOME COACH I HOPE YOU WERE WATCHING! Oh right, YOU DIDN'T PUT HIM ON THE POWERPLAY but who am I to question you 'cause you're a genius.
- Dominic Moore reminded people why you shouldn't leave after the other team scores an empty netter.
- Metro looked better tonight. Was flying with Pyatt, Sergei, Cammy, whoever they randomly decided to stick with him.
- Rhino comes in, people get squashed. Imagine if you had done this earlier eh Coach Chocula?
- Pyatt is so staying on this team.
- Gio for CAPTAIN! NOW!
- Cammy scored for me.
- These playoff series make me want to buy a Hal Gill t-shirt. I think I'm in love.

The Bad
- Every D not named Gill, Gorges, Markov, or Rhino.
- Jaro Spacek was missed. A lot.
- Bergeron and Hamr. Those assists can go die in a fire.
- Unable to bring out the killer instinct to finish the game with a lead. Always they get lazy, overwhelmed, they forget to cover people, and end up looking absolutely stupid and it cost them the game.
- If it didn't work the first time, and didn't work the second time, and didn't work the third, fourth, fifth time, STOP SHOOTING AT VARLAMOV RIGHT IN THE GUT! YOU WON'T BE GETTING A REBOUND THERE! In fact, no goalie will give up a rebound or even a goal if you shoot it right at his stomach. Maybe use the fucking boards behind the net and have another guy on the opposite side ready to tuck it in?
- Even though our best players were scoring goals, they were also the first to be floating around.
- Pouliot has no business being on the powerplay.

The OMGWTFBBQ!?
- No seriously coach, ARE YOU FUCKING BLIND?! BERGERON AND HAMR DO NOT MAKE A DEFENSIVE PAIR. As my brother said: "I wish they would do to Hamr what they did to Laraque. YOU ARE USELESS!"
- Tim Peel is an insult to hockey.
- Couldn't win a faceoff to save our lives. Even when they won one, the ref would whistle it down and they'd have to try again. Even when they won one, the wingers were too slow getting to the puck so they ended up losing the puck right after.

The Extra
- My brother does a hilariously accurate immitation of Jaro Spacek.
- I'm proud of you, crowd. You were supportive, you were loud and proud. You didn't boo Price who did all he could to backstop this trainwreck and I didn't have to launch anyone to center ice. Though sucks to be you if you left after the first empty netter because I would have LAUGHED if by some miracle Gomez actually had the strength to tie it up. (Maybe should have put the Moore/Kostitsyn line out again eh coach? They were actually trying to win this thing).

The series is playing out like an 8th seed facing the first in the League. Even though the Habs are giving them a run for their money and making it interesting, the Caps are just way too skilled to be falling behind. Still if I'm the Caps I would be greatly concerned how Mike Green is being outplayed by a kid. Then again, they're probably all juiced up anyway. No way those guys get that big that fast, or don't fatigue over the course of a game, and I don't remember Carlson being that large in the WJC...

Either way, Habs are what they are. I'm looking at Buffalo, I'm looking at Vancouver, I'm looking at THE BLACKHAWKS, I'm looking at the Sharks, I'm looking at the Devils... THOSE guys should be upset with how their playoffs are going. And while I know Crosby can score at will, Fleury's been a fucking sieve lately. Maybe they want to borrow Price for their inevitable series with the Caps?

Game 4: When you need a goal, just call PK Subban
At least the Bulldogs managed to bounce back like the top team in their conference that they are. Though there were some doubts... Boucher nearly pulled Desjardins again, but having Mayer as your backup wouldn't have ended well. One thing you gotta love about the Bulldogs is there ability to tip pucks into the PROPER net (something I wish the Habs would do). Grant Stevenson did the work while other people, mostly Glumac, finished. Aaron Palushaj powered through to set up Trotter and Subban. But it took double overtime to finish the game at 5-4 with Subban ripping a shot over Cory Schneider's glove.

Bulldogs lead their series now 3-1

Habs 3, Sabres 0: Full circle

FINALLY!

If last night abhorrent display of hockey was any indication for tonight's game, well, that's why we keep watching right? Where they failed to protect their goalie, where they failed to apply pressure, where they failed to give the opposing goalie anything difficult, tonight they succeded.

Perhaps it was because the Habs have problems when the other team plays like crap. When their system is broken, they can't handle it. Are they that structured that in order to properly take on a team, that team itself needs to be good and structured itself?

And contrary to their previous ventures, Jaro didn't have to steal anything. I think the D made more saves than he did. AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE!

Hockey is a team game. And when you play solid as a team you get results. There was no epic meltdown in the final seconds tonight (as annoying as it is to see that happen but to see them fix their mistake makes it all good).

I'm finishing up fast 'cause I got new Doctor Who to watch OMG~!
- Back-to-back shutouts for Jaro.
- The Third Line was the star of the show. Sergei was back and his return really solidifies Moore and Moen.
- Rhino scored into the PROPER net for once! (Although the puck had gone out of play and no one noticed except Moore, but he did try to tell them!)
- Of course Rhino nearly fell into his own net and nearly scored on himself just before.
- Sergei reminded us what a 3rd period goal looked like.
- Pyatt gave us a prime example of pure Bulldogs hockey and made Tyler Myers look silly. (Yea he'll probably win the Calder, but eh...so did Samsonov).
- Lindy Ruff got upset and sent out the goons near the end. See you in the playoffs, douche.
- And when stuff got rough, everyone had each other's back. Though Lappy really shouldn't fight, but he couldn't get in a good position and had no choice but to defend himself on the guy swinging at his head.
- Our PK is good, our PP however has died a horrible death. At least they're scoring 5-on-5 now.

Habs started this season's series with Price stealing a win for them. Habs ended this season's series by dominating the Division Leader with a very convincing win.

Full circle.

Habs 3, Rags 1: Go fish

Apparently there was a game on tonight.

Apparently someone forgot to tell the Rangers, though.

What do you think about that, Torts?

Yea, thought so.

Hear that? That was the sound of the many Rangers fans calling for Sather's (and probably Torts') head. Shall we knit?

So, what was good about this?
- Kept the Rangers to 11 shots for 2 periods. Really thought they ended with 11 shots, actually. Either way I don't think they cracked 20.
- The goalie doesn't need to stand on his head for once. (Actually hasn't needed to do so since that Sharks game). The defense blocks whatever doesn't miss.
- Sergei Kostitsyn WITH ANOTHER GOAL, JACQUES! You can put him on the powerplay anytime now!
- Metro has 16 goals.
- Dubinsky? Callahan? Drury? Chief? McCloud!
- Pleky is indestructible and stabbed Del Zotto in the heart by making him look silly for the empty netter.
- Anyone see Gaborik?
- Avery is still a jerk.
- Habs now nestled semi-comfy in 6th place and totally sneaking up on the Sens (who lost again).
- GIVE GAINEY CREDIT YOU SILLY HABS FANS.

Habs 3, Bruins 2: Making statements

If this game was a statement for the Habs, that statement would be "we're ready to play, we will score goals, we will defend, we will push and not be pushed around, and we will continue rolling".

If this game was a statement for the Bruins, that statement would be "yes we lost a big part of our team, and we will try to win games with the force of a featherduster. What? Why are you hitting us? You're supposed to pity us".

