Game 15 - Canadiens vs Wild

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (9-4-1) are home to host the Minnesota Wild (7-5-0) Saturday night at the Bell Centre. While the game is set to start at 7:00, there will be a ceremony to honor Guy Lapointe and raise his name and number to the rafters beginning at 6:30 (you can jump straight to the What Else section for more on Lapointe). The match will air on TVA and City.

This is the first of two meeting between the Habs and Wild this season. The Canadiens make the trip to the State of Hockey in early December to close out the series. Last season these teams each won their home games, but the 6-2 victory the Habs earned on Noveber 19 last year helped spark an impressive run by the Canadiens. Max Pacioretty picked up a hat trick in the game and the Canadiens went on to earn points in their next nine games, going 9-0-1 over the span, including the win against the Wild.

What to Watch

Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau has already paid dividends on his new team, coming up big for a third time in shootouts this season with the game deciding goal against the Sabres on Wednesday. The Canadiens have a perfect 4-0 record in shootouts this year and Parenteau has converted three of his four attempts, with each of his markers sealing the victory for the Habs.

Like the Habs, the Wild have struggled to find offense at times this season. They were shut out in their last outing against the Senators on Thursday. Former Canadien Thomas Vanek is tied for second on the team in scoring along with minute-eating defensman Ryan Suter. Both have a goal and seven assists.

What's at Stake

They may not be the prettiest victories, but the Canadiens keep finding ways to collect points and sit atop the Eastern Conference in a three-way tie with the Lightning and Penguins. There's a decent gap between the Habs and teams like the Maple Leafs, Flyers and Devils, that right now sit just outside a playoff spot, but the Bruins and Red Wings are within striking distance of Montreal, just one point back.

Who's Out

Michael Bournival was forced to leave Wednesday's game with a shoulder injury and will miss at least a couple of weeks of action. Mike Weaver did not dress last game, he was a last minute scratch due to illness, but is expected to play Saturday. Rene Bourque will be a healthy scratch for a second straight game on Saturday as Travis Moen draws back in to the line-up.

The Wild will be without their biggest offensive threat on Saturday, Zach Parise is out with a concussion and did not travel with the team. Matt Cooke (lower body) and Jared Spurgeon (shoulder) are both on injured reserve, while Keith Ballard is expected to return to action against the Canadiens after missing all but one game this season.

What Else

The Canadiens pay homage to Guy "Pointu" Lapointe tonight, by raising his name to the rafters to join Larry Robinson and Serge Savard, the other two members of the famed "Big Three". Lapointe's number 5 has already been retired, with Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion receiving the honor in 2006, so Lapointe and Geoffrion will become the third pair to share a retired number, along with Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer (12), and Henri Richard and Elmer Lach (16).

Lapointe, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993, holds a couple of records for a Canadiens defensemen. Lapointe's 28 goals in 1974-75 are the most for a Habs blueliner, and his 15 goals in his rookie season are the most for a rookie Habs defender. Pointu also has 6 Stanley Cups to his name and sits second all time in points for a Canadiens defensemen with 572 while wearing the bleu, blanc et rouge.

Lapointe currently serves as Coordinator of Amateur Scouting for the Wild, which is why this game was chosen to mark the occasion. As part of the ceremony, Serge Savard's 18 and Larry Robinson's 19 have been temporarily moved so that Lapointe's number 5 can be reunited with the other two thirds of the Big Three.

Banners for 18 and 19 moved from their usual spots for tomorrow. #Habs pic.twitter.com/nNxYnND4wG
— Heather Engel (@engelheather) November 7, 2014

The Question Mark

What is your favorite Habs memory or moment? Bonus points if it's about the Big Three.

Tonight's Show

The pregame show moves up half an hour to make room for the jersey retirement Saturday night. Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 5:30 to preview the Canadiens and the Wild.

