Habs : Road trip a homecoming for Habs’ Gallagher

Source : Montrealgazette

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 There will be an extra element of newness to the Canadiens’ first road trip this season.

It’s their first trip to Western Canada since March 2012 because teams only played within their conference last season following the lockout.

First up for the Canadiens is the Calgary Flames on Wednesday (8 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690), followed by the Edmonton Oilers Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday and the Winnipeg Jets next Tuesday.

For Brendan Gallagher, the trip marks his first chance as a Canadien to play on his home turf in Vancouver.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Gallagher, who was born in Edmonton and moved to the Vancouver area when he was 12. “I’m really looking forward to going out west. As soon as the schedule came out, I obviously checked.

“I’ll have a lot of friends and family there and, obviously, you want to play well and get a win.”

While Gallagher’s main family is in Vancouver, most of his cousins and relatives are still in Edmonton, he said.

“It will be fun to get out there and play in front of them.”

Goaltender Carey Price and defenceman Josh Gorges are also from B.C., while forward Travis Moen hails from Saskatchewan.

“It’s always good for team chemistry, leaving early in the season and spending some time together off the ice,” coach Michel Therrien said after practice Monday before the team left for Calgary.

Canadiens captain Brian Gionta didn’t end up taking the team’s charter to Calgary for family reasons, but will try to make it there for the game.

Max Pacioretty, who has been out with an upper-body injury, wore a no-contact jersey on Monday at practice and is travelling with the team.

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Therrien said. “If he feels good to compete then we’ll definitely put him in the lineup.

“As I always say, you have to be in a position to be able to compete,” Therrien added.

For Michaël Bournival, the Canadiens’ road trip is another first after making his National Hockey League debut Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“The coach talked to me right after the morning skate and he told me I’m going to play. I was really excited at that moment,” said Bournival, 21, a Shawinigan native.

His parents and his girlfriend were at the Bell Centre for the milestone event.

“A lot of players encouraged me throughout the game,” Bournival said.

At practice Monday, Brandon Prust filled in for Pacioretty on the line centred by David Desharnais with Daniel Brière.

Therrien acknowledged he expects more from that line.

“We want the competition level to rise,” he said.

The line centred by Lars Eller with Gallagher and Galchenyuk has shone in the team’s first two games. On Monday, the NHL named Eller the second star of the week, noting he has played a role in five of the Habs’ seven goals. Eller is tied for second in the league with five points.

“It’s always good to get a good start, get off on the right foot and create some momentum going forward,” Eller said.

“Now it’s just a matter of keeping that good flow going. We know what we’ve got to do. It’s simple. It’s all about consistency now.”

The three linemates are talking a lot, Gallagher said.

“There are things that we can improve and build on. That’s the fun part about it. Even though we feel like we’re playing pretty well the last couple of games, there are still lots of areas that we can get better in.”

As the Canadiens’ practised Monday, confirmation came that the Philadelphia Flyers had fired coach Peter Laviolette, just three games into the season. The Flyers hired Laviolette in December 2009.

“I had some good years with him, some good memories like going to the Stanley Cup finals in 2010,” said Brière, who played under Laviolette in Philadelphia.

“I feel for him. He’s a good coach. It’s not something that you like to see.

There will be an extra element of newness to the Canadiens’ first road trip this season.
It’s their first trip to Western Canada since March 2012 because teams only played within their conference last season following the lockout.
First up for the Canadiens is the Calgary Flames on Wednesday (8 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690), followed by the Edmonton Oilers Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday and the Winnipeg Jets next Tuesday.
For Brendan Gallagher, the trip marks his first chance as a Canadien to play on his home turf in Vancouver.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Gallagher, who was born in Edmonton and moved to the Vancouver area when he was 12. “I’m really looking forward to going out west. As soon as the schedule came out, I obviously checked.
“I’ll have a lot of friends and family there and, obviously, you want to play well and get a win.”
While Gallagher’s main family is in Vancouver, most of his cousins and relatives are still in Edmonton, he said.
“It will be fun to get out there and play in front of them.”
Goaltender Carey Price and defenceman Josh Gorges are also from B.C., while forward Travis Moen hails from Saskatchewan.
“It’s always good for team chemistry, leaving early in the season and spending some time together off the ice,” coach Michel Therrien said after practice Monday before the team left for Calgary.
Canadiens captain Brian Gionta didn’t end up taking the team’s charter to Calgary for family reasons, but will try to make it there for the game.
Max Pacioretty, who has been out with an upper-body injury, wore a no-contact jersey on Monday at practice and is travelling with the team.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Therrien said. “If he feels good to compete then we’ll definitely put him in the lineup.
“As I always say, you have to be in a position to be able to compete,” Therrien added.
For Michaël Bournival, the Canadiens’ road trip is another first after making his National Hockey League debut Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
“The coach talked to me right after the morning skate and he told me I’m going to play. I was really excited at that moment,” said Bournival, 21, a Shawinigan native.
His parents and his girlfriend were at the Bell Centre for the milestone event.
“A lot of players encouraged me throughout the game,” Bournival said.
At practice Monday, Brandon Prust filled in for Pacioretty on the line centred by David Desharnais with Daniel Brière.
Therrien acknowledged he expects more from that line.
“We want the competition level to rise,” he said.
The line centred by Lars Eller with Gallagher and Galchenyuk has shone in the team’s first two games. On Monday, the NHL named Eller the second star of the week, noting he has played a role in five of the Habs’ seven goals. Eller is tied for second in the league with five points.
“It’s always good to get a good start, get off on the right foot and create some momentum going forward,” Eller said.
“Now it’s just a matter of keeping that good flow going. We know what we’ve got to do. It’s simple. It’s all about consistency now.”

The three linemates are talking a lot, Gallagher said.
“There are things that we can improve and build on. That’s the fun part about it. Even though we feel like we’re playing pretty well the last couple of games, there are still lots of areas that we can get better in.”
As the Canadiens’ practised Monday, confirmation came that the Philadelphia Flyers had fired coach Peter Laviolette, just three games into the season. The Flyers hired Laviolette in December 2009.
“I had some good years with him, some good memories like going to the Stanley Cup finals in 2010,” said Brière, who played under Laviolette in Philadelphia.
“I feel for him. He’s a good coach. It’s not something that you like to see.

- See more at: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Road+trip+homecoming+Habs+Gallagher/9008388/story.html#sthash.Ia5C9y0D.dpuf

