Game 38: Canadiens complete Florida sweep

why would you guys want Lats to drop the gloves, he hasn't backed down from anyone, and they haven't gotten him off his game, I hope he plays just the way he is, he'll only get better !!!

Anyone else catch the Red Fisher confirmed interest the NY Rangers have expressed in Ryder? (Spector's Hockey.com) Should be interesting to see in there is a spike in his playing time against the rangers. Put that together with the TSN Ovechkin to Montreal hint last night, (and on this site last week) and I am starting to feel very teased! Hope something comes out of one of these fantasies one day! If Not, we still grow them well on the farm! Glad to see Chips back in the line-up. Can only assume Huet will be between the pipes...anyone know?

I think Koivu just needs somebody else to take over the reigns of being the number one centreman. The shoes he is asked to fill, I fear may be too big for him.

It,s hard to believe I was watching the same team that stunk the place out in Dallas.The game was alot of fun to watch with guys hustling all over the ice.I really would like to see them maintain that level of play,anything is possible if they do.

One thing I noticed on the team stats is that there are more players in the plus of the +/-. Shows a better 5 on 5 game.

ERRATA...point seven. 7. I forgot to put this one in my post below. Koivu. Something is up with Koivu. I've been saying it for a month now. He's not playing his best, but even so he's still been one of the brighter lights most games. Could be nearing the end of his playing days he's thinking "should I stay or should I go" (to a contender)...and no-one would blame him if he did. If WE'RE frustrated with the yo-yo'ing of this team, imagine him. On the other hand it could be a health concern, could be he's just tired.... regardless, if anyone deserves our full support it's Captain K. So let's give it. No-one currently on the ice has given us more. ________________________________________________________________ Be happy! At least the FUTURE looks bright! Plekanec, Higgins, Komi, Chips, Lapierre, O'Byrne, K1 &K2, Price

Robert L., just read your letter. You definitely are a true Hab Fan and I salute you for your always interesting and good comments on this HIO site. So, Yes, the sun was shining for our Habs this week-end and we are all in a happy, cheerful mood this morning. Re your letter; I see us(bloggers on HIO) as good folks reacting to game results based on our "fan" knowledge and of course emotions. Let's be honest, 3 shots, 3 goals, and 12 shots after two periods. In plain language, we got the breaks and we, for once, took advantage of it all. They embarassed us in Montreal and we embarassed them in Miami. That pass from Gorges to Ryder is one of the best I've seen in many, many years. I thought Lafleur was back the way Ryder picked it up and flew down the wing in one motion. Has Ryder turned the corner like Murray did in Beantown ? Will see soon enough ! The line juggling is driving some fans nuts and that is just fine with me. Carbo said it himself earlier this year "Every day I ask myself, who do I play tonight, who sits" . Bottom line is, like you mention in your letter, we will always complain when the Habs lose and then jump like kids when they put two more points in the bank. The complaining is also fine. I mentioned in an earlier post that --losing is one thing, HOW you lose is another--. How can the whole team, not one or two players taking the night off, collapse at once. I use the word "fragile" to describe our team sometimes but I truly believe it can be fixed with the right approach from coaches. I, as an older fan, recall water-cooler chats during the last Habs dynasty (remember those 8 games we lost during the whole year...what a shame it was) "What wrong with Engblom, Jarvis lost that face-off in our end and they scored, Shutt missed the net three times etc etc..." I never ever thought these words would come out of my mouth " I hope we make the playoffs" - but that's the way it is nowadays BUT we definitely are heading in the right direction and we all certainly deserve it. Now, let's gang up on Timmins and make sure he orders every Habs scout in the world to focus on FORWARDS ONLY for the next couple of years. Have a good day and may 2008 be a great year for all Habs fans... cheers

Happy Holidays Ladies and Germs! Nice to see that Santa got our letters and brought us a couple of wins. For once the bad bounces seem to be on our side. A few observations. 1. Let's all give thanks that Huet has been the goalie he can be. Without him locking the door - we realistically might be 0-2 in Florida or at least 1-1. 2. Great to see Higgins moved. Somehow playing with Koivu didn't seem right this year - several of us said it - maybe it's that he wants to lead and being the top player on his line lets his on-ice leadership out of the barn. Great games by him - I think there is more to come. 3. Chipchura. Many have complained that he is sitting. We all know he belongs in there - let's hope that Carbo let him know this too.... and let's REALLY hope this doesn't mean anyone thinks this hard-working and clever playmaker is expendable. He is gold. But to sit a few games for reasons of line-up changes... no need to panic. Sitting a game here and there for a rookie especially should be no big deal. 4. Lats. The kid belongs on the ice - no question. Strong on the score sheet, good in plus-minus. Brings it. 5. K1 & K2. Something about having these two young creative brothers on the ice just elevates this team. People talk about a team's identity. I think somehow bringing up K2 has helped shape our identity - a young, skilled, hard working play-making team at the front... a strong (Hamr, Komi, O'Byrn), tough, aggressive D at the back. 6. A concern. Not to be negative - and let's hope TradeRyder is wrong about MR (though he seems to have seen something we didn't early on) but while there is reason for alittle rejoicing we were certainly badly outshot last game. It still seems odd that our defense-focused game let's that happen. And let's hope we can win consistantly without the bounces and with only good goal-tending. Certainly in the coming years, but yet to be seen. Arf! ________________________________________________________________ Be happy! At least the FUTURE looks bright! Plekanec, Higgins, Komi, Chips, Lapierre, O'Byrne, K1 &K2, Price

