The way the team's been playing lately (and by lately, I mean all year) this game should be a cake walk. Of course, never underestimate the enemy. I'm giving the start to Theo so he can build on his momentum. Look for the second line to produce yet again but with more support from our top line. Home ice will give them the freedom they need to get it going. Look for a better showing that the 4-3 OT from the previous game. 5-1 Habs. Watch for Hossa to get a rude welcome - from the fans and his old team.
(Sports Network) - The Montreal Canadiens hope to bounce back from their third loss of the season tonight when they welcome the New York Rangers to the Bell Centre in the opener of a home-and-home.
The Habs had a three-game winning streak snapped in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss in Ottawa. The Sens' Jason Spezza tallied the game-winner 2:48 into overtime.
Mike Ribeiro tallied two goals for the Canadiens, who had their three-game winning streak halted. Michael Ryder notched a goal and two assists while Jose Theodore posted 38 saves in the losing effort.
Ribeiro leads the Habs with six goals, while Ryder is right behind with five.
Montreal will visit the Rangers on Monday to close out this set.
New York, meanwhile, ended a three-game losing skid on Thursday with a 3-1 win over the Islanders at Madison Square Garden. Henrik Lundqvist made 31 saves to anchor the Blueshirts' victory.
The Rangers received goals from Martin Straka, Fedor Tyutin, and Blair Betts, as they got a bit of revenge on the Islanders, who swept a home-and-home between the teams last week.
Jagr's two assists increased his point streak to eight games (8g, 5a) and is tied for second in the NHL with 17 points (10g, 7a). Through 11 games, Jagr is already almost a third of the way to his goal total of 31 during the 2003-04 season.
The Canadiens posted a 4-3 overtime win against the Rangers on October 6 and is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings overall.
I'm surprised some of stating it should be an easy win for the Habs. Mtl needed overtime to beat the Rangers last time they met, the Rangers are also only two points behind the Habs in the standings.
NYR 3 Mtl 0 just over halfway through the first . . . not good.
Well 11 minutes in 3 zip, not so easy after all. They must close the floodgates and get something on the board and I mean badly . Is it me or is Theo behind each shot. It appears he is slow on the saves. The habs are up against a hot goalie. These guys got to get going. It is almost like they beat Ottawa and now ther are in a let down. I need someone to post something to make me feel better. Please
Murray Wilson is right we need the next goal. He asks who will be the one to step up and score. Well, this is where the captain should step up. Come on Koivo
Spiderman when you do the emplems, I liked it better when the team logos rotated. Since you started the new larger insignia, they have been losing. Not that I am you know superstitious not sure about the spelling
Ok, I'd start Danis next game anyway. Theo really blew it...even Dagenais played a better game than Theo. Did you hear that post Dags caught in the last seconds of the game? What a rocket. And Kovy grabbed a post, too. Great goaltending beat us on a night of goaltending. Think I'll start a Theo thread and close this one!
Spiderman when you do the emplems, I liked it better when the team logos rotated. Since you started the new larger insignia, they have been losing. Not that I am you know superstitious not sure about the spelling