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Sochi 2014 Previews - Team U.S.A.: Young & Hungry

BY: Tony Healey (@T_Loc11)

After walking away with the Silver medal in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Team USA and its fans were left feeling hopeful about the future and yet unsatisfied.  Brian Burke shocked the world and American hockey fans by putting together a young team full of as many role players as All-Stars. That team went to the Gold medal game and lost in OT coming away with the Silver Medal. Now Team USA will be heading into Sochi with high exceptions because of those kids. With a team average age of 26 these kids are now the experienced core, with 14 returning players that should make the team, and will embrace the blue collar team philosophy.

General Manager

David Poile will be the next GM of Team USA and can really leave his mark on USA hockey and this team. He is one of the longest tenured GM’s in the league, serving as GM for 30 consecutive years (15 Washington and 15 Nashville). He was the US National Teams GM for the ‘98 and ‘99 IIHF World Championship and was named to USA Hockey’s National Team Advisory Group in February 2007. In 2010 he was the Special Assistant GM to Brian Burke. Poile’s first major task was to choose a coach and Dan Bylsma is a great choice.

Head Coach

Dan Bylsma may not have any international coaching experience like Tortorella or Laviolette, but he is the Head Coach of Team USA. What Bylsma lacks in international experience he makes up for in managing the big personalities of an All-Star team on a regular basis. He also should be the most qualified coach in the NHL to game plan against the 2 best players in the NHL, Sidney Crosby and EvgeniMalkin.

Goalies

USA has 5 candidates: Craig Anderson (Ott), Ryan Miller (Buf), Jimmy Howard (Det), Jonathan Quick (LA), and Cory Schneider (Van). This is the best crop of goaltenders from any country.

If the #1 goalie isn’t Jonathan Quick in Sochi it would be a huge shock. He has won a Stanley Cup and is one of, if not the best goaltender in the NHL right now. USA’s #2 goalie Jimmy Howard is a strong contender for back up duties mainly because he has posted career numbers the last 2 seasons. In the #3 slot I see Ryan Miller mainly for a veteran presence and leadership role. He did lead the team to the Silver medal in 2010, so that might give him the edge above Anderson and Schneider.  No matter whom the #2 or #3 goalie is in Sochi they have little chance of beating out Quick for the #1 spot. What will really help out Quick is how deep the pool of defenseman is for team USA.

Defenseman

Team Stars and Stripes has 14 defenseman that should be considered: Ryan Suter (MIN), Brooks Orpik (PIT), Keith Yandle (PHX), Kevin Shattenkirk (STL), Ryan McDonagh (NYR), Zach Bogosian (WPG), Dustin Byfuglien (WPG), Paul Martin (PIT), Alex Goligoski (DAL), James Wisniewski (CLB), Jack Johnson (CLB), Erik Johnson (COL), John Carlson (WSH), Justin FaulK (CAR)

Pair #1 - LD Ryan Suter (6’ 1” 198lbs Shoots Left - MIN) RD Keith Yandle (6’ 1” 190lbs Shoots Left - PHX)

Ryan Suter is probably the most obvious choice as Team USA’s top defenseman. Suter will do whatever the team needs from playing the shutdown roll to quarterbacking the power play. Yandle has a booming one timer and is a great skater that has good instincts with the puck.

Pair #2 – LD Brooks Orpik (6’ 2” 219lbs Shoots Left - PIT) RD Kevin Shattenkirk (5’ 11” 207lbs Shoots Right - STL

Brooks Orpik is a big physical defenseman that is one of the most underrated shutdown players in the NHL. He is the top shot blocker and penalty killer that Team USA has on defense. Kevin Shattenkirk is on the smaller side but is very quick and plays one of the best transition games in the NHL.

Pair #3 – LD Ryan McDonagh (6’ 1” 213lbs Shoots Left - NYR) RD Zach Bogosian (6’ 3” 215lbs Shoots Right - WIN)

Ryan McDonagh can play physical, block shots, give timely offense, and play big minutes in every situation especially the penalty kill. Zach Bogosian is a big physical defenseman who plays an aggressive style and really likes to rush the puck.

