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PROJECTED LINE COMBINATIONS AND GOALTENDERS
(Will be updated following game day skate.)

TOP SCORERS

► I hope you’re sitting on that Panic Button.

• The Montreal Canadiens find themselves in a difficult position down 3-1 in their round one series against their division rival, the Ottawa Senators.
• It looked like the Canadiens were going to leave Ottawa with the series tied, up 2-0 going into the second half of the third period when everything fell apart.
• Although bad officiating played a role in the third period with a questionable goal allowed on what appeared to a distinct kicking motion by Mika Zibanejad being the prime example, the Canadiens only managed four shots on goal in twenty minutes of play and allowed the Senators to tie it with only 23 seconds left in the third period. The Senators would go on to win it in overtime just 2:32 seconds in.
• To add to the horror, Prust would leave the game with an upper-body injury while Carey Price would leave the game after the third period ended with a lower-body injury.
• Price is listed as day to day and it’s unclear whether he will play Thursday while Prust is out of the lineup.
• The mountain just got a little tougher to climb.

► Canadiens sign goaltender Mike Condon to a two-year contract:

• Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Wednesday the signing of goaltender Mike Condon to a two-year contract (2013-14 to 2014-15). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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►Letang, Subban, Suter are first-time Norris finalists:

• Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadians and Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild are this year’s finalists for the trophy awarded to the defenseman that shows the “greatest all-round ability” at the position, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season.
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►Brian Gionta sera opéré vendredi:

• Le Canadien de Montréal a annoncé mercredi que le capitaine Brian Gionta subira  une intervention chirurgicale ce vendredi afin de réparer une déchirure au biceps gauche. Sa saison est terminée.
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Coach Michel Therrien on injuries:

• “We know this isn’t an ideal situation, but these guys are showing that they have a lot of courage, I know because I’m right there with them every day. You look at Brian Gionta, he got hurt in the first game and has done everything possible to try and come back since. When the decision was finally made that he wasn’t going to be able to play anymore, he was absolutely devastated. Those are the hardest moments to see.”
• “These guys all have a lot of courage and we probably deserved a better fate than the one we’re facing at this moment but one thing’s for sure, with the type of character this team has, I know we’re going to play another strong game tomorrow and go out there and give it everything we have.”

Brian Gionta on his season-ending injury:

• “It’s the same thing I dealt with last year, it’s the same injury but it’s the other bicep this time and unfortunately it’s one of those things that you just can’t do anything about. The timeline is the same as last time and we’re hopeful for the start of camp next season. It’s a long road, but I’ve been there and I’ve done it and I know what’s ahead.”
• “There wasn’t any risk in playing Game 3, I took that into consideration. The damage was already done. It was just a matter of what kind of function I would have,” added Gionta. “I tried going out there yesterday morning for the morning skate with a different tape job and I just wasn’t able to make it work. But, the way those guys battled last night, they deserved a win and it was a tough night for everybody. At the same time, the series still isn’t over and we’ve got a lot of guys in this room that can still pull this off. Everyone still believes in each other.”

P.K. Subban explains that the Habs still have a pulse:

• “Gio’s obviously a huge part of our team, he’s our captain, he’s our leader and it was pretty inspiring to see him try and battle through it for a couple of games, but now we need guys to step up. We still have a pulse right now, we’re still alive and tomorrow’s game is the biggest of the season and we have to be ready to play. Our focus has to be on bringing the best we have to this next game.”
• “We can sit and talk about last night’s game all we want, but it’s over with, and quite frankly, I want to beat these guys. We have another opportunity to go and do that tomorrow.”