The Comeback. Habs at Blues.

I was actually looking forward to this game because it would be an awesome foray back into blogging by bringing up that after almost a full season of hockey, the "fans" who booed Carey Price in the pre-season would finally have to face the oh so sweet music called "Surprise! You're a bunch of friggin' tards!" Maybe when they saw that Carey Price is top ten in every major statistical category (including first in wins and second in shutouts) they would finally shut up about trading away Jaroslav Halak who ranks an impressive 22nd in wins and 33rd in save percentage. Perhaps they would also shut up about Lars Eller being useless and a bust, since his heroics were a huge part of our victory against Boston and he has recorded 5 points in as many games. I'm not a dick, but I really wanted to "I told you so" the shit out of some hapless trolls. Yes that's a Charlie Sheen reference, the Habs are "WINNING!" aren't they?
Unfortunately the ineptitude of the National Hockey League to address the safety of it's young players following the events of March 9th has left a big fart cloud over the city. Everything you could think of has been said concerning the matter and I think it's just time to wish Max Pacioretty a speedy recovery and get on to playing. The Blues are a non playoff team so therefore of course they will be a serious challenge to the Canadiens. Let's just forget about Zdeno Chara, Air Canada and however you spell "Turn-buckle" and get two big points tonight. The game is in St. Louis so there will be no assholes who will boo Halak even thought they probably bought one of those stupid stop sign T-Shirts over the summer. Enjoy the game, go Habs, and if any of you fine young ladies practice the art of erotic dance, why don't you stop by the Montreal General Hospital tonight to pay a certain young Canadien a visit. I'm sure his fiancee won't mind. It's for the good of the team.
Peace true believers,
E

Training Camp Opens.

Here we goooo again.
The 2010-2011 edition of the NHL season kicks off in a way today with the opening of Habs training camp, and already journalists have found a way to stir some trouble up.
Yesterday La Presse reported that Brian Gionta would be named team captain, fans rejoiced at the prospect of the team being formally led by a bona fide winner who struck gold at both the NHL and NCAA level. So of course Mr. Gionta has no idea, and management refuses to say anything.
I love when things are just so damn clear.
Anyway, the team is almost 100% set from the get go, as Cammalleri, Gomez, Gionta, Plekanec, Pouliot, Kostitsyn, Pyatt, Boyd, Halpern, Moen, Lapierre, Eller and Darche should make up the forwards. Gill, Gorges, Hamrlik, Spacek, O'Byrne, Subban and an injured Markov should make up the defensive corps and Price and Auld will be in nets.
Fringe players like Pacioretty, Maxwell, White and Desharnais should fight for a reserve spot on the team while young guys like Leblanc and Tinordi will be sent to their junior teams to hone their skills.
I do not think there will be any major surprises, as no one else really has NHL caliber talent. One player who might surprise minimally could be Alexander Avtsin, a highly talented Russian who fell to the fourth round because of the inconsistency of Russians coming to North America. Do not think he is some Guillaume Latendresse type guy who will become a exhibition fan favorite, but he should have a very good year in Hamilton.
In other news, former Habs coach Pat Burns is fighting for his life at home surrounded by Family and my thoughts go out to him. He is a class act who has been one of the most succesful coaches of the last 25 years.
Good luck Mr. Burns.
Peace,
E

Game 5 Don't give up just yet...

Well, I guess things aren't going exactly to plan.

After two stunning series victories the Canadiens have looked, well, like they did midseason when nothing was going right.

Really, 1 shot in the second period? Poop is kinda hitting the fan. Well it's not the time to give up just yet, the Habs have come back game after game after game, each time their backs were against the wall. This city just has to keep believing. They can still kick some ass, even if they are the big bad Flyers.

In other news, the Blackhawks advanced to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1992 and seem to be a team on a mission, their deep group of talent is certainly impressive, with Olympic MVP Jonathan Toews, Calder Trophy winner Patrick Kane, Slovakian superstar Marian Hossa and Norris Trophy candidate Duncan Keith.. Whoever comes out of the East will have their hands full with that All Star line up.

Have faith boys n girls. The show ain't over yet.