7^th Defenseman – Dustin Byfuglien (6’ 5” 265lbs Shoots Right - WIN)

Dustin may draw into the line-up as a defenseman or power forward. He is a very strong, versatile player 

that has a nasty side with the size to back it up. Having “Big Buff” on the team will give the coaching staff options and many different potential line-up combinations.

Forwards

With the GM, Coaches, and Defense out of the way it’s on to the toughest part to predict, the offense. Team USA has good depth, not great like team Canada but good depth upfront.

The 21 possibilities are:  Derek Stepan (NYR), Joe Pavelski (SJ), David Backes (STL), Alex Galchenyuk (MTL), Paul Stastny (COL), Brandon Dubinsky (CLB), Ryan Kesler (VAN), Max Pacioretty (MTL), Zach Parise (MIN), James Van Riesmsdyk (TOR), Brandon Saad (CHI), Patrick Kane (CHI), Phil Kessel (TOR), Blake Wheeler (WPG), Ryan Callahan (NYR), Bobby Ryan (ANA), Dustin Brown (LAK), Jason Pominville (MIN), Kyle Okposo (NYI), T.J. Oshie (STL), Drew Stafford (BUF)

Line #1 LW Bobby Ryan (6’ 0” 205lbs, Shoots Right - ANA) C Ryan Kesler (6’ 2” 202lbs Shoots Right - VAN) RW Patrick Kane (5’ 11" 181lbs, Shoots Left - CHI)

Ryan Kesler is one of the best two way centers in the NHL and is a former Selke Trophy winner that is a do everything type of player.  Bobby Ryan can play a gritty game and knows how to use his combination of size and speed to really give the opposition fits in all 3 zones. Patrick Kane is the most creative player with the puck and is one of only two natural scorers on Team USA.  These 3 players lost the gold in Vancouver 2010 and are looking for redemption.

Line #2 LW Zach Parise (5’ 11” 190lbs Shoots Left - MIN) C David Backes (6’ 3” 221lbs Shoots Right - STL) RW Phil Kessel (6’ 0” 202lbs Shoots Right - TOR)

Zach Parise is the 2^nd most offensively talented forward on this team and his play in the other 2 zones is very sound. David Backes is big and plays a punishing brand of hockey. He is almost an unmovable force in front of the net and strong defensively. Phil Kessel is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL and one of its most dangerous snipers. This line has the ability to dominate all over the ice and is almost as talented as the 1^st line.

Line #3 LW Max Pacioretty (6’ 2” 219lbs Shoots Left - MTL) C Joe Pavelski (5’ 11” 190lbs Shoots Right - SJ) RW Dustin Brown (6’ 0” 212lbs Shoots Right - LA)

Max is a power forward in every sense of the word; he has above average speed, good hands, a quick shot and a great work ethic. Joe Pavelski brings a solid 2 way game and is the best faceoff man the United States has. Dustin Brown can provide timely scoring, blocks shots, and hits like a Mac truck. This line should be able to score and really grind teams into a pulp.

Line #4 LW James Van Reimsdyk (6’ 3” 200lbs Shoots Left - TOR) C Paul Stastny (6’ 0” 205lbs Shoots Left - COL) RW Ryan Callahan (5’ 11” 190lbs Shoots Right - NYR)

James Van Reimsdyk (JVR) skates like the wind and does have size. Paul Stastny is known for playing a solid 2 way game and plays bigger than his stature would suggest.  Ryan Callahan plays within his means and does all the little things really well and is one of the NHL’s best penalty killers.

Extra Forward Derek Stepan (6’ 0” 196lbs Shoots Right - NYR)

Derek Stepan will give the US team even more versatility because he can play all 3 offensive positions and play any roll needed.

