Sergei Kostitsyn on thin ice

Pat Hickey — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:40:07 -0500

Sergei Kostitsyn's days in Montreal may be numbered.

Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau expressed his displeasure with the younger Kostitsyn after the Canadiens practised in Verdun today. He described Sergei as a "second-year player who think he's been here for 10 years." Sergei appeared upset that he was relegated to the fourth line Saturday and he drew the coach's ire for taking three penalties which fell into the unnecessary (read dumb) category.

With Matt D'Agostini making an impressive debut and Georges Laraque and Alex Tanguay recovering from injuries, the Canadiens will soon have an extra body and that could mean Sergei is headed to Hamilton for a reality check.

Carey Price will be in goal tomorrow night against the Atlanta Thrashers and Mathieu Dandenault gets another start on defence which means Ryan O'Byrne watches from the press box.

Audio from the Canadiens' midday practice in Verdun. The Bell Centre has been taken over by Neil Young.

• Guy Carbonneau • Alex Kovalev • Christopher Higgins

Laraque begins blog with Sportsnet

Dave Stubbs — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:39:56 -0500

Canadiens forward Georges Laraque has begun an occasional blog for Sportsnet.ca, titled Rock Talk. You'll find his first one here.

Coach K: new nickname sticks to Komisarek

Dave Stubbs — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:15:45 -0500

Canadiens defenceman Mike Komisarek hollers encouragement to his team, with Andrei Markov (left) and Tomas Plekanec keeping an eye on the ice.
André Ringuette, NHLI via Getty Images

DAVE STUBBS
The Gazette

Scotty Bowman, the most successful coach in NHL history, produced a stunning winning percentage of .743 during his 634 regular-season games behind the Canadiens bench.

But Bowman’s record is positively shabby compared to the 1.000 that’s beside the name of Mike Komisarek this morning.

Disregard Bowman’s five Stanley Cups in this city from 1971-79 and … Scotty who?

“You’ve got to quit while you’re on top, right?” Komisarek said Sunday, laughing, now just 633 games behind Bowman but already contemplating retirement.

It isn’t clear whether the injured Canadiens defenceman was officially an assistant to head coach Guy Carbonneau for Saturday’s 3-2 Bell Centre victory over Buffalo.

But he was behind the bench for three periods and Sunday had little voice to show for his efforts, having hollered himself hoarse. So he gets the benefit of the doubt.

Senators nip Bulldogs 5-3 at the Bell Centre

Kevin Mio — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:46:57 -0500

The Canadiens AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, took over the Bell Centre for a Sunday afternoon tilt against the Binghmton Senators, but couldn't muster a win, losing 5-3.

It was the second straight loss to the Senators for Hamilton. The two teams faced off on Saturday night, with the Senators taking a 3-2 win at home.

A crowd of 14,446, mostly young hockey players and families, took in the game, and while they didn't get a win from the Bulldogs, they did see some good things from some of the kids.

Game 23: Habs claw back to edge Sabres

Dave Stubbs — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:40:51 -0500

Canadiens' Andrei Kostitsyn celebrates his goal against the Sabres.
Christinne Muschi, Reuters

AUDIO :

• Christopher Higgins Andrei Markov Steve Bégin Mike Komisarek (on his coaching debut) Matt D'Agostini

Andrei Kostitsyn emerged from coach Guy Carbonneau's doghouse to score a goal and add an assist tonight, helping lead the Canadiens to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre.

It was a happy, if nervy, homecoming for the Habs, who had lost ugly in Washington Friday night, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Capitals. That was Montreal's eighth loss in their past 12 games, three by shootout.

Montreal opened a seven-game homestand tonight, the longest in team history, with a victory coming on goals by Kostitsyn, Steve Bégin and Andrei Markov.

Kostitsyn had been called out earlier in the day by Carbonneau, who said that he and his younger brother, Sergei, could get no lower. They were demoted to the fourth line for the start of tonight's game, and Sergei did himself no favours with an undisciplined game, taking three penalties, the first resulting in Buffalo's first goal.

