Machine of Loving Grace Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Last 10: Florida 6-3-1; Montreal 5-3-2 Season series: This is the thrid of four games between these Atlantic Division teams. The Florida Panthers beat theMontreal Canadiens the two previous games with a 2-1 win at Bell Centre on Dec. 15 and a 4-1 home victory on Dec. 29. Big story: The Panthers have proven to be a tough draw for the Canadiens recently with a 7-2-0 record over their past nine games against Montreal. The Canadiens will look to break out of a cold streak with losses in three of their past four games (1-1-2), including the defeat at BB&T Center on Dec. 29. Team Scope: Panthers: Florida (38 points) has a steep hill to climb in its attempt to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but can start the move up the Eastern Conference standings by building off a 5-4 shootout home win against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The Panthers gave up a goal to Nashville center Paul Gaustad in the final minute of the third period, but Florida right wing Tomas Kopecky sealed it with the winning goal in the sixth round of the shootout. Florida interim coach Peter Horachek had a personal stake Saturday when he faced his former Predator team in Nashville for the first time, following 10 seasons as an assistant for coach Barry Trotz. But Horachek was more focused on his current club than he was in reuniting with old friends on the opposing bench. "We just take the points and move forward," said Horachek. "It feels good to beat [the Predators]. I wish them all the best after tonight." Canadiens: With losses in three of its past four home games (1-2-1); Montreal kept it lighthearted Sunday due to a rare open practice at Bell Centre in front of thousands of Canadiens fans. In addition to the typical drills, fans were treated to a skills competition with some Quebec celebrities, as well as a Novice A game between two local rival clubs. Forward George Parros was a guest judge for the skills competition and gave an update on his status recovering from a concussion following the fan practice. "I’ve done some light contact and that’s the next step along the way," said Parros. "I'm taking it day-by-day and we’re getting towards the end but I don't have any particular day in mind." Who's Hot: For Florida, 18-year-old rookie forward Aleksander Barkov now leads the team with 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) thanks to a current five-game point streak (one goal, five assists). ... Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban(two goals, four assists) and forward Max Pacioretty (four goals, two assists) totaled six points each over their past three games. Injury Report: Defensemen Erik Gudbranson (orbital bone), Dylan Olsen (lower body) and Alex Petrovic (upper body) and forward Jesse Winchester (hand) are on injured reserve for the Panthers. Gudbranson will make the trip to Montreal and is possible to return, while Olsen, Petrovic and Winchester will stay home. ... The Canadiens are without defenseman Davis Drewiske (on injured reserve with shoulder injury) and Parros. Forward Ryan White missed the game Saturday against the rival Ottawa Senators with an upper-body injury and did not skate in practice Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 No lineup changes for the Habs tonight which means Diaz sits again. I don't like that...more Gorges and Bouillon 'magic' on the PP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habsfan Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Seeing as we lost the first two games this season against the Panthers, I expect we're due to win one, but with the way our boys have been playing lately, I won't count on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 I'd actually like to see Therrien stick with the lines that he had after the second period against Ottawa: Pacioretty - Desharnais - Gallagher Briere - Plekanec - Gionta Galchenyuk - Eller - Bourque Bournival - Prust - Moen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 No lineup changes for the Habs tonight which means Diaz sits again. I don't like that...more Gorges and Bouillon 'magic' on the PP. Agreed, is he maybe hurt? It wouldnt have anything to do with a possible trade? As much as I find Murray "entertaining" , Diaz is superior to both Murray/Boullion and simply haven't seen a dip in Diaz's game. Maybe I am missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 No lineup changes for the Habs tonight which means Diaz sits again. I don't like that...more Gorges and Bouillon 'magic' on the PP. I'm betting Diaz is being traded. He's played well enough to be in the line up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 H e makes the Olympic squad but can't get into OUR lineup something smells a little funny there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I'd actually like to see Therrien stick with the lines that he had after the second period against Ottawa: Pacioretty - Desharnais - Gallagher Briere - Plekanec - Gionta Galchenyuk - Eller - Bourque Bournival - Prust - Moen It sounds like those are what are being used. Briere did indicate he was told that he'd stay with Plekanec/Gionta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoRP Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Diaz may be traded, who knows, I hope so because watching him go in a corner is just disappointing every time. If he gets there first and gets rid of it, ok, but otherwise he doesn't win a puck battle, or clear anybody out of the crease...good shot blocker and skater, but weak on the puck and can't hit the broadside of a barn with his shot, or handle a physical game at all, looks like Chicken Little out there. Not saying Cube and Murray are the answer either, but I don't see Diaz as superior to these two guys all season long, no way. If he is traded, great, hopefully for a bigger winger, but one more thing Rafael..... Take Bourque with ya! Go Habs Go! Edited January 7, 2014 by KoRP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Diaz may be traded, who knows, I hope so because watching him go in a corner is just disappointing every time. If he gets there first and gets rid of it, ok, but otherwise he doesn't win a puck battle, or clear anybody out of the crease...good shot blocker and skater, but weak on the puck and can't hit the broadside of a barn with his shot, or handle a physical game at all, looks like Chicken Little out there. Not saying Cube and Murray are the answer either, but I don't see Diaz as superior to these two guys all season long, no way. If he is traded, great, hopefully for a bigger winger, but one more thing Rafael..... Take Bourque with ya! Go Habs Go! You want a big player born in France? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brobin Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 DD on the broken play... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumpano21 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Good start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Big ol pair of teets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brobin Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Wow... The habs had to work at not scoring on that play. Early whistle again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovett's Magnatones Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Wouldn't be a game without a disallowed goal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumpano21 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 What's with us playing the Panthers and having disallowed goals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hate that early whistle garbage. What's with us playing the Panthers and having disallowed goals? Every game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Eller and Galchenyuk are dangerous when they get flying around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Eller and Galchenyuk are dangerous when they get flying around Yes especially 4 on 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Anyone follow Tony Marinario on twitter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovett's Magnatones Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 It's nice to see another team ice the puck for a change. Anyone follow Tony Marinario on twitter? No, but I listen to him at work. Anything interesting from him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 This is dominant by the Habs. Wish they could score another goal or 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumpano21 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Could smell that one from a long way off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brobin Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 It only takes one shift..... Not liking Markov and Emelin as a pairing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 It's nice to see another team ice the puck for a change. No, but I listen to him at work. Anything interesting from him? Just a funny tweet me made about the 1st goal. Could smell that one from a long way off. Same here I said it the second they were hemmed in a bit. Chucky went to the dressing room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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