There will be an extra element of newness to the Canadiens’ first road trip this season.
It’s their first trip to Western Canada since March 2012 because teams only played within their conference last season following the lockout.
First up for the Canadiens is the Calgary Flames on Wednesday (8 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690), followed by the Edmonton Oilers Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday and the Winnipeg Jets next Tuesday.
For Brendan Gallagher, the trip marks his first chance as a Canadien to play on his home turf in Vancouver.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Gallagher, who was born in Edmonton and moved to the Vancouver area when he was 12. “I’m really looking forward to going out west. As soon as the schedule came out, I obviously checked.
“I’ll have a lot of friends and family there and, obviously, you want to play well and get a win.”
While Gallagher’s main family is in Vancouver, most of his cousins and relatives are still in Edmonton, he said.
“It will be fun to get out there and play in front of them.”
Goaltender Carey Price and defenceman Josh Gorges are also from B.C., while forward Travis Moen hails from Saskatchewan.
“It’s always good for team chemistry, leaving early in the season and spending some time together off the ice,” coach Michel Therrien said after practice Monday before the team left for Calgary.
Canadiens captain Brian Gionta didn’t end up taking the team’s charter to Calgary for family reasons, but will try to make it there for the game.
Max Pacioretty, who has been out with an upper-body injury, wore a no-contact jersey on Monday at practice and is travelling with the team.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Therrien said. “If he feels good to compete then we’ll definitely put him in the lineup.
“As I always say, you have to be in a position to be able to compete,” Therrien added.
For Michaël Bournival, the Canadiens’ road trip is another first after making his National Hockey League debut Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
“The coach talked to me right after the morning skate and he told me I’m going to play. I was really excited at that moment,” said Bournival, 21, a Shawinigan native.
His parents and his girlfriend were at the Bell Centre for the milestone event.
“A lot of players encouraged me throughout the game,” Bournival said.
At practice Monday, Brandon Prust filled in for Pacioretty on the line centred by David Desharnais with Daniel Brière.
Therrien acknowledged he expects more from that line.
“We want the competition level to rise,” he said.
The line centred by Lars Eller with Gallagher and Galchenyuk has shone in the team’s first two games. On Monday, the NHL named Eller the second star of the week, noting he has played a role in five of the Habs’ seven goals. Eller is tied for second in the league with five points.
“It’s always good to get a good start, get off on the right foot and create some momentum going forward,” Eller said.
“Now it’s just a matter of keeping that good flow going. We know what we’ve got to do. It’s simple. It’s all about consistency now.”

The three linemates are talking a lot, Gallagher said.
“There are things that we can improve and build on. That’s the fun part about it. Even though we feel like we’re playing pretty well the last couple of games, there are still lots of areas that we can get better in.”
As the Canadiens’ practised Monday, confirmation came that the Philadelphia Flyers had fired coach Peter Laviolette, just three games into the season. The Flyers hired Laviolette in December 2009.
“I had some good years with him, some good memories like going to the Stanley Cup finals in 2010,” said Brière, who played under Laviolette in Philadelphia.
“I feel for him. He’s a good coach. It’s not something that you like to see.

- See more at: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Road+trip+homecoming+Habs+Gallagher/9008388/story.html#sthash.Ia5C9y0D.dpuf

There will be an extra element of newness to the Canadiens’ first road trip this season.
It’s their first trip to Western Canada since March 2012 because teams only played within their conference last season following the lockout.
First up for the Canadiens is the Calgary Flames on Wednesday (8 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690), followed by the Edmonton Oilers Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday and the Winnipeg Jets next Tuesday.
For Brendan Gallagher, the trip marks his first chance as a Canadien to play on his home turf in Vancouver.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Gallagher, who was born in Edmonton and moved to the Vancouver area when he was 12. “I’m really looking forward to going out west. As soon as the schedule came out, I obviously checked.
“I’ll have a lot of friends and family there and, obviously, you want to play well and get a win.”
While Gallagher’s main family is in Vancouver, most of his cousins and relatives are still in Edmonton, he said.
“It will be fun to get out there and play in front of them.”
Goaltender Carey Price and defenceman Josh Gorges are also from B.C., while forward Travis Moen hails from Saskatchewan.
“It’s always good for team chemistry, leaving early in the season and spending some time together off the ice,” coach Michel Therrien said after practice Monday before the team left for Calgary.
Canadiens captain Brian Gionta didn’t end up taking the team’s charter to Calgary for family reasons, but will try to make it there for the game.
Max Pacioretty, who has been out with an upper-body injury, wore a no-contact jersey on Monday at practice and is travelling with the team.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Therrien said. “If he feels good to compete then we’ll definitely put him in the lineup.
“As I always say, you have to be in a position to be able to compete,” Therrien added.
For Michaël Bournival, the Canadiens’ road trip is another first after making his National Hockey League debut Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
“The coach talked to me right after the morning skate and he told me I’m going to play. I was really excited at that moment,” said Bournival, 21, a Shawinigan native.
His parents and his girlfriend were at the Bell Centre for the milestone event.
“A lot of players encouraged me throughout the game,” Bournival said.
At practice Monday, Brandon Prust filled in for Pacioretty on the line centred by David Desharnais with Daniel Brière.
Therrien acknowledged he expects more from that line.
“We want the competition level to rise,” he said.
The line centred by Lars Eller with Gallagher and Galchenyuk has shone in the team’s first two games. On Monday, the NHL named Eller the second star of the week, noting he has played a role in five of the Habs’ seven goals. Eller is tied for second in the league with five points.
“It’s always good to get a good start, get off on the right foot and create some momentum going forward,” Eller said.
“Now it’s just a matter of keeping that good flow going. We know what we’ve got to do. It’s simple. It’s all about consistency now.”

The three linemates are talking a lot, Gallagher said.
“There are things that we can improve and build on. That’s the fun part about it. Even though we feel like we’re playing pretty well the last couple of games, there are still lots of areas that we can get better in.”
As the Canadiens’ practised Monday, confirmation came that the Philadelphia Flyers had fired coach Peter Laviolette, just three games into the season. The Flyers hired Laviolette in December 2009.
“I had some good years with him, some good memories like going to the Stanley Cup finals in 2010,” said Brière, who played under Laviolette in Philadelphia.
“I feel for him. He’s a good coach. It’s not something that you like to see.

- See more at: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Road+trip+homecoming+Habs+Gallagher/9008388/story.html#sthash.Ia5C9y0D.dpuf

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Habs : Brendan Gallagher up for Calder Trophy

Source : o.canada.com

National Hockey League rookie of the year candidate Brendan Gallagher made many fans in Vancouver with his tenacious and fearless play for the Giants during his four seasons in the Western Hockey League.

Now he is likely going to pick up a few more admirers with his declaration of which team he favours, or doesn’t favour, in this year’s Stanley Cup Final. So who’s it going to be? Chicago Blackhawks or Boston Bruins? Western Conference versus Eastern Conference?

“I don’t want to see Boston win,” stated Gallagher, the Montreal Canadiens’ dynamic right-winger and Calder Trophy finalist along with Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau and the Blackhawks’ Brandon Saad. The winner will be announced Saturday before Game 2 of the Cup Final.

Gallagher’s reason to oppose the Bruins, he explained, is based solely on the bitter Boston-Montreal rivalry. It’s nothing personal against former Giant and current Bruins star Milan Lucic, an off-season workout partner. In fact, Gallagher wishes “Lootch” all the best in everything but winning another Cup.

“I mean, I’m happy for Lootch and I’m glad he’s doing well,” Gallagher said. “But I just don’t want to see Boston win.”

Imagine how hockey fans in Vancouver feel. They dislike the Blackhawks because of the indignities that Dave Bolland and Duncan Keith have inflicted upon the Canucks in general, and Daniel Sedin in particular. But they seem to dislike the Bruins even more for swiping the Cup from under Canuck noses two years ago.

“Well, choosing between Boston and Chicago, that’s a tough one for people in Vancouver,” chuckled Gallagher, an Edmonton native who moved to Delta at age 12 when his father Ian was hired by the Giants to be their strength and conditioning coach.

Now 21, Gallagher became a darling in Montreal during the lockout-shortened season. He scored 15 goals in 44 games, just one behind Habs team leader Max Pacioretty. He scored twice more in five playoff games.

As a rookie, Gallagher was second in the league in shots (117), second in goals (tied), fourth in points (28) and fifth in plus-minus (plus-10). But it was his go-to-the-net style, one honed with the Giants, that endeared him to Hab fans and others around the league.

