Jaromir Jagr And The Kladno Connection

After the blockbuster deal that sent Evander Kane and Zack Bogosian from the Winnipeg Jets to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, two prospects and a first round draft pick, action is bound to pick up in the NHL with only a few weeks before the NHL trade deadline in early March.

After showing interest in the controversial Kane, Montreal Canadiens general manager, Marc Bergevin, will now have to turn his attention to other targets. One name that keeps coming up in trade chatter is that of ageless veteran Jaromir Jagr of the New Jersey Devils. 

The soon-to-be 43 years old veteran is enjoying a solid campaign yet again this season, notching 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points with a -10 differential in 50 games for a struggling Devils squad. Jagr, who is New Jersey's leading scorer, told GM Lou Lamoriello that he doesn't necessarily want to be traded before the deadline, but he is open to the idea. 

Should he be traded by the Devils, the 6'3'', 230-lb, right-winger would like to remain in the Eastern Conference and play for a contender with a change to win the Stanley Cup. With the Devils 12 points out of a playoff spot, it's a question of days before they are "officially" out of the race and, as a result, Jagr would like to continue playing come spring. 

The Native of Klado, Czech Republic (same hometown as Jiri Sekac and Tomas Plekanec), is willing to accept a diminished role and less ice-time to pursue his dream of another Cup. 

"I don't pay attention to the deadline. I'm a professional. I just work even harder than I did before," Jagr told Rich Chere of NJ Advance Media. "If I stay here, I stay here. If I don't, I still have to be ready. If somebody trades for me they'll expect me to be good. And if I stay here I have to be good. So I have to work harder than ever to make sure I'm good."

One of the hardest working off the ice, Jagr's dedication to training is legendary around the league and is one of the key elements of his never-ending career. A long-time friend and international teammate of Tomas Plekanec, Jagr also trained with Plekanec and Sekac this summer in Kladno, so the three Czechs are already familiar with each other.

Jagr, who has a cap hit of $5.5 million because of the bonus he received this season, has already played for several Eastern Conference teams, namely the Bruins, the Rangers, the Flyers, the Capitals and the Penguins, which basically leaves the Lightning, the Red Wings and the Habs as a likely destination.

While the "Mullet Man" is not a bona-fide superstar any more, he can certainly produce offensively and help the Habs' struggling power play come playoff time. Jagr is also great with the puck, so his arrival would certainly improve the team's possession statistics, which are ranked in the bottom third of the league right now.

A middle-round pick and a low-level prospect such as Christian Thomas is probably what the Devils will ask for Jagr before the deadline. Are you willing to pay that kind of price?

Potential forward lines with Jagr:

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Weise/Parenteau

Sekac-Plekanec-Jagr

Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher

Bournival-De La Rose/Malhotra-Prust

Who would you want to acquire at forward if you were Marc Bergevin?

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Follow me on Twitter at @FredPoulin98

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Game 45: Canadiens vs Predators

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

After beating the best team in the East on Saturday, the Canadiens (28-13-3) play host to the Central division leading Predators (30-10-4). The game is set to start at 7:30 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the first of two meetings between the Habs and Preds this season, and the only one in Montreal. Last year these team played a pair of tight games, with the Habs losing the first 2-1 on a late goal by Seth Jones and winning the second 4-3 in overtime thanks to a fantastic individual effort from David Desharnais.

What to Watch

Tomas Plekanec had a career night on Saturday with two goals and two assists in Montreal's 6-4 win over the Islanders. Plekanec was playing his third straight game on a line with Max Pacioretty, who picked up a pair of assists of his own on Saturday. Pacioretty's six-game goal streak came to an end last game, but his current seven-game point streak is still intact.

Not only has Filip Forsberg been one of the biggest stories for the Predators this season, he's been a big story in the NHL as the current front-runner for rookie of the year. Forsberg has 39 points in 43 games and a third best +23 rating on the season.

What's at Stake

After beating the Islanders on Saturday, the Canadiens get another chance to prove they deserve to be considered among the league's elite by taking on the NHL's best team in terms of points percentage. The Predators have earned 72.7% of their possible points this season to lead all teams, but the Habs are hot on their heels at 67.0%, good for fifth overall.

Who's Out

All signs point to a return to action for Carey Price, who wasn't dressed for Saturday's game. P.A. Parenteau (concussion) is expected to miss Tuesday's game as symptoms of the concussion he suffered against the Devils earlier in the month have returned.

While Price may be ready to return on Tuesday, Preds netminder Pekka Rinne (knee) won't be back for at least the next few weeks. Eric Nystrom (upper body) and Ryan Ellis (lower body) are also out.

What Else

This is the last game before the Habs break for the upcoming All-Star Game this weekend. When they return to action, the Canadiens will play a stretch of 21 games in 40 days from January 27 to March 7.

The Question Mark

Last game we asked which Hab needs to step up in the second half of the season, this time we want to know which Hab has most surpassed your expectations so far this season.

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 to preview the Canadiens and the Predators.

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Game 42: Canadiens at Blue Jackets

#MTLHockey Preview

 

Match Up

The Canadiens (26-12-3) are in Columbus Wednesday night to face the Blue Jackets (18-19-3). The game is set to start at 7:00 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet.

This is the first of three meetings between the Habs and Jackets, and the first of two in Columbus. Last season the Canadiens won two of their three games against the Blue Jackets, including a 3-2 shootout victory in Columbus. The Habs erased a two-goal deficit and David Desharnais scored the only goal in the shootout to seal the victory.

What to Watch

It looks like the Canadiens will try a new look on the man advantage in Columbus, as coach Michel Therrien looks to spark the fourth worst power play in the league. In their last seven games, the Habs have scored just once in 21 opportunities.

Look for PK Subban to play the point on the first unit with Desharnais, P.A. Parenteau, Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher up front, while the second unit should consist of Andrei Markov, Sergei Gonchar, Tomas Plekanec, Lars Eller and Alex Galchenyuk.

Injuries have taken their toll on the Blue Jackets this season, but Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen have managed to stay healthy and lead the way this year. Foligno has 40 points in 39 games including ten points in his last seven. Johansen is right behind him for the team lead with 39 points on the year, he's in the midst of a ten-game point streak.

