DANDENAULT AND LARAQUE ASKS TO BE MOVED BY CANADIENS

Today winger Steve Begin was traded, sources say Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mathieu Dandenault and Georges Laraque may be the next to go."I would never ask for something like that (a trade) at this time of the year," Laraque said when asked about the possibility of a deadline deal. "I want to make it work but at at the same time I'm a hockey player and I need to be playing.I don't know where everything is going right now, I haven't been playing since I've been back and I would just assume that if my role isn't required then I wouldn't be surprised if they had to move me."Dandenault is in the final year of a three year contract that pays him $1.75 million per season and depending on the return, moving him could help Montreal create cap space for any additional trades for the deadline.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HALAK GETS A SHUTOUT AS THE CANADIENS WIN 3-0

Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau gave Halak a chance to shine in goal as Carey Price struggled to win."He's been waiting for the chance for a long time," Carbonneau said after Halak's 34-save performance gave the Canadiens a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night. "It's unfortunate for someone like (No. 1 goalie) Carey Price, but hopefully Halak will grab the bull by the horns and win us five, six or seven games in a row." Yesterday, Carbonneau told reporters he had given Price enough chances and that he would ride Halak as long as he keeps on winning games.Halak responded with his first shutout of the Season and his first Shutout since Saturday March 15, 2008."I'm not looking at what's in the newspapers, I'm just trying to focus on the game," the 23-year-old Halak said. "It's just nice to win two in a row. It's been a while." Halak's right it has been a while, because the last time the Canadiens recorded 2 straight wins was on January 17th 2009.

Tomas Plekanec had a goal (his 16th goal of the season) and an asisst, Andrei Markov had a powerplay goal (his 8th goal of the season) and Maxim Lapierre added an empty-net goal (his 11th goal of the season) in the 3-0 Victory. "It was really an uneventful night for me - I was pretty bored," said Luongo, a Montreal native who shut out the Canadiens on his last visit two seasons ago. "We played hard and spent most of the night in their zone." "I thought we played a good game, to be honest," added Canucks veteran Mats Sundin, whose team capped a four-game road trip. "We've been on the road for almost 10 days and we came out with that kind of effort. But it was all missed opportunities tonight." Every time Sundin touched the puck he would get bood by the Canadiens fans.The Canadiens killed the two-minute 5-on-3 (in the first)and just as it was about to end, Saku Koivu stole the puck from Kyle Wellwood, then poked it past Bieksa to Plekanec who was coming out of the box. Plekanec beat Luongo glove side for the first goal of the game which became the game winning goal.

Written by Andrew Di Pardo

MORE NEWS ON THE INJURY'S OF THE CANADIENS

Robert Lang (achillies tendon):

Robert Lang met with the media for the first time since he last injured his achillies tendon on Febuary 1st against the Bruins."It was a strange feeling for sure, and kind of scary at first. The sensation was nothing like I’d ever had before. But stuff happens in this game, you just have to fight through it,” said Lang, who has missed 10 games and counting. “If everything goes well, I could be back in during the playoffs if the team goes deep enough into the spring. You just have to look right here in our dressing room at a guy like Chipper [Kyle Chipchura] who had the exact thing happen to him in junior and he came back from it. I can’t dwell on it and I just need to let it heal and stay positive.”He is expected to return on April 19th against the Penguins.

Alex Tanugay (injured shoulder):

Tanguay has been skating with the Canadiens throughout the week. He said that he might play tonight against the Canucks.“I’m feeling good. I’ll meet with team doctors today to hopefully get the green light,” he noted. “There haven’t been any issues movement-wise. My power isn’t back at full force just yet but I didn’t expect to be back at 100% anyhow.“I’m just anxious to get back and help the team.”Before Tanguay got hurt he lead the Canadiens with 6 power-play goals.

Francis Bouillon (groin):

Bouillon will be out for at least 4 weeks with a groin injury.“You always hope for the best but it’s definitely frustrating,” admitted Bouillon. “We’re saying weeks but there’s no timetable yet. I’ve had groin injuries in the past but when it happened, I knew it was pretty bad.”


Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Game Preview:Vancover Canucks A.T Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens got back on track on Saturday with a much needed win over the Senators. Alex Kovalev recorded 3 points in that game with a goal and 2 assist. Montreal Coach Guy Carbonneau was not Surprised with Kovalevs preformence."That's the kinda player he is. If he works he's a good player." Guy Carbonneau told the media on Saturday. Kovalev will look to play hard again tonight when they face the Canucks. As it stands right now the Habs are in 5th place in the east with 69 points.As for the Canucks, they have won 4 in-a-row coming into this game.They recently sit in 5th place in the west with 68 points. In the last meeting between 5 the Canucks and the Canadiens,the Canucks played terriblebut they still won the game 4-2. The Canadiens will look to get revenge on the Canucks for that heart breaking lose tonight in Montreal at 7:38pm E.T and 4:38pm P.T.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

The Canadiens 24 Stanley Cups

The Canadiens first Stanley cup:

On March 30, 1916, after splitting the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final against Portland, as each team had come away with a pair of wins, the Canadiens and Rosebuds met for the fifth and final game at the Westmount Arena with the evening’s winner to be declared Stanley Cup Champions.

The Second Stanley Cup:

On March 25, 1924, the Canadiens completed an undefeated playoff run, capturing the second Stanley Cup in team history. The rookie Howie Morenz scored a Hat Trick in game 1.Morenz was laid out later in the series by a blow to the chest from Tigers player Herb Gardiner. The Canadiens’ star lay on the ice for several long minutes before being transported to the hospital. Despite their top forward being hurt they still managed to win the Cup.

The Third Stanley Cup:

On April 3, 1930, the Canadiens were on the brink of the biggest playoff upset in NHL history, sitting one game up in the best-of-three Stanley Cup Finals against a Boston Bruins team that had gone 38-5-1 in the regular season. Back in front of friendly fans for the second game after winning a 3-0 stunner in Boston to open the series, the Habs were determined that there would not be a third.Holding a 4-1 lead in game 3, the Canadiens were only 20 minutes away from doing what virtually all the experts said was the impossible, defeating a Boston team that had not lost two games in a row all season. The Canadiens held on to a 4-3 lead which was the final. The victory allowed them claim there third Stanley Cup in team history and Howie Morenz became the first NHLer to record a second Cup-winning goal.

The fourth Stanley Cup:

On April 14, 1931, The Canadiens were looking to win their second straight Stanley Cup in the Final against the Chicago Blackhawks.It was all the offense the team needed as George Hainsworth scored for the Habs and Howie Morenz added a second goal late in the final frame. The 2-0 win meant the Montreal Canadiens had won their fourth Stanley Cup in team history and made them only the second NHL team to repeat as champions.

The fifth Stanley Cup:

Sixty minutes away from ending a 13-year championship drought on April 13, 1944, the Canadiens held a 3-0 series lead over the Chicago Blackhawks going into the fourth game of the 1944 Stanley Cup Finals. The Canadiens were down 4-1 in the third and never gave up, the Canadiens scored 4 unanswerd goals to win 5-4.

The sixth Stanley Cup:

On April 9, 1946, the Canadiens entered the night needing only one more win to capture their second Stanley Cup in three years. Playing at the Forum and down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, Boston took a quick 2-1 lead over Dick Irvin’s squad before Elmer Lach and Ken Mosdell notched a goal apiece to get things back on track for the Canadiens.They would eventually go on to win 6-3 and capture their 6th Stanley Cup.

The Seventh Stanley Cup:

On April 16, 1953, the Canadiens played host to the Boston Bruins for the fifth game of the Stanley Cup Finals. Two nights earlier in Boston, Dick Irvin’s charges had taken a 3-1 lead in the series.In Game 5,Elmer Lach became the hero of the night, scoring 1:22 into overtime, with Maurice Richard assisting on the play that brought the Montreal Canadiens the seventh Stanley Cup Championship in team history.

