Gameday 42 - Canadiens
Bell Centre
Know Your Enemy: All Habs
There’s no single answer to the Canadiens current issues. Those who think the issues are only on defence, or with goaltending need to look at the numbers. Yes, both need to improve, but the offense needs to as well. As defensive stats are on the rise, offensive stats are on the decline, perfect conditions for the slump the Habs are in.
Last meeting with the Pens: October 9, 2010 - Habs 3-2.
In our recap we said:
Basically this was Game 8 from last year's playoff series. The Penguins outplayed the Canadiens at points, outshot them by a wide margain. But the Canadiens got big-time goaltending (Carey Price? really?) and capitalized on the few chances they had. It was a vicious, physical game. The Penguins had the game all but wrapped up with two minutes left, but then CEC witnessed its first of what will be many meltdown moments. Really,just a flabbergasting ending.
Season series: Habs Lead 1-0.
Pens Notes:
Sidney Crosby is out with an upper body injury. A possible concussion from the Winter Classic? Entirely speculation there. Edit: Nope. Disco said it happened against Tampa.
Matt Cooke will miss the game as well, due to personal reasons. The Pens will dress seven defensemen.
Brent Johnson could be in net tonight. Nothing's been officially announced.
The winning goal in the Mario Match Up vote on the Penguins' website is from the '91 Final against Minnesota
Canadiens Notes:
The Habs have only won three of their last twelve games.
Roman Hamrlik won't play tonight.
P.K. Subban sucks.
Favorite Canadiens-Related Photoshop or Gif:
Pens' lines:
Evgeni Malkin - Jordan Staal - Tyler Kennedy
Chris Kunitz - Mark Letestu - Pascal Dupuis
Arron Asham - Chris Conner - Mike Rupp - Max Talbot - Craig Adams
Brooks Orpik - Kris Letang
Paul Martin - Zbynek Michalek
Alex Goligoski - Deryk Engelland
Ben Lovejoy
Brent Johnson
The bottom two lines will be a mix of the five forwards remaining.
Habs lines from Empty Netters:
Max Pacioretty - Scott Gomez - Brian GiontaMike Cammalleri - Tomas Plekanec - Andrei KostitsynTom Pyatt - Jeff Halpern - Travis MoenBenoit Pouliot - David Desharnais - Mathieu DarcheHal Gill - P.K. SubbanJaroslav Spacek - James WisniewskiAlexandre Picard - Yannick WeberCarey Price
From TiqIQ. Prices of tickets versus the top teams in the East:
Remember This?
The Habs are struggling. The Pens are coming off an 8-1 win. It's the perfect situation for a huge Montreal victory to come out of nowhere and stun everyone. The Penguins can't let that happen. They need to strike against a wounded opponent while they can. They need to show no mercy. They need to quiet the Bell Centre crowd as soon as possible. No more Ole Ole. The Pens need another blowout win.
It's too bad Maxim Lapierre won't be around to witness it.
The Price is Wrong, Carey.
Do It.
Go Pens.
