Game coverage

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."

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.

Canadiens goaltender Carey Price tried to make himself as large as possible during a record shootout, and Andrei Markov used his "secret" backhand to win it. The Gazette's Pat Hickey reports from Pittsburgh. And here's the view from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Gazette's Red Fisher writes this morning that everyone around the Canadiens dressing room was smiling last night after they defeated the Boston Bruins 6-1. From owner George Gillett, who celebrated his 69th birthday, to Bryan Smolinski, who got an assist in his 1,000th NHL game, the positive feelings were everywhere. But Fisher writes that the Habs wouldn't have been in a position to win the game had it not been for the performance of Goaltender Cristobal Huet, a sentiment echoed by Pat Hickey's article in this morning's Gazette.

The Gazette's Pat Hickey reports from Ottawa after Thursday night's game that the Canadiens put up a good fight against the Senators, but they fell behind early and made mistakes at the wrong time. The one that sealed the Ottawa win came less than 30 seconds after Alex Kovalev had tied the scored 3-3 in the third period when Tom Kostopoulos failed to clear the puck from deep in his zone. Daniel Alfredsson intercepted the pass and fired it at Carey Price, who was beaten by Jason Spezza on the rebound.

"I turned around quickly and fired it," Kostopoulos said. "I was trying to get it out quickly and I made a mistake."

Canadiens' Guillaume Latendresse (second from left) is congratulated on his first-period goal by (from left) Roman Hamrlik, Tomas Plekanec and Tom Kostopoulos.
André Ringuette, NHLI via Getty Images

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On paper, it didn't look like much of a game – the Ottawa Senators, 6-1-0 this season, against the visiting Canadiens, 2-1-2 and struggling with a regulation and shootout loss in their last two starts.

On the ice, however, it was indeed a contest. The Canadiens gave the Senators all they could handle tonight at Scotiabank Place in Kanata.

With a little attention to their defensive game, the result could have been better than the 4-3 loss Ottawa handed their rivals from down Highways 417 and 40.

Montreal's Alex Kovalev converted a pretty passing play with defenceman Patrice Brisebois at 12:51 of the third period, beating Ottawa netminder Martin Gerber to pull the Canadiens into a 3-3 tie and give the visitors a lift you could feel all the way back in Montreal.

But a weak pass by Tom Kostopoulos in his own end just 24 seconds later was picked off by Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and ultimately provided Senators' Jason Spezza with all the room he needed to bang a rebound past Canadiens goalie Carey Price to put the home team back in front with what proved to be the winning goal.

Canadiens' Patrice Brisebois (let) celebrates with teammate Christopher Higgins after Higgins's goal.
Dave Sidaway, Gazette

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Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward did a good job imitating a 6x4-foot piece of plywood tonight, stealing the Canadiens blind – when he had to – while lifting his team to a 3-1 victory over Montreal.

Ward's work, combined with the dominant effort of his teammates in front of the usual 21,273 sellout attending the Canadiens' 2007-08 home opener, made for an unhappy night on Bell Centre ice.

Montreal goaltender Cristobal Huet did all that was expected of him and more, making 35 saves on 37 shots. The Hurricanes iced the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Montreal had only eight shots through two periods, then bombarded Ward with 16 in the final 20 minutes.

Cory Stillman, Matt Cullen and Chad Larose (into an empty-net) scored for Carolina, who improved their record to 4-1-1. Christopher Higgins replied for the Canadiens, who fall to 2-1-1.

Carolina's win avenges Montreal's 3-2 victory on Hurricanes ice on Oct. 3, their home opener.

Updated at 6 am ET with new links

Goalie Carey Price, in exhibition action this season with defenceman Andrei Markov, has shown he belongs.
Tyrel Featherstone, Gazette

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Any debate over the readiness of Canadiens goalie Carey Price for the National Hockey League has been settled. The kid is poised, confident and plays his angles beautifully. He is more than ready.

And Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau just might have bottled lightning with a second line of Tomas Plekanec, Alex Kovalev and Andrei Kostitsyn.

Continue reading "Game 3: Price brilliant in debut, Habs beat Penguins 3-2" »

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