Peace true believers,

E

Series restored, and game #3 Preview RANT ALERT

Remember when I said don't panic? Well all I can say is it feels damn good to be right.
Last night was a covincing victory that seemed to really get under the skin of the Flyers. Oh, we're dicks because we put our top PP line on when we were already up 4-1? I'm sorry, I thought this was the stanley cup playoffs. It was a three goal load, not like we were embarassing you like you guys did in game one. If you guys want to jack a score up 6-0, don't start talking about bad karma when we repay the favor you cream cheese eating ingrates.
What else is on my mind? Oh yeah, tonight when asked about the chipiness of BOTH teams by Brent Wallace, Darren Dreger decided to instead go on a tagent talking 1) Gorges high sticking Claude Giroux but it being okay because he "apologized", 2) Scott Gomez tapping Dan Carcillo on the head after Carcillo cheapshotted him in order to get a retaliation penalty and 3) Mike Cammalleri pushing off a defender to score the first goal of the game, Dregs then HAD to add that "Many people think that shouldn't have been a goal".
You know what, I know that you and the rest of your Leaf groupies cannot wait for the Canadiens to be bounced so you could instead talk about Brian Burke's new five year plan that starts with the brilliant "trade Tyler Seguin/Taylor Hall and another first round pick" move, but we're still in this, and we're not going away so easy. We are the last Canadian team in the playoffs, I'm sure if the Canucks were in our place all the focus would be on the quetionable play of our opponents. We Montrealers who actually want to watch in English turn to TSN for it's intelligent insight from both sides, you really think you are going to lure viewers in when they have to watch their team get dissed for 3 minutes? Instead of ignoring the fact that FLYER Scott Hartnell instigated a fight in the last 5 minutes and how in the regular season that would be a suspension, why don't you actually focus on the fact that this is a chippy affair on both sides and stop portraying the Canadiens as a team that does not deserve to be at this point.
I think I needed to get that out of my system.
Anyways it should be a physical and emotional game tomorrow and let's hope the Habs show what they can do and expose Leighton early and often.
Peace true believers,
E

Conference Finals Previews.

I think we all felt like the Canadiens were doing something really freaking special as we watched them take down the President's Trophy winners and the reigning Stanley Cup champions. I'm sure we thought it would be the talk of the playoffs.

Then the Flyers have to steal our thunder by coming back 3-0, in games won and and in goals in game 7. Instead of playing a beat up and scared Bruins team, we play an inspired Flyers team that will probably get Jeff Carter back in their line up early in the series. On a positive note, we take on Michael Leighton, a guy who at one point, was actually on the Habs, as a third goalie who never played a minute for us and was traded at the 2007 draft for a seventh round pick.

I cannot tell you what is going to happen in this series, because no one thought the 7th and 8th team would face off for a trip to the Stanley Cup, but I can tell you this much. If the Canadiens continue to frustrate the opposing teams top players, and Jaroslav Halak puts in another solid performance, there should be no reason why the Canadiens do not come up to accept the Prince of Wales trophy.

As for the West, truthfully I hope both teams get Influenza, like what happened in 1918, and whoever makes it from the East wins by default. Seeing as that won't happen, I'm going to call Hawks in 6. I think Chicago makes the jump and becomes an elite team.

So enjoy the off day, tomorrow is going to be nucking futs.

Peace true believers,

E

Game 6 Preview: City on the edge.

After the Canadiens dramatic come from behind win against the Penguins Thursday night, I got the call that I would have the chance to attend game 6 tonight. I had high hopes resting on Saturday;s game, knowing that a win in Game 5 would give me a chance to see the Canadiens eliminate the Pens in front of a raucous Bell Centre crowd. So of course we lose Game 5. You know what though, I still have hope for this team. This is a team that can get the job done, they have shown us their grit in the clutch from the Washington series. There is no reason why the Canadiens can't skate out with a win and force a game seven. All they need is the fan support so be loud as hell. I wanna be partially deaf in the ear by the time the first is done.

Who knows what's going on with the D, I would just look stupid to speculate. Spacek looks ready to go, and Gill will be a game time decision. Makov will not play, I am sure of that.

So get ready, because in just over two hours, it will be Hockey's version of judgement day.

If the Canadiens win tonight, there is mad hope that they can take this series on Wednesday.

Peace true believers,

E

Game 4 preview. Do not panic.

Well I think it's safe to say we all have avoided talking about Tuesday night's game. The truth is, the Canadiens gave it all they had, they just ran into a very good goaltender. It is not time to freak out, this series is not over yet. The Canadiens need to put the same effort in tonight, but they must keep the momentum up with an early goal or two. The series is not over, far from it. The Canadiens MUST win tonight, the Penguins are more consistent than the Capitals and will have no problem closing out a 3-1 series.

Enjoy the game, hopefully the weather clears up.

