dlbalr

Ah, the debate over who is Canada's team has resurfaced once more thanks to a tweet from Canada's Heritage Minister: Personally, I think this is a non-story but since they actually went and questioned a couple of the Habs about it, it's worth mentioning since there's not a lot to get into until game day tomorrow. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/20...nadas-team.html

He's been solid both rounds for me actually, got me 10 points in Round 1 alone.

That's my guess as well - until the swelling does down, you don't know for sure. I'm surprised we haven't seen a leak anywhere of what the injury "might be" or what "the team believes the injury to be;" they've done a good job of staying tight lipped compared to usual.

That's why I said I'm not sure how much I'd trust the report. On a slow news day, it qualifies for discussion.

A little blurb in the Hamilton Spectator's Recap: Not quite Moen-esque, but still quite impressive that he came back. http://www.thespec.com/article/761929

I have no idea when Weber's coming back, no updates in the Hamilton Spectator (just looked). As for Spacek, a little teaser, he's the focus of the Final Thought in the HW Recap which should be up soon. I don't think he'll be back though for a little while yet.

Weber's DTD, figured I'd toss him in there in case he's ready to come back. For the record, Belle's my choice, he played with Subban most of the year in Hamilton and looked pretty good in a short term callup with the Habs. I think he'd be able to log a lot more minutes than Henry could. Of course, with Bergeron likely playing tomorrow, it's pretty much moot anyways.

USA Today's Montreal Team Report says Markov is out 6 weeks, or basically the balance of the playoffs. That's the closest I've seen to a definitive statement though I'm not sure how much I'd trust it.

If we make it that far, I'm not sure anyone will care who the opposing goalie is...just the Habs' presence would be gravy. Long way to go though, glad we got one today.

Small rumour/speculation that isn't exactly Hab related now but involves a former prospect: Little more here, it'll be interesting to see what happens. If he doesn't wind up signing with New York, does that make the trade easier to stomach?

Must've missed this earlier, we cannot call up a d-man unless we drop below 6. If Bergeron can't go Tuesday, then they can call someone up. If not, no recalls will be permitted.

Bulldogs hold on and take it 3-1. Series now tied at 1 apiece. Desjardins had a strong bounce back game for Hamilton. http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007298

If another D goes down, we would be allowed to make an emergency callup (likely Belle or Weber). If it stays status quo though, we can't as emergency conditions don't hit until we're down to 5 D. I'm concerned with the rolling of 3 lines early in the 1st, we have 5 forwards on or near on pace for 20+ minutes, with guys like Pyatt/Lapierre on pace for 17. Stats so far: http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/ES030212.HTM

Bulldogs lead 3-1 after 2. Goals scored by White, Glumac, and Desharnais, the latter 2 on the PP. Dumont is in the lineup, replacing Masse.

Not sure, but our 1 win vs the Pens this year was an afternoon game that started a 2 PM I think.

Not my idea so to speak, just an assessment of the situation (knowing Martin's tendency to bench him), plus a couple of off the record rumours that have been passed my way.

Gotta get the shameless plug in there... As for the issue, if he does bolt, I hope he announces it soon as him leaving all but forces the Habs to sign Missiaen and hope he can develop with something resembling a defence in front of him.

No game day skate, lineup news won't be until game time. I've guessed on Darche being back in as I think SK is all but in a Laraque situation - unless absolutely necessary with injuries, he's played his final game with Montreal. By the way, the 3 Keys are a theme today - what are everyone else's keys to the game?

Projected lines for Montreal: Left Wing Centre Right Wing Defence/Goalies Cammalleri Plekanec A. Kostitsyn Hamrlik O'Byrne Moen Gomez Gionta Gill Gorges Pouliot Moore Lapierre Bergeron Subban Darche* Metropolit Pyatt Halak* Price* Other Notes: Injuries: Mara, Markov, Spacek Scratches: S. Kostitsyn*, Laraque, Maxwell* Projected lines for Pittsburgh: Left Wing Centre Right Wing Defence/Goalies Kunitz Crosby Guerin Orpik Gonchar Ponikarovsky Malkin Fedotenko Eaton Letang Cooke Talbot Dupuis McKee Goligoski Rupp Letestu* Conner Fleury Johnson Other Notes: Injuries: Kennedy*, Leopold, Staal Scratches: Conner*, Curry, Engelland, Godard, Jeffrey, Johnson, Lovejoy, Tangradi, Thiessen, Wagner, Wallace Game time: 2:00 PM EST TV: CBC, NBC, RDS Radio: CJAD,CKAC dlbalr's 3 Keys to Success: 1) Defence by committee - Get in the lane, block shots, and please, please Bergeron, don't handle the puck like a grenade. 2) Penalty Kill - Now there's film on the way PIT runs their PP, time to adjust. 3) Top-6 is a top-6: The last few games, either the Plekanec line scores or the Gomez line scores. Today, we need both to do so to get back in this series.

Nearly half the 1st round picks have been dealt already, Saskatchewan with the 1st pick now: http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=320197

Their ice time was down compared to the last few games, so Martin did do that somewhat. Thing is, in a 2-goal game, you can't just roll over, gotta at least give it a try.

Robert Mayer to jump ship next season, go to Switzerland? (Link translates it to English) http://translate.google.ca/translate?u=htt...l=&ie=UTF-8

Injury notes - Markov out for tomorrow, Spacek as well. Staal is out for a while apparently, though not the season like originally reported. Kennedy may be ready for tomorrow (he'd take Staal's place); otherwise, Mark Letestu may draw in.

Draft day is tomorrow, a pretty good read from TSN on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the last decade. http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/duane_forde/?id=320144

Yeah, judging from the discussion going over there, you may not have been the only one either...Any info on the Heat lines?