Wow.
The Habs returned home last week with their sticks between their legs after a disastrous road trip. The schedule promised them more difficulty to come as most of their opponents were above them and playing very good hockey.
Pittsburgh, Boston , the Rangers and Pittsburgh once more. The Rangers again along with the Ducks, the Sabres and the Flyers. A point against Calgary and Ottawa is something that seems real yet with the Habs record against inferior foes – a miracle appears more acceptable.
Miracles on Ice
As the 1980 American Olympic Team proved – miracles do happen on ice and that is precisely what is happening to the Habs right now. First , they pick up a point against Atlanta in their first game back home in a 4 – 3 overtime loss . Then , Crosby gets hit on his noggin which is a miracle that he hasn ‘ t been hit before given his on – ice crying attacks. Sid misses the game against the Habs and the team edges a 2 – 1 victory.
Three out of four points – not bad eh ?
The Big Bad Bruins arrive in town on a night where the producers of Hockey Night in Canada have their tongues on the ground as they prepare to suck in the ratings of a great original six rivalry. A rivalry which –  has the two teams fighting for top spot in the Northeast Division. The Bruins boasting the league’s top defence against a Habs team with ‘ offense ‘ envy. Les Canadiens enter the third trailing 2 – 0  and another miracle happens. The ‘ ghosts ‘ of the Forum appear and steal two points from their former nemesis’ offspring.
Goalies Shine
All this amid trades, an anemic offense and players leaving the ice in frustration ( SEE Cammalleri, Mike ).The only thing that makes it possible for such miracles to appear has been the play of Price and Auld. Two goalies with two goals against averages below 2. 40 . Pretty good from a team that is averaging two goals a game offensively  in recent months.
Alex Auld was placed in between the pipes last night in New York for only his fifth start of the season. A game tonight  in Montreal against Pittsburgh leaves Martin with no choice but to rest Price if the coach wants Price fit and ready for the play -offs. Auld was sensational against his former club allowing one goal on the twenty – six shots that he faced. Alex now boasts a 1 . 74 GAA and a highly respectful .941 save percentage.
Perhaps Auld should be heading to Carolina for the All Start game in lieu of Carey Price. The Habs ‘ back -up would stand in for number thirty -one admirably while giving Price the opportunity to rest his spurs a few days. Just sayin…
After Brandon Dubinsky netted his 17th of the season on a nifty wrist shot to give the Blueshirts a 1 -0 lead , the Habs continued their ‘ miracle run ‘ with something along the lines of the parting of the Hudson River. Jaroslav Spacek , the noted sniper , produced his first goal in twenty – eight games to wrap the game to a standstill at the 18 : 49 mark of the second period. A period which the Habs gained strength and took the play to the home team as the two teams headed to the third.
Comeback Kids
A new trend appears to be taking hold with the brand new 2011 Montreal Canadiens. Never winning a game all season long as they trailed going into the third , the ‘new ‘ Habs have now come back and won or earned a point in their last for games. Character is what they are demonstrating as they did in the last season’s play -offs.
The Gionta – led bleu , blanc et rouge toting skaters entered the troisieme on a mission . A mission that ended with an exclamation point when Benoit Pouliot added to his video highlights by skating his Ontario born rear end past two Rangers before roofing a wrist shot over New York netminder Lundqvist. It was Pouliot ‘s 9th of the season and the eventual game winner. The Canadiens outshot the Bruins 18 – 8 in the final period in Saturday’s victory and last night they continued the trend with an impressive 13 – 6 effort.
The Habs departed the Big Apple last night with their seventh out of a possible eight points since their road trip from heck. They face the Penguins tonight without Sid ‘ The Crybaby Kid ‘. The Penguins are saying that the Canadian Gold Medal scoring star is day -to – day with his concussion.
Check Pens Labrynth to see what’s up in SteelTown as Bill Mayer discusses his issues with Malkin.
Too Many Men on the Site talks about the sale or non – sale of the Sabres.  Le Match ce soir commence a 19 : 30  ( 7 : 30 ) au Centre Bell .
Don’t forget to vote on this week’s poll…….Eller or not to Eller ?
Close Call ?
The Habs left New York last night amid a snow storm that terrorized the Eastern Sates. They managed to leave New York airspace but the pilot veered off course and the team ‘s plane inadvertently landed in Carolina. Everyone is okay and the players will be back in Montreal before game time to face the Penguins. Everyone that is except Carey Price. The Habs’ netminder is staying behind to prepare for the All- Star game on January 30. Price is the Habs ‘ sole representative and is staying behind to save the organization precious dollars on air fare.