Peace true believers,

E

Trying to grab the Bull by the Balls. Game 3 Preview.

Hear those loud obnoxious horns, you see that effigy of Sid Crosby being burned at stake? No the FLQ haven't taken over, it's Round Two in Montreal! The streets will be buzzing and the Bell Centre will be at a decibel level formerly not known to mankind. The average Blood Alcohol level on Ste. Catharines tonight should be able to put the entire population in Westmount in the drunk tank for the night.

But I digress...

The Pittsburgh Penguins are not the Washington Capitals, they actually do have more self confidence than a 14 year old with a zit on her forehead. They can get the job done if given the chance to execute. So the Canadiens need to keep up their defensive wizardry. Hal Gill, Josh Gorges and P.K. Subban have to be rocks on the blue line yet again. Mike Cammalleri needs to keep finding those dead spots in the zone, and Andrei Kostitsyn needs to be super glued to the bench.

Emphasis on the Super Glue.

If the Canadiens can pull a victory off tonight, they put themselves in the driver's seat of this Eastern Conference Semi Final, and a lead a series 2-1 for the first time since the Bruins series in 2008. Our third line center was Bryan Smolinski. Yeah, it's been a while.

Enjoy the game and anyone who boos the national anthem should have to make out with Evgeni Malkin

I know, I've already used this picture. But I feel now is a good time to bring it out of the Montreal Hypocrites archive.

Peace true believers,

E

Game time. Round Two: Canadiens vs. Penguins

Well, now that the after party of our stunning game seven victory is nearing it's end, it's time to face a sobering reality. Tonight the Canadiens take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, the defending Stanley Cup champions led by Sidney Crosby who had 14 points in only six games against the Senators.

Buzz kill,

I know.

So how can we take this team down? They are more disciplined than the Capitals, have proven goaltending and their best players have been their best players. If this team wants to hold up against the Penguins they need to keep doing what they are doing, but improve greatly in other areas. For example, the shut down tandem of Gill and Gorges will need to continue to frustrate the opponent's top lines by getting their sticks in traffic and muscling them off the puck. Although, only 15 shots are not going to be enough to outscore this team. Marc Andre Fleury is a far more mature, consistent and talented Goalie than Semyon Varlamov. He wasn't the first overall pick in 2003 for nothing. One player for the Canadiens who has to step it up is another 2003 draftee, the 10th overall pick Andrei Kostitsyn. Since scoring a hat-trick in game two, he has looked incredibly flakey and has trouble hitting the nets on his shots. Something that goes without saying is that Jaroslav Halak needs to be Jaroslav Halak. His first round performance will go down as one of the best series performance by a goalie of all time, if he does not put the same effort into this series, it will not be remembered for long.

As we've seen from the Capitals series, the Canadiens can play with the NHL's elite, the team needs to continue to be inspired and the fans need to keep supporting this club. Because, who knows? This could be a team of destiny.

Enjoy the game.

Peace true believers,

E

UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE. PLUS ROUND TWO PREVIEW

I would be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous last night, I would be a fibber if I told you that I didn't feel the initial stages of Cardiac Arrest coming over me as we killed that final Ryan O'Byrne penalty. One thing I am not lying about, is that I had faith in this team. I continued to have faith in this team and at NO point did I write the Montreal Canadiens' obituary prematurely.

I knew this day would come, I knew eventually I'd be able to safely praise Bob Gainey and at the same time, make all of you idiots who do not have the self confidence to support this team all year round feel well, like idiots. Well guys, I'll let you wallow in your own shame. But here's some subtle retribution for all the crap you gave this team throughout this year.

To all those who believed trading Chris Higgins for Scott Gomez AND Tom Pyatt was giving up too much:

Suck it.

To all those who criticized the signings of Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta because of their size:

Suck it.

To all those who thought that Hal Gill and Travis Moen were wastes of space DESPITE watching them play pivotal roles in previous cup runs:

Suck it big time.

Aaaaaaaaand to all those who said that Gainey never did enough, that he didn't know what he was doing, and that his revamp this year was a waste of time:

You folks can suck it the most out of all of them.

So on to the Second Round!

EAST

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens Friday 7:00 PM

The Canadiens just came off of one of their most emotional series wins in recent memory, but they will have no break as they take on the defending cup champions. Pittsburgh is a complete team, and Sidney Crosby is playing his best hockey that we've ever seen. That's a scary thought.

