Markov Eyeing Early Return To Canadiens

From The National Post:

Andrei Markov will be back in the Montreal Canadiens' lineup sooner rather than later - that's the impression you get from talking to veteran defenceman.

Markov suffered torn tendons in his leg when it was sliced by goaltender Carey Price's skate in a freak accident during the season opener on Oct. 1 in Toronto. The original prognosis said Markov would be out of action until February. But Markov has been skating with his teammates for the better part of a week

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Update #1: Markov's way ahead of schedule -- Montreal Gazette
Update #2: Habs defenceman Markov back on ice in practice -- Globe And Mail

My Comment: The Canadiens need him ASAP .... defense is one of their weak points right now.

Pittsburgh 3 Montreal 2

Penguins Post 3-2 Win Over Habs -- Montreal Gazette

Laval native Dupuis scores winner in third.

MONTREAL – The Canadiens are 0-3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins but they are getting closer to the Stanley Cup champions.

After losing 6-1 and 3-1 this season in Pittsburgh, the Canadiens dropped a 3-2 decision Thursday night and came close to earning at least a point.

The Canadiens thought they had a tying goal at 15:08 of the third period when Scott Gomez pushed a loose puck into the goal, but referee Chris Lee waved it off, saying he had blown the play dead.

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More News On Last Night's Hockey Game

Penguins slip past Canadiens -- CBC
Pascal Dupuis's third-period goal lifts Penguins to 3-2 win over Canadiens -- CTV
Dupuis Lifts Pens Over Boyhood Team -- NHL.com
Dupuis puts Pens past Habs -- San Francisco Chronicle
Penguins maintain dominance over Habs with 3-2 win -- Reuters
Penguins snap Canadiens’ streak -- Boston Herald
Pascal Dupuis's third-period goal lifts Penguins to 3-2 win over Canadiens -- Canadian Press

Kovalev: My Time In Montreal Was Magical

Alex Kovalev

From The Toronto Sun:

When it comes to both the words and actions of one Alex Kovalev, it’s often impossible not to use the word ‘shoot.’

As he glides gracefully along the ice, Senators fans implore him to “shoot the puck, for crissakes” when they’re not turning to each other and asking, “shoot, did you see that move?” or “shoot, what the hell is he doing?”

And then are the rare occasions when Kovalev causes a “shoot, did he really say that?” The latest example of that occurred Monday in Montreal.

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My Comment: I have to give Alex Kovalev credit .... he knows how to appeal to Montreal fans.

Montreal 4 Ottawa 1

Habs Cookin' With 4-1 Win Over Sens -- Montreal Gazette

Halak stands tall as Canadiens win third straight.

OTTAWA – The Canadiens used head coach Jacques Martin’s time-honoured recipe for success to cook up a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

Martin believes good goaltending and special teams are the keys to victory and the Canadiens had both ingredients Tuesday night as they moved into a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

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More News On Last Night's Hockey Game

Halak makes 45 saves, Habs beat Senators 4-1 -- CTV
Canadiens win 3rd straight -- CBC
Montreal's recipe garnished with a win -- National Post
Inside the Habs' dressing room -- Montreal Gazette
Habs make it three in a row -- Toronto Star
Halak backstops Habs to win in Ottawa -- Toronto Sun
Senators continue losing ways at home -- Canada.com
Halak makes 45 saves to lead Canadiens over Sens -- AP
Halak's 45 saves stamp Habs win over Senators -- Washington Post

Montreal 3 Philadelphia 1

Canadiens Defeat Flyers 3-1 -- Montreal Gazette

The Canadiens fired a season-low shots on goal but they made the most of them as they defeated the slumping Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 Monday night.

The victory gave the Canadiens a modest two-game winning streak and they moved into ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Canadiens have 30 points - the same as the eighth-place Tampa Bay Lightning - but the Canadiens have played one more game.

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More News On Last Night's Game

Canadiens impress sans fanfare -- CBC
Canadiens beat reeling Flyers 3-1 -- CTV
Flyers have lost their game -- Montreal Gazette
Flyers falter again -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Habs said: 'We have a surprise'

Montreal Canadiens great Elmer Lach and his wife, Lise, pose with the Stanley Cup in the Habs' dressing room at the Bell Centre on Dec. 5, 2009. Photograph by: Courtesy Bob Fisher, Montreal Canadiens

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL – Immortality rang a suburban doorbell at 9 a.m. last Friday, and it was answered by a woman wearing pyjamas and a bathrobe.

