The Canadiens had a team meeting, an off-ice workout and an optional skate for six in Brossard this morning.
Goalie Alex Auld, defencemen Yannick Weber and Alexandre Picard and forwards Tom Pyatt, David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty skated.
The Canadiens are home to the Calgary Flames Monday night at the Bell Centre before flying out immediately to Buffalo, where they’ll play the Sabres Tuesday. Then it’s back to practice with a game Friday in Ottawa vs. the Senators and home next Saturday for the homecoming of former Habs captain Saku Koivu and the Anaheim Ducks.
But if he doesn’t pick it up, sit him for a game. He’s playing better but I don’t know if JM has been clear enough with the gap between performance and expectation. 
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You don’t try to pressure the QB your coach is trying to lose the game and he will succeed 98% of the time. Sanchez even had enough time to waive Edwards to the sidelines where he caught the biggest pass of the game.
Season ain’t over.
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Don’t pollute the water.
O’byrne = Komisarek
it’s funny how only 5 months ago that was the ONLY debate…
Well, Montreal’s one cold streak took place on the road. It’s a chicken and egg debate; was the team cold because of playing on the road or was the team just cold, and all those road L’s killed the record.
In addition, the Habs have the 2nd best penalty kill %, the Blues 20th.
Habs are 11th best on the pp, the Blues 25th.
This all looks good on Capt. Kirk!
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Don’t pollute the water.
That also counts majors, their 22th in minors.
what a dumb post
Kinda of missing the point on O’Byrne’s +/-, O’Byrne is on the ice for almost 1 ES goal per game (0.90). Spacek leads Montreal in this stat at 0.69 which is a huge difference, over 45 games which is how many Spacek has played it is an additional 9.45 goals. If Montreal scored like Colorado, Spacek could be plus 15 or 16. +/- is a really poor stat to judge players on, and it is beyond useless when comparing players on different teams. O’Byrne has done well in limiting goals against at ES, but he’s been weak on the PK. O’Byrne has been on the ice for 10 PK goals in 31 games, Hammer and Spacek have been on the ice for 13 goals in 45 and 43 games respectively. But those goals don’t count, most of O’Byrne great +/- comes from goals scored at ES, which he has very little to do with.
Forget any coaches; the reason O’Byrne is playing well is because of playing with John-Michael Liles. Liles is like Markov, who O’Byrne played well with. O’Byrne has to play with a player like Markov or Liles to cover for his short comings as a player.
SK74 is getting a point every 24:05 this season with a 22.9 SH%. His first 3 seasons in Montreal were as follows: 27:37, 34:27, and 36:59, if his shooting % were closer to his career norm is point production would be about the same as his time in Montreal.
There’s no debate.
Centre Hice: Bruins blogger gets racial on PK Subban
Yet they only allow 28.1 shots per game. 5th best in the league in terms of SA.
Montreal is 11th in terms of SA. One could debate that Habs goaltending has been better than St. Louis’s this season. Haha, not trying to spark a fight here bud.
Here’s a stat for all the whiners of unfair officiating hehe..St.Louis are the 2nd most penalized team in the league with an average of 15.9 pim/game.
”We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Don’t pollute the water.
It can barely be disputed that Martin has a negative effect on young players in Montreal. The young players who leave blossom. The young players who stay stagnate or decline. No point going into all the names over again … it’s been well-discussed.
You spend a lot of time diminishing what several young players have managed to do since leaving Montreal, why, I do not know. Probably in attempt to buttress your biased point of view? However, some of the information you provide does not support your own argument. If Colorado is, in fact, a bad defensive team, that makes O’Byrne’s +13 look better, not worse. The Habs are apparently a good defensive team – good goaltending anyway – but OB’s +13 would rank him first on the Canadiens’ roster by a substantial margin.
You also pick away at S. Kostitsyn’s production, not regarding the fact that it has steadily increased along with ice time since the start of the year. As for your sarcasm regarding his “whopping total” of 23 points, please note that that would place him sixth on the Habs, one point behind Gionta and AK46, ahead of Gomez, ahead of Pouliot (whom you cite as an example of a young player performing well in Montreal?) and way ahead of talented prospect Eller, whom Martin has effectively buried.
Your sophistry reaches its nadir when you argue that if we credit Sacco with OB’s performance, then we must credit Martin with Wisnieski’s performance. No. Because Wisniewski was performing just as well before coming to Montreal.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Love the pic. Where did you get it?
