Koivu skated today, sources say

posted by Kevin Mio at 15h29 EST on Apr 16


From Herb Zurkowsky down at the Bell Centre.

Canadiens captain Saku Koivu did, indeed, go for x-rays yesterday on the broken bone in his foot.

Although Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau, in his daily media briefing, claimed he had yet to receive an update, a source told The Gazette Koivu in fact skated on his own at the Bell Centre before the team’s late-afternoon practice.

Koivu missed the final four regular-season games with the injury, and has yet to make an appearance in the Canadiens’
quarterfinal playoff series against Boston. With Montreal leading the series 3-1 heading into Thursday’s fifth game on home ice, there’s likely no reason to rush Koivu back.

Likewise for injured defenceman Francis Bouillon, the coach added.

“I’d like to see these two in the lineup, but we’re not going to rush them,” Carbonneau said. “I don’t want
to see them come back for one game, (suffer a recurrence) and be out for two weeks.”

Bouillon, who missed the last three games of the season with an ankle injury, is listed as day-to-day, according to Carbonneau.
The coach said Bouillon’s condition is improving daily and he was expected to participate in the team’s workout on Wednesday.




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Submitted by 1010 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 17:08.
Best news of the day. A win by Ottawa tonight could finish off a beautifull day in fine fashion. Don't want these pens having too soft of a first round. From what I've seen, they've had the sweetest ride so far of any team in either conference. GO HABS.

West Island Hab Fan's picture
Submitted by West Island Hab Fan on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 17:50.
exactly. I'm hoping the Sens at least take a few bites out of the Pens. West Island Habs Fan http://www.winwithdell.com/EN/index.php?Plink=L1206233037460440446

Mr.Hazard's picture
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 18:25.
What's with the link? Ex nihilo nihil fit

Submitted by Billyboy on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 20:33.
Ex nihilo nihil fit! Ex nihilo nihil fit! Ex nihilo nihil fit ! Nothing comes from repetition either.

cautiousoptimist's picture
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:25.
Carbo's in a great position, not needing to hurry his moderately healthy players back into the lineup. How many other teams can lose their captain and a top-four d-man without too much of an impact? 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

Jonnyboy's picture
Submitted by Jonnyboy on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:54.
i would have to argue we are feeling the impact. look at the pp.

sidhu's picture
Submitted by sidhu on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 17:45.
Both of you are right - we are up 3-1, so arguably we are doing okay without Koivu, but if he was in the lineup, others would say we would be playing better and the games wouldn't have been as close (e.g., we'd have better success on the PP). __________ 16 for 25 all for one

ehohlaitsgo's picture
Submitted by ehohlaitsgo on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:17.
This is great! We need Captain Koivu back in the line up. There is too much pressure on the #1 line and this is going to help the # 1 and # 2 line.

Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:25.
And the no. 3 line ...Koivu's injury adversely affected two lines and removed scoring depth from both of our middle lines and made the first line vulnerable to tighter checking. Fortunately for us we are not a three line team like many out there...in fact we are probably able to dress a fifth line that may be as effective as a fourth. That is where our depth helps but injuries to our top six hurt us in more spots than just their line.

sidhu's picture
Submitted by sidhu on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:07.
Great news! We'll see you in the second round, Saku. Hopefully the same can be said for Cube (though I wonder who sits and plays if Cube returns -- the defensive pairings were solid last night). I'm also hoping the Caps can extend their series to tire out the Flyers or themselves. We can use a couple of therapy days while they continue to nail each other. __________ 16 for 25 all for one

Submitted by habs country on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:05.
Koivu will be ready gor the 1st game of the 2nd round, along with Bouillon. The fact that we're up 3-1, we really don't need them now. Don't be surprised if Latendresse is the player who sits because he's been invisible in the series. I would love to see Stewart in his place. This guy has shown so much more grit and passion.

sidhu's picture
Submitted by sidhu on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:09.
Tomorrow would be the night to play Stewart - we are up 3-1 and at home. But I'd be surprised (though delighted) to see Stewart in for game 5. __________ 16 for 25 all for one

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:17.
Carb won't change a thing....unless someone is injured. Cube is healed, for him its strictly conditioning, its pretty high paced out there, and credit to OBRYNE for not looking out of place, thats the advantage of youth. IF Stewart was inserted to rest Dandy...I don't think he'd disappoint.