In surely one of the best hockey dekes ever, Canadiens co-owner Geoff Molson and team president Pierre Boivin paid an unannounced, early-morning visit to the home of Hall of Famer Elmer Lach.

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My Comment: To say that I was surprised is an understatement.

Montreal 5 Boston 1

Canadiens Lay B-Day Beating On Bruins -- Montreal Gazette

Montreal 5, Boston 1; Cammalleri scores hat trick in rout.

MONTREAL – Momentum can be fickle.

The Boston Bruins had momentum on their side early in the second period of their game against the Canadiens last night. They were outshooting the Canadiens 7-3 in the period and were presented with a 5-on-3 advantage for a full two minutes when Maxim Lapierre and Jaroslav Spacek were whistled off for gratuitous violence while protecting goaltender Carey Price.

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More News On Last Night's Hockey Game

No party without Carey Price's heroics -- Montreal Gazette
Cammalleri nets hat trick in historic Habs win -- CBC
Cammalleri hat-trick gives Montreal anniversary win -- Reuters
Canadiens win to celebrate centennial -- AFP
Cammalleri scores three as Habs celebrate their 100th with 5-1 romp over Bruins -- Canadian Press
Bruins in giving spirit -- Boston.com

Historic Birthday Bash For Canadiens

Two more for the rafters: Montreal Canadiens legends Elmer Lach (second from left) and Émile Bouchard (in wheelchair) have their jerseys retired by the Habs on Dec. 4, 2009.
Photograph by: Allen McInnis, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL – Together, 384 days earlier, Elmer Lach and Émile (Butch) Bouchard had stood at centre ice for the ceremonial home-opening faceoff of the Canadiens' 100th season. The opponent was the Boston Bruins.

Last night at the Bell Centre, Lach, 92 next month, and Bouchard, 90, met once more at centre ice of the Bell Centre, a few members of the visiting Bruins craning for a look from the tunnel outside their dressing room.

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More News on Last Night's 100 Year Celebration

Canadiens greats honoured in Montreal -- Globe And Mail
Bouchard, Lach have numbers retired by Canadiens -- AP
Former Habs greats suit up for storied club's 100th birthday bash -- Canadian Press
Canadiens legends hit ice at 100th party -- CBC
Canadiens add Lach and Bouchard to retired jerseys -- NHL.com
Habs unite Montrealers for 100 years -- CTV

The Habs Are Who We Are

From The Globe And Mail:

When the Montreal Canadiens gather at the Bell Centre tonight, they will be celebrating not just the centenary of the most successful club in the history of hockey. They will be celebrating a national institution.

Le Club de hockey Canadien was founded in Montreal on Dec. 4, 1909. Who knew the illustrious story it would write? In winning again and again, in innovating, adapting and enduring, in personifying grace and guts, the Canadiens have shaped our national game. Moreover, as a dynastic team with political, social and religious overtones, the Canadiens have become part of our iconography.

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My Comment: I have lived in Montreal for 50 years .... and I remember those glory days as if they were like yesterday. But those days are gone .... and the Canadians of today have lost the spirit that made them famous from so long ago.

Tonight's 100 years celebration is a nice event, but it only serves to remind me of what we once were .... and I know that we will never get it back.

100 Years Of The Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Celebrate Centennial Game -- The CBC

The Montreal Canadiens' 100th anniversary celebrations culminate with Friday night's game against their Original Six rival Boston Bruins (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 8 p.m. ET).

The Centennial Game marks the end of more than four year's worth of festivities that featured the retiring of sweater numbers of Habs greats, the unveiling of a Ring of Honour at the Bell Centre, commemorative coins and stamps issued by the Canadian government, an NHL all-star game, and some truly curious throwback uniforms.

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More News on Celebrating 1oo Years Of The Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens to celebrate birthday with long pre-game ceremony -- TSN/Canadian Press
National Assembly salutes Habs -- The Montreal Gazette
Canadiens' 100th anniversary culminates Friday -- CTV
Habs limp into centennial contest -- CBC
Habs centennial overkill -- National Post
100 years of history -- Montreal Gazette
100 years of Canadiens history by the numbers -- NHL
100 years, decade by decade - 2000-2009 -- Canadians.com
The Montreal Canadiens: 100 years, 100 facts -- CBC

Buffalo 6 Montreal 2

Sabres Slaughter Habs 6-2 -- Montreal Gazette

BUFFALO – Craig Rivet says Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is “arguably the best goaltender in the National Hockey League.”

But the Sabres didn’t need the best goaltender in the NHL last night as they rolled to a 6-2 victory over the Canadiens.