When you've seen the Bruins as much as we have, they really are an empty shell of their former self. Actually, they've been like that pretty much all year really. At least when they've faced us...

I feel like I don't know them anymore.

Anyway, how about this statement. Sergei Kostitsyn: in 2 games he has 3 goals, 1 assist, and was first start in both. Yet he can't buy a chance on the powerplay...

Habs 5, Oilers 4 (SO): Why must you make things so difficult...?

Yea, we've LOST better games than this...

Also hilarious how Jaro can have probably his worst performance of the year, yet still manages a win. Everything is cool eh? Win and you're in? You know in the shootout you're never supposed to make the first move? (Callers still called in to rip Price for some reason... Guess they didn't like his hat).

Tweet of the night to sum it up: @SmilingGainey I'd like to thank the Edmonton Oilers and their storm trooper aim.

THIS WASN'T THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS!!!1

The only good story of the night was Sergei Kostitsyn! His line was absolutely all over the Oilers. He ended the night with a goal and an assist, drew penalties and finished with the 1st star. Moen got a goal (wow, been a while since he greased one in) and Moore picked up an assist. All three contributed to strong play in the gritty areas. Of course, no matter what he does, for some reason, Martin refuses to use SK74 on the powerplay (pssssst 0-for-a-zillion against the OILERS).

But nevermind this game of fail where even the refs forgot about the rule where a penalized player in OT cannot participate in the shootout (or did they change that 'cause what if Ovechkin trips someone in OT eh, nevermind how sucky he is at shootouts). This night was ultimately destroyed by the TWO MORONS WITH SUBBANATOR JERSEYS AND BLACKFACE WITH BIG FROS!

How did these people get into the Bell Center? I sure hope they didn't walk down the street like that...and if they did, why did no one question them? Did they get into the Bell Center, and like the girls at school, change in the bathroom? How did no one notice or punch them? I've seen fights at the Bell Center started by absolutely nothing...and this doesn't even twitch a nose hair? The people sitting around them didn't even part like the Dead Sea and call security. And now RDS even put them on TV to the very lost and confused comments of Pierre et Benoit who basically said "uh...what are we looking at here..." in rather uncomfortable undertones. Soon to be lambasted on a Puck Daddy near you eh?

Congrats you blackface idiots. Between you and the kid behind me in preseason who refered to PK as "le p'tit noir la", you have just embarrassed a proud organization, fellow fans, and our city. Right up there with the New Year's Eve show on some French station that had the very unfunny disgusting joke about how easy it would be to assassinate Obama because it'll be easy to see him in front of the White House? Yea, RIGHT up there. But c'est bien normal in this Province to equate humour with racist remarks and then act shocked when people get upset...

Gonna insult the Jews next time when Cammy comes back, maybe?

Habs 6, Caps 5 (OT): Defibrillator!

Montreal Canadiens players seen here heading for the rink.

Before you send in your angry calls or post your raving forum posts, understand this: The Washington Capitals, during 14-game win streak, have outscored opponent 30-6 in the 3rd period. We saw it Sunday when they came back and destroyed the Penguins, taking it to OT and then burying them in OT on a crap powerplay call.

The Washington Capitals are the best team in the League. They have scored the most goals in the League. If they ever find themselves an awesome goaltender... Hell, they're scary WITH their weak goaltending.

The Washington Capitals have everything going for them, and the louder Boudreau screams at a young ref, the more penalties they receive for all their diving and the less they get called against them.

And after sitting on the bench since January 27th in a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay, Carey Price gets to come in behind a depleted team patched together with various Bulldogs to face this offensive juggernaut, to face 38 crazy shots, to face Ovechkin, Semin, Laich, Fleischmann, Fehr, Knubble who lives in the crease, Backstrom, and watches his best friend nearly get decapitated by a Mike Green rocket. Five goals against this team? Most people were betting the score would end 112-2 Caps. Most people figured Ovechkin alone would get 50 shots on net.
Top it off, the Habs are running out of defencemen.

All day long, starting with the annoying PJ Stock who somehow found his way onto CHOM in the morning, I heard it. "Just forget about tonight's game, go to see the Caps." People questioned why Price was starting, forgetting that Jaro's tendency to drop his rebounds in front would just invite more trouble with the Caps. People were thinking if he gets shelled, people can just brush it off as a cold goalie behind an injury-ravaged team, c'est bien normal. The excuses were starting early. Even my producer told me we're so screwed. I just shrugged. Only Mitch Melnick said "you never know with this team." I think Mise au Jeux had some rediculous bet going on.

To quote Randy Tieman, "It's why they play the game." Actually, if you call in or post angry, you should just shut up. When you play the Capitals, you play shinny hockey: last goal wins.

Sergei Kostitsyn got the first star thanks to his amazing skill. He keeps showing us why Bob made sure he remained with this team. The Plekannon with the game winner off a Belarusian Sausage, a simple tap in, very simple compared to his sweet wrister earlier that night. Lapierre, alive and kicking. Metro finally kicked the puck into the OTHER net. While fans were setting themselves up for a good beating, Gomez buried the puck 30 seconds into the game and laughed about it. And Pyatt Earp! Fresh off his Bulldogs hattrick, scores a goal and assisted on Gomez's goal.

And Bobby Fucking Clarke can fuck off back to Flin-Flon before he starts talking about things he doesn't know concerning the Habs. He can stop talking about goaltending too.

I gotta say, regardless of blowing the 5-2 lead, this victory considering the pylonic defence, kid callups, and cold goaltender, this OT victory was probably the most satisfying if not most stressful one all year. My only concern is when you're up by a goal with 20 seconds left, that puck has no business being in your zone near your net considering the Caps have this supernatural ability to just will the puck in the net. The Bell Center was dead silent even before the Caps started scoring at will, because everyone knows it ain't over until the clock hits 0. And they almost won in regulation too, which is even more impressive. If the penalty were called, if someone could have hit the empty netter, if they could have just stood up at the blue line and run the clock down... I had my computer closed. I was buried under blankets. I think I held my breath until I saw Sergei waltz up to the net with Pleks for the winner.

I think I might have a few more grey hairs.

Actually, seeing Price in the room after the game, looks like he's got a few grey hairs. Or it's the lighting.

I hope Gorges is ok...

Habs 3, Canuckleheads 2: It's opposites day!

Leafs win.

Habs win.

Michael Ryder is available for trade.

Though let's look at the reality here...

- Leafs faced Yann Danis who hasn't started a games in like 3 months standing behind a Devils team that can't score and has lost quite a few games recently.

- Canucks are pegged as a rather terrible road team who either squeak by for a win or fall flat on their faces, and they're currently on the longest road trip in history. Early December they rolled into a barnburner in New Jersey and then shutout the Flyers the very next day, only to be destroyed by the struggling Hurricanes and the Predators. Just this past Saturday they were losing to the Leafs before they remembered they were the Canucks facing Toskalol and the Leafs were paying Raycroft an extra incentive to stone them. Luongo gave up 3 goals early then. Gave up 3 again, like last year.

- Michael Ryder is pretty useless. There's a reason why Bob would only offer him one-year deals.

I seem to recall everyone was planning the parade last week, and then grabbing their pitchforks a few days later...

