Getting the two points vs. The Isles was great. We need to win every game from here on out. But it was the way they won that spoke volumes.

It was a close game from start to finish, with both teams working as hard as they could at both ends. Tough physical play by the Habs that began against the Leafs continued.

They worked to get scoring chances and would've netted 5 or 6 against a lesser goalie than DiPietro ws last night.

Huet stopped every shot that came his way.

And the forwards were all on their games, including Saks, Kovy, Ribs, Bonk, Ryder -- in effect, all the players who have beencriticized here and elsewhere as being off their games of late.

But most importantly, the team's defense was solid I thought -- as it had to be in a close game.

No odd-man rushes, excellent penalty killing, and no fumbling around near the net (or very little of it anyway).

To me, this says that the team is maturing as a team, and that individual players are recognizing the roles they need to play in order to win. Maybe BG does know what he's doing after all.

Les Canadiens sont la