What's at Stake

Although they earned a point Saturday night against the Penguins, the Habs lost their second consecutive game for the first time since the first week of December. The losing streak hasn't hurt the Canadiens too badly yet, they're still the top team in the Atlantic in terms of point percentage, but they still trail the Lightning by three points heading into Wednesday's action.

Who's Out

With Parenteau set to return, the Habs are healthy again. The only other change to the line-up could be on defense, where Mike Weaver might play Wednesday in place of the struggling Alexei Emelin.

The Blue Jackets have been without Nathan Horton (back) all season. Ryan Murray (knee) has also missed most of the year, but he has started to practice again. Artem Anisimov (triceps), Brian Gibbons (knee), Boone Jenner (back) and Jack Skille (lower body) are also out.

What Else

In just over a week, Columbus will play host to this year's NHL All -Star Game. Only Carey Price was named to the All-Star team from the Canadiens, although Jiri Sekac was selected to take part in the rookie skills competition, filling in for an injured Tanner Pearson. Despite an impressive first half of the season, PK Subban was not named an All-Star this year, although there is a chance he'll be called to fill in for the injured Victor Hedman.

The Question Mark

We want to hear from you, express your outrage at the fact that PK wasn't selected as an All-Star this season.

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 to preview the Canadiens and the Blue Jackets.

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Sven Is In The Ghetto

Called up on December 5th to replace Lars Eller, who is out with a shoulder injury, Sven Andrighetto didn't wait to make an impact, recording a point in each of his first three NHL games (2 goals and 1 assist). The 21-year-old native of Zurich, Switzerland is currently playing on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Jiri Sekac. 

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Andrighetto is the first Habs player to record to record at least a point in each of his first three NHL games since Pierre Mondou accomplished the feat in 1977-78. 

Andrighetto, a 5-foot-9, 183-pound forward who played two seasons in the QMJHL with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies before the Canadiens drafted him, was enjoying a solid sophomore season with the team's AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, prior to his call-up.

In 21 games with the Bulldogs, the speedy winger/center had recorded 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points and +1 rating under the tutelage of head coach Sylvain Lefebvre, The season before, Andrighetto had potted 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points in 64 games with Hamilton, good for second among the team's forwards. 

Andrighetto, who was selected in the third round (86th overall) of the 2013 NHL draft after being passed over twice at the draft, is quite happy to find himself in the NHL right now. Still, the young European doesn't take anything for granted and savors every moment he spends with the team that drafted him and believed in him.

Read the article I wrote on Sven more than two years ago before people knew him. Sven Andrighetto: The Next Undrafted Gem

If we look at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the only other player drafted outside of the first round to play more than one NHL game is Anthony Duclair of the New York Rangers (7 points in 18 games). Luckily for Habs fans, as opposed to Duclair, Andrighetto is not eligible for the U20 World Championship Tournament since he is 21 years old.

Andrighetto is part of a new generation of Swiss players who are enjoying tremendous success in the NHL along with the likes of youngsters Nino Niederreiter and Sven Baertschi. He is also the fifth Helvetian athlete to play for the Canadiens after David Aebischer, Mark Streit, Yannick Weber and Raphael Diaz.

Both Andrighetto and rookie Jiri Sekac give plenty of credit to veteran Tomas Plekanec for their success as he has been a very good role model and mentor for the kids. The fact that Plekanec is used to help younger players has helped the two rookies to gain confidence and take chances offensively as they know the veteran center will have their back if they commit a turnover. 

Thanks to everyone for the support and gratulations. Been a special day I will never forget. Would have been better to win the game! #habs
— Sven Andrighetto (@Andrighetto25) December 7, 2014

While he is currently enjoying tremendous success at the NHL level, Andrighetto is not a lock to remain with the Bleu Blanc Rouge for the rest of the year as Lars Eller is slated to return to the line-up around Christmas, and maybe even earlier. Eller's presence would create a logjam in the Habs' top nine, which means Andrighetto could very well be the odd man out. 

Let's hope that Andrighetto doesn't turn into the next Cory Conacher, another small winger who was off to a stellar start (24 points in 35 games) in 2012-13 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, before being shipped out to the Ottawa Senators for lanky G Ben Bishop. Since the trade, Conacher has played 106 games with the Senators, Sabres and Islanders, recording only 10 goals and 24 helpers for 34 points with a +4 rating. Earlier this week, the Islanders waived him and he was not claimed by the 29 other teams...

The moral of the story is that while Andrighetto is enjoying much success right now, it doesn't mean he will turn into the next Pavel Bure. Keep your hopes not too high Habs fans and enjoy the Swiss wave while it lasts.

Do you think Marc Bergevin should make room up front so that Sven can remain with the big club?

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Follow me on Twitter for more updates on the Habs and hockey in general.

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Game 31 - Canadiens vs Kings

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (18-10-2) are home host to the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings (15-9-5) Friday night at the Bell Centre. The match is set to start at 7:30 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the first of two games between the Habs and Kings this year, and the only one in Montreal. The Kings took both games last season, a 2-1 win in L.A. and a 6-0 victory in Montreal. PK Subban scored the only Canadiens goal against the Kings last year, while L.A. defenseman Jake Muzzin had goals in both games.

What to Watch

Alex Galchenyuk played his first full game of the year at center on Tuesday, and while he didn't record any points, his line opened the scoring when Brendan Gallagher beat Ryan Miller with a hard wrist shot. Sven Andrighetto picked up his second NHL point in his second NHL game, an assist on Tomas Plekanec's ninth goal of the year.

That 70's Line is the trio to watch for the Kings. The line of Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, and Tanner Pearson has combined for 28 goals in 29 games this season, making them one of the most productive in the league. Jonathan Quick started for the Kings in Ottawa on Thursday, so look for Martin Jones to get the call on Friday.

What's at Stake

After a tough stretch the Canadiens are down to third in the Atlantic Division behind the Lightning and Red Wings. A win on Friday would help the Canadiens turn a much needed corner and put them back on track in the race for the division title.

