Sharks-Canadiens: Hold On, They're Coming!

Montreal 3 San Jose 2 (Bell Centre)

posted by Rocket
AllHabs.blogspot.com

The Montreal Canadiens just beat the best team in hockey. They have now won four straight games. Jaroslav Halak made 46 saves. So why am I feeling uncomfortable?

It was a great first period for the Habs. After withstanding an initial onslaught by the Sharks, the Canadiens used their speed to pressure the opposition. Brian Boucher was not sharp particularly when handling the puck. The Habs made the most of their opportunities scoring three times. Saku Koivu's line was on fire. Andrei Markov had a great first period. The power-play connected again.

But we have seen this movie before. The Canadiens get a lead then Carbonneau advises his club that its full retreat mode beginning the second period. Some think its just good defensive tactics. But the strategy only works for good defensive teams, and the Habs aren't strong defensively. Instead, the Canadiens just desperately hold on, while the opposition forms its firing squad. Perhaps Gainey needs to take Carbonneau for a walk in Old Montreal and let me know he is playing with fire.

The Sharks attacked early in the second period. They scored twice before the period was two minutes old. Then another San Jose shot rang off the post. Jaroslav Halak was having trouble tracking the puck. He looked very awkward on the two goals. The Canadiens were reeling. The period ended with the Sharks outshooting the Canadiens 14 to 4 (not including 3 San Jose shots off the post).

“We stopped skating and stopped shooting the puck and we made turnovers in the neutral zone,” said defenseman Andrei Markov. I would suggest that's what happens when you are instructed to abandon the forecheck.

The next period began with another Shark shot going through Halak and hitting the post. Then a shot by Setoguchi went in and out of his glove. Halak confirmed after the game that he was tired late in the game.

The third period played out much the same as the second. It was desperation hockey on every shift by the Canadiens. For a rare time, Carbonneau even shortened the bench, by two. Patrice Brisebois and Georges Laraque didn't see the ice much in the third. The Canadiens could have used Ryan O'Byrne, who would have been in the line-up if not for an injury the previous night in Hamilton.

To their credit, every Habs player did whatever was necessary to protect their goal, and goaltender. San Jose is an excellent team who is well coached. They outshot Montreal 34-11 in the last two periods.

“We faced a really good team tonight and I don’t think we played our best,” said Koivu. “The first (period) was better but then we became too passive.”

The feeling after the game was that the Canadiens stole one from a superior team. But if the Habs were allowed to play to their strengths, they can intimidate any team. They have speed, skill and offensive firepower. Their personnel suits a puck position game, and they can be very effective when aggressively pressuring the opposition defense.

As some on the Hockey Night in Canada panel said tonight, 'Quit trying to be something that you are not.' Or as Elliotte Friedman said a few weeks ago 'Maybe Guy Carbonneau just doesn't understand this team.'

It was a terrific night for Andrei Markov, Saku Koivu, Jaroslav Halak and Matt D'Agostini. Now, the Canadiens go on the road for three games. Three more wins will greatly help my comfort level.


Pre-game

Starting lineup: Lapierre, Kostopoulos, Pacioretty, Komisarek, Hamrlik
Jaroslav Halak and Brian Boucher started in goal.

Evgeni Nabokov had the flu and was unlikely to play under any circumstance.

Dandenault and Chipchura scratched. Bouillon, Latendresse, Tanguay, and Lang were out with injuries.

Rocket's 3 stars:

1. Andrei Markov
2. Jaroslav Halak
3. Joe Thornton

(photo credit: AP)

Bulldogs crushed by Toronto Marlies

Bulldogs crushed by Toronto Marlies

TheSpec.com
By Garry McKay
HAMILTON SPECTATOR


The Toronto Marlies handed the Hamilton Bulldogs what may have been their worst loss of the year in more ways than one.

The Marlies pummeled the Dogs 7-1 Saturday night before 7,163 at Copps Coliseum. It was Hamilton’s most one-sided loss of the year and their worst at home since a 6-0 defeat at the hands of the Iowa Stars, Feb. 29 of last year.

What makes the crushing defeat even worse is that Dogs, who are already reeling from injuries and illness, lost three more players.

Defenceman Ryan O’Byrne, who was going to be called up to the Montreal Canadiens after the game, left in the first period after a head-to-head collision with Andre Deveaux of the Marlies.

Hamilton winger Tyler Shelast hurt his back in the third period and centre Ryan While suffered an undisclosed injury during a third period fight with Ryan Hamilton.
Bulldogs head coach Don Lever didn’t know what the status of any of the injured players is for Sunday’s 5 p.m. game in Cleveland against the Lake Erie Monsters.

The Marlies jumped on Hamilton for three, unanswered, first period goals and although the Bulldogs played better in the second they were never able to get untracked.

“Our second period was pretty solid but when they scored the first goal in the third we just packed it in,” said Lever.

“With the bodies we have right now we just don’t have the guys who can respond up front. They’ve got more grit than us, and if our skilled guys aren’t playing a skill game it’s tough.”

Ryan Hamilton scored twice for Toronto.
Anton Stralman had a goal and three assists.
Jiri Tlusty, Jeremy Williams, Stefano Giliati, and Alex Foster also scored for the Marlies.

Sergei Kostitsyn had the lone Hamilton reply, his first goal in five games since being sent down by the Habs.

Marc Denis started in goal for Hamilton but was replaced by Cedrick Desjardins at the start of the second.

Adam Munro picked up the win in net for Toronto.

Both Munro and Desjardins stopped penalty shots. Referee David Banfield awarded Hamilton of the Marlies and Ben Maxwell of the Bulldogs penalty shots in the second period but both were denied by the goaltenders.

It’s the third time in the AHL this season, but only the sixth time since 1992, that there have been two penalty shots in a period.

The Dogs, who have lost three in a row, and only scored three goals in the three games, will try and snap out of it in Cleveland Sunday against the Lake Erie Monsters.

They expect to have a new player in the lineup.

Defenceman Doug Janik, acquired by Montreal in a trade, has cleared waivers and bee assigned to Hamilton.

Hits and Misses

Molson Cup Three Stars: 1. Jeremy Williams, Toronto. 2. Ryan Hamilton, Toronto. 3. Anton Stralman, Toronto.
Flamboro Downs Workhorse of the Game (hardest working Bulldog): Ben Maxwell.
Scratches: Chad Anderson, Andrew Conboy, Mike Glumac, Ryan Kinasewich, Mathieu Aubin, Shawn Belle, Mathieu Carle.
Shots on goal: Toronto 37 Hamilton 24.
Power plays: Hamilton 0-2. Toronto 3-8.
Attendance: 7,163.
Up next: The Dogs are in Cleveland Sunday at 5 p.m.

gmckay@thespec.com

Friday's Three Stars: Schneider supplies missing power

Puck Daddy
Yahoo Sports
Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:00 am EST

Friday's Three Stars: Schneider supplies missing power

By Ross McKeon

Montreal Canadiens edition (edited)

No. 1 star, Mathieu Schneider, Montreal Canadiens:
More than anything else, Mathieu Schneider was recently acquired to boost the usually-potent, but suddenly inefficient Montreal power play. He couldn't have picked a better time to ignite the special teams' unit on Friday night. Schneider's goal 3:21 into overtime came when the Canadiens had the man advantage, and enabled Montreal to beat the Flyers for a sixth straight time in Philadelphia. Schneider has three goals in his five games with Montreal since coming over from Atlanta, and all three have come on the power play. Schneider also had the primary assist on Montreal's first goal of the game, a late first-period marker that cut the visitors' deficit to 2-1. Schneider was a plus-1 with three shots on goal and blocked three of Philly's shots during 25:44 of ice time.

Honorable mention:
Montreal's Tomas Plekanec has a goal in five straight games

Dishonorable mention:
Philadelphia's power play, a league-best 32 percent at home this season, was 0-for-8 (including two 5-on-3s) against visiting Montreal.

Canadiens-Flyers: Special Teams are Key to Habs' Win.

Montreal 4 Philadephia 3 OT (Wachovia Center)

posted by Rocket
AllHabs.blogspot.com

Imagine the day of Glen Metropolit. During the morning skate, he was a member of the Flyers. Just after lunch, the Canadiens claimed him off waivers as Philadelphia tried to clear cap space. A quick meeting with his new coach and receiving new gear were part of his afternoon.

Just after 7 pm. at the Wachovia Center, Metropolit took the opening faceoff as a member of the Montreal Canadiens wearing number 15. Twenty-eight seconds into the period, he looked somewhat confused with his new linemates. Glen watched former teammate Joffrey Lupul give the Flyers a 1-0 early lead.

His second shift of the night found Metropolit in the penalty box with a hi-sticking penalty. The next time Metropolit touched the ice, he received a breakaway pass coming out of the penalty box, only to be stopped by Antero Nittymaki.

''You know how they say, no friends on the ice,'' Metropolit said. ''I just tried to compete tonight and just worry about the task at hand.''

Welcome to the Montreal Canadiens, Glen. It was an unusual introduction for Metropolit in an equally strange game. It was marked by sloppy play, inconsistent goaltending, and poor defense.

