Habs 8, Wild 1: Perfect Sunday

Todd Richards to his team after sucking this weekend

Back on track after a good day's rest. The Wild had done to them what the Habs had Thursday/Friday and were the victim of a real shitty schedule. Only they didn't have to travel, so they basically slept at the rink. Hockey would be more consistent if not for the stupid back-to-back bullshit. Habs have 9 games left and one back-to-back.

I bet Winnipeg was REALLY empty today.
- Thunder Bay too.
- I expected big things from Pouliot today but mostly thought he'd just end up getting the shaft for goalie inteference again. Nope! Ends with 3 assists and the 3rd star.
- You have NO idea how much I love Auld's mask.
- Ryan White. That is all.
- And that was charging by Stoner on Palushaj. Don't know why the League needs to make the rule any clearer. How about getting the refs to call it for a change?
- But who needs refs when you got Ryan White.
- As good as Andrei Markov is, he would never pull the moves PK pulls. I've seen him circle the offensize zone and walk the line like that many times. This time his centering pass went off a skate and in. Couldn't have happened to a better dude.
- And don't you DARE shake you head at PK ever again, Perry Pearn. Talk about a total square. Egads! Spunky creativity! It must be stopped!
- The smile Moen gave Gomez was priceless when he scored.
- One more goal for twenty, Andrei! Suck it haterz.
- Jose Theodore left early and Tomas Jagr wasn't even playing.
- Cammy was. The one legged wait 'til a sprawling Brent Burns slides by you pass to Wiz. Top shelf with a rocket. They were just having fun.
- I still didn't see the hand on the puck thing but whatever. At least it was Koivu.
- Pyatt scores with stereo! The Thunder Bay section cheers!
- I love Cal Clutterbuck but don't you DARE touch Gionta again!
- Too many game pucks needed for today but at the buzzer, PK tossed the one on the ice to crowd. They tossed him hats, he tosses pucks!
- And Moen did a mini triple low-five with him. They cut his tie later. (Bet it was Price with the scissors).

Last time the Habs scored eight goals Alex Auld played for the Bruins and chased him out of the net pretty quick. Good to be on the winning side eh Alex? Speaking of the Hated Bear Tribe of the East. Who's 1 point behind them? Da Habs.

Go Bulldogs!

Habs 2, Sabres 3 (SO): Same old lesson never learned...

Only the Habs can dominate the first period of the game and leave it with a 1-0 lead off a powerplay goal then subsequently shit the bed through the next two periods and overtime and a shootout. And trust me when I say you don't want to go to a shootout with the Sabres. Forget Ryan Miller, it's their SHOOTERS you need to worry about. Vanek might look like a useless bag of pucks on the ice during the game but take away the defence and he's a ridiculous 6-for-6.

Some will say, "yea but our blueline is now all rookies save for 2.5 guys." I counter with, "yea but the BULLDOGS were actually the better defencemen!" Brutal game by Hamr with Price saving his ass way too many times in critical situations. Brutal game by Picard, who paired with Wisniewski, was just a complete and utter disaster. And every time Picard was out, Drew Stafford was out, INCLUDING the penalty kill. The coaching staff dropped the ball right there, as there's no excuse in a home game to allow that matchup to continue. Even Subban couldn't save Picard tonight. That's how bad he was!

You can thank Price for even getting a point tonigh. After going up 2-0 and outshooting the Sabres who had 5'10" 160lbs (probably all in his equipment) Jhonas Enroth in nets, the rest of the team checked out early and got outshot terribly. And with the defensive zone so chaotic, they allowed the Sabres to take control of the game. Rolling lines that made no sense, killing any momentum Desharnais' line created, allowing ridiculous scoring chances that forced Price to make ridiculous quick-strike saves...the movement was at half speed and the effort looked borderline disinterested. For a moment I thought they completely forgot there was another side to this rink. We've seen this so many times before yet they never learn!

A win tonight would have vaulted the Habs to 3rd place, first in the Northeast as the Leafs actually did the Habs a favour and WON a game against Boston. But half these guys can't his the broad side of a barn. Instead, it's a tie for first in the Northeast as the Habs pack their bags and head off to Edmonton.

