Habs 4, Rangers 1: Two and a half men

Admit it. When the Rangers rolled into town today and Budaj was starting we all pretty much hoped and prayed for the best. And while I can't say he was excellant--frankly downright frightening--he did the job and the team clamped down big time in front of him. (Also helped that the Rangers kept missing). Total team effort tonight! This is what we want to see.

Naturally some nights it works, some nights it doesn't. Then again, Lundqvist really tends to suck at the Bell Centre. Maybe it's the smoked meat...

One line was nuts tonight. We've come to call them the "two and half men" line of Cole-DD-Patches. Final tally: 2 goals 1 assist for Patches, 1 goal 2 assists for Desharnais, 3 assists for Cole. They killed the Rangers, even when they were hobbling around from hurting themselves. Next in line was Gomez and Blunden. Who knew these two would be such a pair? And later as Moen was taken out from a bad collision, the new line of Bourque-Pleky-AK46 was starting to find some chemistery. Later Eller filled in and made it a nice multi-combo. (Yes Eller and AK46 were benched early, but no harm no foul. They came out strong in the 3rd, especially Eller).

Speaking of our new boy, all I can say is impressive. His speed, size, nifty hands, some grit... I swear he had more hits in this game alone than Cammy had all year. Could have had a goal or two but Lundqvist really had to pull a rabbit out of his hat to prevent it. Basically, we may have another Cole!

Unfortunately for Bourque, the Capitals are next. It would appear that Troy Brouwer would like to have some words with him...unless of course he tries to hit Eller again, and misses again, and injures himself again.

Rangers' 7th straight loss at the Bell Centre. Of course the Habs face a hell of a hill to climb. Feels a bit like Sisyphus.

Habs 2, Rangers 1: The Plan

I wonder if anyone in New York really remembers Alex Auld?

Anyway, Habs played a needlepoint paced patient game. I guess you call those "textbook road games". Probably a good idea since they're right now waiting to leave New York while a powerful Nor'easter dumps more snow on their heads. Gotta conserve the energy for the Penguins.

Quickies
- Stunndqvist gave us a gift in that Pouliot goal, and pretty much kicked in Spacek's goal but how many times have you seen a dominant shift like that lead to a goal or Pouliot actually shoot the puck instead of "dump and change"?
- Couldn't ask for anything more from Auld. Seriously, people, give this guy some credit already. He didn't steal anything, but when your backup is in nets the rest of the team has to lockdown. They did, and he's a perfectly capable backup. (Wouldn't bet the season on him, obviously).
- On binary day 31, Carey Price was announced to the All-Star Game roster.
- Poor Ryan McDonagh had to wipe the McGuire spittle off his helmet every shift.
- I discovered Canadien Express is the best way to watch Jacques Martin hockey. Too bad it's on an hour or so later. (Good for me coming home at 9:30).

Habs 6, Rags 0: Zaba Daba Do

As seen on twitter (from yesterday): @Voros34 Me and SeanAveryDotCom in Montreal hitting the "Montreal Pool Hall" for a hotdog and poutine.

As seen on the ice, Voros going for Markov late in the 3rd meets our big, mean manchild Rhino who introduces him to his fists. See Georges? That's how you do it.

Wow, the Rangers really sucked tonight. Here I was looking for a good hard smackdown, and I got it, but it's kind of disappointing when the team you want the Habs to seriously smackdown don't even show any fight in them... I honestly don't know how the Rags got over 30 shots though. Someone trigger happy on the shot clock?

Credit bigtime to the Habs once again showing us their mysterious ability to play strong as a team and seriously shut down Gaborik, but even he seriously lacked that goalscoring bite he always seems to have. Actually other than a few missed nets for the Rags I think their best shot in two periods came from Higgy, who shot it wide anyway (same ol' Higgy).

The Gong Show started early with Avery being Avery, complaining all the way to the box. By the 3rd period, Torts was sitting there with this face of absolute disbelief. We didn't get a tirade after the game though, but his press conference was still kind of funny. (Better questions than Cassie Campbell's STUPID MORON UNPROFESSIONAL question... Seriously lady? Trying to cause trouble? Way to put Jaro in an uncomfortable position there). Serious ownage, thy name is Michael Cammalleri! (His dad was there cheering tonight). I wonder how much Matt Zaba was sweating as he watched Stunndqvist get pulled...

BennyPoo, we love you. Lapierre with a greasy goal. Gomez makes his old teams cry. Holy SuperPleky what an awesome goal. BIG night for Cammy and Spacek. Darche got another assist! Sergei came back and traded missed chances with Patches but also smashed someone on the boards in a typical Sergei-smashy fasion (though his foot problem was pretty evident all game).

It's nice when the other team doesn't bother to defend for once.

A full team effort, a full 60 minutes of effort, two nights in a row? Able to match two different systems consistently and not panic with the puck. Able to shut down the only scorers on two teams (minus that Parise cherry picking breakaway). Able to excel to almost perfection with special teams (though that lackadaisical routine on the powerplay drives my brother up the wall). Can they continue this? I think I've asked this before.

Dammit Habs, stop teasing us.

I love you, man!

"The Rangers were shut out for the second straight game and for the fourth time in seven contests." Ouchie?

Habs 5, Rags 4: A love letter to Mike Cammalleri

Oh Cammalleri, how do I love thee. Let me count the ways!
I love thee for every shift and shot and when you take flight
Even when the game is feeling out of sight
I love thy ability and finess,
Even though thou art smaller than Latendresse
I would gladly throw my hat
And pray to the holy ink of thoust contract
I love thee freely, as the strides thoust take;
I love thee purely, as the goalies thoust brake.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's ruse.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
By the Holy Forum Ghosts of the Sainte Flanelle,
I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life!
And, thank Bob, five more years,
Five more years, I shall but love thee better.

Eh. Who said poems had to stay in a rhyme...

W00T!
- Yes, that's more like it. The fight, the no-quitting, the patience... Sloppy at times, but when things settle down and regain controle, we have the sense and feeling you guys can beat anyone.
- Higgy is having a tough time in New York but at least he wasn't booed! Fans booed Avery instead.
- Rangers have the Cop Line: Callahan, Dubinsky, Higgins. Too bad O'Sullivan is an Oiler.
- Gomez > Gaborik. That is all.
- Guimauve is always out of position giving Chipper a tougher time.
- The Bergeron Bomb would be a fourth liner if Carbo were coach. Thankfully Mara seems ready to compensate for his defensive liabilities.
- Barn burner! Sure it got sloppy towards the third, but it was a damn entertaining at least.
- Is it just me or does King Henrik always look shaky when he plays the Habs...? He looked very surprised on most of the shots, and with the exception of one game last season (the Markov-less one) seems to always give up at least 5 goals. Interesting!
- And those illegal shoulder pads don't help you either.
- Yup, my brother and I closed our eyes and prayed when Jaro went to play the puck. It's not really his strength...