Dayenu! Habs 4 Booins 5 (OT)

How thankful must we be to God, the All-Present, for all the good He did for us.

Had He brought us out from Boston and not executed judgment against the Bruins,
DAYENU!
Had He executed judgment against the Bruins and not done justice to the likes of Lucic,
DAYENU!
Had He done justice to Lucic, and not slain our power play with Schneider and Weber,
DAYENU!
Had He slain our power play with Schneider and Weber and not given us an awakened 2nd line,
DAYENU!
Had He given us an awakened 2nd line and not divided the defensemen for D'Agostini,
DAYENU!
Had He divided the defensemen for D'Agostini and not given him two goals,
DAYENU!
Had He given D'Agostini two goals and not drowned a fantastic Price behind a horrible defense,
DAYENU!
Had He drowned a fantastic Price behind a horrible defense and not helped through a fiesty 40 minutes of back and forth play,
DAYENU!
Had He helped through a fiesty 40 minutes and not fed Kovy the puck,
DAYENU!
Had He fed Kovy the puck and not have Dandy take a delay of game when ahead,
DAYENU!
Had He have Dandy take a delay of game when ahead and not brought us to overtime,
DAYENU!
Had He brought us to overtime, and not given us the point we needed,
DAYENU!
Had He given us the point and not brought us into the playoffs,
DAYENU!
Had He brought us into the playoffs and not have to face such adversity this whole season,
DAYENU!

How much more so do we have to be thankful for the manifold and unbounded blessings of the All-Present God:

That he brought us out of Boston,
And executed judgment against the Bruins,
And did justice to Lucic,
And did not slay our power play with Schneider and Weber,
And gave us an awakened 2nd line,
And divided the defense for D'Agostini,
And gave him two goals,
And drowned a fantastic Price behind a horrible defense (fix it Bob),
And helped us through 40 fiesty minutes of back and forth play,
And fed Kovy the puck,
And gave Dandy a delay of game,
And brought us into overtime,
And gave us the point we needed,
And brought us to the playoffs
where the accumulation of hard work in the face of adversity finally pays off.

DA DAYENU! DA DAYENU! DA DAYENU! DAYENU DAYENU!

It's Habs Passover, and we're skating to the first round baby!

We need Markov cloned: Habs 2 Sens 3

I put this loss on you, Maple Leafs. And when our guy accidentaly breaks your porcelain defenseman, we hear it and see it on every sports channel and page known to man and Kostopoulos is turned into something he is not and suspended a few games. But the little turd runs our star ironman with definite intent in a late moment of a game well out of hand and puts him out for three weeks, we hear nothing of it. Confuckingratulations.

Whatever.
- Gorges to Grabovski: I suggest you think about the KHL next season. Komisaurus is also waiting to plaster you into the wall.
- It's Monday and raining. Bad day for a game. But at least the crowd was by their side. Loud and proud, yo. I watched the Canucks game yesterday and it was dead silent... until they started booing as they slowly lost to the Avalanche.
- Breezer finally gets his silver stick and crystal thingy for his 1000th game. The stick was presented to him by the Pocket Rocket.
- Tanguay hitting the crossbar while standing in front of the net on a perfect Kovy-fake out...was vintage Robert Lang.
- Oh Higgy, a wide open net and you can't bank it in... It's that hesitation and sluggish reaction that will be the death of you.
- Kovy vs Ruutu all night. Ruutu didn't really work out though as Kovy got a goal that only Kovy can do.
- No Markov, No Schneider, No power play...
- Refs were absolute garbage. Don't get the high stick on Komisaurus but you sure get the one dealt by O'Byrne. Don't get the two head shots on Koivu or the tripping of Lapierre right in front of your eyes, but you sure love to pick on O'Byrne and a dive by Neil. And my idea of a cross check isn't a guy falling on another guy in a net scrum. It takes a lot to make Bob Gainey angry at you, so congratulations on managing that.
- Don't even get me started on that blown icing call that Gui! touched first a full 2 feet ahead...
- Speaking of Gui! it was fun watching players bounce off him.
- Anyone else on that team other than Heatley? No? Didn't think so.
- Tanguay, please stop with the drop passes unless you're sure someone on your team is there. And also please stop trying to Kovy your way into the zone. It really rarely works for you...
- Janik didn't do so bad actually. The sheer volume of the crowd could make him shit his shorts. He plays a bit like Hammer actually.
- Speaking of Hammer... Nice goal when they needed it but you really let guys walk in too much.
- If Jaro's legs were just a bit longer that second goal would have never happened. Maybe he could get flippers.
- Insert random swear words here.
- Can we maybe call over Yemelin or Korneev?

Conclusion: No more injuries. Please. For the love of all things great and small... At least the flu seems to have subsided. Still in seventh though. Yey.

Exterminate! Annihilate! Destroy! Habs 6 Leafs 2

Fail. It's what you do best.

Especially this time of year...
- The pregame ode to the Mounties with some cop sneaking down from the rafters was ...stupid.
- I gotta say to the idiot reporter yesterday who brought up the thing about the email to hold the safety report on the boat where Gainey lost his daughter, you sir are a douchebag. Double douchie for pressing the matter after Bob said he knew about it already. Anyone got a hockey question?
- Oh. My. Kovalev. My brother: "How the hell did he find a hole there?!" He just does. That is The Kovalev. 1-0
- If the second line can't get anything done, there's always Fruit Punch's line! No one saw Gui walk right in to the net. He's kind of hard to miss! 2-0
- May picks his moments to be a bad ass when frankly he's just a jerk. Could have used another Laraque smackdown. Schneider with a mysterious upper-body injury. Ooooh wonderful...
- Loved seeing Stewie jump the third man to help out BGL though. Excellent game by Laraque tonight. It seems he flourished under the Gainey Regime.
- Gui! is now 2-1 on penalty shots. Too bad.
- 11/13/27 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
- Yea, Tango's got his Cash. Nice tip in. 3-0
- Gerber is such a baby. Not only was Pleky pushed into him first, the second was accidental as he made his way into position. Higgy finally scores, while Gerber throws a hissy. Never mind how many bumps Jaro took on the other side and didn't cry once. Take your .739 save percentage and maybe pay attention. 4-0
- Lucky tip. (According to my brother). I didn't see it 'cause I was in the WC. 4-1
- Kovy never leaves the ice when it's a powerplay. And why not throw in Gui! and Fruit Punch. Max sneaks in backdoor 5-1
- Excuse me while I have a heart attack but GORGES SCORED FOUR GOALS THIS YEAR NOW! 6-1
- Tango lost his mind. And hands. I was asking for a short handed goal, but I wanted the Habs to score it. 6-2
- Fuck you, Grabs. Second time he gets tossed. And Markov is pissed off on his way to the room for "repairs". He better not be hurt...
- After Markov got hurt, the Habs kind of got wonky. Until Kovy got annoyed, took the puck, went the whole length of the ice, got a shot on net, took the puck back and continued playing until he was forced off the ice for a line change.
- Kovy's night: 1 goal, 3 assists.