This team is young but experienced with 14 players returning from the silver medal team in Vancouver 2010. That means while that average age is 26 years old they still have a ton of experience. Adding to the motivation to win is the revenge factor, with the stinging loss at the hands of team Canada in the gold medal game still fresh. It will be exciting to see how this group of tough rugged players come together to fulfill the exceptions of a gold medal.

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Habs/Caps, Prust Wins Jacques Beauchamp Trophy, Norris Race And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Habs defenceman Raphael Diaz returns to the line-up tonight
after a 25 game absence.

The Montreal Canadiens host the Washington Capitals tonight in their last home game in the regular season. The Capitals are coming in to Montreal off a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators which put a stop to their eight game win streak. In their last ten, the Caps are 8-1-1 while the Habs have struggled as of late winning one of their last four and going 5-5 in their previous ten contests.

While the absence of defenseman Alexei Emelin has been hard on the Habs blueline, Raphael Diaz will return to the lineup tonight after missing 25 games with a concussion. The Canadiens will benefit from the return of the Swiss rearguard who looked to be having a breakout season before suffering a concussion. Colby Armstrong who has missed nine games with a knee injury could possibly return tonight as well.

The teams have split the season series so far this season with the Habs winning 4-1 back in January and the Capitals responding with a 3-2 victory in April. This will be the last meeting between the two clubs in the regular season.

While the Habs have clinched a spot in the post season already, the Caps could use the two points to extend their division lead over the Winnipeg Jets. Washington is currently up by two points and have a game in hand on Winnipeg.

Habs And Hockey News

- Fan favorite Brandon Prust is the 2013 winner of the Jacques Beauchamp- Molson Trophy as the Habs unsung hero.

- Andrew Berkshire focuses on Ryan Suter and P.K. Subban in the Norris Trophy race.

- Justin Dahan of Habs Eyes On The Prize has an exclusive interview with Charles Hudon of the Hamilton Bulldogs.


(Photo By Bernard Brault, La Presse)

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CHLPA Vs. Mooseheads, Sunday Shinny Podcast, Bettman Underrated Fehr? And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

I'm going to step away from the NHL labor negotiations for the moment. We are all aware that there have been no recent developments and with no talks scheduled there is very little reason to believe there will be any significant progress in the near future.

And with that, let's talk the CHLPA. It seems there isn't enough drama in hockey right now and so the newly formed CHLPA has decided to make itself known.

With the intentions of  assuring better education programs and fair pay wages to the players, the CHLPA lead by executive director Georges Laraque has taken action against the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads.

The Mooseheads are under fire from the CHLPA due to "violations of labor, pension and employment rules". Mooseheads majority owner Bobby Smith expressed his concern over his players' own concerns but maintained that " I feel we treat our players extremely well...".

The CHLPA has stated that they prefer not to litigate and would like to bring the CHL to the bargaining table.

Habs And Hockey News

- Here's a link to this morning's Sunday Shinny with Gary Whittaker, Nick Murdocco, Amand Stein and myself where we discussed the CHLPA, Andre Harvey's 10 year suspension from coaching after assaulting a 16 year old player, Pat Hickey's fantasy league and more.

- Is it possible Gary Bettman and co. have underestimated Donald Fehr?

- Many players feel the cancellation of the November schedule is simply a scare tactic.

- Habs Eyes On The Prize continues their coverage of the Habs prospects and players overseas.

- Ryan Suter has followed new teammate Zach Parise's lead in sharing his frustration after signing a 13 year $98 million contract.

(Photo by None/Getty Images North America)

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NHL tables offer to PA, Habs sign Diaz, Suter, Rumours and more

Morning puck addicts!

Not much happening on the NHL front this morning except, of course, for the first volley being fired in the new CBA negotiations.

Not surprisingly, it was Gary Bettman and his team who sent the first proposal to the PA. And what a proposal it is!

