HabsWorld.net --
It will be a rebound that the Senators and Canadiens will be seeking tonight in Kanata as both teams allowed late third period game winning goals in their most recent contest. With their loss to Buffalo last night the Sens have lost consecutive games for the first time since December 21st.
Sergei Samsonov was placed on waivers by the Canadiens Tuesday afternoon was passed over like a day old bagel. Samsonov got his realty check and had a meeting with Gainey and the coaching staff afterwards he seemed to be happy to be staying with the big club. It is not yet known if he will get a chance to play this evening or if he will make his return to the Canadiens on Saturday night.
Ray Emery faced 37 Buffalo shots last night and may be worn down and to tired to play tonight. Should that be the case Martin Gerber would get his second start against the Canadiens this season. Gerber allowed five goals on November 13th as the Canadiens appeared to have figured him out in late may last year. Gerber’s international team-mate will not start for the Canadiens as Cristobal Huet will have a chance to redeem himself after the six goals he allowed on Hockey Day in Canada to these very Sens. Those six goals were scored in just under 24 minutes.
With one point separating these two teams in the standings and the red hot Penguins hot on their heels this should be an interesting battle. The Habs are winning the season series with a 7-4 points advantage.
Fun Facts
1. The Canadiens have scored 4 short handed goals against the Senators this year and have picked up points in each of those games.
2. 18 different Habs players have picked up points against the Senators this year the only four on the roster yet to produce are Lapierre, Downey, Murray and Dandenault.
3. With all but one goal in his last 18 games Saku Koivu has appeared to hit the same slump he did last year when he went an astonishing 23 games without scoring almost two months. Koivu however is still on pace to break his career high in goals which is 21.