Conclusion: No more fucking Leafs til next year. CBC is annoying. First the Habs were killing time and playing lead protection. Second, they were keeping the Leafs to the outside and making sure they stayed there when they were in their zone. And third, go find a new team to cheer for, homers. Also Al Strachan, don't read the gossip papers from Quebec please. Roy never said he wanted to coach the team, he said maybe but not right now. And to cap it all off, Bob should stay coach. He's just amazing to see behind the bench. Muller too.

Bulldogs report!
Dogs put the smack down on the bRed Wings in back to back games. Friday was a 6-3 ass kick with Desharnais getting a hat trick and Brrrrrrrock Trotter scored 9 seconds into the game. And today was a 4-2 win with Trotter scoring the first goal again, and Yanick Lehoux finally scoring and breaking a 15 game goaless streak (though he has scored on shootouts!) as he was behind the net, on his knees and just shot the puck towards the net only to have it bounce in off Jimmy Howard. LOL. Yannick Weber scored in both games. Yay! He's making a new record for a Bulldogs defenseman, and now has 16 goals this year. Ryan Russell scored short handed.

Still in 7th. Yey.
- Fucking Whale, 3-2 OT. Pens get a point though, but the Whale must be stopped!
- Bruins beat the Rags 1-0. Yawn. And Avery is back to his usual self. I wonder how Torts will sounds after having to deal with the guy for an entire season...
- ZOMG Dallas beat the Blues 5-4 in OT. Turco is injured by the way, so ECHL goalie Matt Climie got the tap ahead of Stephan. He takes number 33~!
- Sens beat the Flyers in a shootout. Niittymaki was pissed off.
- Buffalo sees the end is near. Devils win 3-2. Question: How did Kevin Weekes get injured if he's never playing?

And now, ladies and gentlemen, a tap dance: Habs 4, Blackhawks 1

I refuse to use any snarky "Blackhawk Down" pun!

So apparently The Bob said NO to the Barber Pole because it not only buzzed with the TVs but buzzed his players eyes. One player particularily buzzed by them was the Priceberg, who couldn't tell between a defenseman and a forward in them. The numbers are a bit hard to read, actually... And though I love the Barber Pole, the Habs instead came out in the CA ones. Unfortunately, retro sweater night was not complimented by awesome retro styled goalie pads tonight. Guess they're worn out already. (Apparently their lifespan isn't very long). NEVERTHELESS: Ohhhh what a win!

Hey, you look farmiliar...
- The CristoWall made his return to Montreal. Was it irony that he was the Habs netminder when Chicago rolled into town last season (defeated in overtime, I remember a very angry Lalime). And while there was concern about which Huet would appear, well, apparently the Crystal-Wall showed up.
- He was cheered, not booed! But he got jeered. Huet probably happy this is the only city capable of jeering his name with the correct pronounciation.
- The Hawks are a fast young team, they've got about 6 players in the high +/- range and many goals and points sco--GOAL. Kovy gets a weaksauce turnover and it's 1-0 with only 25 second knocked off the clock.
- Price was playing "follow the bouncy puck". Said he and Rollie were working on leg work and puck tracking. The results? A++++!
- So the Habs started the season with Andrei Kostitsyn getting his head smashed into the glass. And now we're ending the season with Sergei Kostitsyn getting his head smashed into the glass. Only this time they're on the same line so big brother immediately ran in there and went after the guy. Obviously like last time there was no boarding penalty, and Andrei gets a 5, 2, and 10. So mom and pop Kostitsyn came all this way to watch their baby get injured and their big boy sit in the box for half the game.
- Which was a shame because when he was finally out of the box, he was slowly showing the moves he picked up by Kovy as the game went on. Pity...
- Patrick Kane didn't get much time to play with old buddy Sergei, either. Have to wait for next year...
- Price knocked old buddy Jonathan Toews into best buddy Gorges, and got a make-up penalty though.
- I like Huet's new helmet.
- Gui! with the pop fly goal. He circled the net just in case he needed to hit it in again. I have no idea what the hell Lapierre was doing to him after he scored though. That was...weird.
- Markov is funny when he scores.
- Higgins feels the wind of a Schneider Play. Probably feels like when he was 10 watching Schneider win the Cup.
- I'm loving this edition of Coach Bob.
- Tanguay getting many break away chances but not getting anything. Koivu was explaining to him how to score on Huet while on the bench later.
- Not a good night for the refs... Two no calls on a Kovy trip, and a pretty bad slash on our Masterton Trophy nominee Breezer.
- Habs won 40 faceoffs to the Hawks 24! I'M IN SHOCK!!!
- Markov MVP, I love the way he can get back in time to neutralize a breakaway without taking a penalty.
- Hammer, not so much. And he got injured on top of that...
- PK was solid. Even had some shorthanded work. PP was 50%.
- The Hawks hadn't scored in 6 periods. Brutal schedule for them, they gotta dash home to play the suddenly hot for the playoffs Blues.
- Joel Quenneville was one unhappy man.
- I can never tell if Bob is happy or unhappy. I think I saw a smile and some twinkle in his eye during the Press Conference though!
- Win = Price throws his stick to the crowd.
- Apparently Sergei was noted as being OK after the game, laughing and talking Russian with other players. So apparently he got the english knocked out of him. But damn, those Kostitsyns are built tough eh?

Conclusion: I was pretty sick when I came home. I had no appetite, I was on the verge of vomitting... So I curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and the game just cured whatever ailed me. Good thing too because I was too tired to make my miracle cure soup. Whatever. BIG SHINY WIN!

Also apparently tonights win permanently knocks the Sens and Leafs out of the playoffs. What?

Enemy at the gates!
- Actually the standings are bloody weird. Between 9th and 4th place, each team is separated by 1 fucking point.
- Why the win knocks the Sens out permanently is because they lost to the fucking Panthers, 5-2. Waka waka.
- Bruins beat the Bolts 3-1. Yawn... Though Chara tried to fight Artyuhin. And by "try" I mean smacked his helmet until the RT knocked Lurch over with the take down.
- DALLAS WINS! Against LA...
- Edmonton is sinking with an overworked Roloson. Beaten by the Ducks 5-3.
- The consolation prize for missing the playoffs isssssss... Playing in the World Series. Unless you're like Roloson and can't MOVE anymore.
- Only two Habs (well three, but I've no idea if you can count Andrew Loverock anymore) remain in the Memorial Cup drive. Olivier Fortier, who just signed a contract with the Habs, is pretty much set to play anyway considering Rimouski is hosting it (and boy are they stacked and ready). PK Subban's Bulls ran into a hot Loverock who seems to be outplaying them hard... Looks like they might have to take their series all the way.
- The Leafs signed Christian Hanson of the Fighting Irish to an entry level contract. Yes, he's the son of a Hanson brother. Leave it to Brian Burke to sign a Hanson. The real question is, did he bring his fucking toys with him?