Former Canuck coach Alain Vigneault even made reference to Gallagher’s courage during one of his sessions with Vancouver reporters, sending an obvious message to his own players that if Gallagher, at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, could go to the net — and stay there — anybody could. It was just a matter of will.

“Yeah, I heard about that,” Gallagher said.

“Obviously it’s cool to hear it from another coach in the league, a coach who I have a lot of respect for. What he did in Vancouver with that team was very impressive. So it was definitely cool. Going to the net is the way I have to play and I was able to find ways to do that regardless of who I was playing against.”

Gallagher’s season with the Habs began inauspiciously. He was a healthy scratch for the season opener despite spending the lockout playing for the American Hockey League‘s Hamilton Bulldogs. He then dressed for Game 2 and became an immediate regular. He did miss another three games because of concussion-like symptoms (Luke Schenn hit) but never again sat out when healthy.

“When I didn’t play the first game, I understood why,” he said. “I understood the coach’s decision and that you just have to wait your turn. This is the National Hockey League. There are only so many jobs and so many opportunities. I just told myself that when I got my chance to go in the lineup, I was going to play my best hockey.

“I was able to find ways to contribute some nights and other nights were tougher, for sure. But you learn a lot, you learn every game and, as the season went on, I continued to find out different things about my opponent and it helped.”

Unlike some Calder Trophy candidates, Gallagher was never a can’t-miss guy. The Giants took him in the ninth round of the 2007 WHL bantam draft while the Habs waited until the fifth round, 147th overall, to grab him in the 2010 NHL entry draft. There were obviously a lot of players with a lot more promise.

“After the lockout ended, I didn’t really know what to expect,” Gallagher said. “I just went in there with the attitude I was going to earn every shift I got and try to do what the coaches wanted. I thought if you do enough good things, they’ll keep you around.”

Gallagher is definitely a keeper now. Perhaps even with a Calder Trophy.

Habs : Gallagher won’t be cheering for Bruins in Cup final

Source : hockeyinsideout.com

Who will the Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher be cheering for in the Stanley Cup final?

“I don’t want to see Boston win,” Gallagher told Elliott Pap of Postmedia News.

Gallagher, who works out with the Bruins’ Milan Lucic during the offseason, added that the reason
he’d rather see the Chicago Blackhawks win the Cup has to do with the bitter Boston-Montreal rivalry.

“I mean, I’m happy for Lootch and I’m glad he’s doing well,” Gallagher said. “But I just don’t want to see Boston win.”

Gallagher said he wishes Lucic all the best in everything except winning another Cup.

Game 1 of the Cup final is Wednesday night in Chicago (8 p.m., CBC, NBC, RDS).

Montreal Canadiens at the 2013 NHL Awards

Source : hockeywriters.com



The Montreal Canadiens jump from 15th place in the Eastern Conference and 28th overall in 2011-12 to winning the Northeast Division, securing the second seed in their Conference and finishing fourth overall was something that nobody in the hockey world saw coming. Their success in the standings was impressive, but what was equally as impressive – if not more – was having three members of the organization get nominations for hardware at the 2013 NHL awards.

Any player, coach or GM will tell you that personal acheivments mean nothing compared to finding success as a team. However, having not one or two, but three potential award winners is a sure sign that Habs GM Marc Bergevin – who is one of the candidates himself – is taking a step in the right direction with this franchise.

I’m going to take a look at the three members of the Montreal Canadiens who have been recognized by the league for their success in the shortened 2013 season as well as who they are up against to try to give you an idea as to who is likely to find themselves winners at this years NHL awards ceremony.

Calder Trophy

Brendan Gallagher could be the Canadiens first Calder Trophy Winner since Ken Dryden in 1970-71 (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)

Brendan Gallagher, Montreal’s fiesty rookie forward is up against Brandon Saad of the Chicago Blackhawks and Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers for the Calder Trophy which is given to the league’s top rookie.

Gallagher finished the season third among rookie scorers with 28 points in 44 games behind Nail Yakupov of the Edmonton Oilers and Jonathan Huberdeau who each tallied 31 points. Gallagher’s 15 goals were second to only Yakupov whose hat-trick in the Oilers final game propelled him to 17. In the plus/minus category, Gallagher was fifth with a +10. Saad finished first with a +17 rating and Huberdeau was a -15.

Brandon Saad had the luxury of playing on the league’s top team with a star studded roster that included the likes of Jonathan Toewes, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp as well as a one two punch in goal of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery. Huberdeau didn’t have the all star support that Saad enjoyed but was given the oppurtunity to play top six minutes averaging 16:55 minutes of ice time per game, first among rookie forwards who have played at least ten games.

Gallagher on the other hand had a team that had plenty of depth but no player even remotely close to the talent that Toewes and company possess. As for time on ice, the Montreal rookie played an average of 13:51 minutes per game, placing him 13th among rookie forwards with at least ten games under their belt.

Considering the success he found with the limited time awarded to him, and the success he helped his team acheive, Gallagher should come away as the 2013 Calder trophy winner.

James Norris Memorial Trophy 

P.K. Subban is up against Ryan Suter and Kris Letang for the Norris Trophy (Eric Bolte-US PRESSWIRE)

The Norris trophy is awarded to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the best all-round ability in that position. There is no surprise that P.K. Subban of the Canadiens was named as one of the three finalists along with Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ryan Suter of the Minnesota wild.

Subban finished the year tied in first for points among blueliners with Kris Letang, each notching 38 points. Suter wasn’t far behind as he tallied 32 points of his own. Subban’s eleven goals were second to only Mike Green’s 12 he scored with the Washington Capitals. Seven of those goals were scored on the powerplay, ranking him second in that category behind fellow Canadien Andrei Markov.
Kris Letang’s +16 rating is tops among the three finalists followed by Subban with +12 and Suter with +2.

Suter played the toughest minutes as he averaged 27:16 minutes of ice time per game. Letang’s 25:38 minutes per game place him seventh in the league and Subban’s 23:14 minutes put him in 35th place in the NHL. The lack of minutes may be what cost Subban the Norris.

It can be viewed as more impressive that Subban put up such good numbers without being on the ice as much as his competition but many feel that his reduced time on ice implies he can’t handle the minutes of a top tier defenseman. Suter never tired and put up quality numbers on a team that failed to make it to the post season. Krist Letang played very respectable minutes and managed as many points as Subban despite playing seven less games.

P.K. Subban definitely had a great season but I would be surprised if he took home the Norris Trophy. Suter seems to be the favorite but my money would be on Kris Letang coming out on top.

Jack Adams Trophy

The Jack Adams award is given each year to the league’s top Coach. Michel Therrien lead the Canadiens to the top of the Northeast Division and second place in their Conference just one year after the Habs found themselves in the Eastern Conference and 28th overall. Therrien got the best out of Lars Eller and handled the development of rookies Brendan Gallagher (up for the Calder) and Alex Galchenyuk quite impressively.

These are just a few of the reasons that Therrien is nominated for the…..what’s that? Therrien isn’t a finalist for the Jack Adams? Really?

Bruce Boudreau and Joel Quenneville of the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks you say? 
hmmm… Both deserving I guess, much better teams to guide than Therrien had, but what can you do.
Winner: Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators

General Manager Of The Year

Marc Bergevin (right) is nominated for the GM of the year (Eric Bolte-US PRESSWIRE)

It’s pretty clear what this award is given out for. What should be just as clear is that Marc Bergevin of the Canadiens will be named the league’s top GM in 2013.