The eighth Stanley Cup:

On April 10, 1956, the Canadiens hosted the Red Wings for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, leading Detroit 3-1 in the series. Jacques Plante’s performence was exellent in the game makeing 17 saves in the first 2 periods.Jean Béliveau and Maurice Richard each put a puck past Glenn Hall at the other end of the ice, giving rookie coach Toe Blake’s Habs a two-goal cushion.Bernard Geoffrion added another goal as the Canadiens take the game 3-0 and the series to win their 8th Stanley Cup.

The nighth Stanley Cup:
On April 16, 1957, the Canadiens, holding a 3-1 lead over the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals, returned to the Forum for the fifth game of the series wheir they won 5-1. The 5-1 victory meant the Canadiens have won their 9th cup.

The Tenth Stanley Cup:

On April 20, 1958, the Canadiens made the final to Boston to meet the Bruins in the sixth game of that year’s Stanley Cup Finals with Toe Blake’s team needing only one more win to capture their third straight championship. The Canadiens went on to win 5-3 which meant won three straight Stanley Cups.

The eleventh Stanley Cup:

On April 18, 1959, the Canadiens had a chance to write a new chapter of the NHL record book when they hosted the Maple Leafs at the Forum . After taking a 3-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals two days earlier in Toronto, Toe Blake’s team needed just one more win to become the only team in league history to capture four straight Stanley Cups.Holding a four-goal lead, Montreal cruised to a 5-3 victory, earning the 11th Stanley Cup in team history and keeping the coveted trophy in its possession for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year.

The twelfth Stanley Cup:

On April 14, 1960, at Maple Leaf Gardens, the Canadiens were one win short of a perfect postseason and the Toronto Maple Leafs were not about to stand in their way.The Canadiens cruised to a 4-0 victory, Montreal broke their own record, capturing the Stanley Cup for a fifth year in a row, all under Toe Blake’s mentorship.

The thirteenth Stanley Cup:

On May 1, 1965, the Canadiens played host to Chicago in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals the Canadiens won that game 4-0.Goaltender Lorne Worsley took care of things in the Montreal end, thwarting the efforts of Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Phil Esposito to finish the game with 20 saves and his second shutout of the Finals.

The Fourteenth Stanley Cup:

on May 5, 1966, the Canadiens were one win away from ending their season by repeating as Stanley Cup Champions. Thanks to 2 goals by Jean Béliveau and Léon Rochefort. But the Red Wings came back with 2 goals in the third.The overtime was a short one. At the 2:12 mark, Henri Richard got the winning goal that was assisted by the "Pocket Rocket".

The Fifteenth Stanley Cup:

On May 11, 1968, The Canadiens were leading 3-0 in the Final series against the St. Louis Blues. The Canadiens won game 4 3-2.The Montreal Canadiens’ 15th Stanley Cup title was the eighth they had won under the direction of Toe Blake, who retired after 13 years behind the bench and exactly 500 regular season victories.

The Sixteenth Stanley Cup:

On May 4, 1969, the Canadiens were poised to sweep Scotty Bowman’s St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Finals for the second year in a row.The Habs won a second consecutive Stanley Cup by the score of 2-1 and the Habs have won four cups in five years for what has become known as the “Forgotten Dynasty".

The Seventeenth Stanley Cup:

On May 18, 1971, the Canadiens met the Blackhawks at Chicago Stadium in the seventh and deciding game of the Stanley Cup Finals.Rookie goaltender Ken Dryden blocked 12 Chicago shots in the final frame, finishing his night with 31 saves. Henri Richard Scored the game winning goal in the Final for the second time in his caeer as the Habs won the cup by the score of 4-3.

The Eighteenth Stanley Cup:

On May 10, 1973, with the Montreal set to meet the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth game of that spring’s Stanley Cup Finals, the Canadiens were a win away from sipping from the Cup for the second time in three years.The Canadiens won the game by the score of 6-4.

The ninteenth Stanley Cup:

On May 16, 1976, the Canadiens won their 19th Stanley Cup against the Flyers 3-0 in game 4.

