Match #12 | Montreal @ Columbus | Tue. Nov 2, 2010 7:00pm

[ColRouleBleu]

Broach the subject of the struggling power-play to anyone in the Canadiens dressing-room and the consensus remains the same: Statistics don’t tell the whole story. Despite being at the bottom of the league with a 7.7% success rate, Michael Cammalleri is quick to point out that when a teams’ play is looking sharp at even strength, the power-play can’t be far behind.

After suiting up for 731 games in the NHL, Jeff Halpern knows a thing or two about the different roles that need to be filled for a team to find success. Taking up a more defensive role with the Canadiens this year has strangely led to the veteran igniting his offensive spark since the season began. His seven points in 11 games is currently only topped by the likes of Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec.

Tuesday night in Columbus, P.K. Subban will likely find himself teamed up once again with veteran Roman Hamrlik, his defensive partner for much of last year’s playoffs. With such a wealth of experienced players to draw on, Subban is continues to shape his game while settling into a role where versatility is key.

With the return of Andrei Markov, Canadiens’ coach Jacques Martin is suddenly finding himself with “a nice puzzle to solve” now that he has eight healthy defensemen in his lineup. By all accounts, the two players who should find themselves watching the game from Columbus’ press box Tuesday night are Ryan O’Byrne and Jaroslav Spacek. When asked if a gentle approach was necessary when delivering the kind of news that often comes with his job, Martin explained that he’s always maintained the same approach in those situations.

Text:

Justin Fragapane | More stats here: Tale of the Tape

[Forever_Habs10]

That's one sick GDT there CRB....awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

GO HABS!

[Nine1One]

In all honesty i think pairing sub, with hamrlik will be good. I think subban being able to watch how Markov conducts himself will benefit him

[HabsRuleForever]

Super GDT CRB I love it!

Now let's get back on track boys.

If I was RSD I'd probably be shaking my fist already!

[Forever_Habs10]

Nice touch to the thread.

[RSD]

CRB With The Sick GDT!!

Ok Canadiens ...

Show Up, Play Hard, Play Fast, Score Goals ... Oh, and, most importantly ... WIN THE GAME DAMNIT *shakes fist*

[Forever_Habs10]

CRB With The Sick GDT!!

Didn't I make that clear.

Lets Go Habbies!

[ColRouleBleu]

Thanks guys, now if the Habs can play a sick game, I'm willing to supply the Pepto Bismol

[RSD]

Didn't I make that clear.

Just thought I'd reiterate it

[ColRouleBleu]

Nice touch to the thread.

I thought I'd bring her good luck powers in

[Forever_Habs10]

Just thought I'd reiterate it

Of course.

I thought I'd bring her good luck powers in

[FirstStar]

This promises to be an exciting game. Jackets are off to a good start and Mason seems to have found his game back. We'e only lost one game, it's time to get back into the win column so we don't end up like the leafs.

Lets go Habssssssssss!

[S-Bah]

Great GDT CRB now that Markov has had some more practice time and the team has had a couple of days to reflect on last game I'm sure we'll see a better version of the Habs tomorrow. Columbus had best be on their game because the Habs will be.

[Marathon.Man]

GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!

Great survey...I checked all options except for ONE

[Clues]

Fantastic job on the thread, CRB.

[rypat19]

I am very excited about the d men pairings. Hope my first guessing is correct. go habs go

[JuniorSTLB]

Pouliot still on the 4th line even if he seems to have found his touch again.... Other than that, the D looks promising

Great GDT!!

[Habsturies]

I really want to face the Bruins and Philly.

Want to see our real posibilities.

[Forza-Montreal]

Amazing Job On The GDT CRB, I Like It Alot

Common Habs Lets Go Out There & Win This One

[Forever_Habs10]

Its Game Day Baby!!....Lets Go Habbies.

[Roythenumber33]

Great GDT, ty for that

GO HABS GO!!!

[Forza-Montreal]

Nice Pic Roy

[HabsRuleForever]

As expected - habs I/O

Former Canadiens goalie Mathieu Garon will get the start tonight for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Garon, who is a backup to Steve Mason, is 2-0 this season with a 1.61 GAA and .938 save percentage.

Both of his victories have come at home.

As expected, Canadiens defencemen Ryan O'Byrne and Jaroslav Spacek will watch Tuesday night's game from the press box.

That means Andrei Markov will play with Alexandre Picard, while P.K. Subban will play with Roman Hamrlik. Josh Gorges and Hal Gill remain together.

Up front, Dustin Boyd will be back in the lineup, on a line with Lars Eller and Maxim Lapierre

[Manatee-X]

As expected - habs I/O

Former Canadiens goalie Mathieu Garon will get the start tonight for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Garon, who is a backup to Steve Mason, is 2-0 this season with a 1.61 GAA and .938 save percentage.

Both of his victories have come at home.

As expected, Canadiens defencemen Ryan O'Byrne and Jaroslav Spacek will watch Tuesday night's game from the press box.

That means Andrei Markov will play with Alexandre Picard, while P.K. Subban will play with Roman Hamrlik. Josh Gorges and Hal Gill remain together.

Up front, Dustin Boyd will be back in the lineup, on a line with Lars Eller and Maxim Lapierre

Well it will be very ineteresting to see how these D-pairings hold up throughout the match. I wonder if they'll stay the same throughout or if we'll see Markov moved around a bit to give him some extra minutes over Picard?

I missed the last game so I'm not sure how #79 played, but it worried me to read that he wasn't used on the PP at all. Is Martin just giving him time to find his game, or is he still suffering some lingering effects from the injury? I'm hoping it's option A, since I hate the latter possibility. We were doing fine without Markov in the line-up, so there's no reason to rush him back if he's not completely healed. We need our best player being able to play like our best player, especially when it counts in April and beyond. Nagging injuries are no good.

[RSD]

Looks like what I thought about yesterday's practice was true. It was just a shake up to wake up...Habsinsideout is now reporting that Spacek will play tonight and Picard will sit...

Despite our earlier report saying Jaroslav Spacek would miss Tuesday night's game, that is not the case. He will play, meaning Ryan O'Byrne and Alexandre Picard will watch the game from the press box.

Head coach Jacques Martin says he spoke with Spacek and told him he is looking for more consistency from the veteran defenceman. -HIO