Search the Community

After splitting the opening two games in St. John's, the series shifts to Syracuse for the rest of the way. The IceCaps blew a late two goal lead on Saturday night and will be looking to get some revenge (while hoping Charlie Lindgren can keep standing on his head) in Game 3. Michael McCarron is expected to be available. As for Daniel Carr, he's skating with the team but Sylvain Lefebvre is now calling him doubtful for the rest of the series. Hudon - McCarron - Terry Matteau - de la Rose - Friberg Scherbak - Audette - Farnham Veilleux - Petti - Camara Hanley - Redmond Brouillette - Lernout Lowe - Didier Lindgren Gourde - Dumont - Conacher Erne - Bournival - Vermin McGinn - Peca - Condra Froese - Lynch Masin - Dotchin Koekkoek - Taormina Brodeur - Thomas Blujus McKenna Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST, AM 930 has the call.

The IceCaps kick off the postseason on Friday as they host the Crunch for the first of back-to-back games. Although Syracuse won the division, they opted to start with two on the road and then have the final three games of the series on home ice. Daniel Carr (concussion) has been taking part in practice this week and may be cleared to play for this one. Erne - Gourde - Conacher Bournival - Dumont - Vermin McGinn - Peca - Condra Howden - Froese - Lynch Masin - Dotchin Thomas - Taormina Brodeur - Koekkoek Gudlevskis (Lines are guesses with Carr possibly being available while the defence pairings are probably just wishful thinking...) Hudon - Terry - Scherbak Matteau - de la Rose - Friberg Carr - Audette - Farnham Veilleux - Petti - Camara Hanley - Redmond Lowe - Juulsen Mete - Lernout Lindgren Puck drop is at 6:00 PM EST, AM 930 has the call.

2-1-1 Record Scratches: Clendening, Glass, Hellberg, Kampfer, Klein, Pirri, Puempel Projected Lineup Rick Nash - Derek Stepan - Jimmy Vesey J.T. Miller - Kevin Hayes - Mats Zuccarello Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Pavel Buchnevich Michael Grabner - Oscar Lindberg - Jesper Fast Dan Girardi - Ryan McDonagh Brandon Smith - Brady Skjei Marc Staal - Nick Holden Henrik Lundqvist Antti Raanta 2-2-0 Record Scr.: Flynn, Juulsen, Martinsen, McCarron, Nesterov Injuries: Emelin Projected Lineup Max Pacioretty - Phillip Danault - Andrew Shaw Artturi Lehkonen - Alex Galchenyuk - Alexander Radulov Paul Byron - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Dwight King - Steve Ott - Torrey Mitchell Andrei Markov - Shea Weber Jordie Benn - Jeff Petry Nathan Beaulieu - Brandon Davidson Carey Price Al Montoya Team Leaders NY Rangers Montreal Game Notes Goals Grabner (2) Radulov (2) Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST Assists 9 tied with (1) Radulov (4) National TV: CBC, TVA Sports, USA Points Fast/Smith (3) Radulov (6) Regional TV: N/A PIMS Zuccarello (12) Markov (10) English Radio: TSN 690 +/- Fast/Smith (+3) Weber (+3) French Radio: FM 98.5

TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH: HABS VS RANGERS GAME 4 ROUND 1 PLAYOFFS GAME DAY MONTREAL CANADIENS Max Pacioretty - Phillip Danault - Alexander Radulov Paul Byron - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Artturi Lehkonen - Alex Galchenyuk - Andrew Shaw Dwight King - Steve Ott - Torrey Mitchell Andrei Markov - Shea Weber Jordie Benn - Jeff Petry Nathan Beaulieu - Brandon Davidson PRICE Montoya NEW YORK RANGERS Jimmy Vesey- Derek Stepan - Rick Nash Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Pavel Buchnevich J.T. Miller - Kevin Hayes - Mats Zuccarello Oscar Lindberg -Jesper Fast - Michael Grabner Ryan McDonagh -Dan Girardi Marc Staal - Nick Holden Brady Skjei - Brendan Smith LUNDQVIST Raanta SERIES RECAP Game 1: New York 2 (Empty Net Goal) – 0 Montreal Unlikely hero Tanner Glass scores the game winner with a backhand top corner Grabner seals the deal late with an empty net goal Game 2: Montreal 4 – 3 New York (Overtime) Habs go up 2-1 in the first period only to lose the lead later in the game Plekanec ties the game up with less than 25 seconds in regulation and Radulov seals the deal late in the first overtime The Habs’ 58 shots were the most the New York Rangers have ever allowed in a playoff game. Thank you Bell Center shot counter bias Game 3: Montreal 3 – 1 New York Montreal takes it to the Rangers early but Lundqvist plays stellar and looks like he might be intent on stealing the game Habs continue to control much of the play but the checking is extremely tight It felt like the Habs simply needed a power play in order to get a little more room on the ice Just as the doctor ordered, the Habs were given their first opportunity on the power play late in the second period and Lehkonen made no mistake scoring the first goal of the game from the slot off of a set play from Plekanec and Gallagher. Shea Weber would score another powerplay goal off a nice feed from Galchenyuk in the third to put the Habs up 2-0 and Radulov would later pot a candidate for goal of the playoffs with only one hand on the stick to close the curtains on the Rangers’ hopes. Brady Skjei would score a late goal for the Rangers to end Carey Price’s shutout hopes but it would be the final goal of the game with the end result being Montreal 3 – 1 New York SERIES STATISTICS SOG MONTREAL 31+58+29= 118 SHOTS ON GOAL (39.33 PER GAME) NEW YORK 31+38+21=90 SHOTS ON GOAL (30 PER GAME) SPECIAL TEAMS MONTREAL PP 0/3 + 0/4 + 2/3 = 2/10 NEW YORK PP 0/4 + 0/3 +0/3 = 0/10 MONTREAL PK 4/4 + 3/3 + 3/3 = 10/10 NEW YORK PK 3/3 + 4/4 + 1/3 = 8/10 PENALTY MINUTES MONTREAL 13+20+6 = 39 PIM NEW YORK 15+8+6 = 29 PIM HITS MONTREAL 53 + 55 + 31 = 139 HITS (46.33 PER GAME) NEW YORK 45 + 73 + 41 = 159 HITS (53 PER GAME) TEAM LEADERS MONTREAL Goals: Radulov (2) Assists: Radulov (3) Points: Radulov (5) Penalty Minutes: Markov (10) Shots: Pacioretty (17) Hits: Byron (16) Time of Ice: Weber (28:36) NEW YORK Goals: Grabner (2) Assists: Stepan (1), Fast (1), Smith (1), Vesey (1), Lindberg (1), Klein (1), Zibanejad (1), Holden (1) Points: Grabner (2) Penalty Minutes: Zucarello (12) Shots: Rick Nash (10) Hits: Skjei (17) Time of Ice: McDonagh (26:40) GOALIES Carey Price 2-1 89 shots 84 saves .944 1.53 Henrik Lundqvist 1-2 118 shots 111 saves .941 2.16 1 shutout KEYS TO THE WIN FOR NEW YORK Can New York finally find some life at home? Score first Stay Disciplined (1/3 on PK last game) KEYS TO THE WIN FOR MONTREAL Can the Habs continue their strong play? Continue to throw rubber at the net and outshoot New York (39 shots per game) Compete physically

