THRASHERS TRADE DEFENCEMAN SCHNEIDER TO HIS FORMER TEAM THE CANADIENS

The Atlanta Thrashers have traded defenceman Mathieu Schneider to the Montreal Canadiens(Schneider's former team).In this deal, the Thrashers get a second round draft pick in 2009 and a third round draft pick in 2010. The Canadiens will not only receive Schneider, but they will also get a draft pick from the Thrashers."We were looking for a defenceman who could contribute offensively," explained general manager Bob Gainey in a media release. "Mathieu, an experienced player with a lot of offensive upside, will bring depth to our core group of defencemen and will be an asset on our power play."I agree 100% with Bob because Ever since the Habs traded Sreit to the Islanders they needed a point man that can score on the Power-Play and I think Shnideiders the man that can do it.

Schneider previously played for the Canadiens from the 1989-90 season until 1995, winning a Stanley Cup with the team in 1993. He was traded to the Islanders in 1995. I'm sure he still has some good memories from when he played on the Habs.This is what Schneider had to say about the trade: “I can’t say that I’m surprised really, there have been a lot of rumors flying around lately and I knew something was going to happen,” admitted Schneider. “To be honest, I was hoping it would be Montreal, but you really never know. Most of the time when you hear a rumor like that, it means that it probably won’t happen.There were only like two or three teams that I wanted to go to with the Canadiens being at the top of that list.” Schneider was ranked second among Thrashers defensemen with 15 points in 44 games this season before being traded to the Habs.Schneider will make his Canadiens debut on Wednesday against the Capitals.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Bob pick up the phone and make a deal,the Canadiens lose again

The Canadiens came out of the gate with a slow start, giving up 15 shots on Halak and only getting 7 shots on Luongo in the first period of play. Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler ut the Canucks up by 2, until Montreal Captain Saku Koivu notched his 10th of the season putting the Habs within 1 late in the first.Henrik Sedin scored the loan goal in the second two restore the Canucks 2 goal lead.Then in the third Ryan Kesler put the Canucks up by 3. Andrei Kostitsyn would add a late goal to put the Habs within 2 but that's as close as the Habs got as they lose 4-2.

Roberto Luongo finished with 25 saves for the Canucks, who have won five of six since snapping an eight-game losing skid a few weeks ago.Jaroslav Halak made 29 saves before he was replaced by Carey Price(Who made 1 save on 1 shot in his appearance).With the win the Canucks have now not lost to the Canadiens for a 11 straight games.Montreal G.M. Bob Gainy will have to start making some deals if he wants his team to win the Cup this season.The Canadiens road trip will continue on Tuesday when they travel to Washington to face the Capitals.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Game Preview: the Montreal Canadiens at the Vancover Canucks

The Canadiens are coming off a 4-2 win over the Avalanche, Halak made 46 saves in the game.Montreal goalie Carey Price has been struggling going 2-7-0 since the All-Star game. In my opinion Carey Price will most likely sit out for the second straight game tonight against the Canucks because of his poor play. This is now Halak's time to shine, if Halak gives the Canadiens their second straight win you will see him start once again on Tuesday against s the Capitals."The way we've been playing lately, we needed one goalie to step up," Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau said."I think Halak did a great job of that in our last game."The Canadiens will not only look for there second straight win but they will look to snap a ten game win less streak against the Canucks tonight.Halak has never faced the Canucks, but he may be the Canadiens' best chance to build some momentum."We've had some meetings in the last week," Montreal center Saku Koivu said. "You can talk all you want off the ice, but you have to get some wins."

As for the Vancover Canucks, they are trying to get into a playoff spot right now.Ever since the Canucks sighed Mats Sundin they have not been the same team.They have taken more penalties(on average 4 penalties a game) and have given up more goals.But as of late the Canucks have started to slowley turn things around winning 4 of their last 5 games. "We know the race is tight for the playoff spots right now, so we just have to keep it going," Vancouver winger Alex Burrows told the team's official Web site. The puck drop will be at 10:08pm E.T and 7:00pm P.T on PPV and RDS.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Halak kept the Canadiens in the game, as the Canadiens win 4-2

In the 4-2 victory over the Avalanche,Montreal goaltender Jaroslav Halak stopped 46 shots, including three breakaways."It's tough, when players keep shooting at you,but i'm just happy we came out with a win." Halak told TSN.I have to say the whole 3rd period when the score was 2-1 in favor of the Habs,all the Habs would constantly do was ice the puck.(Whch eventually lead to the game tieing goal.)Andrei Kostitsyn scored the tiebreaking goal with 2:16 remaining in the 3rd, helping the Montreal Canadiens snap a 4 game losing streak and a 7 road game losing streak. Tom Kostopoulos would add an empty net goal which would lead to a 4-2 win.Francis Bouillon and Patrice Brisebois scored the first 2 goals of the game which put the HABS up 2-0.The Canadiens will look to start a wining streak as soon as possible.They will look to beat the Canucks on Sunday night if they do they will have won 2 in-a-row for the first time in 2 weeks.

