And yes, I love this job. Thanks to Alin Mateescu and staff for bringing me to RMT.

Arguably, the best fan-centric franchise in the NHL resides at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. In their fledgling nine years, as of January 3rd, 2009, the Wild have sold out every home game in their arena’s history. They have also retired only one jersey in that nine year history. It chokes me up to think about it, because when I look deeply into my inner canuck, I realize that this is simply the way things should be in our great sport.

The Minnesota Wild will never have a player with the number 1 on their jersey, because that star player is their fans.

If you drive north for three hours, you are still in Wild territory. You will also find yourself in the presence of the World’s Largest Hockey Stick, in Eveleth, Minnesota.

Waivers. There’s something disheartening about that word, one that makes a player rethink their history, hope for the future, and attempt to avoid a sense of misery. It’s not a trade, a trade has a larger sense of respect to it.

Yet, there he was. He had been to the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Anaheim, in the megolithic age of players like Steve Rucchin, Paul Kariya, and Niclas Havelid, back when the Ducks actually had a logo.

He had a ring with the Carolina Hurricanes, when against a storm of attacks from the League’s best in Chris Pronger, Michael Peca, and Ryan Smyth, he was allowed to have his day with Lord Stanley’s Cup.

And yet again, the silver taste on his lips hung as he chased it, once again in the Playoffs with Ottawa as a Senator.

Then, he found himself on waivers.

There’s something brewing in Toronto, and as much as many of us outside of Burke’s domain have ridiculed him, we saw, as Alex Ovechkin also watched from the sidelines, a sense of urgency and fury that we should not so quickly expect from a currently bottom third ranked team.

Ovechkin’s good, but I’m gaining faith in the Swiss Martin Gerber. For a goaltender who has been to the Playoffs with every team he’s played on, this could be a sign, Toronto.

It’s easy to get a big head. You have the contract, get to date the pretty models, and if you are proactive enough, you find yourself in the news quite a bit. It’s all cake until your only claim to fame is the “Most Hated Player in Hockey”. Bettman gets kudos. I’ve been watching the interviews, watching the play of our titled anti-hero, and I have to say, the guy I used to despise is growing on me.

I can’t believe I’m truly beginning to like Sean Avery. Finally, the guy has come to actually play hockey.

If I had nothing to like about the Rangers before, as a Bolt fan first and foremost, I have to say Torty is an excellent fit. Maybe with these and the new trades of Antropov from Toronto, and Morris from Phoenix, there will be a Rangers team Mark Messier can once again respect.

The West is nothing less than a horse race to the finish every year. I am pleased to actually see the Blue Jackets gracing the Top 8, for the first time in their history. Although the Wild have tasted Playoff hockey, Columbus has not, even with the incredible talents of Rick Nash and the former defenceman Sergei Fedorov. With Kristian Huselius and the newly acquired Antoine Vermette, expect more firepower from the already impressive arsenal to reach into May.

While the Jackets suffered a visceral defeat from a determined Predators team, don’t count them out. We certainly have not seen the last of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He won a Stanley Cup, and then found himself traded to the Flyers for some upshot named Rick Tocchet. You know where I’m going with this. He won a second Stanley Cup with our aforementioned Martin Gerber. He has been to more teams than even he would care to name, and in just over a calendar year, has now played on four different teams: the Penguins, Thrashers, Tampa Bay, and now called forth to add to an already impressive Boston Bruins. While his service as a player under the coaching of the very upstart in 1992 that placed him with the Flyers, Mark Recchi is the man you call when you need something solid, something with heart. Having Recchi on your roster is the same as loading up with sorghum syrup before a happy day of logging.

Playing Boston was rough before. Now it’s like playing the Bruins on crack, with the Jolly Green Giant for a Captain.

Don’t feed the Bears, folks.

The Atlanta Thrashers have a new motto: “When you care enough to get rid of the very best”. First it was Mathieu Schneider to Montreal (who will be in Atlanta to clean their collective clocks tonight), now Niclas Havelid to New Jersey. If there is a player more professional and dedicated to his sport and his fanbase, I’d like to meet them.

For me, since I have met Havelid personally, this is a well-deserved move, both for Havelid and New Jersey. He taught my son that you can’t touch the Cup until you win it. So when it came to Atlanta, the little one wouldn’t. Perhaps this is his year. He certainly belongs on a team of the Devils’ caliber.

Now that God is back in the net, this should all get very interesting.

Tonight, Carolina and Buffalo are in must-win games, and the fate of Dallas-Anaheim hangs in the balance with each team striving to displace Edmonton for 8th seed in the West. The gangly roots of the Playoff Beard are beginning to grow.

And that, my friends, is hockey as we know it.

Yes of course having a Vincent Lecavalier on the team would be great! Vinny would be the big scoring centre from Quebec that the Habs have needed since Jean Beliveau. Vinny would solidify the number one centre position for the next ten years, and the Canadiens would have their impact player they have been searching for. But what about the back end?

The Canadiens have showed that even with players like Andrei Markov, Mike Komisarek and Roman Hamrlik that they still need someone else to complete their four man scheme. Josh Gorges and Francis Bouillon are good, especially Gorges who has an impressive +18 this year, and Bouillon never ducks away from the rough play, unfortunately they are both small. Patrice Brisebois is playing well again this year, but is showing signs of fatigue as he is looked upon to be the number four guy.

The solution could be prying Pronger away from the Ducks. With Pronger’s size, mean streak and toughness, to go along with his defensive and offensive skill, he might be just what the Habs need. Think of playing the Boston Bruins or the Philadelphia Flyers in the play-offs this year. Both of those teams are big and like to pound the corners, and with Komisarek being the only one who really pounds back with any consistency, the Habs are lacking back-end size and toughness.

And what about at the forward position? Even with all the injuries the Canadiens have had this year they have still managed to score goals, so scoring doesn’t seem to be the problem. An aging Steve Begin is doing what he can to play a tough and hitting game but can’t do it every night. Tom Kostopoulos is doing what he can to defend players but seems to be more of a punching bag. Guillaume Latendresse is concentrating on scoring or passing and not finishing his checks.

