OK, admit it. With the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins ready for a major grudge match tonight at the Bell Centre, there is only one thing on your mind:
Will Hal Gill score a goal in a third consecutive game?
Umm, no? That's not what's on your mind? Strange.
Well, perhaps you are too busy thinking about the last time these two teams faced off, on February 9th, in Boston. Maybe you're thinking about the 182 minutes of penalties that were called in that game, or the 12 fights that broke out, or the 8-6 final score, or the Benoit Pouliot one-punch knockout of David Krejci or three Boston tough guys gooning it up against Tom Pyatt, Roman Hamrlik and Jaroslav Spacek in the dying minutes of the game?
Or maybe, just maybe, you are wondering if tonight's game—the fifth of six meetings between these two teams this season—is going to be another blood bath.
While anything is possible and there is sure to be a ton of intensity tonight, I highly doubt it will be anything close to what we witnessed in early February.
The fact is that while there is clearly no love lost between these two teams, they are both in the thick of major playoff positioning races and need the two points in the standings.
As such, I expect a hard-fought playoff intensity tonight where both teams do everything in their power to win the game with their sticks—not their fists.
Standings
The Bruins are currently first in the Northeast division and second overall in the Eastern Conference, with a 38-19-8 record for 84 points in 65 games. A win tonight by Boston and a loss by Philadelphia would move the Bruins into a tie with the Flyers for first overall in the East, with 86 points.
After beating Montreal 8-6 in February, the Bruins lost three straight games followed by an incredible seven-game win-streak to pull five points ahead of Montreal in the standings.
Boston is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
Montrea has also had its share of success lately, after going into a swoon following their February loss to the Bruins. The Habs are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, have a 36-23-7 record for 79 points and are 5-1-0 in their last six.
As such, tonight's collision course will feature two of the hottest teams in the league.
Montreal is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings and a regulation win by the Habs would put them three points behind Boston, who holds one game in hand. A Canadiens' win would also leave them one point back of the slumping Lightning for fifth overall and three back of Pittsburgh and the Caps.
Goaltending
No, it is not likely that Carey Price and Tim Thomas will drop the gloves again and no, it is not likely that they will each let in six or more goals.
What is likely, however, is that both teams will return to their tight defensive play and that both goaltenders will put on All-Star performances.
Price will be getting his 59th start of the season to Thomas' 47. While Price has 31 wins to Thomas' 29, it is beyond impressive that the latter has done so in only 47 starts.
Thomas leads all goaltenders with a 1.97 GAA and a sparkling .939 save percentage.
Price was just named the NHL's third star of the week yesterday, having won his last three starts where he stopped 113 of 116 shots for a ridiculous .974 save percentage.
Scoring and Special Teams
The Bruins, who at one point were among the lowest scoring teams in the league, have been a scoring machine of late, buoyed by their trade deadline acquisitions of Tomas Kaberle and Rich Peverley.
Boston now has the fifth overall goals-for at 3.0 per game, the second overall goals-against with 2.3 per game, the 18th overall power play at 17.1 percent and the 13th penalty kill at 82.6 percent.
The Habs, on the other hand, are still the lowest scoring current playoff team, with a measly 22nd overall 2.6 per game. Amazingly, Montreal has scored only two fewer goals than the "high-octane" Washington Capitals—178 goals-for—this season.
The Habs have the eighth best power play at 19.9 percent efficiency to counter their anemic five-on-five scoring. As such, if the Bruins goon it up tonight, Montreal would be wise to walk away, take the penalty and make them pay on the scoreboard.
On the defensive side of the puck, Montreal continues their strong play with the eighth best goals-for at 2.5 per game and the seventh best penalty kill at 83.8 percent efficiency.
Roster Changes and Injuries
There is no official word yet on roster changes for the Canadiens, but it would not be surprising to see Paul Mara and Ryan White back in the lineup in place of Yannick Weber and Tom Pyatt, respectively.
Both Mara and White bring size and grit to the lineup, while still having the ability to play hockey. Otherwise, I would expect pretty much the same roster from the Habs that has won five of the last six.
The surging Bruins are also unlikely to tinker with a lineup that has won seven of its last eight games.
Montreal continues to be without the services of Andrei Markov, Josh Gorges, Jaroslav Spacek and Mathieu Darche, although Darche did practice by himself this week and could be back in the lineup in the near future.
The B's are still without Marc Savard, who is out indefinitely, while Andrew Ference, Patrice Bergeron and Steven Kampfer continue to be day-to-day.
Key Matchup
Ordinarily, I would say that the matchup to watch is Price versus Thomas, as both are sure to bring their "A" games to the rink tonight. That being said, I think the reality is that the true matchup to watch will be Milan Lucic versus Carey Price.
