Game #80 Wed, 9 Apr 2014 Canadiens @ Blackhawks 7:30 PM RDS, TSN, TSN 690 Radio.

[kinot-1]

OUR RED HOT

FLY

TO

TO MEET THE

THE SCOOP OR SCOPE

The Montreal Canadiens beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in OT, on Jan. 11 at Bell Centre

Michel Therrien announced that Carey Price, Alexei Emelin, Andrei Markov, Douglas Murray, Brandon Prust and Travis Moen won’t be making the trip.

The Canadiens called up goalie Dustin Tokarski from the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs to serve as the backup to Peter Budaj against the Blackhawks.

Defenceman Josh Gorges, who has been sidelined since early March with a broken hand, will return to the lineup against the Blackhawks.

Here’s how the lines and defence pairings looked at practice:

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Vanek

Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Gallagher

Bourque-Eller-Gionta

Bournival-Briere-White

Gorges-Subban

Markov-Emelin

Tinordi-Weaver

Bouillon-Beaulieu

Goaltender Peter Budaj will get the start and Dustin Tokarski will be his backup.

The Blackhawks will get puck-moving defenseman Johnny Oduya back from a lower-body injury that held him out three games. They'll also have 21-year old forward Brandon Saad back in the lineup after coach Joel Quenneville made him a healthy scratch in a 4-2 victory Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.

Forward Patrick Kane (lower-body injury) might participate in the morning skate, but neither he nor captain Jonathan Toews (upper-body injury) will return until the first round of the playoffs.

WOO-HOO

Who's hot: Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty has scored in six of his past eight games and finished with a point in eight of the previous 10 contests (nine goals, six assists). Defenseman Mike Weaver has at least a point in four straight games and has a plus-12 rating in the past 10 games.

Blackhawks forwards Ben Smith and Jeremy Morin each have scored goals in the past two games.

Big deal

Montréal Canadiens 79GP 45-27-7,,Home 22-12-5, Road,,23-15-2,

Last 10 GP,,8-2-0, GPG, 2.61, GA/G 2.48,

PP 17.6, PK 85.4, PIM/G 12.9, SF/G 28.5, SA/G 30.9, FO% 49.5

Chicago Blackhawks 79GP 45-19-15,,Home 26-7-7, Road,,19-12-8,

Last 10 GP, 6-4-0, GPG 3.20, GA/G 2.52,

PP 20.0, PK 81.4, PIMS/G 8.7, S/G 33.3, SA/G 27.1, FO% 52.2

More to come later,,,,,,, or not.

kinot-1's GDT record 19-10-1

[Guest mrsmarkov]

Great GDT Kinot, you never disappoint .

So the Bolts won today...is everyone still okay with Marky and Emelin not playing tomorrow? We can easily have our home ice advantage taken away from us in the blink of an eye...just saying.

[ColRouleBleu]

Great GDT Kinot, you never disappoint .

So the Bolts won today...is everyone still okay with Marky and Emelin not playing tomorrow? We can easily have our home ice advantage taken away from us in the blink of an eye...just saying.

home ice advantage is only an advantage if the series goes to 7 games you know.. i see it as taking action to win in six instead of losing in 7

[kinot-1]

Great GDT Kinot, you never disappoint .

So the Bolts won today...is everyone still okay with Marky and Emelin not playing tomorrow? We can easily have our home ice advantage taken away from us in the blink of an eye...just saying.

Coach Michel Therrien said he will give the three players a rest ahead of the NHL playoffs.

[Guest mrsmarkov]

home ice advantage is only an advantage if the series goes to 7 games you know.. i see it as taking action to win in six instead of losing in 7

Exactly. I believe its going to 7 games. Well I originally did..I don't know how I feel now that the tree went down. But if Gudlevskis gets called up, I'm sticking with seven games.

[powerplay2009]

Honestly, I really don't care much about home ice, so I'm fine with resting everyone before the playoffs.

If we had a coach like, say, Babcock, or Julien, or even Martin who really knows how to use last change to his advantage, that might be a bit of a different story, but even if it goes to 7 games, I think the impact of home ice is generally overstated.

[Guest mrsmarkov]

Honestly, I really don't care much about home ice, so I'm fine with resting everyone before the playoffs.

If we had a coach like, say, Babcock, or Julien, or even Martin who really knows how to use last change to his advantage, that might be a bit of a different story, but even if it goes to 7 games, I think the impact of home ice is generally overstated.

I'd agree with you if I was talking about any other market, minus a few. The energy and passion at the Bell Centre is like no other and could possibly help to motivate the team if they find themselves struggling.

I guess for me, it's not just about making the playoffs. I want the second seed. I don't want to be third. It's cool if it's fine with you, but I prefer to finish the best we possibly can.

[Guest]

I'm not concerned about home ice for this round. Playing in Tampa will be as close to a home game for our boys as it gets. I imagine at least half the building will be signing OLE.

[jennifer_rocket]

It's nice to hear that Kane and Toews won't be playing tonight. Especially so, with Price and Markov staying back in Montreal for rest. I am looking forward to seeing how Beaulieu performs after his stint in Hamilton.