Could the solution be getting Neil out of the Sens line-up? Think of Georges Laraque back in the line-up playing beside Neil. The Bruins and Flyers would have a hard time with the likes of Komisarek, Pronger, Laraque and Neil. The forwards for the Habs would be able to run free and play the way they can without worrying of retribution from the other teams. Carey Price would be a little less worried about peolpe crashing his net as he would know that there would finally be some pay back.

As I mentioned before, Lecavalier would definitely be great, but if it is impossible to get him, then Pronger and Neil would be a solution to some of the problems that the Habs have. The Canadiens would definitely be tougher team, and would surely be harder to push around.

Last year in the play-offs the Habs out hit the Bruins, but where so tired after that series that the Flyers were able to push them around, if the Canadiens acquired Neil and Pronger, that would be different, especially with Laraque in the line-up.

Hopefully Bob Gainey will make the right decision and help the Habs fill in the holes they have.

Let’s start with the players:

Who’s been great this year:

1.-Kyle Quincey, one of my personal favorites of this year, in Detroit he was a nobody (not because he didn’t play hard, but because the star filled defense of the Red Wings limited his ice time), if you read my article after the Red Wings won the Cup, you’ve might have seen that I sort of saw this one coming.

2.- Milan Lucic, If someone asked you one year ago, who is Milan Lucic? more than half of us wouldn’t have known what the hell were you talking about. This has been the Boston Bruins year (even if San Jose is higher than them on the overall Standings), all because players like Lucic have been clicking for their team (as a matter of fact I could also have chosen half of the roster, but Lucic has become one of my favorites this year)

3.-Patrick Kane, maybe one of the most predictable picks for this year, after all he’s been one of the brightest stars of the Blackhawks roster, when I look at how this guy and Jonatan Toews have changed the Blackhawks from a bottom of the standings team to a top team in the west makes me forsee a great future for the Franchise.

4.-Zach Parise.- No Brodeur = No Playoffs? Ask this guy! He’s been the most valuable Devil on the roster, his offensive explosion has given hope to a team that after the Brodeur injury was supposedly out of the playoffs.

Who’s been not so great this year:

1.- Marian Gaborik, I must say it’s not a 100 percent his fault, but he was going to be one of the “players to watch” this season as he will become a UFA, but still this guy played less than 15 games for the Wild, a team that was hoping to sign him long term or deal him at the deadline. Good luck trying to deal a guy on the long term injury list! It’s a shame because he’s a natural goal scorer.

2.- Chris Osgood I must say one of my favorite players, he’s led my favorite team to two cups (I’m not counting 1997 because it was Mike Vernon not Chris Osgood in goal), but this year he’s been not so great.

3.- Alexei Kovalev.- A point per game guy that just isn’t producing as much as last year, but then again he usually is a second half of the season guy

4.-Vinny Lecavalier, a franchise player that’s just in the middle of a franchise in conflict, in my personal point of view it’s not his fault, he just has no chemistry with his current roster, maybe the Lightning should shake things up for him or the roster (let the debate continue).

On teams I’ve got two choices on great:

San Jose: who would have imagined last summer that after just adding Rob Blake and Dan Boyle this team would be this Good! It really makes me wonder, can Ron Wilson take you all the way to a Stanley Cup?

Boston Bruins: WHAT A CHANGE! In just one year, they went from the 8th spot on the east to leading the east, it’s amazing! Everything is clicking for a team that was “lost” without Joe Thorton

On bad teams:

Ottawa: What the hell happened? Nothing is clicking, and unless Bryan Murray accepts it and shakes things up NOW things will probably go worse.

Dallas : Is one player that much a difference? Sean Avery’s prescence aparently destroyed a team that was supposed to go deep into playoffs.

RDS is reporting that there could be a transaction involving Ryan O’Byrne.

There is also the fact that Mathieu Dandenault seemingly has no place in Montreal.

With all of the young talent that impressed both Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau this pre-season, perhaps the Habs are finally in a situation to let some veterans go and make room for more youngsters.

Bob Gainey still wants an impact forward, even though Mats Sundin took too long to decide for the Habs, Gainey has stated for the past two years that he wants an impact forward.

Also consider that the Boston Bruins are actively trying to trade Marc Savard. Could be interesting.

There is the fact that Nashville is upset at Alex Radulov (with good reason) and that they could be looking to move him.

The Game at the Bell Centre against the Detroit Red Wings last night had 22 scouts in attendance. Sure the scouts could have been looking at the Wings also but…..

Although Marion Gaborik still isn’t signed for next season 2009-10, and that the Minnesota Wild are trying to sign him, Gaborik might be traded. All indications point to the Vancouver Canucks so that he could play with his buddy Pavol Demitra. But, there have been some rumours stating that Saku Koivu could be traded there to play with his brother………..

Either way the additions of Alex Tanguay, Robert Lang, and Georges Laraque are greatly beneficial for the Habs, and will bring some excitement to the fans, neither one is the impact forward that Gainey has said he wanted. Will Bob Gainey make a move thanks to the play of his young stars in the pre-season, or will the additions of the above mentioned players combined make the impact forward that Gainey wanted?

I guess we will all see.

The fact the Fernandez is working out at the Bruins annual development camp shows what type of player he is and that leadership should not go unnoticed. With the 2008-2009 season being a contract year for Fernandez, he is out to prove why he was and still is an elite NHL goaltender.

The Bruins players are seeing just what Fernandez is to the team, as he is working hard to get back. That is a lost trait it seems like in the world of sports and while Fernandez understands he must be patient in his return, there is so much more he can provide Boston with in terms of leadership and guidance. Especially for the prospects, as having veteran leadership is something that we see all the time that makes teams as successful as they are.

Sure the young talent is the future, but experience goes a very long way especially in the NHL. So I think a lot of Bruins fans are anxious to see what the upcoming season will bring for Manny Fernandez because he is the type of guy you want around, and in the Bruins case back.

Now Ryder was expected to leave, especially with the venu of Alex Tanguay, but a lot of people in Montreal were hoping Streit was still going to be a Habs next season? Personally, I wouldn’t have payed such a price for Streit since he didn’t really score all his points playing defence, he scored them playing forward and on the power play. People thought Montreal was going to lose their powerplay skills when they lost Sheldon Souray to free agency, but Streit was able to take over. Now I truly believe it is not going to take long before someone else takes Streit’s place and believe, we will forget his name faster than we forgot Souray’s.

