There was Andrei Markov, playing his 53rd game in three seasons Saturday, proving that at 70%, he's still better than a lot of other players.

But his appearance in the lineup from here to the end of the season will likely inspire more doubt than promise about his future.

Will he be able to produce? Absolutely.

Will he be exposed, defensively? Absolutely.

And we'll be going through a summer of wondering which Andrei Markov we'll be seeing in September, and whether or not he'll ever resume his career in the fashion that Pierre Gauthier expected when he signed him last summer.

And then, there's the question as to whether or not we'll actually see him participate in all of the remaining 13 games on the Canadiens schedule. We know for sure that he'll be in tonight, paired with Alexei Emelin, when the Habs take on the Sabres.

Also in tonight; speculation which is bound to be confirmed has Peter Budaj in the net for his second game in the Canadiens last three outings.

Like I mentioned last week, this isn't because the Canadiens have won two-straight and they're looking to throw an Eastern Conference rival a bone so they can slip closer to a higher draft pick.

This is about saving Price's legs for next season. And yes, he'll be playing a ton, because as I originally forgot, Budaj is signed through next season as well.

Also returning to the lineup, David Desharnais, who quickly found his spot between Cole and Pacioretty at this morning's skate, according to Le Journal's J.F. Chaumont. Guess watching Cole pop two goals next to Plekanec for the first time in a game all season, and a convincing win over the Canucks were enough to loosen up those groin muscles.

P.K. Subban is on a tear of late, and it seems with everyone playing looser, he's tightened things up and really risen to the occasion.

He and Josh Gorges were brilliant against the Sedins, just two nights after doing a pretty good job against Hopkins-Eberle-Hall.

His unselfish play at the end of the Calgary game to hook up Pacioretty for his 30th goal of the season, shows how far he's come with his teammates.

Hearing "Markov to Subban, and he scores" was pretty sweet. Watching the celebration; sweeter.

************

Been gushing about this since last week, but tonight marks the 1000th time Saku Koivu will play an NHL hockey game. He'll become the 275th player to reach this milestone.

He comes into tonight's game with 770 points, 753 PIMs, and a +11 rating.

The game will be broadcast on TSN 2, not because of Koivu's achievement, but because NBCSN elected to show it given that Colorado is thick in the playoff race out West.

Here's a line from the note I sent Koivu, ahead of this momentous occasion: " I hope you've got another thousand games in those legs of yours--I know you have them in your heart!"

*************

Blake Geoffrion, scored his first goal as a Hab, six years to the day that his grandfather, Boom-Boom Geoffrion passed away. It was 75 years to the weekend that his great-grandfather, Howie Morenz, had his funeral at the Montreal Forum.

Safe to say: The ghosts are back, and perhaps they're done punishing your Canadiens.

**************

Lines at practice according to various reports:

White-Plekanec-Bourque
Cole-Desharnais-Pacioretty
Eller-Gomez-Leblanc
Geoffrion-Nokelainen-Staubitz

Gorges-Subban
Emelin-Markov
Kaberle-Diaz

Campoli-Weber

Budaj is now confirmed.

Consider the possibility that these six defensemen in bold are the starting six for next year's edition of the Canadiens.

Perhaps this area of the team is the one that requires the most work...

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