Burke on the Maple Leafs' importance

Dave Stubbs — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:44:18 -0500

I can't even make a comment about this: Upon being named president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs today, Brian Burke said: "You're talking about the Vatican if you're Catholic, you're talking the centre of the hockey universe, you're talking about one of the most important jobs in hockey running the Toronto Maple Leafs.''

Let's lighten up with this fabulous stat

Dave Stubbs — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:46:49 -0500

And when they lost a pair away from home, the headline writers said "Eagles drop two on the road"

Our thanks to Daniel Smajovits of the Canadiens communications department, who sends along this fabulous statistic:

Just how have the Canadiens fared over the years against teams with an animal in their nickname or logo?

They're freaking unbeaten against the St. Louis Eagles, that's how! Full details sleuthed out by Daniel appear below:

D'Agostini in, O'Byrne out

Dave Stubbs — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:50:15 -0500

Alex Kovalev is reunited tonight with Robert Lang, with whom he made magic in Pittsburgh. Can he rekindle that, now goalless in 12 games?

Matt D'Agostini is in the lineup tonight vs. Buffalo, getting plenty of ice time on a line with Koivu and Higgins. Dandenault moves back to the blue line to take the place of O'Byrne, a healthy scratch for the fourth time this season. Tanguay and Laraque remain out. Price will be in goal.

The Kostitsyn brothers move to the fourth line with Lapierre. Message sent. Kovalev and Lang are reunited. Bégin with Plekanec and Kostopoulos. Defence combos likely Markov-Gorges, Dandenault-Hamrlik and Bouillon-Brisebois.

Game 22 (audio): Theodore blanks Habs 3-0

Dave Stubbs — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:37:40 -0500

Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin sends Canadiens defenceman Ryan O'Byrne flying along the boards.
Joe Giza, Reuters

AUDIO: • Kostopoulos • Halak • Higgins • Carbo

The Canadiens managed to keep Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin bottled up from in front of their net for almost 44 minutes tonight.

But then Ovechkin got loose in the Montreal corner and scored his 13th of the season – it was his 17th point in 13 games lifetime against the Habs – from an angle so sharp that it would have dazzled your high-school geometry teacher.

That goal was the second of the night for the Caps, who went on to earn a 3-0 victory over Montreal at the Verizon Center.

Washington goalie José Theodore – remember him? – was excellent when called upon to earn the shutout, making 28 saves his first whitewash of the season and 27th of his career. Theodore's Canadiens counterpart, Jaroslav Halak, also made several outstanding saves among his 27 on the night and had no chance on two of the three shots that beat him; he'd like another look at Ovechkin's, surely.

Tanguay out, Latendresse in

Pat Hickey — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:06:34 -0500

Forward Alex Tanguay says he's feeling better but he was the first player off the ice at the morning skate at the Verizon Center yesterday and will not be in the lineup tonight against the Washington Capitals. Nor is he likely to play tomorrow night when the Canadiens return home to face the Buffalo Sabres. Tanguay is suffering from whiplash after that hit in the head by Detroit defenceman Brad Stuart and there might be a hint of concussion-like symptoms.

The Canadiens recalled Matt D'Agostini from Hamilton but his services won't be needed because Guillaume Latendresse is back after missing three games with a shoulder injury. Latendresse will be on the third line with Robert Lang and Sergei Kostitsyn while Tom Kostopoulos plays with Saku Koivu and Christopher Higgins.

Defenceman Josh Gorges is also good to go as he shakes off a bruise to his left knee, the result of stopping a Nicklas Lidstrom slapshot in Detroit.

Audio:

• Josh Gorges • Alex Tanguay • Matt D'Agostini

Press Review

Kevin Mio — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:24:57 -0500

• Pat Hickey sets up the game vs. Capitals

• Hickey on José Theodore facing his former team

• Bob Duff on the importance of Mike Komisarek to the Canadiens

• This date in Canadiens history

• François Gagnon's preview of the Caps game

• Theodore wants his revenge

• Halak out to stop Ovechkin

• Boudreau's banner year

• Simple formula helps Caps' Alzner adjust to NHL

• Tim Wharnsby on Brian Burke

D'Agostini to join Habs in Washington

Dave Stubbs — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:27:45 -0500

(News release) – The Montreal Canadiens announced tonight that forward Matt D’Agostini has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. He will join the team on Friday morning, and will attend the club’s practice at Verizon Center in Washington.

