HabsWorld.net -- 

Koivu (B-) Worked hard picked up an assist on the only goal, won 62% of his face-offs and had two shots but he has had better games.

Ryder (A) Another solid game for Ryder he is still hitting hard led the team with 6 tonight also had 3 shots. The goals will come.

Higgins (A) Finally scored also had 3 shots and was the Canadiens most dangerous forward especially down low.

Plekanec (C) Nothing too special from Tomas tonight, lost the puck a lot made a few nice passes and was alright on the PK with Kovalev.

Kovalev (A-) He was a force tonight killing penalties and keeping the puck down low. 1 shot is not enough though but he had 2 hits and was very dangerous.

Kostitsyn (C-) Nothing from Andrei tonight he looked very nervous and must have had at least 4 of his shot attempts blocked.

Smolinski (D) His worst game by far, took a bad penalty to put the team down 2 men which led to the Canes first goal and was terrible in the face-off circle not to mention he did not throw a single hit.

Latendresse (B-) His best game so far starting to get the puck low more and hit more, he really picked his game up when he was moved into Kostitsyns’ spot.

Kotsiopoulos (C+) One hit and two shots but 10 and a half minutes is too much ice time needs to be moved to the 4th line.

Chipchura (B) Lost all 6 of his face-offs but he had much more hop in his step. Showed flashes of his defensive game on a few penalty kill shifts and some well placed dump ins.

Begin ( C) Worked pretty hard but only threw one hit in 10 minutes of play. Not the same Begin as 2 years ago still.

Dandenault ( D) He played 9 minutes and I did not notice him once please get rid of this 1.7 million dollar 4th liner.

Markov ( B) Not one of his better games he fought the puck a bit and could not create much offensively. But was good in his own zone.

Komisarek ( B) Was physical and poised, did very well against Carolina’s big forwards.

Hamrlik ( A) Best defenseman for the Canadiens tonight, needs more minutes.

Brisebois ( C) Three giveaways and just not strong enough in the corners, 18 minutes is just too much.

Bouillon (A-) His best game of the season kept forwards to the outside especially Erik Cole, 3 hits and 15 minutes. He was put in a situation he could succeed in.

Streit ( C-) His worst game of the season he fought the puck all night long and other than a few nice passes was not his usual self.

Huet ( A) He was good and made a lot of good saves. Too bad he still has so much trouble with the power play point shots way to many rebounds.

Power Play (D) Not much else I can say they could hardly keep the puck in the zone and failed to score only 4 power play shots.

Penalty Kill ( D) Gave up two goals and allowed the Canes 12 power play shots.

Carbonneau ( D-) His worst coached game of the year at the end of the first period Begin Dandenault and Chipchura all had more even strength ice time than Koivu Ryder Plekanec Kovalev Kostitsyn and Higgins.

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HabsWorld.net -- 

Koivu ( A-) Stats wise he picked up an assist and was 47% in the face-off circle but a +1 rating against Crosby is always good

Higgins ( A+) Held pointless tonight but he was very dangerous four shots at least as many scoring chances. Be patient the goals will come.

Ryder ( A) Best forward for the Canadiens in the first half of the game 3 shots and he was throwing the body again.

Plekanec ( A+) Whew he finally got to play with offensive players and surprise he scores a goal and adds an assist.

Kovalev ( A) Great goal and I guess the rumour that he can not play with Plekanec can be put to bed.

Kostitsyn ( B) Still getting a lot of his shots blocked but he is playing better I hope he is okay after that Roberts hit.

Smolinski ( B+) A -1 on the evening but he was the only Habs centre man above 50% in the face-off circle. One bad mental error late in the game when he iced the puck.

Kostopoulos ( B) Continued to hit and helped earn a couple offensive zone face-offs.

Latendresse (C) Had his first few good shifts of the season and picked up his first shot but he has to hit someone out there.

Chipchura ( B) Not a bad NHL debut had a couple of shots and won a few defensive zone face-offs as well.

Begin ( B+) Worked very hard 3 shots and 2 hits look like the old Begin.

Dandenault ( B+) Skated very well and kept the puck deep a few times but 1.7 million is too much for a fourth liner.

Markov ( A+) Wow he was awesome tonight a goal and an assists is just the beginning he was a +1 and shit Crosby down to just a single assist.

Komisarek ( A+) Komisarek got back to business tonight and made a few excellent defensive plays especially the poke from Malkin late in the third.

Hamrlik (A) 23 minutes tonight and really helped the transition game, had a couple of scoring chances as well. Made up for Gorges mistakes.

Gorges (C-) He was not terrible but he was not good either lost the puck a few times and passed the buck to Hamrlik when he got panicked.

Streit ( B) Did not get a chance to unleash his blast on the power play but his physical game and stick work are developing very well.

Bouillon (C) Saved a goal during a mad scramble in the crease but 19 minutes is too much for him He was dominated by bigger forwards.

Price (A+) Well about the best debut he could have had the first goal was just unstoppable and the second one the defense fell asleep. He kept the Canadiens in the game when they were outplayed in the first half. Helped the Habs move the puck a lot faster.

Carbonneau (A-) Making better decisions with who to put on the ice at crucial times, but still do not understand his overuse of some of the weaker players on the team

PK (A) Allowed one goal but kept most of the chances to the outside.

PP (A+) Realistically the Habs were 1 for 1 that 11 second power play should not count.