Game Thread | Montreal vs. Carolina | 04/22/06 | Round 1 | Game 1

SpiderManNL · Guru

Game Thread | Montreal vs. Carolina | 04/22/06 | Round 1 | Game 1

superhab · Guru

I think you can take off the meeting this year off the game thread. The Playoffs is a diffrent game and a diffrent year, nothing of the past games matter, only the future. This will be a big game come Saturday night, and im looking forward to some playoff hockey. Hope the boys can take it. Prediction (No score) Higgins, Koivu, Kovalev, and Zednik come out flying and lead the team. Huet looks a little shakey but lets in no bad goals.

And lets not forget the year 2006.

1946

1956

1966

1976

1986

Does anybody remember what those years have in common?

-- Edited by superhab at 17:32, 2006-04-19

Johab · Guru

had it been 1996, i might have liked your point a little more. Id rather go with the...we have 4 years to win a cup or our streak of at least 1 cup per decade is done!

superhab · Guru

Johab wrote:

had it been 1996, i might have liked your point a little more. Id rather go with the...we have 4 years to win a cup or our streak of at least 1 cup per decade is done!

Even in 96 many key components to the 93/86 cut won, Patrick Roy, Mike Keane, and Claude Lemieux

SpiderManNL · Guru

SpiderManNL · Guru

Figaro · Guru

Gerber's been pretty shabby his last few weeks of play. Almost 4.00 GAA in last 7 games? And Ward is no better. We need to attck early and not relent - try to get into Gerber's head. We're in for a fight. Don't expect Carolina to light it up throughout the series. Game 1 is a tight affair with a 4-3 Habs final.

Jonny G · Senior Member

http://www.rds.ca/hockey/series/series2006/serieslnh2006_series_CARMTL.html

Pretty fulsome stats.

The average weight of the Habs is greater than that of the 'Canes. Probably includes every minor-leaguer who was called up, Rick the Janitor, and the Zamboni.

Power · Veteran Member

I am first to predict score to this game, I say 3-2 OT win to Habs

. I am very confident that Carolinas highflying days are over

Nil d · Guru

Jonny G wrote:

http://www.rds.ca/hockey/series/series2006/serieslnh2006_series_CARMTL.html Pretty fulsome stats. The average weight of the Habs is greater than that of the 'Canes. Probably includes every minor-leaguer who was called up, Rick the Janitor, and the Zamboni.

What a bunch of stats! Four things I like, which will work in our favour:

1. Hab-killer Erik Cole is injured and won't play.

2. Gerber has been playing lousy of late (while both our goalies are playing well).

3. Habs have a better record than Carolina in the last 20 games.

4. Habs are 5th on the PP, while Carolina is only 21st on the PK.

I'm starting to think we DO have a chance!

superhab · Guru

here's a bold prediction from me. Richard Zednik will lead the Canadiens in points in the playoffs. By the time we are done this series the top line will be Higgins, Koivu, and Zednik.

Jonny G · Senior Member

I also like the Habs' chances.

I think that the Habs will be playing a different brand of hockey come the post-season.

Can't wait.

GO HABS GO!

SpiderManNL · Guru

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=163340&hubname=

Huet gets the call for Canadiens

MONTREAL (CP) - Canadiens head coach and GM Bob Gainey ended the intrigue Thursday by announcing that Cristobal Huet will be his starting goalie in Carolina on Saturday.

Gainey created doubts as to who he would use in the playoffs by starting David Aebischer in four of Montreal's last six games, but he was clear Thursday that Montreal's playoff chances will rest with Huet.

"I think both goalies have played good games for us down the stretch, but I feel that he's the guy who probably had the harder tests and maybe the best preparation to start Saturday," Gainey said. "I think he's our playoff goalie."

Gainey talked to his goalies and gave them the news on the ice during Thursday's practice.

The disappointment was clear on Aebischer's face as he removed his equipment afterwards, but just across the Canadiens' locker-room Huet couldn't wait for his first career playoff start.

"Obviously, David and I both want to play," Huet said. "I have a chance to start, so it's up to me to show that I can play well in the playoffs."

Gainey's declaration that Huet was his man for the playoffs seemed to be news to Aebischer.

"I want to play," he said. "But it's one game and I'm not starting, it's not more and not less."