Disappointment thy name is shootout - Habs 3 Sabres 4 (SO)

It's a bum way to end a good game but yet again the Habs turn complacent and passive in the 3rd period and it bites them in the arse. Still Carey Price guaranteed them a point in games they deserved and in games they didn't before his first injury, and since that 2-0 loss in Atlanta (where he only allowed 1) they haven't lost in regulation with him in nets.

Lady luck stayed home?
- First period, Habs were everywhere. They hit anything that moved and shot the puck with fire. And Miller couldn't handle many of the weird bounces, but luck left it's clover at the door and nothing bounced in. Of course, a sneaky tip-in on the end of a lame penalty powerplay gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead...
- As with most goals against for Price, if they're not absolute flukes, it's him staring at 4 red sweaters blocking his view, like the second one after a fanned clear attempt right in the slot. C'mon guys, get to it!
- With his lunchpail and hard hat, Master Higgins wakes them up with an awesome goal. I love the Ninja Line.
- Revenge thy name is Koivu-Kovalev-Tanguay. Capitalizing on the powerplay and the puck bounced off Kovy each time. A sneaky tip-in of his own was just gravy.
- Sergei did some lovely plays tonight, covering for defensive errors, missed a check but managed to get just a piece of the guy to create a turnover, some great aggressive forechecking especially in the 3rd, and came flying in on the left-wing but again no one was following. Poor guy. Hopefully once his brother is healthy, they can have some finish on that line. Still, I love his intensity and really missed it when he was away in Hamilton.
- I love the way Kovy skates like a shark out hunting when he's forechecking. Though I think he could have neutralized that player who passed the puck which lead to the 3rd Sabres sneaky tip in goal after the team couldn't exit the zone again.
- Huuuuuuuge stops by Price, including the Save of the Game with a Sabres player sitting on him.
- I guess the adrenaline got to Fruit Punch's brain because he usually doesn't hit people like that boarding penalty. Though, it's Kaleta so I don't know if you can maybe call it justice? I've seen players get suspended for less, I've seen players not get suspended for worse. But Kaleta didn't get injured either, so...
- Markov is the team MVP.
- Hammer was absolutely out of it tonight.
- Breezer goes back in the trunk...and the car goes off somewhere, I don't care where...
- Dagger didn't have a good game tonight, but gotta give Bob credit. He gave him his chances.
- I order you all to work on faceoffs.
- That said, the refs were being morons on the faceoffs. Drop the fucking puck and shut up please? What the hell were they doing?
- Benoit Brunet: stfu.
- Dandy is totally justifying his contract and totally showing why he's a good asset. Also shows why he's a better forward than defenseman, though I'd rather have him on D than Breezer. If Bob does that, he could always shove Stewie on the Ninja Line.
- Overtime was yakety-sax hockey.
- The shootout was rather lame on the part of the Habs shooters. And with Price being outstanding and Miller being lucky and wonky, they just couldn't get the puck off the ice. The sweet spot on Miller in a shootout is usually over the right shoulder. Pleky got it, but hit the post. Story of our lives eh? But with March being playoff hockey time, maybe the league should just ban shootouts in the final stretch...
- The whole team waited for Price to come to the bench when the shootout was over. Kovy gave him a big pat on the head.
- One thing I also noticed was Bob waits for his team to go first before leaving the rink. Even after those losses.
- Bob knows about the importance of playing a complete 20 minutes in the third. He's addressed this in his Press Conference. Once the Bob addresses something it gets fixed, that's for sure.

Conclusion: perhaps the 1 point gained tonight will serve as a reminder for how terribly important it is to play a solid 3rd period. Lead protection is the key to a playoff series, and any passive complacency leads to the death of a season. Still, I'm confident the guys can make it. This game was intense, the refs were morons, and it was probably the best Saturday night game the guy's have had since the beginning of the season.

Bulldogs and others to report!
- Despite a 2-1 OT loss to the top Manitoba Moose, the Dogs have clinched a playoff spot. They play the Moose again today.
- The Montreal Juniors (STUPID NAME) completely owned the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 7-0 in a pivotal game 5 for their first playoff series. (And this is all without Angelo Esposito who injured his knee and was done for the season). The Juniors have a chance to put it all away at 4pm today. Oh...and I like that Jeremy Gouchie kid.

Eastern clusterfuck:
- Marty, Marty, Marty! You failed me! Panthers put the smack down on the Stars 6-3. I is so very sad...
- Tough night for goalies named "Marty" as Carolina toys with the Devils 2-1. Been a while since Brodeur faced 48 shots eh?
- Pens takes the Rags 4-3 after trading goals all night. Stundqvist.
- Boston had an easy night with the Leafs despite Manny Fernandez being crap. Though you can say Pogge was crappier. And this was the guy who once upon a time was AHEAD of Price, folks. A 7-5 score though, I know Boston was looking for their swagger back but those goals against should bother them.
- Islanders were having a 2-0 deja vu but then lost to Philly in a shootout. Semi-tough night for that Marty. I gotta ask though, why did the Islanders send out Streit as the 3rd shooter...?
- The Sens really feeling that no-playoffs blues now that Atlanta drop kicked them 6-3. Hedberg is in nets again so I guess Lehtonen did get injured (again) in New York. Goalie made of string and glass...
- I'm currently trapped in bed with a migraine. I hate my life and my brain.

Longest Farking 60 Minutes Ever: Habs 3, Dolts 2 (OT)

I feel like this game started 3 months ago. Seriously, everyone else in the NHL were finished with their games when we were barely exiting the 2nd period! There were at least 50 faceoffs, the Lightning moved at a snails pace for 40 minutes, apply that to an incredibly high amount of stupid penalties caused mostly by a guy who really can't skate (sorry about your Dad and all, Petiot, nice article this morning in the paper on you, but get some skating lessons), Ramo freezing the puck every 5 seconds because it was either shot right at him or tipped right at him from his own guys (I think his own teammates were the more dangerous for him tonight), and yea... Sucks Price didn't get his shutout KOMISAURUS thanks to people interferring with him but whatever. If the Bolts can score while the Habs screw Price over then the Habs can score with the Bolts screwing Ramo over.