The twentieth Stanley Cup:

On April 3, 1977, the Canadiens met the Capitals in Washington, playing the last game of a regular season that most players can only dream of, and leaving the NHL record book in dire need of revision.Guy Lafleur opened the scoring at the 4:21 mark, giving “The Flower” a point or more in a 28th consecutive game, an NHL record he’d hold until Wayne Gretzky beat the record in 1982-83.Larry Robinson, who would later be awarded the Norris Trophy, got an assist which lead the Habs to a 3-0 win.

The Twenty first Stanley Cup:

On May 25, 1978 the Canadiens traveled to Boston to meet the Bruins in the sixth game of the Stanley Cup Finals. Mario Trembley Scored the game winning goal in the 4-1 victory for the Habs.

The twenty Second Stanley Cup:

On May 21, 1979, the Canadiens were a victory away from capturing their first Stanley Cup in front of hometown fans since the spring of 1968.Holding a 3-1 lead in the series against the Rangers, Scotty Bowman’s team had no intention of returning to the Big Apple for a sixth game. Rick Chartraw put the Canadiens ahead with a goal 11 minutes into the first period. Carol Vadnais scored to tie the game at 1.Jacques Lemaire took hold of the offensive reins during the middle frame, notching a pair of goals. Bob Gainey, who would be awarded that year’s Conn Smythe Trophy, added another in the 4-1 victory.

The twenty third Stanley Cup:

On May 24, 1986, a young Canadiens team jumped off a surprising playoff run with Patrick Roy the rookie golie leading the way.Patrick Roy was on his game,allowing his team to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room after 2 periods of play. He would end his night with 30 saves In the Stanley Cup Win.The Canadiens won the game by the score of 4-3.

The most recent Stanley Cup NUMBER 24:

On June 9, 1993, the Canadiens made their way back to the Forum after edging out the Los Kings with two overtime wins in Los Angeles. Patrick Roy finished with 18 saves to his credit, leading the Habs to a 4-1 win and the 24th Stanley Cup in franchise history. In the Cup Run Montreal won 10 Straight overtime games that still stands as the NHL's most O.T wins in-a-row in the Post Season.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Interview with former Montreal Canadiens star Mike McPhee

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Other NHL news:SUNDIN SCORES SHOOTOUT WINNER IN HIS FIRST GAME AGAINST HIS FORMER TEAM

Mats Sundin picked the best way to say good bye to his former team (The Toronto Maple Leafs) by scoring the shootout winner in the 3-2 victory for the Canucks.Earlier in the game when the Leafs fans gave Sundin a standing ovation, a few tears went down Sundin's face. "The ovation from the fans was very special. I'll remember that the rest of my life."There were tears coming," said Sundin. "That was very special." But the most special moment of the evening came when Sundin was named first star and returned to the ice with no teammates beside him. He blew kisses to the Leafs which meant thank you for your support."There's been a buildup for this game," Sundin said moments after giving the Vancouver Canucks a 3-2 win. "All the battles and everything we've gone through over the last 13 years with the Leafs, so many ups and downs and disappointments and happiness. A lot of feelings came to mind on the ice."

"It was a perfect ending," said Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo.Added teammate Kyle Wellwood: "It's just one of those nights where you give Sundin a chance like that, you know he's going to be able to score." Putting all that stuff about Sundin aside, Leafs coach Ron Wilson was happy with the way the Leafs played."I thought we played a good game," said Toronto coach Ron Wilson. "It was high intensity with good end-to-end action."Added forward Dominic Moore: "It was a hard-fought game by both teams. Both goalies were sharp, and it was a nice night for Mats. He got the appreciation he deserved." The Leafs next game will be tonight against the Rangers.The Canucks next game will be on Tuesday in Montreal against the Canadiens.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Kovalev gets 3 points as the Habs beat the Senators by the score of 5-3

Kovalev was not sure if the Habs fans would cheer or boo him today in his return from his 2 game punishment. The fans reacted by cheering him on in the warm up and when he touched the puck.Kovalev responded to the punishment set by Bob Gainey by getting a goal and two assists as the Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators 5-3 this afternoon.It's nice when you come back and get that much support," said Kovalev. "I didn't know what the expect.But I'm a different person now. I have that hankering to play."The 35-year-old who led the Canadiens in scoring last season said this week he had been battling a flu. He also said he needed to be sat down 2 games,even if he didn't agree with it at the time."The most important thing was that I was able to get the bad thoughts out of my mind that have been building up all year," he said. "You try different things and nothing works and then you get confused, but in the last few days I've been able to clear my mind."Kovalev's goal was his 14th goal of the season.