Its tough to get line match up’s on the road since we don’t get the last change.
Sounds good, but no one could pay me enough to go to Dallas or Atlanta for anything. Stars game is over, but I’m requesting off any Thrashers road games in advance. Add Glendale to that list!
Come on are you serious, Auld will not get the back to back, even if he plays lights out, you kept saying how Auld was going to play Saturday vs the Rangers and JM still went Price. I wouldn’t be suprised to see Carey play all 3 games until the Ducks game and Auld plays that. But one thing is for sure, Auld is not getting back to back games.
I would say Auld vs Flames. He has not played at the Bell Centre yet. I don’t think.
….Hab4life….
Man, those are terrific numbers!
Me and the entire Hi/o members will pay you to go to every road game haha
Gotta keep the undefeated streak going!
As I mentioned below on another topic, I have been to 4 Habs road games so far this year… and they’ve won every one! Very luck, Saw one home win as well. I’m 5-0 total, looking for 6-0 Tuesday.
Gotta please the home crowd.
I’ve seen the Habs in person 5 times this year, twice here in Buffalo, once on the Island, the Leafs game at Centre Bell, and the NYE game in Florida… So I’ve managed to see Auld TWICE though he has only started six games, and I ALMOST went to the game at the ACC in December. If Auld starts Tuesday here (I’ll be at the game), I’ll flip out. Nothing against the guy, but half my games seen shouldn’t be with the benchwarmer in net!
In other words, I’m with ya… so it’s not selfish at all haha.
WOW! I just noticed this (call me slow haha)
Habs record at home: 15-6-3
Habs record at road: 10-11
What a vast difference, holy cow!
Auld for sure vs the flames because Carey hasn’t been historically stellar vs the west over his career, and Price on tuesday for sure because he does have a great record vs the sabres during his tenure in the NHL. And Price can’t play both because JM wants more starts for Auld so Auld will go. And the only way you might get screwed out of seeing price in buffalo is, Auld has a very light routine 20-25 save shutout over the flames, than JM will have to give AUld the back to back, but I truly doubt ALex will get a doughnut tomorrow night.
Shaker
I reeeallllly don’t like the childish fits people have with each other on here, which is why I rarely comment, but I am SO TIRED of these ridiculous posts about how horrible Jacques Martin is in general and with young players specificially. There is no basis for any of it. Subban playing well again… must be DESPITE his benching and MARTIN, Pacioretty WAY better than last year when he looked like a paper doll on skate (IN SPITE OF MARTIN), Weber looks like an adequate D-Man (IN SPITE OF MARTIN), Price, a career year with a new goaltending coach brought in by MARTIN. Thankfully he’s managed to overcome this mishandling, though. Only a matter of time before Desharnais, Weber, and Eller are ruined to the point that they can’t play on this team… because so many believed they were capable of it to begin with right?
O’Byrne has 6 points since joining the Avs with a Plus 13. He’s sure not getting those points that make him a +13. Must just be a great defender… yeah sounds good except that they are the FOURTH highest scoring team in the league, and their team GAA has went down .1 to a still awful 3.12 since he joined. They also have the FOURTH worst Goals Allowed total in the NHL on the year. What leads us to believe that he’s so markedly improved? Because he gets TOI on a team that has little or no defense and routinely wins games 6 to 5 ? Also, what do you stop being ‘young’? If everything that O’Byrne does so well (supposedly) in CO is due to someone else’s coaching at age 26, then I suppose we will give him credit for everything Wisniewski does since coming to MTL at age 26? Only fair…
As for Sergei, 9 of his points including 5 goals and 4 assists (out of a whopping total of 23, a guarantee of a great career if I’ve ever seen one) have come in a span of 6 games out of 40 played. He’s done nothing for 3 games now… must be having flashbacks. I guess the Pouliot debate has to wait since the fat ass in Minny is injured, but anyone should be able to see that Benoit is a better player here than he was for the Wild.
This point of view has no grounds. “DISCUSS” haha
JM’s system was a big factor in last year’s playoff run. He holds players accountable in an intelligent way — he gives veterans a little more time to pull it together (Spacek finally on 3rd line D pairing). As for him not being able to develop players: O’Byrne got outcompeted and Sergei forced management to deal him. JM is doing a good job with Price, PK, Webber and MaxPac.
JM is the first coach in a long time who wins games through his coaching and I’d really hate to see him go.
