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Game 41: Capitals edge Habs in overtime
posted by Dave Stubbs at 15h04 EST on Jan 5
There are less lively see-saws in the playground than this game, a wholly entertaining matinée that typically had more than its share of young fans in the seats. Montreal was up by two, down by one, tied, down by one and tied before losing in OT.
The Canadiens had regulation-time goals, in order, from Tomas Plekanec, Andrei Kostitsyn, Roman Hamrlik and Alex Kovalev. Washington superstar Alex Ovechkin scored two for the visitors, with singles going to Niklas Backstrom and Boyd Gordon.
The Capitals outshot the Canadiens 27-26 in regulation and 2-1 in overtime.
The Habs came into the game with a 20-13-7 record overall, and working to improve on their 7-7-4 record at home, an inexplicable weakness given a raucous Bell Centre that's been sold out every regular-season and playoff game since the end of the lockout.
Montreal began the 2008 calendar year on Thursday with a 6-3 home-ice victory over the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Habs failed in its bid to win its fourth consecutive over the Capitals, who arrived with a 16-20-6 record.
The Canadiens return to Bell Centre action on Tuesday, closing out a three-game homestand when the Chicago Blackhawks are the visitors.
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
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I think Huet is a great goaltender and he has the stats to prove it. His save % has been tops or amongst the league leaders for 3 years. He has had a late start in his career and has lots of years left in him. I am going to be sad to see him go, and some team is going to be very happy to acquire him.
As for Price, I am impressed with his calmness at such a young age, and I hope he lives up to what is expected of him.
As far as last game, I thought the defense was at fault for several goals by backing up and allowing snipers to shoot from prime goal scoring spots. I don't know of too many NHL goalies that are expected to make those saves.
He misplayed the long slapper for sure, but that is the only one I feel he should have saved.
Obviously what the Canadiens REALLY need is a completely CRAPPY back-up goalie so we can have NO controversy!
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Let the kids play... let the non-performers watch or walk.
I have faith in Price. But no one can know for sure how this story will end. There are a lot of slings and arrows between now and Price becoming a proven NHL goalie. There's no question his confidence and power to control it is being tested. Let's just wait and see folks. Meanwhile we have depth in net, and a team that has learned how to score. Let's hope they all learn to find the best in themselves and each other, and we get to see some great hockey in April and May. Salut les habitant! On y va!
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Be happy! At least the FUTURE looks bright!
Plekanec, Higgins, Komi, Chips, Lapierre, O'Byrne, K1 &K2, Price
Scoring,especially 5 on 5 is a very encouranging sign lately. Habs no longer rely on power play (which has slipped somewhat) to score. Hope Carbo will try to stick with the lines and just work on getting his troops to skate full 60 minutes.
Price has more class at the young age of 20 than half of the players over 30 yrs of age.
He admitted to the reporters that he played awful and needs to play better and his play was unacceptable. That is hard for a goalie to admit to reporters.
Price knows that he was embarrased in that last game against the Caps. I bet the house that Price will come back in the next game he plays and be outstanding. Price has something to prove now. He has to prove that he belongs with the big boys. That last game was a wake up call for Price.
Just heard in RIS (Info Sport) that Bob will address the media tomorrow 10:30 am at Centre Bell. Would be interesting what he has to say. Realistically, we need Ovechkin or someone equivalent if we want to have a chance to win the cup in the next few years. Hope he admits this.
We'll be there and will upload the full audio of Bob's press conference on the site tomorrow, hopefully before noon ET.
Dave Stubbs
Habs Inside/Out
Sports Feature Writer, Montreal Gazette
Sorry Dave but the full audio of Bob's press conference is not enough. We need you to follow him home too and report on his dinner conversation.
I watched the Washington broadcast of the Habs-Caps game, and their announcers discussed this rumour that Ovechkin will be traded. They were almost laughing, but they did manage to explain that Ovechkin is the player Caps management will build around. So whoever thinks Washington will trade Ovechkin is living in a self-contained (and self-delusional) reality. We might as well debate the merits of resurrecting the Rocket....
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"The crowd doesn't give a crap as long as you bring the money in."
--Guy Lafleur
Sad, but true. I don't think Sammy Pollack on his best day with the wind at his back could pull this one off. On the other hand, if Gainey did, he would be the man at least for one day on HIO.