They want to cut the players' portion of league revenues from 57 percent to 46 percent. They want to cap contracts at a maximum of five years. They want to extend the number of years a player has to play before becoming a free agent (from seven to ten).

What's not to like?

Umm, ya.

So when the PA rejects this deal, and they will in earnest, the question becomes whether this is harden their stance or not. However, knowing Donal Fehr, he was probably ready and waiting for the strong arm approach that Bettman is known for.

With the NHL at it's highest level of popularity basically ever, the league cannot afford to have any kind of prolonged lockout. And Fehr and the PA know it.

Things are sure to get interesting from here!

Hockey News

HabsAddict.com - Press Release - Canadiens Sign Defenseman Raphael Diaz to a Two-Year Contract

Hockey Inside/Out - An offer the PA can and will refuse

TSN - REPORT: NHL TABLES INITIAL CBA PROPOSAL TO NHLPA

ESPN - Thin Blue Line: Impact of Suter deal

THN - Top 10 all-time Europeans

Spector's Hockey - NHL Rumor Roundup – July 13, 2012

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

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Louis Moustakas on CKCU's Red Zone - July 6th 2012

Once again, this week I joined the gang at CKCU's Red Zone to talk Habs and NHL hockey.

Unsurprisingly, the guys and I touch on the recent mega deals signed by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. We also delve into the Montreal Canadiens recent signings and the team's needs moving forward.

You can find the program here.

I jump in around the 42 minute mark. As always, the whole show is worth a listen.

Alex and Josh offer up some really interesting takes on the aforementioned Parise/Suter situation and they also talk about basketball a bit. 

I must admit, I zoned out for that part. Not my thing at all.

In any case, was a blast joining the program again.

---
Louis is an Associate Editor and Senior Writer at HabsAddict.com. Born in Chicago, Louis grew up in Quebec City where he earned Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Université Laval. He is also an occasional guest on CKCU's Red Zone program.

Find him on Twitter @LouisMoustakas

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Parise and Suter Sign, Carle, Montoya and More

Good morning Hab fans!

So, did something big happen yesterday?

Oh yeah, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter signed identical 13-year, 98$ million deals with the Minnesota Wild.

Funny how that happened. 

A mere few months ago, Craig Leipold, majority owner of the Wild, claimed that “we’re not making money and that’s one reason we need to fix our system. We need to fix how much we’re spending."

Meanwhile, Parise and Suter both cited "family" and "location" as important reasons for their decision to head to Minnesota. Right. Not the money.

Bite me. 

Habs News

HockeyBuzz - Habs Not Done... What to do With Weber and Diaz?

Hockey Inside/Out - Profs give Therrien passing grade

Hockey News

ESPN - Pals Parise and Suter able to work it out

ESPN - Watch: Faceoff looks at Parise, Suter deals

La Presse - Avec Parise et Suter, le Wild renaît

Sports Illustrated - Wild instantly enter NHL relevancy after stunning Parise-Suter coup

The Hockey News - Adam Proteau: Minnesota Wild now a model franchise and legit contender

TSN - Numbers Game: Lightning land defenceman Carle

TSN - Numbers Game: Wild win sweepstakes, sign Parise, Suter

TSN - Ralph: Montoya as backup gives Jets youth in the crease

USA Today - Red Wings have options after losing out on Suter

USA Today - Matt Carle signs with Lightning for six years

USA Today - Steve Sullivan signs with Coyotes

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

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Jagr to Dallas, Cap Space, Parise, Suter and More

Good morning Hab fans!

After some speculation that Montreal would be a potential fit, Jaromir Jagr will end up plying is trade in Dallas in 2012-13. Yesterday, the Czech forward signed a one-year, 4.5$ million deal with the Stars. 

Although it would have been intriguing to watch the future Hall of Famer ride shotgun with Tomas Plekanec, I don't truly believe his presence would aid the long-term growth of the squad.