Back to our game.
It was one of the weirdest, flukiest performances by Jaro to date, but the defence backed him up well enough to cover that problem. Rhino was a beast tonight. Definitely NOT the way they played while in Vancouver where they essentially forgot their lifeforce in Calgary and hung Price out to dry, embarressing him in front of his friends and family.

I'm guessing the majority of those 45 shots came in that sequence when Jaro couldn't freeze the puck and finally after what felt like 5 minutes, Maxwell was able to clear?

And in the spirit of opposites day, Sergei Kostitsyn gave up hoping someone will finish his perfect passes and decided to put the puck in the net himself. It stood to remind everyone why Bob ran after him to calm him down and prevent him from leaving the team. With Cammy gone until after the break, we'll probably get to see that lovely SK74-Pleks-AK46 line that was always good when Carbo put them together.

Is it a full moon outside? Because I noticed Lapierre too. There should be a giveaway when he scores. Maybe he'll do it more.

And after 5 tries Plek gets the weirdest goal of his career.

Problaby the most important part of tonights game? All 3 Habs goals were 5-on-5 goals. It has been a REDICULOUSLY LONG TIME since the Habs scored any even-strength goals!

But like I said after that Rangers game... Dammit Habs, stop teasing us. Of course with the news that Cammy's gone until after the break, I'm hoping this win will give them that confidence and realization that they CAN win games when they play in the other end of the rink.

Whatever you do, just beat the Bruins so PJ Stock can whine about it when he does the sports news on CHOM in the morning.

Bruins have lost their last 8 games...and we see them twice this week.

Habs 5, Whalercanes 1: The curse is broken!

It takes an especially terrible team like the Carolina Hurricanes to make this the perfect present for the Habs just before the holidays. And the fact the Habs haven't won on this day since 1945, in a game both Lach and Bouchard played in...well, maybe the magical jersey retirement of our oldest living players is still sprinkling some more magic. It's the ghosts! The ghosts off Christmas past, present, and future! And they wear Bleu-Blanc-Rouge.

Funniest moment of the night was the double minor to Gomez who spent the whole time GLARING from the box at the ref he had chewed out. Apparently his eyebrows grow fluffier when he's pissed.

So finally the curse is broken. Habs win. Free wings. A better night for Jaro even with his rebounds, two-goal night on the powerplay for Metro (screw you, Gui!), deliciously beautiful and easy goal for Sergei that scared away Cam Ward, Markov''s sneaky sneak goal, Andrei's in your face goal, and a multipoint night for SuperPleky and Gomez. Hey Pleky is right behind Crosby in points! And what a happy bunch at the end. Anyone see Sergei? Looked like someone spiked his water with sugar.

As for the Hurricanes... get your Taylor Hall jerseys ready. (Though I'd love to have that kid here).

Leafs lost. Sens were stomped on. Sabres lost. Panthers lost. I don't know where the Habs are now in the standings but the glorious return of Markov keeps on being glorious even if he had some rough shifts tonight (looked like bad ice sticking the puck since he wasn't the only one fanning on it dangerously). And well, I don't celebrate Christmas so... HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Habs 3, Sabres 4: What a pain in the arse

Get moving boys. These irksome Leafs are two points behind with broken goalies.

Habs are 2 points out of 14th place yet still hover around a playoff spot. What a League. What was that about trying to prevent a two-tier league?

This game was great, so to speak, until Derek Roy lost his balls and couldn't man up to fight Glen Metropolit after slashing him a few at center ice, giving Metro the 4 minute penalty and prompting Cammy to proclaim "WTF?!" from the bench. Was this an IOU for the blatant Too Many Sabres penalty that Miller freaked out on? Probably.

And with the clock frozen on 19seconds shouldn't that final sequence be redone? Maybe I'm thinking of the CFL.

What have we learned tonight?
- Habs have 170 minor penalties so far. But how many are good?
- Andrei Kostitsyn is playing catchup with two more goals tonight. Currently challenging Price for this month's Molson Cup? (And Hammer).
- And how fast was that shot of his anyway? It couldn't be seen by the naked eye and wasn't even captured on film.
- Sergei Kostitsyn needs a finisher. So does Gomez. Lapierre isn't that finisher...
- Pleky and Cammy sketched out a play on the bench with their fingers. Once satisfied they told Andrei about it. Right after the Sabres goal, Cammy and the line combines to score. I wonder if that was the sketch?
- We need more Andrei Kostitsyn interviews.
- If that was Jaro trying to avenge the last Sabres game... Well, it would be nice if he could freeze the puck more often.
- Vanek was knocked down by a Forum Ghost behind everyone while on a faceoff.
- The ref furthest away from the play will call 2 minutes for playing defence on Josh Gorges, while the one who is closer prefers to let them play.
- YoMamaWeen still sucks at the Bell Center. Perhaps he's afraid of ghosts?
- When Kaleta scores, God kills a kitten. Save the kittens. (Shorthanded is even more painful).
- RDS screw up of the night: Called Lapierre "Latendresse". Yes Brunet, we know where your mind is. I can't wait for Thursday!
- Hal Gill is the penalty kill's best friend. Unless he's being interfered on during a 5-on-3 to no call. If a Hal Gill falls in the forest does anybody hear?
- MAB's new name is "il rate la cible". Facepalm.
- The media will give Tyler Myers a star for being a big rookie but completely ignore the herculean effort and amazing offensive set up magic of Plekanec. Infidels!
- And what the fuck was Hecht's star for? Being Buffalo's Plekanec? C'mon! You're LOCAL media not Buffalo media. Release your inner homer. Why not? That's what they do...
- Didn't go over 30 shots against tonight...

Keep your sticks on the ice, not in the faces. Cammy says it's upsetting. When Cammy is upset, I'm upset! Pleky is upset too! (My hamster and the hockey player).

Habs 1, Pens 3: The Sleeping Bulldog

You know you're in trouble when even Pleky looks like he has nothing left in the tank and chugs down the ice.

About the only guy who looks like he's got a jet engine attached to his ass is Pacioretty. He was everyhwere tonight, offensive and defensive, using his long spaghetti legs to power his way around. But the Pens had their plan, and well Habs kept their heads up, rolled up the socks, and tried to match it with the gas running to an absolute low. If the game would have been tomorrow, the outcome would have been a bit more balanced. Habs were like Columbus last night, only the difference was a good goalie not giving up 5 goals against. (At 44th overall? Really Habs circa 1996? And he's got his name on the Cup because he relieved Fleury for Game 5. Talk about a sweet deal eh).

