Habs drop game in OT

Despite taking the overtime loss last night in New York, the Montreal Canadiens should be very pleased with their performance on this 6-game road swing.



The Habs lost 4-3 in OT last night in New York. The Rangers got on the board first, off a weak wrister that floated through un-touched and beat Huet courtesy Dan Girardi. Then, with his 1st of two PP goals on the night, Andrei Kostitsyn wired a wrister top corner from the slot to beat Lundqvist. The Rangers went ahead again just 17 seocnds later, as Jagr wired home a one timer wrister set up by Gomez passed Huet who moved the wrong way laterally. The Habs then struck again, as Kostitsyn took a great feed from Plekanec and went 5-hole to beat Lundqvist. The Habs then got out in front on a beatuiful passing play between Sergei and Andrei, who then went cross crease to Plekanec, who released the one timer to beat the compeletly fooled Henrik Lundqvist. But, with time winding down in the third, Chris Drury cleaned up a rebound of a faceoff win to knot the game at 3. And, in OT, Roman Hamrlik got caught deep in the offensive zone, and Drury sprung Shanahan loose on the breakaway, and Shanny went top corner from 20 feet out, beating Huet with the surprisingly quick and accurate wrist shot. It really looked as if the Habs were putting all their eggs in the OT basket, as opposed to the shootout. Hamrlik made a mistake, as he was supposed to stay back in case of a turnover as his defense partner had already indicated that he would have been joining the rush. Since both D-men rushed, a breakaway opportunity was created, and capitalized on.



The Rangers are back ont he winning track, as it seems their New Years' Resolution to win more games is panning out earlier than planned. Jagr and Gomez continue to sizzle, with Gomez now on a 12-game point streak. Jagr is scoring again, as he now has goals in 3 straight.



Huet's game will not be remembered as one of his best, that's for sure, but it wasn't as horrible as I've been hearing many accuse it of being. I will agree, it could have been better, but he has been remarkle over the last week, and there is no reason to point the finger at him. The Habs came out of the road trip with 8 of 12 points, and Huet played a major role in most of them.



Now, I have to say something. I have been freaking out lately over the quality of playmaking we've seen from the youngsters recently. This road trip has featured some incredible goals coming from our beloved Habs, and we are rarely treated to hi-light reel material on offense from these guys. Sergei Kostitsyn has demonstrated that he SHOULD stay with this club for good. His vision has been put on display more than anything, as we've seen him make the perfect pass on a few occasions that led to goals. Plekanec, although shooting more often, is also passing extremely well, as was the case last night on his lightning-quick decision to feed Andrei in the slot for the Habs' second goal of the game. Andrei Kostitsyn is starting to get open in the right places, which is allowing him to get that wicked wrist shot he possesses off more often. The plus on Andrei has always been his shot, but the problem is, we have rarely seen it because he isn't too strong on getting open and positioning. It seems he's learning quickly, and if he continues this way, he definitely could reach 20-25 goals this season with that shot. Also, Higgins is continuing to work extremely hard on a shift-to-shift basis, and he is shooting very well. But, hats off to Chris for his play on Michael Ryder's goal in Flroida. Ryder passed to Higgins on a 2-0 deep in the zone. Higgins had a solid chance of scoring then and there, but decided to immediately return the pass to Ryder, causing Vokoun to be caught moving laterally and out of his own crease entirely to creat the empty net goal for Ryder.



They are looking like a playmaking offensive team, and I honestly cannot say I remember seeing them so effective on passing & finishing in a LONG time. What sucks, is that Brisebois, Smolinski and Begin are almost all set to return, and with their return, will come decisions as to who to scratch and who to possibly demote again to Hamilton. If I had my way, I'd move Smolinski 100% sure, for a draft pick...highest bidder wins. With Begin, it will be interesting, as Lapierre has provided a nice spark especially on a line with Ryder and Higgins. As for Brisebois, he can be useful with the injury to O'Byrne...problem is, he's not good enough to even be useful. He should be released and regretted.



And, it's got to be said: What a downer for Corey Locke.



Locke was recalled and was expected to be in the lineup in place of Saku Koivu. All went well, as Locke arrived in time and was excited and ready to go. But as time continued to pass, worry accompanied, as Locke's equipment hadn't yet arrived. In fact, his equipment didn't arrive at all until after game time, which forced Locke to be a healthy scratch, and the Habs played a man short the whole night. That's something to remember, but I feel REALLY bad for him on that. And enough of this nonsense talk about being too SMALL to play. If he is good, he can play, it ends there. Not every single player needs that forechecking big-body presence. The Habs are FINALLY moving towards youth and speed and skill, and Corey Locke would be a great fit in that system. I hope he gets a chance to play, because he has some pretty awesome accomplishments in his career, and could pan out to be a steal at his 113th overall draft selection.



Here are some of his honours, in case you don't know:




2003-04
CHL - First All-Star Team (Canadian Major Junior)
2003-04
OHL - Red Tilson Trophy (Most Oustanding Player)
2003-04
OHL - Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Leading Scorer)
2003-04
OHL - First All-Star Team
2002-03
CHL - Player of the Year (Canadian Major Junior)
2002-03
CHL - Sheetrock Top Scorer Award (Canadian Major Junior)
2002-03
CHL - First All-Star Team (Canadian Major Junior)
2002-03
OHL - Red Tilson Trophy (Most Oustanding Player)
2002-03
OHL - Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Leading Scorer)
2002-03
OHL - First All-Star Team



HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! We'll see our Habs in '08!