Habs Inside/Out

Halak's agent stirs it up on Twitter

Dave Stubbs — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:26:42 -0500

Allan Walsh, agent for Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak, knowingly or otherwise smacked a hornet's nest on Twitter last night immediately following the Habs' 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay with his tweet: "Interesting stat of the night.... #Habs' Price is 10W, 32L in last 42 starts. Hmm."

Whether an agent should so publicly be promoting a client at the expense of someone else – that would be Carey Price – even between the lines is subject to debate. The Internet has changed all the rules (some would say significantly lowered the bar) of credibility, professionalism and even common sense.

But the tweet riled former goalie Kelly Hrudey on Hockey Night in Canada, and a quick, very brief flurry of tweets between Walsh and HNIC's Jeff Marek ensued. Walsh replied to Marek: "It was a tongue in cheek comment not meant to be taken seriously, forgot it was Montreal and everyone loses a sense of humor."

Search #walsha on Twitter and you'll see that many people climbed aboard this one. Nice capsule here on the All Habs blog. You'll find Walsh on Twitter here, where his end of the exchange is recorded.

Game 17: Habs can't solve Tampa's Niittymaki

Dave Stubbs — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:35:46 -0500

Tampa's Ryan Malone scores game's first goal, beating prone Carey Price and defenceman Josh Gorges.
Pierre Obendrauf, Gazette

• Pregame: Price regains a little swagger

• At a Glance: One game at a time, Canadiens coach Jacques Martin said after his team's 2-1 shootout win over Boston on Thursday. True enough. The Habs gave up backbreaking goals late in the first and second period Saturday night to drop a 3-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

• Key Moments: The Habs came out on fire but Tampa Bay opened the scoring when Ryan Malone took advantage of a fistful of Canadiens standing around goalie Carey Price, watching. If Price had no chance on that one, he was largely responsible for Tampa's second goal, yielding a huge rebound that was buried late in the first by former Hab Alex Tanguay. Montreal finally got on the board midway through the second, on the power play, when Brian Gionta swatted a rebound past Lightning goalie Antero Niittymaki. But huge Habs momentum evaporated with a Tampa goal two minutes before the end of the second, James Wright poking home a puck, one that Price should have smothered, from a wild scramble.

• What It Means: Price had a superb game against Boston on Thursday. On Saturday, not so much. With the Canadiens thin on an injured blue line, it needs a standout performance every game from its netminder. Even moreso when the Habs run into a superb goalie at the other end of the rink, as they did Saturday vs. Niittymaki.

• What's Next: The Habs practice Sunday morning at the Bell Centre for 20,000 or so fans in an annual grocery-chain promotion. They're back in action at home on Tuesday vs. Calgary, wearing throwback 1910-11 red and green uniforms, then hit the road for games Thursday in Phoenix and next Saturday in Nashville.

Habs claim D Leach off waivers from Devils

Dave Stubbs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:12:42 -0500

The Canadiens today claimed defenceman Jay Leach, 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, from the New Jersey Devils organization.

He'll join the Canadiens; he'd been in the minors and the Habs claimed him on re-entry waivers.

Update (2): O'Byrne skating up a storm

Dave Stubbs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:42:42 -0500

Rehabilitating Canadiens defenceman Ryan O'Byrne was skating up a storm early this morning in Brossard with team head athletic therapist Graham Rynbend. A good sign as O'Byrne continues to rebuild his sprained knee; he's pencilled in for a return at the end of the month, though the team hopes it's earlier than that.

Follow Stubbs's live updates from 11:30 a.m. ET practice today on Twitter. Find those updates here.

UPDATE: Jaro Spacek is practising. Therapy day for Brian Gionta. Everyone else on the ice. Team wearing green pants and helmets, which they'll wear Tuesday at home vs. Calgary with the throwback red and green, maple-leafed jersey.

UPDATE 2: Lines at practice: Gomez with Cammalleri and Andrei K (Gionta therapy day); Plekanec with Latendresse and Lapierre; Chipchura with White and Pyatt; Metro with Moen and Pacioretty.

Game 16: Price stones Bruins in shootout win

Kevin Mio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:08:21 -0500

Canadiens' Glen Metropolit scores on Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas Thursday night. Brian Snyde, Reuters

Gazette Preview | Thursday's NHL Schedule | Matchups | Mike Boone's Game Blog and About last night ... | Pat Hickey's game story

• At a Glance: The Canadiens defeated the Bruins for the first time in 10 games Thursday night, and Carey Price won for the first time since Oct. 3 against the Buffalo Sabres, but it took longer than they would have liked. The Canadiens grabbed a 1-0 lead on a Glen Metropolit goal near the end of the first period and held on until the games final minute. That is when Patrice Bergeron beat Price, the only time he would be beaten in the 2-1 shootout win. Price stopped 42 of 43 shots and all three shooters in the shootout, while Mike Cammalleri beat Tim Thomas to give Montreal the win. It was a 50th career win for Price.

