Team photo precedes Habs practice

Dave Stubbs — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:48:33 -0400

Veteran Canadiens photographer Bob Fisher is currently lining up the troops on Bell Centre risers for the Habs' second team photo of the year, the traditional second shot scheduled after the trading deadline to present the club that is going to/toward the playoffs.

The Canadiens are expected to be practising in about an hour. Marc-André Bergeron is due to be skating with his teammates, but not yet, apparently, is Michael Cammalleri.

Updates and post-practice audio to come.

Carbo at 50: Looking ahead, still no answers

Dave Stubbs — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:55:11 -0400

Former Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau, photographed last Saturday in the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast booth at the Bell Centre.
Dave Sidaway, Gazette

• Gazette feature: On his 50th birthday, Carbonneau looks ahead and back

• Texte en français: At CKAC Sports

Guy Carbonneau turns 50 on Thursday, happy with the many good things in his life.

And this birthday promises to be less eventful than No. 49.

A year ago to the day, Carbonneau sat before a news conference at the Bell Centre, nine days after he’d been fired as the Canadiens' 28th head coach, a job he'd viewed as his destiny.

He answered questions for nearly an hour, addressing his dismissal by then GM Bob Gainey that had taken him and many others by surprise.

Today, Carbonneau is impressed by what he sees of his former team, for whom he played for a dozen years, served as captain and coached 230 games with a regular-season record of 124-83-23. He is busier than ever as a husband, father and grandfather of three who is moving painlessly on two new surgically replaced hips, serving as a Hockey Night in Canada analyst, starring in a TVA hockey reality show and soon heading to Belarus as head coach of Canada's under-18 world championship team.  

Good things in the present and the future. But Carbonneau still hasn't gotten closure over his firing. He says his relationship has changed with Gainey, his former teammate and mentor in Dallas and Montreal who handpicked him to coach the Habs.

At the very least, the timing of the firing was puzzling: when Gainey pulled Carbonneau's plug, alone or with pressure from above, the Canadiens were in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, having turned the corner from a horrible 1-11-3 skid in January/February, and Carbonneau, a finalist as NHL coach of the year the previous June, was only five months into a new three-year contract.

I sat Saturday at the Bell Centre with Carbonneau, who spoke at length about all of the above. There is no bitterness in him; he's moved on and is loving his life. But he won't lie to you – he was angry to be fired, and he still wouldn't mind knowing the whole background behind his dismissal.

Historic Richard Riot 55 years ago today

Dave Stubbs — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:57:45 -0400

An ad in the Montreal Gazette from March 1955, offering the suspended Maurice Richard employment at a butcher supply shop.

It was an event that changed the political landscape in Quebec, giving birth to a nationalist movement and the so-called Quiet Revolution.

Maurice (Rocket) Richard always maintained that he was "just a hockey player," but a star-struck population, its French-speaking citizens in want and even need of a hero, would never let him be that.

NHL president Clarence Campbell's suspension of Richard for a violent outburst during a game March 13, 1955 would ultimately lead to the Richard Riot four nights later, St. Patrick's Day.

And the civil unrest and its fallout would become a cornerstone moment in Quebec's history.

Canadiens historian and Habs Inside/Out friend Robert Lefebvre has put together this tremendous look back at the event and what led to it, using the Internet in the best way to offer a multimedia tour.

Absolutely essential reading for any Canadiens fan.

Day off for six-straight Canadiens

Dave Stubbs — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:49:40 -0400

The Canadiens have earned a day off today, winners of six consecutive games and this morning sitting in sixth place in the NHL's Eastern Conference, a healthy seven points inside the playoff cut.

Not playing again until Saturday in Toronto vs. the Maple Leafs, the Habs returns to practice ice tomorrow at 10:45 am. For fans who attend, note that this session is at the Bell Centre, not Brossard as usual, and is not open to the public.

Game 71: Canadiens move into sixth place

Kevin Mio — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:45:33 -0400

The Rangers' Sean Avery has Canadiens' Brian Gionta in a headlock as Scott Gomez helps his teammate Tuesday night. Al Bello/Getty Images

AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Jaro Halak | Glen Metropolit | Jaro Spacek | Tomas Plekanec

• At a Glance: The Canadiens extended their winning streak to a season-high six games on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers. The Canadiens got goals from Glen Metropolit in the first period, his 16th, and Sergei Kostitsyn in the third period, his sixth of the season. Super pest Sean Avery scored for the Rangers in the second period, but that was only one of only 20 shots the Rangers had on Jaroslav Halak. The Canadiens dominated most of the game, including outshooting the Rangers 18-5 in the second period. Tomas Plekanec, who was a game-time decision, scored an empty-net goal to seal the win.