Huet was asked whether he felt he deserved the nod over Aebischer considering how he almost single-handedly put Montreal in a position to make the playoffs. The always humble Huet didn't bite.

"I'm happy to get the start, but I think the whole team got us in the playoffs," said the 31-year-old native of Grenoble, France. "I arrived at a time when the team needed some confidence, and maybe I provided a bit of that. But after that I think the team really came together as a group and everyone is responsible for the success of the team."

The biggest knock against using Huet is his lack of NHL playoff experience, even though Aebischer has only 13 playoff games under his belt as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.

Huet spent four seasons playing for Lugano of the Swiss league before coming to play in North America, and he led his team to the league final in both 2000 and 2001.

The unflappable Huet brushed aside any apprehension he may have about being a playoff rookie.

"I'm not too worried about it," he said.

Huet's teammates appeared relieved that they wouldn't have to answer questions about the goaltending situation any more.

"Two weeks ago we never would have thought we'd have a goaltending controversy, but here we are in Montreal and it's a goaltending controversy whenever one guys plays a good game," said Canadiens defenceman Sheldon Souray. "More than anything, by announcing that Huet is going to start, it's just one less distraction. It's good for Cris, he knows he's starting, and it's good for the guys that we know who's playing. So let's just go play."

Though Huet wouldn't say he deserved to get the start, Souray wasn't shy when asked for his opinion.

"With all due respect to Aebischer, (Huet) deserves to be playing, he's done a lot for this team," Souray said. "Look at his numbers, look at the way he's performed, look at the way he's handled things here. I mean, come on, the guy's been nothing less that unbelievable for us."

Though one question mark is settled with Huet starting in goal, the possibility of penalty-killing specialist Steve Begin playing Saturday remains unclear.

Begin - who missed the final five games of the regular season with a sprained left knee - did not skate with his teammates Thursday, and Gainey has made it clear that he would have to take part in a practice before being inserted into the lineup.

SpiderManNL · Guru

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/canadiensstory.html?id=8013541e-a1aa-4d03-8305-9ba33fa93c42&k=89251

Bouillon part of playoff recipe

By PAT HICKEY

Defenceman Francis Bouillon had some anxious moments when he returned to the Canadiens' lineup Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils.

He wasn't worried about the bruised ankle that kept him on the sidelines for 15 days, but he did wonder how he would handle the mental part of the game.

"There's still a little pain, but I can handle pain," Bouillon said after the Canadiens practised yesterday morning at the Bell Centre. "I wasn't sure how I would handle the mental aspect."

Bouillon didn't have to wait long for a test.

"There was a situation where I was going for the puck to get the icing and (New Jersey's Brian) Gionta was also going for it," Bouillon said. "It was the same type of play that I was injured on and I held up a little. But as the game went on, I felt more comfortable."

That was good news for Canadiens coach Bob Gainey, who is counting on Bouillon to play a regular shift on defence tomorrow night when Montreal opens the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C.

"I was happy to see him come back for the last game of the regular season rather than coming back in the playoffs, and I was happy to see him play well," Gainey said.

The coach eased Bouillon back into action. He played a little less than 13 minutes - about seven minutes below his season average - but was kept busy on regular shifts and as a penalty-killer.

Gainey dressed seven defencemen because there was some concern Bouillon's ankle wouldn't hold up. Those fears dissolved as the game went on and Gainey said he was planning to play it straight tomorrow night, with 12 forwards and six defencemen.

Bouillon was injured when he lost his balance and crashed feet-first into the end boards in the March 18 game against Pittsburgh. At first glance, it appeared he might have broken an ankle, but he returned from the hospital under his own steam after X-rays showed there was no break.

Bouillon was determined to get back on skates the next morning, but his ankle was swollen and it was several weeks before he was able to resume skating.

"It's very difficult when you can't play," he said. "The only other injury I had as a pro was a problem with my MCL (medial collateral ligament in his knee) when I was in the minors. You come in every day for treatment and you do whatever you can in the gym, but it's not the same as practising with the guys.

The 5-foot-8 defenceman approached his rehabilitation with the same strong work ethic that allowed him to become a regular after he was overlooked in the NHL entry draft coming out of junior hockey.

