Habster:
About F$#!*&^ time……….Can you believe it will be the first time Patrice Brisebois will sit out a game!!! Not bad for the team’s alleged “7th defenseman”.
It’s now up to the hulking Ryan O’Byrne to seize the moment and play a simple game without making any risky plays……what’s that expression……KISS….Keep It Simple Stupid!!! It’s a game plan I try to adhere to every day of my life….LOL!!! All kidding aside, if O’Byrne can just play a solid defensive game and keep his feet moving, something he tends to forget, he will be fine and should maintain the #4 spot along side Roman Hamrlik.
I like this skilled lineup with three solid offensive lines and a fourth line that can hopefully keep the Eric Staal line in check most of the night.
Here’s hoping Saku Koivu can continue his solid play centering a line with Alex Tanguay and Guillaume Latendresse. In the past, Koivu hasn’t faired well against Rod Brind’Amour when the center has been matched head to head against him.
Carey Price should be fully recovered from his battle with the flu virus and ready for a strong game while the KPK line is due for a breakout game. Add to the mix, a solid third offensive line comprised of Higgins/Lang/S. Kostitsyn and the injury depleted Hurricane should have their hands full.
The Hurricane have had their difficulties on the powerplay the last five games, going 0 for 17.
Lines for tonight’s game:
Forwards:
Latendresse – Koivu – Tanguay
A. Kostitsyn – Plekanec – Kovalev
Higgins – Lang – S. Kostitsyn
Dandenault – Lapierre – Kostopoulos
Defense:
Komisarek – Markov
Hamrlik – O’Byrne
Bouillon – Gorges
Golatender: Carey Price
Carolina Hurricane forward combinations for tonight’s game (Canes @ Canadiens):
Staal-Ruutu-Whitney
Brind’Amour-Samsonov-LaRose
Cullen-Eaves-Bayda
Helminen-LaCouture-Brookbank