St. Louis Game Time - Canadiens At Blues GameDay StoryStream: To Hab Or Hab NotWe're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2013-12-19T18:30:01-06:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/49902452013-12-19T18:30:01-06:002013-12-19T18:30:01-06:00Habs At Blues GameDay Thread: Schwartz's Back.
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<img alt="HoverStew." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZ9J3I1PKjGcxnLgxmm-QJmSvQs=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25452249/187036233.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>HoverStew. | Richard Wolowicz</figcaption>
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<p>Jaden Schwartz makes his return to the lineup, which marks the end of the Carlo Colaiacovo at left wing era.</p> <p>Hey, have you heard? Alexander Steen's resigned! Just thought you could've missed it somehow. Friendly reminder, and all of that.</p>
<p><a href="http://lkorac10.blogspot.com/2013/12/players-offer-huge-approval-to-steen.html" target="_blank">I did really enjoy this post from Lou Korac</a> - the guys in the locker room were really excited by Steen re-upping. Hockey player "excited" is probably different from the rest of our versions of that emotion, but the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> really, really seemed energized by Steen's contract.</p>
<p>"He deserves everything he gets," right winger <span>T.J. Oshie</span> said of Steen, the team's leader in goals (22) and points (36). "He's a huge part of this team. He's the main nucleus as far as work ethic, as far as doing the right things, as far as guys that want to win. Army did the right thing there in locking him up.</p>
<p>"He's one of our No. 1 guys in every aspect, whether it's anywhere on the ice, whether it's in the locker room. If the right words need to be said, Steener suually says them. He's just a great guy. There's a lot of smiles on guys' faces knowing he's going to be here for three more years."</p>
<p>Lot of smiles on the team's faces, lots of smiles on the fans' faces... let's see if the team can give the fans another thing to be happy about. A two-game season sweep against Les Habitants would be a nice start. <span>Jaden Schwartz</span> is back tonight, though <span>David Backes</span> and <span>Vladimir Sobotka</span> are both still out. The line-up's getting closer to being whole again, and no one' gone onto injured reserve yet. Hope? Well, that's what this season is all about then, right?</p>
<p>This is your gameday thread. Go on and cuss in French. No one'll know what you're saying.</p>
<p>Let's do this. Let's get two more points. Let's Go Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/19/5229042/gamethread-for-montreal-canadiens-at-st-louis-blues-dec-19-2013hildymac2013-12-19T14:00:02-06:002013-12-19T14:00:02-06:00Habs At Blues Game Preview: Backes Isn't Back
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<figcaption>Richard Wolowicz</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues won't be going with the same... shall we say "interesting" line up as they iced against the San Jose Sharks.</p> <p>Who here wants to see more of <span>Carlo Colaiacovo</span> as a fourth line left winger?</p>
<p>No, really. There has to be a hand somewhere. No? Ok, then. You all should be happy, then, because you're not going to see him there again tonight. Jeremy Rutherford has all sorts of goodies about tonight's line-up <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/morning-skate/status-of-blues-injured-forwards-remains-uncertain/article_c1eab81c-cd91-5a5f-9b0c-bb2f330f93e8.html">over on his Morning Skate</a>, and they include this gem (and I mean that non-sarcastically):</p>
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<p>"I thought I did pretty good," Colaiacovo said. "The thing that was pretty tough was just trying to get used to the different skating routes and different positionings. But my linemates communicated with me real well and I felt really comfortable out there, especially not having any practice at it.</p>
<p>"If that's something I can practice a little more, I'm comfortable there. But obviously I'm a defenseman first. Whatever provides me with an opportunity to be in the lineup. If that's what it takes, I'll be willing to work my hardest to be good at it."</p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> Tonight's Competition <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.habseyesontheprize.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Montreal Canadiens blog Eyes On The Prize</a></div>
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<p>It's good to see a player realize that while he's out of his comfort zone, he's still being leaned on to fulfill a role and he wants to do it to the best of his abilities. The <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> might need that go get 'em attitude tonight. Backes is, for sure, a no go tonight as the team is still evaluating him for concussion symptoms. <span>Jaden Schwartz</span> is back in tonight, but <span>Vladimir Sobotka</span> might be closer to a game time decision.</p>