This is for G-Man. As one of those who has often doubted Carbo, (not his coaching ability, mind you, but rather his ability to motivate the players), let me be the first to eat a small, qualified slice of crow. I liked the new lines as soon as I saw them, with the exception of Chipper sitting out. When I saw them on the ice, I really liked them, especially the so-called third line. So, Carbo, kudos to you for the stroke of genius you had in putting them together. I just hope you will leave them for a while, and I also hope you will stop calling out individuals every other game. That sort of thing only divides and demoralizes players. It must be used very sparingly. So, G-Man, will that do for an apology, qualified though it may be? :)

Latendresse leads the team in even strength goals.

and BTW, the team is about 50/50 in plus minus...

who else is with me when I say I hope ryder get 2 goals in his next 5 games.....

carb.will raise the banner (: (soon) Robert. That was a great letter,we must understand that Carb.works with these players every day and he has to juggle them to his thoughts of how he thinks they are going to do,sometimes not so good ,but I think he is doing good so far.I have been a fan for 50 years and seen alot and feel with the new NHL we are doing pretty good.Win or lose I LOVE MY HABS....and will not put them down no matter what.

First, fans on this site have to give Carbo credit for the lines HE put together. He may not be such a brain dead idiot after all, n'est pas? Second, credit and kudos to Higgins, who could have moped after being relegated to the "3rd" line. Instead, 3 points and the Habs best forward on the night. Third, big kudos to the D. Love the way Komisarek smacks and cracks opposing players too near Huet. Gorges has really stood tall after a trying start. That pass to Ryder was brilliant. Long bombs that send 2 forwards in the clear are a rare and beautiful thing. Lastly, love the Leonard Cohen reference in the article. Mr. Stubbs must have heard LC is being inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. LC and Rock'n'roll? It must be the Holidays! Gilbert

A great game by the habs. Sure they eased up but its only human nature to do so when you got the game in the bag. Lets hope the lines stay like that even if theres a bad effort some night in the future. And yes Ryder should be kept on. I dont know why so many of you got it in for him so bad, its not like he's costing the habs some games.

Ummm, as I only saw the first period, I'd just like to ask...... How did Ryder play :P

I'm very pleased about the win. I might be concerned about the margin in shots but it is their 2nd games in 2 nights so not too shabby. I think for the next game Dandenault should sit and be replaced by Chipchura. Other than that keep everything exactly the same. Two things that stood out for me for some reason were O'Byrne's hit on Campbell (exactly what we need) and the rush by Kovalev despite the fact he got stopped. Last point is that we shouldn't get too picky on Koivu. The guy probably is sick with a bad flu and getting an iv between periods. I wouldn't read into his reactions (or lack thereof) too quickly. I think Koivu deserves credit for simply being there tonight. He's the heart and soul of the team. When he wants a trade he will ask for one.

It is not often that I will allow that the opinions of other Habs fans, readers, or HIO comment posters, have infiltrated my thoughts and perceptions on how and where the team is headed. I must admit, that among my own re-evalutions of the Canadiens of late, such opinions have been on my mind. as up and down as the Habs go, I have taken it all into perspective as best I can, and come up with this: http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2007/12/habs-experienc... Writing this was almost like therapy. If I happened to sum up some of your concerns, notions, or feelings,let me know. I'm taking a pulse!

woohoo great win, that ryder goal was a thing of beauty. hey he only needs 46 goals in the next game to tie wayne gretzky for 50 in 39.boy i hope he does it.and price ought to get the start in new york.

Tonight is what the Habs are all about. Notice how much fun they are having? When you get this kind of momentum anything can happen. Expect a turnaround on home ice given their new found confidence. Carbo MUST be taking a hugh sigh of relief from the last 2 nights vs. the Dallas game. Way to go team. Habs ARE for real and we have a future vs. the Leafs. Time will show all. Oui, monsieurs et madames, nous sommes LES HABITANTS. Nous sommes fiers!!!!

Great game. You have to wonder about scoring three goals on your first three shots and getting doubled in shots over the game. Not to be negative - a win is a win and the team played well... but you can't win every game like that. Huet deserves this one - hands down. And I hope these two games silence the Huet critics (and the Price worshippers) for awhile. ----------- So Ryder scores his FOURTH of the season and all the Ryder fans rejoice! Let's see - that's 500k per goal. Lats ELEVEN gals come a lot cheaper at closer to 50k each. One goal in 15 games doesn't make an NHL sniper. Tell you what - if Ryder scores two more in the next five games we can say he's back and I'll shut up. Unless of course he takes over the Minus lead in the process - he's drifting down again... minus 4 on a team that is mostly in the plus column... I guess his old form REALLY IS BACK!! ____________________________________________________ Too late to trade Ryder now....shoulda listened!

