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Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils – 2009/2010 season 76th game highlights

Yves — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:43:23 +0000

Here are the game highlights from the Montreal Canadiens vs the New Jersey Devils played on March 27th 2010.

You can also find the game stats here:

Game Summary

Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils – 2009/2010 season 35th game highlights and comments

Yves — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:24:15 +0000

Here are the game highlights from the Montreal Canadiens vs the New Jersey Devils played on December 17th 2009.

I missed the first period of play as I was at my daughter’s Christmas concert. (She did very well!)

Something the Canadiens have to improve on is the penalties they take. Again last night they took bad penalties which always puts them behind the 8 ball. While their penalty kill has been good this year (currently 8th in the league) it’s certainly not a reason to play shorthanded. Even when your only goal comes short handed (Travis Moen scored Montreal’s goal shorthanded).

Last night wasn’t the most exciting hockey in the world…. lot’s of shut down style defense. In the end though the one thing that sticks in my mind is New Jersey’s first goal. A long shot that was going way over the net…. Price puts his glove up…. the puck hits his glove, goes directly on the right side post…. bounces up to his feet…. where the puck then hits Carey’s skate as he skates back…. and the puck goes into the net.

Bad.

Here are the game highlights:

But I suppose that even though Price did let in a stinker… every goaltender will occasionally let one in. Even the great Patrick Roy let in the occasional stinker.

You can also find the game stats here:

Scott Gomez – Welcome!

Yves — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:49:00 +0000

Scott Gomez, when I first heard of that trade, I’ll say that I really didn’t like the deal. Not at all.

Since July 1st though, I’ll say that Gainey deserves credit. Some of the UFAs that were signed probably wouldn’t have come to the Montreal Canadiens if Gomez hadn’t have been a member of the new team.

Mr Gomez, if you’re reading this… I’m now happy to have you aboard. I know that some people have said that your production dropped with the New York Rangers… but so did Alex Kovalev prior to coming to Montreal where he enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career 2 years ago. Some people are saying the same about Brian Gionta.

But I think that a new beginning in Montreal with some familiar faces like Brian Gionta and Paul Mara…. coupled with a coaching system which I suspect will be similar to that which you had in New Jersey with the Devils might be a good fresh start.

With all the current changes to my beloved Montreal Canadiens I was a bit sad to see so many people go that I spent countless hours cheering on… but I’m looking forward to cheering for you (Scott) as well as the new teammates.

I’ve heard a few of the new players talk about you’re (Scott) great playmaking skill. All I can say is that I’m so looking forward for this season to start… I can’t wait.

So now, I ask you Habs fans… Who can resist seeing someone score against the Leafs??

Scott Gomez highlight vs Maple Leafs Feb 22 2009.

Or how about seeing a guy score against the Bruins??

Scott Gomez highlight vs Bruins March 8th 2009.

Can’t wait to see you lace ‘em up in Montreal!

So Welcome Scott Gomez!

Brian Gionta plays big

Yves — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:46:00 +0000

So by now we’ve all heard about ESPN’s predicting that the Montreal Canadiens would miss the playoffs this year. If you haven’t, All Habs have the e astern conference predictions here.

And I’m sure that many of you have heard how Gainey went out and got smaller (at least at first… since then he’s actually made the team bigger and tougher).

Well, one guy who has been mentioned as a new UFA signing and as many have said of him that his “offensive production” has been down the last 3 years… his name is Brian Gionta. I thought I would spend a little bit to get to know him a little better by numbers and try to see a bit more of him in action.

When I looked at his numbers here’s what I saw:

2005-2006 – 82 Games – 48 G | 41A | 89 P | +18
2006-2007 – 62 Games – 25 G | 20A | 45 P | – 3
2007-2008 – 82 Games – 22 G | 31A | 53 P | +1
2008-2009 – 81 Games – 20 G | 40A | 60 P | +12

As we can see, he had his big season in 05-06 where he scored 48 goals and 41 assists for 89 points. Super year.

The next year, he missed some games in an otherwise quite durable career if we were to look at previous years as well as the ones I’ve listed.

Gionta certainly has not produced as much as that super year back in 05-06. But, although his goals have gone down in the last 3 years… his assists are up the last 2 (and of course points totals) as were his +/-.

Gionta at 30 years of age still has some good years ahead. And if Jacques Martin puts him in a system that was similar to the one he played in with the New Jersey Devils along side a familiar player like Gomez… then who knows. I think with the right linemates and system, Gionta can score some goals. I have no doubt.

One thing I like about Brian Gionta is that he plays bigger then he is to. Check out these videos… Gionta will stand up for himself. And that’s important.

Gionta vs Comrie

Gionta vs Marchant

Gionta vs Chara

Winning or losing these fights are irrelevant.. the point is that he’s got a little sandpaper in him.

And here’s a few goals by Gionta:

So welcome Brian Gionta!