Anyway, interesting factoid: since the brawl, the Bruins have not won a single game nor managed to get a single point since, while the Habs have taken a point out of each and a full two Saturday against the Leaf. Obviously they played the Red Wings twice but hey we were told that after the bully-fest, the Bruins would crush everyone on their way to the Stanley Cup... Perhaps facing the Red Wings twice was their punishment? Oh did I mention the Bruins are quite healthy while the Habs are patched together and have been patched together with Bulldogs?

It's something people really fail to mention. That the Habs are where they are in the standings with this roster speaks volumes to their prospects and development. And the fact that it's the Bulldogs who are really stepping up in these games rarely gets noticed. It's unfortunate that the veterans on this team aren't matching the play of these rookies... However we're seeing an emergence of who can be an impact player on this team, and how a few veterans are ending up on the "expendable" list.

Habs 3: Leafs 0: Universal balance restored

The happy bulldog is happy

That felt good.

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

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

Booya.
Should send that to CBC and their KesselTracker.

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

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

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

Habs 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).

2 Chickens and 1 Penguin have a shootout...

Carey Price is boss.

I guess the title of this post make for the setup of a bad joke, but really, hey look! We had our first shootout of the year! And it didn't suck either!

But before I continue, some sad news... JOSH GORGES IS OUT WITH KNEE SURGERY! FUCK! Another blow to the team. Soon Hal Gill will be the last veteran standing.

So in true to Pierre Gauthier's request to rally around each other, they played probably their best game in a month. Yes, Crosby wasn't there. Yes, Cooke was out with personal reasons (and personaly he could just go away). And yes, Malkin sucks in shootouts. The Pens are never an easy team to play unless they mail in a back-to-back, and this was the first time I saw them NOT mail in a back-to-back game. Also helped them that Fleury was on the bench so Cammy could not score on him.

First period was over in a blink of an eye. Fastest period all season. Made the advertisers angry but saved us from talking to Gargamel down between the benches. Outshot ridiculously, but that's nothing new. Second period remarkably didn't suck for once! And Mighty Mite Desharnais played a giant game. Third period was a little annoying but hey, you got the top two penalty killing teams in the League facing off here... I expected the powerplays on either side would cancel out.

Shootout was a rather sordid affair until Pouliot pulled out the Forsberg (which is PK's move too but he didn't do it). Pens fans start bitching about Price's pose. Habs get 2 points.

Dear GM-boss, we rallied.

PS. Those crazy Russian kids got kicked off their home flight for being drunk. Awesome stuff, boys!

Habs 2, Red Wings 4: Things that could have been...

"Cleary there is something wrong here."

Is it just me or do all the Red Wings fans in the crowd look like they spend their days at some local truck stop sipping coffee, reading USA Today, and chowing down on greasy fries? But I digress. A Friday night in Motown NOT HOCKEYTOWN was there for the taking and the Habs let this one slip away...

Red Wings home uniforms make them look like Santa Clauses:
- Penalties make me want to throw waffles.
- Especially your stupid hooking penalties, Cammy.
- But you know, the only reason we question them is because the refs don't call any on the OTHER team.
- Then again, no one has called the Red Wings for blatant interference since forever. Just ask the Penguins.
- Talking about the refs, they got in the way at least 10 times per period. All of them. Including kicking the puck out right in front of Price (luckily he was watching and there were no Santa Clauses around). Don't know what the big deal is about the Swedish dude, he sucks. So did his partner, whoever the hell he was.
- Cammy misses the net so many times it's getting annoying. Thankfully Moen bounced the rebound off Howard's ass.
- The rest of the first and most of the 2nd was OMGPRICE. Just about 20 shots in the first alone.
- Hal Gill should just remain lying on his side during the PK. Can't do anything when he's there.
- But really Gorges, you couldn't put your foot on the puck for 1.2 seconds more? Sigh...
- Pleky VS Datsyuk was like Fight for the Selke. And frankly Pleky VS 5 Red Wings, twice, by himself? Pleky wins.
- Also was killer on faceoffs but those mean shit when your wingers never get the puck you've won.
- Pouliot really needs to show up for more than just one fucking goal on his lone 60ft shot of the game.
- That fluttering rebound shot with Howard on his ass that went right into his glove? Yea, you would have only scored that if this were against the Senators...
- Jimmy Howard didn't like hearing the Carey chant. Too bad for you, the Habs fans from Windsor can jump over the river to fill you old, empty rink where no one cares to chant your name.
- I perked up with interest whenever Eller had the puck and flew into the opposing zone. I liked that he was with Cammy. Then I promptly facepalmed when Cammy wasted his efforts and gave the puck away by flubbing the pass...
- We assume the extended playtime with Gomez has caused not only Cammy to miss the net continuously but Kostitsyn too. Especially those wide open ones.
- Piss poor effort at the end to tie it up with the empty net behind you guys. And by guys I mean what the hell were the Wonder Twins doing?
- And I don't regard empty netters as real goals so the LOLstat is still "No Habs goalie has allowed more than 3 goals in regulation".