• Key Moments: The Bruins had a goal disallowed near the end of the second period when the puck crossed the goal line after slidding under the side of the net, which had been lifted off the ice by players battling in front of the net.

• What It Means: The Habs won for the first time on the road since Oct. 3 in Buffalo.

• What's Next: The Canadiens return home to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

White, Pyatt in; Price gets call; Halak not 100%

Pat Hickey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:25:32 -0500

Jacques Martin isn't wasting any time putting newcomers Ryan White and Tom Pyatt to work. The forwards were called up from Hamilton Wednesday night and they will make their NHL debuts tonight against the Bruins. Pyatt will centre the fourth line with Andrei Kostitsyn on the left wing and White on the right wing. That means Kyle Chipchura and Gregory Stewart will be healthy scratches.

Martin also said Carey Price will get the start in goal. He said he has confidence in Price but he also said that Jaroslav Halak was "not 100 per cent" although he did not elaborate. The Team 990 was reporting groin.

"I have a lot of confidence in Carey, Halak isn't 100 per cent and Carey did good work in Chicago," Martin said, adding that he expects a good effort tonight.

Flu sidelines Krejci

Pat Hickey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:42:53 -0500

The Boston Bruins, who are already reeling from the loss of Milan Lucic and Marc Savard, won't have David Krejci in the lineup today. Krejci has been diagnosed with H1N1 virus.

The Bruins have called up Miiko Lehtonen from Priovidence as an emergency recall which means that the team had fewer than 12 healthy forwards.

Update on the Canadiens coming after the morning skate.

Live chat: Canadiens at Bruins

Kevin Mio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:31:29 -0500

For the Canadiens game against the Bruins tonight, we are implementing a new feature at Habsinsideout that we will use during certain games this season. Powered by coveritlive, the chat will allow readers to comment and discuss the game with each other.

Of course, Mike Boone will still be doing his game blog, and this is not meant to replace that, nor could it.

Keep in mind that the comments on the coveritlve chat will be monitored and approved by me, so keep it clean.

The chat will go live at 7 p.m.

Canadiens vs. Bruins

24 Cups previews the Bruins

Mike Boone — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:18:29 -0500

Steve Kerley, aka 24 Cups, scouts tonight's opponent:

The Boston Bruins’ fate over the past two years has been very similar to that of the Montreal Canadiens. A Cinderella story whereby they lead the Eastern Conference during the regular season to only to face heartbreak in the playoffs. Once the carriage turns into a pumpkin, reality sets in and the fairytale has ended. There’s a solid base to this Beantown team, but right now, they are facing a reality check that sees them dealing with a variety of challenges.

Revisiting The Comeback vs. Boston

Dave Stubbs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:41:16 -0500

Bruins goalie Gilles Gilbert can still see Guy Lafleur winding up.
Steve Babineau, NHLI vis Getty Images

Today's fan recalls the Habs' 6-5 comeback victory over the New York Rangers on Feb. 19, 2008 as the greatest in team history. Purely from a deficit point of view, it was that.

But our friend Robert Lefebvre offers his usually exhaustive look back to a comeback that truly was meaningful, the Canadiens' victory over the Boston Bruins on April 8, 1971, during the first round of the playoffs.

Different time, different team. But with the Habs in Boston tonight, the timing is ideal to remember this.

And here's a walk down memory lane with former Bruins goalie Gilles Gilbert, who was in goal on May 10, 1979, the night of the famous/infamous too-many-men game in which the Habs stormed back late to stave off elimination, then went on to win their 22nd Stanley Cup.

White, Pyatt recalled

Mike Boone — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:43:09 -0500

First reported by Tony Marinaro on the Team 990.

Focus on D at practice

Mike Boone — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:22:17 -0500

Pat Hickey reports the Canadiens worked on their defensive play this morning in Brossard.

Brian Gionta had a therapy day

And coach Jacques Martin confirmed Hal Gill is gone two to three weeks with a hairline fracture in his foot.

After last night and with Boston tomorrow, the whole city needs a therapy day.

AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Josh Gorges | Maxim Lapierre | Mathieu Carle

• • •

How's this for a late-day rumour:

CKAC reports Bob Gainey has talked to Chris Chelios.

PuckCast, Vol. 4, No. 4 [Podcast]

Kevin Mio — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:12:14 -0500

It’s been a tough week for the Canadiens, with losses against Pittsburgh and Chicago before beating the Maple Leafs despite blowing a late two-goal lead. On Tuesday night, they lost to Atlanta in a sloppy game that saw numerous defensive breakdowns for the Canadiens. It doesn’t get any easier for the Habs, who play Boston on Thursday and welcome Tampa Bay to Montreal on Saturday.

Pat Hickey, Dave Stubbs, Mike Boone and Kevin Mio discuss Montreal's defence, which is struggling of late, as well as Andrei Kostitsyn's play, whether Tomas Plekanec should be re-signed now and what we can look forward to against the Bruins and Lightning.

The PuckCast | Download it now
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iTunes | Add the PuckCast to iTunes

Game 15: Habs come up short vs. Thrashers

Kevin Mio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:18:40 -0500

Thrashers' Rich Peverley scores his team's second goal of the game against Canadiens' Carey Price Tuesday night. Phil Carpenter, The Gazette

Gazette Preview | Tuesday's NHL Schedule | Matchups | Mike Boone's Game Blog and About last night ... | Pat Hickey's game story

AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Carey Price I, II and III | Mike Cammalleri | Brian Gionta | Jaroslav Spacek

• At a Glance: It was a see-saw game that saw the Atlanta Thrashers blow 3-1 and 4-3 leads before eventually defeating the Canadiens 5-4 Tuesday night. Ondrej Pavelec, who was coming off a 50-stop performance in Ottawa, allowed four goals on 38 shots, but was one better than Carey Price, who was making his first start at home since Oct. 17. Price allowed five goals on 30 shots, but could not be faulted on several of the Atlanta goals. Bryan Little, Rich Peverly, Mark Popovic, Pavel Kubina and Colby Armstrong scored for the Thrashers. Brian Gionta scored a pair of goals for the Canadiens, who also got goals from Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec.

• Key Moments: Twice Montreal tied the game in the third period, and both times, the Thrashers wasted little time replying, with Colby Armstrong scoring the game winner only 34 seconds after Tomas Plekanec had scored to make it 4-4.

• What It Means: The Canadiens lost for the first time in six games at home, dropping to 5-3 at the Bell Centre.

• What's Next: The Canadiens travel to Boston for a game Thursday against their division rival, the Bruins. They return to Montreal to finish the week with a game against Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Alex Tanguay and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Oh, and the Bolts also have Steven Stamkos.

The latest prognosis

Pat Hickey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:04:04 -0500

Coach Jacques Martin provided a host of medical updates after the morning skate.

Hal Gill will be out for several weeks but it's not related to the shot he took in the foot at practice yesterday,. Martin said Gill has been playing through a leg injury for the past three weeks and doctors have advised him to shut it down. He'll be replaced by Mathieu Carle, who makes his NHL debut tonight against Atlanta.Carle will be paired with Marc-André Bergeron but Martin said both players could find themselves with different partners in the course of the game.

Matt D'Agostini has been diagnosed with a concussion, resulting from a hit by Chicago's Andrew Ladd last Friday. The diagnosis means that he must sit out for at least a week.

Ryan O'Byrne, who suffered a strained knee on Oct. 3, has resumed skating on his own. The team is expecting him back at the end of November but he's hoping to come back sooner.

Georges Laraque remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

And defenceman Andrei Markov is making progress after tearing tendons in his left leg in the season opener on Oct. 1. He has been working out on the bike and doing weights and remains on schedule for a return in February.

Price to start

Pat Hickey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:30:12 -0500

Carey Price will start in goal tonight. It's his first start at the Bell Centre since Oct. 17 when he was on the short end of a 3-1 count against Ottawa.

Carle goes tonight, Gill hurting

Pat Hickey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:04:19 -0500

Mathieu Carle joined the Canadiens for the morning skate and will replace Hal Gill in the lineup against Atlanta tonight. Gill took a shot off the foot yesterday. There's no word on how long Gill will be out.

Stay tuned for an update on the starting goaltender and the health of Matt D'Agostini.

Carle incoming for injured Gill: report

Dave Stubbs — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:24:52 -0500

RDS is reporting tonight that the Canadiens have called up D Mathieu Carle from the Hamilton Bulldogs to fill in for Hal Gill, who was injured in practice today, taking a shot off the foot.

And while we're talking about Bulldogs defencemen, check out this NHL.com feature on P.K. Subban.

D'Agostini, Laraque still missing

Dave Stubbs — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:01:29 -0500

• AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Glen Metropolit | Mike Cammalleri | Andrei Kostitsyn (who's not happy)

No sign of Matt D'Agostini or Georges Laraque at today's Canadiens practice, the first the team has been back on the ice since Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

D'Agostini is still suffering the effects of the head shot he absorbed last Friday at the expense of an airborne Andrew Ladd of Chicago, while Laraque's back reportedly is still causing him problems.

Defenceman Hal Gill left Brossard ice early after taking a shot off the foot.

Na-na-na-na ... Are we great or what?

Mike Boone — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:44:46 -0500

Would it be tempting Fate to point out a 44 per cent year-over-year increase in Habs Inside/Out page views?

October, 2008: 1,703,792

October, 2009: 2,457,225

Without Andrei Markov!

Numbers are from Google Analytics.

A tip of the HIO tuque, as always, to David Klimek of The Gazette, the Sidney Crosby of marketing stats.