After a scoreless first period, the Canadiens blew a tight game open with two goals in 57 seconds .
With the Canadiens enjoying a two-man advantage, Tomas Plekanec opened the scoring on a nice pass by Andrei Markov.
Then, still on the PP, Markov converted a Max Pacioretty feed to make it 2-0.
Most dangerous lead in hockey?
Not tonight.
Great work by Rene Bourque produced a goal for linemate Brian Gionta.
Then with less than two minutes left in the period, Josh Gorges, of all people, blew one past Michal Neuvirth, who was being screened by the giant body of David Desharnais.
Raphael Diaz continued his fine play with two assists.
For the second straight game, Max Pacioretty had a couple helpers.
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Sure is nice being a Hab fan at this very moment. We take what we can get, eh?
so where is Timo?
Vacation down south
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Don’t believe they’re ready for Boston or Philly.
lol these posts lol after 3 games lol. I hope you all are right. Just funny.
Forgot to add whoda thunk the Caps would have 3 loses so far? What the hec happened to ovie ?
As Arpon Basu said on twitter “Losing that 1st round series to the #Habs in 2010 really messed the #Caps up. Seriously, it’s been a roller coaster in Washington ever since” I agree and it seems to have messed up Ovie too wonder if he will ever get close to 50 goals again ?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Myself, I think that Plex fit into that statement because he was still one of the guys that shut down other players.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Another great game to watch was surprised by the fact the habs had less shots in the third, but once again a great one.
Also looks like Benns contract might be the grounds for PKs contract
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Subban will be sleepless tonight, drinking 2x (4+1) Molson beer and eating bridged beef steak.
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/21611353/habs-have-their-star-defenseman-back-and-his-name-is-andrei-markov
In three games, one even strength goal against, on a brain fart near the end of the third with a 4-0 lead. This speaks volumes about the commitment to a team game.
I hope PK recognizes what changes have occurred within the Habs dressing room, is true to his word about his desire to always be a Hab, and adapts to the fresh philosophy apparent with the team.
Leafs 2-0 on road.
0-2 at home.
0-1000 in our hearts.
Comment #666.
The devil made me do it.
Some people on here knocking Kaberle no points in three games. I see five other players with no points. no bad comments about them. There’s eight players that only have one point no bad comments about them either. to some people we have five players with three or more points. guess that must be our team. not so. every player is doing something on this team to win and that includes Kaberle. don’t be so judge mental three games into the season. when we hit twenty games. go for it.
I don’t knock Kaberle because he has no points so far this year. I knock him because he’s brutal defensively, and not just three games this year. He’s been brutal his whole career, I’ve never been able to stand the guy. I was very happy when he played for the leafs, it was right where he belonged as far as I was concerned.
I couldn’t believe it when we traded for him but I bit my tongue and gave him a chance. He scored some points, and that was good, but he’s still more dangerous to us on the ice than the opposition and I will bite my tongue no more.
I may have taken your post the wrong way as I do see you use the words “some people”, buttttttt the 0 points Kaberle has to this point are the least of my concerns. The guy is incredibly soft, every pass is extremely predictable (especially on the powerplay), he can’t keep the puck in if his life depended on it, looks like he plays with ZERO intensity, I never see any emotion whatsoever.. throw in the fact he’s getting paid to put up numbers as an offensive Dman and can’t even do that, how can you even stick up for him? It hasn’t just been 3 games, it was all of last year as well. I’d seriously trade Kaberle for gingivitis and a clef lip. And that’s no joke.
I agree CCL. Some people will never like Kaberle until he becomes Markov. He’s a plus 1 this year and a plus player over his career. He’s no Ozolinch but some describe him as such. Some fans are the anti-Leafs, in that some Leaf fans just adore some players – some Hab fans just hate some players and there’s no changing it.
Speaking of which – I thought we were supposed to hate Bourque? What happened to that?
…is it just Me, or have others noticed Josh Gorges’ shot from the point being much harder and more accurate than i recall from previous seasons ?
