Baidu_NHL/NHL_01 03 2011 Montreal Canadiens - Atlanta Thrashers - YouTube-02.mp4

On January 3, 2011, the Montreal Canadiens face off against the Atlanta Thrashers in an exciting NHL matchup. The Canadiens are led by star goaltender Carey Price, who, despite battling the flu recently, is tied for second in the league with 28 wins and ranks third with six shutouts. Price's performance has been crucial for Montreal, especially as they aim to solidify their playoff position. The Thrashers counter with Chris Mason, who has emerged as a reliable presence in net, recently stopping 47 of 49 shots faced. This matchup not only features these standout goaltenders but also highlights the new addition of Brent Sopel to the Thrashers, who was traded from the Canadiens just days prior.

As the NHL regular season progresses, both teams are looking to improve their standings. The Canadiens are striving to maintain a competitive edge in the Eastern Conference, while the Thrashers are eager to capitalize on their recent roster changes to climb the standings. With the season nearing its halfway point, every game becomes increasingly critical for playoff aspirations, making this matchup particularly significant for both squads.

In terms of injuries and roster changes, the Canadiens are dealing with Price's illness, but he is set to play, which is a relief for Montreal. The Thrashers, on the other hand, are integrating Sopel into their defensive lineup, which could alter their dynamics on the ice. Additionally, both teams have been working on their special teams, with the Thrashers boasting a power play that has been effective, while the Canadiens will need to tighten their defensive play to avoid giving up opportunities.

Coached by Jacques Martin, the Canadiens will likely focus on a strong defensive strategy, leveraging their goaltending and aiming for quick transitions. Meanwhile, the Thrashers, under Craig Ramsay, will look to exploit their offensive depth and capitalize on any mistakes made by the Canadiens. The historical rivalry between these two teams adds an extra layer of intensity to this matchup, promising an engaging contest for fans and analysts alike.

And

we've

got

a

good

goaltending

matchup

in

this

one

tonight

for

the

Atlanta

Thrashers.

It'll

be

Chris

Mason,

who

has

suddenly

come

to

the

forefront

of

this

battle.

Yeah,

and

he's

done

it

before

in

the

playoffs,

as

we've

talked

about.

Don't

worry

about

the

goals-against

or

the

save

percentage.

Just

know

that

he

has

stopped

of

the

last

pucks

directed

his

way.

And

for

the

Montreal

Canadiens,

Carey

Price,

bothered

by

the

flu

over

the

last

hours,

but

he'll

go

tonight.

Let's

hope

he's

not

fully

recovered.

He's

tied

for

second

in

wins

in

the

league

with

and

third

in

shutouts

with

six.

So

here

we

go.

All

sorts

of

new

faces

in

the

Thrashers.

A

lot

of

old

faces

to

say

hello

to.

And

Brent

Sopel,

who

was

traded

to

the

Canadiens

late

last

week.

We'll

see

how

it

all

unfolds

here

tonight

on

Sports

South.

Jeff

Halpern

dumps

one

in.

Toby

Enstrom

plays

it

away.

And

the

Thrashers

will

look

to

get

it

out.

Blake

Wheeler

out

there

with

Bryan

Little.

Now

Little

will

get

one

into

the

right-wing

corner

of

the

Canadiens'

zone.

Opening

minute

of

play

here

tonight

at

Phillips

Arena.

Buckland

shot.

He

fanned

on

it.

And

now

Cammalleri

the

other

way.

A

bit

of

a

tuck

at

times

from

Buckland

and

Enstrom

will

take

it

away.

I

don't

know

if

it

was

a

tug

or

a

pretty

smart

push

of

the

stick

that

made

Cammalleri

lose

control

of

the

puck.

Cammalleri

has

struggled

as

of

late,

although

over

the

last

couple

of

games

he's

started

to

pick

it

up.

Gomez,

and

he'll

flip

one

right

back

in,

where

Zach

Bogosian

will

chase

it

to

the

corner.

Now

a

chance

in

front.

They

were

looking

for

Gomez

that

time.

And

it

goes

for

Hammerlek,

who

will

send

one

in

behind

the

net.

Zach

Bogosian

flips

it

along,

and

Evander

Kane

will

try

to

get

it

up

on

the

left

wing.

This

one's

taken

away,

and

Gionta.