Now Danis had already mentioned it to press: he does not intend on having a future with the Canadiens. Good enough. But it is going to be pretty hard for him to build a future when you are behind a guy like Rick DiPietro!

Mats Sundin is not sure yet of where and if he wants to play next season? Good, we respect your decision, we’ll allow you a week, maybe two. What? You need a month? Hell no. Sundin has been acting very disrespecful to all the teams that are showing interest for him. If he feels he is not interested now, don’t make them wait after you so that you can say no later and watch them end up with nothing. That is not professional at all and coming from a classy guy like Sundin really dissapoints me. What he is doing to the Montreal Canadiens could en up hurting them real bad, after all the interest they have shown in him he still doesn’t have the guts to say yes or no and always come up with the same miserable excuse he uses over and over again, the ones that says he’s not sure if he’s coming bac to the NHL for next season. Montreal might have had a chance to sign other very good players on the first of july, but ww are never going to know what they could have gotten their hands on if Sundin was not in the picture or if Sundin would have said no from the start. The latest rumors about Sundin is that the Habs are still all over him and appearently they have just offered him a 2 years/15millions$ contract for next season.

Will he say yes, will he say no? Is it even true or is Bob Gainey simply working on something so big it has to be kept underground? I am definitly dying to find out all of the answers, but I guess like Mr. Sundin said, it could very well take up to next month to know them.

With the Vancouver Canucks waiving their number 10 pick around, coupled with the fact that they most likely won’t resign forward Brendan Morrison and the possibility that Markus Naslund will resign cheaper, the ‘Nucks will try something.

It is still unclear at this point if the Toronto Maple Leafs will resign Mats Sundin. What is clear however is that they are waiving their number 7 pick around and have been linked with Patrick Marleau, Olli Jokinen, and Vincent Lecavalier to name a few.

The Montreal Canadiens have also been rumoured to try and move up in the draft to make a deal go through. Andrei Kostitsyn should be signed by the draft. Marc Streit could be also although rumours suggest that he would be traded. The Habs are also being linked to Marian Hossa, Sundin, Eric Cole, Ryan Malone, and Lecavalier to name a few. In Hossa’s case the Habs are trying to trade for his rights.

The Carolina Hurricanes are rumoured to be in on Joni Pitkanen.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are rumoured to be in on Marleau as well as Malone.

The Calgary Flames are rumoured to be hunting Jokinen.

The Boston Bruins are hunting Hossa.

To be brief, just mentioning seven teams and one could see that the draft this year might live up to the hype that every media source is putting out there.

Perhaps the draft will be more exciting than the first week of July.

Let’s hope that this year’s draft will be one not to miss.

The entry draft is for minor league players to move up in life, unfortunately for the minor leaguers, fortunately for the fans, this year it should be more about NHL players changing addresses.

There are 30 teams in the NHL. Perhaps not all the teams will make something happen, but if one believes the hype, it should be a draft day frenzy.

With players like Brian Smolinski, Patrice Brisebois, Mark Streit, and Michael Ryder being unrestricted free-agents, the Habs have some space on the team. Un-restricted free agents like Maxim Lapierre, Andrei Kostitsyn, Mikhail Grabovski, Ryan O’Byrne, Jaroslav Halak, and Josh Gorges, the Habs have some decisions to make.

Personally, I think that Smolinski, Ryder, and Brisebois should be thanked for their services, with those three players gone, the Habs wold save a little over 5 million in salaries, to go with the money they already had in the bank, not to mention all the money that the Habs got in each round of the play-offs. Streit will be an interesting debate, although small, he helped the Habs in the regular season achieve the #1 power-play in the league, however in the play-offs, had an injury to his back, no doubt due to the physicality of the series with the Boston Bruins. With this in mind, also keeping in mind that the Habs need more size, will Streit’s new salary demand be explainable? Will the Habs keep him on the third or fourth line but use him on the point for the power-play?

As for the RFA’s, Lapierre showed me nothing in the play-offs, with the exception of some speed, and a few good plays, he was decent in the regular season,  so if the Habs were to lose him big deal, sign him to the league minimum, or send him back to the Hamilton bulldogs. Mikhail Grabovski will either replace Tomas Plekanec, or Saku Koivu, which doesn’t appear to be in the near future, however both Koivu, and Plekanec are UFA’s, and RFA’s at the end of next season, will they be traded for something, who knows, but for now Grabovski doesn’t fit. Halak is another story, a good goaltender, but not what Carey Price needs as a back up, unless the Habs think that they can sign him to play 20-25 games a season, then they have to move him. O’Byrne seems to be afraid of laying people out, he’s a good skater for a big man, but will have to learn how to punish forwards on the boards as Mike Komisarek did, or else with the plethora of defense-men on the farm team waiting for a chance, he might not be here either. Gorges is a good defense-man, he is small however, and Francis Bouillon is also a small guy, so one of them will have to go. As for Andrei Kostitsyn, he is going to be a decent sniper, not a superstar, but there are un-confirmed reports that he has been asked to play for the Russian Super League, with a salary of 4 million a year, he would follow in the foot-steps of Alex Perezhogin. If that is the case, then that would open up another spot on the roster as Kostitsyn isn’t worth that yet.

With the few players like Raffi Torres, or Paul Gaustad, and Jordin Tootoo, the Habs would definitely be a bigger, more physical team, and with defense-men like Pavel Valentenko, and Alexei Yemlin, and Ryan McDonagh, to come up soon, the Habs will have their sand paper players behind the blue line, all these factors would let the skilled forwards play like they did in the regular season, but would allow the Habs to be more physical, and grittier, in the regular season as well as the play-offs. These additions would also make it more interesting for fans to watch, as well as being able to protect their stars, which might make it more atracting for other players to come here. 

Right now this is how the team will look:

Higgins-Koivu-?

A.Kostistyn, if he doesn’t got to Russia- Plekanec-Kovalev

Begin-?-Kostopolous

Latendresse-Lapierre-?

