Game 76: Koivu bags SO winner over Bruins

posted by Dave Stubbs at 22h50 EST on Mar 22


22march-saku.jpg

Canadiens captain Saku Koivu scores the winning goal with his shootout backhand, beating Boston goalie Tim Thomas.
John Kenney, Gazette

Updated Standings | Lineups | AP Preview | Gazette Preview | Game Summary | Event Summary | Boxscore | Boone | Carbo Press Conference | Player Audio: Price Koivu Gorges

PAT HICKEY
The Gazette

Saku Koivu decided it as time to try something new.

When the Canadiens captain is involved in a shootout, he usually fakes a backhander and then cuts back to the forehand.

But tonight he stayed on his backhand and surprised Boston goaltender Tim Thomas to score the only goal in the shootout as the Canadiens defeated the Bruins 3-2 before the usual raucous Bell Centre sellout.

“Everybody has their favourite moves and I’ve done mine a few times and I decided it was time to come up with something else and it worked,” said Koivu.



“I watched the first two shots and I saw that he was playing very deep in his net and he wasn’t challenging us much. When a goalie plays that style, there’s not a lot of room for a deke so I came up with this.”

The victory gave the Canadiens a perfect 8-0 record against the Bruins this season and allowed the Canadiens to hold on to first place in both the Eastern Conference and the Northeast Division.

Montreal is one point ahead of Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference although the Penguins have a game in hand. And the Canadiens have a five-point edge over Ottawa with the Senators visiting the Bell Centre Monday night (7:30 p.m., RDS, CJAD Radio-800, cjad.com).

While the Bruins fell short of a victory, they did pick up an important point. They are tied for seventh place with Philadelphia but are only two points ahead of ninth-place Washington and three up on Buffalo and Florida.

It was the Canadiens’ first game without the injured Mike Komisarek but Josh Gorges came up with a strong effort as Andrei Markov’s partner. He played a season-high 25:14 and wasn’t on the ice for either of the Boston goals.

And Steve Bégin, who has been chomping at the bit after recovering from a groin injury, led the hit parade with eight hits.

“Like you said, I have a lot of pent-up energy,” said Bégin. “I was out there playing my game. That’s the way I was playing before I was injured.”

The Canadiens took the lead twice in the game but the Bruins came back on both occasions.

Markov scored his 15th goal of the season at 2:20 of the first period when the Bruins failed to clear the puck after Thomas stopped a shot by Michael Ryder.

Marc Savard got that one back when he corralled an errant shot behind the Montreal net and beat Carey Price on a wraparound at 8:36 of the first period.

The Canadiens regained the lead when Andrei Kostitsyn scored his 23rd of the season at 9:49 of the first period. Kostitsyn took advantage of a rebound on a shot by Mark Streit and beat Thomas with a backhander.

Montreal seemed to lose the momentum in the second period and Petteri Nokalainen redirected Mark Stuart’s shot at 9:33.

The Canadiens had a couple of chances to go ahead but Christopher Higgins was stopped on a shorthanded breakaway in the final minute of the second period and Andrei Kostitsyn’s backhand with 8:35 to play in the third period hit the side of the net.

Carey Price stopped 33 of 35 shots and then stopped Zdeno Chara, Phil Kessel and Dennis Wideman in the shootout to improve his record to 19-12-3. He is 6-3-0 since the Canadiens traded Cristobal Huet to Washington.


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Ian G Cobb's picture
Hey Ali-- I have been getting all RDS games on my computer free on (justintv/habstv) and what ever else they have on. Then I listen to CJAD radio on line in english. But what is RDS website that you are talking about or is it the same.??

Time in the penalty box for Mr. Cobb and Millhaven isn't that far from Belleville and Andree can visit you but how will we get our weekly Hab's update.

The Teacher's picture
LOL, what you have been doing is kind of illegal Ian, I'm pretty sure ;) " Give the Habs a 5 minute standing ovation at the end of the last game of the season against the Leafs (winning OR losing)" "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Ian G Cobb's picture
REALLY-- What do you mean, someone gave me it on this site a while ago and all i did was type it in and i get it.?? What is it i'm doing that is wrong.?? Am i a crook and don't know it.?

