AK27 firing at Habs!
Talk about turning Bob Gainey's weapon against him. Alexei Kovalev (aka the Tsar, aka AK 27, aka "L'Artiste") is heading back to the Bell Centre tonight to fire some bullets at the "tri-colore" he left not so long ago. Was it only last July that Kovalev arrived in Ottawa, with Montreal fans screaming "say it ain't so"? Gainey had put a $9M two-year deal in front of the Tsar, but only gave Kovalev a few hours to consider it before yanking the offer. Naturally, this caused a bit of friction to say the least, and in stepped GM Murray with a 2-year $10M deal.
The Tsar seems to have found his stride recently and plays comfortably with Alfredsson and Fisher. Kovalev can get hot when there's pressure and he's practiced against Price enough times to know where he's soft. If he can get some ice room, watch out.
Elsewhere
While many will focus on the Tsar's return to Montreal, I for one will be watching for the frequency at which the Sens light up the lamp. I'm hoping the energy from the win against Tampa on Thursday carries over to tonight. The Habs will try to snap a four game losing streak, while the Sens would just love to win one on the road and perhaps recapture the Division lead from the Sabres (who play the Thrashers tonight).
Daniel Alfresson has quietly racked up over a point per game so far this season, and the suprise second place in on the Sens' scoresheet is none other than Jarkko Ruutu. At the risk of sounding like a skipping CD, I love the way the 4th line plays, and am pleased that a member of that line is rewarded. I'm also looking for renewed pressure from the first line. Jason Spezza continues to impress the pants off me, and I can't wait for Jonathan Cheechoo to pop his cherry in Ottawa. Finally, another train wreck from Anton Volchekov would be great to add to the list.
Injured
Philip Kuba, who was scheduled to return to the ice tonight, is still on the injured list alongside Jesse Winchester. Kuba's input is sorely felt on the power play, and his return in much anticipated. Peter Regin is tentative to return tonight, and Clouston was wondering who he would have to boot to make a slot for Regin. Ummm, lessee... maybe Ryan Shannon? While Clouston says nobody played badly against the Bolts, Shannon didn't exactly shine either, and was one of the 8 players who didn't get on the scoresheet.
The Habs are still reeling from the loss of Andrei Markov on the blue line, and their power play miss his howitzer of a shot. Mind you, the Habs are faring better than the Sens on the power play, although only by two goals. The Canadiens will also lack the versatility of Glen Metropolit.
The Tsar seems to have found his stride recently and plays comfortably with Alfredsson and Fisher. Kovalev can get hot when there's pressure and he's practiced against Price enough times to know where he's soft. If he can get some ice room, watch out.
Elsewhere
While many will focus on the Tsar's return to Montreal, I for one will be watching for the frequency at which the Sens light up the lamp. I'm hoping the energy from the win against Tampa on Thursday carries over to tonight. The Habs will try to snap a four game losing streak, while the Sens would just love to win one on the road and perhaps recapture the Division lead from the Sabres (who play the Thrashers tonight).
Daniel Alfresson has quietly racked up over a point per game so far this season, and the suprise second place in on the Sens' scoresheet is none other than Jarkko Ruutu. At the risk of sounding like a skipping CD, I love the way the 4th line plays, and am pleased that a member of that line is rewarded. I'm also looking for renewed pressure from the first line. Jason Spezza continues to impress the pants off me, and I can't wait for Jonathan Cheechoo to pop his cherry in Ottawa. Finally, another train wreck from Anton Volchekov would be great to add to the list.
Injured
Philip Kuba, who was scheduled to return to the ice tonight, is still on the injured list alongside Jesse Winchester. Kuba's input is sorely felt on the power play, and his return in much anticipated. Peter Regin is tentative to return tonight, and Clouston was wondering who he would have to boot to make a slot for Regin. Ummm, lessee... maybe Ryan Shannon? While Clouston says nobody played badly against the Bolts, Shannon didn't exactly shine either, and was one of the 8 players who didn't get on the scoresheet.
The Habs are still reeling from the loss of Andrei Markov on the blue line, and their power play miss his howitzer of a shot. Mind you, the Habs are faring better than the Sens on the power play, although only by two goals. The Canadiens will also lack the versatility of Glen Metropolit.
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