Nov. 9th, vs. Canucks.  2-0 Win.  Test Passed.
Nov. 11th, vs. Bruins.  3-1 Win.  Test Passed.
Nov. 16th, vs. Flyers.  3-0 Win.  Test Passed.

By Stevo, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC.– It seems like it’s one test after another lately for the Montreal Canadiens, as they face some worthy adversaries this week.  A busy week that should see Alex Auld get his second start of the season, the Canadiens having back to back games Friday and Saturday.

The Habs will host the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, will visit the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday, prior to hosting the Buffalo Sabres next Saturday.

First on the menu however, the Habs visit the Philadelphia Flyers tonight for a grudge match following the Canadiens shut out victory over the Flyers last Tuesday.  Carey Price had stopped all 41 shots he faced, while Mike Cammalleri, Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta each picked up a goal.  Gionta had 3 points on the night.

The game featured a couple of hits by Flyers’ forward Darrol Powe on Josh Gorges and Jeff Halpern of the Canadiens.  The game then got very chippy in the third period and following the game, Mike Richards went on camera crying that P.K. Subban lacked respect towards veterans.  Richards even went on to say that something “might happen to him (Subban)” if he’s not careful, and this comment has many people thinking that things might get out of hand tonight, especially if the Canadiens are able to get an early lead.

The comment was clearly out of line, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Richards got a phone call this week in regards to those comments.  So much attention has now been brought on this game that I feel people expecting a blood match risk being terribly disappointed.  The Canadiens are not a fighting team.  No one on the team can really fight, Travis Moen included, and those wanting Subban to throw the gloves down with Richards tonight should think twice about this one.

First of all, you don’t want Subban sitting in the box for five minutes.  That means more of Jaroslav Spacek.  Secondly, whether you like Richards or not, he’s one tough cookie and he can fight, not sure I want him being Subban’s first one on one match-up in the big leagues.  Last, is it really worth it risking a Subban injury right now?  The situation is delicate enough on defence if you ask me.

There was a lot of emotion in Saturday’s game when the Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0.  Not only was it Carey Price’s fourth shutout of the season, third in six games, but the game was marked by a wonderful tribute video to Pat Burns, who passed away on Friday at the age of 58.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Canadiens can carry this emotion over to tonight’s game, as they will need it, for the Flyers will be hungrily waiting for them, second place in the conference on the line.  Speaking of, then it’s back to Montreal to face the Kings on Wednesday, also second in their conference.  Whatever momentum the Habs can pick up these first two games of the week could be the key to what kind of overall week they have.

Price will be starting tonight against the Flyers (Boucher for the Flyers) and I would expect him to get the start against the Kings as well.  Look for Alex Auld to get his second start of the season in Atlanta on Friday, splitting the back to back week-end with Price.

*****

Week at a Glance:

Philadelphia Flyers (Monday November 22nd)

• Match-up:  Conference.
• Record: 13-6-2.
• Rank: 2nd in the East (1 pt up on Montreal who sits 3rd).
• Streak:  1 win (5-4 SO win against Washington Capitals)
• Leading scorers:  Mike Richards (9-14) and Claude Giroux (11-11).
• Interesting Note:  Mike Richards called out P.K. Subban for being disrespectful following last Tuesday’s game, even implied “something might happen to him”.  Will be interesting to see if Richards’ comments have any effect on how P.K. handles himself tonight.
• Upcoming:  Habs vs. Flyers tonight @ 7pm.

*****

Los Angeles Kings (Wednesday November 24th)

• Match-up:  Cross-Conference.
• Record:  13-6-0.
• Rank:  2nd in the West.
• Streak:  1 win (4-3 SO win against Boston Bruins)
• Leading scorers:  Justin Williams (9-11) and Anze Kopitar (6-13).
• Interesting Note:  Had lost 3 straight prior to beating the Bruins on Saturday.
• Upcoming:  Visiting the Ottawa Senators (9-10-1) tonight, prior to playing the Habs Wednesday.

*****

Atlanta Thrashers (Friday November 26th)

• Match-up:  Conference
• Record:  9-9-3
• Rank:  8th in the East.
• Streak:  2 wins against Washington Capitals (5-0) and New York Islanders (2-1 OT)
• Leading Scorers:  Andrew Ladd (7-14) and Dustin Byfuglien (7-12)
• Interesting Note: In 13 GP, Chris Mason has looked awful so far posting a GAA of 3.90 and a SV% of .897, while Ondrej Pavelec in 11 GP has posted an impressive GAA of 1.93 and a SV% of .939.
• Upcoming:  Play host to the Detroit Red Wings (13-3-2) Wednesday, prior to hosting the Habs on Friday.

*****

Buffalo Sabres (Saturday November 27th)

• Match-up:  Division
• Record:  8-11-3
• Rank:  11th in the East.
• Streak:  1 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2)
• Leading Scorers:  Derek Roy (9-14) and Thomas Vanek (8-9)
• Interesting Note:  Ryan Miller who’s having a somewhat ordinary start to this season sat out the last game with a groin injury.
• Upcoming:  Play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins (11-8-2) on Wednesday and Toronto Maple Leafs (7-9-3) on Friday, prior to visiting the Habs on Saturday.

*****

(Graphic: REUTERS/Shaun Best)