CANADIENS WIN THEIR FIFTH IN A ROW

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The Habs Edge the Devils 2 – 1 for a Hard Fought Road Victory 

Colby Armstrong scored his first goal as a Hab, and Jarred Tinordi added an assist in his debut as a Hab, as the Habs edged the New Jersey Devils 2 – 1 in a tight checking game at the Prudential Center in New Jersey Saturday night. Armstrong’s goal was his first in over a year, his last goal coming as a Leaf, way back on February 25, 2012. The 6’6” Tinordi was called up from the Hamilton Bulldogs along with Michael Blunden, as the Habs sent Greg Pateryn and Petteri Nokelainen back down, Nokelainen having to clear waivers first.

With the score tied 1 – 1 in the third period, Tinordi let a blast go from the blue line which was tipped in by Tomas Plekanec for his twelfth of the year. Tinordi, the son of former NHLer Mark Tinordi, got almost fifteen minutes of ice time and played well. He looked a lot more comfortable out there than did Greg Pateryn in his debut last week. With Raphael Diaz still out with a concussion, Tinordi looks like he may stick around for a while. Both Tomas Kaberle and Yannick Weber just don’t have it, and the Habs can use Tinordi’s size.   

It was then Carey Price’s turn to preserve the victory for the Habs as the Devils then turned up the heat in the third period and outshot the Habs 18 -9. Price had to come up with some excellent saves, especially one on David Clarkson from point blank in front, late in the game. Price ended up with 32 saves on the night for his league-leading fifteenth win of the season.

It was the Canadiens fifth win in a row as they jumped back into first place in the Eastern Conference, tied in points with Pittsburgh at 42. The Habs next game is Tuesday night at the Bell Centre as they take on the Buffalo Sabres.

Desharnais Gets $14 Million for Four Years

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The Habs signed their first line centreman  David Desharnais to a four-year contract extension at $3.5 million per year. Despite having a great junior career with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, his last two years were 118 and 108 points, Desharnais was never drafted into the NHL. Size, and only size, was the reason. Desharnais is listed as 5’7”, sometimes 5’6”, but he’s more than likely only 5’5”. Guy Carbonneau was coaching the Habs back in 2007 and was also a part owner of the Saguenéens. Carbonneau, realizing the potential in Desharnais, invited him to the Canadiens rookie camp in 2007. Desharnais didn’t make the team and ended up playing for $30,000 in the East Coast Hockey League for the Cincinnati Cyclones. He ended that season with 106 points, and was the rookie of the year and the league MVP. He didn’t make the Habs again in 2008 and played for the Hamilton Bulldogs for two and a half years before playing 43 games for the Habs in 2010-2011. Last year, in Desharnais’ first full year with the Canadiens, he ended up with 60 points and was part of the Habs best line along with Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole. If there ever was a poster boy for hard work and perseverance, Desharnais would be him. Way to go, Davey!