Back at it.

So I am back writing for you fine people,and I have a lot to cover since we blanked the Sens 3-0.
SOOOOO
Canadiens beat the Coyotes 3-2, Andrei Kostitsyn is looking like a talented chippy Belarussian and not a smelly, fat and lazy Belarussian. Gionta and Gomez do not score.
Canadiens beat the Islanders 5-3, Kostitsyn is still great, so is Pleks. Gionta and Gomez do not score.
Canadiens beat the Islanders 3-1, Alex Auld plays his first game and is great, AK an TP are still sick, Gionta and Gomez do not score.
AAAND FINALLY Canadiens lose to the Panthers 3-1, Markov comes back, Powerplay still stinks, Price gets outplayed by Vokoun, and of course...
Gionta and Gomez do not score.
So what conclusions can we draw from these games?
A) There is cautious optimism, actually, regular optimism in Montreal as the Habs are starting to come together and it is always nice when you start the season 7-3-1 and are first in your division.
B) Andrei Kostitsyn is back, Tomas Plekanec never left, and PK Subban is quietly leading all Rookie Defenders in points. Yay
C) Our second line is not clicking, Gionta and Gomez are playing with such offensive dynamos like Mathieu Darche and Travis Moen, while an offensively talented player like Lars Eller waits on the fourth line playing only ten minutes a game with one point so far this season. Definitely not a yay.

So I trust Jacques Martin, he's been in the league a long time and has paid dividends already here in Montreal, but this second line fiasco is something I cannot understand. They don't want Eller to develop in Hamilton because they believe he has NHL talent, but then do not give him enough ice time in the big leagues to develop into a top six forward. There are already rumblings from journalists like Bob "Big Head" MacKenzie who stated that Eller is looking like he will never be more than a third liner, I'm sure his opinion would not be the same if Eller had been playing with talented guys like Gomez and Gionta, or G-Love and Gio as they are known to their friends... True story about the G-Love thing.
The Canadiens play Columbus on Tuesday, they are a beatable team, the Canadiens have been playing well to anyone who says that the Habs should not be considered contenders because of the ease of their schedule should then also dismiss the beloved Toronto Maple Leafs who are "a great team" led by Phil Kessel "Hart Trophy Nominee" according to the wildly insightful Mike Brophy.
To Canadiens fans, ignore the haters, keep supporting the squad, and this will be a good year.
Peace
E

Habs 4 Pens 3. It all comes down to one game.

I had to do it, just had to.

What a hockey game! In my 10 years of going to Canadiens games at the Bell Centre, I have never screamed louder than I did last night. The crowd erupted when Mike Cammalleri ripped his 10th of the post season past Marc Andre Fleury, cascaded in boos when the Officials embarked on a mission to screw the team with timely calls and non calls, and absolutely lit up like St. Jean Baptiste day when Cammy tied the score up and received a near 5 minute ovation from me and my fellow partisans. There was some mild irony that "Vertigo" was played when Jaro Spacek scored his first of the playoffs after returning from that said illness.

Then, Max Lapierre the quintessential "super pest" shows that he's so much more than a mouth. His end to end rush had the place bouncing like those giant balls from the South Park episode.

So. What are our chances tomorrow night? I like them. I think as this team gets healthier, they become more dangerous. I think that Mike Cammalleri is playing his best hockey. Ever. The Canadiens have won 7 playoff games this year. That is the most games won by the Habs since 1993. Gee, what happened that year?

It should not end here. It can not end here. Go Habs Go, let's shock the world yet again.
Peace true believers,

E

Against all odds. Habs 3 Penguins 2. Series tied 2-2

The title of my blog is also a very inspiring Phil Collins song.

Just thought you should know.

Well once again the Canadiens seemed up against the ropes, up for dead and with no magic left. Then, they win.

Wait what?

This team is courageous, resilient and to borrow a term from the lovely Brian Burke, truculent!

Their third liners, or "pluggers" as the Montreal media have branded them, put in an inspired effort including 2 of our 3 goals.

What it all comes down to though, is leadership in the face of adversity. The players signed by Bob Gainey this summer, the Cammalleris, the Giontas and Gills of this world, know exactly what it takes to win, and are embracing their underdog roles.

Like James A. Baldwin once said, the most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose. Now, ask me who James A. Baldwin is. It doesn't matter, because the Canadiens are now dangerous, and men on a mission. If I were the Penguins right now, I would start to sweat a little.

Enjoy the weekend,

Peace true believers,

E

Where the hell have I been?

Whattup.

Well the Canadiens sure have had an interesting streak of games since I last posted. If I had posted yesterday before the Flyers game, I might have been a little apocalyptic with my comments.

SEASON'S OVER! WE CAN'T BEAT THE 'CANES, WE SUCK HARDER THEN TIGER WOODS' MISTRESSES.

Maybe I wouldn't be that bad, but seriously guys, you couldn't score 2 goals. You let Carey Price out to dry, and to the fans who booed him, go lick the most inner fold of Ken Hitchcock's taint. Price puts in a decent effort game after game, and game after game he continues to be strung out like Liberace in Alabama.

But after last night, it's a little brighter in Montreal, and no, it's not because it is 25 and sunny outside.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, a 1-0 win where a Flyer goal was disallowed and Jaro Halak needed to stand on his head was not my idea of a tone setting win. But those 2 points come in handy down this Playoff stretch.

Does this team have it in them to get to the post-season and do some damage? I don't know, only time will tell, but one thing's for sure if we have one weakness, and we have many, it sure as hell isn't Goaltending.

