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head coach: Alain Vigneault

roster: C - Saku Koivu, Marc Bureau, Vincent Damphousse, Scott Thornton, Eric Houde. LW - Shayne Corson, Martin Rucinsky, Benoit Brunet, Terry Ryan, Brian Savage, Patrick Poulin. RW - Mark Recchi, Mick Vukota, Turner Stevenson, Jonas Hoglund. D - Vladimir Malakhov, Stephane Quintal, Patrice Brisebois, Peter Popovic, Craig Rivet, Igor Ulanov, Zarley Zalapski. G - Jocelyn Thibault, Andy Moog.

injuries: Scott Thornton, c (broken ribs, 2 weeks); Shayne Corson, lw (abdominal and groin strains, day-to-day); Igor Ulanov, d (torn knee ligaments, indefinite); Brian Savage, lw (broken thumb, 4 weeks); Benoit Brunet, c (pulled muscle in his side, day-to-day).

transactions: Recalled Terry Ryan, lw, and Eric Houde, c, from Fredericton (AHL).

standings:

Eastern Conference - Northeast Division
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
Pittsburgh   70  36  19  15    87  196  161
Boston       69  31  25  13    75  180  162
Montreal     69  32  28   9    73  198  175
Buffalo      68  28  25  15    71  173  159
Ottawa       69  27  30  12    66  163  174
Carolina     67  26  34   7    59  161  184

game results:

03/09 Florida        W 6-1         
03/11 Vancouver      T 2-2
03/12 N.Y Rangers    W 4-1
03/14 New Jersey     W 4-2
03/16 Calgary        T 3-3
03/18 at N.Y Rangers L 2-1 OT
03/19 at Chicago     L 1-0                                  
03/21 Anaheim        L 5-4

team news:

by Jacques Robert, Montreal Correspondent

HABS: A Cast of Extras for... ER

After having to wait 15 days to see top Montreal players back on track after the Olympics, fans were hopeful that better days were ahead in preparation for the playoffs. It materialized as the Habs logged three consecutive wins after going six games without a victory at home. However, the Habs are once again being plagued by injuries to the extend that top offensive players are forced to watch games from the press box. As a result, Vigneault's boys are struggling in the last stretch of the regular season. Even though that may not be keeping them from clinching a spot in the post-season, it might just put them on life support for the first round.

But then again, the situation is not as serious as last year's. Remember: each loss was likely to ignite a crisis in Montreal when Tremblay's boys were logging defeat after defeat. But this year, as opposed to his predecessor Mario Tremblay, Vigneault is not under attack and the atmosphere is pretty good in the dressing room. It remains that Thornton, Corson, Savage, Brunet (all offensive players) are on team clinic... and Damphousse resumed play after being away for more than a week. Fortunately, grinders have been taking over. But all that run of bad luck is sufficient to raise the following question: Will Reggie Houle bring in fresh new blood before the trade deadline?

To Trade Or Not to Trade

For sure: rumor has it that Buffalo's Matthew Barnaby or San Jose's Owen Nolan might become new Habs any time soon. Knowing Reggie Houle, I wouldn't bet my life on it since he has the tendency to put his faith on the guys in place as long as they perform - which is the case now - rather than to start from scratch...

What's going on in Montreal is actually very refreshing. In the absence of big shots like Damphousse, Corson, and Savage, guys like Bureau, Thornton, Poulin, Hoglund, and Zalapski have stepped in to take over.

Bureau: Best Game...in Career

Take Bureau. As The Habs played NY Rangers. Marc (11 goals thus far) gave his best performance ever in his NHL career by scoring two goals in the first period and paving the way for a precious win after a tie in Vancouver the night before.

Vancouver, the worst NHL defensive squad, managed to get away with one point. The positive point of this game has a name: Scott Thornton. Scott was replacing Vincent Damphousse and recorded a goal and an assist. All in all, no doubt that things were going smoothly considering that injured players had left a big gap especially on the power play: Vigneault's boys failed to score in four opportunities against Vancouver and in three against New York.

As the New Jersey Devils were unbeaten in their last 13 games, Montreal was facing quite a challenge since no injured players were back on skates. However, the Habs played the game of the season, winning 4-2. That is what happens whenever everybody pulls in the same direction! Koivu, Recchi, Savage and Brunet provided the offense. On this very night a new line shined: Bureau - Hoglund- Poulin. This checking line had already contained the Gretzky line the night before... this time, the Devils big shots were the designated preys.

Hoglund: First Goal Ever for Montreal

Well, Montreal was back at the .500 mark at home and despite casualties, life was good for the Habs. They ran up a four-games undefeated streak before entertaining Calgary.

The contest with the Flames was more of the same. Once again the whole team came back in the third, erasing a 3-1 deficit. Once again they played as one. Once again Andy Moog held the fort, stopping 21 shots. The player of the game? Jonas Hoglund. He scored his first goal in the Canadiens uniform after 12 games.

Brunet Out!

Things began to turn sour as Montreal visited the NY Rangers. Montreal did play solid defense, but the forward ranks were left without punch after losing Brunet on the battle field. Strangely, the coaching staff didn't recall offensive players from Fredericton (AHL) to provide fresh blood. Instead, Vigneault chose to dress defensemen Brett Clark and Craig Rivet as forwards. However, Montreal never gave up and they lost the game with less than 20 seconds to go in OT on a goal by Kevin Stevens.

Who was the next forward to be placed on the injured players waiting list? Brian Savage filled the role, breaking his thumb late in the second period against Chicago. That accident took a little bit of the steam out of the Canadiens since Chicago scored a few moments after Savage left the ice. Needless to say that Montreal was unable to generate anything good on offense. Team effort was not enough to win.

Montreal Hit Rock Bottom vs Anaheim

Ditto two days later at home as the Montreal Canadiens were looking to extend their home unbeaten streak to six games versus Anaheim. Hosting one of the worst teams of the league didn't prove to be a blessing for Montreal. "I am at a loss to explain this defeat," declared Alain Vigneault, who pointed out the lack of commitment to defense in the first period (three goals in 2:30), a lack of discipline by Brisebois (10-minute misconduct), the absence of Malakhov (injured), and the shaky play of Moog (weak in first) added up in the loss of two precious points.

ON MY NOTE PAD

Brisebois' Glory Day

This year, Patrice Brisebois is the Montreal Canadiens player nominated for the Bill Masterton trophy awarded to the player who best displays perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. It is the first nomination Brisebois received in his NHL career.

Good Luck "Rocket"

Maurice "Rocket" Richard, 70, has been diagnosed with a rare abdomen cancer. He is the most famous player in the 88-year history of Les Canadiens. In Montreal, "The Rocket" is a cultural icon as he was the first player to score 50 goals in 50 regular season games. He also won eight Stanley cups in 18 seasons in the NHL.

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