montreal canadiens hockey - habs blog

The badly damaged Habs are in town to take on the Ottawa Senators who are rolling with 9 wins in their last 10 games. The Canadiens real core will be exposed tonight and it will no doubt be a tough challenge. Theodore will definitely have to step up if the Canadiens have any chance. The Sens firepower is frightening and they often pummel the opposing net with a barrage of shots.

The bad news: Markov, Kovalev, and now Komisarek are out of the lineup. Ron Hainsey has been called up to fill the void but he will have to clear re-entry waivers before being able to suit up. If he is claimed, the Canadiens would be responsible for 1/2 his salary or a cool 275 thou.

The good news: The Canadiens have played the Senators relatively well this year, an entertaining and close 4-2 loss and an overtime loss in Ottawa. For some reason Ray Emery usually gets the start against the CH, he’s far from a proven NHL goalie yet - should he start it increases the odds slightly.

Should the Habs drop the game, 1 point out of a possible 6 or ‘12 divisonal’ points would be troubling if they hope to stay near the top of the division.

UPDATE: CONFIRMED

Well after a frustrating Friday and Saturday for the Habs, the news just seems to get worse. Apparently Andrei Markov is being investigated by the NHL and could possibly be suspended.

Why?

Apparently Markov put his hands on a linesman after Saturday’s controversial loss to the Leafs. After the game, off the ice and off camera. Touching or grabbing an official is something you never do, and the league can come down hard on him. However, apparently no league official saw the incident, so nothing might come of it.

Losing Markov for even a single game for the Habs could be crushing. Especially against the Senators. Markov is by far the best Habs blue liner this year and leads the team in ice time.

Rumors floating around that Sheldon Souray’s absence is not so much injury related but due to his problematic personal life. It’s rumored he’s in California reconciling or finalizing the divorce with his wife.

Back to hockey, in effort to shake things up a little Cristobal Huet has been recalled and Yann Danis sent down to Hamilton. Huet should make his first start with the Habs in the upcoming week or so. Theodore will be in between the pipes against the high flying Senators tommorow night. The Toronto loss won’t feel as bad if the Canadiens can find a way to beat the Senators in Ottawa which is no easy task.

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So it has been confirmed, Markov receives a 3 game suspension. I’ll be curious to hear what he has to say about it and what exactly the details from the league are. Either way, this is bad bad news for the Canadiens and at no worse time. The Senators and division rival Sabres after that.