The first period was rather wild. It was a curious decision by Guy Carbonneau to start players that had not played together before. Both goalies struggled. Jaroslav Halak allowed two weak goals; the first as he failed on two attempts to control rebounds. The Flyers had 2 goals on 4 shots. With Nittymaki giving up two soft goals himself, the Canadiens were able to take a 3-2 lead to the dressing room after the first period. The Flyers and Habs missed additional opportunities to score with the goalies out of position. It could have been much worse.

Both goalies would stabilize their play beginning in the second period. The Flyers outshot the Canadiens 18 to 5 due, in part, to six minor penalties for the Habs. Philadelphia was able to tie the game on a horrible giveaway by Patrice Brisebois.

The play was much more even in the third period. The Canadiens would end the game with a power-play goal in overtime.

The penalty-killing unit shone for the second game in a row. Philadelphia, with the league's 4th ranked power-play, were 0 for 8 including two 5 on 3 advantages. The Habs power-play scored twice which is now 10 goals in the last 24 chances. Special teams were the key to tonight's victory.

''Special teams was the difference and they won it,'' Flyers coach John Stevens said.

Tomas Plekanec continued his hot play with a goal, an assist and a team high 5 shots. Alex Kovalev assisted on both power-play goals and scored one of his own. Mathieu Schneider had a 2 point night, including the game winner in overtime.

Saku Koivu dominated on faceoffs including on important special teams draws. Andrei Kostitsyn was held off the scoresheet but contributed by his strong play in front of the net. Glenn Metropolit was 60% on faceoffs and led the team in hits. Andrei Markov led the team with 5 blocked shots.

The pair of Roman Hamrlik and Patrice Brisebois was minus 5. Brisebois had a brutal game and cramming as many errors as one player could in 11:51 ice-time. Brise has been responsible for giveaways at the opposition blueline dozens of times this year. Tonight it resulted in the tying goal by Simon Gagne. Watching Brisebois trying to defend Scottie Upshall in over-time is reason enough alone that he should retire.

Georges Laraque demanded to be in the line-up. He got his wish. Laraque couldn't have been more invisible and insignificant: 7 shifts, 4:20 TOI, 0 fights, 0 hits, 0 shots.

The Canadiens battled back after being down early. It was a very important two points. But defense and goaltending will have to be much better against the Sharks on Saturday night.


Pre-game
Starting lineup: Metropolit, Stewart, Kovalev, Hamrlik, Komisarek
Jaroslav Halak and Antero Nittymaki started in goal.

Halak's road record is dismal: 4-7-1 .895 SV% 3.44 GAA

Dandenault and Chipchura scratched. Bouillon, Latendresse, Tanguay, and Lang were out with injuries.

Rocket's 3 stars:
1. Tomas Plekanec
2. Simon Gagne
3. Alex Kovalev

(photo credit:Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Is Ian Lapierre on Bob Gainey's radar?

Countdown to the trade deadline: GMs under the most pressure

Thursday, February 26, 2009
Posted by Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun
ESPN.com

Excerpt:

LeBrun: Montreal is indeed an intriguing club heading into the deadline. After the Schneider deal, Gainey said he had cap room for one more deal. And unlike most other GMs in the league right now, he's got no long-term cap issues since half his team is slated for unrestricted free agency. In other words, he would be less afraid to pick up a player with term left on his deal. But one guy I believe would be a great playoff pickup and who doesn't have a contract past this season is Ian Laperriere. He's the kind of gritty, character guy the Habs need so much right now. And if Laperriere doesn't sign an extension with the Avs over the next few days, he'll likely be available come Wednesday.

Full article:

Countdown to the trade deadline: GMs under the most pressure

Bégin: gone but not forgotten

Bégin flashing his signature grin (taken from habsinsideout in 2008).


posted by habsbloggergirl

Just when we thought the month from hell was almost over, this final week of February (which will go down in the record-books as one of the worst months in recent Habs’ history) has brought even more upset.

First, Georges Laraque complained to the media that he hadn’t been used in enough games. Not only was this an inconsiderate thing to do in terms of being a team player, but way to get on Carbo’s bad side Georges! Someone needs to tell him the story of sorry Sergei Samsonov: the player who blabbed to the media and was never seen in a Canadiens’ uniform again. Not that I’d mind if Georges wasn’t playing in a Canadiens’ uniform. I have nothing against him personally, in fact, he usually seems like a nice guy, but I find that he doesn’t really have a role on the team. Gainey got him for toughness, but I can’t even recall one time when he stood up for a teammate (unless you include the voluntary hook he made on Bouillon’s behalf a couple of games back, you know, the one that led to the other team getting a powerplay goal? Well you get the picture…). He doesn’t fight unless someone from the other team willingly consents, and who in their right mind would agree to fight him? All this would be okay, if his salary were not more than, for example, Jaroslav Halak and Maxim Lapierre’s combined!!!!!! He wants to play more, but he is not useful hockey-wise, and doesn’t add much on the toughness side of things (especially considering that Greg Stewart is now playing and can definitely hold his own, as seen by the fight the other night with Shane O’Brien). But unfortunately, he will be in uniform Friday night, and he has disclosed to the media that he has a no-trade clause (what were you thinking Gainey?!), so I guess he’s safe. For now.

Next came the wonderful news, that in the wake of the Kostitsyns and Hamrlik’s link to a drug dealer that the whole team was tested Monday, and if anyone is found abusing any substance, they’d get a 20-game suspension. I’m not saying that this isn’t necessary (it definitely is in pro sports), in fact, I think that IF all the players are clean it will clear the air a little bit with the media, but this extra media attention, on something that probably would have gone unnoticed if it weren’t in this absolutely dreadful month, is a bit unnecessary.

Then came the announcement that Steve Bégin was traded. I feel quite bittersweet about this. I’m so sad to lose him. He is a member the Tom Kostopoulos school of work ethic, and I’d so much rather have him on the ice than Laraque, but seeing as we probably wouldn’t have been able to resign him at the end of the season, and that he wouldn’t be able to play many games because of all the young players coming up, like Stewart, I feel like he’ll have a much better opportunity in Dallas (I can just see the smiles when he and Ribeiro reunite!). He will definitely be missed… especially in the locker room. He was always one to give tons of his time to the media, and was always smiling, with that little twinkle in his eye.

Oh and then came this wonderful tidbit: Doug Janik (who we received in return for Stevey B.) had to be put on waivers to go down to Hamilton! So there is a chance that we will get NOTHING! And while this seems unlikely… it’s still February, which means that anything horrible that can happen to the Habs usually does! (On a side note, this actually did happen recently, when the Islanders asked Wade Dubielewicz to come back to the NHL from the KHL (since their number 1 and 2 goalies were injured) only to have him snatched up by the Blue Jackets since he had to be put on waivers… which is kind of sad, since not only did he come all the way from Russia to play with them, but they were also (standings-wise) the worst team in the league… so it was a little bit scheming on the part of the Blue Jackets, but enough said).

Then, TSN reported that Dandenault had “politely” asked for a trade. Is it just me, or did these past few weeks seem endless? It’s one scandal after another…

I’m not sure what tomorrow or Saturday will bring (though I’m at least hoping for 2 wins!), but all I can say is that come Sunday it will no longer be February, and hopefully the team and the fans can finally put this atrocious month behind them, where it belongs.

Bégin is going to Dallas

Bégin is going to Dallas
Thursday, 26 February 2009
RDS.ca (translated)

Steve Bégin was traded to the Dallas Stars on Thursday afternoon.

In return the Canadian defender gets Doug Janik. In 13 games, he collected an assist.

He had been a second-round choice of the Buffalo Sabers in 1999.

Career, he played 159 parts, scoring three goals and 13 assists with Buffalo, Tampa Bay and Dallas.

Janik is an American of 29 years who is 6'2 "and 209 pounds.

Bégin was happier when Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau was no longer using the. With 42 games, he scored six goals and earned four assists.

With 389 games in his career, he has 46 goals and 38 assists for 84 points.

Bégin was a second-round choice of the Calgary Flames in 1996.

Laraque frustrated in Part-Time role

Laraque frustrated in part-time role
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
SPORTSNET.CA

Montreal Canadiens forward Georges Laraque would never ask for a trade, but his lack of playing time just may dictate one.

"I would never ask for something like that (a trade) at this time of the year," Laraque said when asked about the possibility of a deadline deal. "I want to make it work but at at the same time I'm a hockey player and I need to be playing."

Injuries have limited Laraque's playing time this season, but the veteran is now healthy and frustrated with his lack of playing time.

"It's the most frustrated I've been in my career. Last time I was this frustrated was when I was a rookie, it was understandable but I'm an established veteran and in terms of my role, I play hard and I give everything I have when I play," Laraque said. "I fight for my teammates and everything I do for respect. So yeah, it's frustrating."

Georges Laraque signed in Montreal with the understanding that he would play in a regular role.

The 32-year-old is familiar with changing uniforms at the league-imposed deadline, in 2008 Phoenix Coyotes traded Laraque to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Daniel Carcillo and a 3rd round selection in 2008. Laraque went on to play in a Stanley Cup final with the Penguins.

"I don't know where everything is going right now, I haven't been playing since I've been back and I would just assume that if my role isn't required then I wouldn't be surprised if they had to move me."

Respected as one of the league's best enforcers, Laraque is not about to sit by and watch a season pass without playing.