• Key Moments: The Canadiens killed off a power-play in the final minute of the game during which the Rangers enjoyed a 6-on-4 advantage after pulling Henrik Lundqvist. Plekanec scored his goal shorthanded with 36 seconds to play.

• What It Means: Montreal improves to 36-29-6 and 78 points, moving ahead of the Flyers for sixth spot in the Eastern Conference after the Flyers lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Predators. The Flyers have two games in hand, however. Montreal also opens up a seven-spoint lead on the Rangers, who remain in ninth place. The Canadiens are also only one point behind the Ottawa Senators for fifth place.

• What's Next: The Canadiens are in Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Saturday. They are then home to welcome the Senators to Montreal on Monday to start a busy week that also includes games against the Sabres, Panthers and Devils.

Audio: Halak in, Plekanec game-time decision

Dave Stubbs — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:38:53 -0400

• AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Brian Gionta

Jaroslav Halak gets the start in goal for the Canadiens tonight vs. the New York Rangers. Halak is 1-3-0, 4.11 average lifetime at Madison Square Garden, which is totally meaningless, of course, considering his just-keeps-winning play of late; this is his sixth straight game, having won every game in the Habs' five-game winning streak. For the record, he's 4-3-0 lifetime overall vs. the Rangers with a shutout, 3.28 GAA and .899 save percentage.

It's a game-time decision on centre Tomas Plekanec, who left practice for medical attention Thursday in Montreal for a mysterious injury, thought to be to a hip. Plekanec was first on the ice at Madison Square Garden this morning, 15 minutes ahead of his teammates' scheduled 11 am skate. Head coach Jacques Martin expects Plekanec will play, but if he's unable to go, Ben Maxwell, who arrived from Hamilton last evening on a callup, will see action.

Maxwell recalled from Bulldogs

Kevin Mio — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:40:42 -0400

Ben Maxwell has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs by the Canadiens on the eve of their game in New York and only hours after Tomas Plekanec left practice on Monday with an injury.

From the team's release:

The Montreal Canadiens announced tonight that forward Ben Maxwell has been
recalled from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. He will join the Canadiens tonight in New York and will be available for
tomorrow’s game against the Rangers.

Maxwell, 21, played in 12 games with the Canadiens this season.

The 6’, 193 lbs forward ranks fourth on the Bulldogs scoring list with 44 points (16-28-44) in 57 games in
Hamilton, while maintaining a +11 plus/minus differential.

Plekanec leaves practice with injury

Pat Hickey — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:11:30 -0400

Tomas Plekanec left the Canadiens practice this morning with an undisclosed injury but coach Jacques Martin expects the high-scoring centre to play tomorrow night in New York.

Martin said Plekanec was going to see a doctor after practice but that he didn't think the injury was serious and Plekanec flew to New York with the team.

Michael Cammalleri and Marc-André Bergeron continued to work out with the team but Martin said he didn't expect either player to see action before next week.

Plekanec talks going well: agent via LeBrun

Dave Stubbs — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:55:33 -0400

From ESPN.com and Hockey Night In Canada's Pierre LeBrun:

The Habs and Tomas Plekanec's agent, Rick Curran, continue to talk, and all signs point to the Czech centre likely staying put instead of hitting the unrestricted free-agent market July 1.

"We continue to have positive conversations ... not likely to finalize any agreement until after the season has completed," Curran told ESPN.com via e-mail Saturday.

I suspect the Habs need to create some cap space after the season before fitting in any new deal for Plekanec, but it does sound like the Canadiens will likely retain him.

Back to practice, off to New York

Dave Stubbs — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:21:34 -0400

• Habs riding post-Olympic high: Stubbs
• Decade since father's death, Maurice Richard Jr. is amazed by Habs icon's enduring popularity: Stubbs
• Decisive week for Habs playoff hopes: Basu
• From press box to starring role for Avery: Rangers website

The Canadiens return to Brossard practice ice this morning at 11:30 a.m., then charter to New York for tomorrow's game against the Rangers.

Montreal is riding a season-high five-game winning streak, the Rangers buoyed by their 3-1 home-ice win Sunday over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Stay tuned here today for Pat Hickey's update.

Habs get some help – and not

Pat Hickey — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:25:25 -0400

With only two games on the Canadiens' schedule this week – Tuesday against the Rangers in New York and Saturday in Toronto – this is the time for those teams around Montreal to use some of those games in hand. That leads to intense scoreboard watching and there was some good – and not so good – news for the Canadiens Sunday.

The ninth-place New York Rangers beat sixth-place Philadelphia and that moved the Rangers to within five points of the Canadiens going into Tuesday's game. But the Rangers are down to one game in hand. Philadelphia and Montreal are tied at 76 points and the Flyers have two games in hand.