Thats my trademark…….
yup haven’t missed a day in over 5 years here. And I don’t have a easy office job either!!!!!!
I just read that Colin White may be available…Think PG should make a pitch..I would love to get him in MTL..Good stay at home, 3-4th pairing guy with leadership/toughness..
——————
Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
While we’re at it let’s bring back Sheldon Souray and Radek Bonk too.
Go Habs Go!
O’Byrne and Sergei started having problems under Carbo. Both were demoted in Carbo’s last year.
A penny for your thoughts on our development strategy.
It was the 7 (seven) exclamation marks that sold it for me.
I hope its Price. Mainly because I’m going tomorrow night.
Hey there fellow HI&Outers, does anyone know who will be getting the start in net against Calgary? Maybe Alex? I hope so … I am going to the Game in Buffalo on Tuesday night – would really like to see Price play there again … I know that is selfish … but I do not get to go to a lot of games – if anyone has the inside track to the net minding rotation … please let me know! Thanks
GO HABS GO! (Let’s go get that elusive 25th Stanley Cup!)
No, sorry. I don’t like him anymore after his playoff attitude.
i was at roy’s first game back
no tribute
i understand totally different circumstances BUT
paying homage to a player on the opposing team
its just not happening (ive been to many…. maaaaany games over the years my friend)
i see your edit: tv, thats a whole other story, tributes aplenty probably
I don’t think I’ve ever been to a game where a former player has come back for the first time so I couldn’t say, most of those players would have probably been before video tributes anyway. If for anyone, it’d be Saku, given length of service, impact, and the fact that he plays for Anaheim versus say, the leafs or sens.
I should also point out I didn’t mean just at the game on the jumbo, I meant by TV as well for there being something. Although yet again, if they made no note at the game, that’s just embarrassing.
What a reasoned, well-thought, cogent argument!
a lot of young players are looking for easy coaches, not like the old days..if they were sent to the AHL instead of being traded..they’d think twice..they get good money and that’s how they should play..there’s a lot of AHL players that would love to get a chance with the NHL and probably never will.
not trying to be a dick here but tell me ONCE in team history when they ever did a tribute for a player on the opposing team…
im not saying im against it and ill be at the game in my koivu jersey, but this is not how the habs roll
He had a bad run starting in Halifax. I love guys like you, I bet you take a week off work the second you get the sniffles.
I highly doubt they’d do anything after he retires, which in my opinion does not reflect well on the city or the team.
Not sure about pre-game, but there will at least I’m sure be a video on a timeout, perhaps not if there is something pregame, at least on TV if not at the game.
…and then?
***Subbang!!!***
We tried that already, didn’t work out too well.
Interesting article by Richard Labbé on why our players do better elsewhere, with especial reference to Sergei and O’Byrne.
The writer tries his best to be fair and balanced, but it ends up a serious indictment of Jacques Martin.
He will finish the season, but if the Habs want to be a team that develops young players he has to go or completely change his approach to younger players. (Not only young players – he’s helping sap the confidence of vets like AK46 as well).
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/hockey/planete-lnh/201101/09/01-4358486-pourquoi-les-anciens-du-canadien-font-ils-mieux-ailleurs.php
Patriots are going to make a comeback.
Edit: they just scored a TD and converted the 2-point conversion to make it a 3 point game.
You know if Louis showboated at all during his 4 pt game?
hell no…. he is a pussy and won’t play hurt!!!!!!!
Jets are playing well! I had the Pats winning by 7. I wonder now.!
Here is where we place in the 30 team league, compare to last week.
Most
important team stat for a winning play off team is the amount of goals
that a team gives up against the rest of the league. We have stayed all
year between 4th place and 2nd place. Martin sure has us play off ready
defensively.
Now we start to develop the power play and a more
consistent manner of face off wins and puck control at both ends of the
ice, producing a few more goals for us.
Not to worry boys and
girls, even with our injuries, we will peak at all facets of the game
just in time for another great run into this play off season. Although
we are sure going to ware out the edge of our seats and our finger
nails will be a lot shorter.!
Goals Against—107, We are in 4th place. Last week we were in 3rd place with 99.
Total Points—– 53, We are in 12th place. Last week we were in 12th place with 49.
Goals For——-112, We are in 24th place. Last week we were in 27th place with 105.
A potential trade target whose name you should get accustomed to hearing – Alex Tanguay.