D’Agostini, 22, leads the Bulldogs in scoring, and ranks 3rd in the AHL with 25 points in 20 games (14 goals, 11 assists). He leads the club in goals (14), powerplay goals (5) and shots on goal (64). He also served 16 penalty minutes.

D’Agostini (6’00, 200 pounds), a right winger from Sault-Ste-Marie, Ontario was selected in the sixth round by the Canadiens, 190th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He played his first NHL game with the Canadiens during the 2007-08 season.

Audio: Theodore, Boudreau and Carbo

Pat Hickey — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:35:23 -0500

Checking in from Washington with voices to set up Friday's game, which will see Jaroslav Halak in goal for the Canadiens. Expect Carey Price between the pipes Saturday vs. Buffalo in Montreal.

Alex Tanguay, Josh Gorges and Alex Kovalev, who took a therapy day today, are expected to play tomorrow.

José Theodore gets the start for Washington. The last time Theo faced the Canadiens was Oct. 21, 2006 at the Bell Centre, eight months after he'd been traded to Colorado. The Avalanche raced to a 3-0 lead and led 4-3 going into third period. Then Theodore gave up five goals in 30 minutes and the Canadiens won 8-5.

• Capitals goalie José Theodore

• Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau on his rookie defencemen and on Alexander Ovechkin

• Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau

Boone's brick has been found!

Dave Stubbs — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:03:26 -0500

For those of you who use the Lucien L'Allier train station, between the Bell Centre and the commuter tracks to and from the suburbs: I've located Mike Boone's brick in the Canadiens' Centennial Plaza.

Exit the train station through the farthest door to the left. Immediately in front of you, maybe four strides dead ahead, in the first section of bricks, in the first row – surely the only time Boone will be front row for anything at the Bell Centre – is his brick. No hint on what he had engraved in it; you'll have to see it for yourself. And you'll have to read upside down until fences are removed and you can walk around the plaza.

(You guys are creative: get a thread going below to guess his message!)

I called my Inside/Out buddy to let him know, and immediately he expressed concern that pigeons were nearby.

Tanguay, Gorges questionable vs. Caps

Pat Hickey — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:41:33 -0500

Alex Tanguay was undergoing therapy today for a neck injury suffered when he was hit hard by Detroit's Brad Stuart last night.
Dave Sandford, NHLI via Getty Images

Forward Alex Tanguay and defenceman Josh Gorges are both question marks for tomorrow night's game against the Washington Capitals.

Tanguay left Wednesday night's game in Detroit after being checked by Brad Stuart early in the first period. He suffered a neck injury and was undergoing therapy today.

Gorges also skipped practice to get treatment for a knee injury. He took a Nicklas Lidstrom shot off the knee and had an x-ray after the game.

Alex Kovalev also skipped practice for what the team described as a therapy day.

The last player to take a therapy day was Guillaume Latendresse and he's missed the past three games with a shoulder injury. He practiced today and is expected to play tomorrow.

PuckCast, Vol. 3, No. 4 [Podcast]

Kevin Mio — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:30:36 -0500

download PuckCast, Vol. 3, No. 4 [Podcast]

We’re a quarter way through the 2008-09 season and the Canadiens have had their share of highs and lows through 21 games. But the team turned in one of its best performances of the season Wednesday night during a 3-1 win over the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings.

Most people had expected the Canadiens to struggles against the Wings, but a solid performance should serve to boost the team’s confidence as they move on to play the Washington Capitals on Friday before starting a seven-game homestand on Saturday.

