JUST A LITTLE WHILE LONGER

Today in Montreal, Jacques Martin (Habs head coach) announced that Mike Cammalleri and Marc-Andrei Bergeron will be out just a little longer. “When it comes to injuries, it’s really important to listen to and trust our doctors,” head coach Jacques Martin. “We have a great medical staff and our procedures are in place for a reason. At the end of the day, it’s for the player’s own good.” According to sources, Cammalleri and Bergeron will meet with doctors tomorrow and are expected to play on Wednesday against Buffalo.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

BRIAN GIONTA GIVES MONTREAL A POINT WITH 2 GOALS IN A 3-2 SHOOTOUT LOSS TO THE LEAFS

Tonight in Toronto, Montreal was going for their 7th straight win. But it didn't happen as the Habs went past regulation and overtime but they couldn't survive the shootout. Well, at least we Hab fans can say is that with the point we are now tied with the Sens (who Montreal plays next) and the Flyers for 5th in the east. Another good thing to know is that we are 5 points back of Buffalo for 3rd in the east." This is a big point that we got tonight. But we don't think that we played our best hockey in this game," Said Gionta (who scored both of Montreals goals)." This point was better than nothing." In the loss, Jaroslav Halak made 32 saves. But in the shootout he couldn't stop a sigle shot. The first shot by Kessel went off the post and then the other 2 went in. As for Gustavsson (of Toronto), he made 25 saves and stopped 2 out of the 3 shots by Montreal.

Montreal will look to get back on track in their next game on Monday against Ottawa with the return of Mike Cammalleri who has missed 17 straight games.

The Shootout:

Phil KesselTOR post

Andrei KostitsynMTL Goal

Nikolai KuleminTOR Goal

Scott GomezMTL Miss

John MitchellTOR Goal

Brian GiontaMTL Save

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

SCORES TO KEEP A EYE ON:

GAME 1:

FINAL	1	2	3	F
Ottawa	2	1	1	4
Dallas	2	2	1	5

Log | Boxscore

Goals:
Dallas - Brad Richards (2), Mike Ribeiro, Jamie Benn, Trevor Daley
Ottawa - Mike Fisher, Jason Spezza (3)

GAME 2:

FINAL	1	2	3	F
Philadelphia	1	1	0	2
Atlanta	2	1	2	5

Log | Boxscore

Goals:
Atlanta - Niclas Bergfors, Colby Armstrong (2), Nik Antropov, Bryan Little
Philadelphia - Dan Carcillo, Blair Betts

GAME 3:

FINAL	1	2	3	F
Buffalo	1	1	1	3
Florida	0	1	0	1

Log | Boxscore

Goals:
Florida - Byron Bitz
Buffalo - Jochen Hecht, Patrick Kaleta, Michael Grier

Mathieu Darche Talks about life in the NHL

Today in Montreal, Mathieu Darche talked about how it fells to in NHL for the full season.“The only full season I’ve had in the NHL was with Tamp Bay and that was two years ago,” explained the 33-year-old winger. “I got more and more comfortable as the season went on and I did my part offensively, but we finished the year in last place. Here, I’ve been able to contribute and we’re winning.” When Darche was asked if he will be taken out of the line up when Mike Cammalleri and Marc-Andrei Bergeron come back next week. He responded with:

“That’s flattering but there’s only one person who gets to decide that and that’s the coach.I’ve always said I need to just concentrate on the things I can control and the only thing I really have any control over is how I play.” The one things for sure is that he will be playing on Saturday against the Leafs.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

MIKE CAMMALLERI AND MARC-ANDREI BERGERON UPDATE

Today in Montreal, Mike Cammalleri and Marc-Andrei Bergeron got the ok sign from their doctors to join their team. But the injured Canadiens said they don't want to rush it.“Seeing the team playing so well is really motivating for me because I know I can take my time and make sure I’m really ready to go before I jump back onto the ice. I was given the green light to practice, but not to play just yet,” explained Bergeron. "I find I’m more effective as a defenseman and I can bring more to the lineup, but like I’ve said in the past, I’ll play any role the coaches ask of me. I’m comfortable playing up front and I’ll play my hardest no matter where I’m playing.”Bergeron is right in a sense of not to rush it since Montreal is doing well.