Maybe, it was a nice shot tonight for sure, but when I watch Josh, I don’t want to notice him that much unless he’s blocking a lot of shots, I believe him to be by far our best defensive DMan, and guys like that shouldn’t be noticed that much, he should quietly go about his business and shut down other teams and not get any respect.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Does anyone realize that the reason our powerplay is effective has at least as much to do with the fact that Gomez is NOT on it than because Markov and Diaz are?
I also wonder how quickly Therrien will become a “bum” after we lose two in a row? (hopefully we wont)
So far Therrien, and the whole staff has done a good job, the only criticism I have (and this is for the whole coaching staff) is that they did not notice that Diaz was our best Penalty Killer last year,
As far as Subban goes , I`d like to see him back in the lineup. I would advise him to take the best offer he hjas received so far and if he is not happy with the Dollars, take a one year deal only. His play will speak for itself and he will make many, many, millions of dollars over his career. To lose playing time at this stage in his career does not make any sense. even if he had to play this season for a measly two million dollars. What difference would it make?
Even if his hockey playing career goes bust ( which is unlikely ) he has the personality to make a lot of money and will have many other career options. He is a well educated, well spoken, good looking young man. If he is interested in politics (and learns French) he may even be the prime minister of Canada, or better yet, the coach of the mighty Habs one day.
Good thing that Price is playing well and the habs are winning…Halak already has two shutouts. (But of course that’s cuz he has a better team in front of him.
regards,
Steve O.
Or Mayor of Toronto,if Rob Ford gets booted tomorrow.
Reposting what I posted below…
The logical thing to do is pair PK with Kabber on the PP’s second wave.
For regular shifts, it’s still a crapshoot…maybe with Gorges?
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DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
The logical thing to do with Kaberle is put him in a crate and ship him to a tropical jungle where ice does not form.
And insert PK where Kaberle is right now (his play has been terrible), imagine PK instead of #22. If the cost is right, and the fit is there, this team would be Krazy (with a capital K) good.
That too…but seeing that he’s still playing…
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But when PK comes back, who do we sit to pair him with Kaberle? Not Markov obviously, not Gorges for sure, not Emelin, not Diaz who looks great and is our.top point getter, and I don’t think the Bull either because he’s been solid too. I think Kaberle is the odd man out IMO.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
I’m very interested to hear your answer to this question. You say the logical thing to do is pair him with PK on the second wave? So who would you sit?
Markov?
Emelin?
Diaz?
Gorges?
Bouillon?
How could you possibly justify having any one of those guys sitting in the press box over Kaberle?
I’m interested in your response..
The second wave can be improved on the back end, so at this point, it would have to be a rotation until something clicks. Personally, I’d either sit Gorges or Bouillon.
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So you would hurt our 5 on 5 play, and our PK in favour of Kaberle playing on the second wave of our PP? Aw well, neither of are the coaches, I just hope he doesn’t share the same view you do haha.
I’m just saying in PP time. you never mentioned anything in 5 on 5.
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I’m a little late to the party, but there is no way Josh Gorges is ever going to be a healthy scratch on this roster. Besides the fact he is considered a team leader and he was signed to a huge ( and IMO a deserved ) contract. He will not be sat. He is by far the best defensive DMan on the roster, he sacrifices his body every time he steps on the ice for his teammates. Most experts would say he is a top defensive DMan in the NHL. Because of the roll he plays, he gets no respect from fans ( in other words he doesn’t generate the points ) . That is the only reason a Habs fan wouldn’t appreciate him.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Sit Kaberle…we need grit.
..thanks Guys for insight on those end-glass ads
…Jamie Benn signs 5 years for $ 25.6 million …to Me that is a comparable to measure what is reasonable for PK
…if I were Marc, I would sign PK for similar, considering the intangibles PK brings
…of course, that is completely dependent on what PK is demanding
…as much of a Fan I have been of PK, I am becoming impatient
Markov is better than I could have imagined. He is, and I reiterate, is and will be our BEST defenseman for the next while. IF you think the other guy is, whom is not even signed…I think you are coo-coo, and not for cocoa puffs…but there is definitively puff puff puff going on for sure.