Bottom line is there were TWO points given to the good guys
- Today's flu victim was Andrei Kostitsyn. Maybe that's why he was half asleep for a few games.
- I only tuned in to the game when I got home. Like, I closed my car just as they announced "and Dandenault is spun around" (penalty). I get inside and Kovy scores. Woo 20 goals!
- For the longest time shots were 24-8...FOR THE CANADIENS! *shock* I think Price had to pinch himself to make sure the shot clock was right.
- The Bolts were playing so slowly it was annoying the Habs and their timing, who were flying or maybe it just seemed like that because the Bolts were so slow...
- Good team effort for the whole game until the ref didn't call a blatant penalty (guess he was tired of calling them) and the Habs gave the Bolts the benefit of the doubt and allowed them to run around their end for a bit. Hint: they scored twice while doing that, both goals thanks to a Hab being a dolt. (Komo in the crease while Price was stuck between a bunch of his guys and Schneider deflecting the puck in) You could see the angry cloud forming over Price's head.
- Artyukhin was his usual self but the Habs didn't like him knocking Price around. He tried starting things with Gui! who was busy playing hockey. Then the Russian Truck tries to hit Komisaurus, who steps aside and BOOM the RT hurts himself. Sorry but I must lol at that one...
- Habs were on their best behavior tonight, but didn't think twice about crowding someone doing nefarious deeds.
- Markov was on the ice for nearly 30 minutes.
- Gui!Gui!Gui! with the wrap around. He made a whole end of the rink look silly.
- He also gave RT a lovely open-ice hit.
- RDS needs to stop wetting themselves over Vince... Bouchard says TB should trade him and get a whole bunch of players. There was a poll asking if people think he'll really come here next season (not on that contract, and thankfully a higher percentage of people had that same thought on their minds to vote NO). Honestly, why would they trade him for more players? He is their team. They'd end up in a worse hole, like we did when we traded Roy...
- I'd rather have St.Louis anyway even if he appears to attract things with his face.
- Besides the 2nd powerplay that Kovy scored on, the rest were passer plays and then a hit off the post or what felt like 50 Bolts players on the ice getting in the way.
- Must be annoying for Dagger, Sergei, and Higgy. All ready to score and then a stick gets shoved up your ass. Either way, good moves had by all.
- I love the way Metro steams over the blueline.
- Mon Capitaiiiiiiiiine! If Kovy isn't clutch, we can always count on Koivu.
- Lapierre was hilarious in the victory pileup, happily shaking Kovy.

Conclusion: Good long 60 minutes and two lovely points dans la banque. A loss would have been devastating and you guys almost screwed it up after playing so perfectly for so long. Maybe it was a bit too perfect, but either way it was great. Habs tend to have problems winning games on rainy days so it's nice to beat the norm for a change.

Bulldogs Report!
Ben Maxwell was named the team's winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for all the work he's done in the Hamilton community, particularily with the school programs and stressing education and pursuing your goals. He's now one of the 29 finalists for the AHL's 2008-2009 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award. Congrats Ben!

Keeping up with the Joneses:
- Rags lost...in a shootout! To Atlanta! After blowing a 4-1 Lead! End of the fucking world!!! Well Valiquette was also in nets tonight, and Atlanta switched goalies though I've no idea who replaced who. Todd White was the only one who scored in the shootout. Rags +1pt
- Anderson stopped staring at ice girls and decided to stop pucks for once though I'm not happy that the Panthers won 4-2. On one hand it halted the Flyers a bit, but now Panthers +2pts (Good thing Habs won)
- *double-take* What?! Blues pulled a win jacket over the Canucks' eyes? It was 1-0 last I saw and now it's a 4-2 win. Proof that powerplays can help.
- Yet another weird regulation win for the Preds over the big scary Sharks. Three unanswered goals in the second period and then shut down city.
- Calgary is blanked again...badly. Worse than the Pens because it's a team from their side of the League. Then again, it's Steve Mason. Instead of 4 goals, Rick Nash woah had 4 assists. But I did watch a bit of the Pens blanking them yesterday and other than MAF being very lucky a few squeaked by him and didn't go in, the Flames were quite lame.
- Stars and Kings are 0-0 after 60+ minutes. Shootout city and the Kings win it. That's gotta suck. Stars +1pt
- I just paid my welcome tax... It wasn't very welcoming. -1000pts

Night of the Alexes! Habs 6 T(h)rashers 3

It's been so long since we've had the free wings...

THIS is how you're supposed to play messy disorganized teams who haven't a care in the world. Yes, you're supposed to crush them with 3 powerplay goals in a row and make them pay for every sloppy penalty they take. Yes, you're supposed to throw pucks at a shakey goalie who's very breath is inconsistent. Yes, you're still supposed to watch Kovalchuk because he alone can burn you...Breezer. Oh well, it was the way it was supposed to go!

And if you have the puck, you score!
- Shots were finally kept at 25 against. Price goes YAY!
- Tanguay making up for lost time, two goals three assists. Imagine if Artyukhin hadn't squashed his shoulder how many points he would have had?
- Kovy!Kovy!Kovy!
- Ooooh Carey flashing the glove and throwing the mustard. Kovalchuk shots are not easy to catch, as seen on that second goal that had elbow grease on it. He's a rifle with a stick. But when Breezerpalooza strikes on an open Kovalchuk two feet from the net, or Komisaurus gets burned by the after burners of the speedy other Kovy, ZINGA! The babushka holds the borsch, right Sergei Puckzhin?
- Still old friends, Komisaurus tapped Hainsey at the blueline after the first period siren.
- Speaking of Komisaurs: BEST GAME OF THE YEAR FOR No.8! Though you might not want to tackle a guy hitting your goalie by throwing him ON your goalie, ok dear? Cupcakes for Komisaurus!
- Putting Higgins on a shutdown line was the best move anyone could have done for the guy.
- Metroooooo! Craziest goal of the year. Just flipped it point blank right over Lehtonen. What a mind game.
- They were rolling off numbers on the news afterwards and mentioned Metro's terrible faceoff percentage for tonight. But what the numbers didn't say was what was done after a lost faceoff, which was nice to see the guys go after the puck instead of run away. Like what Higgins did when he had to take a faceoff: he forgot the faceoff and ran over the guy to the puck in a non-interference way. The turnover numbers are a concern though... But I did see other players trying to make up and cover for the turnover, which was also not in the numbers.
- Dandy is better as a forward. He always beats those icing calls.
- Koivu's goal was pretty funny. Been a while since we saw one of our guys all alone with the entire net and goalie to himself and NOT miss.
- No one can tell if Gainey is happy or satisfied or something else. Would NOT want to play poker with that man...
- The refs were seriously against us with a few borderline weaksauce penalties. And I'm talking about Koivu's...
- Gorges blocking the shot and playing the rest of his shift in pain. Even the Thrashers' player noticed as they attempted to battle by the front of the net. Three cheers for Gorges as he hobbled to get the loose puck and help clear it and then hobbled to the bench.
- The brothers were trying to find each other all night. Well, more like Andrei trying to keep up with Sergei. Though I gotta say Andrei pulled the coolest move I've seen him do since that first Flyers game. With the Thrashers in our zone, he tosses the man over and takes the puck and then practically goes all the way around the rink with it. Would have been awesome if he had scored from that, but wow. Do that more please?
- Word to the wise, never knee Kovy. Angry Kovy alert! With the delayed penalty he just blasted the puck towards the goal and pinged the crossbar. Then on the powerplay he let it rip and I do believe Lehtonen felt it through all that gear. (Crotch shot).
- Nice to see the boys happy. Pileup in the crease!