"It's never been easy for me, but my family always told me that it was important to work hard," Bouillon said.

Before the injury, the 30-year-old was enjoying his most productive NHL season. He had played the first 66 games of the season and was on his way to joining defence partner Mathieu Dandenault and Craig Rivet as the only Canadiens to play all 82 regular-season games. He matched his career-high with three goals and established a career-high for points with 22.

The new NHL has been kind to Bouillon because he is a mobile defenceman, but despite his short stature he is known for his physical play. Among the Canadiens, he ranks second to Steve Begin in hits and second to Rivet in blocked shots.

"I think the rules are good for me because I'm a good skater," Bouillon said. "The way the rules are now, the important thing is to keep moving your feet and you won't get in trouble."

phickey@thegazette.canwest.com

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2006

SpiderManNL · Guru

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/canadiensstory.html?id=ad0b0774-2b6f-4cb3-b8b5-ab5674d26824&k=19832

The puck stops with Huet for Habs

Big test for French goalie against 'Canes in his first taste of NHL postseason action

By PAT HICKEY

Cristobal Huet will start in goal when the Canadiens play the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night (7 p.m., CBC, RDS) in Raleigh, N.C., and he has the opportunity to keep the job.

Canadiens coach Bob Gainey defused any talk of a goaltender controversy yesterday when he announced Huet was getting the nod over David Aebischer.

And when he was asked whether Huet would remain

No. 1 throughout the playoffs or whether he would decide on a game-by-game basis, Gainey simply replied: "For the playoffs, I think."

Gainey seemed to be leaning toward Aebischer in the waning days of the regular season, giving him the start in four of the last six games. But the coach said yesterday that he was impressed by Huet's body of work since he returned from a knee injury in December and eventually wrested the No. 1 job away from ineffective Jose Theodore.

"I have a little more background with Cris," Gainey said. "I think he's had the harder tests and he has the best preparation for the games ahead."

The 30-year-old native of France was typically low-key when discussing the decision.

"The coach came up to me during practice and told me I was starting," Huet said. "I was very happy. I know the goaltender is very important, but it's just one part. If we're going to do well, we need the whole team to play well. We need 20 players to play well."

Huet said he expected Aebischer to see some action in the playoffs, but he also said he hoped he played well enough to keep the No. 1 job.

When asked if he felt his No.1 standing was slipping away during the last two weeks of the season, he said: "David played well, especially in the two wins against Ottawa, and he deserved to play. I just kept working hard and waiting for my next chance."

Aebischer, who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in return for Theodore at the trading deadline, appeared disappointed, but said all the right things.

"This is the way things are," said Aebischer, who was the

No. 1 goaltender with the Avalanche. "We have two goaltenders and we both want to play, but only one can play at a time. I've been working hard and I'll keep working."

Gainey's decision has implications beyond the short term. Huet is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in mid-July and his play this season would suggest someone will offer him a healthy raise on the $456,000 U.S. he is earning this year.

Aebischer, who will be a restricted free agent, earns $1.9 million and that's too much for a backup in the new NHL.

Huet admitted that he'll have to fight off some butterflies before what will be his first NHL playoff experience.

"I've never played in a game this big before," he conceded, "but I'm looking forward to it."

The choice of Huet means there won't be a showdown between Swiss Olympians Aebischer and Carolina goaltender Martin Gerber.

Aebischer said he would help his teammates with some hints on Gerber's tendencies, but noted: "You can know where you have to shoot, but that doesn't mean you're going to score."

And another Swiss Olympian, defenceman Mark Streit, will probably watch Game 1 from the press box. Gainey dressed seven defencemen in the final game of the regular season, but said he would probably go back to the normal six because Francis Bouillon has recovered from a bruised ankle.

There's little chance of Steve Begin seeing action. He's recovering from a sprained knee and has yet to skate.

phickey@thegazette.canwest.com

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2006

He's in the frame: Cristobal Huet (front) got the nod over David Aebischer to start the postseason.

