As reported by RDS, Mathieu Garon will be making his 2nd straight start after shutting out the Caps on Sunday. Jose Theodore was surprised about the decision.
Boston/Montreal
- Thread starter donly1ace
- Start date
I am extremely surprised as well. Even this morning Pierre Maguire stated on Ott. radio that Julien needs to bring some stability to the team, something that Therien did not do. Now this. I don't know how the Habs will react but now I am leaning to the Bruins. Thoughts??
HORNS
HORNS
(Sports Network) - The Boston Bruins open a seven-game road trip tonight when they visit the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre.
Boston has lost three of its last four games entering the trek, including Saturday's 5-2 setback to Pittsburgh. Joe Thornton scored a pair of goals for the B's, but that was hardly enough to overcome a four-tally second period by the Penguins.
Thornton's goals were his 26th and 27th of the season, which place him second on the team to Glen Murray (28). Thornton is third in the NHL with 68 points, behind Mario Lemieux (73) and Markus Naslund (71).
Jeff Hackett, obtained from Montreal last month, was touched for five goals on 33 shots and fell to 3-2-0 since being acquired.
The Bruins embark on their current trek at an obviously critical time of the season. With 61 points, the Bruins are sixth in the Eastern Conference -- four behind Toronto and four ahead of the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay.
Boston, which has dropped five of its last six away from home, will visit Florida on Friday.
Montreal, meanwhile, snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 win in Washington on Sunday and will kick off a four-game home set tonight. Against the Caps, Saku Koivu and Jan Bulis provided goals and Mathieu Garon made 25 saves in his first start of the season. Garon was called up from the AHL to backup Jose Theodore when Hackett was dealt to Boston.
The Canadiens enter tonight with 56 points, which is one behind the Isles and Lightning for the final playoff spot in the East. Montreal, 3-1-1-1 in its last six home tilts, opens a four-game Bell Centre set tonight. The Habs will welcome Columbus to town on Thursday.
Boston and Montreal have split four meetings this season, including a 6-3 Bruins win last Thursday in Beantown. Hackett made 28 saves against his old 'mates, and Thornton and Nick Boynton posted a goal and two assists apiece.
The Bruins have, however, lost in their last two trips to Montreal.
The Montreal Canadiens take another shot at former goalie Jeff Hackett as he returns to the Molson Centre for the first time since being dealt to the rival Boston Bruins last month. Trying to catch Boston for third place in the division, the Canadiens have already lost to Hackett in a 6-3 defeat at the FleetCenter last Tuesday.
``It's going to be tough,'' Hackett said of his return to Montreal. ``All those great players. All those banners and the excitement of the crowd. People have always been supportive. True hockey fans know I tried my best.''
Montreal dealt Hackett to Boston on Jan. 23 as part of a three-team deal with San Jose. The Canadiens acquired defensive forward Niklas Sundstrom from the Sharks, while Hackett became the Bruins' starting goalie.
Still wearing the pads and mask he had with the Canadiens, Hackett stopped 28 shots in the Thursday's victory.
``A great goalie,'' Montreal's Joe Juneau said. ``We have a great deal of respect for his work ethic. We're just glad he went to a place where he can contribute. We just don't want him to hurt us.''
Montreal, though, might be well on its way to finding Hackett's replacement.
Making his first start of the season -- and appearing in his 17th NHL game -- Mathieu Garon made 25 saves to lead Montreal to a 2-0 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Called up after Hackett was dealt to Boston, Garon recorded the third shutout of his career, and first since Jan. 12, 2001, against Atlanta.
``That was one of the best games that I have ever seen a goalie play,'' said Saku Koivu, who scored the first goal late in the second period. ``As a teammate, it's great to see a young guy coming up, being a backup, and getting two points for his team.''
The win ended Montreal's season-high four-game losing streak.
Boston, meanwhile, has dropped three of four and is beginning a seven-game road trip.
The Bruins are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Joe Thornton scored twice in the loss, giving him 27 goals on the season along with a team-high 68 points.
STANDINGS: Bruins - 61 points, 3rd place, 15 PB, Northeast Division. Canadiens - 56 points, 4th place, 20 PB, Northeast Division.
TEAM LEADERS: Bruins - Glen Murray, 28 goals; Thornton, 41 assists and 68 points; P.J. Stock, 134 PIM. Canadiens - Richard Zednik, 24 goals; Koivu, 37 assists and 53 points; Randy McKay, 66 PIM.
