Where Are All these Goals Coming From?

It is halfway through the game tonight and Montreal is winning 3-0. The thing that I can't seem to figure out is where are all these goals coming from? Previous versions of the Canadiens have always lacked offence and have gotten by on strong defence, not strong offence.

I think most of it is coming from the system. Draft picks such as Higgins, Plekanec, the Kostitsyns, and Markov are delivering on a regular basis. Veterans such as Koivu, Kovalev, and Hamrlik are also showing why they deserve to be leaders for this young team.

When I look at the goals for in the conference stats, you can see that Montreal is not having too much trouble putting the puck in the net although if you look at the point leaders, you don't see any Canadiens near the top. This is directly related to the fact that the Habs put out a balance offence game in and game out which makes it difficult for any team to shut down the first line becase the second line is just as dangerous.

If this scoring keeps up, watch out for the playoffs because these boys mean business.

Habs Looking at Sundin....

There was a rumour I heard that the Canadiens were looking at Leafs center Mats Sundin. This rumour is the most bogus thing I have ever heard. Lets not say that I don't think Sundin would be unwanted in Montreal but it isn't happening.

Mats has been a consistent point per game player for his entire career. This would be a much added bonus for the Habs but what would a team have to give up for that type of talent? You can start with a minimum of one or two first round draft picks. After that, you will need to add either a proven youngster such as Komisarek, Higgins, or Kostitsyn. The only other player that could meet the requirements would be a born to be type player such as Price. There is no way the Habs would trade their franchise player in a package for Sundin.

Why else is this not going to happen? They are in the same conference, and even more, they are in the same division. If you are going to play eight games a year against a team, you don't want to making any big trades with each other.

For all you Toronto Maple Leafs fans out there, your franchise needs to rebuild by trading Sundin, but don't come knocking on our door because we are not interested unless you are going to give him to us for a bag of pucks. Then again, you have done this in the past. John Kordic for Russ Courtnall....oops!

Competing in the Spring?

While the Canadiens head into the All Star break, it seems like they might escape their typical collapse after the new year. The team is playing as well as ever and Michael Ryder, the highly unproductive goal scorer, is playing better and bounces are starting to go his way.

The other things that are really great to see is the play of Plekanec, Kovalev, and Kostitsyn. This line is putting pucks in the net left, right, and center. Kovalev is playing with the talent he has, Plekanec is scoring and showing real potential, while the young Kostitsyn seems to be finding some real goal scoring prowess and some excellent offensive skills.

Huet is going to be able to play comfortably in the net with Price back in Hamilton. The pressure is off and he can focus on playing hockey and winning games.

Points wise, they are close to second place in the east, which if they can continue on the same pace, will give them a decent seeding in the playoffs and allow for a good match up.

However, we can talk all we want, but there is still half a season to go and the east is as close as ever, so they need to focus on each game and hopefully come playoffs, we will get some magic.

Ovechkin...Going....Going...Gone

Well Hab fans, what was once a dream is basically gone now that Alex Ovechkin has signed a mega 13 year deal with the Capitals. Good friend Markov was unable to sway his opinion to come to Montreal.

This is really dissapointing for Habs fans as anyone who has seen him play knows the fire power he brings every game and the intensity in which he plays each shift with. However, it is good for Washington as an organization because they have very little other than Ovechkin to keep people in the seats. And that only appears to be about half of the seats at best.

Habs fans, we don't have to worry yet, as there is still Vinny Lecavalier and Sidney Crosby who has told multiple people that he wants to play for Montreal at some point in his career.

And after all, it could be worse, we could be the Toronto Maple Leafs...

Kovalev, Short Side Top Corner

Well, the Habs/Bruins game is entering the third period tonight and Kovalev has scored one of his patented goals. How many times this season have we seen Kovalev pick up the puck along the boards and fire the puck into the top of the net? It seems as though the other NHL teams have no way to defend against it.

This season has been a big improvement for Kovy. He is playing with much more energy and generating chances everytime he is on the ice. Furthermore, his energy and enthusiasm seems to be contageous and the whole team is playing harder than in the past. Lets hope we can keep this play up and end up in the playoffs because we all know that Alex can really step up his game come the big show.

Well, it is 3-2 now so this third period should be a treat...