#6 Boston Bruins vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers Saturday 12:30 PM

A re-match of the 2010 Winter Classic, these two teams are tough, tenacious and surprise first round winners. I expect this series to be gritty, bloody, and totally awesome. Marc Savard is set to return to the ice for Game One for Boston while Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter are still out for Philly.

WEST

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings Thursday 9:00 PM

The Sharks are out to prove they can finally win in the Playoffs, the Wings are trying to prove they are still a major Hockey force. This series could go either way and should be full of impressive offensive performances. Look for San Jose's top line to step it up if they want to advance to the Western finals.

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #3 Vancouver Canucks Saturday 8:00 PM

The Vancouver Canucks have nightmares of Patty Kane's hat trick on home ice that won the series for Chicago in 2009. If Roberto Luongo wants to silence his critics, he will have to be on the top of his game. The Canuck's superb swedes should have a interesting time playing against Chicago's vast arsenal of rough and tumble power forwards and Marian Hossa will be on a mission to finally capture that elusive Cup that he has gotten so close to the last two years.

So there you have it, the Canadiens are up against the world yet again. Many people will not give them a shot, but this series is a testament to not giving up hope and having faith in your team.

Peace TRUE believers,

E

GAME 7 PREVIEW

Judgement day.

The signings, trades, managerial changes all come down to tonight at 7. The best team in the League, the most explosive player, the best entourage of play makers, snipers and power forwards, all a game away from being eliminated by a team called too small, too weak and too injury prone to do anything. The Canadiens get a lot of crap from fans around the league, because of their um, eccentric fans, and the long and drawn out historic ceremonies. You know what, most of the time, they deserve your not so gentle ribbing, but to all Leaf and Sens fans, if we pull this win off, in the immortal words of Dale Doback and Brennen Huff from Step Brothers, just shut your mouth. Just, shut it.

Jaroslav Halak was truly spectacular in Game Six, and must be more than spectacular tonight. I feel that each time we play the Capitals, we need a one goal handicap to properly be even. It's only when we score the second goal do I feel any ease at all. The Canadiens have scored first in four of the six games, and will need to add a fifth time to their list tonight. There is room to have hope boys and girls, mad crazy hope, so get out there, put those annoying little flagfs up on your car and be a good Montrealer and break a window if they win. Second one was just a joke, but I could always use a new pair of shoes from Foot Locker...

Enjoy the game, and Go Habs Go

Peace True Believers,

E

Playoff Recap and some juicy news.

The Playoffs are in full gear, heres a little recap of some of the first round match ups.

EAST

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens WAS Leads 3-2

A series that surprisingly has gone to six games can go either way tonight, depending on the performance of Montreal's unsung heroes, like Hal Gill, Dominic Moore and Travis Moen.

#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers PHI Wins 4-1

Maybe a changing of the guard in the Atlantic Division, as Brian Boucher beat Martin Brodeur, no that's not a typo and the Devils looked very beatable.

#3 Buffalo Sabres vs. #6 Boston Bruins BOS Leads 3-2

Really a series I don't think much people are watching but has been entertaining and physical. Just look at Johnny Boychuk's absolute obliteration of Matt Ellis. Ryan Miller needs to play like Ryan Miller if the Sabres want to win this game.

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Ottawa Senators PIT Wins 4-2

Sidney Crosby is good. He is damn good. Senators made it interesting with Matt Carkner's 3rd Overtime winner in Game 5, but pooped the bed in Game 6 and blew a 3-0 lead. Pascal Dupuis' OT marker ended the Sens up and down season.

WEST

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche SJS Wins 4-2

The Sharks had their usual first round scare, SEE Dan Boyle scoring on his own net in Overtime. They pulled it all together and finished the depleted Avalanche in the third period of Game Six, with their Second line of Clowe - Pavelski - Setoguchi looking more like Heatley - Thornton -Marleau.

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Nashville Predators CHI Leads 3-2

Definitely the best series of the first round, two young Finnish goaltenders have staged great battles and the Pred's impotence on the PP finally came back to bite them in the heiney when the 'Hawks young guns staged a sick comeback and Marian Hossa, who escaped an almost inevitable suspension for his hit on Dan Hamhuis, won Game Five.

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings VAN Wins 4-2

This was not as easy as it looked for Van City. Roberto Luongo was very beatable and the Kings showed why they are the team of the future in the NHL. Mikael Samuelsson was the superman of this series.

#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings Series tied 3-3

Two springs ago after the Wings hoisted their 11th Cup, who would guess that Detroit would be playing in a game 7 against the owner-less Phoenix Coyotes? The NHL's Cinderella team will look to keep their dream season alive.

