Written by Steve Farnham, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC. — Two nights ago, the Montreal Canadiens had what was probably their most disappointing loss of the season, at the hands of the Boston Bruins, only because they probably offered what was their best performance all season.

Although Ryan White set the tone to the first period dropping the gloves with Adam McQuaid firing up the crow, the Habs struggled out for much of the first period, being reduced to only five shots in comparison to Boston’s 12, and although Montreal had a much better second period, were faced with a 3-1 deficit going into the third. They never gave up however and dominated the third period holding the Bruins to only two shots on goal, scoring two goals, and pushing the game into overtime.

This is where Carey Price shined. Although he only faced two shots in all 20 minutes of the third period, he faced seven in the short five minutes that is the overtime, many of which were quality scoring chances, and gave his team every chance possible to give the Boston Bruins their first loss of the season, after being up after two periods.

Unfortunately however, neither Rene Bourque, Max Pacioretty nor Lars Eller were able to beat Tim Thomas in the shootout, and the Bruins left Montreal with two points and the victory.

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HALstalavista Gill

MONTREAL CANADIENS PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL (February 17, 2012) – Montreal Canadiens general manager, Pierre Gauthier, announced today the acquisition of forwards Blake Geoffrion and Robert Slaney, as well as a second round draft pick in 2012 from the Nashville Predators, in return for defenseman Hal Gill and a conditional fifth round draft pick in 2013.
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Blue line giant and locker room daddy Hal Gill was traded today to the Nashville Predators. Those who were hoping to see him finish his career in Montreal to eventually help out with defensive coaching duties will have to put that thought aside for now, although the latter part is still possible when Gill eventually retires.

It’s sad to see Gill go in a way, and his true impact on the team will never really be known. He’ll be remembered for his octopus like ways of defending the front of the net on the penalty kill, and the father figure we so often heard to be in the dressing room. Just how much this will help the young defensive corps is yet to be know, and again, will never truly be known.

One thing is for certain, this is the first concrete step the Montreal Canadiens, as an organization have taken to indicate they have given up on this season, although you’ll never quite hear it in these same words from them.

Good luck Hal.

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Here are a few stat bullets for tonight’s game:

• Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres.
• First Niagara Center.
• February 17, 2012.
• 19:30

• Conference Rank: 13th
• Record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
• Lost their last game against the Boston Bruins, in overtime 4-3.
• Current Road Record: 12-13-2.

• Conference Rank: 14th
• Record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
• Lost their last three games.
• Current Home Record: 13-11-6.

For tonight’s matchup, the Habs will have Carey Price in the net, while his opponent will be Ryan Miller for the Sabres. Here is your goalie matchup:

Confirmed Starter		Confirmed Starter
Carey Price #31		Ryan Miller #30
	Career Against the Sabres: Record: 8-7-6 GAA: 1.96 Sv%: 0.937% Shutouts: 0 Season Totals: Record: 21-20-9 GAA: 2.36 Sv%: 0.917% Shutouts: 4		Career Against the Canadiens: Record: 21-8-5 GAA: 2.25 Sv%: 0.914% Shutouts: 2 Season – Total: Record: 16-17-3 GAA: 2.82 Sv%: 0.907% Shutouts: 2

Here are some additional stats:

Carey Price is going through what I would consider is his most impressive stretch of the season, showing not only great goaltending, but great composure in a situation which must not be easy, with the team struggling like it has. How much he has matured over the last two seasons is beyond me, and at the same time, like we saw at the all star game, he still maintains his kid-like fun loving attitude which was one of the highlights that night.

Ryan Miller on the other hand, just like the rest of the Buffalo Sabres is not having a season to remember. High expectations had been put onto the shoulders of this team, following some daring off-season acquisitions. Unfortunately for them, this season, it just didn’t work out as planned.

One of those acquisitions was Ville Leino, who was coveted by many teams, but his 4 goals and 11 assists in 46 games don’t weigh very well in the balance occupied by his 4 and a half million dollar salary, which he was signed to for this season and the next five.

All this aside, I see the Buffalo Sabres taking this one tonight. The Hal Gill trade will be a huge blow to the Canadiens dressing room, and they should have much difficulty finding some life and legs tonight.

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Finally, Bodog has the Sabres listed as favorite to win the game:

Money Line:

• Buffalo Sabres: -115
• Montreal Canadiens: -105

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