Blogging About The Montreal Canadiens and Canadiens Hockey

This season has been less than ideal for the Canadiens who have lost two straight to both Buffalo and Washington, but they’ll be looking to turn things around as they play the Florida Panthers, the only team that the Montreal Canadiens have an all-time losing record against.

If history is any indication then this will be another low scoring game between these two teams, albeit the last game saw 9 goals score in a 5-4 win for the Habs on new years eve.

The starting goaltender could go either way but Jaroslav Halak has the best record of the two young goaltenders going 3-0 in his career against Florida. His goals against average of 3.25 and .907 career save percentage versus Florida will tell you how his games in net have gone.

Matt D’Agostini has been promoted to the first line and will be playing with Tomas Plekanec and Mike Cammalleri in tonights game. I can’t see him playing the first line the entire game but if he brings his game he may just do it.

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My Christmas wish is for Montreal to beat the Leafs in regulation, something that has seemed to allude them thus far this season. In the previous three meetings between these two teams the Canadiens have won twice and the Leafs once.

A starting goaltender has not been announced but it’s hard to believe that Jacques Martin will not go with the hot hand in Jaroslav Halak who has won his last three games with some excellent numbers. Price does however tend to do very well against Toronto but we’ll have to see.

Tomas Plekanec will look to continue his stellar play notching 9 points in his last 3 games! Plekanec now ranks 2nd in the league with 36 assists and 6th in the league with 43 points. He’ll expect a pretty big raise I’m thinking.

Live Streaming Links for Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs
- http://www.justin.tv/shlimebox/old

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The Montreal Canadiens hope to extend their two game winning streak when they face the ailing Carolina Hurricanes who are currently last place in the entire league and don’t even have double digit wins.

Jaroslav Halak will get his third straight start after two excellent performances. Halak has only faced the Hurricanes twice in his career recording a loss in one and was pulled in the other. He also has a career .879 save percentage against them.

Benoit Pouliot will make his Canadiens’ debut tonight and will most likely play on a line with Scott Gomez and Sergei Kostitsyn whom, along with his brother Andrei, have been named to the Belarus Olympic team.

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The Canadiens were able to make it to Atlanta after being storm stayed in New York so we’ll see another great game against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Jaroslav Halak will get the start tonight due to his 40 save shutout performance on Saturday against the Islanders. Halak as 1 win and 2 losses in his career versus Atlanta recording an .827 save percentage averaging 4.67 goals against. Not exactly the best stats but we can only hope that he’ll be feeling good after coming off of a shutout.

Andrei Kostitsyn appears to be unstoppable in in the month of December notching 7 goals and 4 assists in 10 games including 2 goals against the Atlanta Thrashers in their last meeting.

Andrei Markov will definitely be a factor as well, especially on the power play where he made a huge splash on Saturday night.

Benoit Pouliot has been called up but will not be in the lineup tonight. Pouliot has a goal and 2 assists in 3 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs during his reconditioning assignment.

Streaming Links: Montreal Canadiens vs Atlanta Thrashers
- http://www.justin.tv/nad_et_pic_4

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The Canadiens hope to break the five game losing streak that they are currently on and it might be a little easier with their defensive star, Andrei Markov, returning to the lineup.

Brian Gionta also traveled with the team but hasn’t been cleared to play so don’t expect him to make an appearance. It is nice to see him with the team though. It’s a good indication that he’s getting closer and closer to a return.

Andrei Kostitsyn has been a one man wrecking crew lately scoring 7 goals and 3 assists in his last 9 games.

Carey Price is expected to get the start tonight against the New York Islanders. Price has 1 win and 2 overtime losses in his career against the Islanders with a .904 save percentage.

Streaming Links
- http://www.justin.tv/btw8892 (PW: nhlhockey)

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Guillaume Latendresse is visiting the Bell Centre for the first time since his trade for Benoit Pouliot but the Canadiens will look to come out swinging after a third straight loss against the New Jersey Devils last night.

Due to Roman Hamrlik’s injury in last nights game, Yannick Weber has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Carey Price will get his second start in a row after the .925 performance he achieved last night. Carey Price has only faced the Minnesota Wild one other time in his career with the Canadiens getting the win and Price only allowing one goal for a .966 save percentage.

The Canadiens are going to need to come out swinging in this one. The Wild have 35 points and are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.

Mike Cammalleri has 10 points in 20 games against the Minnesota Wild and 8 points in his last 7 games. Expect at least 1 goal from Cammy tonight.

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For the first time this season the New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens will square off in what’s sure to be an “exciting” game. The Devils look to continue their stellar play while the Canadiens are looking to break their two game losing streak.

Carey Price should get the start after Jaroslav Halak had an .820 save percentage night against the Buffalo Sabres. Price is 2-2 in his career against the Devils recording a .933 save percentage and averaging 2.20 goals against including a single shutout performance.

Andrei Kostitsyn has 4 goals and 1 assist in his last 2 games and has 3 points in 9 career games against New Jersey.

Live Stream Links
- http://www.pcworkbench.net/kilonet.shtml
- http://www.justin.tv/exnordic02

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The Sabres visit the Canadiens in this Monday night match-up and the Canadiens will hope to redeem themselves after their previous bout with the Sabres that saw them lose 6-2 after getting badly outplayed.

Jaroslav Halak will get his chance to get back at the Sabres tonight as he will be the starting goaltender. Halak is 2-1 in his career against the Sabres recording an .875 save percentage and averaging 3.90 goals against. In his last start against the Sabres earlier this year he allowed 6 goals.

The Canadiens are 7 points behind the North-East division leading Sabres so a win here would make huge progress for the Habs.

No new faces in tonights lineup for the Habs, but Markov is getting closer and closer to a return. Andrei Kostitsyn will be the player to watch for the Canadiens after coming off of a 2 goal performance Saturday night against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Live Stream Links for Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens
- http://www.ndsportstalk.com/sop2.html (Internet Explorer Required)

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The Canadiens are in Atlanta tonight to try and win four out of five after losing against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. The Thrashers are currently riding a three game losing streak, all played on the road, and will be looking rebound from those losses.

Carey Price gets the start for the Montreal Canadiens after another great game against the Pens. Price is 3-2 in his career against the Thrashers including a bad loss earlier in the year where he allowed 5 goals. Price is currently rolling with a .934 save percentage in his last four starts.

Watch our for Mike Cammalleri and Marc-Andre Bergeron to want to continue their streaks, Cammalleri with his 6 points in 4 games and Bergeron who has 4 points in his last 3 games. Another notable mention is Tomas Plekanec’s 7 points in his last 4 games played, all in the form of assists.

Streaming Links:
- http://www.justin.tv/exnordic02 (French)
- http://www.justin.tv/nhlgames1

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It’s been confirmed that Carey Price will be in nets tonight in Montreal as the Canadiens will try and keep their winning streak going and hand a third straight loss to the ailing Pittsburgh Penguins.

On another note, Jaroslav Spacek will also be in the lineup tonight after leaving Tuesday nights game against the Flyers with a leg injury.

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