Tomas Plekanec,scored his fifth goal in five games(his 15th of the season), Mathieu Schneider scored another powerplay goal( his 6th of the season), Patrice Brisebois(Scored his 5th goal of the season) and Mathieu Dandenault (his 2nd goal of the season) also scored for Montreal in its first game back after a dismal 1-4-1 road stretch."My first game here we scored three and I only touched the puck once, so I can't take credit for that," said the 39-year-old Schneider. "It's a good feeling because that was one area in which we were struggling before." Senators coach Clouston was not happy with the lose."They came out strong and got the momentum," said Clouston. "Obviously Kovalev's goal compounded the momentum they had, scoring after what he went through." As for Montreal's coach Guy Carbonneau was not surprise with Kovalev's effort."He's done it before," added Carbonneau. "That's the kind of player he is. When he wants to play hard and he works, he's a really good player."The Canadiens next game will be on Tuesday against the Vancover Canucks.

Written by Andrew Di Pardo

MORE NEWS ON CRIMINAL LINKED TO MEMBERS OF CANADIENS

Roman Hamrlik was also involved in the alleged crime that originally just involved the Kostitsyn brothers.Montreal's La Presse newspaper had 5 pages on this story.One of the points in the La Presse newspaper was that the three Canadiens stars are no longer suspects of any criminal activity.

Today,Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey talked to the media about this issue and this is what he had to say:

"I can only go on what I know today, and what I know today is not good. It's not good for our team. It does not reflect well on our team, it does not reflect well on the individuals. It cannot be extinguished as a possible inhibitor to our performance.I'm not naive. I played, I was around, it was a different generation and a different time but when a player does not arrive to perform at his maximum because of his own making he really lets his teammates down.We've made the players aware that this is not the kind of conduct that is part of people in our organization and for them individually as young athletes, as professionals who are trying to attain their goals, that they have to make stronger choices than the person beside them.


We're very concerned because we know that this person who became involved with those players, he's not the only person who wants to find a place to enter the inner area of the hockey team.There are also not good people, who are looking for either trophy friends or the possibility of being close to somebody who earns a million dollars plus, young people who are still developing their ability to reason, take in information, some of them could still be in high school,"he explained.

The Canadiens will look to get back on track at home tomorrow after a lousy road trip where the Habs went 1-4-1.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

P.S Kovalev will play tomorrow against the Senators."Ya he will play tomorrow. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't play. Kovalev is still an important aspect to our team," Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau told the media.

CRIMINAL LINKED TO MEMBERS OF CANADIENS

There's many promblembs on the Ice for the Canadiens but no one would expect that their are problems off the ice.According to Montreal's La Presse newspaper is expected to report in Friday's edition that some members of the team may have a friend that's a criminal who was recently arrested by the by Montreal police.The police have reported that they have recorded a conversation between Mangiola Pasquale(the Criminal)and Andrei Kstitsyn and Sergei Kostitsyn.Mangiola Pasquale made a number of services available to the two young players at bars, including girls and cars. The Montreal Police are still investigating if other Canadiens Players were involved.Their will be more on this story later in the day.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo


P.S The Globe and Mail reported Friday that Alexei Kovalev is expected to rejoin the Canadiens at practice Friday.

