Machine of Loving Grace Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Saku Talk: Tonight, the Montreal Canadiens pay tribute to the small Finn who held a lantern during a dark time in the history of the Montreal Canadiens. Drafted after the last time this proud organization lifted up the Stanley Cup, Saku Koivu still embodies both the spirit and stereotypes of the modern Habs. Small, skilled, smart and relentless, Saku watched this team win games they never should have and led them through criticism and controversy. Players tried to take the captaincy from him, several members of the media criticized his place and he was never offered a new contract when his final deal with the Canadiens expired. But Saku lives in the hearts of everyone, from those who saw him as in a rock between a hard place and those who never grew up with the memories of the 24th Stanley Cup. The last time a Hab led the league in scoring, even if it was a small sample size was Saku. While he doesn't deserve to see #11 retired or see his name in the Hall of Fame, Saku still deserves this tribute tonight for his contributions to the Montreal Canadiens in 14 seasons. With no captain on the roster, it only makes sense to pay tribute to the Finnish captain who wore the C as long as Beliveau. Game Talk: Rene Bourque returns to Montreal on the top line of Anaheim, a place he doesn't exactly deserve and Ducks fans are split about. The top team in the league currently, Anaheim has been dealing with injuries and sickness and lost poorly to the Leafs 6-2, which snapped a seven game winning streak. Emerson Etem was recalled from Norfolk. Montreal is their fourth stop on a five game road trip. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens are on a three game winning streak which seems to deserve zero credit to the coach and is purely the team fighting an uphill battle against a tyrannical coach. Habs have outscored their opponents 13-4 in the past three games. Andrighetto was sent down to the AHL with Eller close to return. Price has started the past seven games. No word on which goalie will be playing tonight but Tokarski was sporting a white goalie mask without design. Likely Price. Anaheim Ducks Rene Bourque - Ryan Getzlaf - Devante Smith-Pelly Matt Beleskey - Ryan Kesler - Emerson EtemAndrew Cogliano - Rickard Rakell - Jakob SilfverbergPatrick Maroon - Nate Thompson - Tim JackmanCam Fowler - Ben LovejoyHampus Lindholm - Colby RobakClayton Stoner - Sami VatanenAndersen Montreal Canadiens Max Pacioretty - Alex Galchenyuk - Brendan Gallagher Jiri Sekac - Tomas Plekanec - Dale Weise Brandon Prust - David Desharnais - P.A. Parenteau Michael Bournival - Manny Malhotra - Eric Tangradi (Lars Eller is a game time decision) Andrei Markov - P.K. Subban Alexei Emelin - Sergei Gonchar Nathan Beaulieu - Mike Weaver Carey Price More lineup changes to be updated as the day goes on. Puck drop at 7:30PM. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Beautiful write-up, Machine! And downright eloquent on our beloved Saks. "Players tried to take the captaincy away from him" - really? I hadn't heard that. Do tell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 Beautiful write-up, Machine! And downright eloquent on our beloved Saks. "Players tried to take the captaincy away from him" - really? I hadn't heard that. Do tell! Both Ribeiro and Kovalev questioned his captaincy behind the scenes at different times. If I remember correctly, Ribeiro said once publicly that the team needed better leadership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs30/31 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Great piece on Saku. I remember when as you reminded us, he led the league in scoring. 98 I believe. Playing on line with Reichi and Corson. Then he blew his knee out. Also the year they were in a series with the eventual stanley cup champ Hurricanes. Saku was playing great when again an injury (eye) finished him for the year. A great captain that I wish we would have resigned. Habs make catch league leading Ducks a tad road weary. Loafs hammered them with great goaltending vs poor goaltending Tuesday. Habs should win that battle as well. Four in a row? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs30/31 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Both Ribeiro and Kovalev questioned his captaincy behind the scenes at different times. If I remember correctly, Ribeiro said once publicly that the team needed better leadership. Is that right. Coming from Ribeiro who cares, and Kovys a flake at the best of times. I know Corson, Reichi, and Rivet loved the guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Eller's a game-time decision. If he can't play, Tangradi will. Allen and Weaver don't have the green light to return yet so the defence will stay the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Is that right. Coming from Ribeiro who cares, and Kovys a flake at the best of times. I know Corson, Reichi, and Rivet loved the guy. No kidding. Corson, Rivet, Recchi, and Koivu on one side, Kovalev and Ribeiro on the other. Team Blood and Guts versus Team Moron. What a joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habsfan Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Let's not forget that Perry won't be in the line-up for Anaheim. This is our chance to beat them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 No kidding. Corson, Rivet, Recchi, and Koivu on one side, Kovalev and Ribeiro on the other. Team Blood and Guts versus Team Moron. What a joke. That's why Ribeiro, Theodore and Daignais were known as "The Three Amigos". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs30/31 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 No kidding. Corson, Rivet, Recchi, and Koivu on one side, Kovalev and Ribeiro on the other. Team Blood and Guts versus Team Moron. What a joke. ya got that right CC ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs30/31 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Let's not forget that Perry won't be in the line-up for Anaheim. This is our chance to beat them! Yes, that and they are on game four of a five game road trip. However sour after outplaying the loafs but losing. Good test. Habs are fresh. Should be a good game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 I'll be seating in the very last row of the Bell Centre. But at least I'll be there with my dad. Wish I would be there with her instead... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs30/31 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 I'll be seating in the very last row of the Bell Centre. But at least I'll be there with my dad. Wish I would be there with her instead... Enjoy ! Be sure and give us a report on the "live" action. Always some perspective you dont get on the tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 "Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens are on a three game winning streak which seems to deserve zero credit to the coach and is purely the team fighting an uphill battle against a tyrannical coach" I thought we were done with all this tiresome, repetitive crap? Can't you just leave it alone? You wrote a great article and there was really no need for this nonsense. Anyway, on to more important things. Patches turn for a hatty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMAC Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Habs must win on Saku night! Go Habs GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 I thought we were done with all this tiresome, repetitive crap? Can't you just leave it alone? You wrote a great article and there was really no need for this nonsense. Anyway, on to more important things. Patches turn for a hatty? It's out of my system now. If anyone deserves a goal right now it's Brendan Gallagher. Guy has had some deadly shots that just barely missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs30/31 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 It's out of my system now. If anyone deserves a goal right now it's Brendan Gallagher. Guy has had some deadly shots that just barely missed. Noticed the same thing. Beat the goalie bit missed by an inch more than a few times. He is due. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 That's why Ribeiro, Theodore and Daignais were known as "The Three Amigos". They were known by some other names as well, but we can't print those here. It's a family show. I'll be seating in the very last row of the Bell Centre. But at least I'll be there with my dad. Wish I would be there with her instead... Ahhh the lovely and talented Yvonne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMAC Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Joe, as the Gulf Arabs say, : "Ma sh' Allah" Which means: I am not envious and wish you no ill will for your good your fortune--- occupying even the remotest reach of the Bell Centre on Koivu night. In other words, all the best for a great night and a Habs victory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Joe, as the Gulf Arabs say, : "Ma sh' Allah" Which means: I am not envious and wish you no ill will for your good your fortune--- occupying even the remotest reach of the Bell Centre on Koivu night. In other words, all the best for a great night and a Habs victory I cheer to that. thanks. Hope the boys will bring their A game for Saku's night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brobin Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 I predict the Habs come out slow and look terrible. We will get frustrated. They will slowly wake up and depending on how long Price can keep them in the game, they might pull off the win...or we lose big... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trizzak Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 I'll be seating in the very last row of the Bell Centre. But at least I'll be there with my dad. Wish I would be there with her instead... Positive rep, every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brobin Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Beautiful tribute.... Both by the org and the fans.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted December 19, 2014 Author Share Posted December 19, 2014 Getzlaf looks pretty choked up by it all. Ducks had Koivu for four years. There's some sentimental connection there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovett's Magnatones Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I remember we beat the Leafs 5-0 on Mats Sundin night. I hope they can hold on in the first because teams are usually flat on these occasions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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