Ray Shero of the Pittsburgh Penguins did a heck of a job at the trade deadline when he acquired Jarome Iginla, Brendan Morrow and Douglas Murray without giving up a single roster player. By doing so he made a Stanley Cup competitor out of a team that beforehand was merely just a…Stanley Cup competitor.

Bob Murray of the Anaheim Ducks avoided off season stress when he re-signed forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. There’s no question that losing either player would impede the team’s chances of repeating their success from this season (second in the Western Conference) in the near future. Signing Swedish goaltender Viktor Fasth was a move that payed divedends as Fasth posted 15 wins and an impressive .921 save percentage. The signing of Sheldon Souray is nothing to ignore either as the 36 year old defenseman finished with a +19 rating while playing just under 21 minutes per game.

When Bergevin hired Michel Therrien as the Montreal Canadiens head coach there were many skeptics. Therrien however, made Bergevin look like a genius as he brought the Habs to the top of their division while at the same time earning a nomination for the Jack Ad….oh wait no, sorry I keep thinking that the NHL’s top coach in 2013 was nominated for the award given out to the league’s top coach. My Bad. Nevertheless, Bergevin proved to be right in his choice.

When P.K. Subban held out at the beginning of the season, Bergevin didn’t budge. After missing six games, Subban eventually gave in to Bergevin and signed a two year contract worth $5.75 million, an amount nobody expected the eventual Norris Trophy candidate would accept.

Signing Brandon Prust proved to be very beneficial to rookies Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk as well as the whole team and he filled the team’s need for a penalty killer and good face off man by bringing Jeff Halpern back to the team late in the season.

Many were disappointed in Bergevin’s lack of action of trade deadline day, but made one of the best trades of the year earlier on when he somehow managed to talk Dallas Stars GM at the time Joe Nieuwendyk into taking Erik Cole in return for Michael Ryder and a 3rd round pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft. A straight up swap of Ryder for Cole would have already had Bergevin come out on top of that deal, pulling off a draft pick as well was just a work of art.

Having fou.. three members of the Canadiens organization named as finalists for awards this year is enough to give hope to a city that has been losing for too long. Having two out of the three who will more than likey win shows that Bergevin’s goal to return the winning culture to Montreal is one that is very reachable.

Canadiens : Surplus de bons candidats

Source : Rds.ca



On ne perdra pas de temps mes amis : Michel Therrien était mon premier choix comme entraîneur de l’année dans la Ligue nationale de hockey ! Je considérais sérieusement que le redressement spectaculaire du Canadien de Montréal, dont il fut le chef d’orchestre sur le terrain, lui valait bien cette reconnaissance, surtout quand on connaît toute la pression supplémentaire qui existe dans le marché montréalais.

Mais honnêtement, il y avait aussi quantité d’autres excellents candidats qui rendaient le processus de sélection extrêmement difficile cette année, voire même déchirant car il fallait forcément en laisser quelques-uns de côté. Mais justement, parlons-en du processus de sélection pour l’attribution Jack-Adams.

Soulignons d’abord qu’il s’agit du seul honneur à être décerné par l’Association des diffuseurs de la LNH, dont les membres proviennent exclusivement des différents réseaux qui présentent les matchs dans leurs marchés respectifs. Ainsi Marc Denis et moi sommes membres de l’Association, tout comme nos collègues des deux radios qui assurent la retransmission des rencontres du Canadien et à ce titre, nous sommes invités à voter pour le trophée Jack-Adams. Jusqu’ici, seuls les descripteurs et analystes pouvaient revendiquer le droit d’être membres de l’Association mais dès la saison prochaine, les animateurs permanents (comme Alain Crête par exemple) seront aussi admis au sein du groupe et auront droit de vote.

Nous recevons donc un bulletin de vote en bonne et due forme de notre association quelques jours avant la fin de la saison. On y inscrit tout simplement le nom des trois candidats que nous considérons les plus méritoires, en ordre décroissant. Ainsi, lors de la compilation, cinq points sont accordés aux premiers choix, trois aux deuxièmes et un aux troisièmes. Les bulletins sont recueillis par les chapitres régionaux de l’ADLNH et sont ensuite remis à une firme de comptable qui assure un décompte objectif et crédible.

Le président de notre association, Chuck Kaiton, le descripteur des matchs des Hurricanes de la Caroline à la radio, m’assure que tous les membres montréalais ont fait parvenir leur bulletin, comme il se doit. « Mais crois-le ou non, nous n’avons rien reçu du marché de Vancouver, par exemple. C’est très décevant et surtout, pas très sérieux », de dire Chuck.

Il y a donc deux côtés un peu « aléatoires » au processus. D’abord, aucun critère particulier n’est imposé aux membres et c’est pourquoi le vote va en général aux entraîneurs des équipes qui ont connu un revirement spectaculaire par rapport à la saison précédente. Le vote peut aller aussi vers une équipe qui a affiché un rendement hors norme (comme Chicago) ou vers un entraîneur qui a eu à composer avec des blessures à répétition (comme Ottawa). L’autre facteur aléatoire, c’est le fait que ce ne sont pas tous les membres qui exercent leur droit de vote et donc, certaines « régions » peuvent se retrouver ainsi avantagées ou désavantagées. Ajoutons l’absence totale de rencontres inter-conférence au cours de ce court calendrier et vous avez là un autre élément douteux en marge de l’attribution des trophées en 2013.

Fin de saison tiède

Le bulletin de vote devant être remis au plus tard entre la fin de la saison régulière et le début des séries, il est à se demander si Michel Therrien n’a pas été victime, en bout de ligne, de la mauvaise séquence de son équipe au cours des dernières semaines de la courte saison. Trois victoires et cinq défaites au cours des deux dernières semaines du calendrier, voilà qui a pu refroidir la volonté de certains membres de l’Association.

Cela dit, rien au monde ne saurait diminuer la pertinence des trois finalistes, tout comme d’autres candidats qui ont probablement été considérés sérieusement par des collègues ailleurs dans la LNH. Joël Quenneville, Paul MacLean et Bruce Boudreau ont tous respectés la définition officielle du trophée Jack-Adams, soit celle de « l’entraîneur qui a le plus contribué aux succès de son équipe ». Dan Bylsma, avec les absences répétées de ses joueurs d’impact a sûrement reçu considération. Tout comme Mike Babcock, qui a remonté une équipe des Red Wings qui devait vivre « l’après-Lidstrom ». Tout comme Randy Carlyle, qui a conduit les Leafs en séries pour la première fois depuis 2004. Tout comme Adam Oates, qui a relevé son équipe après un début de saison très difficile. Comme vous le voyez, le processus n’est pas toujours simple, surtout quand on veut y participer de façon sérieuse.

Mais revenons en terminant sur le sujet de Michel Therrien. Si jamais Brendan Gallagher remporte le trophée Calder, l’entraîneur pourra y puiser une partie du trophée Jack-Adams qu’il aurait mérité amplement. Car le travail accompli avec les jeunes joueurs du Canadien, qui a brisé une tradition établie depuis longtemps dans le cas de l’intégration des joueurs recrues, a été tout simplement remarquable. Suffisamment pour lui donner mon premier vote, en tout cas.

Canadien : «Je vais avoir la pire barbe de la ligue!»

Source : Rds.ca



Brendan Gallagher a accusé son coéquipier Alex Galchenyuk de tricher! Mais non, rassurez-vous, le tout a été effectué à la blague alors que le traditionnel sujet de la barbe des séries a refait surface au terme de l’entraînement du Canadien au Complexe sportif Bell de Brossard.