Wow, Diaz. Been a fan and am enjoying his play, much better than I expected. So smart with the puck with his passes, shots, defense, and his skating is great, knows how to work those blades.
Super happy with Coach Therrien. The line combos, the bench management, the effort he gets out of his players…I tip my hat to you Michel. 4-0 lead and they played a steady, strong game to protect the lead. I love how they never let off the gas, and that is due to the bench boss doing a great job with what he has. Everyone looks like they have legs.
Awesomesauce!
GO HABS GO!
Great post.
As co-chief cheerleaders in the HI/O Raphael Diaz Fan Club, I think we get to pat ourselves on the back, JF.
Collberg scores his 5th goal in his last four games tonight.
The first four? All penalty shots.
Today he actually scored a goal with other players on the ice.
More icetime = more production at Frolunda.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Why wasn’t Collberg invited to Habs training camp?
Four consecutive goals on penalty shots?! When are you ever going to see that again?
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Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
1 was a penalty shot during the game
3 straight games he got a shootout game winning goal (counts as a goal in SEL)
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Wow, is that because of his speed, is he just burning opposing D on international ice?
Short-lived as it might be, Diaz is tied as point leader in the NHL.
And he’s doing it quietly, only really notice him mostly on the PP or or nice breakout passes, which is a good thing. If we were noticing him other times during the game, it would be because he is making defensive errors, which he’s not. Must be playing solid defensively too.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Sorry, Peter Gabriel. A BIG Key to Habs early success?
Markov, Markov,
Markov, Markov.
Because of
Markov, Markov,
Markov, Markov.
Glad he is back. Good win for Carey and a solid road game despite the early season bad choices both teams were making.
2-1 after 3 games? I’ll take it!
Bring on the leafs!
Who goes down when/if P.K. comes back?
I call Kaberle, hands down. Diaz is untouchable right now, he’s on fire.
Second question, do we trade Kaberle and what’s his value?
Kaberle has zero value
Leafs will trade 3 first round picks to get him back.
Lol at least someone shares my view.
But I say that Kaberle’s value is for the “Scott Gomez Award”, when if something goes wrong, you can blame Kaberle, regardless if it was his fault of not.
And I believe Kaberle will be bought out at the end of the season, I’m sure Bergevin can find a better use for a $4.5M cap hit.
If we are on a roll say 7-3 or my heart be still 8-2 we may not be wanting PK back. 3 games and only 4 goals against. Team defense. I think the 1st 10 games will tell us what happens to PK.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
1. Kaberle
2. Sure, whatever, don’t care, just get him off the ice.
…what’s with that ‘Thompson Creek Window Cleaning’ ad banner hung on the glass behind the goalie …or the McDonald’s ad at the other end ?
…imagine paying for those seats and having to look around those to see the action ?
…Carey’s mask looks cool and classic doesn’t it ? …He looks focused, professional and confident in it …I was worried He would not be ready after choosing to hang with His Tri-cities junior team during the strike …but it seems getting away from the scrutiny in Montreal has refreshed His mental game
…did anyOne notice if Ovechkin was playing tonight ?
…still hard to judge whether Our Habs are looking so good only because Florida and Washington still haven’t been advised the lock-out is over
…but, who cares
I was told those adds are only picked up on tv. The glass is clear when you’re at the stadium.
Don’t ask me how it’s done.
Virtual ads.
Like virtual first down marker.
Caps played a virtual game
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Same technology they use to put the first down line on football.
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Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
“But that wouldn’t be logical Captain”
Bergevin (Spock) to Gionta
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Antichambre has mentioned twice a third period penalty by White that led to the one Wash goal. Don’t remember that one. 1st preiod, yes, second sure, but third?
BS about the momentum being lost…
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Thoughts.