Miller’s biggest concern may have been staying awake as the Canadiens fired only eight shots at him in the first two periods as the Sabres took a 4-1 lead. He missed his second shutout of the week when Scott Gomez converted a cross-ice pass from Sergei Kostitsyn at 16:50 of the second period.

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More News On Last Night's Game

Sabres thump lifeless Habs -- CBC
Sabres use big 1st period to beat Canadiens 6-2 -- AP
Buffalo makes it 4 straight with win over Candaiens -- Examiner
NHL: Buffalo 6, Montreal 2 -- UPI
Sabres Re-Capture Division Lead: Buffalo 6, Montreal 2 -- Bleacher Report
Habs turn into Hab-nots -- Buffalo News

A Subjective Look At the 10 Top Players In The Montreal Canadiens' 100-Year History:

From The Canadian Press:

MONTREAL — A subjective look at the 10 top players in the Montreal Canadiens' 100-year history:

1. Jean Beliveau: The big centre was so gifted the Canadiens bought an entire senior league to secure his rights in the 1950s. He came through with 507 goals, 712 assists and 10 Stanley Cups in an 18-year career that ended in 1971. He was team captain the last 10 years. Beliveau was named MVP of the league in 1956 and 1964. He later served as team vice-president, a period in which seven more Cups were won.

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My Comment: My father was a hockey fan .... and he loved the Rocket. I would have placed him as #1, and I am sure the Jean Beliveau would agree.

Toronto 3 Montreal 0

Maple Leafs Blank Canadiens 3-0 -- Montreal Gazette

Bell Centre faithful turns on their CH heros.

MONTREAL – There are boos.

And then there are boos.

The Canadiens heard two kinds of jeers Tuesday night en route to a 3-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

There were the now traditional boos reserved for former Canadiens who return to the Bell Centre. Toronto defenceman Mike Komisarek, who spurned an offer from the Canadiens and signed with the Leafs as a free agent in the off-season, was on the receiving end of these boos each time he touched the puck.

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More News On Last Night's Game

Habs `didn't step up' against Leafs -- Canada.com
Maple Leafs beat Montreal, lose Gustavsson -- CBC
Gustavsson leaves for hospital, but Leafs still shut out Habs in 3-0 win -- CTV
Cox: Goalie Gustavsson gives Leafs scare -- Toronto Star
N.H.L. Scoreboard: Gustavsson Hospitalized for Elevated Heart Rate -- New York Times
Leafs finding their footing -- Globe And Mail
Gustavsson leaves for hospital, but Leafs still shut out Habs in 3-0 win -- Canadian Press

NHL Approves Canadiens' Sale To Molsons

From The CBC:

The Montreal Canadiens are officially back with the Molson family.

The NHL board of governors approved the Habs' sale to a group of investors led by Geoff Molson and his brothers, Andrew and Justin, on Tuesday.

Former owner George Gillett agreed to sell the storied club, along with the Bell Centre and his concert promotion company, to the investment group in late June. The group also includes BCE and the Woodbridge Group, which together control CTVglobemedia.

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More News On The Approved Sale Of The Montreal Canadians

Sale of Habs to Molson brothers approved -- CTV
Sale of Canadiens to Molson brothers approved -- AP
NHL approves Molson purchase of Canadiens -- AFP
Sale of Montreal Canadiens approved -- NHL.com

One-Third Of Canadians Say The Habs Are Canada's Team, Says Poll

From The Montreal Gazette:

The Montreal Canadiens are the "greatest hockey team in history," according to almost half of Canadians surveyed in a poll released Tuesday and conducted for the Historica-Dominion Institute.

A total of 47 per cent, believe Montreal's NHL franchise is the "greatest hockey team in history" and 33 per cent consider it to be the country's national hockey team, according to the poll, which was conducted by Ipsos Reid.

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Update: Habs are closest thing to 'Canada's team,' poll says -- CTV

My Comment: I cannot even think of cheering The Toronto Maple Leafs .... or for that matter .... any other team. (with the exception of the Montreal Alouettes this week).

Washington 4 Montreal 3

Washington Capitals' Brooks Laich is checked by Canadiens' Josh Gorges during action at Montreal's Bell Centre on November 28, 2009. Photograph by: Richard Wolowicz, Getty Images

Habs Come Up Short In Shootout -- Montreal Gazette

MONTREAL – It’s difficult to stop Alexander Ovechkin but the Canadiens did their best to contain the Russian superstar and his offensive-minded teammates Saturday night before losing 4-3 in a shootout.

Niklas Backstrom, the third Washington shooter, scored the only goal in the shootout to spoil a strong effort from Carey Price and the undermanned Canadiens.