The Canadiens next 4 games:

Sunday:@THE vancover Canucks at 10pm E.T

Tuesday:@the Washington Capitals at 7:30pm E.T

Thursday:@The Pittsburgh Penguins at 7pm E.T

Saturday:V.S The Ottawa Senators at 3pm E.T


Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Game Preview:The Montreal Canadiens at The Colorado Avalanche

The Montreal Canadiens will hope to put an end to their recent struggles tonight by getting a win against the Avalanche.Montreal, which has not suffered 5 strait loses since a 6-game skid in Febuary of 2007, lost 7-2 to Edmonton on Wednesday night in the second of a season-high 6-game trip."We can talk about bad bounces and breaks, like the fifth (goal), but it seems to happen a lot in the past month, and we're going to have to work on that. Obviously, I'm really disappointed by some of the efforts that we've had,"Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau told Canadiens.nhl.com yeaterday.Montreal has averaged 2.54 goals against in going 12-14-2 on the road compared with 3.26 and a 17-6-4 home record."It's been going on for a while, and for the last three games, the way we've done it, it's not fun to be a part of," captain Saku Koivu said. "I don't have a solution right now, but it's not just going to take one or two guys."

As for the Avalanche, they have also struggled offensively. They had just 3 goals during an 0-3-0 road trip and are allowing on avaerage 2-3 goals per game."It's not about individual games. It's about a team effort and finding ways to mentally overcome a difficult situation that we're in right now," Smyth said. "We've got to find a way, and we're finding ways to lose. We've got to find ways to win."The puck drop for tonights game will be at 9:00pm E.T And 7:00pm P.T on TSN and RDS.

Written by Andrew Di Pardo

Is The Price right?

Ever since returning from an ankle injury on January 20th, carey Price has not been the same goaltenders. In the 7-2 lose to the Oilers, Carey Price gave the puck away several times. The worst one was when the Oilers went up 1-0, Price made a save then he played the puck right to Andrew Cogliano who put the puck in the empty net."Going through games like this and having to go through the toughest part of your career is only going to make you better," Price said at practice Thursday following one of the worst Canadiens performances of the season in Edmonton. Price did not speak to the media after he was left in net for all seven goals during a 7-2 blow-out lose to the the Oilers last night. The last time a golie was left in goal when giving up more than 5 goals was in December of 1995. It was Patrick Roy he allowed 11 goals in a 11-1 lose to the Red Wings.(He was later traded to Colarado who won the Stanley Cup later that year)

Price accepted the blow-out as a part of the game and had no thought in mind to make an issue out of being left in net for all seven goals by Montreal Coach Guy Carbonneau."It was good in the end to tough it out," Price told reporters Thursday. "Games like that are either going to make diamonds or make you fall apart.I know that I'm not as fragile as I thought I was and I know that I can get through this. Without a doubt it has brought my work ethic up even more." Price hopes that he will not get traded like Roy did in 1995.

Written by Andrew Di Pardo

CANADIENS FORWARD THOMAS PLEKANEC SUSPENDED FOR TWO GAMES

Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec has been suspended for two games without pay by the NHL. Plekanec slew footed Edmonton Oilers defenseman Denis Grebeshkov in the second period of last night's 7-2 Canadiens loss to the Oilers.Plekanec will $17,204.30 fin for the hit. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. In my opinion I do not think he should of got suspended for that because according to the replays I saw Grebeshkov just fall on his own Plekanec did not touch him.

Written by Andrew Di Pardo

Habs get blown-out again

The Canadiens were looking to back to there wining ways last night, but thats not what happened as they allowed 7 goals in the 7-2 lose to the Edmonton Oilers.Montreal captain Saku Koivu told TSN he wishes he had the answers for what is plaguing his team at the moment."It's been going on for a while, and for the last three games, the way we've done it, it's not fun to be a part of," he said. "I don't have a solution right now, but it's not just going to take one or two guys." Even though the Canadiens had 34 shots on Roliston they just could not score." There's 27 games left, we have find a way to turn our game around or else we will not make the playoffs."Gorge Laraque told Sportsnet. Ca. Carey Price made 20 saves in the lose. The Canadiens next game will be on Friday against the Avalanche at 9:00pm E.T and 7:00PM P.T on RDS and TSN.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Tonight Canadiens will look to snap out of their losing streak against the Oilers.

In tonight's match-up between the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers,Oilers Defense-man Sheldon Souray will be facing his former team for the first time in his Career.Souray has recorded 62 goals,98 assist which adds up to 160 points in 5 seasons on the Montreal Canadiens." It's going to be fun to face my old team. I just hope we come out of the game with a win." Former Canadien's defenceman Sheldon Souray said. The Oilers have lost 5 of their last seven games coming into tonight's match against the Canadiens.( Who are also stuggling just winning 2 out of their last 10 games.)