"Obviously I don't want to be here if I'm going to play once in a while. Every player wants to play. I could just shut up and sit down and take the money but that's not the type of guy I am. I'm a fierce competitor. I want to play, I want to compete."

Roman Hamrlik Talks to TV Nova in Czech Republic

Roman Hamrlik Talks to TV Nova in Czech Republic
by Alanah McGinley on 02/24/09 at 04:02 PM ET
Kukla's Korner Hockey

Below are some comments from Roman Hamrlik talking about his situation in Montreal, specifically his relationship with Pasquale Mangiola (more on the background available here). Hamrlik was apparently concerned about how his situation has been reported in the Czech press, so the Canadiens gave him permission to speak to one media outlet in his home country.

Here’s the link to the original Czech (including video), but below is the English translation of a segment, provided by a friend of KK who regularly translates material for us.

Canadiens players are not allowed to talk about this to media but Hamrlik was given permission to speak to one Czech TV station and he has chosen TV NOVA.

Lets start with what Hamrlik is saying [about Pasquale Mangiola]:

“When you come to a new city, you don’t know where to go after the games. Sometimes we went for a dinner and that was everything. I provided him with some tickets for hockey games. I didn’t know he was doing some bad things, I didn’t know he has something in common with a, b, c, or d. Drugs or guns or whatever he did. I didn’t know he was involved in this. I didn’t meet this guy this season because I have already known he talks too much about hockey players and he draws attention to himself that he knows us. I didn’t meet him this season. I think this is really big lesson for my next life.”

Hipwaders and how the Habs Blanked Sundin & the Canucks

Montreal 3 Vancouver 0 (Bell Centre)

posted by Rocket
AllHabs.blogspot.com

I have memories of some of the very first backyard boot hockey games. On the small ice surface, it was often my brother and I versus our similar aged neighbour and his Dad. Mr. Webb was a not-very-svelte 250 pound guy who wore hip waders and a baggy army parka. He didn't stray too far from the net preferring to lie on the ice across the goal line. While my brother and I could easily advance past our friend, raising the puck over this hulk with hip waders was an entirely different matter. We hammered away, ran up the shot totals, and usually lost 4 or 5 to nothing. The streak continued for a few years until we learned to raise the puck, and then the hip waders were unavailable to come out to play. More about this later.

The final two periods of tonight's game, the Canadiens were outshot 26 to 11. If you are experiencing deja vu, you aren't alone. Since the game against Detroit, the coaching staff have employed a new strategy. In the first period, the players are allowed to use their skill and speed and employ a forecheck. Hopefully, this yields a lead. In the second and third period, the Canadiens use a different scheme. Sometimes, its a 1-4 or even a 0-5. Some people call it a 1-2-2. More simply, its called 'maximum retreat!' It essentially means abandoning the neutral zone and dropping all five Canadiens behind the blue-line.

This system has limited success until teams realize that they just have to attack with speed and chip the puck past the defenders. As we saw on the recent road trip, the Canadiens don't fare very well when they spend most of the game in their own zone. But for whatever reason, it is the strategy that Guy Carbonneau is comfortable with right now.

This strategy reminds me a little of those early games in the backyard. Maximum defense...everyone back...barricade the goal. But the system can be beat by good teams with skill. It is a scheme designed for a team who is afraid to lose rather than one who wants to win. And perhaps its can be effective to keep the Canadiens in games against bottom feeding teams. It seems that skilled teams will find a way to exploit it while the Habs just try to hang on. Washington proved that to be true.


Back to tonight. Finally, Jaroslav Halak's performance caught up with his press clippings. This season, Jaro has enjoyed the a habit of getting wins even with mediocre efforts. But tonight was Halak's best game of the season. Yes, he still struggled with rebound control and puck handling. Jaro had lots of help tonight from his defense who cleared the rebounds and blocked second shots. For his part, Halak's positioning was much better in the net. He was sharp all game.

But this game was really about special teams, particularly the Canadiens penalty killers. The PK unit was a perfect six for six, which included the defense of a Canuck two-man advantage for a full two minutes. To their credit the Canadien defenders limited the Canucks so that Halak didn't have to make one tough save.

Saku Koivu and Tomas Plekanec have been the two hardest working Canadiens night in and night out this season. As the Canuck five on three came to an end, Koivu dived to knock the puck out of the Canadiens zone just as Plekanec came out of the penalty box. Plekanec turned on the speed, went in alone, and went top corner on Roberto Luongo. It was the turning point of the game. Plekanec and Koivu were also dominant on faceoffs.

Max Pacioretty continues to be one of the best Habs every game. Pacioretty is a speedy, physical power forward with hands that the Canadiens have been waiting for.

The defense was much better tonight. Andrei Markov was terrific playing twenty-six minutes and scoring a power-play goal on a nice feed from Tomas Plekanec. Mike Komisarek and Josh Gorges combined to block seven shots with Komisarek also getting five hits.

The scouts box at the Bell Centre was filled tonight. Perhaps Halak's performance impressed one of them enough to give Bob Gainey a key bargaining chip to bring in the big center that this team needs going into the playoffs.

The Canadiens got a win and an important two points tonight but they will need a better effort for the upcoming games. The Flyers and Sharks are next on the schedule; two teams who can definitely 'raise the puck'.


Pre-game
Starting lineup: Plekanec, Kovalev, Andre Kostitsyn, Hamrlik, Komisarek
Jaroslav Halak and Roberto Luongo started in goal.

Laraque and Begin scratched. Bouillon, Latendresse, Tanguay, and Lang were out with injuries.

Tanguay will not be available to play this week. He will be re-evaluated next week.

Happy 36th Birthday to Alex Kovalev.


Rocket's 3 stars:

1. Canadiens' penalty-killing unit
1. Jaroslav Halak
2. Tomas Plekanec
3. Saku Koivu

(photo credit: AP)

Kovalev feels reborn upon return to Canadiens

Kovalev feels reborn upon return to Canadiens
Canadian Press

MONTREAL - The mystery that is Alex Kovalev took another twist Saturday night - this time a dramatic three-point return from a two-game exile from the Montreal Canadiens.

The Kovalev who played so lifelessly that general manager Bob Gainey had to convince him to stay home while the slumping team went on a two-game road trip was forgotten and forgiven as the Bell Centre crowd welcomed back the team's most gifted, if often under-achieving, player with a rousing ovation.

Then he delivered a goal and two assists before the game was 24 minutes old as the Canadiens downed the fading Ottawa Senators 5-3.

Afterwards, the 35-year-old said he felt like a new person, or one who had shed the skin of mediocrity that marked his play for much of this season. Now, he's ready to rise to the heights he reached last season when he was Montreal's leading scorer and easily its best player.

"I have no idea why this has been happening for the last few months, but I feel better now," he said. "The last few days are going to help me."

When Kovalev stole the puck from veteran Chris Phillips and went in alone to beat Brian Elliot at 5:38 of the first period, it ended a 10-game scoring drought. The player who scored 35 goals last season now has 14 with 22 games left in the regular season.

That was Kovalev the star, the one Canadiens fans adore when they sense flair and passion in his game.

But since he joined Montreal in a trade from the New York Rangers (for the long-forgotten Jozef Balaj) late in the 2003-'04 season, it's as though there have been two Kovalevs.

One floats around, trying gimmicky-looking moves and losing the puck, then takes. The other uses his muscular six-foot-two frame to get clear of defenders and dazzles with his ability to turn on a dime and feather a perfect pass or blast in a goal.

After Kovalev drifted through the 2006-'07 season, when he had only 18 goals, Gainey went for a long walk with him to work out what was wrong and how it could be fixed.

He returned the next season with new resolve and had his best year since his career-high 95 points with Pittsburgh in 2000-01. But then he lapsed back to the other Kovalev this season

Once again, it's a series of chats with Gainey, before and during his two-game banishment, that may sort it out.

"Alex is a very sincere person," Gainey said this week. "At a point, he was separated from the group.

"He doesn't talk a lot with the other players or the coaches. He tried to find his own answers and tried to do more. We wanted him to do less and accomplish more, instead of trying to beat three guys by himself. That's not in our gameplan."


"I have no idea why this has been happening for the last few months, but I feel better now. The last few days are going to help me." -- Alex Kovalev

Kovalev says he doesn't have any problems with his teammates, that he is simply a loner. But he has a special bond with Gainey.

"I don't like to tell things to people or say how I feel," he said. "I'm not that open as a person.

"Bob is the only one I open up to and say how I feel."

Kovalev said he has felt tired this season and was losing weight for reasons even blood tests could not determine. But much of the problem lay in his mind.

That's why Gainey talked him into staying home as the team travelled to Washington and Pittsburgh last week to sort himself out "mentally and physically.

"I hesitate to put it all on Alex's shoulders," Gainey said. "He hadn't had a break for the all-star game (because he played in it)."

He added that there was extra pressure on Kovalev because veteran forwards Robert Lang and Alex Tanguay were injured.

Even before Kovalev's impressive return, Gainey predicted that "if he comes back as Kovalev he was it will be like we made a trade for a new player."

Kovalev echoed those words after the Ottawa game.

"It's always nice when you come back and get that kind of support," he said. "I didn't know what to expect, but I'm a different person now.

"I made a joke - I told my teammates it feels like I just got traded here."

