dlbalr

More stats. The Islanders are a team that relies heavily on special teams - they are the only Eastern Conference team with a PP and PK% in the top-10. They also have a 0.67 for/against ratio for 5-on-5 play which puts them second last in the East and third last overall. (By comparison, the Habs are 4th in the league with a 1.40 5-on-5 F/A ratio.) For those who want a stat that doesn't involve ratios, New York leads the league in goals allowed.

Courtesy of the Gazette, Andrei Markov will move into a tie with Craig Rivet for 29th place in all-time games played in a Habs jersey with 653.

1 or 2 years only for arbitration deals. Players who are only 1 year from UFA can only get 1 year deals but others can get 2.

I'm leery too, simply because the team hasn't played all that well the last couple of games. Neither team was great in New York on Tuesday while the Carolina game saw the Habs do little until the 3rd period. If they play like that again, they're bound to lose. (Or on the flip side, they're due for a good game after two so-so ones.)

That was quite the 3rd period for the Blades. I checked the score before I shut the computer off last night - it was 1-1 and Dietz was -1 at the time. He now sits tied for 4th in the WHL for points by a defenceman while also tying his career high in points from last year in 12 fewer games.

He cleared waivers. The Habs would have had to make a corresponding roster move to put McCormick (or any other potential claimee) on the team as the team presently is carrying the max 23 on the roster (Gallagher isn't on IR).

NewYork Islanders Montreal Canadiens LINEUPS Forwards Matt Moulson - John Tavares - Brad Boyes Josh Bailey - Frans Nielsen - Keith Aucoin Michael Grabner - Marty Reasoner - Kyle Okposo Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Colin McDonald Defense Andrew MacDonald - Travis Hamonic Mark Streit - Joe Finley Lubomir Visnovsky - Thomas Hickey Goaltenders Evgeni Nabokov Rick DiPietro Forwards Rene Bourque - Tomas Plekanec - Brian Gionta Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Erik Cole Brandon Prust - Alex Galchenyuk - Lars Eller Travis Moen - Ryan White - Colby Armstrong Defense Andrei Markov - Alexei Emelin Josh Gorges - Raphael Diaz Francis Bouillon - P.K. Subban Goaltenders Price Budaj Team/Player Stats Record: 6-9-1 Scratches: Thomas, Boulton, Ullstrom, Martinek Injuries: Strait, Carkner, Joensuu Goals: Tavares (11) Assists: Moulson (10) Points: Tavares (20) +/-: Strait (3) Record: 11-4-1 Scratches: Kaberle, Weber Injuries: Nokelainen, Gallagher Goals: Plekanec (8) Assists: Diaz (11) Points: Plekanec (13) +/-: Galchenyuk (9) GAME NOTES Puck Drop: 7:30 PM EST TV: RDSHD, TSN Habs, MSG+2

I can't see that happening even though record wise it would make perfect sense. The Islanders are too cheap to fire a coach midseason let alone hire one with credentials.

Ron Rolston has been named coach for the rest of the year with the Sabres, he was the head coach of their AHL affiliate (one of the many teams Hamilton is trying to chase down at the moment).

Lindy Ruff has been fired as coach of the Sabres. The Habs had 8 different coaches (two who had two stints) during his tenure. I get the sense he won't be unemployed for long (unless he chooses to take some time off).

It takes longer for a drafted goalie to reach the NHL than a drafted skater though. Draft one this year in say the 2nd or 3rd round and he probably won't be NHL ready until Price is 30 or 31 and at the end of his present contract. It's also normal for any young goalie to apprentice as an NHL backup for a year or two as well. So if the Habs were to draft a good goalie in June, he likely wouldn't be ready to contend for a starting role for a good 6-8 years. It'd be worth drafting a goalie now I'd say (heck, there's no guarantee whoever they take would pan out either), they've gotta get something in the pipeline with Mayer leaving and Delmas (barring a great 2013-14 season) likely gone next year.

Speaking of Bozon (and Vancouver for that matter), Kamloops takes on Vancouver Friday night on Sportsnet for anyone interested.

He didn't, that deal had been unofficially agreed upon prior to the trade happening. Biel's goalie (Reto Berra) wants to come to the NHL next season, they've been looking for a replacement for a while now.

Ah. I gave Gallagher the 'A' for simply wildly exceeding expectations - he has had a notable impact on games despite being a rookie and playing less than anyone else most nights. Plekanec got the - for his porous faceoff rating which, at the time, was I believe near 43%. (Yes, I can be a picky grader...)

I dropped Galchenyuk due to him slowing way down after a terrific start (1 point in a 7 game stretch) while Plekanec has been consistent throughout. That was a big part of my rationale for that choice.

Well, we've been known to provide unique commentary from time to time, it would just make his visit here more memorable...

Price gets the nod in goal for the Habs while it appears Rick Nash won't go for the Rangers. Brandon Mashinter is expected to make his Rangers debut in his place (after being acquired in the preseason from San Jose).

Some pregame viewing material: 5 years ago today (against New York), the Habs had their largest comeback in franchise history, recovering from a 5-0 2nd period deficit to win 6-5 in a shootout.

NewYork Rangers Montreal Canadiens LINEUPS Forwards Marian Gaborik - Brad Richards - Ryan Callahan Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Rick Nash Taylor Pyatt - Brian Boyle - J.T. Miller Arron Asham - Jeff Halpern - Chris Kreider Defense Ryan McDonagh - Daniel Girardi Marc Staal - Anton Stralman Matt Gilroy - Michael Del Zotto Goaltenders Henrik Lundqvist Martin Biron Forwards Rene Bourque - Tomas Plekanec - Brian Gionta Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Erik Cole Brandon Prust - Alex Galchenyuk - Lars Eller Travis Moen - Ryan White - Colby Armstrong Defense Andrei Markov - Alexei Emelin Josh Gorges - Raphael Diaz Francis Bouillon - P.K. Subban Goaltenders Price Budaj Team/Player Stats Record: 8-5-1 Scratches: Mashinter, Bickel Injuries: Sauer, Powe Goals: Gaborik (7) Assists: Nash/Richards (9) Points: Nash (12) +/-: Nash (9) Record: 10-4-1 Scratches: Kaberle, Weber Injuries: Nokelainen, Gallagher Goals: Plekanec (8) Assists: Diaz (11) Points: Plekanec (13) +/-: Galchenyuk (8) GAME NOTES Puck Drop: 7:30 PM EST TV: RDSHD, TSN Habs, MSG

HC Biel announced the deal today, it's a 2 year contract for Mayer starting next season. The Habs can still qualify him in July (the deadline is later than usual this year) and retain his rights as an RFA.

With the PP going 0/3 so far, they're mired in an 0/13 funk at the moment and are 3/35 since February 3rd. Ouch.

That was a better second period (save for the final few minutes where Budaj bailed out the D) but the Habs haven't had much pressure in front of Ward. Knowing this is something that Therrien drills into them regularly and the fact this is a weak Carolina defence, I'm a little surprised this is the case.

Hope you enjoyed it as it appears he has been demoted, Cole was up with Pacioretty and Desharnais late in the period.

A mid-game injury forced Brady Vail into playing defence once again for roughly half of Windsor's win tonight. Darren Dietz is having a strong game so far with a goal and an assist in the 2nd period. His goal (17th) puts him one shy of the league lead for goals by a defenceman. He's also +16 in February...and there's still nearly 2 weeks to go.

I could understand moving Stortini moving up if he was riding shotgun with a youngster who some opponents were roughing up in recent games but that's not the case here. I know there's a lack of skill in the bottom six but surely Leveille would have been a better fit with Chaput and Murovich.