GHG33's picture
Your not doing anything wrong. The person streaming the game without RDS's premission is doing something wrong. Even thats somewhat debatable depending on how you look at the copyright act.

Ian G Cobb's picture
Thanks!

A. Berke's picture
Feels great to win 11 in a row against the bruins. Yes we're a game away from guaranteeing a spot in the playoffs (I just can't believe my eyes when I see Mtl in #1 spot in the paper). For all the folks who may need to watch Habs games and not have access for any reason, RDS is going to broadcast ALL Habs games ONLINE from their website starting tomorrow March 24th. Cheers, Ali B.

drive for 25's picture
but theyre gonna charge 3$ a game

TripleX's picture
Great news, can you help us Anglophiles on where to find the link on the RDS site. Thanks.

TripleX, the following link should lead you to the info/sign-up page for the online broadcasts: http://www.rds.ca/zonedematch/ It's 2.99$ per game, or 27.99$ for all remaining regular season games, plus any/all playoff games. If you'd like to sign-up, click on "Je m'abonne" (I subscribe), then pick your preferred option (single game or all games). Hope the rest is fairly straightforward!

TripleX's picture
Thanks, just signed up. Ready for the playoffs...woohoo!

Ian G Cobb's picture
I get RDS on (justin.tv/habstv) IAN

The Teacher's picture
All I have to say is YUCK. I don't think RDS will look too kindly on justintv btw " Give the Habs a 5 minute standing ovation at the end of the last game of the season against the Leafs (winning OR losing)" "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Ian G Cobb's picture
Teach-- what do you mean Yuck? I get it there and it is free when I can't see it on TV.

The Teacher's picture
I mean YUCK to RDS for charging that much to see a game online. "Give the Habs a 5 minute standing ovation at the end of the last game of the season against the Leafs (winning OR losing)" "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

GHG33's picture
So do I... thats why I was wondering about the broadcast quality.

GHG33's picture
Is this true about RDS? And is it free?

Vid's picture
http://www.rds.ca/zonedematch/ No it's not free. $2.99 for one game or $27.99 for all the games from March 24 until the end.

GHG33's picture
Thanks for that info! Hmm... hard to deciede if the price is right since I don't know what their stream quality is.

I decided to take the plunge for tomorrow's game, just to see what the quality is like. I am hoping the CBC will have the Habs covered come playoff time, so I wouldn't need the online RDS feed...

GHG33's picture
CBC covers all canadian teams in playoff's... pretty sure.

I was wondering, though, how the regional coverage might play out. If the Habs and Sens are playing on the same night, who gets to see whom, right? Being out West, I'm not sure who would get the coverage here...

GHG33's picture
You can chose what game you want to see on their website (streams).

The Teacher's picture
5 points up on Ottawa, who woulda thunk it? If we beat them 1 out of the 2 games, we pretty much solidify our hold on the NE crown. Wow indeed!

Chorske's picture
What's unbelievable to me is that there isn't a single team in the east that has clinched a spot. It's madness.

True enough but it is hard to fathom 94 points not getting you in. GO HABS.

The Teacher's picture
Yeah, blame the farce.

habsguy's picture
I know what strep throat is...LOL

Chuck's picture
Ah, I get it. You were poking fun at his typo. . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

As a Habs fan in Toronto I would love to: 1)win the Stanley Cup 2)beat the Sens on Monday 3)destroy the Leafs on Saturday as I will be at the ACC with my son for his first NHL game 4)destroy the Leafs again in the season finale ...it would be sooooooo sweet!

habsguy's picture
what is strip throat

Chuck's picture
I think that he meant "strep throat". It an inflamation of your throat that makes it sore and hard to swallow. . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

CTV has Dr.Phil and H i/o has Dr.Chuck, first question for Dr. Chuck is what's wrong with the Bulldogs.