Actually, as he was pondering his career at home, many thought he would be traded. Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur blasted Gainey for humiliating Kovalev and questioned how he could ever come back.

That is one area Gainey can offer no assurances.

Kovalev is in the final season of a four-year contract and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1. The Canadiens are not expected to make him an offer.

Gainey did not show any more inclination to trade Kovalev over any other player, but said if the right deal materializes before the March 4 NHL trading deadline, he could make a move.

"I can't give him any guarantees," said Gainey. "If another team is in position, we have to do whatever we can to improve our team.

"Until the deadline, it's my responsibility to do whatever I can."

Gainey was first off the mark in the trade deadline season last Monday when he sent two draft picks to Atlanta for 39-year-old defenceman Mathieu Schneider in a bid to find a right-point shooter for the power play they have missed since Mark Streit left as a free agent last summer

In three games since then, the Canadiens are 7-for-12 with the man advantage, including 3-for-4 against the Senators including a goal on a precision point shot from Schneider.

"It's like there's been a change in attitude," said coach Guy Carbonneau. "I see a guy like Andrei Markov - he wants to be on the power play now.

"All we ask from Schneider is that he shoot the puck. Now we're getting shots on the net and if you do that, it can go in off a pad or a stick or anything."

The Canadiens also had bad news as defenceman Francis Bouillon was sidelined with a groin injury. He is to see a doctor this week, but Carbonneau said he will likely be out "two-to-four weeks and maybe more."

However, Tanguay looks poised to return from a shoulder injury suffered in early January. Carbonneau said he is doubtful to play Tuesday night against Vancouver, but may be ready for games Friday night in Philadelphia and Saturday night at home against San Jose.

Kovalev Won this Battle

Montreal 5 Ottawa 3 (Bell Centre)

Rocket:

While Alex Kovalev was exiled to the home front this week, we were treated to endless stream of media spin with most agreeing that the #27 sweater would soon be available for the newly-arrived Mathieu Schneider. Either Kovalev had already been traded or would soon be sent packing. Consensus was that Alex had played his final game in Montreal.

The press called Kovalev a humiliated man. Alex didn't react. Even after the French press created covert Russian sources and fictitious quotes. Kovy didn't take the bait. He simply contacted Darren Dreger at TSN and discredited the story.

Some are crediting Bob Gainey's action for properly motivating Kovalev. Gainey's 'work first, talent second' message seems to have hit home. But an under-reported part of the story is that Bob Gainey agreed to deliver Kovalev's concerns to the coach. Gainey confirmed that he did. Perhaps it was the key.

Rather than acting as a disciplinarian, Bob Gainey was a mediator between two parties who have limited communication. Many Canadiens players have complained about a lack of communication from the coach. The most recent was Steve Begin. Perhaps Elliotte Freidman is correct when reporting that Guy Carbonneau just doesn't understand his team.

So what message did Bob Gainey deliver to his friend Guy on behalf of Alex? We don't know. But a few days ago, I examined the factors that contributed to a successful Alex Kovalev. Kovalev is THE problem...isn't he?? They are: compatible linemates, ice time and a successful power-play. (Alex scores approximately 50% of his points on the power-play.) Today, Kovy was reunited with Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn. He had more ice-time than Max Lapierre for the first time in many games. Alex had three points with two coming via the power-play.

I would suggest that the 'winning formula' has been available all season. A stubborn coach refused to implement it and an equally stubborn player decided to protest until he got it. Today, the winner of this battle was declared. He was the first star of the game and the man whose named was chanted by the Bell Centre faithful.

When asked about his return to the Canadiens, Kovalev replied “I feel like I’ve just been traded to a new team.”

A linemate of Kovalev was another player who had not experienced a pleasant few days. Despite exaggeration and sensationalism by the media, Andrei Kostitsyn played well, not showing any ill effects. Tomas Plekanec continued his strong play with a goal and dominance at the faceoff dot. Both Plekanec and Kovalev were superb on penalty-killing duty.

Other Canadiens' forwards who had strong efforts were Chris Higgins, Saku Koivu and Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty played with maturity and delivered several solid hits. The only question is why did he only have 9:29 icetime?

Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik were the stars on defense. Mike Komisarek took care of traffic in front of the net particularly when penalty killing. Josh Gorges deserves special mention for coming to the aid of teammate Kyle Chipchura when he was elbowed in the head by Shean Donovan. While Patrice Brisebois scored a power-play goal, he was directly responsible for an Ottawa goal only 53 seconds later. Mathieu Schneider played much better as his ice-time was managed. Schneider's power-play goal was a rocket from the point.

Just as in the Washington game, the Canadiens excelled due to a strong forecheck, quick breakouts and an effective power-play. When the coaches abandoned the forecheck in the third period, the Senators out shot the Canadiens 22 to 4. Jaroslav Halak wasn't challenged often in the first two periods and when he was looked shaky. Ottawa took advantage for their first two goals. In the third period, Jaro had to make several key saves to preserve the win. Halak continues to struggle with rebound control thereby inflating the shot totals.

After the game, Guy Carbonneau mused about other Canadiens taking time off. Many Habs fans are looking forward to Carbo announcing the dates of his vacation.


Post game:

Guy Carbonneau confirmed that Francis Bouillon has a groin tear. Bouillon will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks. He is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.


Pre-game:

The Canadiens wore their road white sweaters for this home game.

Starting lineup: Lapierre, Kostopoulos, Pacioretty, Hamrlik, Komisarek
Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliot started in goal.

Alex Kovalev returned to the lineup with the 'A' on his sweater.
Alfredsson played with a full shield to protect his broken jaw.

Laraque and Begin scratched. Bouillon, Latendresse, Tanguay, and Lang were out with injuries.


Rocket's 3 stars:

1. Alex Kovalev
2. Tomas Plekanec
3. Dany Heatley

(photo credit: AP)

Who says you can't go home...

Kovalev giving Alex Ovechkin a pie in the face - sometimes we just need to smile.

habsbloggergirl:

So I just finished watching Friday Night Lights (the movie) and apart from realising what an odd movie it was (basically when a movie’s message is that if you lose there’s a good chance you’ll go nowhere in life, you wonder how it was chosen to be made into a movie –but all things considered I actually liked it!!), I finally realised how the Habs must feel about the constant media rumours and why no one wants to come play here. Granted the guys were only 17 in the movie, but that’s not a far cry from 19-year old Max Pacioretty or 21-year-olds Carey Price, Sergei Kostitsyn and Gui Latendresse.

It’s not as though if they become media “hermits” and stop watching tv, reading newspapers and listening to the radio that they won’t hear about the next “scandal”. All they have to do is walk outside, go shopping, grab a coffee somewhere… if people don’t come up to them to talk about it, they’ll here pieces of conversations related to it as they walk, they’ll see covers of newspapers in store windows, people fighting over whether Gainey made the right move in sending Kovy home for a break, or whether the Kostitsyns and Hamrlik are actually involved in gang related activity. This does not make for a happy hockey player. Fans are great when they are with you, but when the whole city is out to get you, it drives people away. Roy, Carbonneau himself, and so many greats came to know and love Montreal, and were driven away, by the media, by the coaches, by the so-called “fans”.

When Kovalev made the statement that he didn’t actually go to the Russian media after the latest “affaire Kovalev”, I’ll admit I was more relieved than anyone. I had been so upset by Gainey’s decision that when watching the Capitals game, I’ll admit I was angry. So angry in fact, that for a few minutes I didn’t care about the Canadiens. When I saw Ovechkin’s goal, I smiled (well who wouldn’t… it was amazing)…but I was happy. Happy that the Canadiens were being scored on. Does this make me one of those fans, who drive the players away? Maybe so, though I’d like to think not. I wasn’t angry at the players per say. It wasn’t their fault (about Kovalev anyway, though I can’t say the same for their awful play during the past three weeks). It was Gainey who I was mad at.

So many people have been saying that Carbonneau would have and should have been fired, had his close friend not been the GM. And that was why I was mad. How could he make Kovalev look like the bad guy, and just pretend Carbo was in the right, with his funky line change-style coaching? It’s hard to criticize a friend, especially when it’s someone you have known for so long and have gone through so much with. But at the same time, you can’t treat someone differently, when it’s your job not to let that friendship get in the way. I was scared that Gainey was clearly picking Carbonneau over Kovalev, a choice that I thought wasn’t even necessary to make in the first place, but so far anyway, it seems that I was wrong. That it actually was just a chance for Kovalev to regroup. That it wasn’t an excuse to hang Kovalev out to dry the first chance he could.

Honestly if it had been that way, I doubt I’d be writing this, in fact, I doubt I’d be an avid Canadiens fan any longer. I never realised how important Kovalev was in my perspective of the Habs, and I think that without him we have absolutely no chance of going anywhere in the playoffs. It’s not for his skill, it’s not for his leadership, certainly not for his cross-ice passes that usually end up on the sticks of opponents. It’s for his presence. He doesn’t fit into the “norm” of the rest of the players. Most are hard-working grinder-type players who have an ability to score goals – pretty ugly ones – but hey, they get the job done. Kovalev personifies thinking outside the box. His creativity is what separates him from the rest… he thinks differently from them all, and is never afraid to say what’s on his mind. He doesn’t care what people think, and maybe it’s this quality that allow him and Koivu – in tandem – to be able to lead this team together. Koivu motivates, Kovalev calls people out.