Valiant
- I think Price has faced more rubber in the past two weeks than he did all year last year. And a double back-to-back? I'm thinking a vacation was due, Jacques...but there wasn't much choice as Jaro doesn't really handle the Crosby-Malkin show too well. And Price was a victim of a sleeping whistle on the second "goal". (FUCK YOU REF!)
- The "high glove" thing is blown way out of proportion. Especially on curve balls.
- Pacioretty off a perfect drop pass by Sergei for his goal was fantastic. And that's 2 assists for Sergei!
- Though Sergei's "lower body injury" was very apparent in how he was skating. However he adjusted himself accordingly to move over to the back end off his line instead of dealing with the rushes unless he saw an opening that didn't require too much pressure on his feet. He was great on the PK though you could see the ankle affected his pivoting. Didn't look out of place at all with Cammy and Pleky. And picked up a new tool: ploughing through people to keep the puck alive and some pressure on.
- Hammer was like a zombie. I'm afraid he's gonna drop dead by Christmas...
- He may have been tired but Pleky's "fuck off" shrug on Crosby made me smile.
- Rupp's late cheap hit from behind on Patches better not have aggravated his shoulder. Doubt he'll even get suspended for it too. Didn't even get a penalty (FUCK YOU REF x2!). Newsflash! He was only dizzy! Praise the Lord!
- "How to Hit Someone" by Travis Moen should be a required reading for everyone. (You too Rupp. Jerk.) Ryan White appears to keep this book in his back pocket.
- Blah blah blah Crosby is the greatest. Whatever. Will he ever man up and play for the team he loves one day or will he stay forever in Steelers Town? Only the Salary Cap knows!
- Mmmmalkin seemed more asleep than the Habs. Saving himself for tomorrow I guess?
- Desharnais, who was brought over by limo because of the Thanskgiving weekend travel problems almost got a goal!
- Price's away jersey is looking like Gary Cheever's mask.
- Fleury has a tendency to make saves look better (harder?) than they are. I mean, really? Rhino pretty much took 2 years to aim for that glove. If that were Cammy, he would have owned your ass (or shot too high).
- BabyPyatt's face is a mess from yesterday's (missed) high stick! Poor BabyPyatt!
- With Andrei out after blocking that shot last night, Habs are up to 30 million off the payroll. Stunning.
- You know you're tired when: hockey sticks look like 2-by-4s

A 3-1 loss with this lineup in this situation against the Cup champions and 1st round draft presents? Yea, nothing to be ashamed of. They didn't give up, they competed, and the wide-eyed Bulldogs grinded it out to the best of their abilities while Price did his job in the back (games like these that his puck moving abilities really help). It's very telling when while heading for the room after the second period, they were dragging their sticks behind them and barely made it to the door. With a little less fatigue, it would have been a whole different game with the same effort. Definitely would have been better than the flu-fest last time! (Actually it was better).

Who knows if Ovechkin will play Saturday after his hit from behind on Kaleta. Then again, it was Kaleta...so maybe he'll get a medal. Then again, he was tossed. Oh who am I kidding, it's Ovechkin! He'll probably get fined again. Colin Campbell will probably just spin the wheel. And by wheel I mean the special one for superstars (the one with "suspension" that's about as thick as a line.

Habs 5, BJs 3: Let's Go Bulldogs!

Don't worry, little Sergei! He'll make you look awesome!

If you missed this game, you missed one hell of a rush. You also missed Exhibit A on Penalties Shall Not Be Assessed to Players in the Superstar Category regardless of their flying elbows. Oh wait. Chris Lee. No wonder.

But in this moral victory the Habs said unto Chris Lee, "FUCK YOU!", and never surrendered. Taking advantage of a tired young team regardless of how much Jabba the Coach yelled at them all and threatened to take away the Xbox, giving us free wings! Sure Rick Nash could single-handedly destroy a team with his barehands...and Fucking Umberger just won't diiiiiie... Actually Nash almost pulled out his deke-the-whole-team-and-score move, except he was met with an old Hammer.

FUCK YEAH!
- That's MISTER Carey Price to you. Un-fucking-real. And while Steve Mason had the joy of sitting happily behind the Ken Hitchcock choke-you-to-death team to a Vezina last year, Price will happily collect player stars for brownie points. (Everyone loves brownies).
- The BJs have been an inconsistent young bunch. Wouldn't have mattered who was in nets for them tonight.
- I have no idea what number J.T Wyman is!!! (Oh! It's 48!)
- Too bad the Habs didn't call up Ryan Russell. There would have been a Russell Brothers drinking game!
- Clipping penalty? Right up there with the phantom trip on Sergei's penalty (two minutes for watching a player fall). I miss a good hip check and Gorges' was a great hip check.
- Two point night for: Pleky! Patches! MAB! (Shocking, yes!)
- Game of the year for MAB. He didn't scare me too much tonight. And a shot from the point blocked by Rick Nash of all people...he didn't fall on his ass and actually stick checked him! I think I may get a heart attack from the shock of it all!
- While we may not see them score on a powerplay, they seem to score right after the powerplay is done.
- Cammy on the powerplay: it's like he's directing airplanes.
- How to rejuvenate Lapierre? Remove the Tender Gui, pair him with Sergei. That goal was awesome. (And welcome back, Sergei!)
- Line: Sergei/Chipper/Wyman. Hey look, it's Hamilton!
- Rick Nash, woah. I want one.
- Even the crowd was rallying. I do believe this bunch of boys are truly an inspiring bunch.
- Nasty slash from Vermette to the tender fingers of Brother Andrei. No penalty of course! Thankfully he lived.
- I can watch White and Pyatt shut down a period all night. Though I wish White would stop icing the puck.
- I can't decided which Treant I like more: Hal Gill or Jay Leach. Leach is a little more mobile though. Gill has the recent bling, and is pretty damn good looking...
- Rhino clearing the crease, schooling how it's done. One shove = 50 feet fling.
- Benoit Brunet has turned into a fucking sarcastic git. As the Habs were grossly outshot and being overworked for the first 2.5 periods of the game, he jokingly put the blame on Price for not making the save off a Raffi Torres crease block with a rebound onto Vermette's stick and started to chuckle. And while I can be Sarcasmo, Queen of the Dry Sarcasm, I don't really share that humor, especially tonight when it seemed like "blocked by Price" was on audio loop.
- I swear someone called Pyatt "Latendresse"...
- When Stralman scores, Toronto drinks.
- Price tried tossing his stick over the glass. I think he was too tired to lift his arms. It bounced back at him so he just handed it over to a lady practically crawling over the glass. (Give him a break, he's face a double load each game).
- There's $26million off the salary right now.

Best part of the night: FUCKING UMBERGER didn't score a goal!

I started my day stuck in a dark metro for an hour. All this after being stuck behind a convoy of slow trucks. It's like everything was preventing me from going to work. I made it anyway. Benoit Pouliot had a taste of the Montreal traffic coming to the game for his medical/to watch. Welcome to the team, kid.

Revenge! Bulldogs win!

Your screen is puny. Is funny to me!

Nothing is more awesome than going into the building of the team that beat you "at home" and winning. And it was made way more awesome by the fact that Sergei was the one who scored the only goal. Blown cover, and bam, he snuck right into the slot for a perfect one-timer.

Things I noticed:
- No Koharski, better game.
- PK is awesome, and so is the penalty kill. But seriously, this kid could go for the Battle of the Blades when he's retired.
- Cedrick has a giant fucking horseshoe. And I mean GIANT.
- Sergei is doing great, chatting with his teammates, still intense, always in position, Boucher gave him a good pat on the back before the 3rd period started, and when he got the 3rd star he happily gave his stick to a young lad who promptly ran off happily with it.
- Every break, the team is always huddled around Boucher for some plan.
- Conboy is huge! And was also being targeted for some reason...
- No fights tonight. Guess they tired themselves out Friday.
- The arena was kind of empty. Like around 4000 people. (15 000 at the Bell Center on Friday). So quiet I could hear Boucher yelling.
- Good number of Habs fans and a Bulldogs Fan Club, who came by bus from Hamilton. They were in Montreal on Friday too.
- Fucking arena is in the middle of fucking nowhere. Stupid Ottawa!

