A somewhat truncated edition, because I'm too tired and bummed out to write very much.

Let's repeat the comforting nostrums we heard last night and will be hearing over

And Alex Kovalev WOULD score the insurance goal

Ah, only a pre-season game.

But still ...

Much talk, post-game, about preparation ... and lack of same.

One team was ready. The other wasn't.

The Canadiens' power play was 1-for-6, Ottawa's

Just a few quick hits because I have to be up at the crack of dawn.

Patrick V. Hickey and I are going on a road trip for the

Unlike my friend and colleague David Stubbs, I'm not into hockey memorabilia.

That said, one of my treasured keepsakes is a hockey page from Sport Express, a Russian publication

Bob Gainey would not confirm reports that Mathieu Schneidfer is lost for the season and Andrei Markov for three weeks.

The world knows more about North Korea's rocket program

Well, how do you like the Bob Gainey era so far?

Since Guy Carbonneau was fired, your Montreal Canadiens have beaten Edmonton in overtime, lost to the Islanders in

But that object in the rear view mirror is the Florida Panthers.

Jaroslav Halak has become the number one goaltender.

He'll have to save the

On a celebratory Saturday night in Montreal – and it's a while since we've had one of those – save a couple Stolichnaya toasts for that OTHER Russian