The Teacher's picture
I can asnwer that. They are depleted and have no real NHL talent on the AHL team at this present moment save for a few. " Give the Habs a 5 minute standing ovation at the end of the last game of the season against the Leafs (winning OR losing), they deserve it and it will give them a huge lift going into the playoffs. It will also totally piss off Leafs fans)" "Are th

Chuck's picture
You're right, Teach. All you have to do is look at the talent from the Calder Cup championship team that's now making the Habs the surprise story of the season. There is talent on the 'Dogs, but it'll probably take them another seasons' worth of games to mature them. Kyle Chipchura and Pavel Valentenko seem to the the only sure-fire future NHL'ers on the roster, with Matt D'Agostini and Mathieu Carle having an outside shot. Cedrick Desjardins had been on fire in goal in the ECHL; if he continues his growth with the Dogs, I could see him joining Kyle and Pavel. Over half of the roster is over the age of 25 (read: career AHL'ers). Of course, the ultimate goal of the Bulldogs is to provide a training ground for future Habs. Winning a championship is just icing on the cake. That said, it hurts to see them tie the franchise record losing streak of 8 games. . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

GHG33's picture
I see #33 is up to his old habits again... http://tsn.ca/chl/news_story/?ID=232654&hubname= Hehe.... he loves drama or what?!

Chorske's picture
Posted in the Boone thread as well- I've had my fill of Patrick Roy. Anyone who suggests that that hothead deserves an NHL coaching job (and several on this board have) should take a good long look at the video posted on RDS. I'll say this, the man gave us a lot to cheer about during the good years, but since he's left, I've found nothing to recommend him. From his domestic anger issues to his ambivalence regarding the team that gave him his start to his disgraceful performance as a coach... well, in my books he is Saint Patrick no more. I'll prefer Carey and his professional calm and his team-first attitude and his pillar-of-the-community family, thank you very much.

I'm guessing by your name you are a Roy fan, but sorry, GHG33, I think he is an embarrassment to the game. This is one more in a growing series of incidents that sullies his reputation.

GHG33's picture
Yes I am a Roy fan. However his recent actions are really questioning things for me. Still, his NHL career is by far the best of any goaltender in recent history, save for perhaps Marty.

habitual, I agree wholeheartedly. Roy was my absolute idol growing up, and it's really quite sad to see him sink to such lows. People seem to think that it is all but certain that Roy will eventually be coach or GM here in Montreal, but sadly, he wouldn't get my vote. Not unless he can learn to better channel what is his undeniable passion and competitive fire.

THE CHOSEN ONE's picture
Thomas hot! No! Just Lucky.... He flops around on the ice more than a Crack Addict during Withdrawl. Praying the puck hit him and last night the puck did just that. Montreal should have had 10 goals if they could have raised the puck off the ice. Well Sh!t happens right. Price was Stellar. What a Glove Grab. "An outsatnding Save" as Danny Gallivan would say. Boy I loved his play by play. The best ever I'd say. He was better with "Strip Throat" than Bob Cole ever was or will be. Ryder! What a Train he was last night! Hitting everthing that moved. It would be in the best interest if Montreal would sign him this summer. That's IF Ryder wants to stay. Maybe Carbo will appolize to him in the off season. NOW!!! If we could only get the Sens Monkey off our back. If the Leafs can beat them, we can. LETS GO BOYS. The "Chosen One" has come. His name is "CAREY PRICE".

Just another example of Carbo mis managing the players, he turns his back on them for no apparent reason when it is not neccesary as in Dandy now who appears to be Carbo's whipping boy for what? He was asked to change positions because Carbo brings his ex roommate in, he moves to forward THEN they move Streit there and now they could use Dandy as a D and again he gets snubbed. None of it makes sense, Carbo just is not good at managing assets. He is not a confient decision maker and I am very nervous of his lack of experience in the playoffs.

The Teacher's picture
Maybe Dandy just isn't good at playing D. He would be my last resort. He was HORRIBLE last year. "Give the Habs a 5 minute standing ovation at the end of the last game of the season against the Leafs (winning OR losing)" "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

But the last time we were in the playoffs Dandy was on "D" and was one of our best players so never say never.

Correct vs Carolina he was one of the best and he is a much better option than Breezeer, if another D goes down the team is forced to play BreezeWood. Dandy was not awful on D last year, that is inaccurate. He ended up with Cube who was coming off an injury and Cube was struggling more than Dandy.