Habhopeful's picture
Submitted by Habhopeful on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:04.
Sit 'em out! this game will be finished by tomorrow night and im sure of it...I cant wait to hear the game back at the bell center, just to hear how loud it is! We will have a long break once this is done cause we have to wait for all the other series to finish and I see a couple of series going to Game #7...The only problem is having to wait so long to see the Habs in the second round DAMMIT! "13 'Till 25" "If I wanted to hear from an ***, I would fart..."

Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:56.
I would suspect Koivu plays a game six if there were to be one....fortunately there won't be. Unless we were misinformed before he could already be playing if not for the teams success thus far.

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:03.
either he comes back out of 'series desperation' (like alfi) or he comes back at 110% game shape....under our situation its obvious Carb will prep him for the next round....they are just smartly playing the cards close to their chest...poker...just like KOMI being a game time decision for game 1...YA! right!!!!....The Habs are BRILLIANT at this...

Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:07.
I would consider a game 6 in Boston "series desperation". The update now says he skated which seems to me that they want to be prepared and test it just in case they were to need him for Saturday....which they won't but this team is about as cautious as possible after seasons past having been lost due to injuries and flus.

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:14.
but our depth is amazing this year, we can weather the injuries. I have full confidence in: Grab/CHIP/Stewart to fill some temp holes if needed and we already have 8 defenseman....and Halak, and MULLER!

Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:22.
Yeah our depth is great but Koivu, Kovy, Markov and Price are guys that we need in a game six situation.....If we did go to a game six and lost that would mean the Bruins will have won two in a row heading into a game 7.......that is too scary and Gainey, Carbo and crew are too safe and proactive to allow that situation to ever become possible. This should never have to happen but should we lose tomorrow I would 100 percent expect Koivu to be playing on Saturday......they have done well to keep him out this long given the time of year and what we know of the injury. You wouldn't consider a game 6 important enough to bring him back????? IF they weren't considering that scenario he likely wouldn't be skating tday....for all we know he has been skating somewhere else before this away from the media and crowds. I agree no need to rush him back but a game six in the opposition's rink is not rushing....taht is necessity.

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:32.
for your scenario to play out we would need a melt down tomorrow - Price being chased from the nets, our heads being smashed into the boards kind of game...well the Bruins came out flying last night but couldn't sustain it. Watching the 1st period i'm saying there is NO WAY they can keep that tempo up for the whole game, the chances they did have Price came up big. SO i'm not sure aside from a few flurry's, Boston is finished and we may see them going through the motions, especially if we score one fast...its done. now if a boston miracle did happen, then your saying game 6 is our Stanley Cup...in my opinion Koivu isn't ready, CUBE will be in game shape because he has been CONDITIONING for almost a week now...but Koivu has done no on ice training...so I say No Koivu for game 6 but yes Koivu for a Game 7 at ALL COSTS.....just my thoughts.

Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:40.
I don't expect a meltdown so we are probably debating a non issue but there is a reason they have him skating today (and for all we know yesterday).....that reason is a game six and game seven.....two days at this stage isn't the difference maker....the circumstances are. He could have played a week ago like Brisebois did if we were down but the circumstances have helped us. I will politely agree to disagree as I thought Koivu would be back next game if we were ever down a game in this series. I am just glad to hear he is skating because a very tiny part of me was concerned they were misleading us and it was more serious than thought......

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:49.
good point... yeah it is a BIG relief that he skated today, caught me by surprise, and shows his return is around the corner, I'd be careful about comparing him to Mr.Patrice...there are 173 million different bones in the foot! each effecting in a different way.

