Gainey's calling the shots

Today at the Canadiens practice, Gainey (the Canadiens G.M &interim coach) called the shots,and made the drills harder than usual.Montreal Captain Saku Koivu knew before the practice fully well that it wouldn’t be your average practice. “All that happened yesterday is a wakeup call for all of us. It’s too bad that Carbonneau ended up paying the price in the end. We all feel responsible and we know that we need to be more consistent with our performances. Hopefully we well get to that point before the playoffs,"Montreal Captain Saku Koivu told RDS.

After talking to his assistants this morning, Gainey has decided to make only a few changes to his lineup.Carey Price will make his third straight start and Patrice Brisebois will be a healthy scratch for tonight's game. Mathieu Dandenault will make his return and take Max Pacioretty’s spot.“Bob has a gift of making any player feel like they’re the best player in the world,” explained Dandenault. “He’s always direct and you always know what to expect from him. Even down to the role players, it’s important to Bob to let them know they are an important part of the team.”

Gainey will reunite defensemen Mike Komisarek and Andrei Markov for tonights game. Mathieu Schneider is going to line up alongside Josh Gorges. Roman Hamrlik will be plaing alongside with Ryan O'Byrne.“I think Andrei and Mike are a great combination: one brings finesse and the other brings grit and toughness,” explained Gainey. “Mike realizes that he has struggled a little bit recently, but he’s ready to get his game back. I’m hopeful that Mathieu and Josh are going to make a great pair back there, too.”

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey fires Guy Carbonneau

The Montreal Canadiens have fired head coach Guy Carbonneau and replaced him behind the bench with general manager Bob Gainey. Carbonneau was let go after being the Canadiens coach for 3 years,and being a finalist for the Jack Adams Award last year."Not long ago, I responded to a question: What was the best decision I made as (Canadiens) GM? And hiring Guy was my best decision," Gainey said. "Today this decision might seem contradictory, but in the last eight weeks our performance has been below average, and I believe that a change of the direction at ice level was necessary. With 16 games left in the season, I believe that the change was necessary to maximize our chances of being one of the teams to participate in the playoffs this spring."After finishing first in the Eastern Conference last year, the Canadiens' 100th anniversary season in 2008-09 has had alot of ups and downs. With this change Gainy will try his best to make the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup this season.

"There were certain games when I had a real confusion about the overall performance,it showed up as effort, but I felt like it was emotional engagement to a game," said Gainey. "Our team did not seem to be emotionally engaged."Carbonneau's coaching record with Montreal is the record for most wins as a Canadiens Coach with 124-83-23.In Carbonneau's first 2 seasons as head coach the Canadiens missed the playoffs. But in his 3rd year the Canadiens finished in first place but got elimanated in the second round against the Philadelphia Flyers. Bob Gainey will make his coahing debut tomorrow against the Oilers.

Written by Andrew Di Pardo

The Canadiens beat the Stars by the score of 3-1, with help from Carey Price

Tonight in Dallas, Montreal killed off 10 of 11 penalty's that Carey Fraser (the ref.) called. Montreal goalie Carey Price made 31 saves in the 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars tonight.The goal scorers for the Habs in tonight's game is as followed, Andrei Kostitsyn (his 23rd goal of the season), Alex Kovalev (his 16th goals of the season) and Chris Higgins (his 9th goal of the season).With the win the Canadiens went up from 6th place in the East to 5th place in the East and improved to 4-12-1 in their last 17 road games. The biggest save of the game was when Price stopped Mike Modano with 16:12 left and made a glove save on James Neal with 10:32 remaining in the 3rd period. Loui Eriksson had the loan goal for the Stars in the 3-1 lose.With the lose, the Stars lost their sixth straight game at home to tie a franchise record set in 1970 in Minnesota.

The Stars got the early goal when Eriksson scored his 32nd on a 5 on 3 powerplay at 4:52 of the first period.Montreal tied it 5 minutes into the second period Kostitsyn scored his 23rd from the slot off Saku Koivu's pass.Dallas had just killed a penalty when Kovalev took a slap shot from the top of the left circle to give the Habs a 2-1 lead. Higgins would add a goal in the 3rd period which would eventually lead to a 3-1 win. The Canadiens will go back home on Tuesday to face the oilers.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

P.S-Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau and assistant coach Kirk Muller are former Stars players. Montreal GM Bob Gainey is a one-time Dallas coach and now the gm of the Habs.

