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It's Game Time, Update at the very Bottom |
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First men on the ice are Tomas Plekanec and Ryan O'byrne.
Jarvis, Muller, and Rollie are discussing what they plan to put the boys through.
Right now they're having a little discussion with Price about playing the puck.
-Sergei Kostitsyn wears the same fancy skates as Kovalev.
-Cristobal Huet has just hit the ice...I'll focus on his lateral movement and fill you in...
more to come soon...
try to get the lines out as soon as things get structured...
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Update
Koivu, Kovalev and Hamrlik, not on the ice...
No indication of lines yet...
Kid Kostitsyn looks good and he's put a few beauties in on Price which the boys were cheering about...
The guys have smiles on their faces...things look light...every goal is being celebrated...and yes, even Michael Ryder's scored a few...
oh, and cristobal looks ready to go.
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1:55pm
Ryder spent an extra ten minutes on the ice with Muller and Melanson after the morning skate. They were working on one-timer plays from behind the net into the slot. Ryder was presumably told at the end of the morning skate that he would not be playing tonight.
Sergei Kostitsyn makes his debut next to Higgins and Koivu. An opportunity for him to immediately show his worth...
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Kovalev, Koivu, Hamrlik and Markov did not elect to skate.
Higgins and Komisarek are the hardest working players, not only in games, but in practices as well.
Andrei Kostitsyn may be quite pumped about his brother suiting up tonight, he was ripping laser-snapshots in the morning skate. I think it's clear that next to Kovalev, Andrei has the best shot on the team--he should use it more often!
Judging by how light the mood was for the players on the ice at practice, it's clear the Habs are happy to get out of Montreal, even if it's just for a game.
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3:00pm
Will try to do a live blog from the game tonight...
Forgot to mention, Cristobal Huet looks good to go, but I wouldn't be surprised to not see him activated until after the Leafs game on Saturday...
for now here's the pregame I wrote last night, and posted on top of this morning...
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The road might be just what the doctor ordered for the Montreal Canadiens. Not that the task will be light, as the Habs chase down a win against a Philly team who just beat down the Penguins, Tuesday night.
For Once Philly wasn't the guilty party in a penalty-filled affair, as Gorges Laraques and others turned the third period into a gong show. Who knew Joffrey Lupul was capable of doing what he did the other night? Unsung hero, R.J. Umberger did his part as well. Mr. Richards has been the best Richards in the NHL this year...heck...he's been one of the best players in the NHL this year.
You can be certain the Flyers are going to have their ‘A-game’ in store for the Canadiens. They'll be looking to avenge their last loss to the Habs (Nov 1st, 5-2), after earning retribution against a Pittsburgh team that beat them eight times last year.
Philadelphia boasts a home record of 7-3-2. The Habs have been strong on the road with a 9-5-1 record. Perhaps that means this will be a good game. Canadiens fans are praying for a win, but at this point, the way this team's been playing, they're probably just hoping to see a good game!
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Enter Sergei Kostitsyn, straight into the fire...
This move isn't surprising given the way things have gone lately, but in retrospect it's uncharacteristic of Gainey's usual way of conducting his team. Will it provoke the spark this team so desperately needs? Probably not...but it might...
The Breezer's at home icing his shoulder. So look for Mark Streit back on D, as the young Kostitsyn makes his debut in the 'City of Brotherly Love'.
Kovy is apparently suffering from a minor wrist injury, but he'll be good to go. Huet made the trip because Carbonneau wants him practicing with the team. Carey Price makes his 5th start in a row…
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Saku Koivu has taken so much heat lately; it's hard to stomach. Not even I can bail Saku out for the way he's been playing, but being a Habs fan, it's hard not to empathize with the way he must feel. In all his years playing for the Montreal Canadiens, Chris Higgins is the best player he's ever lined up next to. No disrespect to Chris Higgins, as he's doing an excellent job of earning credibility in this very early stage of his career, but Saku Koivu deserves an established star next to him. He also deserves better from this fanbase, who should appreciate him not only for his devotion to this franchise, but also for his devotion to this city. He isn't just a Montreal Canadien, his philanthropic conscience makes him one of Montreal's finest citizens.
People can justify trading him for any number of reasons, but I'm hardly convinced you can replace the heart Koivu has given the Montreal Canadiens, and it's fans, since the first day he laced 'em up in the NHL.
He has shown what he can do with stars in various international competitions. Everyone who knocks his ability as a number 1 center would be proven dead wrong if they spoke to his peers from around the league; especially guys like Selanne, who could certainly testify on Koivu's behalf.
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I’m here in Philadelphia to take in the action. Of course the Habs come into town, and word has it, an ice storm is on it's way! Let's hope they didn't bring the bad luck with them as well...
Should be a real interesting day with Eklund and the hometown Hockeybuzz crew.
Enjoy the game! I’ll do my best to bring the boys some luck…but no promises!
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A few minutes to go...
Sitting in the pressroom before the game, there was no shortage of banter going back and forth, and I can guarantee you, Eklund ain't the only one spreading Habs rumors...The Buzz is very much alive!
As I walked by Sergei Kostitsyn, I wished him good luck. Can't imagine how he feels on the edge of his NHL debut...starting on the first line! He looked nervous but excited as he stretched out with his brother.
more to come as the game rolls along...will do my best to update as each period plays out.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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