TSN:
Carey Price practised and says he will start tomorrow against Detroit. Reports of his flu were greatly exagerated. Price says he had a cold but is feeling better after yesterday’s day off. He figures he’ll be fine by tomorrow… Cristobal Huet says he strained his groin during the first period during a breakaway. Pressed to be more specific as there were numerous Nashville breakaways that period, he said, ”The one where the guy backhanded it over the net.”… Huet’s injury is day-to-day, but seemingly not serious as Price says he doesn’t think he’ll need to play a long stretch of games in relief… Halak practised with the team and will be Price’s backup until Huet returns. – TSN
Tonight’s possible lineup against Detroit:
Forwards
Higgins – Koivu – Streit
Kostitsyn – Plekanec – Kovalev
Players in 3rd line colours:
Latendresse – Chipchura – Kostopoulos – Ryder
Players in 4th line colours:
Begin – Smolinski – Dandenault – Grabovski
Defense
Hamrlik/Komisarek
Markov/Brisebois
Gorges/Bouillon
Habster:
I wouldn’t be surprised if Carbonneau puts Michael Ryder and Bryan Smolinski in the press box for tonight’s game against Detroit. Both need to see the game from the rafters of the Bell Centre and get a different perspective of the game. Detroit is a better skating team than Nashville so it would be more beneficial to keep Grabovski in the lineup.
I would’ve loved to have seen a large, mobile defenseman like Ryan O’Bryne called up from Hamilton to replace either Bouillon or Gorges. O’Bryne is the type of defenseman (like Komisarek) who can handle/clear forwards like Tomas Holmstrom from the slot. The Habs need to keep the front of the net open and limit the number of shots on net which in turn will lower scoring chances. Easier said than done especially against one of the best offensive teams in the NHL…….let’s hope the Canadiens can keep it close and pull out the victory.