Guest HabsFanInPitt27 Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Vs At Bell Center Game Preview Every NHL win earns a team two points, but the Montreal Canadiens' latest victory may turn out to be worth considerably more. Tied for the Eastern Conference lead, the Canadiens look to win their fifth straight and provide an encore to the biggest comeback in franchise history when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Montreal (33-19-9) is the NHL's oldest organization, yet since being founded in 1909, had never won a game when trailing by five goals. That changed Tuesday, when the Canadiens rallied from a 5-0 second-period deficit against the New York Rangers, evening the score late in the third and winning 6-5 in a shootout. "To be honest, last season this team probably packs it in after falling behind like that," coach Guy Carbonneau told the team's official Web site. "This just shows what kind of character we have in this dressing room." It was Montreal's fourth victory in a row and second straight at the Bell Centre over an Atlantic Division opponent, following a 1-0 win over Philadelphia on Saturday. A win against Pittsburgh (34-21-5), which is in a tight battle with the Canadiens, New Jersey and Ottawa for the top spot in the East, would give Montreal five consecutive victories for the first time this season. Home wins, however, haven't always come easy this season for the Canadiens. On Dec. 18, they were 6-7-4 on home ice, but are 8-3-1 since. "What else can you say about these fans?" said forward Alex Kovalev, who scored his team-leading 28th and 29th goals of the season against the Rangers, his former team. "Hearing all that cheering energizes me and it makes me want to give even more back to the fans." Kovalev, who scored 149 goals in parts of five seasons with Pittsburgh, has four goals and three assists in his last four games. He has four goals and four assists in 10 games against the Penguins since joining the Canadiens in 2003, but just one goal in three meetings this season. The Penguins didn't quite equal Montreal's historic comeback Tuesday, but they still earned an impressive come-from-behind victory. They trailed Florida 2-0 at home after two periods, but scored three times in the third and won 3-2. Ryan Malone scored the last two goals - his 18th and 19th on the season - including the winner with 23 seconds left. "Off the bat, for whatever reason, it takes us a while to get going and sooner or later that might come back to bite us," said Malone, who has 11 points in his past nine games. "But right now, we're happy with the two points." Malone has been hot, but linemate Evgeni Malkin has been playing on a level unmatched by anyone in the league the past month. He had two assists Tuesday to extend his point streak to nine games, during which he's recorded seven goals and 14 assists. Malkin had a goal in Pittsburgh's first trip to Montreal this season, a 2-0 Penguins win Jan. 19. That was the team's first game after captain Sidney Crosby went down with a high ankle sprain, and Malkin has piled up 27 points in the 14 games since, taking over the NHL points lead (79) after Tuesday's action. "I'm pretty tired right now, so I don't really care about that," Malkin said. "(But) it's great if my name is in the paper more." Malkin has three goals and eight assists in seven games against Montreal. Conklin Vs Huet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HabsFanInPitt27 Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Points: Evgeni Malkin 79 Goals: Evgeni Malkin 34 Assists: Evgeni Malkin 45 PIM: Georges Laraque 102 Plus/Minus: Sidney Crosby 15 PP Goals: Evgeni Malkin 13 SH Goals: Maxime Talbot 2 Points: Alexei Kovalev 61 Goals: Alexei Kovalev 29 Assists: Andrei Markov 35 PIM: Tom Kostopoulos 97 Plus/Minus: Alexei Kovalev 12 PP Goals: Alexei Kovalev 16 SH Goals: Tomas Plekanec 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ndnkovalev271139 Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 We keep an eye on Malkin and Sykora we'll be alright. Hopefully Markov has the kind of the game he had in the latter half of last night's thriller. Folks we haven't won anything yet, 21 big games remain, relish the victory sure, but tomorow is a whole new day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Goodtown Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Keep the train a rolling! GO HABS GO GO HABS GO GO HABS GO GO HABS GO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HabsFanStuckInToronto! Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 I have just finished watching a bunch of sports shows on TSN, Sportsnet and The Score and I saw.... THE BOYS ARE JUST IN A GREAT MOOD! They were all awstruck by what happened, so happy to be apart of it and are ready to do some serious damage. For the time being, I will NEVER doubt this team's abilty to come back!!! ONTO THE GAME: Pittsburgh is rolling, actually Malkin is rolling and if we can neutralize him, we give ourselves a great chance to win. Just stick a player on him and make sure he never leaves his side. Lappiere can re-enact what he did with Crosby, just make sure he is covered. Carbo: get this team ready and make sure they know they have to work and never stop working. Have a quick start and continue the momentum from the last game. GO HABS GO! TEAM OF DESTINY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FlHabsFan Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 I like how that pic of Cris has him smacking jagr upside the head with his stick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HABSrockmyboat Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 all we have to do is have komi on malkin all night and there is nothing to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greek Hab Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Put Kostopoulos back in! PLEASE... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habs fan #1 Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hopefully mike can keep it goin Hat Trick I hope It's highly possible He has more points than games played against the Penguins in his career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Khadgar Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 I hope the boys can come down a bit from last nights game and be very focused for the Pens. This is gonna be a tough game. It's important for both teams. Be physical. Score first. And hit Malkin every time he touches the puck(and maybe a few times when he doesn't touch it). Go Habs Go!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ndnkovalev271139 Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Perhaps a preview of a first round playoff series, even tho the whiner isn't in the lineup. Yah agree now we've relish this victory long enough, game tomorow and this victory would be just as sweet!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigsby Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 great thread! this is the stat that stood out the most in the article for me: Home wins, however, haven't always come easy this season for the Canadiens. On Dec. 18, they were 6-7-4 on home ice, but are 8-3-1 since. nice! hopefully the boys can keep it up with another solid team effort! (i can't believe malkin has taken over the scoring lead! unbelievable!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest d80jcrant Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 We keep an eye on Malkin and Sykora we'll be alright. Hopefully Markov has the kind of the game he had in the latter half of last night's thriller. Folks we haven't won anything yet, 21 big games remain, relish the victory sure, but tomorow is a whole new day. Words of Wisdom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest olddude Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Great thread. Kovy said the noise of the crowd energized him, makes him want to do more. Pass the word, everyone going to the game make noise, cheer like mad when Kovy is on the ice and watch him go. GO HABS GO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest d80jcrant Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Will Sid the Kid be back for this game?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ayan_SB Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Tomorrow's crowd is going to be absolutely insane lol. Is it wrong to feel a little invinsible right now after last night's week, basically our 4 game winning streak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest overlords Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Will Sid the Kid be back for this game?? negative. He didn't leave with his teammates for the trip. I think they're more dangerous without him at this point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest d80jcrant Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 negative. He didn't leave with his teammates for the trip. I think they're more dangerous without him at this point True True....But one less super star to contain. I hop ethe habs remember th elast time we played the Pens. It was a Saturday night on home ice and we lost 2-0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Work hard, play hard and you'll be able to turn those smiles into permagrins http://www.habsinsideout.com/game/practice-2008-02-20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest overlords Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 True True....But one less super star to contain. I hop ethe habs remember th elast time we played the Pens. It was a Saturday night on home ice and we lost 2-0. i think the habs have matured immeasurably since then. I can't recognize them anymore. Every single one has taken on responsibilities and i have to say, i have never seen a habs team play this well, or with this drive i should say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 True True....But one less super star to contain. I hop ethe habs remember th elast time we played the Pens. It was a Saturday night on home ice and we lost 2-0. It was also their first game without cindy crybaby. I think the pens overachieved during that game, remember, it was not malkin who beat us but their 4th line. Our boys can get that 5th win in a row , now I just hope they will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1337FREAK Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Work hard, play hard and you'll be able to turn those smiles into permagrins http://www.habsinsideout.com/game/practice-2008-02-20 Good to see them having good time, hopefully it will translate into a win tomorrow night this game will be big if we plan on making first place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest d80jcrant Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 It was also their first game without cindy crybaby. I think the pens overachieved during that game, remember, it was not malkin who beat us but their 4th line. Our boys can get that 5th win in a row , now I just hope they will Yeah I remember...Laraque line....Blaaaa. I agree that will not happen again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RockMtl Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 OK BOYS!!!! You made HISTORY, you had some fun (practice - well deserved), now time to GO TO WORK!!!!!!! Let's not let the PENGUINS have us eat CROW! KEEP the HAPPY times alive!!! And NONE of that...(in the HAB dressing room) " ...Hey guys, let's go down 6 goals and ROAR BACK again..." talk, geeeeez!!!!!! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ndnkovalev271139 Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 If we ever lose, this city will be rioting...Were on top of the world right now...WHAT A FEELING...MAKE IT 25 STRAIGHT WINS BOY!!! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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