Habs 1, Sens 2 (OT): You're welcome

I have this twitch.

That's right. You're welcome, Ottawa. LOL Boston. Ottawa now first in Northeast. You can also thank Chris Lee for being an idiot.

Then again, Habs best offense came from being shorthanded. I mean they do play better shorthanded, and Pleky's goal was shorthanded. I do find it rather hilarious that it took the Sens to OT to win this all important game. Markov wasn't playing. Price and Gorges were doing everything they could to hold it at 1-0. Gorges blocked more shots than the entire Sens, though considering Habs had practically zero offense...

Emelin took a hard shot in a bad spot on his back but thankfully came back.

Campoli followed his best game as a Hab with his usual shit game. Rest easy my friends: Only 10 more games left before he's gone for good.

Michalek should have had 5 and a game. Wonder if Shanaban will do something.

The fact Kuba scored the winner in OT was ridiculous. The fact he gets a game star for it is equally ridiculous. Terrible game, and one of the big reasons why the Sens powerplay was shit. Seriously he's in the +20s this season. That's a definite sign of the apocalypse.

So now CBC can wipe the drool off Karlsson after they literally were licking his ass the entire game, Habs can return home knowing they haven't lost in regulation for a while now. Not sure how they'll do tomorrow considering they spent the whole game pretty much killing penalties. It's the Islanders, so...

Saw John Carter today and it was pretty awesome. I'd see it again if it weren't only in 3D and thus 15$ a ticket... Sequel(s) please!

Habs 3, Devils 5: Fuhgeddaboudit

This is how the game should have ended.

Ultimate groundhog day.

And the douche didn't even have the decency to come talk to Cunney who was yelling for his attention, staying on the bench as the team was leaving. He was ready to javelin throw Eller's stick from the bench at Lee after Cole was hooked for the 500th time in the game with no call that lead to an easy backdoor goal for the Devils to go up by 1. And if Cunney wasn't going to kill him, Cole was ready to murder him all game.

And yes, unlike Martin, Cunney ripped the officials in his press conference. They could have avoided it by showing him some respect by coming by to talk to him after the game.

Besides the non-calls on Cole and bullshit calls he received, Elias should have been thrown from the game for his hit from behind on Blunden. While fans of other teams laughed like a bunch of fucking drooling bullies, you'd be screaming bloody murder too if you witnessed the shit these guys went through.

You want bad? How long did it take for them to blow the whistle while Price got his mask knocked off? Waited long enough for him to make a save through traffic on a point shot! Can you imagine if that deflected badly and knocked him out?

Who cares about the ONE bad goal Price gave up. Obviously someone's bringing it up. It wasn't the defining outcome of the game. You just knew once it was 3-1 that Chris Lee would find some way to fuck it all up. Because Cole couldn't get to the puck with Kovalchuk latched on for a ride and because Chris Lee bought whatever Brodeur sold on that "high stick" (which was more of a follow through as he was hooked while trying to smack a puck into the net), THAT'S what defined the outcome of the game. Never mind Larsson being the golden rookie for some reason with a grab and slew foot (HEY HARP ON THAT, TSN) on Leblanc and acting like he's shot every time someone breaks wind on him... Why is it this rookie gets away with everything while PK, Eller, and everyone else on our team gets the bullseye painted directly on them?!

Keep your head up, idiot.
(Not seen in the replay, Larsson giving PK props for knocking him out of Newark)

Yes they could have done more on a shaky Brodeur to put the game away. They could have supported each other better. They could have done a lot more. But when you fight so hard only to get spit in the face every turn, it kills your spirit, it kills momentum. That big rock you were rolling up the hill that you thought was pretty light for a few minutes suddenly turned into the oversized boulder it really is.

Between Chris Lee's constant antics on the ice and that gongshow in LA with the clock last night you're looking like a beer league, NHL.

Whatever. Keep filtering in your PA chants over empty seats, Devils. Enjoy that monetary life support.

Angry Shiba is angry.

But after all this shit, can we hope for a pretty pick in June at least?

Habs 3, Flyers 4: HBO can shove it

Chris Lee. Absolute douchetard.

Calls back a goal because in his view Cole obstructed Bob when he barely breathed on him. Refuses to call back TWO Flyers goals that had more obstruction on Price (with the Simmonds goal being absolute fallacy) than a punch in the face. Refs who guess get it wrong every time. When Price can perfectly recite to Chris Lee what Simmonds had for dinner, he's in the fucking crease on top of him. And calling what was barely brushing a stick on the back of a helmet while NOT calling the face full of stickblade Emelin got right in front of him was unbelievable. He called a hook, while not calling what should have been two penalties because the Flyers threw the puck into the netting (again). And don't get me started on Talbot putting his hand on the puck in the crease...

