Montreal Canadiens news and notes
- The Canadiens are now scoring more goals and allowing fewer against since Andrei Markov joined Shea Weber on the top pairing. A long overdue change. [TSN 690]
- Markov received a well-deserved ovation when he tied Guy Lapointe for 2nd all-time in points among Habs defencemen. [Canadiens]
- Jordie’s beard game puts Jamie to shame./
The Benn Brothers #DALvsMTL pic.twitter.com/c7TfanPJ87
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 28, 2017
- Julien confirmed that Al Montoya is listed as day-to-day, and will not practice today in Brossard. [Canadiens]
- Canadiens prospect Michael McNiven is having a Carey Price playoff run with the Owen Sound Attack./
#Habs Michael McNiven with his second shutout in three playoff games last night. 0.958 SV%, 1.01 GAA. His three best saves yesterday: pic.twitter.com/Dl5LeH3c0D
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) March 28, 2017
- The win over Dallas was victory 550 of Claude Julien’s career. [Stein]
- General Manager Marc Bergevin has made some smart moves in signing prospects to early entry-level contracts. [EOTP] /
Around the league and elsewhere
- A tremendous victory for women’s hockey came last night as USA Hockey and the USA Women’s National Team agreed to terms that will see the team defending its title, as the days to the IIHF World Championships were winding down. /
To Our Dearest Fans,
Together, WE dared to make history. And couldn’t have done it without you. See you at #2017WWC#BeBoldForChange #OwnIt pic.twitter.com/WGBZByCcYI— Hilary Knight (@Hilary_Knight) March 29, 2017
- Steve Ott sees the USA Women’s National Team boycott as something very similar to NHL lockouts of seasons past. /
Steve Ott on conflict between USA Hockey and National Women’s team: pic.twitter.com/807VtNqnHB
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) March 28, 2017
- Thought the league heavily promoted the “Hockey is for everyone” motto during the NHL’s You Can Play month, there is still a long way to go before hockey can become a truly inclusive sport. [FTF]
- With playoffs just around the corner, Sean McIndoe breaks down the 12 types of first round matchups. [Sportsnet]
- Adding to an already difficult season, Carolina Hurricanes’ goaltender Eddie Lack was stretchered off the ice after an overtime collision in Monday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. [NHL]
- Canada’s World Cup champions are finally receiving their rings from this summer’s event./
- The Edmonton Oilers have signed free agent Joseph Gambardella to a two-year, entry level deal, the Chicago Blackhawks inked a deal with their 2014 third round pick, Matheson Iacopelli, and the New York Islanders agreed to two-year terms with defenseman Jake Bischoff. [Oilers] [Blackhawks] [Islanders]
- Oh, and the New Jersey Devils signed UMass captain Michael Kapla to a two-year deal. Kapla will burn off the first year of his contract this season when he joins the Devils to play out the remainder of the year. [SBN]
- In more signing news, the Grand Rapid Griffins have signed Michael McCarron’s brother, Patrick McCarron to an amateur tryout. [Griffins Hockey]/
