Give 'Em Credit

I'm proud of myself.

Yes. Proud of myself for not getting sucked into the hoopla and faux-hope of the Canadiens making the playoffs this year after they won four straight last week. Reality... it crashes right into your face. How's that for "...just the perfect amount of pepper?"
 
And now that I'm approaching the season with this new-found attitude, I'm actually enjoying it more. So back to that draft pick...

And maybe some trades? One point out of four is certainly not enough -- even if the Habs currently sit 6 points out of a playoff spot as I write this (Toronto is up 2-1 against Edmonton right now).

Up, up and away!? Even Dave Van Horne wouldn't have made that call on Pacioretty. Habs lost 4-3 in a shootout. 

After a missed opportunity to keep the ball rolling against the Hurricanes the other night give the Canadiens credit as they came back in the third period tonight to squeeze a point out against the Bruins before losing in the shootout. Ho hum. Price was beaten stick side. What else is new!? Most definitely the scouting report on him. "Psst: Go stick side on Pricer. Works everytime." Krejci did. Hit the post. Seguin made it count and the odd combination of Bourque-Pacioretty-Eller came up firing blanks.

Good to see Ryan White in the lineup at least. And he got in the middle of things with a scrap. Welcome back!!

Time is-a-tickin' on the 2011-2012 season, and that's a good thing at this point. Personally I'm ready to play golf. So who's gonna be dealt??

Everyone is saying Hal Gill and Travis Moen. Now Kostitsyn is in the mix but he always was. Now really, what are we going to get for a malcontent? A fifth rounder??? And I think at this point, we'll take a bag of stinky sox from anyone who wants to take Scotty Gomez. To quote Buffalo Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff from earlier this season: "It's a joke."

Which is a great segway to my conclusion. Brad Marchand. Clipping. Again!!! The guy is going to get his some day. At least Chara took a puck to the face tonight... Like I said "It's a joke."

ELLER-IFIC

Finally a fun game to watch!!

Four goals for Lars "do you want me to sign your jersey" Eller!!!

You have to read my posts from last year to get that one...

Eller's first career hat trick was the result of being reunited with Moen and Kostitsyn and the line had 10 points!!!

Lars Eller is congratulated by his permanent linemate Travis Moen after scoring in the Canadiens' 7-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Centre. 

Which makes me wonder: why the hell was this line broken up in the first place!?

We first saw the threesome play together last year with strong results. Injuries forced them apart. Together again, and loving it.

Keep 'em together Randy!!

Travis Moen was probably the best player on the ice on the night... but as is often the case, he was left out of the three stars. No matter, he knows what he needs to do to succeed.

And he did it en masse tonight against the upstart Jets. Win puck battles. Throw pucks at the net. Hit everything that moves.

Mr. Moen made all the right moves in the 2nd period when he fought off 2 Jet players to muscle out a 2-on-1 with Tomas Kaberle, who scored his first goal as a Hab (and of the season). Kaberle hadn't scored for over 40 games going back to last season.

Andrei Kostitsyn? Now that the Habs have turned their backs on their no-negotiating player contracts during the season with the much-needed signing of Josh Gorges to a six year contract (which should have come over the summer), why not sign Andrei Kostitsyn!? The guy is big, he's got a great shot and he's an amazing passer.

As you all should know, I love the guy. He's still young, and how many players do we have on this team who consistently pot 20 goals per season??? Who else on this team pulls poutine-ladened bums out of their seats like Brother Andrei!? His play on Eller's 3rd goal of the game was unbelievable. It was like he had the puck on a string. I'd kiss the guy if he weren't so ugly.

Last Hab to score 4 in a game? Jan Bulis (remember him?) in 2006. Seems a lot longer than that.

Eller's fourth tally was the result of a questionable penalty shot call by the referee. I say questionable only because the Habs rarely get this sort of call (is it because Martin is no longer behind the bench?). In fact, it was the right call if you take the rule to the letter, because Eller was in alone and was hooked to the point he couldn't get a shot off.

The big, gangly Dane knew exactly what he was doing when he pulled a spin-a-rama and deked Mason out of his pants, sliding the puck into the open net on the backhand. What a night for Mr. Eller!! And good for you Lars, you're slowly making us forget Jaro. Speaking of which, the Blues are coming to town next week. But chances are Halak won't play, since Brian Elliott has been playing so well.

The Habs needed this win and winning big at home could go a long way on this homestand. Good for the team to score some goals for a change, especially on a night where Carey Price seemed a bit shaky.

2011 couldn't end fast enough for the Habs.

2012? Hopefully it only gets better. And after the highly publicized rough stuff between PK Subban and Plekanec this week, maybe it's time for this team to start making headlines with some wins instead.

The team has a few days off for some more good practices and Captain Gionta looks to make his return on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.