SPECIAL TEAMS (through Feb. 9): Bruins - Power play: 17.6 percent (39 for 222), 12th in NHL. Penalty killing: 82.8 percent (221 for 267), 19th. Canadiens - Power play: 15.6 percent (37 for 237), 19th. Penalty killing: 79.3 percent (180 for 227), 29th.
GOALTENDERS: Bruins - Hackett (10-10-2, 1 SO, 2.51 GAA); Steve Shields (10-9-3, 0, 2.65). Canadiens - Jose Theodore (14-20-5, 1, 3.01); Garon (1-0-0, 1, 0.00).
SEASON SERIES: tied, 2-2.
LAST MEETING: Feb. 6; Bruins, 6-3. At Boston, Brian Rolston had three assists and six Bruins scored as they tied up the season series with the Canadiens.
ROAD/HOME: Bruins - 10-11-2-1 on the road; Canadiens - 12-9-4-2 at home.
2002-2003 SEASON SERIES
DATE LOC RESULT HI POINTS HI GOALS WINNING GOALIE
Nov. 29 at Bos BOS 4 MON 2 2 tied with 2 Zednik 2 Shields, 24 saves
Dec. 10 at Bos MON 4 BOS 2 2 tied with 2 6 tied with 1 Hackett, 31 saves
Dec. 14 at Mon MON 4 BOS 2 Zednik 2 6 tied with 1 Theodore, 25 saves
Feb. 6 at Bos BOS 6 MON 3 3 tied with 3 Czerkawski 2 Hackett, 28 saves
MONTREAL (Ticker) -- The Boston Bruins begin a season-high seven-game road trip on Tuesday when they visit the Molson Centre to face the Montreal Canadiens, who begin a four-game homestand.
The Bruins played eight of their last nine games at home. They spend the next 12 days on the road before returning to the FleetCenter on February 25.
Boston has lost five of its last six games on the road, where it is 10-11-2-1 this season.
The Bruins completed a 3-2-0-1 homestand with a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
Joe Thornton scored twice for Boston, which lost for the third time in four games following a five-game unbeaten streak.
Montreal salvaged the finale of a three-game road trip with a 2-0 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Mathieu Garon made 25 saves in his first start of the season as the Canadiens snapped a four-game losing streak and moved within one point of Tampa Bay and New York for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Saku Koivu and Jan Bulis scored as Montreal played without defenseman Patrice Brisebois, who is sidelined indefinitely due to an irregular heartbeat.
The Canadiens have lost just once in their last four home games and are 12-9-4-2 at Molson Centre this season.
Boston has won two of three meetings with Montreal this season. The Canadiens posted a 4-2 victory over the Bruins here on December 10.
Boston Bruins (27-20-5-2) at Montreal Canadiens (22-23-7-5), 7:30 p.m.
Records
2002-03 Head-to-head record Tied 2-2 (Mon 1-2 at Bos; 1-0 at Home)
2001-02 Head-to-head record Boston 3-2 (2-0 at Bos; 1-2 at Mon)
2000-01 Head-to-head record Boston 4-1 (2-1 at Bos; 2-0 at Mon)
1999-00 Head-to-head record Montreal 2-1-2 (1-0-1 at Bos; 1-1-1 at Mon)
Home Record Boston 17-9-3-1; Montreal 12-9-4-2
Away Record Boston 10-11-2-1; Montreal 10-14-3-3
Record vs. Northeast Division Boston 7-7-1-0; Montreal 6-6-1-2
Record vs. Eastern Conference Boston 19-16-4-0; Montreal 17-18-5-3
2002-2003 Meetings
11/29 - Boston, 4-2 (at Bos)
12/10 - Montreal, 4-2 (at Bos)
12/14 - Montreal, 4-2 (at Mon)
02/06 - Boston, 6-3 (at Bos)
2001-2002 Meetings
11/13 - Boston, 5-3 (at Bos)
11/20 - Montreal 3-2 (at Mon)
12/20 - Boston, 5-0 (at Bos)
01/30 - Boston, 4-3 ot (at Mon)
03/06 - Montreal, 5-3 (at Mon)
2000-2001 Meetings
01/10 - Boston, 2-1 (at Mon)
02/01 - Montreal, 3-0 (at Bos)
03/17 - Boston, 3-2 (at Mon)
03/22 - Boston, 3-2 ot (at Bos)
04/02 - Boston, 3-2 ot (at Bos)
Game Notes
Note - The home team has won nine of the last 11 meetings.
