Montreal Canadiens v Ottawa Senators

Jacques Martin’s team managed to do something that they haven’t been doing a whole lot of this season… outshoot their opponents. However, the final shot count was as close as you can get. The Habs edged the Panthers 39-38 in shots.

Jaroslav Halak was the game’s first star as he stopped all 38 of Florida’s shots facing off against former Habs pick Tomas Vokoun who was named the game’s 2nd star.

I certainly wasn’t on the edge of my seat watching the game and to be honest I’m surprised at the high shot totals. Maybe it was just me… but I didn’t find it was a spectacular game.

Certainly a bright spot for me has been Benoit Pouliot. His first couple of games I was sure exactly what he would have to bring or how he would fit in with his current linemates Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez. But he’s been picking it up. He scored the winning goal last night, his first on home ice in Montreal.

Something that I’ve noticed is that Pouliot does go to the net. And he’s been doing it enough that I have actually noticed it. Latendresse, whom Pouliot was traded for often spoke about playing in front of the net but more often than not I’d notice he wouldn’t play there!

Pouliot was drafted high because he’s a highly skilled player. He’s got speed and great hands.

In Minnesota the Wild seem to be getting some good hockey out of Latendresse so this trade will hopefully be one of those that gives new life to both guys.