Who's Out

Lars Eller (upper body) could miss much of this Canadiens homestand, but should be ready to return around the time it is wrapping up. Mike Weaver (concussion) is out indefinitely, while Bryan Allen (mumps) and PK Subban are battling an illness and may be forced to miss Friday's game.

The Kings are only missing Slava Voynov, who has been suspended indefinitely as a result of his arrest related to domestic abuse. 

What Else

Home ice has been good to the Canadiens so far this season. In 14 games the team boasts a 10-3-1 record at Bell Centre, taking 21 of a possible 28 points. The team has scored 44 goals on home ice this year, an average of 3.14 goals per game. That's a big difference from the 1.81 goals a game they are averaging on the road.

The Question Mark

Is Alex Galchenyuk ready for the pressure of playing top-line minutes?

Tonight's Show

Join Steve Hindle along with Corey Collard and Kosta Papoulias as they bring you the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show live at 6:30 on Friday to preview the Canadiens and the Kings.

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Game 30 - Canadiens vs Canucks

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (17-10-2) return home for the first time this month to host the Canucks (18-8-2) Tuesday night. The game is set to start at 7:30 and can be seen on RDS, Sportsnet East and Sportsnet Pacific.
This is the second and final meeting between the Habs and Canucks this season, the Canadiens took advantage of two late goals the first time these teams met to salvage a point in a 3-2 overtime loss. Henrik and Daniel Sedin combined in OT for the game winning goal.

What to Watch

For the first time this season Max Pacioretty won't line up next to David Desharnais at the start of the this game. Instead, Alex Galchenyuk will center the top line, a position many Habs fans expect the 20 year old to fill for many seasons to come. Galchenyuk has six goals and 18 points on the season, putting him behind just Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec for the team lead at 20.
The twins are once against leading the Canucks in scoring, but newcomers Radim Vrbata and Nick Bonino have been pitching in regularly as well. Vrbata with 12 goals and 23 points in 26 games is on pace for a career year, his previous best is 62 points with the Coyotes.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens have gone 1-5-1 in their last seven, crashing down the standings the Eastern conference along the way. The Habs are at the start of a five game homestand that will take them close to Christmas. They can recover some ground over the next two weeks and starting the stay off with a win will help their cause.

Who's Out

Lars Eller (shoulder) is out indefinitely for the Habs. Mike Weaver suffered a concussion Saturday night in Dallas and could miss significant time as well. The good news for Montreal is that Michael Bournival is healthy and expected to make his return to the line-up on Tuesday.
The Canucks are without Dan Hamhuis (lower body) and Zach Kassian (finger). Shawn Matthias (head) missed the last Canukcs last game against the Senators Sunday and may not be ready to play Tuesday either.

What Else

Jean Beliveau has been lying in state at the Bell Centre Sunday and Monday prior to his state funeral on Wednesday, and the Canadiens organization will have their chance to say goodbye before Tuesday's game. Member's of the Canadiens from throughout the years have paid their respects to the legend.

The Question Mark

With five home games to play including matches against the Kings and Ducks, how many points would you be satisfied with in this homestand?

Tonight's Show

Join myself Rob Elbaz along with Corey Collard and Kosta Papoulias for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 to preview the Canadiens and the Canucks.

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Game 23 - Canadiens at Rangers

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The league leading Montreal Canadiens (16-5-1) are in New York to face the Rangers (8-7-4) Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. The game is set to start at 7:00 and can be seen on RDS and City.

This is the second of three meetings between the Habs and Rangers this season, the two teams that faced off in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Montreal already picked up a 3-1 victory on home ice earlier in the season on goals by Tomas Plekanec, Lars Eller, and Max Pacioretty.

What to Watch

Carey Price may have earned his second shutout of the season and league best 13th win Saturday against the Bruins, but Dustin Tokarski is expected to get the start Sunday in New York, his fifth of the season.

Like the Habs, the Rangers are also coming off a shutout performance by their goalie, and like the Habs, that goalie, Cam Talbot in this case, isn't expected to start on Sunday. Henrik Lundqvist is expected to start on Sunday. In 28 career regular season starts against the Habs, Lundqvist is 13-12-2 with a .897 save percentage and a 2.86 GAA.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens are hot and there's no sense slowing down now. With just one loss in their last nine games, the Habs have surged to the top of the standings and are building a healthy cushion on their competition. The Rangers have been struggling in November as well, posting a 3-3-4 record this month and a 2-3-2 record in their last seven.

Who's Out

The Habs are missing Michael Bournival (shoulder) but are otherwise healthy going into Sunday's game.

The Rangers are without their captain and former Habs prospect Ryan McDonagh (shoulder). They could also be without Lee Stempniak (back) who is listed as day to day.

What Else

Andrei Markov scored career goal number 100 Saturday night against the Bruins, becoming just the fourth Canadien and 86th NHL defenseman to hit that milestone. Markov is one of just three Russian-born defenseman to hit the mark, new teammate Sergei Gonchar is another, with 219 career goals to his credit.

The Question Mark

Given his wealth of options, how would you like to see Michel Therrien set his top six (or seven) defensemen?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 to preview the Canadiens and the Rangers.

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Eller Needs To Go So Galchenyuk Can…

By Eitan Calmy (@habsaddict)

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

ELLER NEEDS TO GO SO “GALCHENYUK CAN PLAY CENTRE”

Lars Eller is a third line centre. He will never be anything more than that. If the organization and Lars himself don’t make that clear to each other, Eller will be another one of those players that everyone will always wonder about. What if this? What if that?

Some will say that I’m being hard, but I’m not. He has had his chances. He’s going to be a very good shut down guy with some offensive upside. As long as Eller does not accept that role he will always be playing musical chairs, on the wrong line and with the wrong teammates. He has consistency issues. When expected to produce, it's as if he cracks under pressure. He fits the third-line centre role perfectly. When on his game, extremely reliable defensively and can surprise you with speed and strength which will create some offense. 

David Desharnais and Tomas Plekanec aren’t going anywhere as long as they have contracts. Desharnais has no trade value due in part to what I write below. Plekanec is one of the best two-way players in the game. He is a good second-line centre and in a perfect world probably the best third-line centre in the game. I would hesitate to move him.