In my opinion these are 2 struggling teams who have to start playing tough and getting points on the board."In the Western Conference now, every team is in it," Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish said. "We're competitive and we battle hard. We've just been short against the best teams in the league.""The first thing is to really try and forget the last two weeks," Montreal captain Saku Koivu said. "We can't feel sorry for ourselves and we know the situation that we're in. We're the only ones that are going to dig ourselves out of that hole." Carey Price will get the start tonight for the Habs, as Dowan Rolistan will get the start for the Oilers.The puck drop for this game will be at 10:08PM E.T and 8:08 pm P.T on Sportsnet-W and RDS.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

The Canadiens get blowout by the Flams by the score of 6-2

The Calgary Flames had lost 4 in-a-row going into the game against the Canadiens,Where they finally got a win by the score of 6-2."We're really happy with the way we played. That's the kind of game we were looking for - a lot of energy and playing a full 60 minutes," said Lombardi, who had two assists.Matthew Lombardi,Dion Phanuf, Dustin Boyd,Michael Cammalleri, Rene Bourque and David Moss scored the goals for the Flames in the victory. As for the Canadiens, Guy Carbonneau and Bob Gainy held a meeting about how they have been playing as of late."A lot of good things were said. Hopefully it's a step in the right direction," said Montreal all-star defenceman Mike Komisarek."The first thing is to really try and forget the last two weeks," said Montreal captain Saku Koivu. "We can't feel sorry for ourselves and we know the situation that we're in. We're the only ones that are going to dig ourselves out of that hole".The Canadiens next game will be on Wedsnday against the Oilers at 9:00pm E.T and 7:00pm P.T on RDS And Sportsnet-P.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

The Montreal Canadiens fall 5-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs

Before the game Toronto goalie Vesa Toskala was facing alot of criticism by Leafs G.M. Brian Burk and Leafs coach Ron Wilson."He has been inconsistent at best,A team in our situation, we require solid effort from our goalies every single night and that hasn't necessarily been the case." Wilson said before the game.Toskala answered to all the criticism by making 31 saves on 33 shots,which would lead to a 5-2 victory for the Leafs. Toskala's most important save of the game was when the Leafs were leading 2-1 and Chris Higgins got a breakaway late in the Second period, Higgins shot the puck into the glove hand of Toskala."I don't waste my energy on what goes on in the media, I'm just focused on playing hockey," said Toskala. "It doesn't matter what goes on outside."

"Mitchell passes the puck to Van Ryn to Schenn he shoots he scores, First goal for Shenn."Jim Hustin said duruing the CBC broadcast of Toronto A.t Montreal. Schenn who scored 0 goals all season finaly got a goal on the score board last night which I'm sure he's happy about that."Yeah, they let me know that I hadn't scored a goal yet this year, so it was definitely nice to get it, and there's no better place than in Montreal versus the Canadiens on a Saturday night," said Schenn, the fifth overall pick in last June's draft.The headline all week was of a showdown between Toronto's Mikhail Grabovski(Former Hab player) and Montreal's Sergei Kostitsyn, who have some fire boiling ever since Grabovski was traded to the Leafs.But both of the coaches didn't put them out at the same time, except for a short period of time during a second-period Leafs power play."Mikhail handled it really well," said Wilson. "It was all talk."

Luke Shenn,Nikolai Kulemin, Jeff Finger and Jason Blake(2 in the game) scored the goals for the Leafs in the win.Matt D'Agostini and Tom Kostopoulos scored for Montreal and Carey Price made 36 saves in the lose."Where do I start?" exasperated coach Guy Carbonneau said of his team's weak effort. "We've said since September that if you want to win in this league, you have to compete and you need good goaltending.We had that, but now we're struggling on every front. We have a tough time scoring goals and every time we make a mistake, it's in our net. That's not a good combination." The Canadiens next game will be on Monday in Calgary against the Flames at 9:00 Pm E.T, 7:00Pm P.T on Snet-W and RDS.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

TRADE RUMORS FROM:http://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre/feature/?id=9064

Ryan Miller stops 35 shots to lead the Sabers to a Victory over the HABS

The Montreal Canadiens were out-shooting the Sabers throught the game but couldn't put more than 2 goals in the net."Ryan kept us in the game," Sabers defenceman Jaroslav Spacek said. "It should've been two or three-nothing, and it would be tough to come back against a team like the Canadiens.. Every night, he gives us a chance."The Sabers coach Lindy Ruffi was happy with the way Miller played."You need your goalie to play well, and he did that," coach Lindy Ruff said. "He has played very well. There's no secret there."The Canadiens have lost 5 straight games on the road(The Canadiens longest streak since Feb. 24-March 8 2007.)"Obviously, it's not an easy situation for our club," Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau said. "We didn't capitalize on the chances we had, and they did."The Sabres did make the most of their chances in this game as Carey Price only faced 22 shots and Price made 19 saves.

It seems every time the Canadiens are on the road they are always down 1 or 2 goals going into the Final frame."It's getting annoying going into the third period down. Every time it seems like playing catch-up," forward Chris Higgins said. "We need to get aggressive."Another problem the Canadiens have on the road is hitting the net, they always shoot wide.Your not going to win games if you don't get the puck to the net and score goals.The Canadiens next game will be tonight against the Leafs at 7:00 Pm E.T On CBC and RDS.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo