Tuesday, October 6, 2009

2009 - 2010 Game Preview. GAME 3. Canadiens vs. Flames

This pretty Swiss girl is hoping that her compatriot Yannick Weber can help out a battered and bruised Canadian team as they get ready to take on the Calgary Flames at 9 pm ET. In this all Canadian showcase, both teams are 2-0-0 but on two very different levels. The Flames are a big team with probably the best Top 3 on the blue line in the league. Their Head Coach Brent Sutter has been known to preach a physical game as we have seen from the 2005 and 2006 World Junior Championship teams that pummeled their opponents to a pulp. The Canadiens have gotten by on scrappy play by their small but extremely talented forwards and courageous play by their depleted defense.

Game Story Lines
The Canadiens will switch up their D pairings again tonight, as Josh Gorges will play with Hal Gill, Yannick Weber will have his season debut alongside Paul Mara, and the Czech Connection of Hamrlik and Spacek remain intact. Kyle Chipchura will center the fourth line as Glen Metropolit heals his bruised ribs. Travis Moen will stay on the third line after and incredible and inspired game in Buffalo on Saturday. New Flame Jay Bouwmeester has played huge minutes in his first two games, averaging about 20:00 per. Miikka Kiprusoff has defied his usual slow start the season, as he as been sparkling, almost as sparkling as Carey Price. The Flames big and tough two way players like Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross will be trying to crash the net and attack the smaller Canadiens.

Canadiens keys to victory
To beat the Flames tonight, it is not going to be with pure skill alone, the Habs must keep playing courageous and fearless Hockey, not being afraid of getting roughed when they drive to the net. At the same time, they must be aware that the Depth Chart is thin, and although we are 2-0 without some key players, we still must make sure to keep healthy. So boys, don't let Dion Phaneuf catch you with you head down, you saw what happened to Kyle Okposo, you are going to be drinking your dinner through a straw for a couple days. But the underlying theme of this match-up is GOALTENDING. Carey Price has played two great games in a row for probably the first time since late 2008 and the Canadiens are not going to get far if he doesn't do it again tonight.

Finally a fun little fact for you today: Rush Limbaugh and St. Louis Blues Owner Dave Checketts are trying to purchase the St. Louis Rams. I'm sure if asked about the Rams awful record to start this year, Rush will blame it on the Liberal Media.

Enjoy the late start.
Peace True Believers,
E

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