Desharnais is untouchable. For some strange reason Montreal Canadiens management and coaching refuse to entertain the possibility of playing Max Pacioretty with anybody else. It is undeniable that they have chemistry. Desharnais is a very good playmaker. But if he’s that good, then why not try different line combinations? Why not test Plekanec with Pacioretty or Galchenyuk with Pacioretty?

To be very clear, if I thought that there was any chance the organization would even consider trading Desharnais, the title of this article would be: “Desharnais needs to go so... “

Why fix or toy with something that’s not broken? Because your number one centre is undersized, because your number one centre can’t play shorthanded. Because your number one centre can’t play in crucial defensive missions; whether it’s to preserve a lead or play against other teams top

lines. David Desharnais is and always will be a one-dimensional player. In my opinion, and please know that as a fan that bleeds Blue/White/Red, it hurts to say this, but “the Montreal Canadiens will not win a Stanley Cup as long as David Desharnais is the number one centre.”

It’s becoming more and more evident that Alex Galchenyuk is a special player. He has more natural skills than anybody on the current line-up. His passes are divine and his puck control is comparable to the elite players in the league. Michel Therrien has to let him express himself. The coach needs to, has to free Galchenyuk from Plekanec. He needs to let him spread his wings and fly. Galchenyuk is ready. Game after game he shows his creativity, his passion and skill. Other than Max Pacioretty’s scoring ability, Alex Galchenyuk is the next best thing, maybe better. With all due respect to Plekanec and Gallagher, they are simply not skilled enough to play with the future star. I’d even say that there’s probably no forward on this team that’s talented enough to play at Galchenyuk’s level or simply follow his lead. One of the only players that has been able to finish what he has started was PK Subban.  

If the Montreal Canadiens won’t move Desharnais from that top line, then they have to find a way to make a trade and add a "Power Forward" to the team that can play at the level that Galchenyuk is capable of. That being said I am not saying it’s easy because every single team in the league wants those big forwards that can’t score.

Montreal will have to make the right offer, they will probably have to overpay. I am not a GM but it’s obvious that it will at the very least cost one or two established guys from your line-up + either Jarred Tinordi or Nathan Beaulieu and probably a first-round draft pick. In order to get you have to give. Those of you that think it’s too much, well it’s never going to happen.  

I have complete confidence in Marc Bergevin and I strongly believe that we are in good hands for many years to come. The Montreal Canadiens have a 14-5-1 record. The team has had a great stretch as of late; however, just as Bergevin has done so far, you can always improve and I strongly believe that the big step forward will occur when Galchenyuk becomes that #1 centre.

1.       Who do you think should be moved in order for Galchenyuk to play centre?

2.       Does Michel Therrien have what it takes to bring Subban, Galchenyuk and others to the next level or just like in Pittsburgh, the Canadiens will have to bring somebody else to finish the job?

3.        Do you think Bergevin will pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade?

4.       Will the #Habs maintain their position for the rest of the season or is this just an illusion?

Eitan Calmy ( @habsaddict  )

I’m a fan just like all you other wackos out there. These are my opinions and if you do or don’t like them tweet me or comment on the post. I often comment on referees as I was an official for over 15 years. Hockey is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life!

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Game 14 - Canadiens at Sabres

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (8-4-1) take their show on the road as they head to Buffalo to face the Sabres (3-9-1) Wednesday night. The puck drops at 7:30 and the game can be seen on RDS and Sportsnet.

This is the first of four games between the Habs and Sabres, and the first of three in November. Last season the Canadiens won four of four games against their division rivals, including a pair of shutouts. All told, the Canadiens outscored the Sabres 10-3 last year.

What to Watch

To say the Canadiens have struggled to find offense would be a massive understatement. Tom Gilbert, Alex Galchenyuk, Max Pacioretty, and Lars Eller are the only four Habs to score goals in the team's last five games. PK Subban has gone seven games without a goal, Tomas Plekanec has been held pointless over the past five games, while Brendan Gallagher's drought is at eight games.

The Canadiens get their first look at Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges in Sabres uniforms on Wednesday. Gorges, to the surprise of no one that saw him play in Montreal, once again leads the league in blocked shots with 56 in 13 games.

What's at Stake

After being blown out in their last two games, the Canadiens need a change of fortune and they need one quickly. Providence has served up the league worst Buffalo Sabres in this, the Canadiens' hour of need, and the team can't afford to let the opportunity pass them by.

Who's Out

The Canadiens are astonishingly healthy, but expect Dustin Tokarski to man the crease in Buffalo with Carey Price coming off of two games in the last three nights leading up to Wednesday.

Update: I don't normally like to do this, but in this case I'll make an exception. Unconfirmed reports have Jiri Sekac returning to the lineup in Buffalo while Rene Bourque is expected to be a healthy scratch.

The Sabres could be without Marcus Foligno, who missed Sunday's game against the Red Wings and has yet to return to practice.

What Else

While first periods continue to hurt the Canadiens, they did have a somewhat better start than usual against the Blackhawks on Tuesday. The Habs out-shot the Hawks 11-5 in the first 20 minutes but still went in to the dressing room trailing by a goal. Montreal is the only team that has yet to take a lead into the first intermission, they've been outscored 14-4 in first periods this year.

The Sabres are one of just two teams with fewer first period goals than the Habs. Like the Panthers, the Sabres have scored only three goals in the opening frame this season.

The Question Mark

Say something, anything, positive about the Habs.

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 Wednesday to preview the Canadiens and Sabres

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Game 13 - Canadiens vs Blackhawks

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (8-3-1) are home to host the Blackhawks (6-5-1) Tuesday night at the Bell Centre. The game is set to start at 7:30 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the first of two games between the Habs and Hawks, with the second meeting set to take place a month later in Chicago. Last season the two teams each took three points in their season series, both earning OT wins on home ice. Andrei Markov scored both goals in Montreal's 2-1 victory in January, while Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp each had a goal and an assist in Chicago's 3-2 win near the end of the season.

What to Watch

Dale Weise set up Max Pacioretty for the second time in consecutive games in Montreal's 6-2 loss to the Flames on Sunday. Weise now has four assists on the season while Pacioretty has caught Tomas Plekanec for the team lead in points, they both have five goals and four assists through 11 games.