Note - Boston snapped a two-game series losing streak on 02/06/03.
Note - Montreal has won three of the last five meetings.
Note - Boston has won four of the last seven meetings.
Note - Boston has won eight of 12 and nine of the last 14 meetings.
Note - Boston is 10-7-2 in the last 19 and 15-7-3 in the last 25 meetings.
Note - Boston has lost two straight and three of its last four at Montreal.
Note - These two teams have split the last six meetings at Montreal.
Note - Boston is 7-4-1 in its last 12 at Montreal.
Note - Montreal has lost six of its last seven at Boston.
Note - Montreal is 3-6-1 in its last 10 and 3-9-2 in its last 14 at Boston.
Note - Boston is 5-2-1-1 in its last nine games.
Note - Boston has lost five of its last six road games.
Note - Montreal is 3-1-1-1 in its last six home games.
Boston last five games Montreal last five games
01/28 - W vs. Nashville, 2-1 01/30 - L at NY Islanders, 1-3
01/30 - L vs. Chicago, 1-3 02/04 - L vs. Atlanta, 3-4
02/04 - L vs. Colorado, 2-3 ot 02/06 - L at Boston, 3-6
02/06 - W vs. Montreal, 6-3 02/08 - L at Toronto, 1-3
02/08 - L vs. Pittsburgh, 2-5 02/09 - W at Washington, 2-0
Boston has lost three of its last four games entering the trek, including Saturday's 5-2 setback to Pittsburgh. Joe Thornton scored a pair of goals for the B's, but that was hardly enough to overcome a four-tally second period by the Penguins.
Thornton's goals were his 26th and 27th of the season, which place him second on the team to Glen Murray (28). Thornton is third in the NHL with 68 points, behind Mario Lemieux (73) and Markus Naslund (71).
Jeff Hackett, obtained from Montreal last month, was touched for five goals on 33 shots and fell to 3-2-0 since being acquired.
The Bruins embark on their current trek at an obviously critical time of the season. With 61 points, the Bruins are sixth in the Eastern Conference -- four behind Toronto and four ahead of the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay.
Boston, which has dropped five of its last six away from home, will visit Florida on Friday.
Montreal, meanwhile, snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 win in Washington on Sunday and will kick off a four-game home set tonight. Against the Caps, Saku Koivu and Jan Bulis provided goals and Mathieu Garon made 25 saves in his first start of the season. Garon was called up from the AHL to backup Jose Theodore when Hackett was dealt to Boston.
The Canadiens enter tonight with 56 points, which is one behind the Isles and Lightning for the final playoff spot in the East. Montreal, 3-1-1-1 in its last six home tilts, opens a four-game Bell Centre set tonight. The Habs will welcome Columbus to town on Thursday.
Boston and Montreal have split four meetings this season, including a 6-3 Bruins win last Thursday in Beantown. Hackett made 28 saves against his old 'mates, and Thornton and Nick Boynton posted a goal and two assists apiece.
The Bruins have, however, lost in their last two trips to Montreal.
The Montreal Canadiens take another shot at former goalie Jeff Hackett as he returns to the Molson Centre for the first time since being dealt to the rival Boston Bruins last month. Trying to catch Boston for third place in the division, the Canadiens have already lost to Hackett in a 6-3 defeat at the FleetCenter last Tuesday.
``It's going to be tough,'' Hackett said of his return to Montreal. ``All those great players. All those banners and the excitement of the crowd. People have always been supportive. True hockey fans know I tried my best.''
Montreal dealt Hackett to Boston on Jan. 23 as part of a three-team deal with San Jose. The Canadiens acquired defensive forward Niklas Sundstrom from the Sharks, while Hackett became the Bruins' starting goalie.
Still wearing the pads and mask he had with the Canadiens, Hackett stopped 28 shots in the Thursday's victory.
``A great goalie,'' Montreal's Joe Juneau said. ``We have a great deal of respect for his work ethic. We're just glad he went to a place where he can contribute. We just don't want him to hurt us.''
Montreal, though, might be well on its way to finding Hackett's replacement.
Making his first start of the season -- and appearing in his 17th NHL game -- Mathieu Garon made 25 saves to lead Montreal to a 2-0 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Called up after Hackett was dealt to Boston, Garon recorded the third shutout of his career, and first since Jan. 12, 2001, against Atlanta.
``That was one of the best games that I have ever seen a goalie play,'' said Saku Koivu, who scored the first goal late in the second period. ``As a teammate, it's great to see a young guy coming up, being a backup, and getting two points for his team.''