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More News On Last Night's Game

Capitals score late, beat Habs in shootout -- Canada.com
Caps hang on for shootout win in Montreal -- CBC
Backstrom gives Capitals shootout win over Habs -- Yahoo Sports
Backstrom gives Capitals shootout win over Habs -- AP
Shootout goal lifts Caps past Canadiens -- Washington Times
Rookie Karl Alzner Plays Important Role in Washington Capitals Win Over Montreal -- Bleacher Report
Ovechkin steals the show as the Capitals down the Canadiens 4-3 in a shootout -- Canadian press

Montreal 5 Columbus 3

Canadiens' Sergei Kostitsyn trips Blue Jackets' Rostislav Klesla at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night. Photograph by: Phil Carpenter, The Gazette

Habs Take Blue Jackets To Cleaners -- Montreal Gazette

Price keeps score close as teammates rally in third.

MONTREAL - The Canadiens acquired defenceman Marc-André Bergeron because of his offensive skills and they paid a dividend Tuesday night as he scored two goals, including the winner, in a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Canadiens went into the game without eight players from their opening night roster, but netminder Carey Price kept the score close and his teammates rallied from a 3-2 deficit with three goals in the third period.

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More News On Last Night's Hockey Game

Price paces Habs to comeback vs. Columbus -- CBC
Bergeron scores twice as Canadiens come back to beat Blue Jackets 5-3 -- Canadian Press
Habs hand Blue Jackets third loss in a row -- Reuters
Bergeron powers Canadiens past Blue Jackets -- National Post
'It was another great game for Carey': Lapierre -- Montreal Gazette
Jackets' net is wide open for business -- Montreal Gazette
Tuesday's Three Stars: Bergeron powers up, Price checks out -- Yahoo Sports

Injuries Are Hurting The Montreal Canadiens

Photo: Brian Gionta has eight goals, tied for team lead in Montreal (Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Something's Afoot In Montreal -- Globe And Mail

We take great pride in knowing our beloved city and province inside and out, but it doesn't mean we aren't surprised by new things from time to time.

For instance: we had no idea Montreal was a really dangerous place to be a left foot.

Just ask Brian Gionta's podiatrist. Or Hal Gill's, or Andrei Markov's (or short-track speed skater Francois-Louis Tremblay, for that matter).

Each of the three is suffering from a left foot injury that will keep them out for a lot longer than the Habs can afford to miss them.

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More News on The Injuries Plaguing The Canadiens

Gionta and Smyth out of action with injuries -- Canada.com
Spate of injuries concern Canadiens -- National Post
Habs lose Gionta indefinitely -- CBC
Canadiens winger Gionta out indefinitely with broken bone in left foot -- Canadian Press
Canadians Lose Gionta to Broken Foot -- TSN

Montreal 3 Carolina 2

Montreal goalie Carey Price made 30 saves on Tuesday, then five more in the shootout, as the Canadiens won 3-2. Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

Canadiens Weather Shootout Storm -- Montreal Gazette

Montreal 3, Carolina 2; Kostitsyn sets stage for Price, Lapierre

MONTREAL – It hasn't been a great start to the season for Andrei Kostitsyn, but he turned the boos into cheers at the Bell Centre last night as he helped the Canadiens to a 3-2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Kostitsyn scored his second goal of the season with 2:46 to play in the third period last night to pull the Canadiens even with the Hurricanes at 2-2. That set up an overtime situation and, as Canadiens fans have come to know this season, the Habs had theHurricanes just where they wanted them.

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More News On Last Night's Hockey Game

Carey Price's 1st win on home ice this season -- Montreal Gazette
Price, Lapierre lead Canadiens to shootout win -- AP
Lapierre scores shootout winner as Canadiens defeat Hurricanes 3-2 -- Canadian Press
Canadiens continue winning ways in overtime -- National Post
Recap: Montreal vs. Carolina -- Miami Herald

Former Hab Steve Shutt Fondly Remembers Days In Montreal

From The Montreal Gazette:

TORONTO – The laugh’s still prevalent in Steve Shutt’s demeanour, especially when the humour’s based on self-deprecation. Carry Guy Lafleur? Of course Shutt did.

“But you know what, we were the perfect match,” Shutt insisted over morning coffee on Monday in the lobby of a downtown Toronto hotel. “He was the puck carrier and I was the finisher. Each could not have had a better person to play with.”

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My Comment: Steve Shutt, Jacques Lemaire, and Guy Lafleur ..... that is a lineup that I will never forget.