The Blackhawks have also had some trouble creating offense recently, they've been shut out twice in their last four games. Marian Hossa picked up a goal and an assist last Thursday against the Senators, marking career points number 999 and 1000. Hossa is just the 80th player in NHL history to reach the 1000-point plateau.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens maintain a tenuous grasp on the Eastern Conference lead, but with only three hard fought points in their last four games, they've let the Lightning catch them in the standings. More than anything, the Habs could use a solid performance after scoring just five regulation goals since their struggles started.

Who's Out

For the second straight game, Alexei Emelin was forced to miss some shifts after taking a hit to the head, this time an elbow from Flames forward David Jones. Alex Galchenyuk was also forced to miss some time in the first period of Sunday's game, but returned by the start of the second period.

The Hawks are missing Daniel Carcillo (knee).

What Else

The Canadiens have now gone 14 straight power plays without finding the back of the net, stretching back to their 3-2 victory over the Avalanche.

Andrei Markov moved up to third all-time in points by a Canadiens defenseman. His assist on Lars Eller's goal tied him with Hall-of-Famer Doug Harvey at 447 points in a Canadiens uniform. Markov sets his sights next on Guy Lapointe, who is set to have his jersey retired by the Canadiens this coming Saturday when the Habs face the Wild.

The Question Mark

Which Habs team do you think is the real deal, the one that went 7-1-0 to start the year, or 1-2-1 in their last 4, or another version we haven't seen yet?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 Tuesday evening to preview the Canadiens and the Blackhawks.

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5 Reasons For The Habs Early Season Success

Greetings Habs Nation,

There was a lot of optimism surrounding the Montreal Canadiens heading into the current NHL season. The Habs were coming off of a playoff run that saw them reach the Eastern Conference finals only to fall to the New York Rangers in six games. The Team became bigger by replacing Francis Bouillon, Josh Gorges and captain Brian Gionta with the likes of Tom Gilbert, Manny Malhotra, P.A. Parenteau and Jiri Sekac and their young stars Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher had another year of experience under their belts.

Fast forward to the present, the Habs sit on top of the Eastern Conference with an 8-2 record and share the league lead with the Anaheim Ducks.

Optimistic or not, raise your hands if you saw this kind of start for the Canadiens. Good, now put our hands down because you're lying.

With all of the success, fans around the city are all weighing in on why the team is finding success so early in the season (actually a fair amount are calling for coach Michel Therrien's head because Habs fans will be Habs fans). The following points are why I believe the Canadiens are looking like an early contender in the East.

1. CHaracter

When Marc Bergevin took the reigns as the new GM of the Montreal Canadiens in May of 2012 he right away spoke of the importance of character in the roster. The word "character" came up multiple time whenever a new player was signed or any time a question was directed towards him really. Fans calling in to TSN690 and all over twitter would make their jokes and sarcastically comment on Bergevin's constant talk of character, but there has been a lot less of that mockery in recent days.

The Canadiens are 8-2 despite having a goal differential of +1. Winning eight of ten games while only outscoring their opponents by one goal shows that they are winning those tight games. Every team wins their fair share of close games but to win so many consistently shows character.

If that's not enough, the Canadiens have scored the first goal only twice. Their record after giving up the first goal is 6-2. Winning 75% of the games in which you've been scored on first is unheard of. Jokes aside, it takes character to never give up. Down 3-0 going into the third period IN Philadelphia? no problem, 4-3 win in overtime. Detroit has you scoreless with three minutes remaining in the final frame? Don't worry, Galchenyuk will battle Kyle Quincey to the ice, climb over him and bury the puck past Howard on a nifty wrap around en route to a 2-1 overtime win.

This team doesn't want to lose. This team doesn't give up. This team has character.

2. Carey Price

It doesn't hurt your team's chances of winning when you have arguably the best goalie in the world between the pipes. Price has been good enough to backstop his team to seven out of the eight games he's started and he hasn't even reached his full potential yet. His .923 save % is seventh among goalies who have played five or more games and will likely rise. His GAA of 2.43 puts him 12th among goalies with five or more games played and will no doubt improve. The 7-1 pounding delivered by the Tampa Bay Lightning (four goals were given up by Price, three by back up Dustin Tokarski) dampened his numbers but it's a long season and he'll no doubt lower that average.

Carey Price is a huge part of the Habs success and has yet
to reach his full potential.

The Habs won early on while he looked less than stellar and his recent performances against the Red Wings, Rangers and Flames should provide his team with even more confidence than they've been playing with thus far.

3. Health

The Montreal Canadiens have health on their side. Yes, I knocked on wood so please refrain from any  drastic reactions to me pointing out this element of their success. The Canadiens have missed roughly two man-games to injury so far. The healthier a team, the quicker and stronger each line's confidence and chemistry grows. Tomas "TurtlePlek" Plekanec and Galchenyuk have shown phenomenal chemistry playing together and the longer they play together the more they'll light up the lamp. David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty are finding their groove and should produce consistently if Pacioretty can finally play an 82 game season. Although, to be fair Patches heals at a rate roughly 100 times faster than any normal human being so he should be good to go.

4. Depth

Tomas Plekanec's opportunity to play a more offensive role
has paid off so far as he has nine points in ten games.

While the Habs' health is playing an important role in their success, they have the depth to bail them out in the event that they do deal with an injury or two. Their depth up front has Michael Bournival and newcomer Jiri Sekac watching the games from the press box. Michel Therrien has had the good fortune this year to shuffle the deck mid-game to get his team going if needed. Parenteau replaced Sekac on the Desharnais-Pacioretty line in Philly en route to their comeback from a three goal deficit.

Bringing in Manny Malhotra to take face offs and kill penalties adds depth to their defensive end giving Plekanec more offensive responsibilities. The alternate captain (one of... like... 12) gas responded by putting up a team leading five goals and nine points. More than that, he is noticeably happy. When was the last time you saw the normally straight faced Plekanec smile and celebrate so much after a goal?

On the backend, Nathan Beaulieu has been spending the majority of the games watching from above but he's readily available to jump in if needed, as is Greg Pateryn who's is playing with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

It's worth considering having Beaulieu, Bournival and Sekac play with the Bulldogs rather than be on the sidelines just to get some playing time. Demote them to keep them in game shape? Keep them to watch the game from a different point of view and be ready if called upon? These are problems any GM would want.