<p>Still, the loss to the <a href="https://www.fearthefin.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Sharks</a> wasn't a horrible blow-out, even with a weird line-up, so take that as a sign that a win tonight against the <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Montreal Canadiens</a> is possible. Speaking of the Habs, holy hyperbole, Batman. <a href="http://canadiens.nhl.com/" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff;">This is their website's splash page</a>:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1973791/home_tickets.jpg"><img alt="Home_tickets_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1973791/home_tickets_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://downloads.canadiens.nhl.com/home_tickets.jpg">downloads.canadiens.nhl.com</a></p>
<p>Hey Cardinals, I think you just got schooled on over-inspiring people with your history.</p>
<p>The trick for the Canadiens, though is how to inspire their own team. After missing the playoffs last season, they're second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference with a 21-12-3 record. They've had issues scoring in December, with just one game - a 3-1 win over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/phoenix-coyotes" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Coyotes</a> - in which they've won by more than a goal. And, of course, there was the mortifying 6-0 loss against the <a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Kings</a> at home which was a splash of cold water. How will they fare against the Blues? Considering that St. Louis isn't playing with a full line-up, it's hard to make that call. <span>Jaroslav Halak</span> has beaten his old team every time they've faced each other, and he's in net tonight. Perhaps he'll get a break during the first period tonight and the boards won't give up as many bounces. Maybe the team can limit shot chances on him. Or, heck, maybe he can speed up his reaction time a tad, since Tuesday night at times it looked like he was playing in sludge.</p>
<p>Whatever the outcome, games against the Habs are always fun. They're not tiny anymore, unfortunately, but they're still a quality team to play against that the Blues don't see too often. This is the first time in nearly three years that they've come to Scottrade.</p>
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https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/19/5227136/canadiens-blues-preview-jaden-schwartz-returns-lineuphildymac2013-12-19T11:00:03-06:002013-12-19T11:00:03-06:00Lighting The Lamp: Hab It All
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<img alt="Three Canadiens jerseys: signed Lars Eller 2012, Mike Cammalleri 2009 CAC Heritage (with patch celebrating 100th anniversary of Les Habs), Mitchell and Ness Jacques Plante" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tJB5odb-3BIwvzc5SDWTUvsBQcE=/42x0:1057x677/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25412935/montreal_jerseys_002.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Three Canadiens jerseys: signed Lars Eller 2012, Mike Cammalleri 2009 CAC Heritage (with patch celebrating 100th anniversary of Les Habs), Mitchell and Ness Jacques Plante | Rick Ackerman</figcaption>
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<p>You might recognize the "Lighting the Lamp" feature from the Game Time paper. Rick Ackerman has been nice enough to send over his column for the website. "Lighting the Lamp" will be featured every home game day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It's difficult to believe, yet the last time <b>Le Club de hockey Canadien </b>visited St. Louis was in March, 2011, almost three years ago. The Blues won 4-1 behind the stellar play of Andy McDonald, who had a goal and two assists. Jaroslav Halak, making his first appearance in a St. Louis uniform against his former team, was awarded the first star of the game with 27 saves. Halak was also the first star in January, 2012, when he made a triumphant return to Montreal, shutting the Canadiens out 3-0 with 19 saves. Earlier this season, Halak again defeated the Canadiens in Montreal, 3-2 in a shootout, making 25 saves in regulation time (no shots against in overtime) and all three in the skills exhibition.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Founded in 1909 by J. Ambrose O'Brien, a Canadian silver mine owner and industrialist, the Montreal Canadiens are the longest continuously operating professional hockey club in the world and the only existing NHL franchise to predate the founding of the league in 1917. The Habs, a nickname derived from a name for the original inhabitants of the Mount Royal area, <b>Les Habitants</b>, have won the most Stanley Cup championships (23) in the history of the NHL, not including one Cup championship in 1916 before the NHL was formed.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Originally the Canadiens were members of the National Hockey Association, which was started in 1909 to rival the Eastern Canada Hockey Association, legal custodian</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">of the Stanley Cup. Previously, the ECHA had rejected an application from O'Brien to join that league, so O'Brien and Jimmy Gardner, owner of the Montreal Wanderers, founded the NHA in response. Three other teams from Cobalt (Silver Kings), Renfrew (Creamery Kings) and Haileybury (Comets) (all small cities in Ontario) were members as well. The Canadiens were to be stocked with French players in order to build a rivalry with the Wanderers and capture francophone interest in Montreal. In 1910, a franchise from Ottawa was added, as well as another team in Montreal, dubbed the Shamrocks. A team from Quebec City was added the following year while the Cobalt, Haileybury and Shamrocks franchises folded.