À défaut de se préparer pour leur premier match des séries qui devaient avoir lieu mardi soir, les joueurs du CH ont peaufiné une panoplie de détails qui pourraient faire la différence contre les Sénateurs d’Ottawa.

À lire également

• Section séries 2013
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• Le portrait dans l'Est
• Points à surveiller
• Vidéos des Canadiens

Une fois que le groupe a été réuni vers 11h, les amateurs ont pu remarquer que plusieurs joueurs avaient décidé de raser leur barbe afin de mieux la laisser pousser durant les séries.

Galchenyuk appartient cependant au lot de ceux qui ont préféré « conserver leurs acquis » parce que la repousse peut être longue à cet âge.

« Ça fait déjà deux mois qu’il se laisse pousser la barbe!», a dit en riant Gallagher au sujet de Galchenyuk. C'est injuste. Moi, je vais avoir la pire barbe de la ligue.»

« Je sais que ce sera gênant pour moi, mais je vais le faire quand même. Je pense que je vais me faire taquiner par mes coéquipiers. »

Revenons aux choses sérieuses alors qu’une dizaine de joueurs sont apparus sur la patinoire une trentaine de minutes plus tôt que prévu mardi matin en compagnie de Jean-Jacques Daigneault et Clément Jodoin.

Les exercices se sont enchaînés pendant plus d’une heure et le gardien des Sénateurs, Craig Anderson, peut s’attendre à devoir composer avec beaucoup de circulation devant son filet si l’on se fie à une partie du portrait présenté.

En ce qui concerne la formation, Jeff Halpern et Colby Armstrong pourraient écoper à moins que les plans de Michel Therrien ne changent d’ici jeudi soir. Travis Moen, Ryan White et Brandon Prust composaient encore le quatrième trio.

C’était intéressant de constater que Gallagher et Galchenyuk étaient détendus à l’approche du match initial parce que la pression sera considérable sur eux et leur partenaire de trio Lars Eller durant les séries.

Ce trio a conclu la saison en force alors que les unités de Tomas Plekanec et David Desharnais ont été plus silencieuses. En raison de ce facteur et de son style, Gallagher pourrait bien sentir qu’il a une cible dans le dos tellement il sera épié par ses adversaires.

«Ça se pourrait, mais ils se préparent pour tous nos joueurs et ils seront prêts pour toutes nos tendances comme nous le faisons de notre côté. Mes expériences de cette année m’aident à être prêt et ça devrait être amusant», a déclaré le petit numéro 11.

De son côté, Eller pourrait s’avérer une pièce maîtresse ce qui aurait semblé étonnant comme affirmation il y a quelques mois seulement. Inspiré par son développement, Eller ressent le désir de combler ces attentes.

 « Je suis impatient de commencer »

«Je suis content de la façon dont les choses fonctionnent pour moi. J’ai l’impression que je suis un meilleur joueur qu’en début d’année. J’ai plus d’expérience et mes coéquipiers m’ont aidé dans mon travail», a confié le Danois de 23 ans.

Si le statut d’Eller a évolué, celui de P.K. Subban ne surprend personne. Le pilier de la brigade défensive du Canadien doit être au cœur des succès de son équipe pour que la route éliminatoire se prolonge pendant plusieurs semaines.

Ayant obtenu congé des journalistes mardi, Therrien avait tenu de bons mots à son égard lundi.

«Il a gagné en maturité, mais il a encore du travail à faire. Ce qui est bien dans tout ça, c’est qu’il veut s’améliorer. Beaucoup de mérite lui revient parce qu’il a été un défenseur dominant cette année et il s’est amélioré parce qu’il est plus mature comme athlète», a précisé son entraîneur qui n’hésitera pas à l’utiliser à outrance.

Habs : Carey Price was “phenomenal” in 34-save shutout of Rangers: Therrien

 Source : Montrealgazette.com

P.K. Subban was ready to come to Carey Price’s defence after New York Rangers forward Rick Nash ran into the Canadiens goaltender Saturday night, but Price told his friend to cool it.

“I told him to leave it,” said Price. “We were going on the power play and that was a lot better than playing 4-on-4 with a talented team like the Rangers.”

Turning the other cheek proved to beneficial to the Canadiens because Subban picked up his third assist of the night when rookie Brendan Gallagher scored to put the finishing touches on a 3-0 Montreal win.

Subban has scored 27 points in 28 games and recognition as the second star Saturday night sewed up the Molson Cup honours for March, but he kept the focus on the team in his post-game remarks.

“We’re playing well as a team,” Subban said. “We’re sticking to the game plan. We have 14 games to go (in the regular season) and our focus is on getting better.”

He did offer some individual praise for Price and defenceman Alexei Emelin.

“To be honest, I thought it was a routine game for Pricey,” Subban replied when asked if the 34-save shutout was Price’s best game of the season. “He makes saves out there look easy but they’re not easy. That’s just Pricey, he’s one of the best goalies in the league.

As for Emelin, he received a word of thanks for preserving the shutout while Subban was serving an interference penalty in the first period when the Canadiens were leading 1-0.

Price gave up a rare rebound on a shot by Ryan Callahan. That left Derek Stepan with an open net, but Emelin deflected the puck high and wide.

“I’m usually screaming and banging my stick when I’m in the box and the other team usually scores when I’m in there,” said Subban. “I thought Pricey made the save but I have to say: ‘Thanks, Em.’ ”

Price agreed: “That was a big play by Emelin and later in the game, he took one off the ankle for me.”

Earlier in the Rangers’ power play, Price had to do it all himself when Marian Gaborik came in alone and Price had to close the five hole.

If Subban was reluctant to talk about himself, head coach Michel Therrien was happy to oblige.

“P.K. is playing some great hockey for us,” Therrien said. “We asked him to be dependable with the puck and he’s making the right decisions. He has to also be dependable without the puck and this is something he’s focused on. He has the right attitude and it’s fun for the coaching staff to work with a guy who works hard and wants to be better.”

Therrien laughed when asked whether Price had redeemed himself after giving up four goals in two periods Wednesday night in Boston. Peter Budaj relieved Price in that game and was the key in a 6-5 shootout win. Therrien noted Price wasn’t the responsible party on several of those goals.

As for Price’s play against the Rangers, Therrien said: “He was phenomenal. He was square to the puck. He played a great, great game.”

Therrien also had some kind words for a couple of rookies — Gallagher and defenceman Nathan Beaulieu, who was making his NHL debut.

“Nathan played a solid game,” Therrien said after giving the newcomer 17:17 of ice time. “He made some good passes and kept his game simple. He has good vision with the puck, which is good for the transition game, and he wasn’t out of position on defence.”

That last item is important because Beaulieu came out of juniors with a reputation as an offensive player who needed to make a commitment to playing defence.

As for Gallagher, he took any fight out of the Rangers when he scored on a rebound, battling for control in front and then lifting the puck over Martin Biron.

“That was my only chance,” said Gallagher. “The goalies take away the bottom of the net in those situations and I knew I had to lift it.”

“He’s playing with a lot of determination,” Therrien said of Gallagher. “He’s tough to play against. He’s always on the puck, he’s always at the net. That was a huge goal.

“I have fun watching him,“ added Therrien.

Habs vs Bruins : Canadiens top Bruins 6-5 in shootout

Source : Yahoo.com

Andrei Markov tied it with 8.2 seconds left in regulation, and Brendan Gallagher scored the only shootout goal to give the Montreal Canadiens a 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.

The victory snapped a tie for the second-most points in the Eastern Conference, giving the Canadiens 47. They lead the Northeast Division by a point over the Bruins.