The top 100 moments in Habs history

1.Retired number worn by Jacques Plante
2 Retired number worn by Doug Harvey
3. Team record for most power play goals in one period, Yvan Cournoyer
4. Retired number worn by Jean Beliveau
5. Retired number worn by Boom Boom Geoffrion
6. 50-goal and 100-point seasons by Guy Lafleur
7. Retired number worn by Howie Morenz
8. Players to win the Conn Smythe (total of nine awards)
9. Retired number worn by Maurice Richard
10. Retired number worn by Guy Lafleur
11. Norris trophies won by Canadiens defensemen
12. Retired number worn by Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer
13. Largest margin of victory in team history, 16-3 over the Quebec Bulldogs on March 3, 1920
14. Patrick Roy’s team record for most consecutive home wins, 1988-89
15. Number Maurice Richard wore at the start of his NHL career
16. Retired number worn by Henri Richard
17. Newsy Lalonde playoff goals in 1918-19, a team record
18. Retired number worn by Serge Savard
19. Retired number worn by Larry Robinson
20. Team record seasons Henri Richard played with the Habs
21. Spot where Saku Koivu was selected overall in 1993
22. Michel Larocque’s team record unbeaten streak, 20-0-2 in 1977-78
23. Retired number worn by Bob Gainey
24. Stanley Cups won by Canadiens
25. Captains or co-captains in team history
26. Maurice Richard regular season hat tricks
27. Road wins in 1976-77
28. Goals by Guy Lapointe in ’73-74, a team record for defensemen
29. Retired number worn by Ken Dryden
30. Head coaches in team history
31. Playoff series against Boston
32. Kjell Dahlin’s team rookie record for goals, 1985-86
33. Spot where 1993 playoff hero John LeClair was selected in '87
34. Bill Durnan career shutouts
35. First-place finishes
36. 40-plus win seasons
37. Year Howie Morenz passed away
38. Wins recorded (reg. season and playoffs) by Steve Penney following his great 1984 playoff
39. Henri Richard’s age when he retired
40. Most losses in a season, ’83-84 and ’00-01
41. Career playoff assists by Pete Mahovlich as a Hab
42. Team record for goalie victories in season; Jacques Plante (’55-56 & ’61-62) and Ken Dryden (’75-76)
43. Frank Mahovlich’s high for goals in his four seasons with Montreal, 1971-72
44. Goals scored by Joe Malone in 1917-18 – in 20 games
45. Playoff points for Claude Lemieux as a Canadien
46. Regular season shutouts by Ken Dryden
47. Jean Beliveau’s career high for goals, 1955-56
48. Career regular season losses by Michel Larocque in 231 games as a Canadien
49. Regular season goals scored by John LeClair with Montreal
50. Maurice Richard became the first player in league history to score 50 goals in a season – ’44-45
51. Goals scored by Stephane Richer in 1989-90, the last Canadien to post 50.
52. Playoff assists by Chris Chelios as a Canadien
53. Wayne Thomas’ team mark for most saves, one game, Mar. 10, ’74 (5-4 win vs PIT)
54. Habs Hall of Famers, including builders
55. Year of the Richard Riot -- March 17
56. The year that started record run of five Cups, 1956-60
57. Team reacord number of shots Wayne Thomas faced March 10, 1974
58. Frank Mahovlich playoff points (in 49 games as a Hab)
59. Playoff assists by Doug Harvey in a Montreal uniform
60. Team record for most goals in a season: Steve Shutt (1976-77) and Guy Lafleur (1977-78)
61. Most shots on goal in game: Feb. 2, 1990 vs PIT (11-1 win)
62. Jacques Plante’s last of six Vezina trophies
63. Brian Engblom’s plus/minus in 1980-81
64. Career playoff goals by Yvan Cournoyer
65. Points for leading scorer two straight seasons: '03-04 (Mike Ribeiro), '05-06 (Alex Kovalev)
66. Assists by Larry Robinson in 1976-77, a team record for defensemen
67. Assists by Mats Naslund in 1985-86, a team mark for left wings
68. Patrick Roy's career-high games, 1993-94
69. Year Serge Savard won the Conn Smythe
70. Patrick Roy playoff victories
71. Team record for points by a rookie: Mats Naslund (’82-83) and Kjell Dahlin (’85-86)
72. Home points in 1976-77; 33-1-6
73. Career playoff points Bob Gainey
74. Maurice Richard’s career high for points, 1954-55
75. Shutouts by George Hainsworth in seven-plus seasons with Montreal
76. All-time postseason appearances
77. Year Larry Robinson won his first of two Norris trophies
78. Jacques Lemaire’s career playoff assists
79. Playoff goals scored by Jean Beliveau
80. Team record playoff victories by Ken Dryden
81. Vincent Damphousse’s team-leading point total, 1996-97
82. Pete Mahovlich’s record for most assists in a season, 1974-75
83. Points compiled by the 1943-44 team, the most in the NHL’s pre-70-game era
84. Bobby Smith’s playoff points as a Hab
85. Points by Larry Robinson in 1976-77, a team record for defensemen
86. Year Patrick Roy won his first of two Conn Smythe’s
87. All-time playoff series victories
88. Keith Acton’s career-high for points, 1981-82
89. Guy Lafleur’s career-best plus/minus, 1976-77
90. Joe Juneau is the Canadien to sport this number.
91. Jean Beliveau’s career high for points, 1958-59
92. Victories by Gump Worsley as aCandien
93. Last time NHL All-Star Game was played in Montreal; Wales 16 Campbell 6
94. Years since “In Flanders Fields” was written (“To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high”)
95. Consecutive regular games without being shut out, 2/15/06 – 3/10/07
96. Year Bell Centre opened
97. Seconds it took for the Habs to score four goals against Washington on Feb. 4, 1977
98. Playoff games by Chris Chelios when he was with Montreal
99. Number worn by three players on the 1933-34 team, the only time the now-retired number was worn in team history
100. Guy Lafleur became the first Hab to record 100 points in a season when he scored a goal against Washington on March 7, 1975

