dlbalr

Wow, what an opener for the Jays. The longest opening day game in MLB history (16 innings) that sees them score 3 in the 9th to force extras and then a 3 run homer in the 16th after a failed attempt to bunt. It also saw Toronto's bullpen throw 11 shutout innings (with an ugly 8 walks to boot), a 5-infielder formation, and a bench clearing episode in the 15th. That was fun to watch.

I thought I had heard/read somewhere not long ago that he and ex-Hab Jonas Hoglund were a broadcast team.

Kaberle in, Emelin (upper body), out. That means St-Denis stays on emergency recall. Moen made the trip and could play as well, that would likely force Dumont back down.

As far as I know, yes. He was insisting on it, that apparently was one of the various reasons he spurned the Columbus offer.

I don't think Tampa's system (the 1-3-1 was nowhere to be seen yesterday) right now is set up to insulate their defencemen. I think Boucher will stay though.

Opening Day for the Jays today, I'll need something to follow with the Habs done in a week. Loria's taxpayer robbery was on full display yesterday as Miami debuted (and was 2/3 of the way to being no-hit, no less). Little too green for my liking though I get why they did that (green screen for networks to advertise on).

Tampa's defence also is contributing to their struggles, what they're calling defencemen is brutal. I know they're missing a couple of players but wow, I've never seen the Habs keep the puck deep at will like they did, especially with the top line.

Budaj's having an interesting night to say the least. Really aggressive handling the puck too, he's not used to facing this low amount of shots.

Our writers have been adding their thoughts on the decision to fire Gauthier, we had to post it two parts as the response was overwhelming. Part 1: http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2771 Part 2: http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2772

François Giguere has also hit the shortlist while Vincent Damphousse has withdrawn from consideration.

Mystery (and boy what a boring mystery on a game day) solved: https://twitter.com/#!/TBLightning/status/187579168370864129

Hall's a no-go, saw that a half hour ago or so. (Of course things can always change...)

Thanks for doing the GDT. Nokelainen is likely out for this one while Segal was waived yesterday, not sure of whether or not he'll be on the roster come puck drop.

Kaberle a no-go tonight, this could also be noted in the game thread that needs to be created since I can't today...hint, hint.

This is a bit of positive news: If Price might wind up getting clearance, there's a chance the symptoms won't be too significant. Gotta hope that's the case. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/World/2012/04/03/19590476.html

As long as they hire (or keep) an experienced assistant GM, I would agree, he'd be towards the top of my list. I wouldn't want him and then a rookie assistant like Damphousse though.

Some last 1 game (Lenes), others more (Lampe, Haddad). I think the max before having to sign another one is 25 games.

I saw Langdon's name pop up on a Barrie scoresheet earlier in the year, immediately remembered the Perezhogin incident and Derek's call on that. As the scuffle after the slash happened, he was more interested in going off about Langdon's incompetence.

Tyrvainen scores a shorthanded goal and Derek forgets it's not Mayer in net. Awkward call on that goal.

Certainly worth the gamble where they picked him but it's nearing time to cut bait. The problem is because he's under contract, he'll count against the 50 wherever he plays. Bulldogs kill off all 3 penalties to Dame-Malka (including a FitzGerald penalty that gave them a lengthy 5-on-3).

Malka takes a triple minor, two for tripping and four for attempted spearing...I've never heard of that last penalty before.

Injury/scratch notes: Callahan (lower body) DTD Conboy - done for the season Hendrixx - healthy scratch Flanigan - healthy scratch Lawson (lower body), DTD Stafford (upper body), DTD Avtsin - healthy scratch (college tryouts are playing instead of him)

Yay...an actual semi-competent backup. He really has bounced around this year, this is the 6th team he has signed with.

The good news? It's the final game of this insane road trip. The bad news? The schedule makers saved the toughest matchup for last as Hamilton takes on conference-leading Oklahoma City. The biggest mystery is who will back up Peter Delmas as he's the only healthy goalie on the team at the moment. Active scoring leaders: Goals: Andreas Engqvist (19) Assists: Brian Willsie (24) Points: Brian Willsie (40) +/-: Henry/Todd (+3) PIMS: Zack FitzGerald (235) Active scoring leaders: Goals: Phillipe Cornet (24) Assists: Ryan Keller (28) Points: Ryan Keller (47) +/-: Ryan Keller (+22) PIMS: Triston Grant (134) Puck drop is at 8:00 PM EST and can be listened to by clicking this link: http://cham.player.amri.ca/

Just so it's out there, both callups were termed as emergency leaving the Habs with one 'free' recall between now and Saturday.