In the shootout, all six Bruins players were stopped. The first five Canadiens couldn't score, either. Then Gallagher put the puck between Tuukka Rask's pads.

It capped a comeback after Boston had taken a 5-3 lead on Tyler Seguin's 11th goal of the season at 11:50 of the third period. Gallagher scored 28 seconds later, then Markov tied it on a power play.

With Aaron Johnson in the penalty box for delay of game, Markov's shot from the left point appeared to go in off the stick of Boston's Zdeno Chara. Gallagher, also in front, initially was credited with the goal before an official scoring change gave it to Markov, his sixth.

Montreal's comeback ruined the Bruins rally from a 2-0 deficit.

Michael Ryder opened the scoring at 4:15 of the first period and P.K. Subban gave the Canadiens a 2-0 lead at 2:53 of the second.

Then the Bruins, who had scored only nine goals in their previous five games, scored four in just over 14 minutes against goalie Carey Price.

Rookie defenseman Dougie Hamilton started the comeback with his fourth goal at 3:32 of the second period, Brad Marchand tied it, Patrice Bergeron put Boston ahead and Nathan Horton made it 4-2 at 17:36 of the period.

Price was replaced by Peter Budaj to start the third period.

Ryder cut the lead to 4-3 with his second goal of the game and 12th of the season at 3:58 of the third period on a 20-foot shot from the left after taking a cross-ice pass from Tomas Plekanec.

But Seguin restored Boston's two-goal advantage, lifting a short backhander over Budaj's left arm off a pass from Marchand. Bergeron got his third assist of the game on the play.

NOTES: The Bruins claimed F Kaspars Daugavins off waivers from the Ottawa Senators and recalled D Torey Krug from Providence of the AHL. ... Eight of the last nine games between the teams have been decided by one goal.

Canadiens vs Bruins : Une recrue en or

Source : Rds.ca



Brendan Gallagher, une recrue de 20 ans, a été le héros du Candadin mercredi dans une improbable victoire de 6-5 sur les Bruins de Boston en tirs de barrage.

Le Canadien, qui a vu les Bruins combler un retard de deux buts pour prendre deux fois des avances de deux buts, reprend l'exclusivité du premier rang de la section nord-est par un point. Boston a toutefois une partie en main.

Gallagher, 12e joueur à s'élancer en fusillade, a déjoué Tuukka Rask pour mettre fin à la séquence de deux revers de suite du Canadien qui disputait une deuxième partie en 24 heures. Le joueur recrue du 

Canadien a été le seul joueur parmi les deux clubs à trouver le fond du filet en fusillade.

Mardi, le Tricolore s'était incliné 1-0 à Pittsburgh. Le Canadien présente une fiche de 2-2-1 à ses cinq derniers matchs

Il avait atteint le plateau des dix buts plus tôt dans la partie.  Ce but rapprochait le Canadien à un seul des Bruins en troisième avec un peu plus de sept minutes à jouer.

Andrei Markov a refroidi les chauds partisans des Bruins en créant l'égalité avec neuf secondes à jouer pour forcer la prolongation. Ce but permettait aux hommes de Michel Therrien de combler un retard de deux buts. Ce but est survenu lors de l'un des deux avantages numériques du Tiroclore dans les cinq dernières minutes.

Michael Ryder continue son bon travail depuis son retour avec le Canadien. Il a touché la cible deux fois ce soir, mais une bourde en troisième a permis à Gregory Campbell de s'échapper. Heureusement pour l'attaquant du Canadien, son gardien est venu le sauver.

Tyler Seguin, Brad Marchand et Patrice Bergeron ont été principalement responsables de l'attaque des Bruins en temps réglementaire. Bergeron a compté une fois en plus de récolter trois aides. Seguin a trouvé le fond du filet une fois en plus d'obtenir deux passes. De son côté, Marchand a récolté un but et une passe. Dougie Hamilton et Nathan Horton ont été les auteurs des autres buts.

Tirant de l'arrière 0-2, les Bruins ont explosé avec quatre buts en deuxième période, ce qui a incité Michel Therrien à retirer Carey Price de la partie. Le portier du Canadien a été battu quatre fois sur 26 tirs.

Porté par les huées nourries, Subban a connu un match enlevant pour donner d'autres arguments aux partisans des Bruins. En début de deuxième période, son plomb a battu Tuukka Rask pour donner l'avance 2-0. Ce but lui permettait d'atteindre les dix buts. Plus tard dans la même période, il a réalisé une montée à l'emporte-pièce quand il s'est emparé de la rondelle dans sa zone pour déjouer les joueurs adverses pour se retrouver seul devant Rask, qu'il n'a pu battre.

Subban, qui a aussi obtenun une passe, a été utilisé plus de 30 minutes et ce, pour la quatrième fois cette saison.

Tomas Plekanec a obtenu trois passes alors que Brian Gionta a récolté deux aides.
Le Canadien reprend le collier samedi au Centre Bell face aux Rangers de New York.

Détails à venir.

 

Habs vs Islanders : Gionta lifts Canadiens to 5-2 win over Islanders

Source : sports.yahoo.com

The Montreal Canadiens have found every conceivable way to win or get a point since a trouncing by Toronto on Feb. 9. They avenged their only defeat in that stretch on Thursday night, scoring three third-period goals to beat the New York Islanders 5-2.

Brian Gionta scored the go-ahead goal 48 seconds into the third period, P.K. Subban scored his second goal of the night midway through the period and rookie Brendan Gallagher finished it off to help the Canadiens improve to 20-5-5, second only to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference. Montreal is 14-1-4 since the 6-0 drubbing by Toronto six weeks ago.

''We came into the third period with a lot of energy, got a quick one and kept it going,'' said Subban, who scored the tying goal midway through the second period and Montreal's fourth goal midway through the third. ''It was a tough game but we're good at grinding for the full 60 minutes.''

The same can't be said for the Islanders, who have lost for the 11th time in 24 games in which they have been tied or ahead in third period. New York is 13-14-3, still only three points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. They continued to struggle at home, where they are 5-10-2.

''It's about battle levels, winning the intangibles,'' Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. ''Games are won in the trenches. When you play with enough desperation, you don't win in this league. It's the little things that cost us again.''

Gionta's 10th goal of the season came after center David Desharnais caught a wobbling puck by the blue line off a clearing attempt, set it down and passed it to Gionta in front.

Subban had tied the game 2-2 with his eighth of the season on a power-play at 10:53 of the second when he blasted a shot from the point past Poulin. Subban added his second goal at 10:10 of the third, and Gallagher had Montreal's final goal 33 seconds later, giving the rookie his ninth of the season.

Michael Ryder also scored for Montreal, whose lone regulation defeat since Feb. 9 came against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on March 5.
Carey Price made 25 saves for Montreal.

''This was a good win for us,'' said Max Pacioretty, who had two assists for the Canadiens and leads the team in scoring with 9 goals and 16 assists. ''We have to play a pressure style to win and we did that tonight when it counted.''

Montreal has earned points in 10 of its last 11 games and sits atop the Northeast Division.
John Tavares and Lubomir Visnovsky scored for the Islanders, who lost their second straight after going 5-1-2 in the previous eight games to get close to the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Montreal native Kevin Poulin made his second start of the season in goal for the Islanders to give starter Evgeni Nabokov a rest. The 22-year-old Poulin was called up from AHL Bridgeport on Feb. 23 when backup Rick DiPietro was waived and sent down.

