Game Thread | Montreal vs. Hurricanes | 12/31/05

SpiderManNL · Guru

Game Thread | Montreal vs. Hurricanes | 12/31/05

SpiderManNL · Guru

SpiderManNL · Guru

hockeyman · Senior Member

Another game with Bulis as our #1 centre. I feel warm and fuzzy all over.(sarcasm)

SpiderManNL · Guru

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=148894&hubname=

Road-weary Habs hit Carolina at right time

(Sports Network) - The Carolina Hurricanes hope to end a three-game losing skid tonight when they welcome the Montreal Canadiens to the RBC Center.

Carolina, which leads the Southeast Division by nine points over second-place Tampa Bay, has lost three straight on the heels of a five-game winning streak. Two of the three losses have come in overtime, including Thursday's 4-3 overtime defeat to Philadelphia at home. Former Hurricane Sami Kapanen scored his second overtime goal in as many nights to lift the Flyers.

Matt Cullen netted a pair of goals for Carolina, which hasn't lost more than three straight games this season. Cory Stillman also scored, while netminder Cam Ward finished with 36 saves.

Stillman extended his point streak to seven games, having tallied two goals and nine assists during the run.

Carolina, which is 14-4-1 on home ice, will host Atlanta on Wednesday.

Montreal, meanwhile, has lost three of its last four tilts, including Friday's 2-1 loss at Florida. Joe Nieuwendyk scored two goals to lead the Panthers to victory.

Niklas Sundstrom potted the lone goal for the Canadiens, who have lost 10 of its last 11 road contests.

Jose Theodore, playing his second game since returning from a knee injury, made 28 saves in the loss.

The Canadiens close out a five-game road trip tonight and will host Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The Canadiens went 2-1-1 against the Hurricanes during the 2003-04 season, and are 5-2-3 (2 losses, 3 ties) in the last 10 meetings.

SpiderManNL · Guru

http://www.canadiens.com/eng/news/redirect.cfm?sectionID=habsNewsDetails.cfm&newsItemID=4621

Game Preview: Canadiens vs. Hurricanes

RALEIGH – As the curtain closes on their five-game road trip as well as 2005, the Canadiens will face the Carolina Hurricanes for the first time this season. They’ll look to get back on the winning track following a 2-1 loss to the Panthers Friday night.

With 10 losses in their last 11 road games, the Canadiens are hoping RBC Center is as welcoming to them as it has been in the past, as the club has not lost in regulation since the 1998-99 season. Since then, Montreal has put together a 4-0-4-2 record, giving more than one goal just four times over its last 10 visits.

Claude Julien’s crew will also be looking to take advantage of the Hurricanes’ troubles of late, as the home team dropped their third straight in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Flyers on Thursday. Despite their recent struggles, Peter Laviolette’s squad is off to the best start in franchise history and leads the Southeast Division, partly due to Eric Staal’s breakout season. The 21-year-old center is only one goal behind Simon Gagne for the league lead with 26 and fifth in NHL scoring with 51 points.

The Canadiens and Hurricanes will meet twice more over the next month, with Montreal returning to the RBC Center on Jan. 23 before Carolina makes its first visit to the Bell Centre on Jan. 31.

Second time's a charm: Saturday’s contest marks the end of the Canadiens’ seventh back-to-back series of the season. While they’ve gone 3-4 in the first game, the club has found better success in game two, with a 4-1-1 record.

First things first: The Hurricanes are the league leaders when it comes to scoring first, with a 15-1-0 record (.938 winning percentage). The Canadiens are ninth in that category with a record of 13-2-3 (.722 winning percentage). Jan Bulis has opened the scoring three times and each time, Montreal has skated away with the win.

One on one: Alex Kovalev’s penalty shot on Friday night was already the 56th awarded by NHL officials already this season. The goaltenders have held the upper hand, stopping 35 shots. Erik Cole and the Hurricanes know a thing or two about penalty shots in 2005-06 as the Carolina forward became the first player in NHL history to be awarded two penalty shots in the same game. The historical night came Nov. 9 against the Sabres, where he beat Martin Biron on his first attempt. The following night, he was awarded yet another penalty shot, but was foiled by the Panthers’ Roberto Luongo.

Michael Ryder, who leads the Canadiens with 16 goals, collected four points in as many games against Carolina in 2003-04.

davidb · Guru

Well, here we go again. Another night coming up against another good goalie. Our PP is lousy. We should have scored on that 5 on 3. I do not even remember a shot on Luongo during the two man advantage. I am not sure about all of you, but I feel drained after each game. I know early on when we were doing well we thought they were playing over their head any way. It does not make it any easier watching us drop faster than the Crystal Ball in Times Square. I have taken my mind off getting into the playoffs this year. I am now concentrating on an off season trade or two so we can finish in the top 8 nexy year. I do not think we will be in the playoffs this year. I know I will take a lot of heat for that, but I am sorry it is my opinion based on the play over the last few weeks. I thought Kovy would make a difference when he came back. The first game was great but its all over.

barry33 · Guru

hockeyman wrote:

Another game with Bulis as our #1 centre. I feel warm and fuzzy all over.(sarcasm)

Not sure if Begin is out but if he is,the rumour has it that Huet is playing center. Nice depth Bobby boy.

salted_one · Veteran Member

well so far the habs lose to atlanta and the panthers but beat the sens and lightning so we are bearting the better teams and losing to the sh**y ones so maybe we'll take the canes out tonight. Theo has been solid the past few games hes been back allowing 5 goals on 72 shots so it all up to the offence tonight to pick up the pace lets hope we get somthing done out there tonight.

brooklynhabfan · Guru

brooklynhabfan · Guru

SpiderManNL · Guru

SpiderManNL · Guru

Hey guys!!! Great news, according to the offical Canadiens website.....Saku will be in the line up tonight.

SpiderManNL · Guru

1-0 Canes

SpiderManNL · Guru

Hurricanes lead 1-0 after one after one period of play.

SpiderManNL · Guru

Ryder Scores!!!!

SpiderManNL · Guru

2-2 after two periods of play.

davidb · Guru

Well there u have it another loss with a full roster. No excuses this time for anyone. This is what we have and will live with unless Gilette steps in and does something. This dynasty is no more. What a shame after a great start. I would suggest that CJ will be gone by the end of next week if not sooner. Something needs to be done. I will say I am not a big fan of dumping th coach. With the full roster and no win its time. This was another slow start that caused us to be down 2-zip. The coach is responsible for getting the team up for the games This team is as flat as the tire on my trailer what would you all do????

nietche · Veteran Member

Long time reader, first time poster

Very upsetting to see such poor coaching by Julien in the final segment of 3rd period.

Firstly, Dandy takes a terrible penalty, Carolina ties the game, and Julien rewards Dandy with continued, regular shift (while Komi sits) ... what does this say?

Secondly, Habs miraculously tie it up, and Julien sends who out for the very next shift ... Ribs and Dags ... and of course a poor line change then leads to a Caroline winning goal.

Perhaps time to consider a new Head Coach ....

SpiderManNL · Guru

The Canadiens picked up a grand total of 2 points on this 5 game road trip.... God Damn, this team sucks. Something got to be done but I'm not expecting Gainey to do jack sh*t because he seems content on watching the wheels fall out from under the team........maybe its time for Uncle George to step in and make some changes.

-- Edited by SpiderManNL at 07:56, 2006-01-01

davidb · Guru

I actually think Gilette will do something. You should see how BoB Kraft, New England Patriots owner gets involved in the running of the team. By the way pats stadium is Gilette Stadium named after George Gilette who paid big bucks for that honor.

AB Habman · Guru

Keep in mind, Gillett isn't losing a penny with a full house every game! Don't look for him to start stiring the pot with Gainey. BG is the one with the weapon to make changes but never a finger on the trigger!