Toren

I'd love to have Mike Johnson back assuming he isn't looking for a bigger role and a big contract. He's the kind of player every GM wants. He's always a soothing calm in the dressing room, he's got great leadership qualities, and he will do anything and play any role for the team. THOSE are the kinds of players we need. But, like someone previously stated, he'll probably be looking for a second-line scoring role on another team. And if that's the case, best of luck to him. He wore the CH proud. Hopefully Bonk will come back at a good price. Everyone needs a shut-down line. If we can get a winger to play with Johnson and Bonk (instead of cycling someone who should be playing somewhere else, like Murray or Perezhogin), I think we'd have something great in the makings. I'd love to see Souray back, but I'm in the same boat as almost everyone; not at what he's projected to go at. I'll admit, it was nice to be able to say for most of the season that we had the best powerplay in the league (not so nice after being eliminated, but whatever...) In the new NHL, that's a HUGE plus. If it wasn't our 5on5 play, we'd be in the post-season. So improving the team's 5on5 play and keeping the powerplay would be nice, but I just don't see it happening. Sheldon will be going for the greener grass of the California-area to be with his daughter. And Angelica Bridges is KOS in Montreal. Samsonov will only play a game for Montreal again if Bob Gainey can't get rid of him for free...and he apologizes and shows up to training camp with a huge box of fried chicken for BG (Anyone remember that commercial? Saw it on youtube awhile ago...) If Gainey can move him, I think Kovalev will go too. Good luck on getting rid of two moody, underperforming Russian wingers, though. Dandenault should not be tendered a new contract. The whole "cup-winner from Detroit comes home to play" experiment has to end. He was a shitty forward, and a shitty offensive defenceman. And his defensive play is nothing to write home about. If Niniimaa wants to come back for a lot less than that ridiculous sum he was making before, I'd definitely take him. He was showing some hustle and desire near the end of the season when he was given the chance. Aebischer is gone for sure, though. More of a mutual thing. We don't have a spot for him, he needs to try and get at least a 1a/1b job going on somewhere else otherwise he might get stuck in that backup role forever.

If Montreal wins on Saturday, the Isles are eliminated. If Toronto wins and the Isles run the table on their last two games, they're in.

Guys, remember. 3 goals against Lundqvist is impossible.

HALAK IT LIKE THAT!

Did anyone else catch Ninimaa faking out the forechecker with a pass up the middle and then kicking the puck up along the boards? Found that kinda funny.

Wow. I don't really know what to say. For a young player to step up like that and make a ballsy move in a one-goal game...if he misses that pass, he'll get ripped. I love it.

I hope Samsonov was watching that. Because Kostsitsyn is here to stay.

That's in, baby!

Feel worse for Islanders fans, they just lost Dipietro.

Why do we keep Pine Ryder around?

Does every ######ing bounce HAVE to go to a Trasher stick in front of the net?

For the past two months? Ass.

Maybe Wang should sign Bergeron to a $65 million contract for the rest of his life...best save of the damn game.

I'm sorry. Did you miss Souray mailing one into the top corner? 'cause Dipietro certainly did.

There's your big save.

This Islanders PK scares me. They're very aggressive and seem to know when to attack our D for the chances.

Wow. That was a great shot at the end. All the Habs guys that are day-to-day with injuries with all smiles and high-fives after the win.

Anyone near the west coast having a problem with RDS? I'm not getting anything and it's almost game time!

Maybe if we had a team that could break the other way, we could make use of good goaltending :/

I totally agree. I hope with every fiber in my being that we can get Markov and Souray back for 2007-08, because Sheldon is such an important cog in this team. He's a great leader, and a great player.

GREAT presence by Pleckanec, Streit, and Souray. Plecks draws the penalty and keeps control of it. Streit made a beauty pinch and then got the puck back. And of course, the Souray blast. That gave me some hope.

The Canucks pay-per-views they have out here had a segment in 2004 where they dedicated a big segment during each intermission to the 1994 finals run. Where, might I remind you, they lost. I find that even more sad.

I don't really care who's doing what now, as long as pucks are going in. He could be standing near the bench with pom-poms and a skirt. As long as they score, I really don't care. Kovalev would probably be less of a detraction to the team sometimes if he was a cheerleader, come to think of it...

Koivu line just scored. Blow me.

Huet out of the game. Left leg injury, looks like the knee. Doesn't look good at all.