“The human body is a strange thing that no one has really been able to solve and I’m certainly not the one who is going to do it,” smiled Cammalleri before hitting the ice on his own following his teammates practice. “There is no precise timeline for this kind of injury, unfortunately. I’m hoping to be back on the ice at practice with the boys on Friday, but right now I’m going to go sweat it out on my own so I can get there as soon as possible.” I think if these guys were to come back lets say Saturday,everyone will be relying on them way to much to make a big hit or get a big goal. So i think it's best for them to take their time.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Canadiens Sign Hunter Bishop

Today in Montreal, Pierre Gauthier announced that he had signed Hunter Bishop to a 2-year contract (for the 2010-2011 and the 2011-2012 season). Bishop played 33 games with the NCAA Ohio State Buckeyes this season and he had 15 goals and 12 assist for a total of 27 points. The Habs have been keeping on eye on this guy for years. Former GM Bob Gainey invited Bishop to the Canadiens development camp in 2009. He showed up so he can try to earn a spot on Montreal in the coming years. And this year he did by signing with Montreal and now he will play in the AHL with the Bulldogs starting on Monday.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HABS BEAT THE RANGERS 3-1 FOR THEIR 6TH STRAIGHT WIN!

Last night in New York, The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers by the score of 3-1 to earn their 6Th straight win. With the victory, Montreal jumps into 6Th place being ahead of the Flyers by 1 point with 78 and the Habs are now 1 point back of the Senators for the 5Th spot."We have to just take care of what is in here," forward Scott Gomez said. "We've still got a lot of games left. The last thing that we're worried about is these teams. We're worried about what we're doing."

Glen Metropolit opened the scoring on the powerplay on a tipped shot from Andrei Markov. Then early on in the second, the Rangers answered back with a goal by Avery. The score remained at 1-1 going into the third. That's when Sergei Kostitsyn shot the puck off a Ranger skate to give Montreal a 2-1 lead.With 46 seconds to go the Rangers had a 6 on 4 advantage (a powerplay and a empty net). But they couldn't capitalize on it as Plekanec stole the puck and had a breakaway and scored on the empty net to make the score be 3-1 and that would be the final. In the Habs 6Th straight win Halak made 19 saves. As for the Rangers, Lundqvist made 32 saves but it wasn't enough.

“We’re playing as a group now,” explained Josh Gorges. “You watch the games and every time we’re out there, you see five guys up and five guys back. Our gap is a lot tighter between our D and our forwards and everyone is on the same page. It seems like we finally figured out everyone’s role. Sometimes it’s not easy to accept, but we know that if we keep on this path and keep doing the little things and playing together and supporting each other, we’re going to be successful.” The Habs next game will be on Saturday against the Leafs.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo
Photo's By Andrew Di Pardo

THE HABS WIN 5 IN A ROW!!!!!

Saturday night in Montreal, the Habs won their 5th straight game with a 3-1 win over Boston."It's a great feeling, but we can't stop right now," Markov said about going from 8th place to being tied for 6th with the Flyers. "We have to realize we have to keep going. We have 12 games left and we have to play the same way." In the victory, Sergei Kostitsyn had 2 goals (4th and 5th) and Markov added one on the powerplay for his 5th of the year. Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves for Montreal in the game.“I feel like we’re playing well right now, but there is still a long way to go,” said Markov. “I’m playing well, but I always hope that my best game will be my next one. I enjoy every game I play and I appreciate every shift I play, especially at this time of the year.”