SUNDAY, APRIL 16TH: HABS VS RANGERS GAME 3 ROUND 1 PLAYOFFS MONTREAL CANADIENS Max Pacioretty - Phillip Danault - Alexander Radulov Paul Byron - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Artturi Lehkonen - Alex Galchenyuk - Andrew Shaw Dwight King - Steve Ott - Torrey Mitchell Andrei Markov - Shea Weber Jordie Benn - Jeff Petry Nathan Beaulieu - Brandon Davidson PRICE Montoya NEW YORK RANGERS Chris Kreider - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello Jimmy Vesey - Mika Zibanejad - Rick Nash J.T. Miller - Kevin Hayes - Michael Grabner Tanner Glass - Oscar Lindberg - Jesper Fast Ryan McDonagh -Dan Girardi Marc Staal - Nick Holden Brady Skjei - Brendan Smith LUNDQVIST Raanta SERIES RECAP Game 1: New York 2 (Empty Net Goal) – 0 Montreal Unlikely hero Tanner Glass scores the game winner with a backhand top corner Grabner seals the deal late with an empty net goal Game 2: Montreal 4 – 3 New York (Overtime) Habs go up 2-1 in the first period only to lose the lead later in the game Plekanec ties the game up with less than 25 seconds in regulation and Radulov seals the deal late in the first overtime The Habs’ 58 shots were the most the New York Rangers have ever allowed in a playoff game. Thank you Bell Center shot counter bias SERIES STATISTICS SOG MONTREAL 31+58= 89 SHOTS ON GOAL (44.5 PER GAME) NEW YORK 31+38=69 SHOTS ON GOAL (34.5 PER GAME) SPECIAL TEAMS MONTREAL PP 0/3 + 0/4 = 0/7 NEW YORK PP 0/4 + 0/3 = 0/7 MONTREAL PK 4/4 + 3/3 = 7/7 NEW YORK PK 3/3 + 4/4 = 7/7 PENALTY MINUTES MONTREAL 13+20 = 33 PIM NEW YORK 15+ 8 = 23 PIM HITS MONTREAL 53 + 55 = 108 HITS (54 PER GAME) NEW YORK 45 + 73 = 118 HITS (59 PER GAME) TEAM LEADERS MONTREAL Goals: Radulov (1), Petry (1), Plekanec (1), Byron (1) Assists: Radulov (2) Points: Radulov (3) Penalty Minutes: Markov (10) Shots: Pacioretty (12) Time of Ice: Markov (28:24) NEW YORK Goals: Grabner (2) Assists: Stepan (1), Fast (1), Smith (1), Vesey (1), Lindberg (1) Points: Grabner (2) Penalty Minutes: Zucarello (8) Shots: Rick Nash (9) Time of Ice: McDonagh (28:52) GOALIES Carey Price 1-1 68 shots 64 saves .941 1.77 Henrik Lundqvist 1-1 89 shots 85 saves .955 1.73 1 shutout KEYS TO THE WIN FOR NEW YORK Can New York use the home crowd to their advantage? Score first KEYS TO THE WIN FOR MONTREAL Can Carey Price steal a win on the road? Shut down New York’s second line

Since the Habs are going to win this evening, I decided it would be a good idea for me to take over game thread duties for my first time ever. That way, I'll be able to make a few more after today. The Habs play their second straight game at home and hope to get some redemption after getting shutout in game 1. MONTREAL CANADIENS Max Pacioretty - Phillip Danault - Alexander Radulov Paul Byron - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Dwight King - Andrew Shaw - Artturi Lehkonen Alex Galchenyuk - Steve Ott - Andreas Martinsen Andrei Markov - Shea Weber Jordie Benn - Jeff Petry Nathan Beaulieu - Nikita Nesterov PRICE Montoya NEW YORK RANGERS Chris Kreider - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello Jimmy Vesey - Mika Zibanejad - Rick Nash J.T. Miller - Kevin Hayes - Michael Grabner Tanner Glass - Oscar Lindberg - Jesper Fast Ryan McDonagh -Dan Girardi Marc Staal - Nick Holden Brady Skjei - Brendan Smith LUNDQVIST Raanta

