Jan 21 Canadiens vs Devils Preview, With A Rant Thrown In

This is the time for the true supporters of the Montreal Canadiens to stand up and be heard. So far, the loudest talking so-called Habs fans are the people who expect the Canadiens to sell off the team every time the Canadiens lose a hockey game. Frankly, it's pathetic. If you didn't think that with the hiring of a new coach, and completing half of this team with new players that the Canadiens weren't in the process of rebuilding, than you must have worn the "dunce" cap more than once in your life.

The Montreal Canadiens as an organization would never allow this team to trade it's best players for draft picks, so get over it. This hockey team must at all times be competitive. The Calgary Flames just lost 9-1, but you don't see people hurtling themselves off the bandwagon to set it ablaze do you?

Here is the bad news:

• The Montreal Canadiens have lost their last 3 games, and 6 out of their last 8.
• Both Kostitsyn brothers are still injured
• Tomas Plekanec seems to be a completely different player in 2010 than he was in 2009.
• Scott Gomez is playing like something worth half his salary at best

....and that's about it...

Here is the news you'd expect from a team that everyone knew (or should have known) was going to be battling for a playoff spot

• The Canadiens are currently only 1 point out of 8th spot, with the 8th place team having only 1 game in hand
• Bob Gainey's trade of Guillaume Latendresse for Benoit Pouliot has been a major success for both teams involved, but more importantly, it has given the Canadiens a real ability to score with their top 2 lines.
• Apparently when Bob Gainey saw that guys like Travis Moen and even Carey Price would be willing to drop the gloves when time after time Georges Laraque refused, well, he had enough and bought out his contract.
• The Canadiens still have the 2nd best power play in the NHL
• The Canadiens have 2 very qualified and very capable goaltenders, one of which could be packaged with some quality prospects that the Canadiens also have thanks to Gainey and his team, and bundled for a quality player.

Friday night the Canadiens will get to put their BGL-less team into full effect as they take on the New Jersey Devils Friday Night in New Jersey.

This will be the 3rd meeting against the Devils, who have won both games this season against the Canadiens.

Historically, the Canadiens hold a 61-51-10 winning record against the Devils, but have struggled in New Jersey (26-31-4)

Montreal's power play is 2nd in the league, but first on the road at 32,9%, however they are only 1-5 against the Devils. The Devils are 0-9 on the man-advantage against the Canadiens.

Markov logged over 28 minutes of ice time in his only game against the Devils, and was a -2

Only Moen and Gomez have scored (1) against Martin Brodeur.

The Devils just broke out of their own 3 game losing straight, with Brodeur notching his 30th win and 7th shut out against the Panthers.

Patrick Elias is out for New Jersey after suffering concussian like symptoms as a result of a hit from Ryan Wilson of Colorado.

Coach Martin doesn't have the best choice between Halak and Price, as both goaltenders have been cold in their last 2 games, with a GAA of over 3 and a save % will under 90%. While both have let in "soft" goals, I can safely say that most of the problems have stemmed from defensive breakdowns and odd man rushes which have led to the goals against the Canadiens

Tags: bob gainey \ Brodeur \ Gomez \ Halak \ hockey \ Jacques Martin \ Laraque \ Markov \ Montreal Canadiens \ New Jersey Devils \ NHL \ Pouliot \ Price