I'm sure Danny would of also mentioned those 'razer like reflexes'. Ahhhh...they just don't make 'em like that anymore. GO HABS.

G-Man's picture
That would be "rapier like". Gilbert

yes....and it was 'cintalating save' i think...sorry can't spell it

After advocating trading Ryder I have come around. I agree that he has added a physical presence for a while now, and has more offensive touch than our grinders. But why do you think Carbo needs to apologize? Despite better play in a different role he is paid $3 million to score, and has been given lots of playing time and opportunity to do so. It would be great for Ryder and the team if he regained his scoring touch in the playoffs but whatever the reason for his poor output it ain't Carbo's fault.

linp's picture
I didn't believe at that time when some posters suggested that the problem with Higgins, Koivu, Ryder line is because of Higgins. Now I believe it. Whenever Higgins got the puck, he didn't pass. He played until he lost it. Since Higgins is faster, he got the puck more often from Koivu. Ryder was hung out to dry. Comparing Ryder to Grabovski, it is like man vs boy. Grabovski is so light-weight,his check has zero effect while Ryder's check can separate the opponent from the puck.

I would like to see Ryder stick with the habs,but one would have to think that the way his year has gone, before these last ten games, with the ice time, or lack of it, what may happen. It goes to show that if you give him the ice time and freedom to play, he will show his potental. it will be interesting to see how management proceeds, because his value is starting to rise.

Or maybe Gainey can have one of those "chats" he had with Kovy last summer... he can sure motivate some guys to play up to their potential. If Ryder plays the way he did last night, he's invaluble. H hit everything that moved, and hit them hard!!!

Agreed about Ryder.... Hopefully Bob will take a walk in the park with him over the summer.

Keith's picture
I read the guy's (McCormack's) blog and I must say the guy comes across a an arrogant Hab hater so it doesn't really matter what he says. I have heard this from most fans of hockey...Hab fans and particularly the Bell Centre are the most passionate AND loudest in the NHL. I guess McCormack didn't bother to read the SI player's poll on fan support that said the players agreed the Habs had the best fans anywhere. If you're a hater like McCormack, then nothing will ever change your mind and you will always twist things to suit your viewpoint. GO HABS GO!!!

Don't be too hard on the guy. I think gramps scared him when he told him to sit down. His wife's over in Afghanistan with the troops but that's nothing compared to that older guy scaring the bejeeezus out of him during a shootout. Will Sean ever have some stories for Jen when she gets back from vacation. He was probably lucky to get out of their alive. The loser. GO HABS.

Sit-Breezinski's picture
McCormack was attending a "baby stag". What a maroon.

Chuck's picture
Just a more "manly" way of saying "baby shower", I guess. . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

Sit-Breezinski's picture
Hope he brought along his man purse. :)

Big Bird's picture
McCormack who? Is that some kind of Scottish chocolate company? Exactly.

WestHab's picture
Gorges was amazing and also got into the offence, this guy is impressing me more each game. Begin is back and I'm a big fan but I think he got away with that crosscheck against Savard in the dying minutes. It was a Kerry Fraser game anything can happen. Kerry is constantly trying to (balance) the game. Come playoff time he is always in the most disputed games. We won but I think this one just sneaked by. If we meet the bees in the playoffs we better play them based on this game and not the previous 7. Nice one saku. In Bob we Trust.