Ryder opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 9:36 of the first, tipping a slap shot of the point past Poulin, whose only other start came in a 4-2 loss to Carolina on Feb. 24. It was the ninth goal of the year for Ryder, who was reacquired from Dallas earlier this season.

Tavares made it 1-1 at 12:06 with his 18th goal of the season on a slick move, faking a pass to linemate Brad Boyes and beating Price with a snapshot from the left circle. Tavares is tied with Pittsburgh's Chris Kunitz and Jeff Carter of Los Angeles, three goals behind league leader Steven Stamkos.

''We got away from our game after playing a good first 40 minutes,'' Tavares said. ''We have to understand that we can't come off the gas pedal in the third period.''

Visnovsky put New York ahead at 6:58 of the second when he tapped in a rebound with assists by Tavares and Matt Moulson.

Moulson assisted on both Islanders goals, and leads the Islanders with 21 assists

''All we can do is forget about this and come back tomorrow,'' Moulson said.

New York hosts Pittsburgh on Friday and Florida on Sunday before starting a four-game road trip.

The Islanders are 8-4-1 on the road.

The Canadiens return home to play Buffalo on Saturday at the Bell Centre.

NOTES: Montreal played without Brandon Prust (shoulder) and scratched defenseman Tomas Kaberle. ... The Islanders scratched defensemen Radek Martinek and Joe Finley and forward Eric Boulton. ... Defenseman Matt Carkner made his return for the Islanders after missing 20 games with a groin injury. ... Islanders right wing Michael Grabner also returned, having missed three games with a shoulder injury.

Canadiens vs Islanders : Le CH a des solutions à tout

Source : Rds.ca

Le Canadien a de nouveau trouvé une façon de l’emporter en marquant quatre buts sans riposte, dont trois lors du dernier vingt, et les hommes de Michel Therrien ont vaincu les Islanders de New York 5-2, jeudi à Uniondale.

Le Tricolore savoure la victoire pour la première fois de la campagne contre cette formation alors que les deux équipes s’affrontaient pour la troisième et dernière fois en saison régulière.
En son et images : Canadiens-Islanders

Montréal montre maintenant une fiche de 14-1-4 à ses 19 derniers matchs et signe déjà un 20e gain en 2013.

«Le match revenait à qui allait mieux exécuter avec et sans la rondelle en troisième et c’est une chose qu’on s’est appliqué à bien faire, a expliqué Therrien. Lorsqu’on a dit que nous étions une équipe qui allait apprendre à gagner, les joueurs ont commencé à s’appliquer beaucoup mieux. Ça va aussi avec la confiance. Dans les matchs serrés, on aborde la troisième avec beaucoup de confiance.»

Le 100e point de la carrière de David Desharnais aura fait toute la différence. Le no 51 a mis la table de brillante façon pour Brian Gionta qui n’a eu qu’à rediriger la rondelle derrière Kevin Poulin pour marquer le filet victorieux. Desharnais a ajouté une autre mention d'aide sur le dernier filet de son équipe.

Le Canadien a été opportuniste en marquant deux fois avec l’avantage d’un homme. Michael Ryder a inscrit le premier but de la rencontre en milieu de première et P.K. Subban a créé l’égalité 2-2 à 10:53 de la période médiane avec un boulet de la ligne bleue. Le no 76 termine la rencontre avec deux buts, lui qui a été crédité du quatrième filet lorsque son tir a dévié sur le bâton de Mark Streit.

Brendan Gallagher a complété la marque avec son neuvième de la saison. Il a déjoué le gardien québécois Kevin Poulin, qui en était à son premier départ contre l'équipe de sa ville natale, alors que celui-ci a essayé de le harponner. Le petit attaquant du CH a frappé le poteau, mais Lubomir Visnovsky a poussé la rondelle au fond du filet. Tomas Plekanec et Max Pacioretty ont tous les deux obtenu deux mentions d'aide.

Price se lève au bon moment

Carey Price a effectué des arrêts clés en fin de deuxième vingt lors d'un désavantage numérique. Il a permis de préserver l'égalité de 2-2 après 40 minutes de jeu. Price a réalisé 25 arrêts tandis que son vis-à-vis a stoppé 24 rondelles. New York avait les meilleures chances de marquer après deux engagements, mais manquait d’opportunisme pour compléter les jeux.
Le Canadien prend goût à la victoire

«Nous n’avons pas particulièrement bien joué lors des deux premières périodes, mais nous nous sommes repris en troisième. Nous avons capitalisé lorsque nous avons eu des opportunités et nous avons joué un peu de chance», a relaté le gardien du CH.

«C’est bien de voir que lorsque la victoire est sur la ligne, nous sortons forts lors du dernier vingt. Nous avons joué un bon match d’équipe sur la route, a relaté Gallagher. Ça montre qu’il y a beaucoup de leadership et de caractère dans ce vestiaire et que nous sommes confiants même lorsque nous tirons de l’arrière.»

Visnovsky a démontré qu'il était beaucoup plus à l'aise en territoire offensif lorsqu'il a donné les devants pour la première fois aux Islanders à 6:58 du deuxième vingt. Après une entrée de zone orchestrée par John Tavares et Matt Moulson, le défenseur a récupéré la rondelle libre pour marquer dans un filet béant.

Après une montée à 3 contre 1 du CH qui a avorté, Tavares en avait profité pour marquer son 18e de la saison et pour faire 1-1 en première. Le prolifique attaquant des Islanders termine la rencontre avec deux points pour porter son total à 33 depuis le début de la saison.

Le Canadien a donc vengé son dernier revers en temps régulier qui était survenu contre les « Insulaires », le 5 mars dernier.

Le CH accuse maintenant un point de retard sur les Penguins au sommet du classement dans l’Est. Le Tricolore a toutefois un match en main. Pittsburgh était inactif jeudi.

Michael Grabner était de retour dans la formation de New York après avoir raté les trois dernières parties des siens. Le défenseur Matt Carkner effectuait un retour au jeu après une absence de 20 matchs.

Le Tricolore aura la chance de se reprendre alors qu'il accueillera les Sabres de Buffalo, samedi, qui ont défait le CH en début de semaine.

LA FICHE COMPARATIVE DU CANADIEN DE MONTRÉAL
SAISONS     PJ     V     D     DP     DF     BP     BC     POINTS     LP     LC     AVA     DÉS
2011-12     30     12     11     2     5     74     77     31     892     849     11,76%     89,26%
2012-13     29     20     5     3     2     97     75     45     918     804     20,90%     80,36%

(PJ : parties jouées ; V : victoires ; D : défaites ; P/F : prolongation-fusillade ; BP : buts pour ; BC : buts contre ; LP : lancers pour ; LC : lancers contre ; AVA : avantage numérique ; DÉS : désavantage numérique.)

Canadiens vs Sabres : Steve Ott a le dernier mot

Source : Rds.ca



Le Canadien a joué avec le feu et il a fini par se brûler.

Le deuxième but du match de Steve Ott, marqué sur un retour de lancer à 2:16 de la période de prolongation a assuré une rare victoire aux Sabres de Buffalo 3-2 sur le Canadien, mardi au Centre Bell.

Ott a compté alors qu'il restait deux secondes à la pénalité de P.K. Subban pour bâton élevé. Michel Therrien n'a pas aimé voir son défenseur écoper d'une punition en prolongation et il compte bien lui en parler. « C'est un mauvais jeu de sa part et je vais régler la situation à l'interne. On va s'assurer que ça ne se reproduise pas. »
Subban a fait face à la musique, ou peut-être ne lui a-t-on pas donné le choix de le faire.

