Lucky Thirteen

The Montreal Canadiens took 13 shots on goal in the first period.They enjoyed it so much that they allowed Ottawa to do the same in the second.The Senators could not score a goal so the Habs took their 13 shots back for the third and scored three times . Lucky , that number.

Michael Cammalleri – number 13 if you are keeping score , learned from Mathieu Darche‘s exploits against the Sharks on Saturday. Number 13 grabbed his own rebound and fired a wrist shot past Ottawa goalie Leclaire.Number 13 was on his way to his most dominant performance in a while . He took a team high five shots on goal during his 18 : 43 of ice time – 13 : 36 of which was at regular strength.Every time he was on the ice , he contributed to Canadien threats – 13 if you are not counting his power play goal.

What can you say about Carey Price that has not been said this season. He is seriously becoming the English version of St . Patrick  or as the the Habs’ former goaltender’s sweater dictates – Roy . One goal a game . One goal and Carey appears to ground himself. His focus level rises from 99 percent to 100.

He allowed his one goal in the first to Foligno and once  the drama of when the goal will be scored was over – the fans and the offence could concentrate on the task at hand. It is a scary reputation that Martin et les boys are building . Les Canadiens are now 11 – 4 -2 at the Bell Center . They are second only to Boston in the fewest goals against in the league . Carey Price showed that he is a big part of that as he stopped all 13 Senator shots and set the stage for one of the most balanced offences in the league to take over.

Nine is the New Thirteen

Mike Cammalleri has nine goals . Tomas Plekanec has nine goals as well. Andrei Kostisyn ? Nine . Brian Gionta scored last night . Goal number nine. The top four scorers on the team at a logjam of nine . Now you have the second half  – Hamrlik , Halpern and Pouliot are tied with 15 pts a piece with Subban , Spacek and Gomez squared at nine. Mathieu Darche is stuck right in the middle of the bunch with ten points – five goals and five assists.

What that means is that when an opposing team takes the ice against the Habs –

they cannot zero in on one line or one player to defend. Gionta may be hot one night – Kostisyn the other. Tie up the pair and Plekanec ? No problem – Halpern , Darche or Pouliot will beat you . Tie up that terrible trio ? Here comes the Chesire Cat  – Lapierre ,  Moen and recently Eller and Gomez Does this team sound good  ? Wait – there is more…

No Negative Waves…

With the exception of Gorges , Pyatt , Lapierre , Gill and Gomez ( Boyd is a press box staple ) – the entire team is in positive mode . Fifteen players that have bought into the team concept and realize that playing defence first brings good offence second. Wave after wave the Habs shut opposing teams down . Wave after wave they wait for an impatient opposing defenceman to jump into the play out of frustration . When that arrives – the ‘ flyin  non – Frenchmen ‘ pour out of their zone and nine out of ten times , score a goal . Speed kills . The Habs obviously do not see the billboard as they continue their journey to be the number one team in the league.

Gionta , Hamrlik and Halpern contributed to that goal in the third period last night as the Canadiens won their third straight game and moved within two points of the red hot Penguins for the Conference lead . The Habs do hold one game in hand on Pittsburgh .

Some ‘ experts ‘ say  the Habs got lucky against the Penguins in last season’s play -offs .

The Penguins will not be ‘lucky ‘ if they face the Habs this year . Count on it !

Habs Notes

A limited number of tickets to the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic between the Habs and the Flames will go on sale on Friday, Dec. 10, at noon . You may purchase tickets through Ticketmaster locations throughout North America and via Ticketmaster.com (at nhl.com/hctickets). The Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames will play at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

All Subban all the Time – P. K sat out his third straight game last night. Martin would be well advised to place him back Friday night as the Habs take on their toughest test so far this season. Not only do they need Subban ‘s talent – c’ mon Jacques , he didn ‘ t kill anyone… ? They meet The Detroit Red Wings in Detroit. Game time is 7 pm.

Scott Gomez is listed as day to day with a lower body injury. He went to the dressing room last night and tried to return but finally succumbed to his ailment.

Go to Octopus Thrower for two reasons ! One ,  to see what Kevin has to say about The Red Wings chances and two – a chance to win tickets to a Red Wing game ! Hey – it ‘s not the Habs but who ‘s complaining . All you have to do is give an argument for the best player not in the Hallof Fame.

Want to have your new girfriend’s parents hate you ? Become a regular reader of Too Many Men on the Site.

Starting today – I will be posting Holiday Greetings from all the writers from around Fansided as they give their Xmas wishes to Habs fans.

Eugene Markman from Philadelphia writes –

"From Broad Street Buzz to Habs fans: Have a fun and safe holiday season, and may your team be the only disappointment in your life! GO FLYERS!"

Susan from California says ;

"Happy Hockeydays to all and let’s home Cam Fowler get’s his Christmas wish – facial hair!—Best wishes,Susan s-k LeeLead WriterFansided.com, LLChttp://TooManyMenOnTheSite.comhttp://DucksDailyBlog.com"