Habs, I am disappoint. If you could have NOT taken 5-billion penalties in the first half of the game, you could have either won this or gone to OT easily. Regardless, playoff hockey is fun even though it's not the playoffs. A series with the two teams would be great, if not for the annoying League-assisted handicap.

Habs 5, Devils 1: Clash of the Giontas

OK it wasn't that epic a showdown, but we got pictures of BABY GIONTAS on our TV so we all instantly win.

This was how you were supposed to play the Oilers yesterday. Consequently those cocky little bastards beat the Leafs 5-0 so I'll Nelson laugh at that. But it was a good bounce back game, particularly to take advantage on the Devils who suck and don't have Brodeur playing. Oddly enough the Devils were on a 4-game winning streak at home and won their last few games in shootouts or shutouts so it was really up to the Habs to make a statement and crush them like the bottom-feeding team they are. Regardless of the score, it got to the point where the Habs weren't really trying to score but nearly did anyway. I swear Price took extra steps on his saves to keep himself awake.

My only problem for tonight's game other than falling asleep on Arnott's goal: PK was a healthy scratch. He manned up for what happened last night. He spoke like a veteran while Cammy pouted in the corner. He wasn't the only one at fault. Either way he better not sit for a long time. Picard can take his erratic play to the pressbox. And see what happens when Weber plays defense? He's actually effective! A shocker! I know! (Of course you could always give one of the old dudes a night off but LOL who am I kidding, this is Jacques Martin we're talking about).

Release the Kraken:
- It took 11 seconds for Gionta to score.
- And he hit the post right after that.
- Lars Eller made roadkill of the Moose.
- The only guys incapable of taking a pass from Price are Ye Olde Czech Defense pairings, the Wonder Twins of Hamr and Spacek. The rest? Well, when they skate, and he passes, there's an even flow of movement. Who knew moving your feet works?
- Rookie ref? How could you not see that was a goal by Pyatt.
- When Gomez scores on the powerplay for the 2nd time in 2 games can we stop with the call-ins asking to dump his ass in Hamilton?
- Of course missing that wide open net and his lone -1 kind of stands out.
- Also Weber is WAY better than Bergeron so stop wondering why the Habs don't want that liability on the roster.
- I noticed Cammy had an A on his sweater. Happy now? (Yes, I know Markov's A now floats around the group).
- Pouliot's 2 wrongs and 2 rights, but he scored a laser so he's only slightly pissing me off.
- And I swear I saw Lou Lamoriello heading for the light switch once it was 5-0 with still 10 minutes left in the 2nd.
- Honestly, with 2 minutes left NOW you send a 3-man forecheck on the Habs? A little late, no?
- And with 10 seconds left in a 5-1 game was a little futile as well.
- Brian and Stephen Gionta are the same height but Brian has the hands.
- No triple low-fives, no fun. Instead, Price gets Pleky's smelly gloves stuck in his mask.

Seriously, these are not the Devils you were looking for. Late in the second, Hamr and Eller took minor penalties at the same time putting the Devils on a full 2 minute 5-on-3. You got Kovalchuk out there. I think the Devils only got 2 shots on net and I don't think any where his... What few fans that team had in the stands that night booed them mercilessly and pretty much all left save for a few masochists.

Habs 3, Islanders 1: Alex the Bard

Having truly earned a night of rest,
My young friend Carey doth sit.
To Long Island they put me to the test
Where a rematch script was writ.

What's this? A powerplay goal!
By Plekanec, worth every penny.
For when that sneaky little man is on a roll
Goals! He will get many.