Nor do I understand how Joe Nieuwendyk feels he fits in Dallas. Honestly, between signing aging forwards (Ray Whitney and Jagr) and losing blueliners (Sheldon Souray and Adam Pardy), it is hard to see the master plan in Big D.

---

Speaking of free agents, many people seem to be getting rather antsy for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to sort out their contracts. After all, their continued indecision is holding up the market and boring many in media. 

To this impatience, many have answered that they are allowed to take their time, after all they are both making significant decisions about the next ten years of their lives. 

Fair enough. 

But why do they have to make a decision for the next decade? Are they somehow dispossessed of the ability to sign shorter term contracts? Could they not sign a one, two or three year contract instead? 

In the end, at least part of their stress is self-inflicted.  

Alright, enough ranting, off to the news

Habs News

HabsWorld - How much money do the Habs have left to spend?

La Presse - Mathieu Darche n'a reçu aucune offre

SportsNet - Habs GM on Gomez: 'I'm not buying him out'

Hockey News

ESPN - Aging Jaromir Jagr can still shine in Dallas

ESPN - Hockey world waits on Parise, Suter

ESPN - Who will win Derek Roy-for-Steve Ott swap?

La Presse - Joueurs autonomes: les bons et moins bons coups

Sports Illustrated - Stars and Sabres seeking identity

The Hockey News - Never-ending Nash talks continue

TSN - Numbers Game: Stars sign Jaromir Jagr

TSN - Report: Suter offered 13-year, $90 million deal by Red Wings

TSN - Salvador re-signs with Devils on three-year, $9.5M deal

TSN - Ralph: Jets are a better team with signing of Jokinen

TSN - Rangers sign Pyatt to two-year, $3.1 million contract

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America)

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Habs sign Emelin, Moen profile, Free Agency Roundup, Leafs, Suter, Parise and more

Morning puck addicts!

Well, today is the day you've been waiting for...free agency day.

The free agency gates open at noon today and, with Canada Day in the backdrop, this is sure to be an explosive afternoon.

The big names currently set to hit the open market are Preds' defenseman Ryan Suter and Jersey forward Zach Parise.

Hall-of-fame-to-be goalie Martin Brodeur, also looks ready to test the market after playing his entire career with the Devils.

Tune in at noon when the sparks start flying!

On the Habs front, GM Marc Bergevin continued to cross off items from his to-do list, signing hard hitting defenseman, Alexei Emelin, to a two-year pact yesterday. The deal will pay the Russian $2 million per.

There is always speculation and rumours swirling at this time of the year. From Montreal, it seems Bergevin in intent on addition a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman. It also seems that he is exploring the trade market for one or both of these players.

I think it's safe to say that there will be some moving and shaking from the Habs front office, whether today or in the coming days and weeks.

So the question of the day is, if the Habs go fishing in the free agent pool, who would be the one player you'd most like to see them sign?

Habs News

HabsAddict - Habs Offseason Player Profile: Travis Moen

HabsAddict - Press Release - Habs Sign Emelin to Two-Year Deal

Hockey Inside/Out - You be the general manager

Habsworld/net - 2012 UFA Preview: Forwards, Part 1

Hockey News

TSN - MAPLE LEAFS BUY OUT FINAL YEAR OF ARMSTRONG'S CONTRACT

TSN - NUMBERS GAME: OILERS SECURE SCHULTZ'S SERVICES

TSN - MCKENZIE: A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY SCHULTZ CHOSE THE OILERS

TSN - PREDATORS, GAUSTAD AGREE TO FOUR-YEAR, $13 MILLION CONTRACT

TSN - AGENT: PREDATORS D SUTER WILL HIT NHL'S FREE AGENT MARKET

ESPN - Rumblings: Suter not in hurry to pick team

THN - VIDEO: THN Puck Panel – 2012 free agent frenzy

Spector's Hockey - NHL Trade and Free Agent Rumors – June 30, 2012

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

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