The win ended Montreal's season-high four-game losing streak.
Boston, meanwhile, has dropped three of four and is beginning a seven-game road trip.
The Bruins are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Joe Thornton scored twice in the loss, giving him 27 goals on the season along with a team-high 68 points.
STANDINGS: Bruins - 61 points, 3rd place, 15 PB, Northeast Division. Canadiens - 56 points, 4th place, 20 PB, Northeast Division.
TEAM LEADERS: Bruins - Glen Murray, 28 goals; Thornton, 41 assists and 68 points; P.J. Stock, 134 PIM. Canadiens - Richard Zednik, 24 goals; Koivu, 37 assists and 53 points; Randy McKay, 66 PIM.
SPECIAL TEAMS (through Feb. 9): Bruins - Power play: 17.6 percent (39 for 222), 12th in NHL. Penalty killing: 82.8 percent (221 for 267), 19th. Canadiens - Power play: 15.6 percent (37 for 237), 19th. Penalty killing: 79.3 percent (180 for 227), 29th.
GOALTENDERS: Bruins - Hackett (10-10-2, 1 SO, 2.51 GAA); Steve Shields (10-9-3, 0, 2.65). Canadiens - Jose Theodore (14-20-5, 1, 3.01); Garon (1-0-0, 1, 0.00).
SEASON SERIES: tied, 2-2.
LAST MEETING: Feb. 6; Bruins, 6-3. At Boston, Brian Rolston had three assists and six Bruins scored as they tied up the season series with the Canadiens.
ROAD/HOME: Bruins - 10-11-2-1 on the road; Canadiens - 12-9-4-2 at home.
2002-2003 SEASON SERIES
DATE LOC RESULT HI POINTS HI GOALS WINNING GOALIE
Nov. 29 at Bos BOS 4 MON 2 2 tied with 2 Zednik 2 Shields, 24 saves
Dec. 10 at Bos MON 4 BOS 2 2 tied with 2 6 tied with 1 Hackett, 31 saves
Dec. 14 at Mon MON 4 BOS 2 Zednik 2 6 tied with 1 Theodore, 25 saves
Feb. 6 at Bos BOS 6 MON 3 3 tied with 3 Czerkawski 2 Hackett, 28 saves
MONTREAL (Ticker) -- The Boston Bruins begin a season-high seven-game road trip on Tuesday when they visit the Molson Centre to face the Montreal Canadiens, who begin a four-game homestand.
The Bruins played eight of their last nine games at home. They spend the next 12 days on the road before returning to the FleetCenter on February 25.
Boston has lost five of its last six games on the road, where it is 10-11-2-1 this season.
The Bruins completed a 3-2-0-1 homestand with a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
Joe Thornton scored twice for Boston, which lost for the third time in four games following a five-game unbeaten streak.
Montreal salvaged the finale of a three-game road trip with a 2-0 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Mathieu Garon made 25 saves in his first start of the season as the Canadiens snapped a four-game losing streak and moved within one point of Tampa Bay and New York for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Saku Koivu and Jan Bulis scored as Montreal played without defenseman Patrice Brisebois, who is sidelined indefinitely due to an irregular heartbeat.
The Canadiens have lost just once in their last four home games and are 12-9-4-2 at Molson Centre this season.
Boston has won two of three meetings with Montreal this season. The Canadiens posted a 4-2 victory over the Bruins here on December 10.
Boston Bruins (27-20-5-2) at Montreal Canadiens (22-23-7-5), 7:30 p.m.
Records
2002-03 Head-to-head record Tied 2-2 (Mon 1-2 at Bos; 1-0 at Home)
2001-02 Head-to-head record Boston 3-2 (2-0 at Bos; 1-2 at Mon)
2000-01 Head-to-head record Boston 4-1 (2-1 at Bos; 2-0 at Mon)
1999-00 Head-to-head record Montreal 2-1-2 (1-0-1 at Bos; 1-1-1 at Mon)
Home Record Boston 17-9-3-1; Montreal 12-9-4-2
Away Record Boston 10-11-2-1; Montreal 10-14-3-3
Record vs. Northeast Division Boston 7-7-1-0; Montreal 6-6-1-2
Record vs. Eastern Conference Boston 19-16-4-0; Montreal 17-18-5-3
2002-2003 Meetings
11/29 - Boston, 4-2 (at Bos)
12/10 - Montreal, 4-2 (at Bos)
12/14 - Montreal, 4-2 (at Mon)
02/06 - Boston, 6-3 (at Bos)
2001-2002 Meetings
11/13 - Boston, 5-3 (at Bos)
11/20 - Montreal 3-2 (at Mon)
12/20 - Boston, 5-0 (at Bos)
01/30 - Boston, 4-3 ot (at Mon)
03/06 - Montreal, 5-3 (at Mon)
2000-2001 Meetings
01/10 - Boston, 2-1 (at Mon)
02/01 - Montreal, 3-0 (at Bos)
03/17 - Boston, 3-2 (at Mon)
03/22 - Boston, 3-2 ot (at Bos)
04/02 - Boston, 3-2 ot (at Bos)
Game Notes
Note - The home team has won nine of the last 11 meetings.