I'm sure that's it. I'm sure we're getting Ovechkin. I heard the press conference is at 10:30 because he has to go heal the kids at the Children's hospital first, and then he's going to arrive in a flying saucer.
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Let the kids play... let the non-performers watch or walk.
TR, I admit your enthusiasm but I think you're dreaming :)
Historically team does not make an annoucement that they are going to make a announcement which turns out to be a trade. I am sure it is nothing more than a midterm review.
Another thing I can think off is that he (Gainey) may temporarily step down as a GM to deal with his personal tragedy.
The flying saucer part didn't tip you off that I was joking?
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Let the kids play... let the non-performers watch or walk.
Not in a bit...
And give toys to all the girls and boys!
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Let the kids play... let the non-performers watch or walk.
sportsnet reports that 3 canadian teams are looking into bostons glen murray including montreal. Ryder for murray? what do you guys think? Hes also injured right now
Murray makes $4.1 mil a year - including the same amount next year. Right now he's no better than Ryder and we only have to pay him until the end of the year. Plus Murray is 36 years old in 2008-09 and is basically over the hill. Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather promote a kid from Hamilton and pay him $600000 grand. This is the type of deal that the Lousy Leafs are famous for - better them than us.
The Original 24 Cups
I agree. Bring up another youngster first (i.e. D'agostini, Locke). The addition of Murray would substract from the team in so many ways.
mjames
Can't see Murray being much of an improvement over Ryder. As far as Bob's address, I am sure it will be just a mid-term summary and just to show to the fans that he is still at work and cares about the club, etc...
no
pick up Murray without giving up a to much and this team will be closer to contending this year.
we would have to give up something just to clear the cap space. I seriously doubt the bruins would trade with a divisional rival though
they have about $3.7m, he should fit.
I agree the Bruins probably wouldn't but that wasn't the question. Glenn Murray is exactly the type of player the Habs are missing.
a glen murray of 5 or 6 years ago is what this team is missing. But i see your point and i agree.
Haven't had a chance to post in a while, but Carey stood out to me as the guy who just didn't have his game yesterday. Not that he's a bad player, just had a bad game. Hopefully he learns from it, bounces back and goes on with things.
I am encouraged that the team bounced back from a 2nd period deficit twice. That type of resilency has been missing all year from this team and was nice to see!
cournoyer12, I noticed the same thing but did not want to bring it up for fear of being accused of disliking Price again. I don't dislike Price at all. I hope he is killer for us someday. I just think things are moving WAAAY to fast.
I can't help but laugh at the comments that Price has already won a Calder cup and so has nothing left to prove in the AHL. He has never even played a season in the AHL. Not even half a season. All he played was the playoff run and it was a great one. But let me ask you, if a new goalie came up to the NHL at playoff time and got on a great run and won a cup (anyone think of a goalie who fits that??) would you then say the next year that he had nothing left to prove in the NHL?? What next then? Just put him into the Hall of Fame and he can retire, no need to play any more he has done all there is to do.
People please... try to take deep breaths, you might feel better.
Again, please don't get the wrong idea, I am not upset with Price at all and I don't feel he should be sent down. I just don't think it's time to put him into Habs folk lore just yet.
Please, never bring up the 1980 draft! No only did we pass on Savard, we also passed on Paul Coffey and Larry Murphy. The memories are just too painful to bear.
Hey Captain - I trust you remember the $200 bucks I lent you last week?!
The Original 24 Cups
As I wrote yesterday, he sucked. He knows he sucked. Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder could see that he sucked. The Who's Tommy would have sensed that he sucked. Had the Habs had adequate goaltending, they would have won the game. End of story. Do I want to see Price sent down? No! He's a kid and will get better. Do I think his confidence is shot after yesterday? No! he's young, but he is a professional. I'd come right back with him against the 'hawks Tuesday night. He can either play at this level right now, or he can't. Let's all find out together.
While I'm ranting, I hate to break it to you guys, but no one gives a rat's ass damn about the Spengler Cup down here in the lower 48. I knew a defenseman named Spengler when I was growing up and he wouldn't even wear a cup!
That's hilarious. Thumbs up!!!
I'm just a guy with time on his hands.