Heck, the Habs even started the pre-season with three goalies!

5. Michel Therrien

I feel as though if any of my reasons for the Habs success are going to be slandered it's this one. Therrien is not the most popular man in Montreal. His insistence on playing Rene Bourque despite his production baffles the majority of Habs fans and even media. His decision to bench Lars Eller after only five minutes of ice time in the recent win over the Calgary Flames has lead people to believe that Eller is his whipping boy. Therrien putting both Dale Weise and Travis Moen in the line up on the same nights while sitting more offensive minded players like Michael Bournival and Jiri Sekac has many, including myself, scratching their heads (it could be dry scalp but I'd like to think it's MT's line-up decisions).

Lars Eller has been one to respond on the ice after being benched in the past. It could be that Therrien knows his players better than the fans (crazy, right?!). Each player is sparked differently, it's for that I don't go for Therrien's jugular when hearing about Eller's night off. Plus, as mentioned above the Habs depth provides Therrien the luxury of this approach while giving Michael Bournival a chance to play in his first game this season.

Therrien's decisions will never make all of Habs nation happy. The Canadiens sit atop the standings with an 80% win rate and fans are still complaining about anything they can, most notably the coach. There are a few things I myself question such as Sekac's lack of ice time and at the opposite end of the spectrum, Travis Moen's... well, Travis Moen is getting minutes.

Despite people's minor or major problems with him, Therrien, in his second go as the Canadiens head coach, had his team finish first in the NorthEast in 2012-13, brought them to within six wins from the Stanley Cup in 2013-14 and has an 8-2 record early in the 2014-15 season.

You may not like him, but Michel Therrien is a big reason for the Montreal Canadiens' Success.

What are your thoughts on the Canadiens quick start?
Have I ignored any important factor?
Are any of the above reasons given more credit than deserved?

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Game 9 - Canadiens at Oilers

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (7-1-0) head west to open a three-game Western Canada road trip against the Oilers (3-4-1) Monday night. The game starts at 9:30 and can be seen on RDS and Sportsnet.

This is the first of two meetings between the Habs and Oilers, Edmonton will come to Montreal in February to complete the series. Last season the teams split their season series, the Habs scored a 4-1 win in Edmonton, while the Oilers took a 4-3 decision in Montreal less than two weeks later.

What to Watch

The Canadiens' penalty kill was working well during their home-stand. The Canadiens killed off 11 of 12 power plays in the last four games and added a short-handed goal in Saturday's match against the Rangers. Max Pacioretty set up Tomas Plekanec for the short-handed marker and added a goal to give him seven points on the year, six of which came in the last four games.

The Oilers have plenty of scoring threats up front including Taylor Hall (4g, 3a), Jordan Eberle (2g, 4a) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (3g, 1a), but the team still struggles to keep goals out of their own net. The team is middle of the pack in terms of goals for, but with an average of 3.88 goals against per game, they're dead last in the NHL in that department.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens can have first place in the NHL all to themselves with a win or OT loss on Monday. The Habs were a perfect 4-0-0 at home and will look to extend their four-game win streak with a strong showing against the Oilers, who sit in last place in the Pacific division.

Who's Out

Brendan Gallagher missed some of Saturday's game but returned in time to help the Habs close out a 3-1 win over the Rangers. Aside for that the Canadiens have been healthy, meaning Michel Therrien has had to make some difficult line-up decision. Nathan Beaulieu hasn't seen action since the team's 7-1 loss in Tampa prior to their home-stand, while Jiri Sekac has missed the last two games.

Edmonton is missing winger Luke Gazdic (shoulder) and goalie Viktor Fasth (groin).

What Else

The Canadiens will blow into Western Canada like a whirlwind with three games in four nights, before returning home to host the Flames on Sunday. The Canadiens won three of four games on a similar trip last season, though this year they won't travel to Winnipeg just yet. With such a tight schedule, expect Dustin Tokarski to suit up for his second start of the season at some point this week.

The Question Mark

What aspect of Montreal's game has impressed you the most so far this season, which part could use improvement?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 8:30 to preview the Canadiens and Oilers.

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The Underrated Value Of Manny Malhotra

As soon as teams were allowed to sign players on July 1st, 2014, the Montreal Canadiens called veteran Manny Malhotra to offer him a one-year deal worth $850,000. Many Habs fans had no clue who Malhotra was and most only remembered him from his days as a Vancouver Canuck.

Three months later, the underrated impact of this signing is already felt after six games, the Habs being 5-1 and standing atop of the Eastern Conference standings.

Not known for his offensive abilities, the 34-year-old pivot has no point and no penalty minute so far this season, centering the team's fourth line. But we can't assess Malhotra's impact by looking at his offensive numbers, because his value truly likes at the face-off circle and in the dressing room.

[Related: from The Hockey Writers -> Brendan Gallagher: The Heart Of A Lion] 

Malhotra currently leads the ENTIRE NHL with a face-off percentage of 66,3% among qualified players, winning at least 60% of his face-off in all but one game this year. His face-off skills also appear to help David Desharnais and Lars Eller, who have improved considerably at the dot. Desharnais' efficiency is up 5.6% while Eller's efficiency is up 1.9%. Only Tomas Plekanec continues to struggle at 46.1%.

Malhotra really improved at the dot under former Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock for whom he played between 2006 and 2009. That's where he started to take more draws and he quickly got better, consistently posting face-off percentages about 60%. It also helps a lot to have taken about 11,183 draws against a plethora of centermen during his 16-year career in both the Eastern and Western conference.
As a team, the Canadiens are currently sitting at 54.5% in their match-ups. Only two teams are better, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets, ironically two of Malhotra's former teams.

Malhotra's arrival has allowed head coach Michel Therrien to start Plekanec's line much more often in the offensive season as he is not the go-to-guy any more when it comes to defensive zone face-offs. Plekanec's offensize zone starts are up 7.6% from 38% last season to 45.6% this season, allowing him to start less often in his own end and get more playing time alongside his linemates, Alex Galchenyuk and Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, in the offensive zone.