Jaro's agent is a forum troll
On what was probably a very lovely day for the Habs today, what with the fan fun practice and all... I was sure some media idiot would bring it up. Thankfully Jaro let the word out that he had only just heard of the situation and would not comment. Jaro's a good guy, a team guy, a runnerup to last year's Unsung Hero award, and neither he nor Price select when they play and have enough to deal with. Frankly the "stats" Walsh brought up were only a half-truth: one just needed to actually watch the games to understand why in the face of this stat, Price was awarded the Molson Cup for October and the NHLPA player of the day after Thursday's game. He also wasn't the reason why they were ousted from the playoffs last season, though everyone wanted to make him the scapegoat on it. I won't go further on this, as Dave Stubbs wrote up an excellent piece on the matter. However, if I were Jaro, I'd fire his ass asap for not only nudge winking his way in a matter he has no business in, but the unprofessionalism makes Jaro look bad... Of course the other trolls and haters just buzzed about with glee on this. Douchebags. All of ye.

Skates!
What is it with skates and cutting players this year? Poor Cam Ward... As if he and the Hurricanes didn't have enough problems right now.

No cabers were tossed in the making of this post

Not eating that.

Bulldogs had their preseason opener against the HATED Toronto Marlies in Edinburgh, Scotland today. Jet lagged and faced with the enormous Olympic sized rink, the boys dominated the Leafs for 3 periods but Marlies goalie Reimer showed why Pogge wasn't very important anymore for them. Finally in the 3rd period, J.T. Wyman got the only goal of the night for the double goalie shootout (Desjardins and Mayer). But the thing I found more interesting, or maybe worrisome, was that the boards in this old arena are made out of concrete blocks covered in wood... Needless to say, if Rhino had gone to the tourney, 5 Marlies would be out with massive injuries from being destroyed into them.

Also the crowd in that rink is awesome. You think Habs fans sing? You should hear these guys.

Habs have one more game before they head out to the Ranch. Tonight was the Bruins. For some reason, the Bruins have been annoited Saints and don't get penalties anymore even when they run your goalie full-speed ahead. Can't even punch the guy to make him pay for it because they whisked him away quickly. I can see this is going to be a long year with those fucking zebras. They even stopped Stewart from going at it, but he got to anyway. Not like he had much choice in the later bout considering it was a mutual glompage. Bruin was covered in Stewie's blood and looked rather amazed from it all (seems the cut came from when he hit the ice before the fight during the mutual glompage).


Anyway, we saw the first real inklings of Martin's system and I gotta say I think it's great. The D and the forwards switch positions to keep the cycles going while in the offensive zone, and everyone gets back to defend. Gomez can kill penalties on his own. I think Pleky was out there the entire OT. Sergei scored the lone goal and made Thomas angry. Jaro needs to stop playing the puck. O'Byrne could teach Komisarek how to play with the way he's going. I'm thinking the HMCS Hal Gill is a better mentor for the big guy, except Rhino hits more while Gill is a shover. Oh and the powerplay was looking way better than the Bruins, even without Markov there. Just saying.

Tonight we retire the tag "lock Breezer in a trunk please" as the Breezerpalooza has officially come to an end, pending any dramatic returns in the future. And for a guy like him to have lasted this long, we salute you Patrice Brisebois. Farewell to one of the last bastion of the wooden stick. So without further ado, I present my favourite Breezer moment.

Penguins can't fly: Habs 4 Pens 2

The world has not exploded. Carbo and Kovy don't hate each other as much as the media would like you to believe. Seriously? Did you really believe that shit? Stop trying to run them out of town. So here's the team after Robert Lang's smile and crazy hair was suddenly removed from the lineup...and it's basically last year's team but with Dagger and Patches on perma-stay. And Henry just wants to fight everyone on the list (tonight it was Godard).

What are you secretly afraid off?
- Habs question of the day hilarity. Koivu says snakes, but it's no secret. Sergei took a good few minutes to ponder and then shrugged "nothing". Price is afraid of being stepped on by a bull, of course. Spiders make Higgy scream like a girl. TK is afraid of Laraque.
- I enjoy Habs/Pens games because it's all speed.
- Welcome to the NHL, Caputi! He has an awesome name. And congratulations on his first NHL goal capitalizing on the 5 Habs sitting in Price's face. 0-1
- Well, Fleury isn't really known for his puckhandling prowess... Gave the puck right to Sergei. Needle, thread, Hammer Time. 1-1
- Crosby took a run over Price. Lucky Price leaned back. Please don't take our goalie's head off.
- Malkin vs...Komisaurus? Um... I supposed we have Luke Schenn to thank for that? At least Komo was nice enough to just really pin him to the glass.
- Been a long time since I saw the team this organized.
- Been a long time since I saw the Pens that bad defensively. Really hung Fleury out to dry.
- Best defensive play of the night: four Habs halt the oncoming forward, puck trickles to Price, Price smacks it out to center via the boards.
- Refs gotta get out of the fucking way. Pleky had to move one over...
- Refs gotta get out of the fucking way of clearing attempts... THREE times in the 3rd alone.
- The colour of your pads mean nothing.
- The Double-Max-Sergei line was awesome.
- Pacioretty was awesome not only offensively but defensively he prevented Malkin from entering the zone twice in a row. Nice to see the kid growing before our eyes.
- Sergei was EVERYWHERE.
- Higgins shorthanded. He can score at will like that. But when he's pressured with people around him, he misses. He's so weird. 2-1
- Actually Habs now have 9 shorties. That's 2nd to the Flyers' 13.
- Patches assisted on Fruit Punch's goal while in a headlock. 3-1
- Weirdest shot of the night was the 150-footer Markov did on Fleury who had to hold on because the only players he saw coming back in his zone wore red.
- Gorges was back on the right planet tonight. Fuck you, Gauthier.
- Rhino was smarter tonight. Good boy!
- I was shocked! SHOCKED! Therrien juggled lines for the 3rd period. Yet...when ever I looked I swore I only saw Crosby and Malkin.
- Kovy was looking like the Good Kovy. Blocking shots and all.
- Only one brain cramp on the PK and it's gotta be on Malkin's stick eh? 3-2
- Happy birthday, Andrei Kostitsyn. Weird goal, but he'll take it. Now he's up to Lang's tally. 4-2
- I miss Lang...
- Nice big open net... I was waiting for the guys to give the puck to Price so he could pop one. Maybe next time eh?
- Instead of the empty netter, Price ended the game sitting on Staal.
- Seems like a new tradition with Price. Win the game, he throws his stick to the crowd. Presents!

Conclusion: Nice to see the team back in shape and play a good 60 minutes. It has been too long... Of course, you might say the Pens are soft, but Crosby and Malkin alone can burn the red light out. I think the Habs did a good job keeping them in check, only gave up 1 powerplay goal, and pretty much dominated. It's a good win to put in the charts and helps the team move forward with confidence. And with the recent struggles and loss of more players, this is just what the Carbo ordered.