Submitted by JFHABS on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:55.
I just hope he doesn't push it too much. Come back in the second round at a home game. Blow the crowd away! Just like Alfi. But please no gladiators!

Submitted by Derek on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:50.
Let them sit out, even if they're ok to go this round. Let them play the next round which should start sometime next week i gather. No reason unless game 7 is forced to put either of them in, let the guys heal and be 100% for the second round.......GO HABS!

The Big O's picture
Submitted by The Big O on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:50.
What's going to be interesting is who sits once those two guys come back. I think upfront it's a little easier in choosing between Dandy and Streit (or both) to sit out upon Koivu's return, but on D...that's a tougher choice, Frankie B is going to have to take someone's spot, cause it doesn't look like the Breezer will sit....sure enjoy the luxury of our depth though!

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:05.
it depends on who we are playing... logic says to go with the lineup that went about 7 wins in a row near season end, that clinched 1st place....that lineup had Mr Patrice and Dandy and Grab in the pressbox. but in the playoffs you can throw logic out the window....you go with your GUT.

Batalla's picture
Submitted by Batalla on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:49.
Does this strike anyone else as odd? I suspect Carbo is playing his cards close to his belt... Koivu is probably cleared, but they're being cautious. ULTIMATE Habs Site: http://habsbros.blogspot.com/

habfan53's picture
Submitted by habfan53 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:49.
As quoted by Price in the Boston Herald "We’ve got a lot of talent in this room,” Price said. “We’ve also got a lot of heart. I couldn’t ask for a better effort from the guys in front of me. I think the guys would have blocked shots with their teeth.” With praise like this is it any wonder "They would block shots with their teeth" "Les Canadiens sont la"

habfan53's picture
Submitted by habfan53 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:41.
My only regret is I thought Saku would only miss a couple of games so I picked him in the pool. OH! WELL! why would this one be any different. "Les Canadiens sont la"

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:33.
3-1 on the B's with the current lineup - of course they are going to rest, heal and get into game shape, you can't take Mr. Patrice out of the lineup now, nor can you take out OBRYNE. Carb has a big problem ahead of him....

habfan53's picture
Submitted by habfan53 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:39.
Did I read this right YOU are actually endorsing Brisebois to STAY in the line-up. Only yesterday afternoon you wanted him out. Don't hurt the ankle!!!! "Les Canadiens sont la"

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:49.
I wanted him out so that OBRYNE can get in to counter the B's physical game. Instead Carb drops Ryder (another physical player) and we all know the story. I'm not that stubborn!...after last night, NOW BREEZE MUST STAY. we can re-evaluate ALL PLAYERS for the next round....you can bet that CARB will make NO CHANGES for game 5

Submitted by Scotty90 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:46.
Same reason here, I wanted Brisebois to sit yesterday and dress OB for his muscle and to take a little pressure off Komi in the hitting dept. as it turns out Streit moved up and OB took his place resulting in Brisebois dresing.... good thing too!

Garbo's picture
Submitted by Garbo on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 16:11.
Not stubborn, just a hypocrite.

habfan53's picture
Submitted by habfan53 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:54.
What impres's me is the way the veterans who WE have been knocking since October have stepped up: Smoks, Breezer, Dandy and Kots and no "play me or trade me" attitudes during the year.

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:59.
if a player is knocked its because he deserves it. I don't wear rose colored sun glasses and I do analyze every play every second of the game....good and bad. Mr. Patrice deserved all the heckling he got...but not now. In my opinion he probably played the best game of his career last night. as for the attitudes...I guess that was telling us something, believing in themselves and knowing this group is special...we've seen the results so far!

Chuck V.'s picture
Submitted by Chuck V. on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:38.
Most would consider it a luxury... or at least a really nice problem to have! In French we say "l'embarras du choix"

Submitted by RS on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:32.
Save Koivu for game 7 if necessary. Don't rush Frankie the Bull either.