Two other teams chasing the Canadiens – Tampa Bay and Atlanta – both lost. Tampa remains eight points back with two games in hand. Atlanta picked up a point by losing in a shootout and is nine back with two games in hand.

Game 70: Canadiens extend lead on Bruins

Kevin Mio — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:16:22 -0500

The Bruins' bench reels back after Canadiens' Travis Moen checked Boston defenceman Johnny Boychuk during the first period Saturday night. Dave Sidaway, The Gazette

AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Jaro Halak | Sergei Kostitsyn | Dominic Moore (talking at first about his alma mater, Harvard)

• At a Glance: For the first time this season, the Canadiens have won five straight games after defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2 Saturday night at the Bell Centre. Jaroslav Halak got the win, his 22nd of the season, making 21 saves on the night. The Canadiens got a pair of goals from Sergei Kostitsyn after Andrei Markov opened the scoring 6:02 into the first period with a power-play goal. Blake Wheeler scored early in the second period for the Bruins and Milan Lucic made it 3-2 with about eight minutes to play, making for a nail-biting finish.

• Key Moments: With a few minutes to play, Halak made an excellent save on Marco Sturm, robbing the Bruins forward of what look liked a sure goal and preserving the Montreal win.

• What It Means: Montreal improves to 35-29-6 for 76 points, still tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. The win also opens up a four-point gap between the Canadiens and Bruins, who hold down the eighth spot.

• What's Next: The Canadiens have a relatively light week coming up with a game Tuesday in New York against the Rangers and then to Toronto to take on the the Maple Leafs next Saturday.

UPDATE: More on HIO mobile

Kevin Mio — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:59:49 -0500

The latest news on HIO mobile: Thanks for your valuable feedback on the mobile site. We are working to address your concerns and give you the choice between the full and mobile versions of the site on your mobile device. We hope to have a solution in place shortly. Thanks for your patience.

Hello everyone, in response to some comments and complaints about our new Habsinsideout mobile, I wanted to updated you on plans that should solve some complaints.

First off, the comment function will be coming, but only for next season. So stay tuned for that.

Also, given the popularity of the iPhone and iPhone apps, one is being planned for Habs Inside/Out in the near future.

Just like Habs Inside/Out, the mobile version is a work in progress, so do not hesitate to send us comments and suggestions as we continue to work and make it the best site for Habs information.

Halak to start again

Pat Hickey — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:25:42 -0500

Coach Jacques Martin has decided to stay with the hot hand which means Jaroslav Halak will start in goal against the Bruins tonight.

Halak and the Canadiens are riding a four-game win streak, and he gets the nod over Carey Price, who has a 3-0 record against the Bruins this season. Halak gave up four goals in the 5-4 shootout win iover Edmonton Thursday but was outstanding when it counted – in overtime and in the shootout.

Martin said he could have gone with either goaltender.

But today's decision is the closest the coach has come to anointing Halak as his No. 1 netminder.

Get the Game in Hand - your hands

Kevin Mio — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:09:22 -0500

It’s been in the planning for months, but we are proud to officially launch a mobile version of Habsinsideout.com on Saturday.

It’s the same great website you have all come to love, but now you can take it with you wherever you go. Now you can get Mike Boone’s live game blog whether you are at home, in a bar or at the Bell Centre.

And you don’t have to wait to get home for the latest news from practice or updates on the status of your favourite players. Simply go to the Web browser on your smartphone and go to habsinsideout.com, and you will be automatically redirected to the new mobile version of the site.

Here’s what you’ll find:
· Mobile-optimized version of the main blog
· Schedules and real-time scores
· Player stats and rosters
· Mobile-optimized version of Mike Boone’s blog
· Photo gallery

For the time being, the Puckcast will not be on the mobile version of the site, but there are plans to make that available eventually.

We’ve also tweaked the main Habs Inside/Out website to reflect some of the features you will now receive on the mobile version. We have added the same schedule and real-time score information, as well as the player stats and rosters, to the Web version of the site. To accommodate that, you will notice a new-look menu at the top of the site.

To make room for these new features, we had to move the Summit section off the main menu, but it will find a new home down the side of the page, so look for it there, along with the Puckcast.
Even though this is a mobile WAP version of the site, remember all you have to do is go to habsinsideout.com on your phone and you will be automatically redirected to the mobile site.

Bruins calm but emotional on Savard injury

Dave Stubbs — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:31:57 -0500

• BRUINS AUDIO: Coach Claude Julien English and French | Mark Recchi | Patrice Bergeron

At first yesterday, Bruins veteran Mark Recchi said he didn’t want to revisit last Sunday’s near-decapitation of Boston’s Marc Savard by Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke, a hit that might have sidelined its victim for the rest of the season.