Very good effort from all. I can't understand why most on this sight have to pick on an individual player? First Brisebois, then Ryder, Koivu, Gorges, Markov, now Kostopoulos!! The game is won or lost on mistakes and errors are made by all players. The point is not to make costly errors at pivitol points in the game. I was worried at 3-0 when we blew that 4min P.P. and we overcame it. A goal at that point to make it 3-1 could have changed the game but, instead we added #4. I like the way that Carbo has finally decided to let his top two lines go and reserve using Streit and Dandy on these two lines. Heck he has even given the third line some scoring potential. Fourth line is the shut down line. I think Kostopoulos was a great addition to this team because he is physical and is willing to play any position. Lots of character and heart with Kosto. GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!! Question is: What happens when Smolinski, and Begin get back?

way to go boys!!kick some more *** in new york!the more points the better!!and let's bury the make me laughs!!huet you played awesome the last 2 games!love the new lines this makes us a very deep versatile team!!keep these lines together .........but get chipchurra back in there somehow!!a couple of other fans said kovalev is slowing down!what kovalev are you watching kovalev is going to score 30 goals and get 80 points this year barring injury!!!

Carbo's new line combinations are great. Latendresse seems to be exactly the right complement to Koivu and S. Kostitsyn. They do the skating and slick passing, he hangs around the net. And the third line looks just as dangerous as the first two. I don't know whether Lapierre creates more energy or more room or both, but somehow Higgins seems to be passing more and Ryder, instead of being on the edge of the play, is right in the middle. His goal was a beauty, and it started with a perfect pass from Gorges, who the last few games has looked much stronger and more confident. I hope Carbo doesn't mess with these lines, although I'd like to see Chipchura back in, maybe instead of Kostopoulos. And Gorges should stay; Brisebois, when he recovers, should be the seventh defenseman.

a great road game by the Habs...of the shots Huet had to face,about 50% were from the perimeter,and easily seen. What was more impressive,was Komi leading the blocked shots,and Kovi playing a halfway defensive game. Kudos to Koivu,who was playing sick. I'm still not a Ryder fan,but he showed good hands and seemed interested tonight. After last nights unsportsmanlike conduct(shooting the puck into the empty net after the period ended) I'm still not a Latendresse fan,but he did play better.. Hats off to Lapierre...seems to be finding his stride...same to Streit..Gorges looked alot steadier...we'll see if I was wrong about him (lol) I was a bit dissapointed in Hammer...he seemed to fade as the game went on...I look to him to offer consistency.. I noticed Boullion back on the ice after the injury,but he played a bit tentative...any news?

We should play more often in those rings with nice cheerleaders. RDS has some good camera shots. Back to hockey. Lapierre has opened up rooms for Ryder and Higgins. He is skating all over the ice and draws a lot of attention from the opponents. With more time, Higgins becomes more a team player. The line is also solid defensively. Good discovery by Carbo!

OUTSTANDING...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING NEGATIVE can be drawn from this match. IT WAS A BEAUTY. forget about the shots...stat means NOTHING WHEN YOU WIN...only when you lose. RYDER IS BACK, BRILLIANT PLAY WITH HIGGS...THE CURSE IS LIFTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OBRYNE FINALLY DELIVERS the CRUSHING HITS AND FIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT WORK FROM TOP to BOTTOM, and nationally televised on TSN...GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! --------- 1. until the problem in my picture is solved...we will not be Champions. 2. Delenda Est Torontium.... 3. your not a Hab fan till you watch & UNDERSTAND "The Rocket"

Great game. 3 points for Higgins. Latendresse is playing with more consistency too. Ryder was right there at the turnover when the puck went to Lapierre who passed to Higgins who scored. I don't think he touched it so didn't get an assist, but he was pressuring the Florida player who coughed it up to Lapierre. O'Byrne threw some nice hits and got in a couple of scraps. With a little more experience and confidence, let's hope he is that tough dman that we need. Huet was hot. The shots on goal are worrisome but let's not let that spoil the fun tonight.

I'm glad that Montreal is scoring 5 on 5 because their Poweplay is starting to down hill.... Anyhow GET ER DONE boys

Great 1st period. Skating well and forechecking but what happened to that team in the 2nd period./ Different team completely. If Koivu is sick why isnt he resting on the power play--- just dont get it, especially with the lead they have. They better pick it up in the 3rd, if they dont I wouldnt count the 2 pts yet, considering they only have 12 shots on goal to this point. They played the 2nd period like they did against Dallas. PICK IT UP IN THE 3rd!!!

Way to go Ryder. Sweet goal. Why is Fraser refing to Habs games in a row? When Ryder scored and they were shown at the bench, everyone was smiling excpet for Kiovu. He did not seem the give a crap. He is not happy in Montreal. He should be traded. Kovalev on the 4 min powerplay, gave the puck away 3 times. He was hot early on this year but cooling down fast. Two powerplays in a row Ryder was on for around 14 seconds each.