I hope HBO thanks him for providing them with so much insight into the stupidity and absurdity that is the NHL referee. We wanted hockey, not you.

I wish I could talk happily about Louis Leblanc's first NHL goal to tie up a very trying game, or that Mike Blunden got an assist on it for parking his ass in front of the net. But then Louis barely had 5 minutes of ice time all game, and barely sniffed the ice surface in the 3rd period. Imagine if he had like 10 or 15 minutes of ice time? I wish I could say Cole-DD-Patches are an amazing line, but key situations found Cammy and Pleky out there instead. Hey it's OK, why would we want to score goals? (Speaking of little DD... he's basically jumping over Pleky on the depth chart here).

So JMart came out and blamed the youth when his veterans were -2. It's kind of like when he was ready to bench Emelin again if Diaz wasn't sick...

Face it, man. You got outcoached. You didn't play planning to win, you played to contain. Meanwhile the Flyers ran all over the Habs' zone, constantly drove the net, and constantly pulled a set backdoor play they succeeded on once to open the scoring. It looked like they were trying to play that same old stupid wait-to-counter system, only to end up watching dumbfounded. As for forechecking? One man in. All the fucking time. No support, no help, always hanging back. I don't know how many times Eller looks up with the puck only to find himself alone and surrounded by 4 enemy jerseys but I'm getting sick of seeing it. And I loved seeing Eller rip the puck off of Jagr's stick all night, but for crying out loud, there is no set up for him to follow through with that. Just dump and hope someone gets it.

Shockingly enough they didn't give up the empty netter. So I guess they left with some dignity...

Habs 5, Flyers 1: Relief

I think I hear the angels sing...

Both 68s opened the scoring in the first. A first that was, to put it politely, crap for the Habs. The same old, I thought. As I ate my supper I felt they would never win another game again. In the end, our 68 was better than your 68. And half his height/size/age/salary. (OK maybe not exactly but hey, he seemed to be on the ice for every goal).

It wasn't perfect, and defensively I think I need to dye my hair, but this win was so important. Around 6pm they informed the players that Perry Pearn was relieved of his duties, replaced by Randy Ladouceur (who I would rather have taking care of our defence anyway, and is very animated behind the bench). Apparently I must have been the only one who didn't think too highly of Pearn, as the Habs got roasted for this move mostly seen as a sacrificial lamb to the inevitable wholesale slaughter.

I still don't think much of JMart or his stupid system, but for once he's got two guys on the bench that'll go nuts when needed.

1. Happy 100th for Carey Price. It was a long time coming, and probably would have come last year if this team would stop getting shutout. But it's done, and was so very important.

2. PK Subban finally got it together.

3. According to PJ Stock, Pacioretty didn't play a good game. I mean he only had 2 goals, 1 assist, crashed the net, covered well, threw hits, all with a torn wrist and was a game time decision after initial reports went from "we're screwed" to "holy shit he's a mutant".

4. Sometimes Eric Cole looks like he's stickhandling with a telephone pole, but he was a huge leader on the ice tonight. And though he only had an assist, fans recognized the yeoman effort he contributed and rewarded him with the game's 3rd star.

5. Forechecking is still a huge issue in that they look freaked out when faced with any pressure. But as the goals were scored, they seemingly quieted before our eyes, gradually growing some confidence.

6. Bryzgalov apparently has never won against the Habs. Might be a long 9 years.

7. Wayne Simmonds and Clod Giroux started douching it up because waaaah frustrated Habs won't let them scooooore!

8. Even the Magical Spearing Midget was invisible. Fartsmell's stench, however, was everywhere.

9. Chris Lee is a four letter word.

10. Still got a long way to go, Habs. But not folding their tents after Jagr's goal was encouraging. And the answers were inside the room: Price, PK, Weber, Cole, AK46 and most importantly Patches. Also IT DIDN'T RAIN ON GAMEDAY FOR ONCE!

Not only did they win big but they gave us free wings. Enjoy your lunches, everyone! That is before visions of Chara in a pink bunny suit ruins it.

Habs 3, Rangers 6: Out of touch...

Bravo Jacques Martin.

If there's one thing that really pisses me off with that coach is how he seems so out of tune with his players. Yesterday's game going to a draining, hard-fought overtime and then shootout while nearly facing 37 shots and playing Hamr for 30 minutes had all signals and signs pointing to switching up the lineup. Instead of giving Price the night off, he starts. Instead of watching Hamr's ice time, he plays over 23 minues which was second only to Wisniewski. Instead of noticing Cammalleri is playing terrible through two injuries, he also plays a ridiculous 20 minutes while the spunky Bulldogs barely scratch 10.