Peace True Believers,

E

2 points is 2 points.

But yikes, was that ugly.

I guess this cements the hypothesis that the Canadiens' play to their opponents level. Even when that opponent has the worst record in the National Hockey League.

POSITIVES: The Pou-Gomez-Gio line is still producing, and Tom Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn got back to their scoring ways. The bottom lines continue to create energy and surprisingly timely offence, and the Habs now have won 4 straight and can breath a little easier in 7th place.

NEGATIVES: Other than the fact that we almost lost to the Oilers, Jaro Halak did not play a very good game, but let's be fair, even though many of you are ready to jump off the Jaroslavwagon because of this shaky game, Halak has been stealing games at times when our team did not show up. No one's perfect, and hey, we got two points. I was actually happy to see Edmonton play well, because lord knows their fans have been waiting to see them play some competitive hockey. I just hope they do not start playing TOO well, to make sure that Toronto does not finish last in the league. Do we really want to face Boston next year having to worry about an Offensive dynamo like Taylor Hall?

Let's be happy, times are good, Spring is right around the corner, and Les Boys are making a run for the Playoffs.

Peace True Believers,

E

Greetings from Sunny San Diego!

I'm in the home of Ron Burgundy, giant panda bears and whale's vaginas. And I'm able to watch highlights of the Habs games. Gotta love Howard Johnson's free high speed! What a difference a weekend makes. One day the city is calling for blood and after two big wins all is forgotten. I think people should calm down a little. This is just inconsistency at it's finest. But I am happy with the inspired play of call up Mathieu Darche, and Benoit Pouliot absolutely dominating once again. If this guy keeps it up, I am making the call that he will be a integral part of our team for years to come.

More to come. Will be fun to watch the Canadiens Panthers online.

Peace true believers, you stay classy... Hab Nation.

E

A blizzard of optimism. Habs 4 Sens 1

An accurate representation of the Sens Power Play last night.

Hardee freaking harr I know.

Well the weather outside is frightful

But watching the Canadiens beat teams even when they get out shot a billion to 13 is so delightful.

Since we've no place to go.

Let's not blow, let's not blow, let's not blow.

Get you all into the Christmas spirit.

It's great to see both our Goalies put in a great effort and our #1 Center and our Star Winger ACTUALLY PLAY like a #1 Center and a Star Winger.

Still, I cannot get truly excited about this team until they beat a Tier One team like the Pittsburgh Penguins, if they ever get a flight into the City.

One of the best things about Mike Cammalleri, is his humor.

When Cammalleri said "Lets' hope they only show up with 5 minutes before the game without any practice" I thought about the time when my Teacher was late the day of the test and I thought to myself "Gee, I really hope she only shows up with 5 minutes left and doesn't have enough time to give us the exam", is it a good thing that Mike Cammalleri has the same mentality of a 16 year old. Who the hell cares, he's going to score 40 goals this year.

I hope this storm keeps going so class is cancelled and I do not have to write that History essay tomor... damn I'm doing it again.

Peace True Believers.

E

Game One Canadiens 4 Leafs 3 OT: SMURFS SHINE IN PRIMETIME

Well it wasn't pretty, but we all knew it wouldn't be. The Canadiens opened up their season with a win, thanks to some unexpected offense from Glen (Don't screw with me because my brother will kill you) Metropolit and Josh Gorges. Every Canadien fan was happy to see Georges Laraque drop the gloves and rough up Colton Orr, but I'm sure the same people hoped that Travis Moen would've landed a little more punches on Public Enemy Mike Komisarek's big stupid face.

Andrei Markov left the game with what is being called a "Deep Foot Cut". Supposedly it is all stitched up but he will not be coming to Buffalo with the team to spend time to heal. Carey Price was spectacular in nets, Brian Gionta was exceptional, firing from every spot in the ice, and Mike Cammalleri showed his skill, setting up the OT winner. The third line was solid, generating lots of energy through big checks. Ryan O'Byrne has had a complete turnaround so far, looking like a smart and seasoned D-Man. Even Tina Plekanec was speedy and generated chances.

Hal Gill however...

Well hes 6'7. At least he has that going for him. Just stay in front of the net Hal, you will be alright.

Next Up: The Canadiens travel to Playofffutilityville USA, oh, sorry at some point in the last 50 years they changed the name to Buffalo, to attract more tourists. The Sabres are a team I don't know much about so expect a fight, because for some reason we always have it tough down there in Western New York.

Two points is still two points. I'll take it.

Peace True Believers,

E

VICTORY!!! Habs 4 Hawks 1

That was a triumphant victory.  One for the ages.  From the first flukey goal to the second flukey goal to the goals by D-Men like Andy Markov and the Semetic Saviour.  That was fun to watch.

The team looked good, and Pricey looked even better.  Unfortunately the Panthers also won today.  But on the bright side, the Ottawa Senators who forever have been those annoying little brother of the Habs who always show up to family dinner at spring time and tell mom and dad about their promotion while the Canadiens sit quietly and play with their potatoes will officially not make the playoffs for the first time since 1996.  Also eliminated from contention tonight are the Toronto Maple Leafs, the token heroin addict at the Northeast Division dinner table who recently  with the help of Ron Wilson might actually be in the process of kicking the habit.  But that will take at least another year.

For now, we should be happy to know that were gaining ground on the New York Rangers for 7th place, buuuut if we do pass them we'll play the New Jersey Devils...yeesh.

So where do we go from here?

You tell me.

Peace True Believers.

E