THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY TAKE 37

Tough act to follow on home ice after all that offense and all that jazz Wednesday vs Winnipeg but a vitally important two points for the Canadiens, especially for showing themselves -again - that they can protect a one goal lead heading into the third period and this time maintaining that slim lead for most of the final 20 minutes.

THE GOOD

• Andrei Kostisyn. Best player on the ice showing that yes, over 20,000 fans can be wrong. Some will point to his contract year. I will say again that an offensively gifted player like Kostitsyn will benefit greatly from a new head coach. And because we've all complained ad nauseam about how the Habs mucked up big time in the 2003 draft, it might be a good time to point out that Kostisyn's production through just 31 games played this season (10-8-18) compares favourably to at least some of the big name players drafted after Montreal selected Kostitsyn 10th overall including Jeff Carter (29 GP 10-7-17), Ryan Getzlaf (39 GP 7-19-26), Mike Richards (34 GP 13-10-23) & Dutsin Brown (42 GP 10-11-21).
• Max Pacioretty.  Received his wake up call just in time.
• Alexei Emelin. Think he would have progressed this much if Jacques Martin was still behind the bench?
• Carey Price.  Saved everything except a Vinny Lecavalier deflection.
• Josh Gorges & PK Subban. Played a near perfect game as shutdown pair. Nothing exemplified their "partnership" more than the play that took place about 11:00 into the game when PK had his shot blocked at the Tampa Bay blue line, allowing Steve Downie to break in alone until Gorges caught up to him. No way Gorges moves that well prior to his knee surgery.
• David Desharnais. Earned more minutes (21:12) than any Montreal forward. Finished +2 and won 58% of his face offs.
• Erik Cole. Finsihed the first half of his first season in Montreal with 17 goals including 7 on the power play.
• Mike Blunden. Scored his first goal as a member of the Canadiens in front of his parents.
• Lars Eller. Put the puck in the net for the 5th time in two games. So what if he directed it in with his skate? Silly rule.
• Pre - game ceremony honouring Vladislav Tretiak, Yvan Cournoyer & Paul Henderson.
• Elliotte Friedman pre-game HNIC piece on Randy Cunneyworth.
• Shane Murphy Band. Post game set(s) at Brutopia kept me out for one of those rare "last call" nights. Mitch Gallo & Sean Campbell as well.

THE BAD

• Discovering that Paul Henderson is not a member of the Order of Canada. Shameful.  http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/paulhenderson19/
• Thomas Plekanec - Brian Gionta - Mike Cammalleri. Maybe they need a game or two to get going.  Gionta was definitely rusty in his first game back from a groin injury (broke in alone on his off-wing in the third period only to hit the outside of the net). But this trio needs to generate more than a combined five shots on goal.

LE LAID

AND THE FUNNY

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