Canadiens' mostly first-line forward Michael Ryder figures hard work and more shots on goal will turn the tide and get him back on the scoresheet, where he had 30 goals and 28 assists last season. Dave Stubbs reports in today's Gazette column.

A quiet day at the Bell Centre, with players reporting for off-ice conditioning work on a rare Sunday workday, with the Buffalo Sabres in town for a Monday night, homestand finale. Here's a little audio
gathered from:

Head coach Guy Carbonneau on Francis Bouillon's expected return to action, Michael Ryder's recent performance and more. In French, clip runs 5:45. In English, clip runs 6:00.

Defenceman Francis Bouillon on his recovery from a shoulder injury. In French, clip runs 1:25. In English, clip runs 4:13.

Forward Michael Ryder on keeping a stiff upper lip, on working hard, and hoping the puck bounces his way. Clip runs 4:46.

A quiet day at the Bell Centre, with players reporting for off-ice conditioning work on a rare Sunday workday, with the Buffalo Sabres in town for a Monday night, homestand finale. Here's a little audio gathered from:

Head coach Guy Carbonneau on Francis Bouillon's expected return to action, Michael Ryder's recent performance and more. In French, clip runs 5:45. In English, clip runs 6:00.

Defenceman Francis Bouillon on his recovery from a shoulder injury. In French, clip runs 1:25. In English, clip runs 4:13.

Forward Michael Ryder on keeping a stiff upper lip, on working hard, and hoping the puck bounces his way. Clip runs 4:46.

As part of a new regular feature in The Gazette, Kevin Mio sits down with Christopher Higgins for a one-on-one conversation that deals with everything from Montreal bagels to what career path he would have followed had he not become an NHL player.

Here's a sample of what Higgins, drafted 14th overall by the Canadiens in 2002, has to say:

What makes you successful at what you do?
"I think it's just probably passion. I love playing and I love working on the game and becoming a better player and seeing myself be a better player."

Who's better at yoga, you or Mike Komisarek?
"I don't know, we're both pretty terrible (laughs). It's comical to see a couple of grown men stretching and as stiff as we are."

The Gazette's Pat Hickey reports that there were plenty of questions being asked in the locker room last night about Michael Ryder's struggles this season, but Canadiens captain Saku Koivu was quick to defend his winger.

"Everybody has slumps and you notice them more when they come at the beginning of the season," Koivu said. "He's in the same spots he's always been and he's getting his chances, but he's having shots blocked or he's missing the net."

The Gazette's Red Fisher writes that there is no secret behind why the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to leave Montreal with a 3-2 win on Saturday night, they simply wanted it more. And the Leafs' stars, Jason Blake and Mats Sundin, came out with big games, while Matt Stajan scored the big goal with about 90 seconds left to play.

But for the Canadiens, it was also a case of the bounces not going their way.

"You work first. You skate first and things happen," head coach Guy Carbonneau said. "They got a lucky bounce on the second goal and the other two, I'm sure Cristobal would like to have 'em back."

Canadiens' Bryan Smolinski and goalie Cristobal Huet combine to stop Toronto captain Mats Sundin tonight at the Bell Centre.
André Ringuette, NHLI via Getty Images

Canadiens' Mike Komisarek takes Toronto's Simon Gamache into the boards.
Christinne Muschi, Reuters

Lineups | Preview | Hickey Preview | Game Story | Game Summary | Event Summary | Boxscore | Boone's Blog

Canadiens fans don't like their team losing. But they like their team losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs perhaps least of all.

Toronto's Matt Stajan scored on a long shot that appeared to deflect off the stick of Montreal defenceman Mark Streit past goalie Cristobal Huet with 1:34 left to play tonight, giving the Maple Leafs a 3-2 victory.

The Leafs are perfect against the Canadiens after two games this season, having beaten Montreal 4-3 in overtime in the Canadiens' first game of the year.

Montreal fell to 7-3-0 with the loss, Toronto snapped a two-game losing skid to improve to 6-6-3. And give full credit for the Leafs victory to their goalie, Vesa Toskala, who stopped 32 Canadiens shots.

Huet faced 31 from Toronto shooters and would like to have a couple of them back.

Photos of tonight's game vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs by Gazette photographer Dave Sidaway:

Forwards Mathieu Dandenault and Guillaume Latendresse were not at practice this morning for what the team is calling a "therapy day." There was no indication either had suffered an injury or whether they would face the Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

Defenceman Francis Bouillon also did not practice as he continue to be bothered by a shoulder injury.

The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes that the Canadiens put in a 60-minute effort against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, dominating the game in every aspect. Unlike their poor effort against Atlanta on Tuesday, the Habs came out flying in this one and were able to hold the Flyers to less than 20 shots and didn't let up on the throttle throughout the game.

"They had less than 20 shots and the way we played with the lead in the third period is the way we have to do it," captain Saku Koivu said. "It's not so much me. I think the key tonight was the team's performance after our game against Atlanta."

The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes that the Philadelphia Flyers held true to their reputation so far this season with several ugly incidents late in last night's game when the Canadiens were in control on the scoreboard. The first incident was the Ben Eager vs. Tom Kostopoulos fight - "I was just trying to hand on," Kostopoulos said. - followed by a shot to the head of Alex Kovalev.

Yannick Weber

Kitchener Rangers' Yannick Weber, the Swiss-native defenceman drafted in the third round (73rd overall) by the Canadiens back in June, on Wednesday was named the CHL's player of the week.

Weber is in his second season with the Rangers and is in second place in scoring among all OHL defencemen with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists). He had five goals and three assists for eight points while guiding the Rangers to three consecutive wins last week.

Thanks to Cory Kornelsen, editor of McKeen's Hockey, for the heads-up.

Canadiens goalie Cristobal Huet stones Flyers' Scott Hartnell on this scoring attempt.
Dave Sandford, Getty Images

Canadiens' Mike Komisarek tangles with Hartnell during first-period action. Komisarek was a physical presence all night long for Montreal.
Christinne Muschi, Reuters

Lineups | Preview | Game Story | Game Summary | Event Summary | Boxscore | Photos | Boone's Blog

The Philadelphia Flyers weren't so bad after all. Or, maybe the Canadiens were simply that good.

The Habs scored twice at even strength, twice on their league-leading power play and once more while shorthanded, outshooting the Flyers 41-19 to defeat their visitors 5-2 before the usual 21,273-fan sellout at the Bell Centre.

Montreal improved their record to 7-2-3, while the Atlanta Division-leading Flyers, playing their fourth in an eight-game road trip, dropped to 7-4-0.

Christopher Higgins pounced on a rebound off a Mark Streit slap shot at 16:42 of the third period, the Canadiens enjoying a 5-on-3 advantage, to put the Habs up 5-1.

Photos of tonight’s game vs. Philadelphia Flyers by Gazette photographer Tyrel Featherstone.

The Canadiens today announced their tribute to their three most successful general managers – Tommy Gorman, Frank Selke Sr. and Sam Pollock – with celebrations of their tenures to be displayed in the club's Builders Row at the Bell Centre.