Halak is a huge part of this win streak because he has played in all of the last 5 games which Montreal had won."The last game wasn't my best one, but we won the game at the end of the night," Halak said. As for the Bruins in the loss, Lucic had a goals and Wheeler had a goal as well in the loss."I'm very happy the coach showed me that confidence, and I didn't let him down.""The way Montreal's been playing thus far, we didn't put a full 60-minute effort in," Lucic (who had a goal in this game) said about losing 5 of 6 games against the Habs this year. "I think that's what hurt us." This was the first time Montreal has won 5 in a row since October 2009.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

THE CANADIENS WIN 4 STRAIGHT WITH A 5-4 SHOOTOUT VICTORY AGAINST THE OILERS

Last night in Montreal, the Montreal Canadiens took on the worst team in the NHL (the Edmonton Oilers). But it wasn't a easy ride as it need extra time and then a shootout. But Montreal came out on top by a final of 5-4 with a goal by Andrei Kostitsyn in the 5th round of the shootout."It's not easy against these teams -- they've got nothing to lose," said Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov. "And then we try to get too fancy and sometimes it doesn't work. You need to play a more simple game. We got the two points so we're happy, but we have to play better." The goals scored by Montreal in this game were by Tomas Plekanec (2oth), Brian Gionta (21st),Travis Moen (8th) and Sergei Kostitsyn (3rd). The shootout winner was scored by Andrei Kostitsyn.

In this game Montreal kept taking the lead time and time again. But the Oilers kept coming back. Like when Sergei Kostitsyn gave Montreal the lead at 4-3 but then Shawn Horcroff took a slap shot and it went in. "I've got to stop that one -- shots from there shouldn't go in," said Halak. "But that happens to everyone. It wasn't my best game, but we got the two points." The Canadiens next game will be on Saturday against Boston at 7:00pm E.t on CBC-M and NESN.

The Shootout
Tomas Plekanec	MTL	Save
Ryan Potulny	EDM	Save
Scott Gomez	MTL	Save
Shawn Horcoff	EDM	Save
Brian Gionta	MTL	Miss
Gilbert Brule	EDM	Post
Benoit Pouliot	MTL	Save
Robert Nilsson	EDM	Save
Andrei Kostitsyn	MTL	Goal
Sam Gagner	EDM	Miss

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

THE CANADIENS OVERPOWER THE LIGHTNIG WITH A 5-3 WIN

Last night in Montreal, the Canadiens were playing like Stanley cup contenders with chance after chance and in the end Montreal won 5-3."We're starting to get a sense of what it might have been like earlier if we hadn't had the injuries," said Gomez. "But a lot of teams have had injuries. We put ourselves in the situation we're in, so we can't worry about that." Ever since Montreal came back from the break they have been playing more offensively than defensively (which is there usual style). I think it's because they are in a race for the playoffs and they want to be contenders for the cup."We now how important these games are," said centre Glen Metropolit. "We have to approach it like it's playoff hockey now."

The goals scored by Montreal in this game were by Mathieu Darche with 2 goals (4th and 5th), Scott Gomez (12th), Glen Metropolit (15th) and Benoit Pouliot (16th). Jaroslave Halak (the Molson Cup winner) was also a big part of the victory by making save after save for a total of 28 saves."That's what it takes to win - everyone's chipping in," Gomez said. "We're getting healthy bodies and we're starting to look like the team we should have been all year." The Canadiens next game will be on Thursday against the worst team in the NHL the Edmonton Oilers.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HALAK WINS MOLSON CUP

Today in Montreal, the NHL announced there Molson cup winner for January and February and they gave it to Jaroslav Halak. After Montreal put Halak in against the Ducks when they were down 3-0 and he helped Montreal come back and win 4-3 in a shootout. After that win it was guaranteed to win the Molson Cup. Halaks record this season is 19-10-2 with 3 shutouts a .925 save percentage and a 2.49 goals against average. They will present Halak the Molson cup in tonights game against the Lightning.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

P.S:The winner of last years Molson Cup was Carey price.

