Sergei not making Long Island trip

posted by Dave Stubbs at 16h44 EST on Apr 1


01sergei.jpg

Sergei Kostitsyn after having been run over by Chicago's Aaron Johnson.
John Mahoney, Gazette

The Gazette's Herb Zurkowsky reports, without bitterness, that the media outnumbered the players on the ice at this afternoon's optional practice in Brossard before the team was to board a flight for Long Island and tomorrow night's game vs. the Islanders.

Sergei Kostitsyn, who left Tuesday's game in the first period after being splattered into the end boards by Chicago's Aaron Johnson, will not make the trip. Upper-body injury, the report remains. Defenceman Roman Hamrlik, who left the game in the second after a weird collision along the Blackhawks bench, will travel to Long Island.

The hardy few on Brossard ice: Matt D'Agostini, Ryan O'Byrne, Gregory Stewart, Georges Laraque and Jaroslav Halak.

•  •  •

Et le but!

Credit Christopher Higgins with the Canadiens' fourth goal against Chicago. Higgins tipped the point drive of Mathieu Schneider during a Canadiens power play.

•  •  •

Mark Streit has a wonky groin and is a Maybe on the Island tomorrow. 




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shuttle-lemaire-lafleur's picture
Halak starts tonight ....Price out with the flu..

g's picture
What “As kids we knew whatever Canada was then it would be far greater tomorrow. That is the Canada I see today. That was the Canada born into me. Long before I ever wore the jersey, I wore the jersey.” Ken Dryden

Bugs's picture
Will Higgy score against his Islanders? Yes or no? Peace Out _____________________________________________________ Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.

Fansincebirth's picture
Both my hands are up, signifying a resounding yes and I will go one step further and give the nod to Kovy for a pair tonight, goals that is.... Once a Habs fan, always a Habs fan

shuttle-lemaire-lafleur's picture
A resounding........YES!!!!!

Iceberg84's picture
I will say yes! And people will cheer when it happens. I also think this game will determine the pace for the rest of the season. If we win this game easily, we should have no trouble getting the points needed to clinch. Sure Chicago was a greater test, but Montreal's problem has always been losing to the 'weaker' teams. We can't afford to do that again. If they break that curse tonight, I'll be excited and optimistic about the playoffs.

Kevin's picture
An interesting stat: its been a rough year for RW's around the league. Looking at the top scorers, these are the RWs (GP/G/A/P): R Jarome Iginla CGY 76 32 53 85 R Martin St. Louis TB 77 29 48 77 R Daniel Alfredsson OTT 74 23 49 72 R Martin Havlat CHI 75 26 43 69 R Shane Doan PHX 77 30 38 68 R Marian Hossa DET 70 37 29 66 R Corey Perry ANA 73 28 37 65 R Patrick Kane CHI 74 24 41 65 R Jamie Langenbrunner NJ 76 25 39 64 R Ales Hemsky EDM 67 22 41 63 R Devin Setoguchi SJ 75 30 33 63 R Brad Boyes STL 77 30 33 63 R Jean-Pierre Dumont NAS 77 15 44 59 R Jason Pominville BUF 76 16 43 59 R Brian Gionta NJ 76 19 39 58 R Nikolai Zherdev NYR 77 23 34 57 R Alex Kovalev MTL 72 23 33 56 Not career numbers for a lot of these guys. Barely any point per gamers this year on the right side.

Kevin's picture
double post

Fansincebirth's picture
Question about Monday's game.... If I wanted to head to Montreal for the game against Ottawa, where would I look for tickets? Once a Habs fan, always a Habs fan

sYstem21's picture
check stub hub, prices are in US$ dollars but I just saw blues center ice seats for 69$ each. There are 2 seats listed for 85$ in the section next to mine (322, row D). I'm in row A section 321, great view, good area/crowd, fun times always. 85$ is a good deal, I sell mine for significantly more than that. ------------------------ Vive La Sainte-Flanelle!

showey47's picture
there are a tonne of scalpers in front of the bell center on game day.The closer you wait till game time,the cheaper the tickets. If you don't mind missing the warmup and possibly the anthem you can probably get them at face value.