NOW HEEEEERE'S THE BIG SCOOP...

Tony Marinaro of TEAM 990 reported at 9:30 that P.K. Subban will be called up for tonight's game, this was followed up by a press release, about a minute before this blog was published. Subban has been outright dominant this year in the AHL and should work as hard as he can to keep this series alive and force a game 7. I'm not that fond of Tony but I gotta give him props for this huge call. I tuned in to his radio show, only to hear him complaining about the lack of Towels at playoff games this year.

Well, I guess you can't win em' all.

Enjoy the game.

Peace true believers,

E

One step away. Habs Isles preview.

Hopefully we will won't talk like Sylvester Stallone when this is all done.

Well after a year of injuries, goaltending controversies, trades and GM changes, the Canadiens can actually lock up a playoff spot tonight with a win against the New York Islanders and a New York Rangers loss. Coincidence that we need two New York teams to be defeated. Where's King Kong when you need him? All bets point to Jaro Halak being in net for the Habs tonight and all bets point to the Isles being a lose dangerous team with nothing to lose. The Canadiens will need to stop relying on Halak's sheer brilliance of late and create scoring chances from their top two lines, as fun as it was to see Ryan O'Byrne actually score goal. I am very excited for what this next month will bring if the Canadiens can clinch a spot, so of course fat has it that I will be out of the Contient for the next two weeks. Let's just say this, the Novotel Warsaw hotel better have a friggin' business center.

Enjoy the game, let's lock it up tonight.

Peace True Believers,

E

Hell of a big one. Sens Habs

Don't have to tell you that this game is going to have a Playoff atmosphere around it. Two teams tied in points and games played. The Canadiens are on a 7 game streak where they have gotten points and the Senators have only once since the Olympic break. Needles to say, Ottawa's going to be as desperate as a World of Warcraft player the day before Prom. The Habs cannot give up the first goal and whoever is in nets must shut down the Sens' high flying forwards. The Canadiens will need about 88-90 points to clinch a playoff spot and that means 5 more wins.

Let's get #1 tonight.

Peace true believers,

E

Don't want to jinx this.

But the Canadiens are going for six in a row!

Wow, did not think I would say that this year. With all the injuries and inconsistency the Team has faced, it would be a miracle if we would still be in contention at this point of the year. It's almost unthinkable that they are the hottest team in the league post Olympic break. No granted many wins have been close, and downright ugly, but two points are two points whichever way you slice it.
The Habs take on the Rangers at MSG tonight, and according to NHL.com, they will have Tomas Plekanec in the lineup, even though Ben Maxwell was called up today from Hamilton. Jaro Halak will play yet again tonight as the Canadiens brass will try to get him into a Playoff groove, and no timetable has been announced for the return of Mike Cammalleri and Marc Andre Bergeron.

The Rangers are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff battle, and they will hungry for a win tonight. This should be a helluva game!

And if anyone at the game today is able to hit Sean Avery in the head with a plate of Nachos while he's in the box, I will buy them a steak.

Enjoy the game,

Peace True Believers,

E

Time to nut up or shut up. Gold Medal Preview.

A quote from the great Woody Harrelson should set the scene today. All the planning, the evaluation camps, the selections, the round robins, all come down to a game against the United States of America, a team that upset Canada and set the country into a panic induced delirium. Although the last meeting of these teams did not bode well for the Great White North, I remain a cock eyed optimist. Canada crushed Germany and then demolished Russia, the early tournament favorite. The close 3-2 game against Slovakia should not be any room for concern as the Slovaks and Jaro Halak played a defensively responsible game that led them to a victory over the Swedes. So we get to the game plan. What does Canada do to beat the United States this afternoon.

To win, Canada must play Canada's game. They must combine creative passing, hard and accurate shots, and energy through blistering physical play, with an better than solid effort from Roberto Luongo. They must come in here and try to channel teams of the past, they must battle like Paul Henderson and Phil Esposito in '72, skillfully overpower their opponents like Mario and the Great One in '87, and have the desire and pride of Sakic and Kariya in '02. This has been a magical Olympics for Canada, and even with the many disappointments, came heroes, John Montgomery, Charles Hamelin and the courageous Joanie Rochette led to record totals for our country, and with a win today at Canada place, we would set a new International standard for Gold Excellence.