Note - Boston snapped a two-game series losing streak on 02/06/03.
Note - Montreal has won three of the last five meetings.
Note - Boston has won four of the last seven meetings.
Note - Boston has won eight of 12 and nine of the last 14 meetings.
Note - Boston is 10-7-2 in the last 19 and 15-7-3 in the last 25 meetings.
Note - Boston has lost two straight and three of its last four at Montreal.
Note - These two teams have split the last six meetings at Montreal.
Note - Boston is 7-4-1 in its last 12 at Montreal.
Note - Montreal has lost six of its last seven at Boston.
Note - Montreal is 3-6-1 in its last 10 and 3-9-2 in its last 14 at Boston.
Note - Boston is 5-2-1-1 in its last nine games.
Note - Boston has lost five of its last six road games.
Note - Montreal is 3-1-1-1 in its last six home games.
Boston last five games Montreal last five games
01/28 - W vs. Nashville, 2-1 01/30 - L at NY Islanders, 1-3
01/30 - L vs. Chicago, 1-3 02/04 - L vs. Atlanta, 3-4
02/04 - L vs. Colorado, 2-3 ot 02/06 - L at Boston, 3-6
02/06 - W vs. Montreal, 6-3 02/08 - L at Toronto, 1-3
02/08 - L vs. Pittsburgh, 2-5 02/09 - W at Washington, 2-0
cyra - Had to put on a Montreal radio station to see what all their fans are thinking, WOW, they are pissed. They played a clip of when Julien when Hackett was traded and he said and I quote" We will ride Theodore all the way until the playoffs, Jose can now focus on being our number one goalie with Hackett gone, he does not have to look at who is behind himself anymore." Now Julien has started another goalie controversy, what a huge mistake. I don't get him, he was Theodore's coach in junior with Hull but I guess with Julien coaching Garon down in Hamilton in the AHL he thinks he owes him something. One game does not make a streak so he should go back to Theodore. Thoughts??
HORNS
HORNS
Horns - I agree with you. Garon should be used in a support role. I also am a big fan of keeping a goalie hot as long as you can for the long term, not the short term. Garon did play a superb game on Sunday but he would be better off keeping his performance inside him for perhaps another game this week. Theodore was prepared to play tonight and for him not to play is nto a good thing. You said it best: it brings out another goalie controversy again, and controversy is not what the Habs need right now.
But one important fact remains: I'm not sure about the excat consequences of this but I know that Garon needs to start at least 10 games this year so he does not become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year (whatever group he is in). Looking at the Habs schedule, there are only 4 back-to-back games until the end of the season. That means that he needs to play another 5 games here and there in order to get the minimal starts needed. Perhaps this was one of those times that perhaps management reminded the coach that perhaps, while Garon is hot, it would be best to put him in right now so he gets to 10 games. Then they wouldn't have to put him in when they are fighting for a playoff spot in March...
If you or anyone knows the facts about the Garon situation, I'd be really happy to hear about it. I've heard it a few times but it doesn't seen to go thorugh in my head and i can't seem to remember!
But one important fact remains: I'm not sure about the excat consequences of this but I know that Garon needs to start at least 10 games this year so he does not become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year (whatever group he is in). Looking at the Habs schedule, there are only 4 back-to-back games until the end of the season. That means that he needs to play another 5 games here and there in order to get the minimal starts needed. Perhaps this was one of those times that perhaps management reminded the coach that perhaps, while Garon is hot, it would be best to put him in right now so he gets to 10 games. Then they wouldn't have to put him in when they are fighting for a playoff spot in March...
If you or anyone knows the facts about the Garon situation, I'd be really happy to hear about it. I've heard it a few times but it doesn't seen to go thorugh in my head and i can't seem to remember!
