That’s more like it … !
Jacques Martin has been paying attention to A Winning Habit and he released the proverbial ‘ hounds ‘ from their defensive kennels. Or did he ?
The Ottawa Senators are not exactly the second ,third or fiftieth incarnation of the 1957 Montreal Canadiens. Heck – they aren’ t even the second incarnation of the 2010 – 11 Edmonton Oliers.
What a mess the bunch from the Nation’s Capital are.
Any team that borders on respectability will falter as long as a Alexei Kovalev lands his plane at the local airport. Kovalev was in the line – up last night. At least that is what the scorecard read.
Les Habitants demonstrated to Monsieur Kovalev how hockey should be played in the first of back to back games against former teammates. The Habs can only hope that their offensive explosion continues it’s wave as the team encounters their ancient Captain and his Ducks tonight. The evening’s game marks the return of Saku Koivu to Montreal for the first time since number 11 departed for California frozen waters. Koivu , one of the more dedicated athletes to display his skills in the past twenty years , arrived in town yesterday amid dozens of reporters and a few nerves.
The Return of Koivu
It will be interesting to witness the emotion from the home crowd . It will also be interesting to see how Koivu himself reacts.
Les Canadiens must not allow themselves to get caught up in the moment as Saku’s mates , along with former Habs Maxime Lapierre and Kyle Chipchura will be . The two played with Koivu in Montreal and are well aware of the necessity that Kovu’s return is a successful one as Saku plays in front of many , many friends and family . Rumors are abound that the fans have already voted the Finnish player a number one star in tonight’s match ( Fans in Montreal are responsible for that honor). Koivu is the type of player that will decline the accolades if he feels that he does not deserve it.
Brian Gionta , a player who Koivu believes was the right man for his old job , netted his 16th goal of the season last night. It will be his job to ensure that his charges do not get carried away by the ‘ smoke and mirrors ‘ barrage that took place the previous evening. Anaheim have netted eight more goals than the Habs over the season ( they have played two more games ) and posses the ‘ Finnish Flash ‘ . Teammu Selanne seemingly has not lost a ‘ skate blade ‘ as the years sneak up to his point totals. Face it , any team with a Selanne and Koivu cannot be taken lightly. ( see Calgary, Flames.)
The Montreal Canadiens are currently on a roll. The game against Buffalo, a match which challenged the integrity of the team with the absence of two – top six forwards , appears to have brought the team together in the same fashion that the win over Washington did in last year’s playoffs. Integrity and character are what Gainey intended when he dispatched his ‘lost boys ‘ along with their ‘ Peter Pan ‘ – Guy Carbonneau.
Integrity has been what the Habs are living on as they continue a streak that – with the exception of a poor showing against Pittsburgh , has all the trademarks of their remarkable run in last year’s post – season . Most nights they do not deserve to win yet somehow they do.
That’s more like it… !
Game time is at 7 pm at The Bell Center. Grab your Hankies !
Check out what the beautiful Susan Lee has to say about the former Mighty ‘ Canards ‘ at Ducks Daily Blog.
Too Many Men on the Site is much better than any article written in Playboy. ( Pictures aren’t as good however).
Oh – I almost forgot…Thanks Saku !