The mistake that the French media is making in hoping for him to be traded is that we’d no longer have anyone like that in the dressing room. Everyone is pretty mellow, and some will get visibly frustrated when they lose, but Kovalev reacts differently. With all the things the media puts him through, he still wants to be here. And this is the most important thing of all. In the height of adversity, Kovalev stays. He could have easily packed up and been on the next flight out of Montreal. And this is not the first time he’s been picked on by the media (refer to l’affaire Kovalev #1 – the apparent blasting of Carbo to the Russian media). On L’antichambre the past few days, they have been saying non-stop that there is no way he will ever be able to play in the Canadiens uniform after this again. But they are wrong, and clearly don’t know Kovalev and what he is capable of.

Koivu may be the heart of the team… but Kovalev is the brain. One without the other is useless, but when both are working properly together, only then will things come to life. Kovalev is a necessary component to our team, and without him, we have little chance of getting anywhere in the playoffs. First though, the team has got to prove they can even make the playoffs. We can only hope the brain is a focused and ready come tomorrow afternoon.

Guest Article: I'm a Habs fan (with a big goofy grin)

Rocket:

We meet together on All Habs...both readers and writers. Some are critics, some are optimists, some are realists, and some apologists. This has been a tough few weeks for the Montreal Canadiens and their fans. We now have an opportunity to remind us why we are all fans.

Tracy Lee lives in Vancouver. She is a very good writer and author of an entertaining blog about her life: tracy-lee.com But more importantly to this story, Tracy is Canadiens fan. She is a new friend to All Habs. And Tracy now has a special connection to Carey Price.

I'm pleased that Tracy has agreed to write a guest article for All Habs. After reading, I hope that it will help you remember why you are a passionate fan of the Montreal Canadiens. If you want to share, please leave a comment.


I'm a Habs fan (with a big goofy grin)
by Tracy Lee

Jean Beliveau, Ken Dryden, Bob Gainey, Guy Lafleur and, of course, Maurice “Rocket” Richard. These are just a few of the many great men who have played for the Montreal Canadiens. As any Habs fan would know, I could go on and on with the great talent the team has seen over the past 100 years.

I am a Habs fan. I have been since I was a small child (I even have pictures of me as a baby wearing the Canadiens logo). I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know a lot about the club, as it’s only been the past few years that I’ve really gotten in to hockey. But it’s great to sit back and research how truly great the organization is. Everyone has their favourite players, mine happens to be Carey Price. From British Columbia, like myself, Carey is the goaltender and has done some wonderful things for the team. Excuse the recent slump he’s been in- everyone is entitled to their ups and downs, including him.

Back during the summer when the 2008/2009 NHL schedule was released I finally was able to find the date when the Habs would be taking on the Canucks. February 15th. I was determined to go, I knew it might not happen seeing as they haven’t battled each other in over three years. I managed to scoop up two tickets; I planned on going with my father- the reason why I am a Canadiens fan. You see, he grew up watching them along with his father. It’s sort of been passed down through the family.

Game day finally arrived. I woke up at 7:30 and got ready to head down to GM Place. I knew that they had to do a morning skate, so I grabbed my Price jersey off my wall (yes, it hangs on my wall) and made my way over to The Garage. Thankfully I live within walking distance so it only took me about 20 minutes. I got there just after 9:30 and was thankful when I saw other fans there with their jerseys. I hadn’t missed them. The bus pulled up shortly after ten and I felt like a small child on Christmas morning. One by one the team walked off the bus and, sadly, walked straight into the building. No autographs. No waves or smiles. Carey came out and was the only one to take the time to sign hats, jerseys, hockey pucks and pictures. He is a BC boy playing his first game as a Canadien in his home town, after all. He made his way around the half circle towards me and I must have had the biggest goofy smile on my face. But I didn’t care he was there, in front of me and impossibly cuter than on tv (hey I am a 21 year old girl- cut me some slack).

Around five that night my father and I walked down to GM Place proudly in our Canadiens jerseys. Mine, red. His, white. After standing around for what felt like hours they let us in the building. I quickly made my way down to the Montreal bench and held my spot against the glass and waited. We chatted with other fans and were having a great time. Suddenly the music turned up. The lights dimmed and the Canucks came racing out for the pre skate. I look to my left and see blur after blur of white racing past me. Can you believe I actually found myself getting emotional? I didn’t cry, but I was overwhelmed with joy. I was finally seeing the team that I had been routing for since I was little. Then I saw him. Decked out in red, white and blue. mostly white with a little red, but you know what I mean. The pre skate seemed to speed by, I wish it could have been longer. It was so exciting to see all the team. Koivu, Kovalev, Higgins, Halak and the rest of my team. I had my camera out and was snapping away at everything I could. Of course, the lens seemed to magically follow Price. Which may have helped pay off in the end. Two minutes were all that remained, the blurs of white became fewer and fewer. “Tracy look, Price is skating this way!” my Dad called out. I managed to get one shot before chaos happened. Standing in front of me Carey lifted his arms and goalie stick up and tossed it over the glass- to me. I can’t tell you exactly what happened after that because it was such a blur of pushing and grabbing but somehow I ended up with the stick. It was mine. All mine. Thanks to my Dad mainly. You see when the stick came over the glass it landed between my Dad and I. He grabbed the blade of it and sat down in an empty seat, he had a death grip and wasn’t going to let go. Hands were all over it, pulling this way and that. I had one hand on it, the other held my camera (which I’m thankful didn’t smash to the ground). There was lots of pushing “It’s mine! It’s mine! It’s mine!” I called, it was the only thing that was coming out of my mouth. After everything subsided, I was queen. Queen in a sea full of men and boys adorned in white and red. I didn’t see Carey leave the ice, but I had his goalie stick. My Dad hugged me and kissed the side of my head. I started to cry. Yes. I cried. Only a few tears, but I was so overcome with happiness that I couldn’t help it. It stopped as suddenly as it had started. Everyone was patting my Dad on the back, congratulating me and one guy offered me 200 dollars for it on the spot. “Are you kidding me” I thought “Sorry, I won’t ever be selling this” I said. The game, as you all know, didn’t go as well as I’d hoped but I couldn’t be horribly upset. I did have one hell of a souvenir.

The next morning at work, still slightly on cloud nine, I began flipping through The Province newspaper (one of Vancouver’s most popular and widely read papers). I was hoping for some half decent pictures from the game, but what I got instead far surpassed my hopes. There was Carey, arms raised, lifting the stick to toss it over the glass and me standing in front of him, one arm raised, and mouth open with a shocked expression on my face. A photographer at the game captured the moment I couldn’t completely remember. I had proof he was giving the stick to me, not the kid next to me, he was standing in front of me. This put me back up in the clouds.

Six days after the fact and I still can’t believe what happened and the amazing luck that was with me on Sunday. Not only did I get my first ever player jersey signed, it was signed by my favourite player and later on he gave me his goalie stick. I look at the picture or at the goalie stick and have the same big goofy grin as I did when Carey signed my jersey. It’s a moment that neither I nor my Dad will ever, ever forget.


(Photo credit: Ric Ernst, The Province)

ESPN: NHL security probes Canadiens' connection

Security probes Canadiens' connection

By Scott Burnside
ESPN.com
Friday, February 20, 2009

The NHL on Friday will send security officials to Montreal to meet with local police following reports linking a number of Montreal Canadiens players with an organized crime investigation, sources said.

French language newspaper La Presse of Montreal reported Friday that Pasquale Mangiola, who faces weapons and drug charges, is close to the Canadiens' Kostitsyn brothers, Andrei and Sergei. The three have often been seen together at Montreal bars and restaurants, the paper reported.

The paper also mentioned veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik as also being linked to Mangiola, who is alleged to have acted as an intermediary between a number of rival criminal gangs in Montreal.

Police officials would not comment to La Presse when asked about the ongoing investigation. The NHL is aware of the reports and is in the process of gathering additional information.

A spokesman for the Canadiens said Friday morning the team had no comment on the reports. They were scheduled to practice at 2 p.m. ET Friday.

Paul Kelly, executive director of the NHLPA, happened to be in Montreal and altered his schedule to have "extensive contact with Canadiens players, team officials and NHL security staff concerning the media reports," a source told ESPN.com Friday afternoon.

The reports are another blemish on a season that began with such promise -- the Canadiens are celebrating their 100th anniversary and hoping for a long Stanley Cup playoff run this spring.

The team has played poorly -- a 3-11-1 record in their last 15 games including a 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday. Earlier this week, general manager Bob Gainey told slumping forward Alex Kovalev he would not accompany the team on a two-game road trip this week.

Gainey also shipped 21-year-old Sergei Kostitsyn to Montreal's American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton earlier this week, although it's believed this was strictly a hockey decision.

Sergei Kostitsyn is the younger of the brothers and is in his second season with the Canadiens. Andrei Kostitsyn, 24, was the 10th overall pick in the 2003 entry draft but has been slow to mature into a top player, having bounced between the AHL and the NHL in the last two years.

Montreal has fallen to sixth place among Eastern Conference teams and is just four points from falling to ninth and out of the playoff picture. Its play, coupled with its off-ice distractions, have become the talking point for the entire province. Segments on radio and TV talk shows have incorporated the full range of the Canadiens' issues.