THE HABS COME BACK DOWN 3-0 WITH LATE GAME HEROICS

Last night in Anaheim, Saku Koivu was facing his former team the Montreal Canadiens which was expected to be a great game and it was. Early on in the game, the Montreal Canadiens went down 3-0 in the first and it looked like the game was over. But it wasn't even close. The Canadiens made a goalie change right when the 2nd started due to Carey Price giving up 3 goals on 11 shots. So Halak was in net. He was big part of the Habs chances of coming back by making save after save. Montreal responded with a goal by Plekanec on a breakaway to give Montreal a chance at a come back. But it looked unlikely due to Montreal being down 3-1 with just 2 minutes left in the third. But even though it was unlikely Montreal gave it there all. Gionta scored for Montreal with 1:50 to go. And then it was Markov with 10 seconds to go in the game to send it to O.t. It would go to a shootout. Where Getzlef scored to put the Ducks up by 1.

Then it was up to Gionta to keep it alive. But Hiller made the save. But when Hiller opened up his legs the puck went in. They would review it but it was called a goal. After the Ducks missed it was up to Plekanec to win it and he did. The final score was 4-3 Montreal."The way we came out in the first period, up 3-0, we were really confident that we could get the next goal and put the game away," Koivu said. "When you lose that way, it's pretty disappointing -- especially for myself. I've waited for this game for quite awhile. I'm happy it's done now, but I'm not happy with the outcome. I'm disappointed that we lost that point." With the win Montreal now goes up to 7th in the east."We weren't ready to play this game from the start, but we regrouped after the first period and played strong after that," Markov said.


"When the schedule came out, I looked to see when we would play against the old team," said Koivu, who as Habs captain tied Jean Beliveau for the longest player to be a captain in the Canadiens' 101-year history."There's a lot of new players there, but it's the logo with the 'CH' is the same. I did wear that for a long long time. The Canadiens and the fans in Montreal were such a big part of my life for so long and were so great to me. We miss the city, but all those great memories and experiences will always stay with us." The Habs next game will be on Tuesday against the Lightning.

The Shootout
Corey Perry	ANA	Save
Andrei Markov	MTL	Miss
Ryan Getzlaf	ANA	Goal
Scott Gomez	MTL	Save
Teemu Selanne	ANA	Miss
Brian Gionta	MTL	Goal
James Wisniewski	ANA	Miss
Tomas Plekanec	MTL	Goal

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

THE CANADIENS BEAT L.A TO GRAB 8TH PLACE IN THE EAST

Last night in Los Angeles, the Canadiens continued there domination against L.A Kings with a 4-2 win and there 4th straight win over the Kings overall. With the win, Montreal now jumps back into 8th."Every point is big for us," Gionta said. "The standings are what they are, so we can't sit back at all. We need to control our own destiny going down the stretch." Montreal haven't lost to Los Angeles since March 8th 2003."The Montreal Canadiens are a very desperate hockey club," Murray said. "They're on the bubble, so you've got to recognize that and know that the intensity is going to be high. They showed it in the first shift, and we weren't ready to match it."

In the victory, Gionta, Moore, Pouliot and Plekanec all scored for Montreal and Halak made 23 saves in the 4-2 victory.As for the Kings,Kopitar and Modin scored for L.A and Quick made 21 saves in L.A first lost in regulation at home since January 19th 5-1 lose to the Sharks."In today's game you need to capitalize on special teams, and we didn't do that," Kings forward Ryan Smyth said. "We need to get back to the basics - pressing and getting the puck to the net. We just needed to simplify the game a bit. We need to play more desperate. We had to play catch-up, and we didn't give a good enough push throughout the game. But give them credit. They played well." The Habs next game on this trip will be tonight against former Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu of the Anaheim Ducks.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

TRADE DEADLINE 2010

Anaheim Acquires	Date	Phoenix Acquires
F Petteri Nokelainen	Mar 3	Draft Pick
NY Rangers Acquires	Date	Phoenix Acquires
D Anders Eriksson	Mar 3	G Miika Wiikman 7th-Round Pick
Phoenix Acquires	Date	Columbus Acquires
F Chad Kolarik	Mar 3	F Alex Picard
Colorado Acquires	Date	Carolina Acquires
F Stephane Yelle Harrison Reed	Mar 3	F Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll 6th-Round Pick
Calgary Acquires	Date	Edmonton Acquires
F Steve Staios	Mar 3	Aaron Johnson 3rd-Round Pick
Nashville Acquires	Date	Calgary Acquires
F Dustin Boyd	Mar 3	4th-Round Pick
Toronto Acquires	Date	Pittsburgh Acquires
D Chris Peluso	Mar 3	6th-Round Pick
Florida Acquires	Date	Columbus Acquires
D Mathieu Roy	Mar 3	F Matt Rust
Edmonton Acquires	Date	Anaheim Acquires
D Ryan Whitney 6th-Round Pick (2010)	Mar 3	D Lubomir Visnovsky
Toronto Acquires	Date	Anaheim Acquires
G Joey MacDonald	Mar 3	7th-Round Pick (2011)
Los Angeles Acquires	Date	Columbus Acquires
F Fredrik Modin	Mar 3	Conditional draft pick
Washington Acquires	Date	Carolina Acquires
D Joe Corvo	Mar 3	D Brian Pothier F Oskar Osala 2nd-Round Pick
Vancouver Acquires	Date	Carolina Acquires
D Andrew Alberts	Mar 3	3rd-Round Pick (2010)
Phoenix Acquires	Date	Toronto Acquires
F Lee Stempniak D Matt Jones	Mar 3	4th-Round Pick 7th-Round Pick
Washington Acquires	Date	Columbus Acquires
D Milan Jurcina	Mar 3	6th-Round Pick
Atlanta Acquires	Date	Buffalo Acquires
F Clarke MacArthur 4th-Round Pick	Mar 3	3rd-Round Pick
Buffalo Acquires	Date	Columbus Acquires
F Raffi Torres 2nd-Round Pick	Mar 3	D Nathan Paetsch
Calgary Acquires	Date	Anaheim Acquires
G Vesa Toskala	Mar 3	G Curtis McElhinney
Washington Acquires	Date	Minnesota Acquires
F Eric Belanger	Mar 3	2nd-Round Pick (2010)
Los Angeles Acquires	Date	Tampa Bay Acquires
F Jeff Halpern	Mar 3	F Teddy Purcell 3rd-Round Pick (2010)
Phoenix Acquires	Date	Vancouver Acquires
D Mathieu Schneider	Mar 3	D Sean Zimmerman 6th-Round Pick (2010)
Detroit Acquires	Date	NY Rangers Acquires
F Jordan Owens	Mar 3	F Kris Newbury
Phoenix Acquires	Date	Colorado Acquires
F Wojtek Wolski	Mar 3	F Peter Mueller F Kevin Porter
Vancouver Acquires	Date	St. Louis Acquires
F Yan Stastny	Mar 3	F Pierre-Cedric Labrie
Washington Acquires	Date	Carolina Acquires
F Scott Walker	Mar 3	7th-Round Pick (2010)
Carolina Acquires	Date	Anaheim Acquires
G Justin Pogge 4th-Round Pick	Mar 3	D Aaron Ward
Boston Acquires	Date	Florida Acquires
D Dennis Seidenberg D Matthew Bartkowski	Mar 3	F Craig Weller F Byron Bitz 2nd-Round Pick (2010)
New Jersey Acquires	Date	Toronto Acquires
D Martin Skoula	Mar 3	5th-Round Pick (2010)
Phoenix Acquires	Date	Boston Acquires
D Derek Morris	Mar 3	4th-Round Pick (2011)
Anaheim Acquires	Date	Boston Acquires
4th-Round Pick	Mar 3	D Steven Kampfer
Montreal Acquires	Date	St. Louis Acquires
F Aaron Palushaj	Mar 3	F Matt D'Agostini