The most important weekend of the season has arrived for St. John's. The IceCaps (35-29-10) need two points over their last two games against the Marlies (41-28-5) in order to clinch a playoff spot. If they don't get in, it will be the final two games in franchise history before the team moves to Laval next year. Joel Hanley missed the 3-in-3 last week with an illness so there's a good chance he's back. Daniel Carr (head) has been out with a head injury more commonly known as a concussion but of course they can't use that word specifically - no word yet on his availability. (Lines/combos based on +/- data.) Johnsson - O'Reilly - Griffith Leipsic - Gauthier - Moore Rychel - Findlay - Clune Timashov - Kalinin - Sislo Campbell - Holl Valiev - Oleksy Nielsen - Wrenn Bibeau Hudon - Terry - Scherbak Matteau - de la Rose - Friberg Veilleux - Audette - Farnham Broll - Petti - Camara Hanley - Redmond Lowe - Didier Brouillette - Lernout Lindgren Puck drop is at 6 PM for both games, AM 930 has the call.

Here we go again, history wont repeat itself in this game one! Tuesday Practice Lineup Pacioretty – Danault – Radulov Byron – Plekanec – Gallagher King – Shaw – Lehkonen Galchenyuk – Ott – Martinsen Flynn – McCarron – Mitchell Markov – Weber Benn – Petry Beaulieu – Nesterov Davidson ...and at least Galchenyuk isn't on the 5th line...yet.

I guess will be a glorified exhibition game meaning little to either team. Reusche has already compiled game trivial stats here; so. http://thereuschblog.com/?p=44224

The IceCaps (34-29-10) will cap off the road portion of their schedule this afternoon as they travel to Utica to take on the Comets (34-29-9) in what is the most important game of the year by far. St. John's sits one point up on the Comets for the final playoff spot but Utica has a game in hand. Knowing that their final two games are against the Marlies and are far from easy victories, this is a must-win game. No word yet as to whether or not Lindgren and Lernout are available after being sent down earlier today. Hudon - Terry - Scherbak Matteau - de la Rose - Friberg Veilleux - Audette - Farnham MacMillan - Petti - Gregoire Brouillette - Redmond Lowe - Johnston Parisi - Didier Fucale Hamilton - Cassels - Virtanen Labate - Kunyk - Zalewski Archibald - Pelletier - Grenier Carcone - Valk - Rendulic McEneny - Subban Sautner - Pedan Billins - Robak Demko Puck drop is at 3:00 PM EST, AM 930 has the call.

The Habs and Lightning will have the spotlight to themselves on Friday as they're the only game on the schedule. Tampa Bay: Palat - Point - Kucherov Killorn - Gourde - Conacher Erne - Namestnikov - Drouin Bournival - McKegg - Dumont Hedman - Dotchin Stralman - Witkowski Coburn - Sustr Vasilievskiy Montreal: Pacioretty - Danault - Radulov Byron - Plekanec - Gallagher Galchenyuk - Shaw - Lehkonen King - Ott - Mitchell Markov - Petry Beaulieu - Davidson Nesterov - Lernout Montoya/Lindgren Puck drop is at 7:30 on Sportsnet East, RDS, and NBCSN.

The penultimate home stand of the season comes to an end this weekend as the IceCaps (32-26-10) continue to try to hold onto a playoff spot as they host the Senators (25-39-4) for a pair of games. (Line combos are based on +/- data.) Paul - Varone - Akeson McCormick - White - Blunden Perron - Nehring - Bailey Boucher - Flanagan - Gagne Englund - Harpur Carlisle - Gormley Beaudoin - Lepine O'Connor Hudon - Terry - Carr Matteau - de la Rose - Friberg Scherbak - Audette - Farnham Veilleux - MacMillan - Gregoire Hanley - Lernout Lowe - Johnston Brouillette - Didier Danis Puck drop is at 6:00 PM EST for both games. AM 930 has the call. Friday's game will be televised on RDS in tape delay beginning at 8:00 PM EST.

This won't be the only time I say this over the next few days but if there was ever a must-win game, it's this one. The IceCaps (33-28-10) kick off their final 3-in-3 stretch of the season as they travel to Albany to take on the Devils (36-30-5). St. John's, currently in 5th in points percentage, sit just one point behind Albany but the Devils have a game in hand. A win would go a long way towards keeping them in the hunt. Hudon - Terry - Scherbak Matteau - de la Rose - Friberg Veilleux - Audette - Farnham Camara - MacMillan - Gregoire Hanley - Redmond Lowe - Didier Brouillette - Johnston Danis (Line combos are based on +/- data and some guesses.) Pietila - Gibbons - Harper Camper - Quenneville - Lappin Mandat - Novak - Rooney Wolfe - Pelley - Cangelosi Auvitu - Helgeson Mozik - Stollery MacWilliam - MacDonald Blackwood Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST. AM 930 has the call.

Habs Pacioretty- Danault - Radulov Lehkonen-Shaw-Galchenyuk Byron-Plekanec-Gallgher King-Mitchell-Flynn Markov-Petry Emelin-Beaulieu Nesterov-Davidson PRICE Sabres Kane- O'Reilly- Ennis Gionta- Eichel- Reinhart Foligno- Rodrigues- Nylander Carrier-Girgensons- Moulson Mccabe- Ristolainen Gorges- Franson Bogosian- Kulikov Lehner

Habs Pacioretty- Danault - Radulov Lehkonen-Shaw-Galchenyuk Byron-Plekanec-Gallgher King-Ott-Martinsen Markov-Petry Emelin-Beaulieu Nesterov-Davidson Lindgren Florida Huberdeau- Trocheck- Jagr Jokinen- Bajugstad - Smith Vanek- Malgin Marchessault Thornton- Mackenzie- Sgarbossa Yandle- Demers Matheson- Petrovic Pysyk- Kindl Berra

A quick one since we're within an hour of puck drop: Montreal: Pacioretty - Danault - Radulov Byron - Plekanec - Gallagher Galchenyuk - Shaw - Lehkonen King - McCarron - Martinsen Markov - Weber Davidson - Petry Beaulieu - Emelin Price Tampa Bay: Palat - Point - Kucherov Killorn - Namestnikov - Drouin Erne - Gourde - Vermin McKegg - Dumont - Brown Hedman - Dotchin Coburn - Stralman Witkowski - Sustr Vasilievskiy Puck drop is at 7 on City and TVA Sports. If the Habs lose, you know which poster to blame...

Habs Pacioretty- Danault - Radulov Lehkonen-Shaw-Galchenyuk Byron-Plekanec-Gallgher King-Ott-Martinsen Markov-Weber Emelin-Petry Beaulieu-Davidson Price Florida Huberdeau-Barkov- Jagr Jokinen-Trocheck- Smith Vanek-Bajugstad- Marchessault Thornton-Mackenzie- Sceviour Yandle-Demers Matheson-Petrovic Pysyk-Kindl Berra CANADIENS STATISTIC PANTHERS 43-24-9 Record 33-32-11 6-3-1 L10 Record 4-6-0 52.39 Score-Adjusted Corsi % 50.78 208 Goals For 197 188 Goals Against 216 1.19 5v5 Goal Ratio 0.83 20.2 PP% 16.9 80.4 PK% 85.7

Habs Pacioretty- Danault - Radulov Lehkonen-Shaw-Galchenyuk Byron-Plekanec-Gallgher King-Ott-Mitchell Markov-Weber Emelin-Petry Beaulieu-Benn Price Stars Benn- Eakin-Hemsky Elie- Seguin-Ritchie Dickinson- Faksa- Shore McKenzie- Spezza- Hudler Lindell- Klingberg Oleksiak-Pateryn Hamuis-Johns Lehtonen Habs STATISTIC STARS 42-24-9 Record 30-33-11 6-3-1 L10 Record 5-4-1 52.40 Score-adjusted Corsi % 50.26 204 Goals For 204 187 Goals Against 237 1.17 5v5 Goal Ratio 1.03 20.3 PP% 17.7 80.3 PK% 73.9