But then, considering the NHL’s decision not to suspend Cooke for what any reasonable observer would view as a vicious check, Recchi decided he couldn’t not speak up. So he did, calmly but with emotion, voicing an opinion possibly shared if not spoken by many NHL players.

“I think it would be very different if Sidney Crosby got hit like that,” Recchi said of the Penguins superstar. “It’s pretty sad to say, but unfortunately that’s the way it is.”

Some very strong comments from Recchi, head coach Claude Julien and forward Patrice Bergeron, who missed 84 games in 2007-08 when driven head-first into the boards to suffer a Grade 3 concussion.

Lapierre set to return

Pat Hickey — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:14:59 -0500

Maxim Lapierre, who has finished serving a four-game suspension, was back on the fourth line with Glen Metropolit and Mathieu Darche today as the Canadiens held a relatively short 45-minute practice in preparation for tomorrow night's key matchup against the Boston Bruins. The Canadiens made room for Lapierre by returning Ben Maxwell to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Defenceman Andrei Markov, who played nearly 28 minutes in last night's 5-4 shootout win over Edmonton, took a day off to rest. Coach Jacques Martin said there wasn't concern about Markov's health. The defenceman has points in each of the Canadiens last five games with a goal and six assists.

No word on a goaltender for tomorrow night but don't be surprised if Carey Price gets the start. He's 3-0 against the Bruins this season and has given up only three goals in those games.

AUDIO: Maxim Lapierre | Glen Metropolit | Benoit Pouliot | Jacques Martin

Maxwell returned to Bulldogs

Dave Stubbs — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:02:56 -0500

Forward Ben Maxwell has been returned this morning to the Hamilton Bulldogs. Suspended Maxim Lapierre, who sat out the past four games, is eligible to return tomorrow vs. Boston.

Questions ahead of Habs vs. Bruins

Dave Stubbs — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:35:24 -0500

The Canadiens return to practice in Brossard this morning following last night's too-close 5-4 shootout win over the lowly but very game Edmonton Oilers. The Habs are scheduled to hit the ice at 11:30 a.m. in a practice that, as usual, is open to the public.

The Boston Bruins, meanwhile, will hold a practice of their own at 1 p.m. at the downtown Bell Centre; that's not open to the public.

Locked in a playoff-berth battle, the Canadiens play host to the Bruins tomorrow night.

Questions surely to be asked of head coach Jacques Martin today: Who gets the start in goal (he surely won't answer that until tomorrow), and where does centreman Maxim Lapierre, returning tomorrow following a four-game suspension, fit into a lineup that has now won four straight games and seeks a season-high five against the Bruins?

As our spiritual leader Red Fisher might say: Stay tuned.

Game 69: Habs need shootout to down Oilers

Dave Stubbs — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:14:34 -0500

Canadiens' Travis Moen (left) and Sergei Kostitsyn celebrates Moen's second period goal against Edmonton.
François Lacasse, NHLI via Getty Images

• At A Glance: One team so bad this season, they need a ladder to get into the basement. The other, battling to make the playoffs and doing well of late. So how to explain the Canadiens going to a shootout against the Edmonton Oilers – and needing a fifth-round goal by Andrei Kostitsyn to earn two points with a 5-4 win? The teams scored four goals on only 10 shots through the first half of the first period, Habs' Tomas Plekanec, with his 20th of the season, and Brian Gionta, with his 21st, bookending goals by Edmonton's Robert Nilsson and Sam Gagner. Defenceman Andrei Markov earned assists on both Habs goals. It wasn't until 15:25 through the second period that Travis Moen, with his eighth, banged one past Oilers rookie goalie Devan Dubnyk from a scramble to break the tie to put Montreal back in front. Edmonton’s Andrew Cogliano took advantage of Habs goalie Jaroslav Halak's inability to smother a puck in the first minute of the third to pull Edmonton even again. Sergei Kostitsyn, with his third, pushed the Habs back into the lead at 8:05, an advantage for just 1:14 when Halak fanned on a Shawn Horcoff slapper he’ll usually stop in his sleep.

• Key Moments: Montreal went 0-for-7 with at least one extra man. And while it wasn’t his best game of the season, Halak stopped five Oilers in the shootout to preserve the win.

• What It Means: The sixth-place Flyers were pummelled by No. 8 Boston, leaving the Habs in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 74 points and tied with Philly, but having played three more games. Boston is eighth with 72.

• What's Next: The Habs return to practice Friday morning in Brossard then face the Boston Bruins Saturday night at the Bell Centre. That will wrap up a three-game homestand and lead to two road games next week: in New York on Tuesday and Toronto on Saturday.