Iceberg84's picture
at this point? craigslist... but don't expect to pay less than 80$ per person for the cheapest seats.

It goes to show you that the whole conference is dysfunctional. Everyone has been stumbling and bumbling at one point or another. As I mentioned a couple of days ago the Rangers and Carolina and Pitt are not better than the Habs. If it weren't for the swoon they would be challenging for anywhere from 4th to second. That's not to say there are not issues with this team. Is Gainey a good coach? Hard to say. What I notice is that Gainey is managing his bench better. And - the staff are pushing the right buttons with the players. This is something Bowman was notorious for. They used to practice after a big win. Take a day off after a pathetic loss. He had his hand on the pulse of the team. He also was not friends with the players but built a relationship with them based on what he expected of them on the ice. Just a thought- Maybe he could park Latendresse in front of the net like he uses Koivu. I konw the RDS guys are pushing for that and it makes sense. The Habs can beat anyone in the conference when they forecheck and when the second line can chip in .....

Bryan's picture
The funny part is that Latendresse is probably more talented than Tomas Holmstrom, who's the best in the league as sitting infront of the net. The good thing is that Lats is starting to learn how to use his size to compliment his talent. Not to say that he wouldn't benefit from spending more time infront of the net, but he's becoming more of an all-around player as his skating and hockey senses develop. _______________________________ In Saku we trust.

Fansincebirth's picture
If Saku had size to him, he'd be a monster in front of the net. Someone on the team should take lessons from him. Once a Habs fan, always a Habs fan

sag's picture
Blame the dysfunction on the cap! There is undeniable parody amongst the teams - the West is no different. These tight playoff runs are what Bettman was after. It is obviously great for the league and fans - look at the 60% empty building in Florida last night for the Panthers stretch drive. Something was said once about leading a horse to water.... (the horse would drink in saskatoon, halifax, winnepeg etc..

Fansincebirth's picture
I have my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that one of these 'no show' American teams gets moved back to Winnipeg. My theory, if ice doesn't form naturally where you live, you don't get an NHL team :o) Once a Habs fan, always a Habs fan

Got2BHabs's picture
Me too! I've only seen my Habs play once back in 1995 (it was something like an 8-7 win for the habs 10 days after the "Roy incident"). The next year the Jets were gone. It'd sure be nice to be able to see some NHL games again. We have the Wheat Kings here, which is fun, but not the same.

mrhabby's picture
not a chance of that happening..very small corporate investment companies in the peg.iam sure it would sell out everynight but lack of capital is problem.

sag's picture
Agreed! I am sure alot of us on here are old enough to have played our minor hockey games outside. Try that in Miami! For some reason I also miss the Whalers (even with the team in Carolina - doesn't feel right) and the Nordiques the most due to some fond,and not so fond, playoff memories.

Fansincebirth's picture
I can do without the Nords, still have nightmares over them :o) Once a Habs fan, always a Habs fan

... This quote from Chris Higgins in today's Herb Zurkowsky article on Higgy says a lot .. It also seems the coaching change, to Gainey from Guy Carbonneau, has rejuvenated the 6-foot, 203 pounder. “This one,” he said of Gainey, “certainly uses my (strengths) more.”

24 Cups's picture
LOL, Chris. Just know that back stabbers never go on to become captains. The time to have said something was before March 9th, not now. Going For The Brass Ring - 25 Cups In 100 Years

cautiousoptimist's picture
That may not have been very diplomatic, but I don't think it's backstabbing, and it's definitely not untrue. Carbo had no problem calling out his players publicly, and as often as I was on his side, I don't think he's in any position to complain if his former players do the same. 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

MAC4Ever's picture
You can't really dismiss New Jersey just yet. Once the playoffs start it'll be a different story. Boston may be getting hot again but I think they just don't have enough experience to go far. I'd rather have the Habs play Boston in the first round than NJ or Washington. So, I'm hoping the Habs remain in 8th place.