Conclusion: Keep it going, boys! Everyone says it's only the Thrashers blah blah blah but these horribly low in the standings teams are beating everyone these days so take the win and the effort that came with it and put Breezer back in the trunk please.

Bulldogs report!
Well still no news whether or not Triston Grant will be suspended for that disgusting act he pulled on Ben Maxwell. To recap, the Bulldogs were down 3-2 after some weakass penalty call again and one of the Admirals players hit Weber after a whistle so Maxwell took offense to it and stood up for Weber. This player then grabbed off Maxwell's helmet and whacked him across the face with it, cutting him! This should have been a big powerplay for the Bulldogs, but instead they only give Grant 5 for fighting and nothing more. Naturally Ron Wilson went ballistic and was almost on the ice, because Maxwell also got a 5 and was now in the room getting stitches. So they give the Dogs an extra two for yelling at the ref. They did toss Grant as there was 5 minutes left anyway but they should have had the extra penalty for the gross misconduct he pulled. So instead of trying to get back the game on a powerplay, they had to defend. Chipper tried scoring shorthanded and Henry spent the rest of the time itching to punch someone. Dogs lost that game in the end and boy would I have loved to have been a fly on the wall in that hallway the Dogs and the ref had to share after the game...

But on to a happier note, Maxwell got a hat trick tonight! And newly sent down Pacioretty nabbed a goal and two assists! They beat down the bCoyotes (hey Garth Murray is there!) 6-1. Dogs gotta fix their shots against though... Denis faced 42 compared to their 28! (Though there were lots of penalties so I'm not surprised). Henry got to punch things twice tonight.

Among other things:
- Just as someone mentioned Osgood turning a page in the book of suck, he goes back to sucking... Red Wings lose 5-3 to Calgary yesterday. Conkblock's in nets now and they come from behind to beat the Oilers 3-2.
- Little Koivu is hurt! And the Wild lose 2-1 to the Rags...
- Stop winning Toronto, please...
- I facepalm at my poor Dallas... Begin appears to have been hurt?
- I finally got myself a Habs tuque. It's not the pompom one I was diligently seeking, but a nice red one that super comfy. I loves it! And it matches my red-and-white snowboarding suit so all the better.

The Bob and A Shitty D: Habs 3, Rags 4 (SO)

Leave your torches at the door and give Price a green beer. Before you attempt to jump on the kid for the loss, look at the shots clock: 42-29 RAGS. Apparently the meaning of life is 42, right? Third period 16-5 Rags. Outplayed and outgunned, and the Rags had the better chances. Technically Lundqvist didn't stop anything in the shootout either. (AK46 missed wide, as usual. Someone stop letting him on shootouts please). Had the Priceberg not been solid all game, I don't even want to speculate the score...

It's called "shit happens", story of our lives:
- 1 point courtesy of your goalie.
- Defense, you're doing it wrong...
- I actually feel the defense is more like a spectator sport. They were ok in the first and half of the second but then went to shit the rest of the time. Yet again they have their quadrants and refuse to enter the other quadrant if the puck is loose there before the other team gets it and no one on their team is there.
- Hesitation = death. I don't know how many times Gainey has to tell it to these guys. Komo holding the puck for longer than he should = more problems for Price.
- Best of Komisaurus tonight was destroying the camera in the penalty box. But even that he didn't break in the end. C'mon DOOM! DESTROY!
- Pretty much also lucky that Lundqvist is usually terrible against the Habs.
- Kovy eats the Rags for dinner. Scored while falling on his ass again. Roof of Daddy in the shootout. Had to play DEFENSE for a Breezer error.
- Yes Breezer is back to his two wrongs with every right.
- Oh the children! Patches and Dagger's best game yet. Caused all sorts of problems for the Rags.
- Apparently there's a 5 penalty quota now? The Rags aren't afraid of penalties because they're the best PK unit or whatever.
- Fruit Punch! He's got the touch! What a move.
- Koivu, win some faceoffs please?
- If we could clone Markov... defense might be better. And his face on his goal was of "Eh? I scored?". See the benefits of just throwing a puck at Lundqvist?
- Gui! is back, a beast on the boards.
- Rags are brimming with confidence. Habs are their polar opposites. Yet both teams are fairly equal...
- People ragging on Price for dropping too quick? Gimme a break. Look at Lundqvist... Saying Price can't make the key saves? HELLO? Did you even WATCH overtime when Breezer knocked Kovy out of the play right when he had a good scoring chance and Price had to make 2 huge saves? Is it because he doesn't fall all over himself like Tim Thomas? Price is huge. His size makes it look like he's not moving a lot when in fact he is.
- Well well well, Markov pulled a different move from his usual for the shootout. But Lundqvist's 5-hole was pretty open then, so I'm pretty sure his usual would have worked too...
- Price at the end was not pleased at all. I give hugs.

Conclusion: Can't fault him, he did his job. The rest? Offensively was OK, but not consistently. Rags completely outplayed the Habs tonight. Lang, get a new leg and get your butt out there please? Habs need one huge four leaf clover. Oh and Carbo is supposed to talk to the public tomorrow at 2pm. Live on CJAD. Wee...

Bulldogs report! Tonight they faced the Iowa Chops. Yea the bDucks are Pigs. The Pork Chops opened the scoring with two goals and then it was all Bulldogs. Flinn of all people opened the scoring. Then Glumac, who is now one shy of 30 goals. Then Aubin on the powerplay. Then little Desharnais on another powerplay. And Chipper with the empty netter. (Chipchura has 14 goals and most of them are empty netters). Both Brock Trotter and Sergei picked up 2 assists (Desharnais also got an assist). Chipchura also got into a scrap with someone.

