Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames – Heritage Classic

I’m very happy that the NHL is doing a second outdoor game this year between 2 canadien teams. Of course the fact that the Habs are playing in it certainly helps boost my enthusiasm for the game… but regardless what other canadian teams would be in the mix I think it’s a good thing.

It will surely be a fun event. The game is scheduled to be played in Calgary on February 20th.

Here’s a short video clip on the upcoming game courtesy of Sportsnet.

Montreal Canadiens sign David Desharnais to a 1 year deal

RDS reports that the Habs have re-signed David Desharnais to a 1 year, 2 way deal.

Desharnais’s agent mentions in the article that David preferred to avoid arbitration and wants to prove his worth on the ice. In this age of big business in sports…. and all the big money…. it’s completely respectable to me that Desharnais made that choice.

In fact, another player (not a Habs player) who settled for a smaller contract just last year (I believe it was last season) was Manny Malhotra. He pretty much went in and worked really hard…. put his focus on playing hockey as best he could and this year he signed a 3 year 2.5 million dollar deal.

Not sure that Desharnais will follow that exact path but I think he’s got a shot at sneaking in and taking some ice time this season. Seeing him play last year I can’t help but think a bit about Gionta and Martin St Louis. Not just because Desharnais is 5′7, I mean yeah that’s part of the comparison but the other part is that Desharnais was all hustle.

I look forward to seeing him a little more this year.

No offers for Dominic Moore and Glen Metropolit

It’s official. Dominic Moore and Glen Metropolit will not be offered new contracts.

I can say that I was a fan of Metropolit from the time he came to Montreal. And really, who could forget that first game?

He’s put on waivers by his team at the time, the Philadelphia Flyers, only to be picked up by Bob Gainey’s (at the time) Montreal Canadiens. What made this unforgettable is that Metro had to face his former team that day.

I remember watching that game and how it was mentioned…. later on I remember hearing about the adversity he faced in his youth and also beating the odds to play in the NHL.
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Montreal Canadiens success – segment by Sportsnet

Here’s a segment by Sportsnet on the Montreal Canadien’s success done by R.J. Broadhead, John Garrett and Doug MacLean.

They also preview tonight’s Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers game 7.

What some stats don’t say about a playoff run

Sometimes I enjoy looking at statistics, like who’s winning the scoring race…. or seeing Jaroslav Halak on top of save % thus far.

I’m writing this not as a statistician or wanting to figure out formulas…. I’m writing this because when I’ve looked at certain stats as a fan, I was always struck with a first impression about the stat.

I thought I’d look at the plus/minus stat a little bit to see how teams these playoffs were shaping up and look at a few years past. Over several games the plus/minus stat can show in a general way how a team performs 5 on 5 and can also give a hint at which players are better offensively/defensively. Obviously it doesn’t give a true look at your best defensive or offensive player, because the stat itself is a bit of a balance between the goals scored while your on the ice for and against your team. So a higher scoring player may end up with a higher plus/minus stat then a better defensive player in some cases.

Basically, it’s a glimpse of how the team is doing 5 on 5 while each player is on the ice.
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Montreal Canadiens pull off what most thought unthinkable

I’m not sure how to express it… but I’ll just say that this game 7 was intense! Very intense.

My wonderful little girl (Emily, aged 6) wanted to watch part of the game with me. So we cuddle up and watched some of the first period together. She asked me some questions about the 2 teams. After a little bit she wanted to lie down and before I knew it, she was asleep.

I’d also like to mention that there was a great live chat tonight and thanks to Steven Hindle (@StevenHindle , Capitals coverage) for inviting me to join in.

I was watching the game intensely. The Capitals seemed to push quite a bit to start the game. And in the second period, I was kind of surprised at how flat they came out. At one point I remember thinking that the Capitals must have thought they were on a penalty kill because the Habs players were skating around their zone at will with the puck.

They soon realized they weren’t on the penalty kill… and pressure on Halak and the team’s defense resumed once again.

I’ve been so impressed with a few players in general.
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Tonight : Operation fight for a playoff spot

With only 2 games left in the season the Habs play the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. Carolina is usually a very strong foe against the Canadiens and I except that it will be no different tonight.

While Montreal is still sitting in 6th place in the Eastern conference with only these 2 games left (Hurricanes and the Leafs) it’s still not a sure bet.

And you know what, I don’t like that.

The Habs could’ve clinched the playoff spot in the last 2 games but instead wilted away to loose both games. Watching the team this year it’s been hard to really get a sense of who this group is and what they can accomplish. Primarily because most of the lineup has been injured for several weeks at one point or another.

But something that has happened quite a bit is this wilting away in the 3rd period. I find it quite frustrating and I can only imagine that the players do to. I’m not sure why exactly, honestly I can only speculate because I’m a fan and not in the team’s system.
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A 1 – 2 Goalie punch?

Alot is being said about the goaltenders in Montreal in the media. Will one get traded? When? For who/what? Which one?….etc.

This morning I read this great article on The Hockey News site titled “Top Shelf: Re-packaging the 1-2 goalie punch“.

The author (Ryan Dixon) mentions that there is another team doing a very similar thing that is going on with the Habs as of late. That is, each goaltender has played a substantial number of games.
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Habs 100th anniversary videos

For any of you who weren’t able to view the festivities for the Habs 100th anniversary last night or for those of you who would just like to watch it again (and again…??).

Here are the videos from last night courtesy of Habs TV!

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100th anniversary ceremonies

Last night was a magical night for Montreal Canadiens fans. I thought they would have some special surprises planned but I couldn’t have guessed how it would have unfolded.

I watched RDS for many hours before the game and was impressed from the beginning. I thought it was just great.

When they dimmed the lights in the Bell Center I almost felt goose bumps all over.. I knew something pretty neat was gonna take place.

Then… when the pucks were dumped on the ice and I saw Patrick Roy walking on the ice in full gear…. I was in awe. It was awesome. Seeing all those guys jump on the ice brought back alot of memories. One guy I hadn’t noticed walk on the ice was Mats Naslund… later when he was introduced I was so pleased to see him there. He was one of my favorite players in his time in Montreal.

I won’t try to name every player that skated with the alumni… but let’s just say I thought it was very classy and very cool for the die hard Canadiens fans. Many of those guys I hadn’t seen in their playing days but like some of you (I’m sure) I’ve read about them and have seen their statistics over and over again. I’m not just really a fan of the Montreal Canadiens I’ve seen on the ice….. I’m a fan of the Montreal Canadiens rich history as much as I am the current team they ice year after year.
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