The BulldogHabs played their hearts out last night. And tonight they had nothing in the first left to give. It was another edition of "Good job last night Price, now walk on water for us again" except he just couldn't do it. (Don't get me started about the party in his crease, which seems only relevant in Lundqvist's case). All Martin did was end up fucking around with his save percentage.

Regardless of being down 5-1 at the start of the 2nd, the BulldogHabs realized they sucked donkey in the first and forgot their defence at the airport. Guts. Heart. Will. They made it respectable in spite of their coach not in tune with his players. You can crow about him being a possible candidate for the Jack Adams all you want, he seriously lacks common sense. Probably more impressive than their attempt to crawl back and not give up was their togetherness. Auld supporting Price like the awesome big brother he is, Weber kneeling with Picard after a high hit, and who can forget Ryan White swooping in to take PK's place when Sauer wanted to go with him for crashing Lundqvist (who's rather over-dramatic).

As they fly out to Minnesota miraculously still sitting pretty in 6th and having won the series against the Rangers, we can only hope Gill is well enough to play to break down that ice time. Also we can only pray Plekanec and Halpern aren't gone for very long...

Habs 3, Whalercanes 2: Worst win ever...

On the Heart Attack Grill menu!

Dear Jacques Martin

You look a little tired. I dare say constipated. When the going gets tough, I notice you squint just a little more until your head turns bright red. Maybe if you didn't tell your players, who are in a bit of the usual December slump, to defend the entire 3rd period on a 1-goal lead you wouldn't look so pained. My heart, and probably Carey Price, would also thank you if you didn't tell the boys to sit back and let the play come to them. I mean, you're already relying on two old guys who look gassed, a rookie and a journeyman, a boat, and a guy we all love but wish would take a day off to heal whatever is hurting him on defence. Thankfully the powerplay clicked twice on the 5-minute boarding call. Thankfully Chris Lee actually called that properly. Maybe there really is such thing as a Christmas miracle...

Signed,
#31

Oh and happy birthday Gomez. Cam Ward was in the spirit of giving. But the two points were giant because Boston won. Is this how it's going to be the entire year?

Habs 2, Sharks 3: This one hurt

Rar.

Oh come on... Your goalie is doing cartwheels for you on 40 shots, getting tossed around, being awesome and you fuck around in your D zone, stand around and just let the Sharks do whatever and you lose. YOU LOSE A PAINFUL ONE! Oh and with a little help from Chris Fucking Lee and his stupidity.

The passive defensive play of this team will be its undoing. Good aggressive offense though. But it's like Jekyll and Hyde on the ice. I don't know why no one knows how to clear the zone or would rather watch the Sharks do whatever they felt like doing instead of, you know, trying to stop them. Like that short handed goal which had no business even going towards the Habs net. Talk about LAZY.

I also don't know why no one knows the beauty of a hip check anymore. TSN Muppet Bob Mckenzie explained but it translated into "the new NHL is wussy".

If Martin doesn't start Price next game he's got a fucking problem. Kid was UNREAL tonight.

Who gave you a job?
Dammit people! Why did you let PJ Stock back on the radio?! The only air time he should get is to read out the scores. If he tries to use his brain, nothing good comes out of it! Hey PJ, the Habs didn't need to trade. Especially considering what got moved that day... And the 2nd round pick used to get Moore was covered by the 2nd round PICKED player they traded a rather dazed and confused 6th round player for. A rookie is pretty much the same as a draft pick except he'll have some advance on his development.

(Other than Artyukhin... Not much really moved around that this team already has. And who knows, maybe they made an offer that wasn't accepted).

If there was interest, other teams probably wanted players this team can't afford to lose and the return was not good enough to warrant losing them. You can't just call up your buddy in LA and say "Heeey so, would you like a 5 million dollar 35 year old defenceman?" You want to be the Leafs and trade all your top point getters for futures? What are we, the Expos?

Habs 5, Panthers 4: Win ugly

On this New Year's Eve, a blue moon shines bright, and it apparently sucked out all of Jaro's abilities. Thankfully it appears to have affected Vokoun just as much. But seriously I'm tired of people going all Jaro this and Jaro that... Even my DAD sees his problem with rebounds and his inability to freeze a puck when it needs to be frozen. And this is what he does on a consistent basis. Oddly enough his rebound problem wasn't what caused the goals, but when you're weak on two and were the victim of two breakaways, it would make us all feel better if that puck could freeze more with a one-goal game, especially when your teammates are running around and scrambling everywhere... Nevertheless, better to have him backing up Price than Sanford (who appears to be consistently injuring himself) and padding his stats on weaker teams. Wake up, people: Markov is our litmus paper.