The Habs had no answer for the Lucic line last time these two teams played, with the Boston behemoth screening, crashing into and otherwise making Price's life difficult. Boston is sure to employ a similar strategy tonight in order to get one of the hottest goalies in the league off his game.
Keep in mind that Montreal hadn't yet acquired Brent Sopel and Paul Mara the last time these two teams went to battle, and while both are on the slower side, they bring size and physicality that was previously lacking.
It will be interesting to see if they are able to provide more space for Price tonight.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
So what do you think the over/under is on the first penalty being called? I say five minutes into the game.
New Sunday Shinny Podcast
On this episode of the Sunday Shinny, Gary Whittaker, Amanda Stein and Kamal Panesar of HabsAddict, welcome HABIT-HER-WAY (Erica) to the panel.
Topics include:
-Can or should the Habs get more physical by using the newly formed lined with Kostitsyn, Eller and Moen?
-Are you impressed enough with the play of Gomez of late, or should Desharnais be given the opportunity?
-We eventually get to Carey Price, but spend quite a bit of time talking Michael Jackson and Charlie Sheen.
-Quick round of interesting questions to keep the panel on their toes
Click play below to listen in (listing time 43:03):
--- Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and Habs writer on TheFranchise.ca. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 8 - 9 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/
Whether or not this is the first move or the final piece for the season, in what appears to be a busy trade deadline for the Habs GM, is yet.
Here is my take on what Gauthier's latest move does for the team.
Nigel Dawes
Dawes is a left wing/center from Winnipeg, Manitoba. At 5’9, what he lacks in size he more than makes up for in determination with a game based on speed, grit and a deadly wrist shot.
Originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2003 entry draft, Dawes found himself the recipient of many accolades including being named part of arguably the best World Junior Championship team in history. On that team, he was playing alongside Anthony Stewart of the Atlanta Thrashers and Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Oddly enough, although dealt for Ben Maxwell just yesterday, these two forwards were actually teammates in the 2004-05 season as part of the Kootenay Ice of the WHL.
What this does for the team?
The acquisition of Dawes provides Jacques Martin with the luxury of a player on a two way contract with more than 200 regular season games of NHL experience.
Only Dustin Boyd—currently playing with the Hamilton Bulldogs—has this level of NHL experience. Unfortunately, Boyd is on one-way contract and would have to clear waivers to play NHL level once again.
But I digress.
Dawes has the ability to play all three forward positions and will certainly be the first call-up from the AHL should the need arise.
Brent Sopel
Sopel is a big D-man out of Calgary, Alberta. At 6’2 and 205 lbs., Sopel already finds himself on his sixth NHL team in just 12 NHL seasons. Originally drafted in the 6th round of the 1995 NHL entry draft, Sopel is on his last legs in the NHL.
Despite his diminishing mobility, Sopel found himself as the leading plus/minus player on the Atlanta Thrashers with a plus-seven, and currently sits seventh overall in the NHL in blocked shots with 130.
What this does for the team?
Sopel fills an enormous whole in our line-up, which has been present since the loss of Josh Gorges. Our penalty kill was second in the NHL prior to the loss of Gorges and now finds itself out of the top 10.
Sopel will rectify a struggling PK, provide yet another tremendous shot blocking presence and provide leadership and experience by bringing yet another Stanley Cup ring to what appears to be an already solid room.
Furthermore, with the loss of Jaroslav Spacek to what appears to be a season ending injury and the addition of Paul Mara, our defense core has been transformed from one of the youngest and smallest in the NHL to one of the most experienced and biggest in the league.
Our third pairing defense of Mara and Sopel are big, strong and will make it harder for the opposition to get to the front of the net.
Overall Analysis
The additions of both Dawes and Sopel are primary examples of trade deadline rental pick ups.
The Canadiens traded away a young center who likely had no place on this team anymore, along with a fourth round pick for players who add some serious depth to a playoff bound team.
My only fear is that we are facing a situation similar to what we saw in 2009 with a large number of UFA players with contracts coming to an end.
Only P.K. Subban and Jaroslav Spacek remain under contract for next season with Andrei Markov, Hal Gill, James Wizniewski, Brent Sopel, Paul Mara, and Roman Hamrlik facing UFA uncertainty and with Josh Gorges, Yannick Weber and Alex Picard all facing RFA status.
The uncertainty on our back end is troubling going forward.
What's Next?
I highly doubt that Gauthier is finished tinkering with the line-up because he has failed to address the lack of size up front.
With Andrei Kostitsyn almost as good as gone and with a log jam on defense, I firmly believe that we will see Gauthier make at least two more deals before the deadline.
The first move will see the team land themselves a top-six forward with size, grit and youth on his side and the second move will see a bottom-six player with size and toughness.