Scott Burnside covers the NHL for ESPN.com.

Breaking News: Hamrilik & Kostitsyn brothers named as associates of man arrested in police sting.

Rocket:

Let's just take a deep breath. The initial reports are sensational...intentionally so. The comments by the gossiping grannies on L'Antichambre were over the top. Nothing that we have seen so far suggests that the named players have been involved in any illegal activity.

It is reported that the players are acquaintances of Mr. Mangiola but they have not been directly linked publicly to the offences for which he has been arrested. It is reported that Andrei Kostitsyn was questioned by police after the Pens game.

At this point, nothing is known with certainty. It would be unfair and unethical to make any judgements or implications.

As Habs fans, let's resist overreacting until the full story is revealed.


Embarrassment
Friday, 20 February 2009
translated version from RDS.ca


La Presse newspaper today published a dossier on embarrassing brothers Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn who have links with a suspected member of organized crime who was arrested under the police Operation Axis.

This alleged criminal Pasquale Mangiola, 38, was arrested on charges of drug trafficking and he served as an intermediary between various criminal groups.

During the police investigation that led to Operation Axis, the police recorded several telephone conversations Mangiola without his knowledge. Several of these conversations have taken place with the Kostitsyn brothers.

Canadiens players have returned to Pittsburgh around midnight and no arrests have been made.

According to La Presse, Mangiola is a great friend of the brothers Kostitsyn.

A man of 38 years would make a number of services to both Canadiens players on their outings in the bars, girls and luxury cars.

Defenseman Roman Hamrlik also has links with Mangiola, according to the newspaper of the rue St-Jacques. Hamrlik was seen in the company of Mangiola, Kostitsyn and bars in Montreal.

La Presse questioned Andrei Kostitsyn on his relationship with Mangiola after the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The eldest of the brothers Kostitsyn confirmed Mangiola he knew, but he knew nothing about him.

Don Meehan acted as agents for the two Kostitsyn brothers and he said he did not know this individual.

Furthermore, Meehan and direction of Canadiens held to clarify that the return of Sergei Kostitsyn to Hamilton was merely due to hockey.

from L'Antichambre (translated):

Jacques Demers: "Honestly, there are things I know, and what looks like what's going to come out [in the papers] tomorrow, I swear to you, I thought about Mr. Beliveau tonight ... and I just hope I'm dreaming. I'm a proud Canadien, the Canadiens are my life, and I hope I'm dreaming but I don't think I am."

Michel Bergeron: "I feel the same way. It's unbelievable. Tomorrow, hockey will be second. I don't like at all what I've heard today."

Bob Hartley: "If everything we've been told is true, I've never seen that in my life. If it's true, I'm going back to Atlanta [joking]"

Michel Bergeron: "The Canadiens are my roots, and my idols, like you guys...and it looks like the foundation is going to be shaken. Not just for the Quebecois but for anyone who wears the Canadiens sweater around the country. To me, what's happened, it's unacceptable".

Alain Crete: "We can't go into many details but something has happened that will implicate not just one Canadiens player but many. You'll be hearing more tomorrow."

Pens get past Passive Habs

Montreal 4 Pittsburgh 5 (Mellon Arena)

Rocket:

Hands up if you liked the way the Canadiens played against Washington. Yeah, me too. I mentioned in last night's game review that the Habs were effective because they spent less time in their own zone. This stemmed from an active forecheck and efficient breakouts.

So, imagine my surprise watching the first period of tonight's game in Pittsburgh. The Canadiens spent most of the period skating backwards. There was little or no forechecking, with the Habs vacating the neutral zone. The result: the Canadiens spent most of the period bottled up in their own zone. The Penguins outshot the Canadiens 8 to 3.

What happened? According to Doug Jarvis, it was by design. The coaching staff wanted all players back to protect against odd man rushes. His take on the first period: he was happy. I thought the period was slow and dull.

By mid-way in the second period, the Pens were dominating and leading in shots 15-6. Are the coaches still happy with pulling the players back into their own zone?

The Canadiens are much more effective when they forecheck aggressively and pressure the puck carrier in the neutral zone. Tomas Plekanec had a great game, and is a terrific two-way player. He is particularly good at backchecking, creating a turnover and then leading a rush. He did just that on the Canadiens first goal. Pleks finished the play by scoring frm a Andrei Kostitsyn feed. Plekanec scored his second goal of the game on the transition from a Pacioretty takeaway.

Plekanec, Andrei Kostitsyn and Pacioretty were clearly the Canadiens best line tonight with 7 points.

The Canadiens power-play was less effective last night with one 5 on 3 goal in 4 PP opportunities. Mathieu Schneider finally tamed his erratic point shot enough to catch the corner for his first goal since the trade. That was the lone bright spot for Schneider who was very weak defensively finishing the game at -4. Perhaps the blame should lie with the coaching staff who saw fit to have the 39 year old on the ice for 27 minutes in the Washington game. Schneider and Bouillon miscommunicated and both ended up out of the play on the Pens 3rd goal. On the 4th, Staal muscled Schneider into Price.

It is curious that Markov and Schneider, two guys who love to pinch are paired together, and the two defensive rearguards, Hamrlik and Komisarek, are partners. I would much rather see Komo and Marky reunited.

Saku Koivu was an impressive 78% on faceoffs. But his line was a combined -9 tonight. Koivu, Higgins and D'Agostini looked fatigued.

Max Lapierre had his worst game in quite some time. He was guilty of several giveaways and managed to win only 22% of his faceoffs. Lapierre is only credited with 2 faceoff wins, and that includes one when the puck was dropped before Malkin was set. The Pens first goal was made possible when Laps failed to execute a flashy hip check rather than just taking his man.

George Laraque played less than 4 minutes. He had a forgettable staged fight with Eric Godard. It's time to pull the plug on this failed experiment.

Francis Bouillon left the game with an ankle injury and didn't return.

Dan Bylsma got his first win as head coach of the Penguins. Bylsma alternated Malkin and Crosby every second shift in the third period. The Pens won by playing their best players. How does Guy Carbonneau get outcoached by Dan Bylsma?

A disastrous road trip ends with the Canadiens earning only 3 points. After the distractions of early in the week, the problems remain.


Pre-game:

Starting line-up: Koivu, Higgins, D'Agostini, Markov, Schneider
Carey Price will start in goal. Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins.

Brisebois and Begin scratched. Latendresse, Tanguay, Lang out with injuries.


Rocket's 3 stars:

1. Evgeni Malkin
2. Tomas Plekanec
3. Andrei Kostitsyn

(photo credit: AP)

Message Received and Answered

Montreal 3 Washington 4 SO (Verizon Center)

Rocket:


Coming into this game, most of the sports talking heads hoped that the Canadiens wouldn't be blown out too badly by a very hot Washington Capitals team. Suffice to say, expectations were extremely low for the Habs given the turmoil of the past few days.

I have been generally supportive of the moves made by Bob Gainey, but one must wonder, was the circus really necessary? Without question, the criticism surrounding Guy Carbonneau quickly moved to Alex Kovalev and the rest of the team.

To their credit, the team really responded tonight.

Andrei Markov had 3 assists. Andrei Kostitsyn had a goal, an assist and looked like a sniper. Chris Higgins had a goal, and won puck battles. Tomas Plekanec had a goal, 6 shots and played excellent two-way hockey. Saku Koivu won important faceoffs. Max Pacioretty and Matt D'Agostini played with energy. Carey Price was superb.

Mathieu Schneider fit in quite well. He tallied an assist and moved the puck effectively. His defensive flaws were evident especially when Semin walked around him with ease. Matt is an upgrade over Bouillon, Gorges and Brisebois. And he logged the most minutes of any Habs player. But, is he a $6 million defenseman? That's another story.

The biggest change tonight is that the Canadiens actually had a forecheck. That coupled with the ability to move the puck from their own end was the biggest impact. Spend less time in your own end and the team gives up fewer chances. It's that simple.

The Habs power-play produced all 3 goals on 4 chances. The PP success had little to do with Schneider but instead was a result of players going to the crease.

After being the Canadiens best defenseman for several games, Roman Hamrlik took a step backwards. He was out of position, soft on the puck and guilty of giveaways. It may simply be a coincidence but why does he play so much better with O'Byrne.

Again tonight, I was puzzled by the bench management. Max Lapierre had much more even-strength TOI than Tomas Plekanec and Saku Koivu. Lapierre lost an important face-off in the third that led to the tying goal. Greg Stewart had more even-strength ice time than Andrei Kostitsyn and Chris Higgins. Stewart had 5.5 minutes more than Pacioretty. Stewart was unimpressive. Tom Kostopoulos and Lapierre were the two Canadiens forwards with the most ice-time. Does that make sense? Georges Laraque took a dumb penalty and was a wasted line-up spot.

In the battle behind the benches, Carbonneau seemed thrilled to dress two 4th lines. Boudreau tactically waited for Carbonneau's predictable roll of the lines, and then attacked with Ovechkin. Carbo was probably really good at paint-by-number art. Slam dunk, Boudreau.

This was a very good hockey game...exciting and entertaining. This week, Bob Gainey sent the team a message. Tonight, the team sent one back: hey, it's not us.


Pre-game:

Tom Kostopoulos will wear the alternate captain 'A' in place of Kovalev.