PuckCasters Dave Stubbs, Mike Boone and Kevin Mio review the first quarter of the team's season and examine some of the surprises - both positive and negative - of the 2008-09 season so far. Mr. Hickey went to Washington – for Friday's game vs. the Capitals.

The PuckCast | Download it now
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iTunes | Add the PuckCast to iTunes

Game 21: Habs score huge win over Wings

Dave Stubbs — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:00:39 -0500

Canadiens' Christopher Higgins (left) and Tom Kostopoulos celebrate Higgins's goal, which gave the Habs a 3-0 lead.
Rebecca Cook, Reuters

Cancel the funeral – the Canadiens do indeed have a pulse. And a very strong one, given their 3-1 victory in Detroit tonight over the Stanley Cup-champion Red Wings.

The Habs played one of their strongest games of the season, scoring three second-period goals while enjoying the terrific goaltending of Carey Price.

The Canadiens improved to 12-5-4 with the impressive win, which was just the third regulation-time loss of the season for the Red Wings, now 14-3-4.

It also put at least a dent in Detroit's recent Motor City domination of Montreal, the Wings having won seven of their last eight against the Habs at the Joe Louis Arena before tonight. Since 1994, Detroit was 13-4-0 against the Habs.

It might have been a costly victory, however – the Habs played two-plus periods with with a shortened bench. Alex Tanguay, tied at 17 points with Koivu as the Habs' leading scorer going into the game, was flattened by a crushing, early first-period bodycheck along the boards by Detroit's Brad Stuart. He finished the shift but did not return.

Post-game audio:

• Carbo • Higgins • Lapierre • Plekanec

Audio: Habs stand pat for Wings

Pat Hickey — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:15:39 -0500

DETROIT – The Canadiens will face the Red Wings tonight with the same lineup which dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to the New York Islanders Monday night.

The one posssible change would have involved Guillaume Latendresse, who has been sidelined for the past two games with a shoulder injury. He accompanied the team on this trip and took part in the morning skate but he's a more or less healthy scratch tonight.

Carey Price will make his sixth consecutive start in goal.

Morning skate audio:

• Kris Draper on the faltering economy

• Chris Chelios on his injury, on the economy and on his personal trainer, who's working with Mats Sundin

• Robert Lang on playing for the Wings.

Audio: Gorges celebrates role as Habs sniper

Dave Stubbs — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:43:53 -0500

Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges plays with the puck with which he scored his first goal in the bleu-blanc-rouge. With a single shot Monday, he doubled his NHL output.
Allen McInnis, Gazette

How thrilled is Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges to be playing Detroit tonight? He's scored half of his career NHL goals against the Red Wings.

One against Detroit on Jan. 4, 2007 in San Jose while he was with the Sharks, his other against the New York Islanders as a Canadien on Monday night.

Here's a 10-minute chat Inside/Out's Dave Stubbs had today with Gorges about that and other things, with the story below. Also:

• Head coach Guy Carbonneau in his daily media briefing
• Goalie Carey Price on Ryan O'Byrne, shootouts, Gorges, his new armadillo-like undershirt (see photo below), etc. Part 1 and Part 2
• Tom Kostopoulos, on his role in sacrificing Gorges's stick last week in Raleigh, N.C., in a bid to get him his first goal. And it worked!

Canadiens to open Centennial Plaza next week

Mike Boone — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:37:14 -0500

On Friday, Dec. 4, the Canadiens will inaugurate Centennial Plaza.

From an e-mail sent to those who'v purchased personalized bricks in the plaza:

The focal point of the plaza will be four life-sized statues of Canadiens legends.

Throughout the plaza, 100 engraved stones will commemorate the greatest moments in Canadiens history.

Every Canadiens Memorable Moment is numbered. Each number corresponds to a Moment in Canadiens history. There are 100 Greatest Moment bricks in Centennial Plaza, and each moment has a unique milestone so that you will be able to locate your special brick among one row of bricks rather than looking through more than 20,000 bricks in the entire Plaza.

Once you have looked up the number corresponding to where your brick is installed, please consult the Centennial Plaza map to locate your section within Centennial Plaza.