Behind the Lens: Manny Malhotra

The native of Mississauga, Ontario, is also an adept penalty killer spending a quarter of his playing time (12 minutes on average per game) down a man, and we all know how undisciplined the
Canadiens have been so far.

"That's why we wanted to acquire him this summer, said head coach Michel Therrien. We understand the importance of face-offs, but his contribution doesn't stop there. We can use him down a man or to protect a lead late in the game. He has been a very good acquisition for our team."

Playing on 2:55 minutes on the penalty kill this season, Malhotra allows Tomas Plekanec to get more rest and less defensive responsibilities. So far this year, Plekanec is spending 51 less seconds per game on the PK (2:57/game in 2013-14 and 2:06/game in 2014-15) and 49 seconds less overall on the ice per game down from 19:46 to 18:57.

This slight decrease might prove beneficial for the team over the long term as it would mean that Plekanec would play about a game less of taxing minutes over an 82-game calendar. The organization hopes that a rested and more productive Plekanec will help the team go even deeper in the playoffs than last season when the team lost in the Eastern Conference final against the New York Rangers.

So far so good as Plekanec is the team's leading scorer with seven points in six games to go along with a +3 plus/minus differential.

Do you agree that Malhotra's signing has been the best off-season move by GM Marc Bergevin?

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Game 5 - Canadiens vs Bruins

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

After a week on the road, the Canadiens (3-1-0) will finally play their home opener Thursday night when they host the Bruins (2-3-0). The game is set to start at 7:30 and the Habs' home opener will be shown on RDS, Sportsnet 360, NESN and NHLNetwork-US.

This is the first of four matches between the Canadiens and Bruins. They Habs won three of four meetings during the regular season last year and beat the Bruins in the second round of the playoffs, winning Game 7 in Boston. At the end of the series, Milan Lucic had a few choice words for Dale Weise and Alexei Emelin.

Where we left off

 

What to Watch

The Canadiens have yet to score their first power play goal of the season and not that's it been for a lack of opportunity. The team has managed just 13 power play shots while going 0-for-14 with the man advantage.

Carey Price has had a slow start to the year despite a 2-1-0 record. He's given up three goals or more in each of his first three starts, including four in two periods on Monday against the Lightning.

While the Canadiens have struggled to score on the power play, the Bruins have struggled scoring altogether with just six goals in five games. Reilly Smith has two goals playing alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, he's the team's only multiple goal scorer. The Bruins responded to their lethargic start by signing Simon Gagne to a one-year deal worth $600,000.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens were handed their first loss of the season by the team they knocked out of the first round of the Playoffs last spring, they'll be trying to avoid losing their second game to their second round victims.

It feels a bit strange that the Habs have not yet played a home game with the season more than a week old, but the 2014-2015 Montreal Canadiens will be greeting their faithful for the first time on Thursday.

Who's Out

Marc Bergevin sent Michael Bournival down to the Bulldogs prior to the weekend, but indicated he'd be brought back to the team before next week. Alexei Emelin has missed the last two games with an upper body injury, but could be ready for action on Thursday.

The Bruins are missing Gregory Campbell (upper body), he has yet to play a game for the Bruins this season.

What Else

On Monday, Tomas Plekanec was named the NHL's First Star of the week for the first week of the season, it was the first time of his career he was named to the three stars of the week. Last season, Lars Eller was the league's Second Star in the first week of play. Only Carey Price earned First Star of the week honors among Canadiens players last year. Max Pacioretty earned Second and Third Star nods during the season.

The Question Mark

With the way these two teams ended last season, how should Michel Therrien set his line-up for Thursday's game?

Tonight's Show

Join myself, Rob Elbaz, along with Kosta Papoulias and Corey Collard for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30. Jimmy Murphy from Sirius XM and Web Sports Media's Top Shelf Radio will join us to break down the game from the Bruins perspective.

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How To Improve The Habs' Struggling Power Play

Through four games this season, the Montreal Canadiens' record stands at 3-1, but the team could very well be 0-4 as the Habs got a few lucky bounces late in games. While some players have been playing very well (Tomas Plekanec, Alex Galchenyuk, Dustin Tokarski, to name a few), other players have been struggling mightily, as well as some aspects of the team's overall game.

After four contests, the team has yet to light the lamp up on the power play this season, generating practically nothing offensively when up a man, going 0-for-14. The Habs have been very predictable so far and have had problems getting organized in the offensive zone.

The team's first line of Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais and Brendan Gallagher have scored three power play goals in their last 107 combined NHL games and yet, head coach Michel Therrien keeps playing them together for the most part of the man advantage without getting good results.

The five-man unit needs to stop looking for PK Subban at the point as the opposing teams now designate a defender to check him carefully and force him to pass the puck to Andrei Markov or a forward instead of using his booming slap shot.

The Canadiens need to move the puck faster down low to open the point and facilitate quality shots from the point. Right now, the players are too still and are easy to put in check because of their lack of overall movement.

The team should use an umbrella formation similar to what the Lightning and the Capitals use on the man advantage.

The Canadiens don't have a lethal weapon such as Steven Stamkos or Alexander Ovechkin, but they have a pretty good player named PK Subban.

The team could use Subban on the left side of the ice where he could use his great one-timer and slide up and down the ice to create scoring chances. Markov would be the general on the point and he would dictate the play by moving the puck around the ice and sliding down low to the back door like he used to do on a more consistent basis.

The team should also split Desharnais and Pacioretty as DD is trying to find Patches too hard and, as a result, he doesn't shoot the puck enough and he gets too predictable. I would mix the lines on the power play and send Tomas Plekanec with Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk on the first wave of the PP. Patches could stay in the slot and wait for the one-timer and go after rebounds while Plekanec would stay on the right side of the ice to feed the best open player. Galchenyuk would play behind the net and keep the opposing defensemen on their heels by constantly moving from one side of the net to the other.

The second unit could be Nathan Beaulieu at the point, PA Parenteau on the left side looking for the one-timer, Rene Bourque screening the goalie, David Desharnais controlling the play on right side and Brendan Gallagher or Lars Eller playing down low.