SpiderManNL · Guru

http://www.canadiens.com/eng/news/redirect.cfm?sectionID=habsNewsDetails.cfm&newsItemID=4993

Canadiens - Hurricanes: Game 1 Preview

RALEIGH – After having to wait right until the end of the season to officially clinch a spot in the playoffs, the Canadiens will begin their quest for a 25th Stanley Cup tonight. Montreal, making its 75th postseason appearance, earned a berth in the NHL’s second season for a second straight year with a 93 point total. It’s the first time since 1997-98 that the club has headed to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

The Hurricanes, for their part, set new franchise records in 2005-06, including wins (51) and points (112) to finish second in the Eastern Conference. The record-breaking campaign earned Carolina its first playoff berth since 2001-02, the same year the club eliminated the Canadiens in the second round, before falling to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals.

For the seventh time in team history, Montreal will face off with the Hartford/Carolina franchise in the postseason. With the exception of the 2002 series, the Canadiens have shown their opponent the door in the five previous matchups, when the club was still the Whalers. In two of those five series, 1980 and 1989, the Canadiens swept away their competition. Coaches Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau are a combined 4-0 as a Canadiens player in playoff series against Hartford.

A mix of old and new: Six Canadiens will be dipping their toes in the playoffs for the first time ever. Chris Higgins, Tomas Plekanec, Garth Murray, Alexander Perezhogin, Mark Streit and Cristobal Huet are the club’s postseason rookies. The other 18 members of the team’s roster who have experienced the playoffs fever at some point in their careers have combined for 225 points in 526 postseason contests. Alex Kovalev leads the way in points and appearances with 77 points in 94 games. Carolina also counts six postseason freshmen on its squad, including team-scoring leader Eric Staal. Peter Laviolette’s crew has a bit more playoff experience, with 376 points in 768 games, among the 23 players. Former Bruin Glen Wesley leads the way in games with 144 appearances, while former Canadien Mark Recchi is the leading point-getter with 97 points.

SpiderManNL · Guru

AB Habman · Guru

Guys...the mistake by Gainey tonight is not dressing a seventh defensemen.

Not saying that it will cost them the game but will play a factor especially if we have to put up with Downey's lack of skill and smarts. Hopefully, he will dress Sunny rather than Downey to ease the decision to play 6 defensmen.

We need smart play to control the Canes forwards and Sunny is a smarter player than Downey.

Just my two cents!

Nil d · Guru

Man, I thought the lady singing the national anthems was going to fall asleep halfway through.........

Nil d · Guru

F&^%$#ing Koh-arse-ki misses a call at one end, and the 'Canes score at the other.

How could we be so unlucky to have that jerk for the first game!!!!!!!!!!!????????

plouf · Guru

All right, what was up with that goal? I'm listening to the radio...it sounded bogus.

JohnM · Guru

It was, Souray and Huet not ready for the start of this one.

plouf · Guru

JohnM wrote:

It was, Souray and Huet not ready for the start of this one.

Somebody gave the puck away to Cullen by the sounds of it? Then a bad rebound....?

JohnM · Guru

Habs look nervous out there.

It seems they aren't calling the hitting from behind, what's up with that?

JohnM · Guru

plouf wrote:

JohnM wrote: It was, Souray and Huet not ready for the start of this one. Somebody gave the puck away to Cullen by the sounds of it? Then a bad rebound....?

Carolina player checked Higgins from behind in the Carolina zone, Higgs went down. Carolina got the puck with one player making the rush on Souray. He got the shot away which Huet stopped, Souray didn't take the man and the same player got his own rebound.

Habs just scored to tie it up.

MC Girl · Guru

Bouillon 1-1 {:o)

plouf · Guru

WAs it dive or not? Boy I hate that cop-out by the refs where both players get a penalty!

JohnM · Guru

plouf wrote:

WAs it dive or not? Boy I hate that cop-out by the refs where both players get a penalty!

Didn't see the calls Plouf, was busy posting for you.

Nil d · Guru

JohnM wrote:

plouf wrote: WAs it dive or not? Boy I hate that cop-out by the refs where both players get a penalty! Didn't see the calls Plouf, was busy posting for you.

Gerber was barely touched on the edge of a pad. He hesitated, then flopped like he had been shot. It was VERY obvious.

RicherForever · Newbie

Just a hunch here, but we're gonna lose this one bad..

The boys are not exciting me the way they did near the end of the regular season...

I was shocked when Boullion scored

It just feels like the Habs don't have "IT" tonite...