Canes Travel To Bell Center

by Cory Lavalette on Dec 20, 2008 11:01 PM EST

The Hurricanes and Canadiens close out their regular season series today when they meet in Montreal. The Canes have gotten the best of Montreal this season, collecting five points in the previous three games, including winning the past two outings.

All three games have been one-goal affairs, including Carolina's 3-2 win Tuesday that saw the Habs practically break the hinges off the penalty box door. The Hurricanes converted three of 11 power play attempts en route to the victory.

But Montreal is coming off a 4-3 overtime win Saturday against Buffalo, with Alexei Kovalev scoring the game winner — his third consecutive game with a goal after going 19 straight without finding the back of the net, a streak he broke Tuesday against the Canes. Jaroslav Halak earned the win Saturday and will likely play again vs. the Canes since starter Carey Price is still not 100 percent, according to Habs Inside/Out. ***UPDATE: Price will be in net for Montreal, his first start since Dec. 6.

Carolina travels to Montreal after a frustrating 4-2 loss in Boston Saturday. But despite losing, the Hurricanes continued to show better energy and defensive play under new coach Paul Maurice. Cam Ward has started — and played well — in three straight, but chances are Maurice will go to backup Michael Leighton on the second half of back-to-back games.

Sergei Samsonov has been Carolina's best point producer against the Habs, registering a goal and two assists in three games against his ex-team. Captain Rod Brind'Amour is playing his best hockey of the season — his two assists Saturday extended his assist streak to six straight games.

Buffalo's overtime loss to Montreal moved the Sabres one point ahead of Carolina (36 to 35) for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens are currently fifth with 41 points.

The game begins at 7 p.m. and will air on the NHL Network and 99.9 The Fan. If you don't have NHL Network, check out atdhe.net for a streaming broadcast.

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I think Cam ward might play again due to his history against Montreal along with the fact that Saturday was a day game and Sunday is a night game, giving Cam more rest. I think Friday vs. Atlanta is a good spot for Leighton to play since there is a back to back vs. Boston again, or maybe even Tuesday in Minn.

by Lou on Dec 21, 2008 12:13 AM EST reply actions

No doubt it’s a possibility. And while Cam’s playing well, I would hope the team would still be cautious with his injury. Playing back to back is a tall task — doing so just a little after a groin injury could be playing with fire. I think the Thrashers-Bruins back to back after Christmas is a more likely “play both” situation for Ward b/c there are three days between games there. With the Wild game Tuesday, that would be three games in four night for Cam (presuming they play him in Minny) if he plays tomorrow.

Just a guess — no word one way or the other. It could go a lot of different ways.

by Cory on Dec 21, 2008 12:21 AM EST reply actions

I think you go back with Ward because of the way he has been playing and also like Lou stated with the day game yesterday and the night game today. I dont think that would be pushing him TOO much. We will see though. Regardless of who is in, they need Offensive support!

by Jonathan on Dec 21, 2008 2:39 PM EST reply actions

Still no word on Ward/Leighton, but Habs Inside/Out says Carey Price will be back in net for Montreal.

by Cory on Dec 21, 2008 2:43 PM EST reply actions

Brind’Amour watch…… -24 and counting.

by Ken on Dec 21, 2008 4:18 PM EST reply actions

Is there a live feed somewhere on the internet for the game?

by Ken on Dec 21, 2008 5:22 PM EST reply actions

ken,
cory posted it at the bottom of his post.

http://www.myp2pforum.eu/nhl-icehockey/32934-ice-hockey-today-12-21-streaming-discussion.html

this links to all the games

by Charles on Dec 21, 2008 6:47 PM EST reply actions

Ken – http://atdhe.net/index.html has live feed, but I can’t get it to work today for some reason. Anyone else having problems with it?

by Andrea on Dec 21, 2008 6:59 PM EST reply actions

habsonlinetvDOTblogspotDOTcom

has the game aswell.

by Charles on Dec 21, 2008 7:00 PM EST reply actions

Andrea,
I can’t get it to work either. Thanks though. Let me know if you find it anywhere else. Ken

by Ken on Dec 21, 2008 7:34 PM EST reply actions

Ken, it’s not the same, but you can always listen to Kaiton online (if you are out of town)
Go Sammy! Hah! Take that, Habs…

by Andrea on Dec 21, 2008 7:36 PM EST reply actions

Go to www.hockeywebcasts.com and there is a link. It is a French broadcast, but just turn down the volume and listen to Chuck. Someone else posted this link for a previous game. Go Canes!!

by Emily on Dec 21, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply actions

Andrea,
I have the Kaiton call going. It’s all good I am in town. I have dish….crappy. I hate it. Oh, hate is such a strong word. I strongly dislike it.
K

by Ken on Dec 21, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply actions

I don’t even have a TV, so if it’s not online, I’m out of luck…

by Andrea on Dec 21, 2008 8:03 PM EST reply actions

Try www.hockeywebcasts.com. Broadcast is in French, but just mute it and turn on Chuck. Go Canes!!

by Emily on Dec 21, 2008 8:14 PM EST reply actions

www.
justin.tv/wildmatt2

by SamsonovFan on Dec 21, 2008 8:16 PM EST reply actions

Awesome! Thanks SF…

by Andrea on Dec 21, 2008 8:18 PM EST reply actions

9:10 p.m……

Better feed now up…
http://atdhe.net/ice2.php?i=88

by SamsonovFan on Dec 21, 2008 9:12 PM EST reply actions

2 points, gave up one….

maybe the strat of somethign…

by Paladin6 on Dec 21, 2008 9:35 PM EST reply actions

That was a HUGE win for us! They dug down deep to win that one!

by Jonathan on Dec 21, 2008 9:36 PM EST reply actions

the guy commentating with clemmet was a habs fan.
thats really annoying.

i would have loved to hear john and tripp call that one!

great game
-chrisj

by chris j on Dec 21, 2008 10:03 PM EST reply actions

Sergei “The Surgeon” Samsonov perhaps?

I just watched the replay of his goal… I did not realize that his first shot was through the legs of the defender.

by SamsonovFan on Dec 21, 2008 10:14 PM EST reply actions

Awesome! Finally, we are starting to win games that I thought that we would lose! WHOOOOO WHOOOOO WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! LETS GO CANES!!!!!!!

by Matt on Dec 22, 2008 12:11 AM EST reply actions