Another day another milestone...
- And Brodeur rides those Devils happily for his 552nd win, making him the benchmarker.
- Apparently people suddenly realized Ovechkin is inconsistent and apparently people only now realized what his +/- rating is? I've seen him give up on backchecking way more than a slow player out-skating Breezer. The Caps were kind enough to shutout the Panthers, but Ovie is still looking for goal #50, and picked up an assist for an empty netter. But wow, 19 saves for Theo for the shutout? Somewhere, Price is thinking "19... yea that would be nice".
- Atlanta... you BREATHE inconsistency. No stopping the Pens now.
- Ottawa, we can always count on you to beat down the Slugs. Now be kind and lose Thursday? We need the points more than you, ok? A quiet night for Elliott, he only face 13 shots (11 saves). That's one good period for the Habs...
- Detroit woke up and stopped the Flyers from gaining more ground above. Not that it matters right now...
- It annoys me when the Leafs pull more wins out of their ass than the Habs.
- Dallas, Canucks, tied at 1.

The Valiant Battle of Les Glorieux

'Twas the 12th of Adar, 5769. The men stepped forward into the State of Texas, blinking blindly into the warm sun. They looked ragged, beaten. Young Lord Price stepped forward and breathed in his surroundings.

"We should set up camp here," he called out softly.

The campaign felt like it has dragged on for an eternity, and the effects were starting to show not only on the men but on the people back home. A terrible defeat in the land of Buffalo came shortly after the King announced they would not be getting any reinforcements was followed by another defeat in Atlantia. While the effort was lacking in the first, they were not without character in the second. Kari the Finn was the only keeper blocking their path to glory that night. Nevertheless the people back home were getting restless, some may say angry. There is a fear that Les Glorieux will fall.

Young Price busied himself with his equipment, while his counterpart young Halak did the same. The two were friends but equally rivals. Lord Price earned his stripes with many hard won victories including a valiant campaign early in his career over the hated Bear tribe of the East, while young Halak filled in effortlessly when they need him to. On the other side of the camp Captain Koivu, leader of the assault brigade, oversaw the men in their own preparations. Tonight's battle won't be any easier and he knew this well. Tonight they face the Gargoyle, Turco. The Captain glanced over at the two young keepers with a look of sympathy that these poor young children may face a massacre tonight. Injury and self doubt has plagued them through their campaign. What would another defeat do?

"We need to win tonight," young Halak said suddenly as Lord Price looked over his trusty wooden paddle. "Worried?"

Lord Price had a strange look in his eyes as they traced the contours of the wooden paddle. It wasn't a look of worry. To young Halak it almost seemed like they were glowing. Lord Price sighed, "There is always worry, but I am confident we will win." He put the paddle down and headed out. "We have no choice," he said as he reached the tent's opening.

--------------------

The Gargoyle stood poised in his domain and Les Glorieux could not get near him. For what seemed hours, the dark suited men of the Gargoyle circled Lord Price's stronghold, trapping his men in their zone. One of the Gargoyle's most hated soldiers, Ott the Bold, was unstoppable. It seemed whenever one of Lord Price's fighters attempted to reach the Gargoyle, Sir Ott was there ready to take them down. Harder the Gargoyle's men pressed, dangerously attacking Lord Price until finally the keeper was knocked off his feet.

Darkness. Silence. Was this the end? Lord Price didn't believe he was finished. Slowly he rose, and picked up his trusty paddle. He pointed it at the Gargoyle, eyes ablaze. "You will not defeat me," he called out. Young Price's men looked at their keeper. They knew he was there for them. They knew he would stand his ground.

Again Sir Ott was on the attack, only this time he was met with resistence. Young Stewart of Hamilton stepped up and knocked the bold fighter to his knees. As the boy continued attacking him, it seemed Sir Ott would cower with every blow. "He is but a weakling," Young Stewart told his fellows. "Do not fear him. This is but an illusion from the Gargoyle!" The men looked at each other. They knew the boy was right.

Every opportunity seemed in the Gargoyle's favor with Lord Price's men left shorthanded for what seemed days. But nothing would come of their attack. Plekanec the Magnificent, a great cleric, would neutralize any attempt the Gargoyle tried on them and Lord Price would hold them at bay. Finally, Captain Koivu seized an opportunity and pounced on the Gargoyle. Left and right, back and forth they battled when finally Kostitsyn the Bald struck! Moments later, Kovalev the Magician got the Gargoyle with a lightning bolt. The Gargoyle appeared visibly shaken, his troops in disarray. He was completely foiled by young Master Higgins, squire to the great Captain, with what seemed the final blow.

Though the Gargoyle attempted to regain the upper hand, with a little help from wily old Fraser, his men could not break through Lord Price. The battle seemed out of hand. "Better to surrender than face death", thought the Gargoyle, no matter how much it pained him.

The Gargoyle grumbled and glared at young Lord Price. "You win this round, boy," he hissed as his men retreated. "But do not think the rest of your campaign will be easy. Until we meet again!" With that, the Gargoyle disappeared in a puff of smoke. His supporters stunned by this defeat had long abandoned the stronghold.

"We won," Lord Price said quietly, dropping to his knees in exhaustion. "Finally." His men, smilling, jubilant in their hard won victory surrounded the boy. They waited for him to move. Finally, the young Lord looked up. The sight of his men standing over him smiling was probably the greatest sight his young eyes had ever witnessed. "Together we won," he said smiling. "And together we will continue on."

The End.

--------------------

Yes I'm officially a dork. Thank you.

But anyway this win was fucking huge. Epic huge. Because the HATED Bear tribe of the East failed to foil the HATED Rangers of New York. And the HATED Penguins of Pittsburgh defeated the Capital fuckups of Washington. And the HATED Carolina and the HATED Buffalo are nipping at our heels. A loss would have dumped the Habs into 10th or something. Now we leap back to 5th. Assuming the HATED Penguins can smack down the HATED Panthers, it's still too close for comfort. (We'll see you in 6th after that one). I hate the East right now.

Screaming orange: Habs 4, Flyers 3 (OT)

Glen Metropolit, tossed in at the deep end, takes the opening faceoff, is there during the screw up that leads to the first goal against, takes a high sticking penalty of incidental contact, was robbed on a penalty box exit breakaway, and then jostled by his old teammate after a whistle in front of his old net. But as the game went on, he looked more and more comfortable with his new mates and did an exceptional job holding the Flyers in their own zone for what seemed like a good minute or two, until finally panic ensued and a blue line battle went offside. Good work Metro. He seems absolutely thrilled to no longer be wearing that day-glo orange. (I don't remember the old Flyers colour being so...bright). The first person to greet him at the dressing room door? A smiling giant Carey Price.