Big Bird's picture
A few cents from the peanut gallery: (1) It's terrific to see our captain playing so well down the stretch run. Classic Koivu. Always turning it on when it matters during the regular season and playoffs. I've always thought when people said 'trade Koivu' - like hell. Only thing that bothers me about him was the silly penalties. (2) I noticed after the game that Koivu and Kovalev were smiling at each other after getting off the ice. What a great leadership core and example for the youngsters. I honestly believe the rot set in during the late 90's not only because of poor drafting but that Montreal constantly traded all of their captains (Carbonneau, Keane, Muller, Turgeon) away. Our future leadership core is Komisarek, Higgins and Chipchura. (3) Michael Ryder is playing like a man possessed. He may not hit 30 goals but 20 goals is possible with a better all-round game. The way he has conducted himself with dignity and poise, I'd resign him to another contract with Montreal. (4) Great so see Begin back. That guy is like a human pinball and his energy is contagious. If Lapierre learns to play like that we will be set for many years. (5) We beat a Boston team despite missing one of our key players. In fairness, Boston was missing Bergeron and Fernandez. I'm just wary if we had to play these guys in the playoffs. Losing 8 games in a row provides significant motivation for payback. Both 1988 and 1990 playoffs were difficult memories. (6) One more win and we're pretty much in the playoffs then we can enjoy the rest of the season. I honestly wouldn't care if we lost every other game after that. Just the fact that this team made the playoffs when everyone said they wouldn't. Hope the world crow supply doesn't go into a shortage because a lot of people are going to be eating it soon. (7) Happy Easter to all the posters of Habs I/O and the writing staff. You know Spring is here when Montreal proceeds to the playoffs. ;-)

Yes! to all but # 5. Going 0 - 6 against a team that is desperate for every point has been plenty of motivation for the Bruins. Not saying that we will sweep them in the playoffs but there is not question we will be beat them. They can't match our team speed, they can't match our scoring, they, can't intimidate us (as Hnidy what solar system he is in!) and even when Thomas played above his head ... they can't beat us!

WestHab's picture
Yeah ditto on the Ryder comment, I've never seen him so physical. Happy Easter from Calgary! In Bob we Trust.

I was in Boston for Thursdays game and the number of Habs fans just blew me away. They (we) were as loud or louder that the Bruins fans. Habs fans are the best!!!!

HABZ24's picture
you gotta hand it to the bruins, they held tuff til the end but price was the difference.great to see begin playing so hard, hitting and skating.the habs are scoring, hitting, fighting and winning. its awesome!! and best of all, we smoked the boston bumms 8 straight!! go habz go !!

Sit-Breezinski's picture
I agree with those that say: 1. Gorges had a great game. Should've been a star. 2. Begin was a needed addition. Good timing to get him back with Komi out. 3. It wasn't a great game overall... we were outshot and they got too many chances. And does anyone else have a real concern about Higgins. The guy can still create chances but he SUCKS at burying them. Don't get me wrong, I think Higgy's got the goods - but there's something wrong. He can't find the next like he used to. We could sure use him to get his scoring touch back.

Concern? Sure. Concern for him as a hard-working, try-every-game kid who's mired in a terrible slump. If it was clear he didn't care, I'd feel differently -- and want to dump him in a heart-beat or on a trade to the Laffs, even for a rental (as the recent rumour went). But, to me, he's trying, maybe too hard -- squeezing the stick. But he's contributing in other ways, each game. Forechecking, digging -- heck, blocking a pass at the blue line along the boards and taking it in on a breakaway. He didn't score, but that was a nice play, a big one at the time (the block, I mean!), and, sure, a goal would have been nice. I'm sure he thinks so, too! He will snap out of it. Maybe in the playoffs. Maybe he and we will have to wait till next year. Let's not forget how many of us, even me at times, felt about Kovalev just one year ago . . . Go Habs. Go Higgy!

Sit-Breezinski's picture
I wasn't coming down on the guy. Just concerned for why he's missing easy opportunities. Hopefully he'll get his scoring mojo back, cause he hasn't had it for awhile.

higgins can't score a shag in a brothel right now

N.B.habs fan's picture
Dont forget Thomas was hot ............

THE CHOSEN ONE's picture
Thomas hot! No! Just Lucky.... The "Chosen One" has come. His name is "CAREY PRICE".

N.B.habs fan's picture
That is more of what I ment,thanks for the reminder,but he did play better than usual.

habsguy's picture
habsworld, do you have a stuttering problem, you keep saying the same things over and over!!!!!

I think one question was answered last night, who was going to step up in Komis place. It appears that Gorges has answered the call. It always seems that some players will show their true colors when they are put in the spotlight. The Habs are very lucky this year in that sense, because they have several players that have risen to the accasion. Namely, Price, Gorges, the younger Kost,Obryne, and even Halak. For sure, This is the makings of a excellent team for a few years to come with the right guidance, which they have. The only thing I would like to see is for the habs to get a enforcer that can play as well as stick up for the team.