On the other planet Gorges visited Saturday...
- Ha burn. McCabe scores on Toronto giving the Panthers the overtime winner. He was used to scoring on the Toronto net anyway.
- Kings 1, Sens absofuckinlutelynothing. I saw the highlights. That really wasn't Hartsburg's fault...
- Rangers actually LOST in a shootout, 2-1 to Atlanta.
- Islanders apparently don't want Tavares? Fourth win in a row. They might still get him.
- Caps 5, Devils 2. Why can't WE play like that when facing the Devils?
- Stars 3, Flames 1. I don't know if I like the rumors of trading for Brad Richards... he's just as expensive as Vince. Niskanen makes a bit more sense, I guess. Maybe. Whatever. Only the Bob knows.

Fear the power of Van Moustache: Habs 5 Caps 4

Muller tries to frame Van Massenhoven's moustache

If that Toronto game was more your stuff then you don't know good hockey. The Capitals, in a way, are a similar breed of firewagon hockey as the Tricolore. Only difference is we don't have a crazy high paid Russian. (Markov and Kovy together equal Ovechkin's salary). We've got Belarusians though! (Two Belorussians equal the salary of Semin). Cap numbers are funny. Our three goalies don't even match Theo's salary. Bob's a genius.

Van Moustache's power usually screws up for one goal for or against
- I'm usually the first to cringe and throw Breezer in the trunk of a car, but let's be fair guys. Not only did Van Moustache's power obstruct the man as he made his way from the crowd with the puck, but Semin slashed Breezer prior to stealing said puck to put behind Halak. But as the Van Moustache was too busy getting out of the way, the penalty wasn't seen and the Breezer looked like a fool. But he's a nice guy so no one can really stay angry at him.
- Ovechkin's crazy. But he's a nice kid. Gave Halak a pat on his back after falling over him into the back of his net.
- He is a nice kid, but I was a little shocked to see him trip his own linemate to get the puck...
- Halak was very impressive in the first period, though got a bit shakey in parts. But I noticed he was being more aggressive and coming out of his net more than staying too deep like he usually does. They did say Rollie was doing something with him.
- May Pacioretty never see Hamilton again. I mean, who else can play on that KovyPleks line? NO ONE. Why? Because the brothers Kostitsyn must not be separated from each other or Lang.
- Heh. Komisaurus driveby check kocked Ovechkin and Backstrom into each other. A mighty wind!
- Woah, wait: TWO MORE POWERPLAY GOALS?! Though seriously, if you give Lang that much time to stare you down there's no way he could miss bouncing a puck off your defenseman like Higgins does. If the net was empty, maybe.
- SuperPleky is back with his 3rd shorthanded goal of the season. The man could make a living off those.
- How epic a finish was it to see Sergei shoot da puck and score da goal while being thrown across the ice with only 30 or so odd seconds left?
- And how cute was it to see him mauled by Lang and his brother, and then whoever else was out there, as he lay flat on the ice in victory with that boyish beaming smile of his?

Conclusion: Caps fans may not like it, but this is how the Habs play. You take the lead and they'll do everything to take it back. But even if the Habs had lost I would have called this an absolute blast of a game. A loss would not have disappointed me, save for missing the two points of course. This win also sends Carbo to the ASG. Its interesting because he was never at the ASG as a player despite the awards he received and the very recognized creator of the term "defensive forward". (He was basically Plekanec). Of course, players like him very rarely get tickets to the ASG no matter how many important goals they score or how much they shut down the flashy forwards. It's also interesting, or maybe awkward, as he will be playing the assistant coach to Claude Julien, the man who was fired prior to Carbo taking the helm. Carbo says he's got no problem with that. But I love hearing his boys being thrilled for giving him this honor. This team is tight as a band of brothers.

This is more like it: Sergei 2, Tanguay 1, Kovy 1, Sabres 3, Miller 46, grabs a drink after overtime

Numbers!

I heard a rumor it was December, but outside, it feels like February. I'm guessing the ice at the Bell Centre is nice considering how FUCKING COLD it is and has been lately. Yesterday, I was out at a my company Christmas party. Yesterday, it felt like it was 50 below. And as I'm never drunk, I felt every little bit of it. Today was no better, though thankfully not as windy. So after an early supper, I turned on the fake stove-like electric heater, surrounded myself with fuzzy pillows, and buried myself under a fuzzy blanket, ready for the first of this back-to-back weekend game home stint before the holidays. And I really appreciate Habs/Sabres games. They're good battles of actual hockey with little douchebaggery that usually spoils one's evening. Though I gotta say, if not for Miller, this contest would have probably been a non-overtime cakewalk...

My laptop usually doubles as a heater
- Happy 30th for Markov! Yesterday was happy 38 for Lang!
- One signature of a Habs/Sabres game is how the teams take turns dominating each other in each other's zone.
- And as Miller was providing his team with his usual solid self, Halak was juggling. He did get better as the game went on, but there is never a dull moment when he's in nets. Despite that, he's now 2-0 against the Buffaslugs in his career.
- Laraque is The Rock. Try and hit him, and you bounce off. Try and hook him, and you'd need a meat hook. And that smile! It is both lovely and frightening...
- Peters was a total ragdoll in that fight, but Laraque never really punched him. Despite that, Peters left with a blackeye. Should count himself lucky!
- Argh Breezer the Screen gave the Buffaslugs their first goal. Either take the man or do like Hammer and poke the puck. Don't back up and back up and back up until Jaro can't see past you...
- The rocket that Sergei launched is something I've watched him practice every time I was able to catch the warmup skate. And 90% of the time it goes in, at the exact same spot, in an area that's liable to deflect somewhere ever better.
- Sergei also tried a few of his brother's moves, including that signature split the D and crash the net, as well as the warp around.
- Temporary Captain Kovy's work should be taped and mailed and shoved down Milbury's throat. Our guys get no respect.
- Lang and Tanguay are now with the same number of goals and assists and points! That's 10G, 14A, 24pts. So, screw you Mats and thanks for your service all those years Ryder.
- Maxwell played very well, shadowing his man again and creating havoc. Would have scored too if he wasn't off balance.
- D'Agostini is dangerous. My dad has started watching hockey since he was called up and stuck. My dad is now Dag's number 1 fan.
- Actually, these 6th round picks of the Habs are just incredible players.
- Super Pleky wasn't having a good night...
- Begin hit 3 people in a row and was looking for more. Clean hits too! Totalled up to 7 hits. No stupid penalties on him tonight.
- Miller was upset that Big Georges Laraque blocked his view on Tanguay's goal and claimed it was interfence when he just skated by him. Their goalie interference is even captured in a photo, as you can cleary see Ellis elbowing Halak in the head...
- But hey, there were questionable penalties all around... The difference was, when Kovy gets called for phantoms, he sits in the box plotting his revenge.
- McArthur says the Habs have a great powerplay. I guess he didn't see the games prior to having Sergei on the point. But thanks for the compliment anyway!
- I swear Kovy never leaves the ice. I'm sure he didn't leave during overtime.
- And of course, Temporary Captain Kovy, the overtime powerplay hero with 24 seconds left.

Conclusion: An excellent battle had by all.