1) Carey kept us in the game early.
2) On the first goal, you see what makes Markov great. 90% of NHLers would shoot that puck, he passed it to Pleks with the open net. Thats what our PP was missing.
3) Best Habs skater tonight might have been Raphael Diaz. Great game for him.
4) Bourque is playing very well and hustling this year.
5) I liked Therrien’s bench management in this one.
6) Bouillion is better than I expected.
7) PK Subban’s negotiation is not a roller coaster. 1 game doesn’t change things. His price didn’t go up on saturday and then down the last 2 nights. Maybe after 15 games you reevaluate, but not game to game.
I wouldn’t want a GM who reacts with a move after every good/bad game anyway. Thats when you make mistakes.
8) Cole DD Patches line is getting better every game.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
x2 so munch for all the critic the coach got experience and so is Bouillon
Can’t judge just on one or two games that’s true. But I think its safe to say everyone forgot how good Markov is. And I don’t think it’s a fluke, he’s been good for the past decade. People just forgot too quickly.
Can’t ignore that Markov has 3 PP goals in 3 games on the same team that PK played for and PK had 5 PP goals in 81 games. The PP was 28th.
I’m not saying PK sucks, I’m just saying that people need to realize that Bergevin can do whatever he thinks is best for the team. No need to empty the bank on a player who think he’s worth more than anyone else does.
Loving the habs D right now (except Kaberle), they look great as a unit.
Guarantee I never forgot how good Markov was, been defending him religiously on here for 2 years while he’s been unjustly maligned. You just have to look at Habs win loss record when he’s in or out of the lineup. An amazing discrepancy. PP stats are the same with or without him. The last decade (2000-2009), he was most likely the most valuable Hab. Have to admit him aging a couple more years had me a little worried, but I did expect him to come back at at least 80% of himself, which still would of been great.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Jamie Benn 5yrs 26.5 million
Done deal in Dallas
Next up: PK, fingers crossed.
I’ll bet PK gets something similar.
Say what you will about Gainey and Gauthier but they sure kept the right keeper.
–
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
f..k them
And signed Markov, and Emelin, and Diaz, and traded for Bourque ( which is starting to look a lot better now than it did for 3 mths last yr) and dumped at the trade deadline last year which ultimately gave us AG27. Too many other things to add.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Bourque came in on a knee jerk reaction but they wasted both k brothers and Robiro and McDon… and Halak so for
Halak is too good of a goalie to be a backup. It was his time to go.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
if Halak was so good then how come the return siting in the press box wicth prove my point
Sure you are gone to bed, but Halak’s trade value at the time was not as high as some of you may think. Stood on his head 6 or 7 playoff games, but primarily a backup goaltender early in his career except for 2 months. There have been a lot of goaltenders that have done that in the past in their career. Steve Penny among others rings a bell. For a goaltender to get maximum trade value on a trade, he would have to show a consistent performance over more than 3 or 4 months.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
I think this team is starting to gel in a way that would find Subban on the outside looking in should he get signed and could put him in the position of having to earn his spot. I doubt he would playing top minutes like under Martin and could find himself 4th or 5th on the depth chart behind any combination of Markov, Diaz, Emelin and Gorges. Bullion is playing very well and even Kaberle is holding his own out there. What a difference a year makes.
It’s still early but if the Habs go 6-3-1 in the first 10 games without Subban things will get interesting. All night I was watching Subban’s negotiating position weaken.
Sign for 3.5 million PK while you still can!!!
If the Habs acquired a top defenceman at the trade deadline, would that player be on the outside looking in cause the team is playing well?
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Yes. I think there is always a chemistry issue adding a new player to a team that is doing well. Sometimes it works. Often it doesn’t.
I also think that Subban doesn’t automatically make the top pairing by default. Not just because he’s been out longer than the other players, but also because the other players are playing very well the last two games.
It is only three games so it is still early to make any conclusions. Three links does not a chain make. After 10 games we will have a better idea whether or not these last two games were a part of a pattern or an anomaly.