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">By 1912, O'Brien retired and his team in Renfrew dropped out. However, two teams were added from the Toronto area, the Torontos (later Blueshirts) and Tecumsehs (later Ontarios and then Shamrocks). A new league was formed in western Canada by the Patrick brothers, Frank and Lester, that same year and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association raided NHA teams for players. By 1915, it was agreed that the championship teams of the NHA and PCHA would have exclusive rights to meet in a series for the Stanley Cup, and the Vancouver Millionaires defeated the Ottawa Senators to win the Stanley Cup that year. The following season, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Portland Rosebuds in five games to win the first Stanley Cup for the franchise. The Canadiens would lose in four games to the Seattle Metropolitans in 1917, the last season before the establishment of today's National Hockey League.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The NHL was founded by the owners of the Canadiens, Wanderers, Senators and Bulldogs, the remaining teams in the NHA, as a legal way to exclude Toronto Blueshirts cantankerous, troublesome Eddie Livingstone from owning a team in the Association. They suspended the NHA's operations and granted themselves franchises in the new league, except for Livingstone, of course. A temporary franchise was also granted to the Toronto Arena Company. The Canadiens would not win another Stanley Cup until 1924 (the first as a member of the NHL), led by their first superstar, Howie Morenz, dubbed the Stratford Streak (HHoF 1945, one of nine original inductees). His number 7 was the first ever retired by the Canadiens organization. In 1926 the team moved to the Montreal Forum, at the corner of Atwater and Ste-Catherine Streets, dubbed "the most storied building in hockey history" by The Sporting News. The Canadiens would call the Forum home for 70 years.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Montreal would win two Cups in the early 1930s, but then declined until the 1940s when the "Punch Line" of Maurice "The Rocket" Richard (HHoF 1961), Toe Blake (HHoF 1966) and center Elmer Lach (HHoF 1966) led the Canadiens to two more Cup championships. From 1953 until 1960, Montreal added six more Stanley Cups, led by new stars Jean Beliveau (HHoF 1972), Doug Harvey (HHoF 1973), Bernie "Boom-Boom" Goeffrion (HHoF 1972), Henri "Pocket Rocket" Richard (HHoF 1979) and goaltender Jacques Plante (HHoF 1978). Plante's number 1, Harvey's number 2, Beliveau's number 4, Geoffrion's number 5, the Rocket's number 9, the Pocket Rocket's and Lach's number 16 are all retired. Ten more championships were added from 1965 to 1979, with a new generation of stars, including Guy Lafleur (HHoF 1988, number 10 retired), Yvan Cournoyer (HHoF 1982, number 12 retired, along with Dickie Moore (HHoF 1974), goaltender Ken Dryden (HHoF 1983, number 29 retired), Serge Savard (HHoF 1986, number 18 retired), Larry Robinson (HHoF 1995, number 19 retired) and Guy Lapointe (HHoF 1993). Montreal also won two Cups in the 1986 and 1993, led by goaltender Patrick Roy (HHoF 2006, number 33 retired). The streak of winning in every decade since 1910 ended as 1993 was the Montreal's last Stanley Cup championship. One oddity is that the Canadiens have never won the Presidents' Trophy, an award for the team with the most points during a single season.</p>
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<p>Of the seventeen named Canadiens players above, four played for the Blues after leaving Montreal. Can you name them?</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/19/5227058/lighting-the-lamp-hab-it-allhildymac2013-12-19T08:00:04-06:002013-12-19T08:00:04-06:00Habs At Blues Morning Open Thread: Steenabration!
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<figcaption>Richard Wolowicz</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues are slumping thanks to injuries, and the Montreal Canadiens are playing solid hockey. Will tonight be revenge for the Habs' loss in Montreal?</p> <p>Sure, the Blues are kind of in the middle of a two game losing streak. But hey, Alexander Steen'll be with the team for three more years, and security isn't necessarily a bad thing.</p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> Tonight's Competition <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<a href="http://www.habseyesontheprize.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Montreal Canadiens blog Eyes On The Prize</a>
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<p>Unfortunately, with injuries mounting up, the Blues don't have a lot of security as far as who is making up what line. Carlo Colaiacovo of all people was playing left wing on the checking line on Tuesday night. Sure, they could call someone up, but that would necessitate putting Vladimir Sobotka, David Backes, or Jaden Schwartz on injured reserve, which means that they could possibly be out of commission longer than they need to be. Frankly, that'd be bad.</p>
<p>So tonight, what will the fans see? Who knows. It could be another amagalmation of line combinations. Schwartz and Sobotka could be good to go. They could be out. Backes could remember what his own name is miraculously and return to the top line.</p>
<p>Basically, I don't know what to expect, and neither should you. Isn't uncertainty fun?</p>
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