THRASHERS SHUT OUT CANADIENS BY THE SCORE OF 2-0

The Canadiens were playing a great game, getting pucks to the net, playing great defense, but the problem was they just could not beat Lehtonen (Who made 25 saves)."He was awesome," Thrashers rookie Zach Begosian said. "If he hadn't been on, it could have been a different story." The Canadiens are 2-11-1 in their last 14 games away from Montreal.With Montreal goalie Jaroslav Halak out with the flu, Carey Price made 26 stops but fell to 0-6-1 in his last seven games."With a good performance like this from Carey, unfortunately we can't score goals," Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau said.

This is just the second shutout Montreal has faced this season. The last one was a 3-0 defeat against the Capitals in November."It's frustrating for him and us, but I think our effort tonight was better than at Buffalo."Carbonneau said he was encouraged that his team "worked for 60 minutes and gained confidence" against Atlanta."We keep working like this, we'll be OK," he said. The Canadiens next game will be on Sunday against the Stars at 6:00pm E.T on RDS.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

WHAT'S WRONG WITH PRICE? HE GIVES UP 5 GOALS AGAIN

Montreal goalie Carey Price was not playing that great last night as he gave up 5 goals on 27 shots as the Sabers blow-out the Canadiens by the score of 5-1.Price has gone 0-5-1 in his past six games, allowing 28 goals."It's just the way it's going right now," Price said. "I didn't feel that great to be honest. I felt a little rusty. I have to play better." The Canadiens were dominating the Buffalo Sabers for the majority of the game but just could not score on Sabers goalie Patrick Lalime (who made 38 saves on 39 shots)."If we can't adjust to play on the road, then we don't deserve to be in the playoffs," coach Guy Carbonneau said."I mean 18 shots in the first period and we were down by one goal. We had chances, but we didn't get the bounces we deserved. ... We just didn't sustain it in the second period."Since Halak is out with the flu, Marc Denis will most likely jet the start on Friday against the Thrashers.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

GAINEY DECIDE NOT TO DEAL ANYONE ON DEADLINE DAY

The Montreal Canadiens general manager (Bob Gainey) made no moves today, as he already made moves because he already made moves in the previous two weeks."We weren't out kicking tires," Gainey said. "I think it's a message to our players, a vote of confidence for the players that we have, that many of them that have been sidelined with injuries or were not having the seasons they hoped for, that now is the time to get there.We weren't anxious to move players." When Gainy was asked: Why didn't the players that wanted to be moved be moved? He simply responded:"The player who asked if they could be moved found no takers among the 29 other clubs." He said. Mathieu Dandenault( who asked Gainey to be traded),will sit the rest of the season in the dog house.