Top pairing by his 3rd game back.
***FREE PK!!!***
You willing to bet on that? Can you afford to buy a round of drinks like Mr. K did?
Markov-Emelin
Subban-Gorges
Diaz on the 3rd pairing? I’d say the Habs would be pretty well off…
Michel Bergeron suggests they trade PK with a defense looking so stable. This after two games.
That’s why he’s not a GM.
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Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
Just a week ago, he was saying give PK whatever he wants. Go figure?
Webber is probably going to get traded for picks.
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So what happened to the Leafs on the Isle? Did they take the bus home after the first period?
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Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
Didn’t have to go far, they were at the ACC. Lots of “go blue jays go”
You don’t absolutely have to trade PK but you definitely don’t have to give him whatever he wants. The team looks like it has great chemistry. Diaz is solid and Markov I mean what more can you say…3 goals in 3 games.
The logical thing to do is pair PK with Kabber on the PP’s second wave.
For regular shifts, it’s still a crapshoot…maybe with Gorges?
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Last year with PK as the “General” habs were 29th on the PP.
This year with Markov (old and on one knee) they do nothing but score on the PP.
PK 5 PP goals last year in 81 games. Markov 3 in 3. Subban is not only selfish off the ice but he was selfish on the PP.
Oh and this Diaz guy…tied for first in points among Dmen.
All this to say yes PK is good. But those bozzos who think the habs can’t live without him…
PK who?
Also Gallant is doing a heck of a job as PP coach. PK would also be looking better with great coaching, no?
Not necessarily.
Subban is simply not as good on the power play as Markov. Markov is one of the best power play quarterbacks of the past decade. The guy just dominates that particular aspect of hockey. He’s got great vision, makes great decisions and looks to pass when he should pass.
The big difference is that Subban looks to shoot. Subban will get you some goals, but Markov will get everybody on the ice goals. The Plekanec PP goal tonight was a good example. I don’t think there are many defencemen who have enough poise to pass the puck in that situation. Most of them would just desperately try to get a shot on net. Markov tries to make a play.
By the time PK winds up to take a shot , you can go to the fridge, make a sandwich and grab a few cold ones.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Bergy is quarterbacking a PK pile-on on L’AntiCHambre
Says Habs are better without him and should trade him
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Your server is faster than mine.
Too bad Pricey lost the late SO bid, he was great when his team needed him in the 1st to keep the score even. Lots of great saves after that too, but honestly that late goal didn’t matter unless you are hung up on stats.
So can anyone argue that after 3 games, the 2 most valuable Habs have been their 2 highest paid players, Price and Markov? The way it should be.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
The difference is he isn’t doing it on his own any more. He was great but didn’t need to be spectacular except once or twice.
I like Therrien’s line management. The coaching staff are doing a very good job.
Still early to gush but these past two wins were very convincing and very not the System-like.
Habs win. Leafs lose. Great night!!!
Ciao Booner!
Keep warm!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Gotta love DD trying to give Price the head bump.
I love this team.
Who do we blame for that?
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Huzzah!
Some serious problems in Washington. Looked like sleepwalkers out there. Nothing going right. Not even early on.
Kinda reminiscent of…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Any thoughts on the next buy out?
Ok I’ll start (as the boobirds get up and leave).
Kaderlazy!
Do it now!
Who has had the slowest start to the new season?
1)Capitals
2)Rangers
3)HIO server
Shhh. It’s our lucky lousy server…
There goes the shut out.
Sh%t no shutout for Price, too bad, has played excellent.
Yeah, unlucky that Gorges decided to go behind the net.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Can’t fault him for it either.
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Doesn’t Bergevin look a little like Bob Denver? (Gilligan of Gilligan’s Island)
Spock
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
LOL.
2 polar opposites in the intellectual world. Gilligan & Spock.
Idiocy and logic have morphed into one being
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I’m not sure, but I think Pierre Gauthier once uttered words to the same effect.