The Habs need to simplify things and stop looking for the perfect play. Find the open lanes, shoot the puck at the net, screen the opposing netminder and bury the rebounds. The players have to display a bigger sense of urgency, because right now they don't seem to care at all.

Another small detail, but why Markov and Subban start on their even-strength side when they know they will eventually switch sides for the one-timer?

The players also need to improve the zone entry as they have a tendency to make soft passes that are easily intercepted or they dump the puck and are unable to retrieve it first because the opponent is too fast and first on the puck.

Michel Therrien will have to start adapting his strategy or the team will become even more predictable than it is right now. Use a forward at the point, put a left winger on the right side of the ice, mix the lines, use the hot players more, bench the struggling players, etc. Therrien needs to be better at reacting and improvising during games when things don't work out well.

And also, practice, practice and practice!

Follow me on Twitter @FredPoulin98.

No Foolin' Fred Poulin

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Game 4 - Canadiens at Lightning

#MTLHockey Preview

Match-up

The Canadiens (3-0-0) are in Tampa Bay Monday night to face the Lightning (1-0-1) in the last match of their four-game season opening road trip. The game is set to start at 7:30 and will be broadcast by RDS, City-Montreal, and Sun Sports.

This is the first of five meetings between the Habs and Lightning this year. Last season, the Habs went 1-1-2 against the Bolts with their only win coming by way of shootout. The division rivals played four tight games during the regular season last year, with the Lightning taking the only one settled in regulation, a 3-1 win that included an empty net goal to seal the victory. Each of the three other games went to overtime tied 1-1.

What to Watch

The General, Andrei Markov, led the charge (see what I did there?) for the Canadiens Saturday night in their comeback win against the Flyers. Markov got things going with the team’s first goal to break Ray Emery’s shut out bid, and then added two assists to help the Habs draw even. The chemistry between Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk continued Saturday night, as Plekanec scored his league best fourth goal of the season and added an assist on Galchenyuk's first marker of the year.

Steven Stamkos is still looking for his first goal of the season. While the Bolts have only played two games, the fact that Stamkos has just 1 assist, is a -1, and has been stopped in his only shootout attempt must be troubling for Lightning fans. On a more positive note, 23-year old defenseman Victor Hedman is off to a strong start, with two goals and an assist already.

What’s at Stake

The Lightning should present the Canadiens with their toughest challenge of the early season. The Bolts will surely be looking to take some revenge on Montreal after the Habs swept Tampa in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

The Canadiens will be also be looking to keep their perfect season alive and return home undefeated after starting the year with four straight road games.

Who’s Out

Alexei Emelin (upper body) was forced to miss Saturday's game against the Flyers. It's unclear whether or not he'll dress for Monday's game.

Rookie-of-the-year favorite Jonathan Drouin has yet to play his first NHL game, he's been sidelined with a thumb injury and doesn't look likely to return in time for Monday's tilt.

What Else

Three times this season the Canadiens have trailed at the end of the first period and three times they’ve battled back to earn wins. Saturday, the Habs overcame their biggest challenge, a 3-0 third period deficit versus the Flyers, but like they had twice already this year, they battled back to draw even and eventually earned their second straight shootout victory.

Last season the Canadiens only won six games in which they trailed after 20 minutes, and just three in which they trailed at the second intermission. This season they've already overcome three first-period and two second-period deficits, and they've only played three games.

The Question Mark

Habs fans, tell us what you are thankful for today.

Tonight’s Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 p.m. Monday to preview the Canadiens and Lightning. Danny DiNicolantonio will join us in the second segment to bring you the Lightning perspective.

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Game 3 - Canadiens at Flyers

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (2-0-0) are in Philadelphia Saturday night to face the Flyers (0-2-0) at the Wells Fargo Center. The puck is set to drop at 7:00 and is being broadcast by City, TVA and CSN-Philly.
This is the first of three meetings between the Habs and Flyers, and the only visit to Philadelphia this season. Last year the Canadiens dropped two of three to Philadelphia, but did manage a 4-1 victory in the only Bell Centre game. Alex Galchenyuk had a pair of assists in the game while Lars Eller, Rene Bourque and Brian Gionta had a goal and assist each.

What to Watch

Don't look now, but Tomas Plekanec is tied for the lead in goals with three in two games. Alex Galchenyuk has been a force on Plekanec's wing with two assists and several scoring chances so far this season. Galchenyuk also led the Habs with five hits in Thursday's 2-1 shootout win over the Capitals. The pair is expected to start with Jiri Sekac on their wing, a spot in the line-up the rookie found himself occupying midway through Thursday's tilt.

Wayne Simmonds is coming off a strong performance against the Devils with a pair of big second period goals to draw the Flyers level and an assist on Vincent Lecavalier's third period marker. In the end the Flyers lost their second straight game to open the season. Steve Mason gave up five goals in the 6-4 loss.

What's at Stake

Despite a pair of slow starts, the Canadiens are going into Philadelphia undefeated to start the season. In just two game the Canadiens have been out-shot 26-8 in the first period and outscored 3-1. While the primary objective has been met each game it stands to reason that Michel Therrien will want to make starting strong a main focus in Saturday's game.

Who's Out

The Canadiens are healthy and Carey Price is expected to start in nets after watching Dustin Tokarski get the job done in Washington. Alexei Emelin will miss the contest with an upper-body injury (ribs) and Jarred Tinordi will make his season debut tonight. It looks like Dale Weise and Michael Bournival will be healthy scratches.

The Flyers are missing star defenseman Chris Pronger, although with his recent appointment to the NHL Department of Player Safety, it doesn't appear as though he'll return to action any time soon. They could also be without Braydon Coburn (lower body) and former Hab Ryan White (chest). Kimmo Timonen (blood clots) may be sidelined for the entire season.

What Else

Despite seven power play opportunities in the two games the Habs have played, they have yet to score with the man advantage. The Canadiens ranked 19th in the league in that category last season and are hoping to get a boost this year from newly acquired defenseman Tom Gilbert and the prospect of Nathan Beaulieu playing a full season with significant power play responsibilities.

The Question Mark

Which part of the Habs game is the most solid and which needs the most improvement?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 p.m. Saturday to preview the Canadiens and Flyers.

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