'Twas quiet in my end in the first,
Somewhat frantic in the second, and smooth in the third.
A 5-on-3 kill to quench our thirst,
Victory would be ours! Pouliot! Moen! The cheers were heard!

My first game as a Hab! First star, and a game puck!
So take that "No Habs No" campaign and shove it, you schmuck.

Habs 3, Sens 0: We love the Sens

Group hug!

Scratch that, no we don't. But it's just so much sweeter to win a game when it's against them. I swear it's not because I like SLC's rants, it's more because I can't stand that team. (Not the same hate I keep for Flyers, Leafs and Bruins though). I also hate their goal horn, that sounds more like roadkill on the 417. But they're not really a rival, they're more like an annoying neighbor. And now with Clouston's "oh we're losing the game, send out the goons" thing he's been doing recently? Fuck 'em.

PERNELL KARL SUBBAN. You will know this name. You will learn this name. For every breakaway, or 2-on-1 screw up Picard causes, PK Subban will be right there nipping on your heels (or sprawled on the ice preventing you from taking a shot). Defensive liability my ass. This kid is gold and has a smile that could cure all the troubles in the world. Except for Don Cherry, who can piss off already.

And yes, the Sens played yesterday and beat up on the Sabres (or Alfredsson did), but whatever to that. I seem to remember a 4-3 victory at home on a back-to-back game after the Habs (also) beat the Sabres just last week.

A perfect response to a 3-0 loss is a 3-0 win:
- It might have been 19 saves for a shutout but with this team you can never expect an easy night for a goalie. Crease crashing (both friendly and non), horrible turnovers, 2-on-1, Alfredsson. Carey Price EARNED that shutout. Especially after the many times he got screwed over last year when he was pitching shutouts only to have a puck tip in off a teammate or something. And in 5 career shutouts, 3 are now against the Sens.
- Already talked about PK, so how about the Belamullet! What a stud! I don't know how he does it but how does someone his size vanish behind players only to pop up undetected ready to score? Answer: he's a ninja.
- Also his smiling happy face is precious.
- Pouliot! I said before the game that you will score tonight. Thank you for listening. And it wasn't a powerplay goal but it was technically from the powerplay set up. A nice pass from Gomez, a bounce off the board (Gorges!), and right on your stick for a tip in over poor Elliott.
- Sign in the crowd after he scored was asking Murray where's Benoit. RDS got confused. I'm confused. Are they asking for Andre Benoit, undrafted ex-Habs/Bulldogs career minor leaguer who's got a PhD in powerplay? (No guarantee that'll transfer over to the NHL though).
- Eller running over countryman Peter Regin. I giggled.
- Picard smacking around his old teammates. I giggled. Then wondered who put what in his water. (Still got bailed out by PK and Price on many many occasions, but I guess until he causes a major fowl that actually gets noticed on a replay, Coach won't notice).
- How many clean hits are you going to retaliate against, Sens? Don't blame them for your inability to take a hit or make a play without getting hit.
- May as well have used the goal horn. Scotiabank Place is a second home. Perfect road game plan with a rink full of Habs fans. (And I saw a Leafs jersey too, which was confusing). The Carey chant was loud, the Kovy-Boos were loud (not sure if that was just Habs fans though), the Ole song was loud, the Go Habs Go was loud. Funny when Foligno kicked the puck in and the goal was disallowed, the cheer was deafening.
- OK guys, with 2 minutes left and your goalie pitching (praying) for a shutout, DO NOT PUT SPACEK OUT THERE.
- Also DON'T SING THAT FUCKING SONGS YOU STUPID FANS! The Goodbye song shall be sung ONLY during playoffs when your team is winning and sending another team on their summer vacation. I don't know if this is written somewhere, but you just don't DO that shit in fucking OCTOBER.
- This is what, the 4th game in a row where they allowed around 20 shots against? I'm proud of you boys. I'm starting to believe those days of losing while outshooting the opponent will be gone.
- I feel bad for Elliott.
- Sorry Kovy, sulk moar. You aren't coming back to Montreal.

Can't post any stunned Sens fans pictures. They all left right after Andrei's second goal. (Well, they leave early anyway even when the Sens are winning. Hey that parking lot's a bitch and it's a long drive back to Ottawa).