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

Ryno out six weeks.

Another crippling blow to our Defensive corps.

To cheer you up... some midgets beating each other up on Springer.

I did promise it.

Cheer up,

at least we're first in the division.

Peace true believers,

E

Game Two Canadiens 2 Sabres 1 OT: GIONTA AND COMPANY CRASH ANOTHER PARTY!

Wait... we weren't supposed to win!

That was the Canadiens first victory without Andrei Markov since February 4th, 2007. It was a 4-3 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins and David Aebischer got the win. Don't ask me how long it took me to find that little fact. Don't ask me who scored the winner... probably was Radek Bonk or Mike Johnson. Props to anyone who remembers Mike Johnson OR Janne Niinimaa. Quite a trade that turned out to be... Ribeiro had 78 points last year... Niinimaa had 18 points in 20 games, which is great for a Defenseman, if he didn't do it on Lagnau of the Swiss League...

I digress.

The Canadiens shocked the world again tonight, still getting out shot and out muscled but coming away with an OT win, ruining a second straight opposing team's home opener. Travis Moen is impressing me SO much with his gritty yet productive play and Brian Gionta reinforces the fact that he is so small that he's able to elude hulking D-Men like Tyler Myers (basically an English speaking Zdeno Chara) by going through their legs, a la mischevious midget.

There will be mischievous midget videos up soon...

Unfortunately the Canadiens are not staying healthy, as Glen Metropolit and Ryan O'Byrne, two blue collar players who have been great character guys for the Habs in this young season both left the game and did not return. Sources say Metro has an upper body injury, while Ryno's injury is being called one of "the lower body variation". Just thought I should spice that one up.

Next up: The Canadiens travel on their annual Western Canada road trip, earlier than usual and open up in Cowtown versus the Flames, who I personally dislike because of Olli "the Otter" Jokinen, whose face and inconsistency down the stretch just makes me want to do terrible and atrocious things to the Ecosystem in which all otters live. The Flames are also 2-0-0 and boast the scariest blue line in the NHL with Bouwmeester, Phaneuf and Regher ALL being considered for Team Canada.

Keep shockin' em boys.

And for frig's sake, keep your heads up.

Peace True Believers,

E

2009 - 2010 Game Preview. GAME 2. Canadiens vs. Sabres

This is a accurate picture of the Canadiens without Andrei Markov, notice Jacques Martin looking surprisingly like Rick Moranis. There's no point in more whining ladies and gentlemen, it's not going to heal Andy's tendons anytime sooner. What has to be done is for us to look forward to the future and have a smidgen of optimism knowing that we still have a dynamic group of forwards and an improved defensive core from last year. Roman Hamrlik will start in Markov's place on the first D pairing with Jaroslav Spacek, Travis Moen will move up to the third line in Mat D'Agostini's place who will be a healthy scratch, and Glen Metrosexual (props to Bong Hit for that Moniker) will center the fourth line with Greg Stewart and Georges Laraque. Max Patch and the Great Jewtalian will swap spots so that Cammalleri will be reunited with fellow Smurfs Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez. Finally, to lift all your spirits up, here is a quote from South Shore Habs Fan, who sent this to one of my favorite blogs, Four Habs Fans:

The star Russian defenceman and powerplay QB is injured for 4 months on the first game of the season, and the team struggles out of the gate. They come together around February, just as the star D-man returns and starts lighting it up, and jump from 10th place to 6th in the East and into the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, the inspired play of a young goalie determined to prove that he wasn't a draft bust, combined with a surprisingly strong defence that somehow includes Hal Gill, and a handful of gritty Quebecois third-liners leads the team to their first Stanley Cup in 17 years.

Delusion? Nope - the 2008-2009 Pittsburgh Penguins.

Keep the faith

Peace True Believers,

E

Well, this is quite a start.

It's going to be a long 3-4 months. Andrei Markov has supposedly suffered a torn tendon in last night's game against the Maple Leafs after getting tangled and probably cut by Carey Price's skate.

More to come.

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

2009-2010 Game Preview. GAME 1. Canadiens vs. Leafs

An authentic portrait of the famous colonnial traitor, Benedict Komisarnold.

I had to do it. Come on...

FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON TONIGHT BOYS.

The little three of Gomez, Gionta and Gomez will try to maneuver around the big three of Komisarek, Exelby and Schenn tonight in a game that has been hyped ever since the schedule was announced. Once again, the Canadiens start their season on the road, and after this play Buffalo, then take their annual Western road trip, curiously early in the year.

Game story lines

The Canadiens debut their revamped lineup, as do the now scary tough Maple Leafs. Expectations are not high for these Original Six rivals, as many people believe they will be Playoff bubble teams. The Canadiens fast but small top six will try to overcome the Leafs new core of bruisers that include former Canadien Mike Komisarek, Garnett Exelby, Colton Orr, Jay Rosehill and former College Star Viktor Stalberg, a 6'3 force that dazzled in training camp and will play on the top line with Matt Stajan and Jason Blake.

Canadiens keys to victory

To beat the Leafs tonight, the Habs must get out to a fast start, and not let the bigger and badder Leafs intimidate them and wear them down with body checks. We know the top line of Pacioretty-Gomez-Gionta will generate chances, but the big iffy question is if the second line of Cammalleri-Plekanec-Kostitsyn will be an asset or a liability. Canadiens fans can only hope that Pleks and Big Tits can return to their scintillating production in 07-08 complimented with a talented scorer like Mike Cammalleri who for know on will be known as "The Great Jewtalian". Pleks couldn't have said it any better "He's been playing like a little girl". A pubescent just-after-her-first-period-angry-because-her-boobs-aren't-big-enough little girl. Finally Jesus Price must rebound from his horrific 2009 form if the Canadiens are to win any games.

The time is finally here.

Peace True Believers,

E