The Canadiens fall to the Penguins by the score of 5-4

Sergei Gonchar, playing his third game of the season, took a slapshot scored on Carey Price to put the Pens up 5-4 just after Andrei Kstitsyn and Thomas Plekanec tied the game at 4 apiece.Sergei Gonchar's goal eventually was the game winner as the Penguins win 5-4 over the Canadiens."Our guys were energized, focused and ready to go," Bylsma said. "I think they had a real clear understanding of what was at stake and the way we wanted to play. While it wasn't perfect, I think they sent a message loud and clear." When Dan Bylsma was hired he promised the Pittsburgh Penguins were going to return to their aggressive style of play. He Lived up to that promise in last night's 5-4 victory over the Habs."We were playing aggressive and took advantage of some good chances. It was a pretty high tempo, and that's the way we want to play," said Sidney Crosby, whose quick pass across the slot set up Malkin's 26th goal. "We were reacting out there pretty well, but at the same time we still have a few kinks to work out."

The Canadiens told Alex Kovalev to stay home by Bob Gainy for 2 games that began with a 4-3 shootout loss in Washington on Wednesday night. Kovalev's situation will be talked to today by Bob Gainy, before the Canadiens play Ottawa on Saturday. Carey Price made 23 saves in the lose. As Plekanec scored a pare of goals along with Schneider's powerplay gaol and A.Kostitsyn's 22nd goal of the season in the Lose."We need to start tightening things up, and realize from here on out it's not going to get any easier." said Montreal's Josh Gorges, who broke his stick seconds before Gonchar scored. "We need to stop this from here on out. We've waited too long already."The Canadiens next game will be on Saturday against the Senators.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Game Preview: The Montreal Canadiens at The Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at 7:08pm E.T

Montreal suffered a 4-3 shootout loss to Washington on Wednesday, its 11th defeat in 14 games. Even though the Canadiens lost they still got a much needed point that will put the Habs 1 point up on the Florida Panthers(They sit in 7th in the east) and the Buffalo Sabers(who sits in 8th in the east).In my opinion the Habs should have got the full 2 points in the game as they were out working the Caps in every which way or form.Plekanec even hit the post in overtime.Carey Price made 32 saves on Wednesday in the lose.Mathieu Schneider got 1 assist in his first game back on the Habs since 1994.As for Alex Kovalev he was told to sit home for the last 2 games of this very long Habs road trip."I'm nobody, I don't control anything here," Kovalev said. "All I can promise is hopefully I can come back and play better and help my team...I have no choice," Kovalev said.

As for the Penguins they hired a new coach Dan Bylsma on Sunday. He made his Penguins debut on Family day(Where the Penguins lost in the shootout against the Islanders)."He's really detailed in his systems, and I mean the systems are going to be a drastic change from what we were playing before," Pen's defenseman Brooks Orpik said. "The mentality is he just wants us to be a lot more aggressive in every zone, play on your toes and play with confidence, don't go out there playing not to make mistakes."The puck drop for tonights game will be at 7:08pm E.T on FSN-P,RDS and CBC.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

The Canadiens fall to Alex Ovechkin and the Caps in the shootout

Ovechkin was sliding towards the net with the puck and then he poked the puck past the right pad of Montreal goaltender Carey Price to score, as the Capitals win 4-3 in a shootout last night."It shouldn't surprise any of us," teammate Mike Green said. "He loves to score, and he's going to score no matter how it goes in - if it's on his stomach, back, whatever, he's going to try to score." This is what Ovechkin said about the goal in an interview:"Normal goal. It's not sick,"said with a straight face.And what about that pass to himself?"You have to try something new," said Ovechkin, on pace to score 60-plus goals for the second consecutive season.

As for the Canadiens, they were outplaying the Capitals but was still handed a 4-3 shootout lose. Matheieu Schneider sure helped the Habs powerplay by getting 1 assist on 3 of the Canadiens powerplay goals in his debut."I thought overall we played a great game against a team that was playing extremely well lately and that's been tough to beat at home," Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau said.Montreal played without all-star Alex Kovalev, who was told by Bob Gainy to stay home during the team's two game swing through Washington and Pittsburgh in hopes the rest will help him snap out of a slump. Kovalev will hope that he will be back with the Habs for Saturdays game against the Senators.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo