Blogging About The Montreal Canadiens and Canadiens Hockey

 
Your Montreal Canadiens will go for their 4th win in a row tonight as they host the league leading San Jose Sharks at the Bell Centre. Jaroslav Halak will get the start in goal for the Habs. Montreal is 8-2-0 with two ties in 12 all-time home games vs. the Sharks.

Montreal Canadiens
Season Record: 33-22-7 (5th in Confrence)
Last 10 Games: 4-5-1
Power Play: 18.2% (17th in League)
Penalty Kill: 83% (9th in League)

Projected Lines
Kostitsyn – Plekanec – Kovalev
Higgins – Koivu – D’Agostini
Pacioretty – Lapierre – Kostopoulos
Stewart – Metropolit – Laraque

Markov – Schneider
Hamrlik – Komisarek
Gorges – Brisebois

Halak
Price

Injuries:
Tanguay (Shoulder), Latendresse (Shoulder), Lang (Severed Achilles Tendon), Bouillon (Torn Groin)

San Jose Sharks
Season Record: 42-9-9 (1st in Confrence and League)
Last 10 Games: 6-2-2
Power Play: 24.3% (2nd in League)
Penalty Kill: 83.5% (6th in League)

Projected Lineup
Marleau – Thornton – Setoguchi
Michalek – Pavelski – Clowe
Grier – Roenick – Cheechoo
Shelley – Plihal – Lemieux

Vlasic – Blake
Lukowich – Boyle
Semenov – Ehrhoff
Murray

Boucher
Nabokov

Injuries
Marcel Goc (Lower Body), Torrey Mitchell (Leg)

Links

HF Gameday Thread

Tale Of The Tape

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Player Info
Birthdate: June 25, 1974
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height: 6′
Weight: 185
Shoots: Right

Bio From Wikipedia:
Metropolit started out playing for the Nashville Knights in the ECHL in the 1995–96 season. He also played for the Pensacola Ice Pilots and Grand Rapids Griffins before making his NHL debut in 1999–2000 for the Washington Capitals. For the next three seasons, he alternated between the Capitals and the AHL’s Portland Pirates, and also played two games for Tampa Bay in 2001–02.

In 2003 Metropolit crossed the Atlantic to play in Helsinki with Jokerit for the 2003–04 season. In a brilliant first season, he scored the most points on the team, 50, with 15 goals and 35 assists, the fifth-highest total during the regular season. He scored six goals during seven playoff games that year, but Jokerit were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

In the 2004–05 season Metropolit and Marko Jantunen were the team’s best goal scorers during the regular season, both scoring 16 goals, and Metropolit scored the most points on the team with 31 assists, totalling 47 points; the eighth-highest total in the league. In the playoffs he scored five goals and six assists, including a 3-on-5 shorthanded goal against Ilves’s Vesa Toskala in the quarterfinals. The team went on to win the silver medal.

Metropolit became a very popular player with the Jokerit fans, who had a number of chants dedicated to him. He is remembered as a gifted playmaker, with one of his favorite spots, on the outside of the left faceoff circle in the offensive zone, being called “Metro’s office” by TV commentators and fans, in honor of Wayne Gretzky’s “office” behind the goal. He and Marko Jantunen formed a memorable duo on the penalty kill, scoring several short-handed goals. His player number in Jokerit was #50.

After two years with Jokerit, Metropolit moved to Switzerland where he won the Nationalliga A championship with HC Lugano. He also led the league in scoring during the regular season.

In 2006, Metropolit returned to North America when he was signed by the Atlanta Thrashers. After limited playing time with Atlanta, Metropolit was dealt near the trade deadline to the St. Louis Blues, along with a package of draft picks, in exchange for Blues centre/wing Keith Tkachuk.

Metropolit became a free agent at the end of the 06–07 NHL season before being invited by the Boston Bruins to the team training camp. On October 3, 2007, he signed with the Bruins.[1] He excelled as a player and he was arguably having his best NHL season with the Bruins.

Metropolit signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent on July 1, 2008.

Player Links

Hockey DB Stats

A great article about Metropolit’s difficult upbringing

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From Habs Inside/Out:

The Canadiens added some depth at centre today when they picked up Glen Metropolit on waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers. Metropolit and defenceman Ossi Vaananen were placed on waivers yesterday as the Flyers attempted to clear some cap room to bring back Daniel Brière, who is a game-time decision for tonight’s game.

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Birthdate:  March 26, 1980
Birthplace: Agawam, Massachusetts
Position: Defense
Height: 6″2
Weight: 210lbs
Shoots: Left
He was drafted 55th overall in the 2nd round by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks on July 15, 2008; before playing for the Blackhawks, though, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Stars on October 2, 2008. He was then claimed off of waivers by Chicago on October 8th, only to be immediately traded back to Dallas for a conditional draft pick.

 Player Links

Hockey DB Stats

Dallas Stars Profile Page

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Official Release from the Canadiens:
Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today the acquisition of defenceman Doug Janik from the Dallas Stars, in return for forward Steve Bégin.

“Throughout his five seasons in the Montreal Canadiens’ jersey Steve Bégin has been a proud competitor who dedicated himself to the team,” Gainey said in a statement. “As an organization, we are grateful to Steve for his play on the ice as well as his involvement in the Quebec community. We wish Steve the very best with the Dallas Stars.

“Doug Janik, obtained by the Canadiens in return for Bégin, is a solid defenceman who brings 159 games of experience at the NHL level and who will add depth to our group of defencemen.”

Janik, 6-foot-2, 211 pounds, recorded one point (1 assist) and served 2 penalty minutes in 13 games with Dallas this season. Drafted in the second round by Buffalo, 55th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Janik amassed 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) with 121 penalty minutes in six NHL seasons, with Buffalo, Tampa Bay and Dallas.

The 28-year-old signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent on July 6, 2006. Janik will join the Canadiens’ America league farm team in Hamilton provided he clears waivers by Saturday at noon.

Bégin, 30, registered 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) with 27 penalty minutes in 42 games with the Canadiens this season. The left-winger, claimed by the Canadiens from the Sabres on waivers on Oct. 3, 2003, also played in the NHL with the Calgary Flames from 1997-98 to 2002-03.

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The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s ice hockey player. It is named for hockey player and World War I hero Hobey Baker. Past winners of this award include: Ryan Miller, Chris Drury, Paul Kariya, Jordan Leopold, Matt Carle and Brendan Morrison.
Go Here to vote.

 Player Links

Hockey DB Stats

Hockey’s Future Player Profile

Canadiens Player Profile

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Amazing And Rare Photos From The Canadiens Past - Robert L, HabsEyesOnThePrize

Spezza: Give Habs A Break - Don Brennan, Ottawa Sun

Halak On The Attack – Justin Goldman, DobberHockey

Insulted By Their Juvenile Behaviour - Dave Stubbs, Canwest News Service

Rocket Got A Trophy And Car, But His Wife Really Cleaned Up - John Kalbfleisch, The Gazette

Price Has First Nations Pride - Gordon McIntyre, The Province

The Rise And Fall Of The Montreal Canadiens - Matt Eichel, Bleacher Report

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The post game will be written by Justin, he’s on his way back from the game. I’ll leave you with some links until then.

Kovalev Nets 3 Points As Habs Top Senators - TSN.ca

About This Afternoon - Mike Boone, Habs Inside/Out

Embattled Canadiens Post Badly Needed Win - Canwest News Service

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Since Justin is at the game today, I will be making the Game Day post.  It’s not going to be quite as fancy but it will do.

This game marks Kovalev’s return after being sat out the last 2 games by General Manager Bob Gainey. I haven’t exactly loved Kovalev this season but after seeing the press confrence yesterday I found a new respect for him and am really hoping to see him do well. He seems like he really wants to play for the Habs and I hope he can get it together and put out a really good performance tonight. Even if he has no points but comes out and plays hard I’ll be happy, as should everyone else. I’m also excited to see him on the new and improved power play with Mathieu Schneider. Minus the fact that I think he’s playing too many minutes, what a great aquisition he has been so far. I’m excited to see his frist game at the Bell Centre.

GameTime: 3:00pm CBC, RDS

Montreal Canadiens
Season Record: 30-22-7 – 6th in Confrence
Last 10 Games: 2-7-1
Power Play: 17.1% (20th)
Penalty Kill: 82% (13th)

Projected Lines
Higgins-Koivu-D’Agostini
Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev
Kostopolous-Lapierre-Stewart
Pacioretty-Chipchura-Laraque

Markov-Schneider
Hamrlik-Komisarek
Gorges-Brisebois*

Halak
Price

Injuries:
Tanguay (Shoulder), Latendresse (Shoulder), Lang (Severed Achilles Tendon)
*I have Brisebois in the lineup for Bouillon as I believe he is out with a knee injury but I have no confirmation on this.

Ottawa Senators
Season Record: 22-26-9 – 11th in Confrence
Last 10 Games: 5-3-2
Power Play: 18.6% (16th)
Penalty Kill: 83.2% (6th)

Projected Lineup
Heatley – Spezza – Kelly
Foligno – Comrie – Shannon
Vermette – Fisher – Ruutu
Winchester – Hennessy – Donovan

Phillips – Lee
Kuba – Volchenkov
Smith – Bell

Elliott
Auld

Injuries:
Alfredsson (Jaw), Neil (Calf), Bass (Shoulder)

Links:

HF Game Day Thread

Tale Of The Tape

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Check out TSN (links on the right side) for video of Carbonneau and Gainey in the press confrence held this afternoon. They talk about concern with the Kostitsyns/Hamrlik controversy, reminding players of off ice expectations and Kovalev returning to the lineup. There is also an interview with Sergei Kostitsyn in which he answers every question with “I cannot comment at this time” at the advice of what appears to be a lawyer/agent.

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