In an ideal Hab's fans world, the current edition of the Montreal Canadiens would be leading the league and poised for victory, with their eyes firmly focused on the prize.

That they are not, is hardly a reason not to celebrate this most glorious of birthdays.

Think about it. The Montreal Canadiens franchise, through trial and error, ups and downs, firsts and hurts, have practically defined the history of the game of hockey along the course of their 100 year existance.

It's an unavoidable truth. One every fan of the game should relish and take an interest in.

A friend of mine, not a Canadiens fan, once put it this way:

"The Canadiens are the Elvis of hockey. They broke barriers and lead the way. They helped popularize and spead the game, and every fan of the game is in their debt, whether they recognize it or not. Like Presley, the Canadiens wrote the book and established all the benchmarks along the way. Just like the King, they managed in the course of their lifetime, to do everything possible, perfectly right and absolutely wrong. That's no mean feat. Just like Elvis, right or wrong, the Canadiens wrote the book."

You could say, upon hearing such an observation, that I was all shook up. The Habs may now be nothin' but a houndog, but don't be cruel. If you can't help falling in love with hockey, it would only respectful that you would some sense of appreciation for what the Canadiens have done for the game.

For those of you insatiable Habs fans, not able to get enough of this centennial celebration stuff (hey, we know you are out there!), here's a chance to lose yourself in the great history of the game and of the team itself.

I've often thought about what is best about the Canadiens centennial celebrations, as in many quarters, the opinion is that the Habs have overdone the festivities with uncharacteristic overkill.

True enough, but talking to a young relative of mine, he was absolutely eating it up. With all this Habs and hockey history coming at him, he was being given a crash course in Hockey 101.

I was planning to lay a little low, being not quite in the mood for such celebratory things, but after our conversation, it conked me on the noggin that it is for fans such as he, that all this is for.

Now with all of the above in mind, I took a scoop and dug in, trying to come up with as much interesting pieces as possible.

In the history of the hockey club, there have been 24 Stanley Cups conquests, some near misses, and some defining times. Too many events to list per se, so that is why these offerings are but a scoop, or if you will, a random slice of some of the best piece written here, along with personal favorites.

Late yesterday, I re-posted older articles on the Canadiens' first game and season, along with a video clip tribute to some peak times in Habs' history. You can scroll down and have a look.

Later today, there are two pieces that have been in the works courtesy of Chris (Wamsley) Boyle that may find their way to the main page. Chris has been bustin' it to get up a list of his 100 favorite Habs' games. I've had a glimpse, and it looks to be a real treat!

For now, here are 12 of Eyes On The Prize's greatest hits.....

Leafs recall time as Habs - The Star

 Canadiens hold a unique place in hockey's heritage - Boston Herald 

Price's Centennial Game Mask - Habs Inside Out 

Cent Bougie à souffler - RDS 

Mahovlich reconnait qu'il a cause des maux de tete a Bowman - Rue Frontenac