Starting line-up: Koivu, Higgins, D'Agostini, Schneider, Markov
Carey Price will start in goal. Jose Theodore for the Capitals.

Mathieu Schneider will play his first game after the trade. Greg Stewart will be in the line-up. Patrice Brisebois, Alex Kovalev and Steve Begin are healthy scratches.

Latendresse, Tanguay, Lang out with injuries.


Rocket's 3 stars:

1. Tomas Plekanec
2. Alex Ovechkin
3. Andrei Markov

(photo credit:

Kovalev is THE problem...isn't he??

Rocket:

Alex Kovalev is playing the worst hockey of any of the Montreal Canadiens. It must be true. I've heard that so many times in the past few days. Alex Kovalev has no heart. Kovy is lazy. Alex is a "cancer in the dressing room". That's the phrase I've heard most so, for sure, that must be true.

I've even heard a respectable sports analyst join the kick-Kovy-when-he's-down party. He finished by saying that the Canadiens had "gone the extra mile with him."

But are those comments really true? If so, there are a few things that don't make sense.

Apparently, having consistent, compatible linemates for Kovalev to play with is way beyond 'going the extra mile'. Tom Kostopoulos and Steve Begin are simple, hard working, north-south players but is there a coach on earth that thinks they are a good match for Kovalev's style of play? Oh. I guess there is one...Guy Carbonneau.

Does 'going the extra mile' mean giving the team's best players more ice-time to help get the team out of their funk? No, apparently not. On this team 3rd and sometimes 4th line players get more even strength ice-time than the most talented players. So Max Lapierre plays more 5 on 5 hockey than Alex Kovalev. As much as we appreciate the improvement in Lapierre, if he is getting 1st line TOI, the Canadiens won't be winning.

Since the lockout, there is only one player in the NHL who gets a higher percentage of his points on the power-play than Alex Kovalev. It is just shy of 50%. So if the Canadiens power-play isn't working, that would mean that 1/2 of his points would be drastically reduced. So, in that light, maybe his point totals aren't so surprising. If we know this fact, surely the Canadiens coaching staff knows it too. Don't they??

So, if the team has 'gone the extra mile', what have they done to improve the power-play? Gainey: nothing (until the Schneider trade) Carbonneau: absolutely nothing.

If power-play scoring is such a concern, was it a smart move to send Sergei Kostitsyn to Hamilton. Going into tonight's game, SK74 was tied for the team lead in power-play goals (excluding Lang who is on injured reserve).

And let's set aside the 'if we only had Mark Streit' nonsense. Mark Streit did not play well the last month of last season and struggled in the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Flyers and Bruins analyzed the Habs power-play scheme and designed a way to defend it. The Canadiens coaching staff did nothing to adjust during the playoffs...they did nothing over the summer...and have sat by and watched as this season's power-play has plummeted to one of the worst in the league.

Now there is a report from a covert Russian source to journalist Marc de Foy through RDS that Kovalev has broken his silence. (Let's take all of this with a grain of salt given that it is being reported via the dual filters of a notoriously unreliable Russian press and an agenda-driven French press.) RDS is focusing on Kovalev's alleged comments about off-ice activities. But Kovalev apparently also talked about the confusion caused by bizarre line combinations and the poor communication by the coach.

Alex Kovalev has categorically denied that he spoke about his teammates. He says he would never do that. Kovalev spoke directly to Darren Dreger at TSN. (In the other report RDS says they talked to de Foy, who talked to an unnamed Russian source, who talked to Kovy. So who do you believe?)

Line shuffling has already been addressed. Communication by the head coach seems non-existent until he wants to toss one of his players to the vultures of his press buddies. This isn't a new issue. Clearly Guy Carbonneau doesn't understand Alex Kovalev. Or perhaps Elliotte Friedman is correct, Carbonneau doesn't understand this team.

This article shouldn't be misinterpreted as an attempt to defend or exonerate Alex Kovalev. I am simply posing questions about shared responsibility, and the possible reasons behind Kovy's behaviour. Alex has been slow, predictable and looked disinterested. But should Kovalev 'bear the cross' alone? Has everything been done to motivate him?

When the 'cancer' has been excised, what happens when the patient is still sick?

And when does the coach take some responsibility for the team's problems? When does the coach start to become accountable? When is he going to face some scrutiny for his actions and for his lack of action?

So what's the next move? Here are the words of Alex Kovalev, "I'm nobody. I don't control anything here. All I can promise is hopefully I can come back and play better and help my team. I have no choice."


from Habs Inside/Out
posted by Kevin Mio at 17h20 EST on Feb 18
According to RDS, citing Russian newspaper sources, Alex Kovalev does not expect to play another game for the Canadiens this season and has decided he will definitely not return to the team next year.

Kovalev also blames the actions of the younger players away from the ice for the team's problems and says the information that was revealed recently is onlt the tip of the iceberg.

Kovalev also said he wouldn't be surprised if he is traded soon by the Canadiens.

Gainey picking on Kovalev for a reason

Gainey picking on Kovalev for a reason
February 18, 2009 02:03 AM
Posted by Elliotte Friedman
CBCSports.ca

A few notes about an eventful day in Montreal.

If Bob Gainey really wanted to trade Alex Kovalev right now, the Russian winger wouldn't be "resting." He'd be packing.

Sunday’s loss in Vancouver wasn't necessarily No. 27’s final game in a Canadiens uniform. Unless he shows up on the upcoming off-day Friday dragging the Stanley Cup behind his car – a la George Costanza with the World Series Trophy in Seinfeld – Kovalev will play for this team again.

This is part of Gainey's three-pronged attack to warn the roster that no one is secure, that spoiled behaviour and indifferent play will no longer be tolerated. Add Kovalev's banishment to Sergei Kostitsyn's demotion and the trade for Mathieu Schneider and what has Gainey done? He's rattled everyone without permanently getting rid of anyone. And that's critical to the point here.

When this season began, Gainey believed his team was a legitimate Cup contender. He was not alone. In their 100th season, the Canadiens were a popular pick.

Now, with the team in the middle of a Chernobyl-sized meltdown, Gainey refused to make the easiest moves - fire his handpicked coach or make a huge trade to shake up the dressing room. He chose more creative options and left enough time to make further adjustments if this doesn't work. It also says a lot about George Gillett, who is smart enough to let Gainey make the decisions. Look at the Phoenix Suns, whose goofball owner leaked that head coach Terry Porter would be fired during the NBA All-Star Game.

Gainey is allowed to do it his way. And the message is, 'Prove to me that, as a group, you're still good enough to win.' They've got two weeks to start breathing. If that doesn't happen, Air Canada’s going to make a fortune on last-second plane fares in and out of town.

Kovalev prone to funks

I'm a Kovalev fan, but Gainey had to do something. We all know the talented winger is prone to funks and on-ice boredom, but this is ridiculous. I would re-direct you to the Inside Hockey on him, then add a few points.

Kovalev isn't an unpopular guy in the Montreal room, but Ray Emery wasn't either for a long time in Ottawa. However, when a player is perceived to be getting away with a double-standard, things can change in a hurry, especially during a losing streak. Kovalev was benched during games at least twice, but never was a healthy scratch.

Meanwhile, other guys who work harder but don’t have his talent (Steve Begin) were sitting. That's okay for a three or four game stretch, but not when it extends closer to 10 or 15. That goes double for a team trying to send the proper message to a talented group of young players who have a real chance to be great. You cannot allow them to believe that kind of behaviour is okay.

Maybe it's not fair to pick on Emery - now being punished with his exile to Russia - but his lateness and poor habits played a major role in the Senators' collapse. It’s possible the same thing is happening in Montreal.

Here's a theory: the Rangers traded Kovalev early in his seventh season. The Penguins dealt him in what was essentially his fifth year. This is Season 4 in Montreal. Does he have an expiry date, like a cup of yogourt? Some people need change. You all know people like that, who love to switch jobs every few years. Kovalev might very well be one of those guys.

Canadiens unlike their coaches

One final thing. Is there a team in the NHL that reminds you less of its coaching staff than Montreal? Guy Carbonneau, Kirk Muller and Doug Jarvis were brutal to play against. This team? Well, this team isn’t. That’s a huge problem.

You can see their frustration. Look at others around the league like them: Darryl Sutter rebuilt the Flames in that image; John Stevens didn't have their NHL careers, but he played with a similar style and rejuvenated the Flyers with that edge; same with Claude Julien in Boston.

Sometimes, people have trouble coaching teams they don't understand. I can't help but wonder if that's the case with Carbonneau. I don't see Gainey firing him. But if Tuesday's Kovalev shocker doesn't work, he does have the flexibility (14 free agents, UFA and RFA) to provide his coach with a whole new roster.

Get to know Mathieu Schneider...again!

Here's a guest article by a good friend to All Habs who knows everything there is to know about Mathieu Schneider. She's also a fan of Brad Richards (if not for the wrist injury, wouldn't he look good in a Habs uniform!)

Enjoy the article and then visit her excellent blog The Unofficial Mathieu Schneider Home Page


Get to know Mathieu Schneider...again!
by schtimpy27


When Mathieu Schneider last played for the Montreal Canadiens, Jean Chretien was Prime Minister, Bill Clinton was in his first term as President, and Mississippi had just abolished slavery.