I celebrated with two delicious raspberry turnovers
- PYLONS! 0-1 at 28 seconds.
- HAMMER! 0-2 at 8 minutes. Good god it felt like one of those nights.
- And then over the course of 2 minutes the Habs scored 3 goals. Naturally I missed them all because the food came. So while my dad was complaining about the suckitude of my Habs, I got to interrupt him with "C'EST LE BUT!!!" three times and it felt lovely.
- I did get to see TK pull the moves and split the D like Kovy does regularily. Even Pierre Houde was like "What? Kostopoulos?"
- I don't know what rank the PK is but so far it's been abolutely amazing these past few games. Especially the 5-on-3. I hope they don't get complacent with the knowledge of how good it is and keep at it.
- RAR PENALTIES
- It ain't a game until you get one Breezer Play. Naturally it just had to be on Gagne. 3-3
- Patches is the big power forward all you annoying forum fans have been screaming for. Lookie, he picked up another assist tonight.
- Stewart is a beast.
- Higgins and Koivu had one mad cycle on a Flyers clearing attempt that would have made the highlight reel if Niittymaki hadn't made the save.
- Every time Halak plays the puck behin his net is duck for cover.
- Koivu kicked ass on the faceoffs when it really mattered. Won 5 in a row during the OT powerplay.
- What's better than a Breezer Play? Why of course, the Schneider Play! 4-3 and he Ovechkins himself into the glass.

Conclusion: Play like this against the Sharks tomorrow and you won't be so happy after 60 minutes. So does Price get the shaft and play behind a tired team going against a well rested Sharks? Probably, in the never ending saga of how he has absolutely no luck at all... *gives hugs*

Elsewhere on a cold, rainy, February...
- Pens beat the Hawks in a shootout 5-4. Huet was never really strong against the Pens, actually...
- Osgood actually has to make 30 saves for the Wings to beat the Kings 2-1. I find that one a little odd, but whatever.

The Furniture Maker: Habs 5, Sens 3

Just my luck to miss a 3pm game only to find out it sounded like a wild one. I'll recap later when I watch Express but Ottawa had 47 shots and switched their goalies, Kovy had 3 points and got the first star... I hate 3pm games. I went to Ikea to buy my TV bench and went to my apartment to construct it. Well, half of it. (Actually I caught Pleky's opening goal on the radio. Woo powerplay!)

Kovy! Kovy! Kovy!
- Kovy says he feels like he just got traded here, like it's the start of something new.
- But seriously? I know he's good on the PK, but that was the best I've seen him do yet.
- Not to mention the powerplay. Or totally stealing away the puck in the O-zone for an unassisted lovely goal.
- SCHNEIDER! A point in each game since coming back. My brother on his goal: "Holy shit that was fast". Even Bob Cole was taken by it.
- Looks like the 1993 special, not only did Schneider rocket one in from the point, but Breezer totally faked and then sniped one in as well.
- Yet Breezer still managed to screw up once just enough to allow the Sens to score.
- Gorges took offense to seeing Chipper hit by an elbow. Yes, Gorges, the guy who like watching chick flicks. Got the take down.
- Uh...Sharkko Ruutu vs RoboDandy? Guess no one told him about the metal arm thing.
- Alfie playing with his broken face, protecting his head in the full fish bowl visor.
- I think Halak is used to 47 shots by now.
- Patches the Stapler. He just staples players to the boards. I love the kid!
- Why does Stewart rock? Because I think he's made of rock. He could crash head first into the boards and not even notice. He could get whacked in the face with a stick and not even blink. I wonder if that's his secret to success with all those fights in the AHL? He's also a smart kid. You won't bait him into getting into the box if he knows you're already well on your way in there.
- Woo penalties!

- Habs: 3 powerplay goals, Sens: 1 powerplay goal...and it's just HAD to be on Saku's at the end.
- Sixth straight win over Ottawa. It feels...good. Considering the Habs used to be Ottawa's favourite snack.
- Kovy was the first star and tossed his stick out to the crowd because he wanted to make someone else just as happy as he was.
- Carbo thinks everyone is going to ask for a few days off now.

It's funny, when Bob gave Kovy this rest, the entire media world went crazy about how they embarresed their star player and now he's probably going to ask for a trade, yada yada yada. Apparently Detroit just sent Osgood home for a break and somehow they're seen as geniuses.

Back with Sergei, some reporters were trying to get some news out of him under the watchful eye of...someone. They were met with plenty of "nah, not going to comment sorry" but when asked if he'd like to say anything to Canadiens fans or Bulldogs fans, he smiled and beamed "I love Canadiens fans and Bulldogs fans". Sergei! We love you too!

Twilight Zone!
- The Canucks played like crap and the Leafs still lost. Actually the Leafs should have won that one considering how terrible the Canucks were in that game... Sundin got the winner in a shootout, while everyone else booed and absolutely forgot Kyle Wellwood was also playing.
- Ryan Miller just got injured...
- Boston got shut out 2-0...by FLORIDA.
- New Jersey got shut out 4-0...BY THE ISLANDERS!
- The Minnesota Wild scored 5 goals to beat DETROIT! And it was still boring!
- Steve Mason gave up 5 goals and got beaten by the Ducks! Though, I wonder if he still has mono.
- Oh Biron you idiot... Penguins thank you for that 5-4 win.

"I'll go second" - Habs hero saves the East

A profile like no other.

If this will be Alex Kovalev's final season with the Tricolore--and I shudder to think of that possibility--then what a beautiful season AK27 has received by us fans. Diligent and unwaivering in our voting for him to be sent to the All-Star Game through much hoopla of auto-scripts, text messages, and the never-ending debate of whether or not he deserved to be there, here he is: named the Captain of the East and the game MVP with two goals, an assist, two posts, seven shots, a few jokes with Malkin while on the bench, a mini-check, some defensive play, on fire in overtime and out there for half of the time, a smile, a twinkle in his eye, and the game winning shootout goal of a rocket on a blinking Roberto Luongo that left Mr. Gillette stuned and awestruck. And in the usual Habs Backup Captain Kovalev fashion, the MVP truck will be sold and the money sent to his charity. (Though I think it'll be cool if he customizes it a bit before selling it with, say, an AK27 decal or something). I salut you Alex Kovalev. May you be signed here until you believe you can play no more.

And the rest of our brothers in the Bleu Blanc Rouge did not look out of place tonight either. Markov was the best defenseman out there, providing a goal and some excellent display of why he's so important to our team. A 4-on-1? No problem. And even showing his funny side when Serge Savard was welcomed to the lower bowl, Markov did the spin-o-rama right after for his own personal salut at the legendary defenseman. Komisarek got the first All-Star Game penalty in like 10 years and then tried to redeem himself with a few attempts. Had a very good opportunity that Luongo didn't think he would have shot. Price only allowed 2 goals on 11 shots at a time in the game when everyone was awkwardly skating around, wondering if they're supposed to blow up the score sheet or be kind and courteous. Almost had an assist with a beautiful outlet pass, schooling the other goalies on how to play the puck. Say what you will of Tim Thomas, but his method of flop-n-hope is not effective if players were smart enough to just aim high on him. Price has the most efficient style. Notice, Luongo is the same: also efficient. I'd rather have those two head for the Olympics even though I don't like seeing NHL players in Olympic games but that's another story.