To Scott Niedermayer and Team Canada, we are all with you today, from Newfoundland to Nanaimo, let our cheers inspire you to end this incredible fortnight of Athleticism on the highest note possible.

Peace, and enjoy the game Canada,

E

Hockey D-Day. Canada Russia

Let's hope we get some Henderson-esque heroics tonight. It's not going to be easy, the Russians shoot often, skate fast, and have Ovechkin. Need I say more. It seems like a lot of people in this country are panicking, and turning on players who before this "apocalyptic" loss to the States, were considered national heroes. To the people of Canada: CHILL THE HELL OUT.

Maybe it was a little naive to believe that Canada would roll through the competition, and before people start writing Obituaries before we even take to the ice, let's consider this.

Russia lost to the Slovaks, who in turn, almost lost to the Norwegians yesterday.

Does this mean that Norway and Russia would tie?

No you ingrates, it just means we have no idea what will actually happens until the puck drop tonight.

We are going to need consistent goal tending from Roberto Luongo tonight, he needs to show that he can win the big game. We need to get a lot of shots early and get Evgeni Nabokov out of a groove, we need to convert on the Power Play, no more oh fors, and slow down their skill players with big hits.

Is it a lot to ask for?

I don't know, is it a lot to ask for the best players in our country to play well executed Hockey?

We have a shot tonight, go out and cheer for you country Canada.

Peace,

E

Canada vs. Norway, how we are going to win... pfft...

I can not take the Norwegians seriously, I mean you are all nice people, but come one, anyone who wears those checkered pants, even if they are curling, should be laughed at a little bit.

Ok then.

Four years of brooding, sulking and muttering "wait till Vancouver" have come down to this. I don't think this will be a particularly close game, but I do feel that this will be a great chance for Canadians to work on their chemistry, the one thing that a lack of, could hurt Canada's medal chances. It will be interesting to see who wins the coveted 6th D spot, if Drew Doughty could impress and cement himself a line up spot. I personally am so impressed by Drew's amazing skill set, he has emerged as an elite Defenseman, in only his second year. The sky is the limit for this amazing youngster.

Fearless prediction?

7-1?

Am I being too gracious?
You tell me.

Peace, enjoy the game Canada,

E

Attack of the Dawgs! Plus today's game preview.

If you told me that the top line in Montreal's WIN against the defending Cup Champions would be three Hamilton Bulldogs who were only called up yesterday, I would have assumed that you were starting to party for the Super Bowl a couple days early. Yes the trio of Ryan White, Brock Trotter and David Desharnais certainly stepped it up in the absence of Andrei Kostitsyn, Mike Cammalleri and Benoit Pouliot and will have to keep the energy going if we want to top the Bruins today at 3, who will be absolutely desperate for a win. Pleks, Gio and Scotty Gomez Adams all had huge games yesterday and will need to produce points consistently until the Olympic break There will be some sort of cruel sweetness if this win against the Bruins will push Pete Chiarelli to give Claude Julien the can, even though I do not think the B's struggles are his fault. I personally hope Claude can keep his job, as he is a very good coach and a good guy. I do hope that the Canadiens keep winning this key games while teams behind us like New York, Tampa and the Bruins continue to slide. There is an article out that theorizes that the Canadiens only need to go 12-10-1 in our remaining games to clinch a playoff spot. I think thats do-able. So enjoy the game, enjoy the football and enjoy those damn funny commericals. Let's hope we see some more Danica Patrick in compromising positions.

Peace true believers,

E

This might be bad. Nucks Habs preview

Let's not sugar coat it. The Canadiens aren't in the best situation right now. Mediocrity has set in, we are fighting for a playoff spot, we cannot score even strength goals, and the one guy who can is on the shelf for six to eight weeks. All you need now is a Tiger Woods like sex scandal and you've got the perfect storm. The Habs try to get some points as they take on the red hot Vancouver Canucks tonight at 7:30 at the Bell Centre, if the Canadiens want to not be sellers at the deadline in March, they will have to finish the Pre-Olympic stretch strong, starting tonight. Benoit "The Giant Chicken" Pouliot and Brian Gionta will move up to Tommy Plekanec's wing tonight and maybe this will work out in Cammy's absence. Plekanec has picked up his once torrid pace, with five points in his last four and Pouliot has been the Canadiens' most consistent scorer since his arrival. Matt D'Agostini has been called up, but he might not even play because of the flu. Jaro Spacek is also questionable because of the virus. So enjoy the game, and let's try to survive these six to eight weeks of hell.

Peace True Believers,

E