As a UFA he’d cost little (3rd rounder I’d reckon) and he’s rebounded nicely from his lost season in TB – 32 pts in 45 games (which incidentally would have him 2nd on these Habs).
friday night is hockey night in buffalo
and they are in a division with 3 canadian teams
this is the natural result
not the teams style, the crowd will cheer for saku, but a ceremony or tribute of any sorts probably wont be had while hes still a player in the league…
this is what their past handlings indicate to me at least
i could be wrong…
QMJHL Prospect Update:
C Louis Leblanc had a 4-point game for the 3rd time this season with 1G, 3A as his offence created the first four goals in a 5-2 win for the Montreal Juniors over the Halifax Mooseheads.
D Morgan Ellis had a season-best +4 with 1A as his Cape Breton Screaming Eagles snapped a 5-game losing streak.
C Michael Bournival created the scoring for his Shawinigan Cataractes to stage a comeback with 1G, 1A for a 3-2 lead, which became a 3-3 tie and went into OT and an eventual 4-3 SO win.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
E) habs aren’t playing and Steelers won yesterday
london!!!!
im from stratford but my mom’s from london.
i miss home
anyway have fun at the game!!
So what’s your guess?
a) The Jets suffer a total collapse this half
b) The Pats decide to crank it up to 50% effort in this half?
c) A temporal anamoly creates a rupture in the space/time continuum and the stadium is thrust 100 years into the future, a future where the New York Jets and their bionic owner/quarterback Joe Namath leads the team to his 27th consecutive championship season!
d) You don’t really care because the Habs aren’t playing today.
***Subbang!!!***
Yes. Yes it is.
- Honestly yours
I have no doubt that the REAL fans will give him a great ovation (I’m hoping for a 10 minute standing-O myself), cuz they realize that it wasn’t his choice to leave - Gainey just didn’t offer him a contract. My only fear is that there won’t be enough of those types of fans there. I’m trying to keep my expectations in check but considering everything I went through to get the tickets, to (hopefully) get the jersey in time, plus all the travel I have to do in the middle of winter just to be there, it’s kinda hard.
I realize the autograph thing might be a bit far-fetched, and likely not something Saku would do given his humble nature, but because of the charities he has I thought it could be a possibility. The Ducks play in Toronto on Thursday but have Friday, Sunday and Monday off, so it’s feasible from a scheduling standpoint.
Keeping my fingers crossed…
SA-KU! SA-KU! SA-KU! SA-KU!
- Honestly yours
The high sticking call and the penalty given to Stamkos last night show how bad the situation is in this league. It’s very apparent the refs are calling what they think they see and cannot follow the play in this league. Add into that their dislike for some teams (our habs) and their love affair with others ( how about those leafs?) and it’s no wonder teams are pressured into not commenting on this crap.
Best refs in the world are they? Then Houston, we got a problem.
It’s very sad.
GO HABS…
There once was a youngster named PK,
Who we all think is having a field day.
His moves are so sweet
And he loves to compete
And the crowds simply can’t help buy hooray!
***Subbang!!!***
that would be amazing, but keep your expectations low, it probably is wishful thinking… but you never know with Saku Koivu, the man who gave his heart to this city.
I really hope the REAL fans chant his name with pride and give him an ovation worthy of his character.
SA-KU SA-KU SA-KU
Win with the Habs, Die with Habs… GO HABS GO for Life
I hate the Patriots, but I hate the Jets even more.
Does anyone know if Saku will be having an autograph signing or anything this weekend while he’s in Montreal?
I know it’s not overly likely, but I figured it was possible cuz he still has active charities in the city (or at least I think he does).
- Honestly yours
Too many optional practices. Habs need more pratice in order to start clicking more. Oh yeah and establish an offensive system which they don’t have. Free form and naturals is all well and good but some low end cycling would be good and knowing where their team mates are gonna be positioned would be good too. There are too many errant passes in the offensive zone for my liking.
Was at the game last night. Noticed that most of the Rangers were chirping at Subban until those 2 powerplay goals shut them up. From then on, Dubiknsy was invisible.
Also, isn’t it great having young players (Pacioretty, Subban) who can get into the head of the other time.
I really hope so! I’m driving all the way from London, ON to Montreal just to see his return. I’d like to see them do it during the pre-game AND have it televised, but that may be wishful thinking.
Regardless, I can’t wait to be there when they announce him and have 21,272 other fans at the Bell Centre go balistic with me!