Here’s how it could look:

A.Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev

Begin-Gaustad- Torres

Tootoo-Stoll/Lapierre-Kostopoulos/Boogaard/Stewart

Of course, depending on what the Habs do with the Ilya Kovalchuk hopes of the fans, the other line could look like this:

Higgins/S.Kostitsyn-Koivu-Kovalchuk

On the defensive side it looks like this:

Markov-Komisarek

Hamrlik-O’Byrne

Gorges-Bouillon

It could look like this:

Markov-Komisarek

Hamrlik-O’Byrne/Valentenko

Yemlin/Gorges-Bouillon/ Mcdonagh

Without making drastic changes in the defensive core, maybe bringing up Valentenko, the Habs would be a team to be reckoned with, of course perhaps none of these changes would happen, but it would be a team to be feared, both in the scoring department, as well as the physical department.

I don’t want a team of superstars, or goons, just a good mix. All the players I have named are not that expensive, and would still leave room for the Habs to acquire a free agent star.

Those are the people I believe the Habs need in order to advance further in the play-offs, probably without Kovalchuk, as he would cost a fortune. Besides Kovalchuck, the other players are good players with heart, and determination to get what is needed to win, it would be nice to see.

Flash, and dash, that’s right, flash, and dash. The Canadiens showed through-out the regular season that they have skill, and great passing, and that they are a fast skating team, unfortunately, that rarely goes anywhere in the play-offs, unless a team has more than two players who can hit on a consistent basis. The problem is that when only an injured Mike Komisarek, and Francis Bouillon, and also a slightly injured Roman Hamrlik are doing most of your team’s hitting, you have a problem. When those players are not injured, they can put the hurt on, and make you feel like you got hit by a truck, even little Bouillon’s hits hurt, but when they are hurt, and doing 90% of the hitting, it means that the rest of your team has issuses.

Where was Maxim Lapierre? Lapierre played decent against the Boston Bruins, decent, but then almost disappeared in the Philadelphia Flyers series. Where did he go? For someone of good size to play hockey, what did he bring to the Habs, besides his speed, I’ve never seen someone hit the glass so much, it’s like he wanted it to seem like he hit someone, but was afraid that people were going to put a contract out on him. Lapierre has speed, and good size, so he should be good on the fore-check, unfortunately he prefered hitting the glass rather than a body. Lapierre had a marginal face-off rating, so what was wrong with putting in a Gregory Stewart, who showed that he can play the style required of a third, or fourth line player? Lapierre will have stiff competition next training camp, he might go back to the Hamilton Bulldogs for the second year in a row, this time he might not get called back!

Mathieu Dandenault, this player has to be bought out of the final year of his contract. Last season was abysmal as a defence-man, and this year he almost saw as much of the press box as he did the ice. Once again he was put in the press box due to the fact that he wasn’t doing much, as usual, to be replaced by Guillaume Latendresse. Hopefully the Habs will buy Dandenault’s contract out, and we won’t have to hear him not being happy.

What happened to Brian Smolinski? he was pretty good against the Bruins, and in the first game in the Philly series, then he also made a disappearing act. He is someone else that shouldn’t be back with the team next year, he’s a nice guy, but you know what they say about those. He did what he could, but it wasn’t enough, and he doesn’t have many seasons left in him to say he will do better next year. The Habs should thank him for what he brought but they won’t be re-signing him next season, his money could be put to other use.

Michael Ryder, who’s that? Oh yeah, he’s the guy who took his benching in the play-offs lightly, and was busy making paper airplanes in the press box instead of studying the other team. Well, he had a really bad year, and was un-noticable in the post season, now one could say, one bad season, but the previous three were good, and that he still has time to rebound. Yes he does, but the plane thing pretty much killed him in most people’s eyes in Montreal. His almost three million dollar salary could also go elsewhere, sorry Mike, but bye!

So far, we have Ryder making almost three million, Dandenault making 1.7, and Smolinski making 2 million, right there the Habs have 4.7 million that they could use for something else.

Guillaume Latendresse, this guy is still young, and the Habs brought him up too fast, he should have played a couple of years in Hamilton, and maybe he should play at least one year there. Latendresse could be a Milan Lucic, without the speed as Latendresse has none. Guillaume has the size, and the hands to be a power forward, but he doesn’t do what he needs to in order to have success, he can’t skate fast, so then he should either be in front of the net, or drive towards the net, and crash in the corners to make defense-men cringe when they see him. On him I wouldn’t give up just yet, with Ryder most likely gone, it could be Guillaume’s last chance on a top line in Montreal. The coaches have to tell him to drive hard to the net, and crash, or else he will either go back to Hamilton, or be traded. Latendresse has potential, being on the third, and fourth lines this year but still managed to score over 15 goals. If he is trained the right way, Latendresse could be a dominate power forward, but will he be? I think his last chance is coming, if he doesn’t pan out next season, he won’t like the out-come.

Tom Kostopolous, he deserves another stint with the Canadiens. He was out of gas after game two of the Philly series, can you blame him? Along with Steve Begin, and Saku Koivu, Kostopolous was the only forward delivering hits and making things happen during the Habs post season, hello, is there anyone else? Kostopolous I would sign for two years, he deserves it.

Saku Koivu, what do you say about someone small who plays big? Koivu did his job and more since coming in mid-way through the Bruins series, he scored, assisted and hit some people, basically he was trying to lead by example, which few followed, be it because of injury, or lack of effort, too bad, Koivu should go far in the play-offs as he has been with the team the longest, and has endured the media in all his years here.

More to come in part 2.

Saturday’s game had the Habs miss an open net on many occasions, as well as hit a few posts, and hit the cross-bar. Carey Price seems to be out of it, and his weak spot is glove side high. Price who stole a couple of games for the Habs in the previous series against the Boston Bruins, is seemingly having some difficulties against the Flyers. Price is out of position, or on his knees too early.

The Canadiens out shot the Flyers on Saturday, but missed the net on too many occasions. Over-all, the Habs out played the Flyers on Saturday, but missing the net, hitting the cross bar, combined with Biron making great saves, lead the Canadiens to lose. Carey Price let in some bad goals at in-opportune times during the game, especially when the Habs were only down by one goal in the third period.

After Saturday’s game, it was even more apparent that Mathieu Dandenault is not playing well, he hasn’t played decent since game no.5 against the Bruins and will need to be replaced. Patrice Brisebois who also hasn’t played well for a few games was replaced by Ryan O’Byrne for game no.2 on Saturday. The Habs should have their heads high as they played well, but couldn’t find the net enough, Price would have to be better for game three on Monday. There was some rough stuff in the third period, especially after Philly scored their fourth goal. Tom Kostopolous gave a punch to Kimmo Timonen after Timonen made a derogatory statement, and seemed to laugh at the Habs. After Saturday’s loss to Philly 4-2, the series was tied 1-1.

The Canadiens lost again on Monday, this time 3-2. Carey Price let in 3 goals on 12 shots after two periods, he was replaced by Jaroslav Halak to the start of the third period. There were no goals in the first period, but Price let three in during the second period. Price looked out of place again. Derian Hatcher opened the door for the Habs in the third period by getting a 5 minute major as well as a game misconduct. The Canadiens scored two goals during the 5 minute major, but that’s as many as they would get.

The scoring for the Habs went like this, Tomas Plekanec, from Guillaume Latendresse, and Sergei Kostitsyn, and lastly from Saku Koivu, assisted by Andrei Markov, and Chris Higgins. Halak made some nice stops to keep the game close after replacing Price.

The scoring for the Flyers went like this, Scottie Upshall, from Joffrey Lupul, then Mike Richards unassisted, and finally from R.J. Umberger, assisted by Jeff Carter, and Braydon Coburn. Martin Biron made 32 saves for the win.

The Canadiens once again out shot the Flyers 34-14, but lost anyway. The Habs with the exception of Carey Price, played decent again, but couldn’t solve Biron until the 5 minute major that Hatcher received. What else can the Habs possibly do? Well, first off they should give Halak a shot at starting game no.4, as Price seems to be out of his element. The Habs are playing decent but they are not scoring much, so they should start to grip their sticks a little less, and score. The Habs are playing well enough to win, they are out shooting the Flyers, and playing better than the Flyers are, but they aren’t scoring. A 5 on 3 for the Habs was wasted as they couldn’t score.

Carey Price, or Jaroslav Halak to start game no.4? Well, Price was screened for two of the goals, but could he be a little tired? Will coach Carbonneau start Halak next game to give Price a little break?

Guillaume Latendresse was inserted back into the line-up tonight replacing Mathieu Dandenault. He played well, but didn’t use his best attribute, his size, he should have hit more, but he played better than Dandenault has lately. Maxim Lapierre, could he be replaced by Michael Ryder, or Gregory Stewart on Wednesday?

The Canadiens only allowed 14 shots, but still lost, which means that the goalie didn’t play well, but the Habs took a long time to score goals as well, and didn’t score enough.

The Habs are playing well, they shouldn’t change their defensive strategy, but will have to find a way to disrupt Biron, ans score more often. They are doing a good job at limiting the Flyers’ chances, unfortunately, the chances that the Flyers get, go in the net. Either Price has to tell his defense-man to let him see the shot, and has to be better glove side high, or put Halak in and give him at least one game, then come back with Price.

The two teams meet again on Wednesday, the Flyers now have a 2-1 lead in the series, but the Habs could have won the two last games, but they didn’t capitalize on their chances, and Biron was better than Price. I don’t believe that the Habs have to change their game plan, but they will have to figure out a way to put a few pucks past Biron, who is good, but far from the best goalie in the league. Keep plucking away boys, the law of averages should come into effect soon.

The scoring for the Habs went like this Andrei Kostitsyn from Sergei Kostitsyn, then Alex Kovalev from TomasPlekanec, then Kovalev from Saku Koivu, and finally in overtime Tom Kostopoulos from Andrei Markov. Carey Price made 30 saves for the win. The scoring for the Flyers went like this R.J. Umberger from Randy Jones, and Derian Hatcher, then Jim Dowd from Steve Downie, and Patrick Thoresen and lastly Joffrey Lupul from Braydon Coburn, and Mike Richards. Martin Biron made 30 saves in the loss.

This was a game that felt from the viewers point of view that didn’t have much action. It felt like no team wanted to impose the physical aspect, and were afraid of each others power-play. The Canadiens started of well, playing better than the Flyers for a while but couldn’t cash in on their chances, even-though the Flyers were out played early in the game, they took advantage of their chances.

The Flyers scored first, lucky redirect thanks to Patrice Brisebois putting it in his own net, their second goal Carey Price was screened, and their last goal was questionable as it looked like Lupul’s foot directed the puck in, but Kovalev’s first goal was questionable as well as to how high his stick was, Kostitsyn’s goal was a rebound, and Kovalev’s second goal was a nice shot, Kostopoulos banged in his own rebound to win the game.

Both teams looked like neither one wanted to fully open up, or they were both tired. I guess we’ll see what happens next game. The Habs out played the Flyers for about 2 periods, Philly didn’t impress me, they just capitalized on their chances, besides that the Flyers were being led by the Habs for the most part. The Canadiens hit two posts in the first period, and missed the net on a few occasions, but I’m sure that they will rebound next game.

The Habs took game one at home, they played just well enough to win, let’s hope that they learned their lesson against the Boston Bruins, which is just because the other team is down, doesn’t mean the series is in the bag. The Habs have to come out strong next game like they did tonight, but this time they have to capitalize on their opportunities, as the Habs could have been leading 2-0 early in the first. The Flyers are not the Bruins, they have some more talent, so if the Habs have the chance to take a lead, or put the game away, then they should as the Flyers showed that they can beat arguably the best player this year in Alex Ovechkin, so they can come back against the Habs.

1-0 series lead for the Habs, let’s hope they play the whole series this time, instead of choosing when they want to show up. In reality, Price was weak on Lupuls goal, he had it in his glove, but it came out, he should play a bit better as the series goes on and he learns who shoots from where, and who passes.

For the most part this was a boring game, not much action, not much hitting, a little speed, but nothing to write home about. The Habs will probably play better next game, but hey, they should be happy they won, they didn’t play horrible, just not as good as they can…

The team that most fans wanted the Habs to play in round no.2, the Flyers, will start round 2 at the Bell Centre on Thursday. Some fans said it didn’t matter who the Habs faced as long as they stuck to their game, but admitted that the Flyers gave the Habs the best chance to move on to the Conference Final.

In the Flyers, you get a team with some young talent, a decent goalie, but slow defense-men. Daniel Briere will be constantly harassed by the fans for choosing the Flyers over the Habs. Unfortunately both Briere, and Martin Biron are from Montreal, Biron has the tendency to play well in Montreal.

Anything can happen in the play-offs, most people said the Habs have the best chance against the Flyers, but the Flyers could surprise many people. I do think however that the Canadiens have a better shot at going into the Conference Finals by passing through Philly, instead of New York, but like I said, in the post season anything can happen.

The Canadiens will now have one day to compose a game plan, as they resume play on Thursday night at the Bell Centre. The fans in Montreal made the difference in the Habs previous series against the Boston Bruins in game no.7, and you can bet that they will keep doing the same thing, especially when it comes to Briere, maybe even Biron.

Round no.2 for the Habs should not be as physical as round no.1 was, sure there will still be a physical aspect, but it shouldn’t be as bad as it was against the Bruins.

Unfortunately for the Habs bumps and bruises, they didn’t have much time to heal, but they had more time than the Flyers did, let’s hope it helps. The Habs won the season series against the Flyers this season, yes the post season is different, but at least they have some notion as to how to play the Flyers. Both teams have some bruises, so they are even there, But Carey Price is better than Martin Biron. Alex Kovalev is better than Briere, Saku Koivu when healthy is better than Mike Richards. As for the defence, well the Habs take the cake there too. For all intents and purposes, the Habs are the better team, and should win this series.

Let’s hope that the Canadiens of games no.1, and 7 show up for this whole series, and that they don’t make this series go as far as the previous one. The young kids on the Habs will be better this round as they don’t have a Zdeno Chara to deal with, and that they will have more room to skate and make things happen.

GO HABS GO!

The scorers for the Habs were, Mike Komisarek, from Alex Kovalev, and Saku Koivu, then Mark Streit, from Maxim Lapierre, and Kovalev, then Andrei Kostitsyn, from Sergei Kostitsyn, and Roman Hamrlik, the fourth goal was scored by Andrei Kostitsyn, from Patrice Brisebois, and lastly Sergei Kostitsyn, from Andrei Kostitsyn, and Tomas Plekanec. Carey Price made 25 saves for the shut-out.

This was the real Habs, the Habs of the regular season, the Habs that took a 2-0 lead in the first two minutes of game no.1. Where had they been hiding all this time? The Boston Bruins didn’t stop all game long, but Carey Price was spectacular on many occasions, Price made some exciting saves at opportune times, even though the Habs scored 5 goals, it was the Price show tonight, most likely a little disgusted at the fact that he let in 5 goals in each of the last two games.

The whole team played well, even Sergei Kostitsyn who once again got a couple of un-timely penalties, played well. Sergei got hit hard on the boards and had to go get some stitches, but came back and played well. The rest of the team played well too, but for the few times that the team was lacking some defensive zone coverage, Price was there to prevent the Bruins from getting any momentum.

If the Canadiens played like that all series, it would have been over in 5 games maximum. Boston’s light for the future is Milan Lucic, what a thorn in the sides of the Habs, but a good player. Yes the young factor had something to do with the fact that the Habs didn’t play well for a few games, but they prevailed, this time. Let the kids go out and celebrate tonight, and let the team breathe for a few days, no hard practices, let the bumps and bruises heal, and let Saku Koivu, and Francis Bouillon completely heal.

The Canadiens did almost everything right, they blocked shots, scored a power-play goal, and didn’t stop when they got the lead, of course Price helped, especially during the penalty-kill. Once again the referees made some bum calls, and let many penalties slip by, but it didn’t hamper the Habs tonight.

The Habs won this series, but await the winner of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals series which after the Caps won tonight, is tied 3-3, if the Flyers win, then the Habs would play them in the next round, if the Caps win, the Habs would play the New York Rangers. Although I think that the Habs have a better chance to get to the Conference Championship if they play the Flyers, I don’t think that they want to chose their opponents. It doesn’t matter who the Habs play, as long as the whole team shows up every game, and they play their style, they can beat anyone in the east.

Koivu, and Bouillon returned in game no.6, even though they are not healed completely, Koivu who won over 70% of his face-offs in both games, and was key in certain plays, helped the Habs give the Bruins something they didn’t plan for. Bouillon played decent, but more to the point, he gave the Habs another veteran on the blue-line, for which Andrei Markov could take a breather. Guy Carbonneau wore his ugly lucky tie, I’m starting to like that tie.

So the Habs wait for another day to see who they will face, Flyers, or Rangers. As long as the whole team plays, it doesn’t matter. Congratulations, it took longer than everyone thought, hopefully adversity will help the young kids get back to earth, and bond the team even more.

The Scoring for the Habs went like this, Chris Higgins, from Saku Koivu, then Tomas Plekanec from Steve Begin, following that was Francis Bouillon, from Josh Gorges, and Sergei Kostitsyn, lastly Chris Higgins from Saku Koivu, and Sergei Kostitsyn. Carey Price made 31 saves in the loss.

The Bruins scoring was Phil Kessel, from Marc Savard, and Shane Hnidy, then Vladimir Sobotka, from Peter Shaefer, and Denis Wideman, next was Milan Lucic, from Arron Ward, and Marc Savard, then Phil Kessel, from Marco Sturm, and David Krejci, and lastly Marco Sturm, from David Krejci, and Zdeno Chara. Tim Thomas made 31 saves for the win.

When Saku Koivu won all his face-offs in the first period, and assisted on Chris Higgin’s goal, it seemed as though the Real Habs were back. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Andrei Markov continues to struggle, one could see that Bouillon doesn’t have his timing back yet, and the effortless performance of the Habs was appalling. Yes they scored 4 goals, but the checking line had one, or two good shifts all game, and the other lines, well…. When the third period started, the Habs were pinned down in their own zone for a few minutes, result, a goal. The Canadiens are having so much trouble clearing their zone, and keeping it in the Bruins zone.

The Bruins showed once again that they want it more than the Habs do, are the Canadiens even thinking about this series, or perhaps in what hot sunny place they will be playing golf next week! Koivu played well, winning most of his face-offs, and having a couple of assists, not bad for someone who started skating three days ago. Bouillon was fine half way through the second period, but what can you expect from two players coming back from injuries? I think that they at least played well considering.

It was a nail biter all the way, every time the Canadiens scored, the Bruins replied not too long after, there was some good hits from both teams, and the goalies were excellent even with the score. I think that perhaps the Habs should look at themselves in the mirror on Sunday, and decide what they want to do after Monday, play golf, or play hockey. The momentum is squarely with the Bruins, and there is the possibility that Patrice Bergeron comes back for game 7 on Monday, like the Bruins needed more motivation.

Well it’s do or die for the Habs on Monday at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens have home ice advantage through-out the Eastern Conference play-offs, meaning all game seven’s well be at the Bell Centre, but if they don’t screw their heads on right, Tuesday will be clean out your lockers day, and Wednesday the team will be dissected by every media source there is, and let’s not forget the fans. There is no reason for a game 7 against the Bruins, yes, yes, the play-offs is another story, but the Habs should have been done with this series on Thursday, now they face elimination as well. Where is the no.1 team in the East? Well they had better show up on Monday, or they will replace the Ottawa Senators on the front page of all hockey magazines this month.

The Canadiens called up Yann Danis, Pavel Valentenko, Mathieu Carle, Brock Trotter, Matt D’Agostini, and Kyle Chipchura all from the Hamilton Bulldogs, to join Gregory Stewart who was still with the Habs. Not mentioned in this article, the Canadiens have also called up Ben Maxwell from the Kootenay Ice.

Now calling up all these youngsters doesn’t mean that any of them will play in the post season, it’s most likely so that those players can see what it’s like in the NHL play-offs, and is more or less an indication that the players brought up will be heavily looked at from now until next season’s training camp.

The Habs have at least some people to fill positions should there be need, but perhaps it could silently be a way for the coaching staff to tell it’s players that there are people here to replace them if they fail to perform. Either way the Habs have bodies to put in if there are too many injuries.

If the Habs have prepared themselves for a long haul in the post season, they might want to start by winning the current series against the Boston Bruins, as it looks like the Bruins have taken the momentum factor going into Boston on Saturday. Hopefully the newly called up rookies will have more than two or three games to watch while they are with the big club.

All of the call-ups will be studied further as the entry draft approaches, perhaps Danis is there for the Habs to decide if they will trade him or Jaroslav Halak, as for the rest of the call-ups, there will be a few free agents for the Habs after this season, maybe they are studying the possibility of which of those free agents they won’t re-sign and keep some of the call-ups. What ever the reason is, I’m sure the rookies will have fun just being around the big club, and seeing what possibly awaits them either with this team, or with another in the NHL.

Let’s hope that these youngsters pan out for the Habs, or gives the Habs a hard choice to make next season. GO HABS GO!

Alex Kovalev, who was the lone scorer for the Habs played decent all game long, so did Josh Gorges, and a couple of other players, were was the rest of the team? Carey Price had his first bad game in a while, but he kept the Canadiens in the game for the whole series so this game shouldn’t be hung over his head.

The Canadiens had an opportunity to close the series on home ice, and relax, and heal some bumps and bruises before the start of the next series. The Habs once again missed many shots, or their shooting lanes were blocked, hello, are the coaches studying tapes, or are they just hoping that the better team will prevail, if that’s the case, with the exception of game no.1, the Bruins have been the better team, even without some of their players.

Are the Habs missing Saku Koivu, and Francis Bouillon that much? Is the fact that Bouillon, and Koivu aren’t playing affecting the team to such a degree? If in fact the reason that the power-play is non-existent, and that the no.1 line for the Habs all season isn’t working is because the Habs are missing those two players, are the Habs as good as their statistics indicated?

It seems as though the Bruins want it more than the Habs. What happened to the buzz cut boys team unity? Where have all the stars for the Habs gone? The other day in an interview with the French media, Tomas Plekanec said that he was playing like a girl, well guess what Pleky, you still are. Plekanec has been playing like a junior, and Andrei Kostitsyn hasn’t fared any better, Sergei Kostitsyn has taken stupid penalties, and almost every time he carries the puck into the opposing zone, he loses it on his own, not to mention that he tries to go through three players to get into the zone.

What are the Habs thinking, their play since game one has gotten worse game by game, sure the plumbers are playing well and scoring a couple of goals but they won’t win the series for the Habs if no-one else is chipping in. Where is Chris Higgins, you see him on the ice as he zooms by, but he doesn’t really do anything. Stop trying to push through the Bruins, if they are playing the trap, then dump it in and chase it, but get there before the Bruins do. The Habs overcame the New Jersey Devils trap system earlier this year, the Devils are the best at the trap, so why can’t the Habs beat the Bruins style of it?

What ever the case may be, the Canadiens go to Boston to play game 6 on Saturday, the Habs had better come out and tear the house down, enough of this boring neutral zone play, do what you did in the regular season, score goals, sure it’s harder in the play-offs, but still, the Habs have the skill to do it. The Habs still lead the series 3-2, but the Bruins have the momentum, will Koivu and Bouillon be inserted into the line-up on Saturday? Well if that’s what it takes then they should be, maybe those players are missed by the team, it would allow the coaches to get there season line-up back together.

After game no.1 the Habs fans were ecstatic, and especially when the Habs took a 3-1 lead in the series, now they are sitting on their hands. Don’t lose faith, just send a message to the players to start playing like they did in the regular season, in the regular season, they could beat anyone, but now they have problems with the Bruins, so be a real fan and support them, and telepathically send them a wake up call.

On the Montreal radio station 990 am today, a story was told that a Montreal Gazette reporter saw Koivu skating on his own, the report also said that Koivu skated before the team did, but failed to mention how long he skated for, or what types of drills Koivu did if any.

This is a good omen for the Habs, that their team captain is just about ready, and it will be good for the whole team when Koivu is able to come back. Koivu will have rested for the better part of three weeks, and should have more than enough energy to play in the play-offs after he quickly gets his mobility, and timing back. Perhaps Koivu coming back will also make the power-play better as the Habs have only scored 2 goals on the pp during the whole series so far.

Saku Koivu so far has been out of the line-up for three weeks. Hopefully the Habs will not need him on Thursday to take care of the Bruins and give him a few more days to completely heal. Although the Canadiens would be a complete team when he comes back, with the exception of Francis Bouillon who is still awaiting the green light from the doctors, it is hoped that the Habs will be able to close the series on Thursday and have some time to heal the teams bruises.

Regardless, it is still good news for the team, and the fans to know that their captain will be back soon, and will be able to start the next round of the post season.

The lone scorer for the Habs was Patrice Brisebois who was assisted by Andrei Kostitsyn, and Alex Kovalev. The big story in this game wasn’t the hitting, of which there was alot of again, but the spectacular saves by Carey Price, of which he made 27 for the shut-out.

Carey Price is showing why general manager Bob Gainey chose Price over Christobal Huet. Price has been great so far in the post season, sure the Bruins don’t have the talent that the Pittsburgh Penguins do, or the New York Rangers, but they have had there share of great scoring chances anyway. For a twenty year old goalie to be making his NHL play-off debut, and playing so well gives the fans more confidence in the Habs upper management.

Once again the Canadiens supporting cast played better than the stars of the team, Brisebois scored for the Habs, and in the previous games, Brian Smolinski, Tom Kostopolous, and so on, anyone see a pattern here? Does this team really miss Koivu that much?

For the Habs to play the Bruins in the first round is a little lucky I guess. Francis Bouillon, and Saku Koivu are still out after they both took shots off their feet a couple of games before the end of the season, so I guess playing a team that is deprived of their best player to start the play-offs is a good thing.

Mike Komisarek, and Andrei Markov both played more than 25 minutes in this game. The team played a little better than in the two previous games, but let’s face it, I know that the play-offs is a different season, but the highest scoring team in the league scoring only two goals in 2 games, come on! It’s time for the Habs to show the Bruins why they scored so many goals this year, sure in the post season it’s little more difficult, but two goals in 2 games doesn’t quite cut it, lucky for the Habs they have a 20 year old goalie named Carey Price.

Francis Bouillon hopes to be ready for Thursday’s game, or Saturday if necessary. For Saku Koivu, he has an x-ray appointment Wednesday morning in Montreal, if the broken bone in his foot has healed enough, the doctor may give Koivu the green light to start skating, meaning hopefully Koivu will be ready to play on Saturday if necessary.

Michael Ryder was a healthy scratch tonight, Ryan O’Byrne played well in his first post season game. Perhaps one could say that the Habs played decent road games, and hey, they still split the two games in Boston. Let’s hope that the Habs get their act together and show the Bruins who scored the most goals in the league this year and win the series on home ice on Thursday.

The fans in Montreal hope that Koivu comes back soon as it would give the Habs the opportunity to make their lines what they were in the regular season. It would also give the team a boost. Koivu has had a broken bone in his foot after taking a shot from Ales Kotalik on March 28.

Assuming for a minute that Koivu get’s the green light to play on Wednesday, and how the Canadiens do on Tuesday night, it’s not impossible to suggest that Koivu could play on Thursday, or Saturday.

Regardless of what happens in the Koivu aspect, the Canadiens should make some minor line-up changes, the Habs should put Mark Streit back at the forward position, sit Mathieu Dandenault, and bring Ryan O’Byrne back to the line-up. Nothing is being said as to when Francis Bouillon will be back, but hopefully soon. The Habs should also look at the possibility of sitting Michael Ryder for a game or two, and replacing him with Gregory Stewart.

Something has to be done, this is the play-offs and there are still some players going along for the ride, that might work in the regular season but not in the play-offs. People like Ryder, who is doing some checking, but if the Habs can insert Stewart instead of Ryder, and give that line some spunk why not, Stewart can’t do any worse. I think Ryder is an alright guy, but unfortunately he has had a bad season, and a bad start to the play-offs, enough is enough, sure a coach is supposed to start the play-offs with the veterans, which Guy Carbonneau did, now it’s time to let the kids get some experience.

It’s not time to panic yet, but if the Habs don’t win game 4, fans will most likely start asking where they’re Habs have gone. The Boston Bruins were going to beat the Habs sooner or later, but now that’s out of the way, it’s time to get back to work and play like the Habs played all year.

The Canadiens played well on Saturday, until the third period, and Carey Price had to hold them in the game? Wait a minute, the Habs had a 2-0 lead, and in the third period let it go, yes Price let in two goals, but he also made some spectacular saves to send the game in to overtime where Alex Kovalev scored to win the game as he was being told to get off the ice by coach Guy Carbonneau. I guess that the Habs went full tilt for a game and three quarters so they were tired. What? Wake up people, this is the play-offs. The Canadiens managed to win anyways so they probably thought that the series was in the bag.

Sunday came and went, and the Habs either underestimated the Bruins, or they were out of gas, it was a close game, with more hitting, and great saves by both goalies. Sunday’s game was a little more understandable as both teams had played each other the night before, and had to travel, but they both had to travel, and play tonight, couldn’t the Habs have won? No, not tonight. From the beginning the Habs were not clicking at all, and where has Tomas Plekanec gone? The Canadiens have depth at scoring which is why they won two games, but the leaders have to score, Kovalev has, so did Sergei, and Andrei Kostitsyn, where is Pleky? Maxim Lapierre, Tom Kostopoulos, Mike Komisarek, Carey Price, and to some extent, Brian Smolinski have been the best players for the Canadiens so far this series, as well as Kovalev.

With this last game, it’s highly probable that Carbonneau will either dress Ryan O’Byrne, and or Francis Bouillon on Tuesday, or perhaps they will wait until Thursday, maybe they will even dress Gregory Stewart who seemed to have impressed the Habs in his first outing this season in the Habs final game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Who knows, maybe Saku Koivu will dress as well, either way, the Canadiens had better not wait too long to decide what they are going to do, or they run the risk of making a dream season exactly that, a dream. GO HABS GO! The Habs lead the series 2-1.