And so the All-Star weekend comes to a close. The fun has been had, the people left happy, and the kids charities will benefit greatly. And once more, thank you Kovy. He was born to play in these games.

Elliooooooooott! Habs 5 Sens 4 (SO)

Trying to right this ship, at least in the backend...

I only managed to catch the game from the 3rd period onwards and then got the rest off Express as I was out for a lovely dinner amongst some rather annoying relatives of my mother (ie. my aunt and uncle) so my take on the game is rather thin... My dinner was good though, save for those annoying relatives. Grr...

You aren't helping that save percentage...
- Fan favourite and gritty, fearsome prospect Greg Stewart got to play tonight. He picked up an assist on D'Agostini's goal and did some excellent yeoman's work along the boards and generally annoyed the oppositioin in the checking line. As he grows I see him as our farm-grown Kostopoulos, except he wins more fights.
- Actually I can say all lines are clicking relatively well. Kovy's line is feeding off Patches (what a kid!), Lang and the brothers still going strong with AK46 becoming more and more that power forward Carbo was talking about, Lapierre's line still the same hardworking core.
- Defense is ok but I get queasy as I see Breezer paired with Cube...
- That piece of the wall Komo hit was padded right? God that could have been a broken arm in the making...
- Heater is a 50 goal scorer. He was ZombieHeater for the first part and rose from the dead in the 3rd, but Jaro needs to learn to deal with those kinds of play like Carey does. (See, Gorges is covering the other two well enough so all you need to do is take care of the shooter, but not while on your knees...at least not when you're shorter than Price).
- Bet he wants that second Heatley goal back.
- Could say the same for Elliott on Kostopoulos' goal.
- Markov is the General by how he controls the tempo of the game like a certain defensman of Habs yore, but sometimes I fear he thinks way too much when on the powerplay.
- ZOMG AK46 ninja scores: 5 goals, 5 games in a row
- Lang had two assists tonight: more points! Now he leads the team with points (36). So ya, fuck you Mats.
- Kovy in the John Tavares spot on the powerplay: bing!
- Bob Cole is pro-anything else when it comes to games that include the Habs. Sounded like we killed his dog whenever something good from the Habs happened, even wondering why the Habs fans that invaded were OleOleOle-ing in a one-goal game. (Memo to Cole: we Ole anytime). I mean this is the guy who actually said "The goalie stopped it! How come?!" when Price stopped Shane Doan on a sure goal earlier this year. RDS may get all giddy over Latendresse, but they give credit where it's due and are equally excited over any other team's brilliant play.
- Jaro in shootouts is usually more 50/50 than anything in that he just seems to hope they all miss, but good save on Alfie.
- Kovy is the magical beastie. Getting ready for the All Star Game eh?
- I think we should send Fruit Punch to the ASG next year for the skills competition alone. Who'd have thunk it! And it was a different move from the first one too. So that's 2 for 2.

In conclusion: I had chicken stuffed with goat cheese in an apple cranberry sauce, and it was good. This game was also good. Sens wanted a point, and they got one. Habs wanted two and a win, and they got one. Carey come and plaaaaaaaaaaaaaay...!



While I was eating:
- WOOT! Bruins lost to the Caps 2-1
- WOOT! Carolina lost to Buffalo 3-1
- WOOT! Tampa Bay lost to the Panthers 4-3
- WOOT! Price really wants to be in that All-Star Game and might just make it. Hey, I won't stop him. Doing so may depress him as he looked depressed about the idea of maybe missing it. A happy Price makes a happy Canadiens team!
- Um...Atlanta scored 7 goals to crush Nashville who only managed 2? Jaro best be ready if Price doesn't play Tuesday.
- Pens traded Sabu (along with some other things) for Garon. Now they have that ex-Habs goalie curse as a secret weapon for when we play them next. Crap!

One big penalty: Habs 2, Whalicanes 3, Refs 11

Everyone should know by now that when playing the Whalicanes, you basically have to play a no-contact type of hockey because every touch is embellished to grandiose proportions. It's why I take every penalty given to the Habs tonight with a grain of salt. Particularily the hookings, slashings, and trippings. The ever popular two minutes for collison returned tonight. And while I honestly don't care how true the penalties were, the fact that no one got called for giving Tanguay a bear hug for 30 seconds (and he played right through it while the Whalicane tried to make it look like he was the one being held), or for roughing D'Agostini who had every right to keep slaping that puck that Ward had no idea where it was, or the stick-around-the-waste type hookings, well... I'd say the refs went home with a satisfying bonus.

But let's look at the good things. Kovalev's shorthanded goal was a big FU to the game. It was a true statement because without the powerplays keeping the puck mostly around Halak, Ward would have let more through. It was a duel of which goalie could provide the best example of bad rebound control, and I'd say Wardo won that one. He was not sharp at all, and it basically came down to having his defense fill his net because they seemed to be aware of this problem and figured 3 goalies were better than 1.

Ben Maxwell was absolutely wonderful even if his impact hasn't hit the scoresheet like Dag did. He was on shadow duty and did it wonderfully, he was setting up in the offensive end and became an important factor in the 3rd as the majority of guys on the team just couldn't move anymore from being on the constant PK.

Unfortunately this crappy momentum was probably a contributing factor as to why Tanguay was having a bad day. At least he wasn't alone. Breezer must be the only player out there capable of making the same exact error four times in a row and CONTINUE to try again resulting in the same error. He may have been the only offense for a few games, but even I cringe at the sight of what he did in the backend.

And yes, and word to the wise other teams! If you don't want the Habs to score on a penalty shot, then don't give one to Gui!Gui!Gui!, though by all means, do it. Thought I'd just warn you. He's now 2/2 with those and I wonder why he is rarely put out in shootouts... When it's just him vs the goalie and no defenseman is shoving a stick down his shorts to stop him, he usually scores. Also puts a smile to my face when players tried knocking him around by the boards. They tried, but bounced off him. In the end he still had the puck.

Nevertheless, this game was like an episode of the Twilight Zone. I'm just happy Gui! and Kovy scored (and both played a hell of a game, though Kovy's been playing great games for a while except no one notices it unless he gets a goal on his sheet instead of a zillion assists). And just looking at this team suffer without Koivu... Imagine if Kovy were gone too? I shudder to think of that day and only hope Gainey brings him back. He's a workhorse and frankly no one can replace him. All he wants for Christmas is a few goals, less teams doing the instant triangle on him, and linemates that can finish his setups. I'm still dreaming of a Kovy-Koivu/Lang-Kovy line!