I just hope the Koivu jersey I ordered gets here on time (Habs jersey of course, not his Ducks one – that would just be blasphemy).
- Honestly yours
Will there be a tribute for Saku Koivu during commercial break at the Bell? The same way the Leafs paid tribute to Sundin when he played at the ACC as a Canuck.
Win with the Habs, Die with Habs… GO HABS GO for Life
Sabres have 22 b2bs. We can’t really complain…
Oops, this is supposed to go lower, sorry!
- A
Yesssss, interception!
Goalies in Montreal have two roles, netminder and scapegoat.
Ugh, I hate the Patriots.
Goalies in Montreal have two roles, netminder and scapegoat.
Funny, I thought next Saturday was the homecoming of Yapierre. We all know who RDS is going to be paying attention to.
- In Price We Trust
No, he was minus a million or so for the Isles. If + – is your big assessment tool, then we’ll just use Wisniewski’s plus minus as a Hab. He’s 26, he’s still developing, just like O’Byrne, DUH!
Dave, are you suggesting that the lowly Sens won’t provide a level of competition any tougher than a practice?
Centre Hice: Bruins blogger gets racial on PK Subban
If the habs can lose to the Islanders, they can lose to anyone in this leauge, or probably in the AHL, on any given night.
Will there be a tribute for Saku Koivu during commercial break? The same way the Leafs paid tribute to Sundin when he played at the ACC as a Canuck.
Win with the Habs, Die with Habs… GO HABS GO for Life
What the S!
Another back to back? Do other teams have this many back to backs?
and 3 back-to-backs to start next month
Bettman is a bastard. That is all.
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
This week should yield a couple of wins (knock on wood).
After reading Chuck’s link on the Cubs hate attack on PK and further down someone’s blog about Price’s vogue. I’m actually changing my stance on saying Price was wrong for vogueing after the Pitts win, Price wasn’t wrong, he was just pumped and excited. Fleury, on the other hand was wrong for his mocking of Price. SO if there ever was bulletin board material for the habs next game vs pitts, there it is. I say keep on Price and apologize for being a little bit too reserved. And to end how was that racial rant not punished by the law?
Shaker
Good for you JS
***Subbang!!!***
tricky situation
racist rants are protected under the 1st ammendment in the states
add to that it was said on the internet
add to that on a canadian dudes blog
result: not much law can do about anything and this is without asking which branch of enforcement would be responsible for taking such action
All teams average a handful of back to backs a year, just like Montreal.
Why would a commissioner HATE the team second in attendance and second in merchandise sales?
I’ll bet not too many get two back-to-backs in the same week.
Bettman takes the Habs for granted. We are guaranteed revenue used to subsidize his bankrupt teams in the south.
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I just did a quick NHL.com check. If I counted correctly, Mtl has played 8 b-t-b and have 8 more to play; Pitt has played 8 b-t-b (including a week of two b-t-b like Mtl has next week) and has 9 more to play while Phil has played 10 b-t-b with 5 more to play. And I’m not checking all 30 teams…
I went through all of the teams in our conference and we’re in the middle of the pack. Some teams have 2-3 less back to backs than us and a few teams have 2-3 more. i can’t remember which teams sit where, but i know we’re average.
You’re right. Those numbers don’t lie.
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Thanks guys for looking.
That seems like a lot of back to back games for all the teams.
How bad are the Refs in this league?
Check this video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O7D3TGhOvg
Chara high sticks own teammate who lies sprawling on the ice bleeding profusely. Pens were assessed 4 minute penalty on the play.
And Russian colour commentary no less!
Panthers’ Bryan McCabe out for at least a month after getting hit in the face with a puck.
hey does anybody have a link to that end of the
period incident last night when there was a scrum and Gill was taking
care of two Rangers at once? I found that hillarious and I just wanna
show it to my GF.
thanks
This just in.
Apparently we have a competitive team who can beat any team in the league on any given night and which can play with top teams even in a lengthy series.
This team will be competing for a playoff position throughout the season. The odds of this team not making the playoffs are small. Once there, anything can happen and the team is comprised of many veterans who have experience with going deep in the playoffs.
Having said all this, this team can improve and will be missing two important elements of its roster for the remainder of the season. Due to this, continued support and enjoyment of the team requires the viewer to be patient and understanding of the situation. If these attributes are practiced the fan is likely to be happier and have a more clear-minded view.
That makes WAY too much sense!
Fan since ’71