Decking the halls with my fists of fury
- Penguinos looked awful in that blue sweater. And worse is it's hard to tell who's who when they play the Leafs. Their game was going on over at CBC at the same time and I guess the blue against white and blue confuses them too as they lost 7-3. Toronto launches it's usually 40 shots. Fleury lets in 5 goals and Sabourin gives them 2, Crosby tries to start a fight, the rest of the team checked out early for Christmas I guess... But that's ok, they'll keep text voting their players in for the All-Star game despite the fact that 3 of them haven't played the 20 games minimum for this year.
- Seems every time someone threatens to blow up the Senators, they win a game. A 5-4 OT win against Dallas. I guess the only way for them to win is to constantly threaten them with a trade to Phoenix.
- Bergeron knocked himself out again in Boston's 4-2 victory over those droogs we're playing tomorrow.
- When Hartnell isn't kneeing Andrei Kostitsyn, he's getting a hat trick for the Flyers in their Screamin' Orange old styled sweaters. Wait, what, Hartnell?! That or the Capitals just really aren't good on defence. Lots of games ending with scores of 7 goals too...

Gui gives us wings! Habs 5, Slowers 2

D'AGOSTINI! D'AGOSTINI! D'AGOSTINI!

Tomorrow is my last day of work/Christmas party and then I'm off for 2 weeks of painting and decorating. Habs have two more games before their own Christmas break. So how's about a good old skilled ass kicking of the Flyers? Oh how happy I was dragging my tired self to my car at Namur only to turn on the radio and here THREE-ONE CANADIENS as I drove to the gas station for some much-needed window washer fluid. It capped off my rather boring day on a high, that's for sure.

Sometimes I wonder who fixes games...
- Apparently tis a Centennial celebration tradition to have the Forum video taped anthem play every Thursday. I love it!
- D'Agostini, showing that you can start playing hockey at around 16, get drafted by the Habs in the 6th round, and make it to the NHL and score score score. Either that or he'd much rather be here than in steeltown.
- The Komisaurus returneth! And get's a point, throws the hits, cleans up the trash in front of Jaro. That hip check on Sbisa was classic.
- Oh my rebounds, Jaro! He was really fighting that puck tonight. I'm sure he has a horseshoe hidding in the back of his helmet.
- Gui!Gui!Gui!
- Speaking of Gui! he probably played his best game of the year. It was building since he came back from the pressbox, and showed in the Whalicanes game. If he can continue like this, at least for a bit more, I'd say he has finally found his game. Project completed? It's definitely getting there.
- Officials need to get out of the fucking way faster.
- Gaff of the night: Bouillon swatting a puck that was going high and wide anyway right into his own net.
- Asham broke the glass. Literally.
- CBC sucks. Who the hell gave Milbury a spot to do colour commentary on a Habs game?! Calling temporary captain Kovy a lazy bum who doesn't buy into the team plan? Fuck you! Right after he scored off a nice feed from Begin. Calling Habs lucky the Flyers didn't show up instead of mentioning how slow they skate and how easy it was for the offense to walk through them? Not mentioning how many times the Flyers shot high and wide? Should have put him on the 8-5 Bruins smackdown on the Leafs. In fact, I'd rather CBC just stay away from Habs games. Nice that it gives them national coverage, but if it's just an open forum to bash a team way better than anything these guys played on, then I'd rather they stay away. TSN could have taken it, instead of football.
- PJ Stock also stinks. Kovy won't use the words "me" or "I" when talking about a role he's playing with his linemates for his team.
- Thankfully RDS has Coach Demers, even if he is really really loud.
- KOVY! WINS! FACEOFFS! He had 2 for 2. What CAN'T he do?!
- TWO! TWO POWERPLAY GOALS. So, I'm guessing that's our quota for December. Sergei with his bullet, and Gui!
- Poor Pleky. Shoot the puck down the rink to the empty net and misses by an inch. As it went, fromt he other camera angle you can see the guys raising their arms to cheer for it to go in. Alas poor Pleky, he cannot buy a goal today.
- FARK injury addition: Andrei Kostitsyn in the leg after being sandwiched. Maybe that was why Sergei was getting snappy. Honestly, I wouldn't want to piss off Sergei. He seems like he's itching to punch someone in the face.
- Almost got too punch Hartnell, but I think it was just a roughing tango.
- At times it seemed like the Canadiens had to slow down to keep pace with the Flyers in order to cover them better. When that happened I felt like I was watching the game in bullet-time. Slow!
- Apparently every normal hit resulted in a gang up from the guys in orange. Even when you slip and collide with someone. Sorry, but frankly the Habs were way too focused to even care to wonder about it.
- Fruit Punch has developped forchecking.
- Hmm... Breezer was limping off the ice and down the hallway after the game. Could he be injured!? Maybe we can get more callups! Or bring Maxwell back. Plays better defense than our resident veteran.
- As traditions go, the Flyers seem to have a mantra for who can win more while playing the dirtiest. If the Habs had so many penalties against the Divers on Tuesday, what was going on with the uncalled mass of blatant penalties from the Flyers. Yes our powerplay sucks despite getting two goals tonight, and the Flyers are exceptionally good with potting shorties, but if you don't call these they'll just keep doing it. Put your foot down, be a man! The worst was the player that decided to glomp Pleky. Was it possible for a quadruple minor for too many men on the ice/holding/interference/hooking? Or did it baffle the minds of the officials so much that they just didn't know what to call it. I mean, it took Timonen to shove a stick into Tanguay's skate to force a call and even then it looked like they were hesitating. Sometimes it makes you wonder if there isn't anything shady going on... like, illegal betting maybe?

Other stuff:
- Why's Burke getting all huffy? Bruins paste two Leafs goalies 8-5. I'm guessing Burke will be shopping for some puckstoppers or maybe they'll see Pogge next year, but what do you expect when you got a career backup as your number 1 and an old dude behind him? Actually the Bears also pulled their goalie for blowing that 5 goal lead they had. So...Fernandez closes the door? This is the Twilight Zone!
- Dallas seems to be doing better without Avery, until they went to Columbus. Won it in a shootout 6-5 though, and guh Mickey Ribs scored the shootout winner...
- Heh, watching the ref send Crosby to the box for attempted roughing who in turn was arguing about it was kind of funny. But 6-3 Penguinos over the Thrashers. Yawn.
- Detroit 6! San Jose ZIP! Um... well I guess it's time for Nabby's yearly slump month.
- I don't give a damn about Sundin.

Who's got the funk? Habs 3 Sens 2 (SO) Jarkko Ruutu nyaaaaaaaargh

Knob Hockey is funny. Everytime I see Ruutu out there I always go "NYAAAAAAAARGH".

So here we have two teams terrified of losing, playing in the neutral zone for most of the night. And yes, I agree on that disallowed goal was a bad call, but hey, I still say Samsonov's goal was offside. Here's to refs with bad eyes and who probably fell asleep in training class!