« C'est difficile en prolongation d'être assis au banc des pénalités et de voir les adversaires marquer, a-t-il admis.
« Évidemment, je ne voulais pas placer l'équipe dans le pétrin à ce moment. Je suis plutôt mal à l'aise actuellement. »

Subban n'a pas voulu dire s'il méritait d'être puni, mais il a tout de même avoué qu'il avait couru après.

« J'ai été sur le dos des arbitres pendant toute la soirée. J'aurais possiblement dû me la fermer. La décision a prise, et je dois avaler la pilule. Heureusement, j'ai le soutien de tous mes coéquipiers. »
Le Canadien voit donc sa série de victoires s'arrêter à cinq.
Buffalo n'a que 11 victoires en 30 parties cette saison.

Le Canadien, qui contrôlait en général la rencontre, avait réussi à combler un écart de deux buts en troisième période pour forcer le temps supplémentaire. Avec un recul de 2-0, Max Pacioretty a battu Jhonas Enroth à 7:04 de la troisième période à la suite d'une superbe pièce de jeu Brendan Gallagher, qui est parvenu à transporter la rondelle derrière le filet avant de la refiler à son coéquipier, qui a obtenu son neuvième de la saison.

Puis celui qu'on n’attendait pas, Colby Armstrong, a trouvé le fond du filet dans un deuxième match de suite avec moins de quatre minutes à faire pour créer l'égalité.
Avec une égalité de 2-2, Gallagher a bien failli jouer les héros dans les dernières minutes en touchant le poteau. Puis avec quelques secondes à égrainer au match, Brian Gionta a été volé de la mitaine par Enroth, qui a fait face à 34 tirs.

« On a commencé lentement, a avoué le pilote du Canadien, mais à partir de la deuxième, je retiens qu'on a dominé le match. J'ai senti la combativité des gars, qui n'ont jamais lâché. »
Les Sabres s'étaient emparés d'une avance de deux buts au premier tiers quand Ott a battu Carey Price avec un tir frappé précis. En fin de période, Tyler Ennis a augmenté l'avance des Sabres en faisant dévier la rondelle derrière Price.

Thomas Vanek a été contraint de quitter la partie  dans le camp des Sabres quand il s'est blessé à la jambe droite après avoir été atteint par un tir de son coéquipier Christian Ehrhoff lors d'un avantage numérique.

Les deux équipes vont se retrouver sur la même patinoire samedi. Entre-temps, le Canadien ira visiter les Islanders de New York jeudi.

Gallagher près d'un retour

Source : Tvasports.ca

Brendan Gallagher s'approche d'un retour au jeu et pourrait même être de la formation samedi, contre les Rangers de New York.

À LIRE AUSSI : Price réplique à un détracteur

Le petit attaquant s'est entraîné aux côtés de David Desharnais et de Max Pacioretty.
«J'étais incohérent après la mise en échec, mais le lendemain j'allais déjà mieux», a confié Gallagher.

«Il va jouer s'il reçoit le feu vert des médecins samedi matin, mais je suis optimiste», a déclaré l'entraîneur-chef Michel Therrien.

Brandon Prust profitait quant à lui d'une journée de congé, se soumettant à des traitements thérapeutiques. Il s'est battu avec le géant de 6 pieds 8 pouces Joe Finley jeudi soir et son cas est incertain contre les Rangers.

Si Prust est en mesure de joueur, «des décisions devront être prises», s'est contenté de dire Therrien, ne voulant pas dévoiler son jeu.

Erik Cole se retrouvait sur le troisième trio en compagnie de Lars Eller et d'Alex Galchenyuk.

«Il n'a pas les statistiques qu'il aimerait avoir, mais ce n'est pas lié à un manque d'efforts», a mentionné Pacioretty, au sujet de Cole. «Il se cherche un peu», a quant à lui admis Therrien.

Nash encore absent

Face au Canadien, les Rangers seront privés pour un troisième match de suite des services de l'attaquant Rick Nash.

La vedette canadienne n'a pas fait le voyage avec l'équipe à Montréal. L'organisation n'a pas dévoilé la nature de la blessure qui l'incommode, mais la rumeur veut qu'il soit aux prises avec les symptômes d'une commotion cérébrale ou encore avec un problème à l'aine.

Trios du Canadien à l'entraînement :

Pacioretty - Desharnais - Gallagher
Bourque - Plekanec - Gionta
Eller - Galchenyuk - Cole
Moen - White - Armstrong

Que des éloges pour Gallagher

Source : Rds.ca


MONTRÉAL - Il ne faudrait pas que Brendan Gallagher ait à s'absenter pour une longue période chez le Canadien parce que sa fougue est contagieuse. L'entraîneur Michel Therrien n'a pas tari d'éloges à l'endroit de l'infatigable ailier, samedi.

Muté aux côtés de David Desharnais et de Max Pacioretty, Gallagher a été l'étincelle du trio qui a complété la soirée avec cinq points dans la victoire de 4-1 contre les Flyers.

Gallagher a marqué son cinquième but, en plus d'amasser une aide sur le filet de Desharnais, pour porter sa fiche à huit points. Il a quitté après quatre minutes de jeu en troisième période, ébranlé par une mise en échec du défenseur Luke Schenn.

On devrait en savoir davantage quant à son état de santé, dimanche, lors de la séance d'entraînement de l'équipe à Brossard.

« Gallagher a des habitudes de travail exemplaires et il pourchasse constamment la rondelle. Il force les autres à suivre le pas », a affirmé Therrien, appelé à commenter la soirée de travail du trio.

« Pour moi, la cohésion d'un trio et les habitudes de travail, ça va souvent ensemble, a-t-il repris. Quand tu compétitionnes, souvent de belles choses t'arrivent. C'est la raison pour laquelle il a atteint la Ligue nationale, et la raison pour laquelle il a du succès actuellement. »

« J'ai bien apprécié le trio. Il a travaillé, a bien exécuté et les trois joueurs étaient constamment à la poursuite de la rondelle. »

Therrien a aussi eu de très bons mots à l'endroit du défenseur Raphael Diaz, qui a amassé une 10e passe cette saison.

« C'est un défenseur mésestimé. Il peut faire de bonnes choses sur la glace, tant en défense qu'à l'attaque. »

« Quand on l'a utilisé en supériorité numérique au début de la troisième période, ç'a changé la dynamique. On faisait circuler mieux la rondelle. C'est la tâche des entraîneurs de déceler quand un joueur connaît une bonne soirée, comme c'était son cas ce soir. »

Le Canadien a été capable de conserver son avance en troisième période, après avoir connu des ratés dernièrement. Il faut dire que les Flyers ressentaient un peu de fatigue puisqu'ils en étaient à leur deuxième match en autant de soirs.

L'aspect important, selon le capitaine Brian Gionta, c'est que l'équipe n'a pas modifié son style et elle a continué de foncer, au lieu de jouer sur les talons comme ça lui est arrivé trop souvent, il y a quelque temps.

« Nous avons continué d'aller vers l'avant, a analysé Gionta. C'est de cette façon que nous devons toujours jouer. C'est le rythme que nous voulons imposer du début jusqu'à la fin. Nous sommes à notre mieux quand nous exerçons de la pression. »

« Nous étions un peu plus prudents, a dit Therrien sur le même sujet. Mais nous demandons aux joueurs de rester combatifs et disciplinés. »

« Nous avons joué de la bonne façon. Les gars commencent à prendre goût à ce style de jeu. »