Two weeks ago, he sent two draft picks to Atlanta for 39-year-old Mathieu Schneider to help out the Canadiens powerplay.Last week, Gainey picked up Glen Metropolit on waivers from Philadelphia to add a center to take Lang's place until his return. They also trade Begin to the Stars for Janik. Gainey had no intention of add any more players today."We feel we have good depth at each of the positions - in goal, on defence and with our forwards," Gainey said. "I think the crisis we went through where we were losing a string of games may have been part of the motivation to make changes earlier rather than later.We've got some results from those moves that have taken us out of that and now we're on the other side, we're winning games."

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Tradedeadline 2009

The Trades in bold are the best deals of the day.

4:18 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Toronto Acquires:
– Olaf Kolzig
– Jamie Heward
– Andy Rogers
– 4th round pick

Tampa Bay Acquires:
– Richard Petiot


4:17 pm,Wednesday March 4, 2009

Edmonton acquires:
-Ales Kotalik

Buffalo Acquires:
- 2nd round pick

3:50 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Carolina Acquires:
– Patrick
– Erik Cole

Edmonton Acquires:
O'Sullivan


3:50 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

San Jose Acquires:
– Travis Moen
– Kent Huskins

Anaheim Acquires:
– Nick Bonino
– Timo Pielmeier
– Conditional pick


3:48 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Carolina Acquires:
– Patrick O'Sullivan

Los Angeles Acquires:
– Justin Williams


3:41 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Philadelphia Acquires:
– Kyle McLaren

San Jose Acquires:
– 6th round pick


3:38 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Carolina Acquires:
– Erik Cole

Edmonton Acquires:
– Patrick O'Sullivan
– Ales Kotalik


3:36 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Florida Acquires:
– Steve Eminger

Tampa Bay Acquires:
– Noah Welch
– 3rd round pick


3:36 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Florida Acquires:
– Steve Eminger

Tampa Bay Acquires:
– Noah Welch
– 3rd round pick


3:33 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Anaheim Acquires:
– James Wisniewski
– Conditional pick

Chicago Acquires:
– Samuel Pahlsson


3:30 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Columbus Acquires:
– Kevin Lalande

Calgary Acquires:
– 4th round pick


3:18 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Anaheim Acquires:
– Erik Christensen

Atlanta Acquires:
– Eric O'Dell


3:06 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Buffalo Acquires:
– Dominic Moore

Toronto Acquires:
– 2nd round pick (via Carolina)


2:56 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

NY Rangers Acquires:
– Derek Morris

Phoenix Acquires:
– Nigel Dawes
– Dmitri Kalinin
– Petr Prucha


2:50 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

NY Rangers Acquires:
– Nik Antropov

Toronto Acquires:
– 2nd round pick
– Conditional draft pick

2:44 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Philadelphia Acquires:
– Daniel Carcillo

Phoenix Acquires:
– Scottie Upshall
– 2nd round pick

2:00 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Pittsburgh Acquires:
– Bill Guerin

NY Islanders Acquires:
– Conditional draft pick

1:22 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Boston Acquires:
– Mark Recchi
– 2nd round pick (2010)

Tampa Bay Acquires:
– Matt Lashoff
– Martins Karsums

12:49 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Boston Acquires:
– Steve Montador

Anaheim Acquires:
– Petteri Nokelainen


12:44 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Calgary Acquires:
– Olli Jokinen
– 3rd round pick

Phoenix Acquires:
– Matthew Lombardi
– Brandon Prust
– 1st round pick

12:29 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Toronto Acquires:
– Erik Reitz

NY Rangers Acquires:
– Waiver claim


12:27 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Dallas Acquires:
– Brendan Morrison

Anaheim Acquires:
– Waiver claim


12:24 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Pittsburgh Acquires:
– Craig Adams

Chicago Acquires:
– Waiver claim

12:21 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Toronto Acquires:
– Martin Gerber

Ottawa Acquires:
– Waiver claim

12:02 pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Buffalo Acquires:
– Mikael Tellqvist

Phoenix Acquires:
– 4th-round pick (2010)


1:43 am, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Calgary Acquires:
– Jordan Leopold

Colorado Acquires:
– Ryan Wilson
– Lawrence Nycholat
– 2009 2nd round pick (from Montreal)


11:33 am, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Pittsburgh Acquires:
– Andy Wozniewski

St. Louis Acquires:
– Danny Richmond


9:56 am, Wednesday March 4, 2009

Ottawa Acquires:
– Pascal Leclaire
– 2nd round pick

Columbus Acquires:
– Antoine Vermette

Canadiens recall Marc Denis from the Hamilton Bulldogs

The Canadiens announced today that goaltender Marc Denis was recalled from the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs. He will take part in the Canadiens practice today in Buffalo. He will not be playing in the game unless the Canadiens trade either Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak.Marc Denis appeared in one game with the Canadiens this season, turning away six of the seven shots he faced in 20 minutes of ice time on January 2, 2009, in New Jersey.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Who will The Canadiens get at the Trade Deadline?