Meh, I'll just go to point form:
- I predicted a goalie duel for the sole reason of two teams struggling with the same problems. If one team didn't have the other pinned in their zone, it was all neutral zone trap. Back and forth, wide open pull your hair out, 1-1 hockey. Or in my case, that butter chicken I ate for supper was giving me problems. Thank you for getting those 2 points or I might have lost that delicious supper.
- Priceberg! In a shootout, he is The Man. Well, you'd hope so. He became a national hero with that Canada-USA shootout in the WJC. (Where is Jeff Frazee now? Waiting for Martin Brodeur to retire, but even then he's stuck behind others). And throughout the game, hearing the Carey Chant in another city, even if it's only an hour away, is awesome.
- The Brothers Kostitsyn did a lovely dance into the O-zone late in the 3rd which complete frazzled the O's and soon after set Sergei for a feed to Markov for that shot we've been yelling at him to use. Baddabing!
- It seems that everytime Koivu scores he usually gets thrown into the goalie right after. Are they angry at the captain or their goalie?
- BGL needs to hit more. That check of his makes players shit their hockeypants. Lucky for them, though, he is aware of what his weight against them and the boards will do to people. Squishy... (Hint! Lucic needs a few of those).
- Begin vs Bass in a flurry of punches. Begin got the most, and the takedown. (Not his Judo flip though).
- Gorges love~!
- People rage on Kovy, but really, he's just mystifying with that puck. It's like Jedi mindtricks even when he turns it over after holding it for 2 minutes.
- Hey look, another powerplay goal? Ok, the quota for November was filled last game. I'm shocked.
- Hnnn Sputza, nada. Heater is the one.
- Alfie with the swan dive on Gui! and I give it a 5.9
- I noticed Kostopoulos really puts the breaks on extra when he goes to the corners on a man now. See people? He's no Hollweg!
- O'Byrne is painful. Hamilton, please adopt him for a bit? Teach him the ways once more. The refresher course is needed. I'd send up Belle for a replacement even if he's not as big, he's a bit more sturdy and headstrong and also shoots more from the blueline. (Henry has to pass waivers to come up here so sorry dude).
- Koivu had a paper up on the bench boards. He was explaining some play to Lang and Kovy. And this is one reason why he's our beloved captain.
- Shootout: Sputza actual gets something. Markov with his only move. Tanguay carries it backhanded the entire way. Baddaboom!

Recap: Chuck Norris wouldn't score on Carey Price.


Of course, if they play this way on Saturday, it might be a painful night for St. Pat but maybe we can get a line brawl going in his honor at least. Maybe he'd join in. For old time's sake. In the dressing room hallway. Leaping over the B's coach.

Otherwise. Go Als Go!

Habs 3, BJs 4 (SO)

Yea, I only watched the 2nd period while eating smoked meat at Abbie's and I can say it was the same boring Hitchcock Trap as usual even though the Habs shot 35 times at the net (or should I say, directly at the netminder) and the refs decided breathing was a penalty. Halak let off bad giant rebounds and wasn't too sharp tonight. Also needs work on lateral movements, awareness, and his angles were slightly off. Came up strong in overtime though, but was completely hung out to dry during the shootout. Mike Commodore is a douchebag and should get a little suspension for his elbowing headshot to AK46. Of course the league doesn't care yet, so he won't get anything. Highlight of the night: Halak pulled for the extra man, that extra man was Sergei Kostitsyn, and he scores with like 45 seconds left in the game. And Price cheering behind the bench.

That's it.

Rick Nash was pretty quiet. Umberger wasn't.

I can't believe this was only our 11th game...

Because the BJs bore me more than the Wild, I spent my evening listening to the Bulldogs lose instead. The game ended with an empty netter by the Houston Aeros, 3-1. Apparently the ice deteriorated so badly in the 3rd that it was coming off in chunks. And c'est le but, Yanick Lehoux! If Weber keeps working though, his shot will kill goalies. Almost took the Aeros netminders arm off with that booming slapshot.

Chips is their new captain! Congratulations Chipper!

Next: The Leafs for the Hockey Hall of Fame Game.

Happy Birthday Bouillon!

It's been a long, long time since I've seen a pure hockey game. Defense, offense, power play, penalty kill, no goonery, no intimidation, turnovers and recovers, dueling goalies... it had it all. But above all, for the Habs, it was a test of the depth we've all heard about.

The Panthers usually play their best hockey in Montreal for some reason. The Canadiens used to always send it to either a loss or a shootout. But now, with the team as strong as it is, it ended in a 3-1 win, and not a goal on either power plays.

Kyle Chipchura (OMG CHIPS! YAY!) was recalled from Hamilton to take a spot on Lang's line, since Higgins wasn't cleared yet. And what a game did this young man play, true to the name of "Bob Gainey's Clone". With Lang at the center, Chips looked right at home on the wing, and I've heard from loyal Bulldogs followers that they've seen him playing more there recently. If playing the wing increases his chance at a permanent spot on the roster, then I say go for it!

Francis Bouillon was cleared to play his first game, but not on defense. He was used as a forward on the fourth line, but in the 3rd switched back to a blueliner where he got his first goal of the season on his first game, just a day after his 33rd birthday. He took Laraque's spot, since BGL's groin is apparently acting up again.

Sergei Kostitsyn took his brother's spot on the Kovalev line. Unfortunately Kovy looked a little off tonight, so while Sergei led the charge every now and then, no one was following him. As the game went on though, Kovy got better, and his line got more chances. One excellent powerplay, where Kovy dinged a post, they had the puck in the Panthers' zone for nearly the entire penalty.

Carbo seemed to have mixed up the lines in the 3rd, but it worked well. For once, the Habs played a full game of 3 periods! Something they seemed to be working on, and the results are showing. Even a terrible holding penalty by Lapierre with 2 minutes left was no problem with Halak being solid and Plekanec's taking the empty netter (Kostopoulos almost snuck one rink-wide as Vokoun was leaving too).

Captain K got another goal tonight, his 600th point and, seasonally he's tied with his little brother Mikko. And in 5 games, our dear captain hasn't HOOKED anyone yet! I'm shocked!

Halak, who hasn't played a game since the one in Toronto, used his speed and positioning and stopped 35 shots, allowing only 1 goal. (That's 2 goals in two games). He did lose a few pucks though, but thankfully they were either gobbled up by a teammate or flubbed by a Panther, as well as a post or two. Of course RDS immediately said he's upping his trade value. It's true, yes, however, I'd be wary of that... The Habs need two number 1 goalies because if this were Denis doing backup duty, it would have been a 5-3 win for the Panthers. I'm thinking Halak will stay as long as he can with the team. Why? Well, why would he leave a winner? He could go be a number 1, but would that be a winning team? A team that would be seaking his services probably (usually) has problems. Even when he was up for a new contract, he told his agent he just wants to play in Montreal. On another team, it would be like Mike Smith in Tampa Bay. A good goalie who used to be the Dallas backup sitting behind no defense. Habs defense block a lot of the shots to the point where I'd say there are 3 goalies on the ice, but still need their goalie for many of their mistakes. And look at another team where the goalie needs to do it all himself, and you've got Marty Turco completely left out to dry while no one on his team seems willing to block any shots or help out, and with Smitty gone, no one really thinks his current backup is capable of carrying much of a load. Depth! Habs have the number 1 goalie confidence! And a good tandem will carry this team far.

Good start to the season, boys. Next week, the Previously-Known-As-Mighty Ducks quack into town. I just got free tickets in the mail, courtesy of the Bruins sucking at shootouts. (They lost again tonight in a shootout against the Penguinos). QUACK!