HNS's picture
Jersey and Brodeur are done. "NO SOUP FOR YOU" "Crosby poops in da diaper, Malkin changes it"

Wow Leafs beat Philly tonight. I will be down at the ACC Saturday night for the game against the Leafs. I really hope that the Habs show up for that one and don't pull a disappearing act. The Leafs would like nothing better than to than play spoiler for us. They have no pressure on them and they will be pumped up for sure, and being at home they will come out hard. Not to mention that being at the ACC I sure don't want to hear those idiot Leafs fans cheering like little children. You know if we can't be in the playoffs neither should you kind of stuff. I'm sure Bob and the boys will stress the importance of the game, it's not just 2 points but it is also a statement. Also remember with the win Tuesday it officially ended any chance of the Leafs making the post season. I was watching TSN and Burke was interviewed and he was really pist off and I'm sure he and Wilson are going to use that to get the Leafs pumped up with statements like "well boys they ended our season lets end theirs". I got these tickets last October in raffle and my buddy and I where joking about that the April 4th game could decide if we play in the playoffs this year. I looked at him and said no way look at the record so far. I don't believe it's coming down like this, it will be a nail biter for sure. Actually I hope the Habs blow them right out of the building. Not being negative just being realistic. You what they say a wounded animal is very dangerous.

Number31's picture
I honestly don't understand how he actually thought they were going to leapfrog teams to squeak into the playoffs... If there's one bunch of people he should be angry at, it's the Teacher's Pension for announcing they weren't budgeting for playoffs (they said it at the start of the year).

habsperspective's picture
Its just posturing to show to the die hard leaf fans, that we got a great manager who cares, and will bring us back to respectability. Everything has become holywood today!

habs12345's picture
new jersey has lost 5 straight FIRE SUTTER, FIRE LAMOURELLO, FIRE BRODEUR, FIRE PARISE, FIRE LANGENBRUNNER, FIRE ELIAS, FIRE CARBONNEAU, FIRE THIS FIRE THAT!!!!!!!!!!

Number31's picture
lol But hey...didn't they fire Claude Julien in April when he was there? ;)

habrez's picture
boring

habs12345's picture
just making fun of the fans who think they know all the answers, im still laughing at people who whant/wanted gainey fired what joke hehe i feel bad for the devils and these are the things that habs fans would be saying if that was the habs.

ManApart's picture
Hahahahahah. It is funny when you think of it. I love that...FIRE THIS,FIRE THAT. FIRE GAINEY,FIRE CARBO,I HATE THEIR GUTS,KILL LARAQUE,SHOOT KOIVU,DISEMBOWL BRISEBOIS,OUT WITH THE ENGLISH,OUT WITH THE FRENCH. Too funny.

the difference is the Devils haven't played themselves to the brink of missing the playoffs in their centenial season.....add that to the fact that the Devils only average about 245 more fans a game than the Panthers and it makes your comment meaningless.

RC-51's picture
i think with tonight it is 6 straight

habs12345's picture
WELL IN THAT CASE FIRE SHANAHAN

punkster's picture
It's the world gone mad I tell you. Tonight Marty gives up 6 and Cujo plays like he's 21 again. Last night Breeze puts in a solid game. Anything can happen in this league....anything!!! Why, the Habs could even, well, maybe they could, er, it's possible they might...ahhh...nope, I'm not sayin' it...but they could.

Bugs's picture
Anyone says they couldn't should be ashamed of themselves. Peace Out _____________________________________________________ Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.

punkster's picture
Right on Buggy Boy...total belief.

RC-51's picture
NYR-CAR who do we cheer for? Im hoping for a NYR win in reg!

The M's picture
what?!?! no!! we can catch the Rangers tommorow if they lose, the Canes not as likely this season yikes you must be joking

RC-51's picture
If we win @NYI, we will have 90pts,77GP NYR win in reg. @Car they both will have 91pts,78GP

Gawd, I haven't been posting lately, but have been reading regularly. Is is me or have 98% of he posts been worth absolutely nothing? Damn, I've been getting more out of reading the sports pages on the hopper each morning.

