Ilya Kovalchuk scores a goal that hit the post and Martin Brodeur earns a win after playing in one period. Who says New Jersey is not ruled by the Devil ?
Fomer Habs’ Jacques Lemaire and Larry Robinson exacted revenge on their former team
yesterday as Satan’s answer to Utah’s hockey club ended a Montreal Canadien four game winning streak . Les ‘ Diables ‘ skated away with a 4 – 1 victory on Super Bowl Sunday.
Carey Price delivered a spectacular 2 – 0 shut out performance on Saturday which tipped the ice in his favor to start against Brodeur. The blanking of the Rangers enabled Price an occasion to display his skills and demonstrate that Brodeur ‘ s  all time shut out record will one day be in danger. Um…no !
The equipment given to the players in today’s NHL make them more powerful than the puck swatters of Brodeur’s glory days. Graphite sticks enable sixty year old women the capacity to launch week old hardened muffins past a tandem of Terry Sawchuk and Martin Brodeur. It would take Carey Price twenty three more seasons to come close to Brodeur’s record and that number is assuming that the equipment stays the same. Once Price reaches the ripe old age of thirty , sticks will almost certainly be rocket powered and Carey and his contemporaries will be alongside the DoDo bird as things that have had their day.
Stick a Pitchfork in Martin
Normally a goaltender earns a second consecutive start following a shut out. Jacques Martin should have made yesterday an exception to that rule. Alex Auld should have started the match for a variety of reasons.
- Give Price a rest
- Throw New Jersey a loop
- Give Auld a test
Back to back games this week – end and up coming back to back games this week should be a signal to Martin and his coaching staff. Hello….? Check the schedule Jacques ! Your team cannot score goals and if you would like to win a Stanley Cup – Carey Price will be the one who does it. Rest the dude. Auld has shown no signs that he is not a capable goaltender. He has displayed the opposite. Auld has played fewer games than a manipulative wife on a bad day. The rust that accumulates on his skate blades has not stopped the guy from posting a GAA under 2.20. Does it not bother you that Lemaire out coached you ?
A Black Mark Against The Habs
Jacques Lemaire is mad at Les Canadiens. His sweater number should be in view when he looks at the clock at Le Center Bell. He was an integral part of six Cups and he averaged just below a point a game in a Habs uniform. Assistant coach Robinson is also mad on a different level. His number has been retired yet the Habs waited way too long and Larry ‘s Dad passed away without seeing his son ‘ s sweater raised into Habitant heaven. It is something that Robinson has publicly addressed as a regret. Patrick Roy tore a door off a hinge while fighting with his wife and he also directed his goalie son to beat an unwilling opponent in a hockey game. To not have Lemaire ‘ s ‘ 25 ‘ in the rafters is a serious black mark on the Habs organization.
Lemaire and ‘ Big Bird’s ‘ troupes stuck their pitchforks into the Canadiens and dominated the game. Les Habitants were a bit tired and two matinée games are something the players do not enjoy. They , along with most of the non – hockey playing culture are used to routines. Afternoon games ruffle the feathers of morning practices and afternoon naps. Throwing Auld in the mix would have given the Habs at the very least – one fresh and pumped player. Understand Jacques ?
Ilya Kovalchuk ( Hab to be ? ), netted two goals and PK Subban tallied the Habs lone one.
The Montreal Canadiens should retire Jacques Lemaire’s number . An exorcism , as his number is raised to the rafters.
That way , the Devil cannot return – with or without Brodeur.
Notes
The Habs play the Bruins on Wednesday in Boston and the Islanders on Thursday at The Bell Center.
Check out Causeway Crowd and get Shawn Hutcheon’s take on things in Beantown.
John Panarese will let you in to the Islanders ‘  dressing room at Eyes on Isles.
Too Many Men on the Site will give you an excuse to not look at porn on your computer. Austim Waldron gives an insight on the loss of Malkin in Pittsburgh.
February 28th is trade deadline…remember – if Cammalleri is still a Hab , I will be in front of the Bell Center wearing a … ( sigh ) Toronto Maple Leaf Sweater !
Watch the Canadiens play at La Kachette. Mention A Winning Habit and get a free pitcher. ( Purchase of meal and / or drink required ).
Former Expo Woody Fryman passed away over the weekend. He was 70. Woody was part of my youth and an integral part of the glory days of the Montreal Expos.. Merci Woody and God bless.