In my opinion the team to target as a dance partner is the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues find themselves in the unique position of having three elite power-forwards in David Backes, T.J. Oshie and Chris Stewart with complementary components like Brad Boyes, David Perron, Andy McDonald, Alex Steen and Patrick Berglund.
What you don't see as part of this unit of forwards however is a left winger; a position where the Habs are bursting at the seams. Having already come off two separate deals in two seasons I foresee yet another trade between these clubs.
Although I originally proposed making a deal for David Backes, prying this kid out of St. Louis will be tough. Can we therefore see the exchange of two enigmatic wingers like Andrei Kostitsyn for Brad Boyes perhaps?
What about Montreal ultimately dealing a player like Mike Cammalleri?
Although he is highly regarded with the Habs can we see No.13 dealt for Backes, or perhaps back to the LA Kings in exchange for Dustin Brown or perhaps for Wayne Simmonds and a defensive prospect?
The next 72 hours will determine what happens to this squad but I will say this now: I have confidence in what Pierre Gauthier is going to do.
Man I feel almost dirty saying that!
--- Willey was the shining light among the wicked growing up as the lone Habs fan in Toronto. Pray to Holy Ghosts of the old forum and all shall be answered I was told, and just like that my family was transferred back to Montreal and away from the damned. Olé Olé Olé.
Montreal Canadiens' GM Pierre Gauthier continued retooling his injury-depleted team today, trading prospect Ben Maxwell and a fourth-round pick in the 2011 draft to the Atlanta Thrashers for Brent Sopel and Nigel Dawes.
With Jaroslav Spacek on the sidelines with an undisclosed injury and rumours circulating that he could be done for the season, Sopel represents insurance on the back end.
Dawes, who is playing on his fifth NHL team in four years, will report to the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Cap Implications
Habsworld.net's Brian La Rose explained that:
"Sopel's acquisition eats up a little more than half of the Habs' remaining full season acquisition space, dropping it to a little below $1.85 million. However, with the uncertainly surrounding Spacek, that number could grow still. Sopel makes $2 million this season with a $2,333,333 cap hit, while Dawes makes $650,000 at the NHL level, and $105,000 in the minors. Due to that AHL salary, he doesn't require re-entry waivers."
Analysis
This is an excellent, if slightly expensive, insurance move by Pierre Gauthier who bolsters his back end with a playoff-hardened veteran in Brent Sopel.
With the logjam at center—Tomas Plekanec, Scott Gomez, David Desharnais, Lars Eller and Jeff Halpern—it was becoming more and more apparent that Maxwell had lost his shot at making the big club.
The emergence of Desharnais this season was the final nail in Maxwell's coffin.
While Dawes, who will report to the Bulldogs, is another smallish player (5'9"), he plays with a ton of grit. He will provide depth for the Habs if they need an NHL ready player to fill a spot in the bottom-six.
Back to Sopel, his acquisition means that the Canadiens now have nine defensemen on their NHL roster: Hal Gill, P.K. Subban, Roman Hamrlik, Jaroslav Spacek, Yannick Weber, James Wizniewski, Alexandre Picard, Paul Mara and Brent Sopel.
Something's got to give.
If we assume that Spacek will be out for a while, if not the rest of the season, then that leaves eight defensemen. The Habs are sure to, at a minimum, waive Picard or send him down to the minors, but Jacques Martin is a coach who likes to roll six defenseman.
To me this either means a change in philosophy from the coach or another move by the GM, possibly for a top-six forward and possibly shipping Yannick Weber out of town.
Now before you blow your computer up at the Weber comment you have to remember that if Gauthier is going after a bona fide top-sixer, and that is a big if, Weber represents one of the Habs' best trading assets.
If I was a betting man, I'd say that Gauthier has one more move up his sleeve.
Overall, this is a good move for the Canadiens who bring in another Stanley Cup champion player with experience to play on the back end. The Habs just became more experienced and grittier and I, for one, am a fan of the move.
--- Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and Habs writer on TheFranchise.ca. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 8 - 9 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/
(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images North America)
MONTREAL CANADIENS ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN BRENT SOPEL AND FORWARD NIGEL DAWES FROM THE ATLANTA THRASHERS IN RETURN FOR BEN MAXWELL AND A 4TH ROUND PICK IN 2011
MONTREAL (February 24, 2011) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced today that the team acquired defenseman Brent Sopel and forward Nigel Dawes from the Atlanta Thrashers, in return for forward Ben Maxwell and a 4th round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Sopel will join the Canadiens tonight, while Dawes will report to the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs.