Clay4bc's picture
And this is your contribution? Better make it 99% then, because you certainly added nothing to the discussion with this post. __________________ Just as no culture has a monopoly on beauty or value, no religion has a monopoly on truth - Voltaire

sYstem21's picture
Love the avatar! ------------------------ Vive La Sainte-Flanelle!

habrez's picture
boring

RC-51's picture
VERY BORING!

The guys on the ice either win the game or they lose it. It's as simple as that. You didn't get the call nor did I. It's all about them!

whats scares me is the refs...the first line can be f-ed if the refs kep non caling and then calling crud

RC-51's picture
Hoping SK74 is playing Sat. against Grabovski

Bugs's picture
110% is calling my Leader Line un coup de génie. I know the credit is meant for Bob but I'm blushing anyway. Fret not though; still won't say I told you so. Not my style. Still cursin myself over not having laid some sort of bet on it in October. ... Like I did last year when I said the Artiste would score 30. 220 bucks, sweet'n'easy like japaneezy. Peace Out _____________________________________________________ Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.

Clay4bc's picture
Isn't saying that you're not saying I told you so the same as saying I told you so? I'm just saying... ;) Anyway...looks like the pieces are coming together at the right time (thus my new avatar). Time to make some statements against the bottom feeders. __________________ Just as no culture has a monopoly on beauty or value, no religion has a monopoly on truth - Voltaire

Bugs's picture
Nope. Not the same at all, Rubiclay. If it was, I woulda said it. But I didn't. Made a point of congratulating myself for NOT sayin it actually. I'm a good guy like that. I did good not to say it when the sayin of it woulda been proper cuz it's never "proper" to say it, I think. That's why I didn't say it. Yes, Rubiclay, your new biopic is supercool. Oh, can I call you Rubiclay now? Peace Out _____________________________________________________ Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.

Bugs in all fairness Kovy is set to be dangerous evry night..I like that

Chorske's picture
Hey, even a stopped clock is right twice every day. :p _______________________________________________________________ Il faut commencer avec le travail, et finir avec le talent. -BG

Bugs's picture
Hello! Peace Out _____________________________________________________ Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.

habrez's picture
did anyone else see how many empty seats there were in florida last night against the senators. it made me sick to my stomach. they dont deserve a team. 1 out of every 5 seats was empty (according to the boxscore) but it look like 2 out 5. for a team fighting for its playoff lives. it must suck to be a panther.

The M's picture
the sad thing is that every year some Canadian team and at least hundreds of thousands of their fans are dissapointed while in Nashville all 53 of their fans get escited for another first round exit

habrez's picture

Clay4bc's picture
Was checking your attendance link....how does Chicago have 111.8% attendance? Time to call the fire marshal! __________________ Just as no culture has a monopoly on beauty or value, no religion has a monopoly on truth - Voltaire

Does anyone know whether Yann Danis will get another shot at playing against Montreal tomorrow night?........considering MacDonald played tonight and faced over forty shots against Washington?

TorontoHabsFan's picture
The Leafs finally do us a solid and the race gets even tighter! A win tomorrow night could put us in 6th...man, how exciting is all of this? The playoffs haven't even started yet!

NoTinFoilCups's picture
6th puts us against Jersey. Not in the first round please!

MikeL's picture
The Penguins won tonight, so we can only move into 7th tomorrow if we win and the Rangers lose.

WindsorHab-10's picture
What the hell is wrong with the Devils? It seems like we're the only ones unable to beat them. 6 straight losses & counting.

HNS's picture
We can beat them now. "Crosby poops in da diaper, Malkin changes it"

Nahlsy's picture
Have they won since Brodeur stood out there like an idiot cutting the mesh off the net? Imagine if this was a Habs goalie getting waxed and giving up 7 goals to the Isles one week and 7 more to the Pens (one called back making it 6) to the Pens after sending the goalie that had been winning all year for them to the minors? The cries would be that Brodeur was given a job, has no confidence, isn't an NHL goalie and we should start Clemmensen every night no matter what. (same thing happened to Luongo when he came back from his own injury as well). Devils will be fine, just be glad they're moving farther and farther away from those top 2 seeds and thus, farther from anyone the Habs would face in round 1

The M's picture
maybe the fact that Brodeur is the all time wins leader gets him a little slack and the same in Montreal

Nahlsy's picture
The idea being that a 20 year old being held to a higher standard than Brodeur, Luongo or Roy is a little crazy to say the least.