Road trip success 6-1. We'll just forget about the Ottawa game that was gift wrapped by Kerry Fraser. Oh and Chris Fucking Lee still managed to leave his mark on tonight's game. Happy New Year's, Fucker.

Now...about staying healthy, Habs...

Peek-a-BOOOOOO

Cluck like a chicken!
- BennyPoo, may you continue doing what you do.
- Cammy! Scored on the road. I know, shocking eh? Brett Hull style from the knees.
- HMCS Hal Gill fired a torpedo, one casualty (Vokoun's confidence).
- Gomez has been inspired lately, perhaps coinciding with the impending return of his BFF Gionta?
- Horton hears a boo. Cherry picking useless entity.
- Patches played like a man possessed and had to fill in for BOTH Kostitsyns tonight as Sergei injured himself in warmup and Ballard did something to Andrei during the game (Lapierre went after him later).
- No goalies were harmed during this game both on and off the ice.
- I heard it's the first time this year the building was sold out. Sadly for the Panthers, it was all Habs fans.
- Even with Vokoun tugging on his skates, Pleky still managed to score.
- Slippy finally hits a target.
- Frolik reminds me of a hobbit, but cuter. He's just adorable.
- Two delay-of-game penalties in a row, overlapping for a 5-on-3...but it was the Panthers at fault! I know, shocking eh?

Messy and ugly, but a win and free wings to close off the season means all is right with the world.

And the dessert? Canada vs USA at the WJC! And it was a great game for our Danny "The Count" Kristo. So conflicted on my cheering tonight! Anyway it was a 4-4 game in which USA dominated and Canada looked like a bunch of children, until finally Eberle (who reminds me a lot of Pleky in how he skates and cradles the puck) did what he did last year. It ended in a shootout where everyone was scoring until Jordan Schroeder was finally stopped by Jake Allen. Tripping on the puck for a victory splat, it was another classic, regardless of how ugly it was. And I'm in love with Kristo.

Hey, ugly wins all around eh? And I'm closing out 2009 a happy fan but with an annoyingly terrible cold. Happy New Years everyone!

I'd like some tea: Habs 1, Boston 3

So I missed the only good part of this game which was the first period apparently. I say this because it's how the radio described it as being rather awesome. Of course the minute I saw Chris Lee was on the ice I realized the game would be lost unless some miracle happen. A miracle involving him getting knocked out by a flying puck. But nope, in his usual fashion of closing eyes to infractions he calls weakly on the other team, the second period went to the crapper. Not to mention the miscommunications on two icings that weren't called which inadvertedly had our guys looking around and getting caught flat footed. And I'm tired of hearing the revelation of Tim Thomas... As a goalie, I can say, he's not that good really. He makes maybe 10 actual saves a game while the rest are dealth with by his defense bailing him out or tying up the sticks of players crashing the crease attempting to get the rebounds. In a way...he's like Halak. Especially in the inability to play the puck. He's no different from last year, but it's his defense that have stepped up. Of course all the chances in the world don't matter if no one is finishing. Like Markov. With a golden moment to tie the game, he's taking a nap on a wide open net. And don't tell me Kovy did nothing all game. The second he had the puck, one of the Bostonites pointed at him and he was suddenly surrounded by 3 guys. Pacioretty, however, is continuing his path to awesome. I missed the fight between Chipper and someone. And Gui! was very impressive tonight. Spent a good 30 seconds protecting the puck. The Kostitsyns also continued their two-headed monster play.

Oh, an a powerplay goal. Huzzah.

In conclusion: Ryder didn't score. Nani nani fu fu. And Komisarek saves the empty net!

On another note
I'm looking at the points collected by our various players as we enter the 2nd half of the season. Currently there are THREE players with 32 points (Kovy, Lang, Markov) and TWO players with 26 points (Tanguay and AK46). Not far behind are Koivu (22), Pleky (20), and Sergei (19). And of course two of those guys are on the shelf, so next up is Gui! with 16 points. I like that it's a balance of points across the board, which we saw last year with at least 7 players reaching over the 50 point mark. It's probably safe to say that the team is on pace to match that even spread of points.

Does this warrant a title or do I need to check the rulebook first?

On this historic day, everyone's favourite defenseman, Josh Gorges, scored his first goal in a Montreal Canadiens sweater. It was his 2nd NHL goal in total, ever. Goalie Carey Price gave number 26 a big hug during intermission and the crowd went wild.

Too bad Chris Lee and Ryan O'Byrne pissed on your parade. FUCK-N-A!

Oh yea, and it was a good game, Habs were all over the Islanders, fixing each others mistakes, fighting hard in overtime (Kovy gave up waiting for his linemates I think). Scoring from Lapierre and Begin. It was a good game, other than those two...things.