There are rumors that the Anaheim Ducks might be willing to trade Chris Pronger to the Montreal Canadiens for Saku Koivu. Pronger would be just what the Canadiens are looking for, he's big and tough and has a hard shot(which would help their powerplay).But I think the Habs should not trade Koivu for him I think they should Trade Josh Gorges and Chris Higgins for Pronger.There are also rumors that the Canadiens will trade Matthieu Dandenault to the Ottawa Senators for Chris Neil. Dandenault asked Canadiens general manager Bob Gainy to be traded a few weeks ago,and there will be no doubt that he will most likely be traded by Wedsnday (Most Likely to the Senators).

The Canadiens are looking for some toughness for the playoffs and Sources say Neil would be the perfect fit.Just think about it the Bruins and Flyers would have a hard time with guys like Komisarek, Pronger, Laraque and Neil together. The Canadiens are also looking for a forward and Daniel Briere will be the kinda guy the Canadiens are looking for. The trade deadline is on March 4th 2009.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Canadiens Sign Andrew Conboy to a three-year contract

The Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today that they have signed forward Andrew Conboy to a three-year contract. which will last from the 2009-2010 season to the 2011-2012 season.Conboy was the Canadiens’ fifth-round pick, 142nd overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He weighs 200 ponds and his is 6-foot-4,he is a left handed shooter. This season he has recorded zero goals and one assist and has served four penalty minutes in seven games with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. Conboy also has 42 goals and 46 assist in 114 games through 2006-2008 with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Other NHL news:Brodeur gets his 100th Shutout in a 3-0 win over the Flyers

Brodeur earned his 100th NHL regular-season shutout with a 27-save performance as the Devils blank the Flyers 3-0 today.Brodeur has 2 shutouts in the last 3 games since returning from injury.It was also Brodeur's 547th career victory, moving Brodeur to within 4 wins of Patrick Roy's league record."It's a big number, it's kind of hard to believe," Brodeur said of his shutout total. "You get to different numbers and at times you think, 'OK, it's just another one.When you get to a round number, it looks more impressive." Brodeur has stopped 46-of-48 shots in 3 games since returning from ingury.He also has 4 shutouts in 13 games this season."Any goalie, that's your dream team in front of you, one that scores goals and is responsible defensively," Brodeur said. "I don't think we are cutting corners in our own zone.

The save of the game was when Brodeur slid across his crease to stop Richards in close after he was set up by Gagne."I was by myself with Brodeur and saw Richie on the corner on the left side. I thought it would be open net for him," Gagne said. "I thought he read the play pretty good and Marty made a great save on that." With the Flyers lose, the Montreal Canadiens will stay within 1 point of the Flyers for the 4th spot in the East. If the Flyers continue to lose and the Canadiens continue to win, the Canadiens would finish in 4th place in the East.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

The Canadiens defeat the Sharks 3-2 with a little help from Halak

Jaroslav Halak took over as the starter in net when Carey Price was in a slump. Halak is showing that he can be the starter,as he once again steals a win by making 46 saves. "As long as we get the win, that's what matters,"Carey Price said."We need the points."The goalscorers for the Habs in this game are as followed:Saku Koivu (His 11th goal of the year), Gosh Gorges (his 3rd goal of the year) and Andrei Markov (his 9th goal of the year). The Sharks were down 3-0 after 1 period, but then battled hard for 2 goals by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. That's as close as they got as they lost 3-2."We're big, fast and strong and a lot of teams don't know how to play us," said Thornton. "They don't know how to handle that."

The Canadiens have won 4 in-a-row for the first time since October 18th 2008."We could still be better, but this is a start," said coach Guy Carbonneau.The Canadiens are going on the road this week for games in Buffalo, Atlanta and Dallas. The Sharks ended a four-game road trip and next play Tuesday against Dallas.Defenceman Doug Janik, acquired by Montreal from Dallas on Thursday, cleared waivers and was assigned to AHL Hamilton. I don't know why Canadiens pick up players if their just going to put them back on waivers. The reason can be that they need cap space for Glen Metropolit. If the Canadiens want to be a Cup Champ this year they need all their players to be healthy, they need to aquire a big defenseman and a forward.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo