Montreal Canadiens

Pouliot recalled; Halak to face Thrashers

December 21, 2009

The Canadiens December schedule is finally starting to ease up. After playing 11 games in the first 20 days of the month, the Habs have but 6 left to finish off 2009. It starts tonight with in Atlanta, before they take it to Carolina before a two day Christmas break. Boxing Day brings an all-Canadian tilt in Toronto, and next week sees the Canadiens visiting the Senators before back-to-back games in Tampa Bay and Florida. With most of these teams not that far ahead of the Habs in the standings, or even behind them, you have to think this group of players will be looking to finish 2009 at least 2 or 3 spots ahead of where they currently are in the standings. By no means are any of the...

Breaking News: Markov to return tomorrow night vs. Islanders!

December 18, 2009

George Prax

2 Comments

It truly is a time for rejoicing for Habs fans, despite recent struggles on the ice for their favorite team. Despite the uncertain status of his injury, it looks as if Andrei Markov will be returning to action tomorrow night as the Habs visit the New York Islanders. RDS broke the story only a little while ago. This news comes only days after Pat Hickey broke the news that Markov could return this week. RDS has essentially confirmed Pat Hickey's story. (English story here) Markov met with team doctors last night, and it looks as if they gave him the go ahead for tomorrow's game, far ahead of the original return timetable, which was February at the earlier. Markov proved to be re...

Hamrlik injured, Price's soft glove and a boring game

December 17, 2009

Fred Poulin

3 Comments

Martin Brodeur reached another milestone, and the New Jersey Devils won another game against the Montreal Canadiens. Brodeur tied Patrick Roy’s NHL record for regular-season appearances by a goalie, and Patrik Elias scored the game-winning goal with 2:36 left in the third period in the Devils’ 2-1 victory over the Habs yesterday evening. The game was the most boring game I have seen all season as the Canadiens only managed 18 shots on Brodeur thanks to great puck pressure and tight checking by a Devils’ team that looked flat and had no emotion at all. Even players like Zajac, Parise and Langenbrunner were invisible throughout the game. “It was kind of boring, but it was ...

Many records to be broken as Habs visit Martin Brodeur and the Devils

December 16, 2009

George Prax

2 Comments

I don't think many fans would consider a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens ''exciting''. Usually low scoring and boring, tonight's game in Newark has the potential to be even more boring than usual. Both teams have new coaches, and neither is very well known for an exciting brand of hockey. The Devils hired a familiar face this past off-season, bringing former Montreal Canadiens forward Jacques Lemaire back to coach the team. Ironically, Lemaire was a point-per-game player as a Canadien in the seventies (then again, who wasn't?), before becoming one of the most infamous defensive coaches in the history of the league, and a notorious user of the neutra...

The Jaroslav Halak Rumor Plot Thickens

December 15, 2009

George Prax

10 Comments

It's evident to any Habs fan that the chances of seeing Jaroslav Halak in another jersey this year is fairly high. Consistenly in trade rumors for over a year now, Halak is showing that he wants to play hockey, whether it's here in Montreal or elsewhere. He performs well when he's on the ice for the Habs, and doesn't complain when Carey Price gets the majority of the starts, but you can tell that he isn't the type of goalie that is content with being the back-up, and it shows in the way he plays. His performance in Ottawa last week, where he made 44 saves and essentially won the game for the Canadiens, started a firestorm of rumors, the most rampant of which was rumors of a deal ...

Habs Holiday Miracle: Markov could return this week as Habs prepare for Sabres

December 14, 2009

George Prax

4 Comments

There is reason to celebrate tonight, despite the pre-Christmas rush a lot of us might be feeling. Despite the gaping hole in our pockets we know we're going to feel come the end of the month, despite the big guts we're certain to accumulate after Christmas dinners. Despite all that, Habs fans can wear a huge smile on their face on this Monday Morning. Andrei Markov will be seeing doctors today, and if all goes according to plan, we could be seeing the Habs' #1 defenseman in uniform as early as tonight! According to Pat Hickey of the Gazette, that's unlikely, but Markov could likely dress either Wednesday when the Canadiens visit the Devils in New Jersey, or Thursday when they rec...

Penguins / Canadiens Gameday

December 10, 2009

George Prax

9 Comments

The Penguins weren't marching yesterday. In fact, the only Penguin-like behavior the Stanley Cup champs were showcasing was the fact that they were grounded. At least their flight was, delayed by a raging snow storm in Montreal. They did, however, make it into town in time to prepare for the game tonight, which will be the first meeting between the Canadiens and Pittsburgh in Montreal. In the two prior meetings between the Habs and Pens at Mellon arena this season, the Canadiens have been outscored 9-2, losing both games thanks to big performances from Sidney Crosby and his gang, and lack therof from their opponents. The first game at the end of October was an embarrasing 6-1 ...

Roman Hamrlik’s underrated contribution

December 9, 2009

Fred Poulin

2 Comments

When Andrei Markov went down with a lacerated tendon during the Montreal Canadiens’ first game of the season in Toronto, many observers believed his absence and the lack of defensive depth on the blue line would erase any playoffs hope for the 2009-10 season. Andrei Markov’s presence has proven to be invaluable for the Canadiens in the last few seasons as their record indicates: Prior to this year without Markov: 7-14-3 This year without Markov: 14-14-2 However, this season a silent leader emerged among the Habs’ defensive corps of Jaroslav Spacek, Paul Mara, Josh Gorges, Hal Gill, Ryan O’Byrne, Roman Hamrllik and M-A Bergeron, to compensate the long-term loss of Andrei M...

Kovy comes back to town... sorta...

December 8, 2009

George Prax

9 Comments

Alex Kovalev was back in Montreal yesterday, promoting the launch of his Off-Ice Training DVD. Is it just me, or is it amusing that Kovalev, now a member of the Ottawa Senators, decides to promote his DVD in this city, instead of promoting it in Ottawa, where Eugene Melnyk has forked over $10 million over two years so that Kovalev can play on the Senators' top lines? Kovalev will be the first person to tell you that Montreal was probably his favorite city to play in. The relationship between the aging Russian star in this city has always been one of love-hate, but there is no doubt in anyone's mind that Kovalev was probably the most exciting player to put on the bleu-blanc-et-r...

Habs look to avoid Centennial Hangover against struggling Flyers

December 7, 2009

George Prax

5 Comments

I know when to eat my words. Admiteddly, last week's Centennial Game Blog was very negative. While I was certain that the ceremony before the game would be something to remember, I didn't have too great a feeling going into Friday's game against the Bruins. History has shown us that the Habs don't play too well on nights of ceremonies or jersey retirements. Maybe it's the added pressure of playing under the watchful eye of Habs legends, maybe it's the delay of the ceremonies itself, I don't know, but ever since these centennial celebrations began several years ago, the Canadiens have been constantly embarrassed by opposing teams. I didn't expect Friday night to be any different...