The M's picture
not what i meant

Bugs's picture
D'like to step outta character fer a sec from all-knowin lord goofball to just a regular goofball and "axe a question" (to quote P:WZ, the greatest movie of 2008). Could someone please explain to me what the goalie-handlin-the-puck-around-the-crease rule is? When can he; when can't he, what? Peace Out _____________________________________________________ Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.

Bugs's picture
Thanks to you, Jack and THF. Peace Out _____________________________________________________ Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.

shuttle-lemaire-lafleur's picture
Think it goes something like this Bugs my boy...if the puck crosses the icing line the goalie can only play the puck in the trapezoid area behind the net or he is penalized. He can play it in front of the icing line at anytime if he can get to it quick enough....thats the best I can come up with...maybe someone else can explain it better but thats the way I understand it

TorontoHabsFan's picture
Hey Bugs, the goaler (to reference ol' Jean Chretien :) can handle the puck anywhere in front of the goal line, but behind the goal line he is only allowed to play the puck in the trapezoid area directly behind the net playing a puck behind the goal line and outside the trapezoid? That's a paddlin'

Pens up 6-1 against the Devils. It's off to the History Channel for me!

i want the devils in the first round, they're not skating, playing terrible d and fatso couldn't stop a medicine ball right now. what the hell, how good would it feel to pay them back for their "celebration" in montreal?

I hate Brodeur. Wish he ever sucked like that when he played the Habs. On the other note... leafs are leading 3-1 and the building is dead. I feel like I am watching NYI vs Tampa Bay game in Tampa.

mastodon's picture
Trade Brodeur! Fire Sutter! Fire Lamiorello! Trade Parise! I kid.

Harani's picture
-Toronto smacking Philly 3-1. -Pittsburgh smokes the Devils 6-1. -Atlanta does us a favor yielding only one point to Buffalo. -Islanders putting up a fight against Capitals in Washington...let's not take em' lightly! They couldn't hold on to 2-0 and 3-2 lead. Two games in two night but we shouldn't underestimate them. s. Everyone remembers what happen on out last visit to Uniondale right? Let's not dig ourselves in that position tomorrow. Go Habs Go! They'll have to do it without me this time.

habrez's picture
i apologize for those of you who have seen this but i'm west coast timezone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkXF0dpAI6A&feature=related

WindsorHab-10's picture
Mats Naslund looks pretty good & like he can still lace them up & play.

likehoy's picture
i actually posted this an hour before you did :P haha. would it work in the NHL? (probably on tim thomas) - SAKU KOIVU'S HAND OF GOD.

Tom S.'s picture
That move put a big smile on Mats Naslund's face.

Andrei had a good effort lastnight with the defending his brother and all But if Stewart was out there then that guy would have some real competition -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "one win, plan the parade; one loss, tie the noose. It's super-emotional, it's completely irrational, but that's what makes it so glorious" - George Stroumboulopoulos on the Habs

Tom S.'s picture
Leafs 3, Flyers 1. Let's not take this bunch lightly on Saturday.

Bugs's picture
Aww, c'monnnnn, I wanna take'em lightly, dagnabbit! What's the worst that could happen? ... Oh yeah... Peace Out _____________________________________________________ Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.

The fact that Habs got their asses handed to them by leafs last two games should have hopefully prepared them... But then again, you never know with this team.

jrshabs1's picture
C'mon man have a little faith, just a little dab will do ya. 2002 called it wants it's picture back. Friends of Carey Price.

Freakin' Pens are just taking the Devils out to the woodshed, now up 5-1. Except for the fact that Marty would be up for the series, NJ doesn't scare me.