Nice post and it sounds great to me and they all seem to be characrer players and don't forget AK46. Ryder had a good game last night, me son.

linp's picture
Gorges is making 0.495 mil. Some GM will target him in the off-season.

LizardKing1967's picture
Don't worry too much. He's an RFA, so I don't think anyone will give up a few draft picks for him yet. http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=MTL Jim-out. I BELIEVE!

Claude Julien in the Boston Herald.com : That's Lapierre picking his spots. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/hockey/bruins/view.bg?articleid=10822... IMO it was staged by Julien.

G-Man's picture
Last night was NOT pretty, but it's 2 points in the bank. 6 away from a 100 point season. InCHroyable. I've seen a few posts saying how well the Laffs are playing. The season isn't 20 games long. They are playing for next year's contracts. Another thing. Not one of those Laffs with a NTC wanted to be moved to a cup contender. That tells me every one of them wanted an April 5 vacation start. What a bunch of losers. They fall impossibly behind during December and January only to have a "heroic" end to the season. What a load of crap. The Habs have been the most consistent team in the league all year so we don't have to scoreboard watch. (Okay, okay, for 1st place maybe.)No one expected this so it's a bonus. Let's enjoy the ride and hope for a perfect end to our Cinderella season. Gilbert

As my youthful friends would say, trudat.

If the Habs can't figure out how to beat that crappy (they have been crappy for all but the beginning of the year) Ottawa team on Monday...JFJ should receive votes for GM of the year. They wiped the smirk of Spezza's face and Ottawa, to a man, looked more than concerned. Scrumming with a non playoff team at the end of the game - pathetic. Why does Toronto want blow up their team? I'm a Habs fan, but after watching and judging the Saturday games, we would not want to meet even the Sundinless leafs in the playoffs. Hossa to the Penguins started to look better for them last night. They just need to keep Crosby out of the line-up. I wonder if they are starting to think about trading him for some other parts. Maybe it is just the idea of Crosby that is important to their team. Whether he actually plays or not doesn't seem to make much positive difference.

The Teacher's picture
WHAT A PATHETIC BLOG ON SPORTSNET Basically he is saying Habs fans have no passion..Is this guy for real? http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/sean_mccormick/2008/03/21/class_is_in_ses...

maccormack is a tool plain and simple ............... he cheers for the deadmoton oilers i don't need to say anymore he's a joke and so is sportsnet i don't even watch there channel because of clowns like kypreos,watters,millard loubardious and toth! i'm ashamed that those clowns are from western canada where i'm from!

Chuck's picture
So one guy, who's probably had season tickets for longer than McCormick has been alive tells him to sit down, and all of a sudden ALL Montreal fans are passionless? You'll notice in his blog that he didn't mention what the other 21,272 fans were doing at the time. . . . ______________________________________ "All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"

imafogdevil's picture
Maybe he was all out of focus because his wife was in Afghanistan playing road hockey with the troops. If you didn't know, he's married to Jennifer Hedger. Must have been a long week or so without the wife. ___________________________________________ It can only get better!! Go Ryder, Go Habs!

RH's picture
People think TSN and CBC are bad but, RSN is the WORST in terms of leafs love-ins. I avoid that station and everything associated with it, like the plague. I don't consider anything that comes out of that station, web, forum or blog as legitimate.

LizardKing1967's picture
We have the greatest fans here. This guy must be a Toronto writer. Either that or he's on crack. Jim-out. I BELIEVE!

Garbo's picture
habs have the best fans, just ask anyone who has ever played in montreal.

linp's picture
Chara would agree totally. Not just in Montreal, he got boo in his own building.

If habs win on Monday vs the sens, they will finish in 1st in their division, but Pittsburgh will finish in 1st overall in the conference. their only 1 point behind us, with a game in hand, and 1 more win than us. we need to win Monday, and win at least 1 game on the weekend, and last 2 home games. What's happened to our PP recently? 0 goals in our last 3 games on the PP. I'm worried. I think teams have figured our PP out, because it's not so great anymore.