A lot has happened in the world since, and a lot has happened in Mathieu Schneider's career. Now that he's back in town, here is a quick primer to help catch you up on some things you may have missed. Over the last 14 years, he has

*played with 7 other NHL teams
*suited up for 3 more of the "original six"
*been selected in an expansion draft (but never signed)
*appeared in career NHL regular season game 1,200
*scored career goal #200
*registered career assist #500
*tallied career point #700
*taken his 1,000th career PIM
*represented the U.S. in 2 Olympic games
*been selected to 2 All-Star games
*won a World Cup of Hockey championship
*had 2 fighting majors
*been suspended twice
*served as alternate captain for the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and Atlanta Thrashers (and as a fill-in with Detroit)
*had groin surgery
*had hernia surgery
*broken a wrist
*broken an ankle
*replaced half of his teeth
*scored two hat tricks
*had a 12 game point streak
*spent at least 10 summers training under the tutelage of renowned trainer T.R. Goodman (most known for his work with Chris Chelios)
*placed as high as 7th in Norris Trophy voting
*served on the NHL's competition committee
*been appointed an executive vice-president of the NHLPA
*had a 32-game streak of being rated a + or even in the ever controversial +/- statistic
*recorded an assist on Wane Gretzky's last NHL point
*been inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
*been married twice
*divorced once
*became a father of 6,

*and has proudly worn both leather pants and zebra print shoes. In public. And not on Halloween.

He returns to his original team as the 6th oldest player in the NHL, one of two remaining 1993 Stanley Cup champions, the only current NHL defenseman with multiple hat tricks, and one of the best power play specialists available. But he doesn't return to Montreal as a miraculous cure for what ails the Habs. He's got a set of well noted liabilities (i.e. defensive positioning, speed, injury concerns), and would never conceivably solve many defensive woes. Always a "high-risk / high-reward" player, his value is almost purely offensive, often at the expense of defensiveness.

As someone who has followed Mathieu Schneider for going on 16 years, I am today as I always am when he begins a new chapter: cautiously optimistic. He has proven time and again to have the skill and the will for great things, and he has been blessed with success in La belle province once before. He would love nothing more than to do it again.

Schneider doesn't miss a beat

Schneider doesn't miss a beat
Sean Gordon

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

February 17, 2009 at 9:28 PM EST

MONTREAL — It turns out power-play specialist Mathieu Schneider, who rejoined the Montreal Canadiens yesterday, was on the NHL team's "needs list" as far back as last November, but his acquisition was temporarily sidetracked by talks with the Tampa Bay Lightning for star centre Vincent Lecavalier.

Habs general manager Bob Gainey unwittingly confirmed the Tampa negotiations when describing his initial approach for Schneider, saying "the discussion on Lecavalier that came along for a short period of time threw everything sideways and backwards."

Asked to expand on the comment, Gainey said: "[The Lightning] were talking about him [Lecavalier]" and that the names bandied about in trade rumours — forward Christopher Higgins, defenceman Josh Gorges and prospect P.K. Subban — were "their names."

Schneider, who was paired with Andrei Markov at practice yesterday, will sport No. 24, formerly worn by his pal and former teammate Chris Chelios, now of the Detroit Red Wings.

"I called him this morning, and told him I was taking his number. He said, 'You stole my job 15 years ago, you might as well take my number too,' " Schneider said with a laugh.

Canadiens give Kovalev time off

Canadiens give Kovalev time off

Alex Kovalev did not accompany the team on the two-game road trip
The Habs are tied for fifth in Eastern Conference playoff race

from SI.com

BROSSARD, Que. (AP) -- Canadiens All-Star Alex Kovalev is getting a few days off to rest his body and mind.

Montreal general manager Bob Gainey said he suggested to Kovalev that he skip a two-game road trip to try to help the right wing snap out of a slump.

The move comes a day after the struggling Canadiens acquired veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider in a trade from Atlanta.

Kovalev did not accompany the team for games Wednesday night in Washington and Thursday night in Pittsburgh. His status for a home game Saturday afternoon against Ottawa and even beyond that is also uncertain.

"Alex's preference was to stay with the team and play, but I could see in his eyes that he agreed with it," said Gainey, adding that the 35-year-old was not suspended and would still be paid."

Asked when Kovalev would be back, Gainey said: "That's not a question I can answer definitely now. I'd rather let a couple of days go by than to make a hasty decision right now.

"We'll talk in the next 48 hours."

Montreal also sent 21-year-old left wing Sergei Kostitsyn, who has eight goals and 23 points, to AHL Hamilton and called up physical forward Gregory Stewart. That move was made at the request of coach Guy Carbonneau and his staff.

The Canadiens have lost 10 of their last 13 games, and Kovalev has only one goal and five assists in that span.

They are tied for fifth in Eastern Conference playoff race, but only five points out of ninth, which would leave them out of the playoffs.

The slide has been enough to get goalie Carey Price to ditch the red pads he started wearing when the Canadiens troubles began. he's gone back to his old white ones.

Kovalev was not at the late afternoon practice Tuesday, but Schneider skated for the first time with his teammates before boarding a plane for Washington.

Kovalev led the club in scoring with 84 points last season, but he is tied for second with only 13 goals and 26 assists in 57 games this season.

He has also looked listless on the ice, rarely showing the energy that made him the team's most popular player with the fans.

"The team doesn't need him the way he's playing now," said Gainey. "To score goals and help other people score, you have to do a lot of different things. To stay on task, to do the mundane, small, detail, mandatory things to keep the team afloat is a harder thing for some players than for others."

There was surprise around the Canadiens dressing room at the Kovalev move.

"It's probably a minor, temporary thing, but the message is clear to the players -- we have to step up and move forward," defenseman Mike Komisarek said.

Carbonneau said he hopes Kovalev uses the time with his family to get his mind together and "hopefully he'll come back and play better.

"It was Bob's decision and he doesn't take decisions lightly. I trust his instincts."

Stewart called up, Kostitsyn assigned to Hamilton, Kovalev sent home.

Note from Brossard: RDS is reporting that Alex Kovalev was not at practise.
Update: Bob Gainey met with Kovalev this afternoon. Kovalev will remain in Montreal and will not accompany the team on its road trip for games in Washington and Pittsburgh.

This could be a disciplinary measure or, combined with the other actions, could be setting in place the pieces for a major trade.

The move to send Sergei Kostitsyn to Hamilton is either to clear cap space or simply another move designed to deflect attention away from Guy Carbonneau.

Sergei played very well when used in a way to maximize his skills. Lang with the Kostitsyns was the Canadiens best line for weeks. Sergei should not have to pay for the ineptness of the coach who stuck him on a line with Begin and Laraque.


PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL – The Canadiens announced Tuesday that forward Gregory Stewart has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. The team also announced that forward Sergei Kostitsyn has been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs. Stewart will join the club in Washington.

Stewart, 22, registered one point (one assist), posted a plus-1 rating and averaged 9:38 of ice time in three games this season with the Canadiens. The left-winger, who started the season in Hamilton, is sixth in the AHL this season with 170 penalty minutes. The Kitchener, Ontario native amassed 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) with a plus-8 rating in 51 games with the Bulldogs in 2008-09.

This season with the Canadiens, Sergei Kostitsyn, 21, scored 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) and served 64 penalty minutes in 52 contests.

Gainey adds Schneider...What's Next?

Rocket:

For days now, the message to Bob Gainey from many Canadiens fans and media has been 'just do SOMETHING'. They got their wish as Gainey did something...although the jury is out on whether this is a good move for the Habs.

Certainly Mathieu Schneider was "thrilled". He said that the Canadiens were his "first choice" of the teams rumored to be interested.

This deal has all the markings of a Plan 'C' move that Gainey had pre-arranged. Pressure mounted after the debacle of the past week on the ice. The final straw was when fans and main stream media alike began calling for the firing of Guy Carbonneau. Bob stepped in to protect his friend by focusing attention on the trade.

Mathieu Schneider is a power-play specialist. His arrival should have an immediate impact. If not, all attention returns to Guy Carbonneau and his inability to address the long list of problems that are plaguing the Canadiens.

For his part, Schneider must be much more disciplined and abandon the pond hockey style that he has got away with in Atlanta. In a weak hockey market with less accountability, Schneider has allowed some bad habits to creep into his game, basically acting as a rover. That's not going to fly with a team who has struggled defensively.

So was this a panic move? Perhaps. But, this trade also looks like a set-up to a much bigger deal. I think I'll withhold judgement until the next piece of the puzzle is revealed. I am concerned that this move opens the door for one of the top two defensemen to leave Montreal.

Quick facts:

- price is high in terms of assets: 2nd & 3rd round pick (with a conditional pick coming back) for a 39 year old rental

- no roster players or prospects were given up leaving assets in place for a bigger deal
Salary is high: $5.75 million

- contract status: UFA as of July 1st

- Ryan O'Byrne demoted to Hamilton to create cap space..O'Byrne & Hamrlik have been a solid pairing

- Schneider's salary higher than Kaberle, Bouwmeester, Morris

- Kaberle is now off Gainey's shopping list. compared to Schneider, Kaberle is a better all-round player, a decade younger, under contract, much cheaper (by $1.5 million in salary), although would have cost more in terms of assets: 1st round pick or prospect.