Habs Looking Great

Well, what can I say. I have been embarrased to write anything lately because we were on such a terrible stretch that there was nothing nice to say at all about the Canadiens. Fortunately, they seem to be coming out of the slump and getting into a grove at the optimal time in the season.

With a few games left in the season, it is looking very promissing that they will be playing in the post season again this year and hopefully they do not end up with New Jersey as their opponent. I would prefer the Bruins or the Capitals, just not the Devils.

When Gainey put Kovalev, Tanguay and Koviu together, a spark seemed to turn into a flame and the team just put it in high gear. The best thing about it was that it was the entire team who picked it up. Komisarek was having trouble earlier and seems to have gotten out of his funk. Schenider started being smarter and Markov stepped it up a notch as well. And of course, the most important piece is the goal tending and that seems to be improving as well. I expect Price to be healthy for Monday nights game in which we almost lock up the playoff birth.

What can I say about Kovalev? Well, when Kovalev is hot, he is hot. He scored last night against the Leafs, on the power play, the same way he scored on the powerplay last year. I don't know about the rest of you, but when Kovalev is out of the linup, the offence is horrific. I know some will disagree, but I am really hoping they sign him for next year as he is a piece of the puzzle that will be very difficult to replace.

But don't forget, there are still many who believe a trade is already in place to bring in big Vinny Lecavalier from Tampa before the no trade clause kicks in. I am not keeping my fingers crossed, but, who knows, we will have to wait and see.

I have so much to say right now that I will have to post more later today or tomorrow. This is the best time of year!

Game 3 - Monday Night

Well, I have to admit, playing the Phillidelphia Flyer's is not as scary to watch as the Boston Bruins. Although the series is tied 1-1, they don't create a lot of chances that make you twist in your seat and think, wow, that was close. There was never a moment in either game, until the fourth goal in game 2, where I thought we wouldn't be able to score.

The forwards are fast and Phillidelphia is relatively slow, especially with big ogre's like Hatcher. We generated lots of chances on Biron but Biron won that game for the Flyers.

With game 3 going tonight in Philly, you can expect a really hard fought game. The corners are going to be well patrolled and expect to see some big hits. Montreal has really stepped up in the toughness category and has really impressed me with their ability to finish off checks. We have come to expect that from guys like Boullion and Komisarek but the whole team is now in on the action. Hamrlik, the Kostitsyn brothers, even Streit, are trying to punish the opposition.

Kovalev has been hot and cold. Game 2 I thought he dominated most of his shifts but had a couple shaky ones. I expect to see Carbonneau putting him on both the first and second line to switch things up and try and throw off Stevens and the Flyers. For the most part, he generated a number of chances when changing things up with Kovalev.

Plekanec needs to play better. He hasn't played poorly, but this is the NHL playoffs and he needs to generate more offense. Price has been uncharacteristically inconsistent and I expect him to improve on his game...

Well, enough of the mumbo jumbo, it's playoff time and game time is 7:00pm est.

Komisarek Ready for Playoffs?

With the season winding down and Koivu looking like he is going to be injured for a month or more, we turn our attention to our shot blocking, hard hitting, work horse Mike Komisarek. It appears that he is skating again with the team and is expected to be playing come playoff time.

This is critical for the Habs to make a good run into the playoffs because they need his grit and power to ensure no one walks over Price. We also Markov fight Spezza last night and I think we all know that Markov is a far better puck mover than a fighter.

The playoffs are almost here...the excitement is almost more than we can take, two more games decides if we finish our best season since the 80's.

Playoff Place...Locked In

Well it is official, the Montreal Canadiens have successfully clinched a playoff spot for the spring show down. This really doesn't come as much of a surprise as the Habs are in first place in the Eastern Conference and are taking a commanding lead over the Ottawa Senators for first place in the North East Division.

This first place business is pretty important as they will want to play a team like Boston or the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. Especially because they will be with out Komisarek for the first round, at least as it is expected.

It should also be noted that the high scoring Canadiens have shown all those non believers and forecasters who predicted them to finish at the bottom of the East. Wow, don't underestimate youth and speed and great goaltending.

Komi out for 3 Weeks

The Canadiens are going to be in tight with the recent injury of Mike Komisarek. Komisarek is listed as injured with a lower body injury and is expected to miss 3 weeks. This could be very bad timing for the Canadiens as Komisarek plays on the top Defence line and is leading the team in both hits and blocked shots.

Komi was also one of those guys who kept the other team in line physically because if you rubbed a guy the the wrong way, Komi would be the one who ensured that didn't happen again. Any Habs fan who watches many games will notice that Komi's presence will be missed.

Hopefully he will be back for the end of the first round of the playoffs and at the very latest, back for the second round.

Here's hoping!

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!