Sopel, 34, played in 59 of the Thrashers 61 games thus far this season, recording seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) while averaging 16:25 of time on ice. He totalled 40 shots on goal and 16 penalty minutes. Sopel currently ranks second on the team, first among defensemen with a +7 plus/minus differential, and ranks second on the club, 7th in the NHL with 130 blocked shots.
The 6’2 and 205 lbs defenseman, who won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, is in his 11th NHL season. Since he first joined the NHL back in 1998-99, Sopel amassed a total of 218 regular season points (44 goals, 174 assists) in 647 regular season games with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Atlanta. He has a career +33 plus/minus differential and totaled 309 penalty minutes. Sopel also played in 64 career playoff games, registering 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists). He played in all Blackhawks 22 playoff games in 2010 recording six points (1-5-6).
A native of Calgary, Sopel was a 6th round selection, 144th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.
Dawes, 26, played in nine games with the Thrashers in 2010-11, his fourth NHL season. The 5’09” and 200 lbs forward recorded one assist while averaging 11:11 of time on ice. He is currently 4th in scoring with the AHL Chicago Wolves with 44 points in 47 games (27 goals, 17 assists). He leads the team, and ranks 3rd in the AHL in goals (27).
Born in Winnipeg, Dawes was a 5th round pick, 149th selection overall, by the New York Rangers in 2003. He played in a total of 208 career regular season games in the NHL with the Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and Atlanta Thrashers. He registered 84 career points (39 goals, 45 assists) and 43 penalty minutes.
Selected in the 2nd round by the Canadiens, 49th overall in 2006, Ben Maxwell was held scoreless in 20 games with the Canadiens during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. This year with the Hamilton Bulldogs, he recorded 40 points in 47 games (11 goals, 29 assists) and 32 penalty minutes.
First things first: Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks, their owners, management team, and most of all their fans!
The Hawks deserve the win and it was nice to see an original-six team who has not won the cup in 49 years, hoist Lord Stanley's mug.
Congratulations also goes to the Flyers organization and their fans for a well fought series and a great run.
OK, so niceties aside, here are nine things that I noticed about Wednesday night's Game 6:
1. The winning goal was the weakest goal of the playoffs
As well as Michael Leighton has played for stretches of the playoffs, when all the chips were down and he needed to make a routine save, he failed, letting in what could easily be described as the worst/weakest goal of the entire 2010 playoffs.
So what do we make of him now?
Leighton wasn't alone, in this series, as I have to agree with the experts who are saying that this was the worst display of goaltending in a Stanley Cup final in recent memory.
2. Scotty Bowman, as senior hockey advisor in Chicago, won another cup ring
In the post-game on-ice scrum, Scotty Bowman was interviewed by CBC. During the interview he explained how he never wanted to leave the Wings organization but couldn't turn down his son, who has overcome two bouts of Hodgkin's disease.
The win give Bowman 12 cup victories—nine as head coach and three as a member of the front office.
Good on you, Scotty!
3. Stan Bowman has no lips
No, really, the guy has no lips.
Watch his interview again. The dude has no lips.
I'm just sayin'.
4. Adam Burish has an awesome personality!
Wow. What a personality. I think he said "Man" and "Dude" a bunch of times during his on-ice interview, and he seems like a very down-to-Earth individual. He sounds like a great guy and someone I'd love to grab a beer with!
5. Duncan Keith is a hillbilly and I never knew that before
I have to admit that I have never heard Duncan Keith being interviewed before and, gap-toothed smile aside, I never realized that he is a country bumpkin.
It's not that there's anything wrong with that, but I was just surprised when he spoke.
Good for you, Duncan! Enjoy the cup for now because I predict the Norris Trophy is the next piece of hardware you'll be holding.
6. CBC's Ron McLean should not be trying interview coach Joel Quenneville while the team is taking their impromptu team picture with the cup.
Not much more to say here. McLean should know better and Quenneville should have just run away from him and jumped into that picture!
7. The Hawks have more red heads than any other team in the league
Not that we're counting, but it seemed like everyone that was being interviewed had red hair or a red beard.
Interesting. Perhaps that is the key to their success!
8. Brent Sopel looks like someone I would not want to cross in a dark alley
This is probably mostly because of the scraggly beard he was sporting, but he looked bad-ass.
9. The Hawks won the cup for the first time in 49 years and they deserve it
Enjoy it Hawks fans. Congratulations once again!
So that's it. The season is over. Now it's time for the winners to bask in their victory or for the losers to think about the what-ifs.
There is no rest for the wicked, as the June entry draft is just around the corner—two weeks away.
So for all you hockey fans out there, enjoy the summer, enjoy the rumours as they start to whirl, and enjoy the fact that hockey is just an awesome game to watch.
HabsAddict.com - Don Cherry Comments on the Zdeno Chara, Max Pacioretty Hit 