[Forza-Montreal]

Go Habs Go!! lets make it 2 - 0 vs Chicago this year!!

Possible Stanley Cup Final ?

Go Habs Go!!

[kinot-1]

It's nice to hear that Kane and Toews won't be playing tonight. Especially so, with Price and Markov staying back in Montreal for rest. I am looking forward to seeing how Beaulieu performs after his stint in Hamilton.

I'm wondering if MT will be resting some of the other players who went to Socchi, in the upcoming games.

[Guest mrsmarkov]

I'm not concerned about home ice for this round. Playing in Tampa will be as close to a home game for our boys as it gets. I imagine at least half the building will be signing OLE.

I never thought about this. This is so true.

[southernhabfan]

I'd agree with you if I was talking about any other market, minus a few. The energy and passion at the Bell Centre is like no other and could possibly help to motivate the team if they find themselves struggling.

I guess for me, it's not just about making the playoffs. I want the second seed. I don't want to be third. It's cool if it's fine with you, but I prefer to finish the best we possibly can.

Yes...momentum is the name of the game...including hockey!

[Guest mrsmarkov]

Yes...momentum is the name of the game...including hockey!

Key word, "momentum." I'm not going to exactly let this decision for tonight go. The team is hot right now, why jeopardize it? We're better off going into the first game of the playoffs with momentum. I'm sorry all, but the boys had enough rest since Sunday. Whatever, the decision has been made. I'd gladly eat my words if we play great tonight and leave with two points....or even one, but lets see how I'm feeling at that point .

[jennifer_rocket]

I'm wondering if MT will be resting some of the other players who went to Socchi, in the upcoming games.

It makes sense to me. At this point we almost have home ice locked up. I am willing to chance it to rest some of busier or injured players. Even if someone has something minor, let them rest, heal a little, and be better prepared for round 1, IMO.

[Guest mrsmarkov]

I like your new sig .

[ColRouleBleu]

On momentum.. If we lose the game tonight with all our guys in, it kills momentum more than if we lose with 3 key players resting . And we win with those 3 guys out, it gives even more confidence.

To me, the decision to rest a few key players on the first game of 2 in 2 nights, on the road then coming immediately back home can in no way, shape or form be a bad thing. Being ready for the playoffs is the only thing that matters at this point, yes it includes consideration about where we'll finish in the rankings, yes it includes momentum but it also includes having your guys in the best shape they can be at the end of a long compacted season with olympics. Sitting Markov, Emelin and Price tonight does not automatically mean we lose that game.

[Guest mrsmarkov]

Just clarifying, I never said we'd lose tonight because of Budaj. If it's not obvious by now, Budaj is my favourite on the Habs after Marky and Davey. Huge Budaj fan here, been watching him since his Av days. I'm actually excited he's playing. He's great under pressure and he's a solid goaltender. It's the other nonsense I'm worried about....please let me eat my words. As you can tell, I'm not changing my mind. I'm stubborn, I'll admit it. I definitely do see both sides though.

[Manatee-X]

home ice advantage is only an advantage if the series goes to 7 games you know.. i see it as taking action to win in six instead of losing in 7

I like your thinking!

Possible Stanley Cup Final ?

And I like your thinking even more!

[jedimaas]

Possible Stanley Cup Final ?

hehe. thats my thinking

Thing is, i know its unlikely, but the east is pretty wide open and we have matched up well against teams like the Bruins etc. If our defensemen are managed properly its entirely possible we can make some noise in the playoffs & who knows.

[jennifer_rocket]

On momentum.. If we lose the game tonight with all our guys in, it kills momentum more than if we lose with 3 key players resting . And we win with those 3 guys out, it gives even more confidence.

To me, the decision to rest a few key players on the first game of 2 in 2 nights, on the road then coming immediately back home can in no way, shape or form be a bad thing. Being ready for the playoffs is the only thing that matters at this point, yes it includes consideration about where we'll finish in the rankings, yes it includes momentum but it also includes having your guys in the best shape they can be at the end of a long compacted season with olympics. Sitting Markov, Emelin and Price tonight does not automatically mean we lose that game.

Agree with everything you've said. Good decision. If we win, all the better.

I'm expecting a pretty tame match, to be honest. No Toews, no Kane, no Price, no Markov. I think you might see both teams playing hard, but not necessarily playing too physical. There won't be a "play-off atmosphere," IMO.

A few players maybe looking to impress. Subban for Montreal, obviously. Tinordi and Beaulieu. Saad was scratched last game for Chicago. He might be looking to prove something.

[Guest mrsmarkov]

hehe. thats my thinking

Thing is, i know its unlikely, but the east is pretty wide open and we have matched up well against teams like the Bruins etc. If our defensemen are managed properly its entirely possible we can make some noise in the playoffs & who knows.

I definitely can see us making it far, but I don't think it will be Chicago if we do make it that far.

[kinot-1]

I'll be interested in seeing which of the top 4 teams (2 from each conference) will be gone in the 1st round.

[Marathon.Man]

GO HABS GO!!!

[Guest mrsmarkov]