Rocket:

The 3000th regular season win for the Montreal Canadiens is yet another special milestone achieved during the centennial year. A 5-2 victory over the Panthers, but this wasn’t a memorable game. It won’t be included on any Habs DVD set in the future.

The last game in Pittsburgh had the feeling of a playoff game at times. This one had all of the intensity of an Old-Timers game. However, there certainly was a festive mood courtesy of the boisterous Canadiens fans who invaded the Bank Atlantic Center. Sounds of ‘Ole Ole’ and ‘CA-REY, CA-REY’ filled the arena.

Tomas Plekanec centred the Canadiens best line, had 5 shots on goal, and scored a shorthanded breakaway goal that put the Habs up 2-1. Andrei Kostitsyn had one assist but had chances to score with 4 shots. Plekanec also came to the aid of Carey Price after he was slashed on the hand by Gregory Campbell. It’s about time a teammate showed that kind of enthusiasm to protect Carey Price.

Max Lapierre notched his first career hat trick through his usual hard work and a sub par night for Panther goalie Craig Anderson. After Anderson allowed another soft goal on a shot by Lapierre early in the third, he was replaced by Tomas Vokoun. Lapierre struggled in the faceoff circle at only 39% but otherwise was rewarded for his high energy effort.

Roman Hamrlik had a strong defensive game, and made a breakaway pass to set up Plekanec’s goal.

The Canadiens did their best to give the Panthers a chance. The Habs penalty box was standing room only in the second period. The PK unit deserves special mention for a 5 for 5 night including killing off a Panther 5 on 3 power-play.

Expectations for Patrice Brisebois’ performance are extremely low but somehow Brise continues to lower the bar. Currently Florida is not a playoff team, yet Panthers were able to wheel around Brisebois all game long. It is a mystery why Carbonneau continues to use him on the power-play. Again tonight, Brise gave up the puck a few times at the blue line to provide the opposition with short handed chances.

Ryan O’Byrne can make one mistake in a game and it is magnified beyond belief overshadowing his otherwise good play. Brisebois struggles on every shift yet somehow escapes scrutiny of the press and the coach.

Ben Maxwell has certainly not made an impact like Matt D’Agostini but he has not cost his team either…until tonight. Maxwell’s miscue skating out of the way of a Sergei Kostitsyn pass led to Booth scoring the second Panther goal.

He doesn’t deserve to be punished for his mistake but it is time to add Kyle Chipchura in his place.

A yawner tonight but an important two points. The Canadiens must continue their winning ways in Tampa tomorrow night against another one of the league’s bottom feeders.

Pre-game:

No line-up changes. Higgins, Dandenault, Koivu, Laraque out with injuries. O’Byrne is a healthy scratch.

Rocket’s 3 stars:

1. Tomas Plekanec
2. Maxim Lapierre
3. Roman Hamrlik

(photo credit: AP Photo)