Habs Pacioretty- Danault - Radulov Lehkonen-Shaw-Galchenyuk Byron-Plekanec-Gallgher King-Mcarron-Mitchell Markov-Weber Emelin-Petry Beaulieu-Benn Price Sens Smith- Turris- Ryan Burrows- Brassard- Stone Hoffman- Pageau- Pyatt Dzingle- Kelly- Wingles Claesson- Karlsson Phaneuf- Ceci Borowiecki-Wideman Anderson Habs STATISTIC SENS 41-24-9 Record 41-24-8 6-3-1 L10 Record 6-2-2 52.42 Score-Adjusted Corsi % 48.12 201 Goals For 193 186 Goals Against 188 1.17 5v5 Goal Ratio 0.93 19.7 PP% 18.0 80.1 PK% 81.1

This weekend, the IceCaps (31-25-10) look to rebound from two blown leads and get back in the win column against the Bears (38-19-11), the highest scoring team in the league. (Line combos are based on +/- data.) C. Bourque - Stephenson - Mitchell O'Brien - Boyd - Galiev Walker - R. Bourque - Walker Vrana - Sill - Barber Djoos - Gilbert Backman - Lewington Bowey - Labrie Copley Hudon - Terry - Carr Matteau - de la Rose - Friberg Scherbak - Audette - Farnham Veilleux - MacMillan - Gregoire Hanley - Lernout Lowe - Johnston Brouillette - Didier Lindgren Puck drop is at 2:30 PM EST for both games. AM 930 has the call.

Habs (41-23-8) 90pts Pacioretty- Galchenyuk- Radulov Byron-Plekanec-Gallgher Lehkonen -Danault Shaw King-Ott-Mitchell Weber-Markov Emelin-Petry Beaulieu-Benn Montoya Wings (28- 32-11) 67pts Nyquist Zetterberg- Tartar Mantha- Nielson- Sheahan Athanasiou- Larkin- Abdelkader Glendening- Nosek- Miller Dekeyser- Jensen Kronwall- Green Ouellet- Russo Mrazek Habs WINGS 41-23-8 Record 28-32-11 8-2-0 L10 Record 4-5-1 52.63 Score-Adjusted Corsi % 47.77 199 Goals For 177 180 Goals Against 210 1.17 5v5 Goal Ratio 0.91 20.1 PP% 13.8 80.7 PK% 82.0

An hour until game time and still no GDT so here's a quick one: McGinn - Staal - Teravainen Aho - Lindholm - DiGiuseppe Skinner - Ryan - Stempniak Nordstrom - Rask - Brown Hanifin - Faulk Slavin - Murphy Dahlbeck - Pesce Lack Pacioretty - Danault - Radulov Galchenyuk - Shaw - Lehkonen Byron - Plekanec - Gallagher Martinsen - Mitchell - McCarron Markov - Weber Emelin - Petry Davidson - Benn Price

Habs (40-23-8) 88pts Pacioretty- Galchenyuk- Radulov Byron-Plekanec-Gallgher Lehkonen -Danault Shaw King-Ott-Mitchell Weber-Markov Davidson-Petry Beaulieu-Benn Price Sens (39-23-8) 86pts Dzingle- Turris- Smith Burrows- Brassard- Ryan Hoffman- Pageau- Pyatt Stallberg- Kelly- Wingles Methot- Karlsson Phaneuf- Cecil Claesson- Wideman Anderson

Next up on the home stand for the IceCaps (31-25-8) is a pair of games against Lehigh Valley (40-19-4), the team with the highest goals per game average in the league. I'll edit the rest of the stuff (lines, notes, etc) in later on.