HabsCast Hockey Blog

After winning in Pittsburgh, largely thanks to rookie goaltender Carey Price, the Canadiens will be playing on home ice for the first time this season. The Canadiens are coming home from their 3-game road trip with lots of momentum. (they took 5 out of a possible of 6 points) Unfortunately, the two games that the Canadiens won against the Hurricanes and Penguins were by only one goal, which is something that should be of concern.

On the other hand, the Hurricanes are packing quite the storm coming into the Bell Centre. Not only did they lose to the Canadiens in their home opener (vengeance), they are also on a 2-game winning streak. They romped Toronto by a score of 7-1 and then went into Ottawa and handed the Senators their first loss of the season. If the Canadiens want to beat the Hurricanes they are going to really have to work for it and build a solid lead… a one-goal lead going into the third won’t cut it.

Carey Price, who played and won his first NHL game on Wednesday, will not get the start. Coach Guy Carbonneau already made it clear that “#1 goaltender” Cristobal Huet will receive that honor, which is completely understandable. Other than that, the Canadiens seem pretty solid, however, there are some issues that lie in the offence. Foremost, Guillaume Latendresse has been stagnant to say the least. He hasn’t been working very hard and it shows in his game. Another issue is what to do with Mikhail Grabovski. I can’t see him playing on a checking line and it seems that Carbonneau will keep Plekanec on the Kovalev line for the time being.

It’s tough to say whether Grabovski will receive another shot or be sent down to Hamilton. With that being said, I see the lines being similar, if not the same as Wednesday night’s. There will be changes on defense with Patrice Brisebois being reinstated in the lineup in place of Josh Gorges. Carbonneau will be making the right move playing Brisebois in the home opener.

Here’s the unofficial lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes:

Forwards
Higgins – Koivu – Ryder
Kotsitsyn – Plekanec – Kovalev
Latendresse – Smolinski – Kostopolous
Begin – Chipchura – Dandenault

Defense
Markov – Komisarek
Brisebois – Hamrlik
Bouillon – Streit

Goalie
Huet

It could be possible that Latendresse will be bumped down to the fourth line as a consequence for his lackluster play, however, this would be highly unlikely. Plekanec should remain on the second line seeing that they were on the ice for two of the three goals scored by the Canadiens against Pittsburgh. The key for Saturday night’s game will be to stay away from the penalty box and to keep Staal’s line in check. Chipchura should be given that task seeing if he plays or not. The Hurricanes have a solid goalie in Cam Ward and a high octane offence that will capitalize on mistakes. Huet will need to have a better performance than the one he had against Toronto and hopefully he’s learned not to handle the puck as much.

Prediction: Montreal 3, Carolina 6

The Hurricanes will be out to spoil the Canadiens’ homecoming and I believe they might succeed. Sorry folks but I’m going to have to say that Carolina will take this one. Hopefully I’m wrong again!

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