He

brings

it

right

back

and

over

the

line,

but

Bogosian's

there.

Now

Kane

hustles

it

back

through

center.

And

Brent

Sopel

for

the

Canadiens

will

settle

it

down.

That's

a

centering

pass,

and

he'll

dump

one

deep.

All

the

way

back,

nearly

too

many

men

on

the

ice

that

time.

Yep,

they're

going

to

get

the

Canadiens.

And

I

believe

the

Thrashers

will

go

to

the

power

play.

Too

many

men

here,

Darren.

I

think

Eric

Bolton

called

it

first.

And

the

ref

got

the

linesman's

attention.

Bench

minor

for

too

many

men

on

the

ice.

Jacques

Martin's

gang,

exactly

as

you

called

it,

Matty.

Too

many

men

on

the

ice.

Poor

line

change

puts

his

Thrashers

on

the

power

play

early

on

here.

So

Jacques

Martin

now

happy

with

the

start

here.

As

his

Canadiens

take

a

bench

minor

for

too

many

men,

this

will

get

an

offensive-zone

face-off

for

the

Thrashers.

They'll

be

really

hot

with

the

Thrashers'

cash

on

this

one.

Enstrom

and

Bufflin,

the

point

men,

they'll

go

a

little

up

front

with

Ladd

and

Wheeler.

Same

unit

that

opened

up

this

hockey

game

for

Craig

Ramsay.

Enstrom

has

it.

To

Bufflin.

Bufflin

looking

around.

He'll

give

it

to

Ladd.

Bufflin.

Down

to

the

corner.

Blake

Wheeler

down

low,

worked

over

by

P.K.

Subban.

P.K.

Subban.

Down

the

ice

and

down

the

length.

for

on

the

power

play

over

the

last

five

games.

That's

and

very

respectable.

Vancouver

Canucks

lead

the

league

on

the

season

at

just

under

And

again,

The

Canadiens

will

send

it

down

the

ice.

The

power

play

has

been

relatively

consistent,

remaining

in

the

top

ten.

Enstrom

will

play

it

out

of

the

low

for

Kane.

Sopo

battling

for

it

there.

Here's

a

chance,

back

of

the

line,

Bufflin.

Bufflin

looking

around,

he'll

take

his

shot.

Sticked

by

Brian

Gionta.

No,

he

keeps

it,

a

little

tip

to

the

corner.

to

the

front,

Bouncing

puck

all

over

the

place,

Settled

by

Enstrom.

Kane

somehow

getting

into

that

seam

in

front

of

the

Canadiens'

net

with

a

great

look.

Really

nice

feed,

Near

side,

This

is

what

threw

it

off.

Stewart

looks

like

he's

going

to

go

behind

the

net

and

instead

delivers

A

hard

pass

under

two

sticks,

Tape

to

tape.

Right

here

the

defense

looks,

They

think

he's

going

around

the

net,

He

doesn't.

That's

a

big

save.

You

can

see

it

just

about

squeak

between

the

arm

and

the

body

of

Carey

Price.

Evander

Kane

with

a

good

bid

there

on

the

power

play.

seconds

left

for

the

Thrashers

on

the

man

advantage.

Ladd

has

it,

tries

to

advance.

They

pretty

much

effectively

kill

off

this

Thrashers

power

play.

The

Michigan

Wolverine

is

out

of

the

box.

And

now

a

shot

that's

blocked

away

by

Carey

Price.

He's

in

front.

He'll

steal

it

away

and

get

it

out

to

Travis

Moen.

Lars

Eller.

Eller

trying

to

get

it.

Good

block

that

time

by

Bryan

Little.

Wisniewski

with

a

shot

that

deflects

just

out

of

the

mark.

Wisniewski

and

Hamrlik.

They're

a

very

defensive

pair

right

now

for

Jacques

Martin.

Kostitsyn

will

play

it

in

behind

the

net.

Out

of

the

zone

for

Hamrlik.

Goes

for

a

skate

and

plays

it

around.

Mason

made

the

save.

There's

a

chance

now.

There'll

be

a

slashing

call

on

the

Atlanta

Thrashers.

Good

look

at

Craig

Ramsay.

Back

to

all

square.

Mark

Stuart

goes

for

slashing,

And

so

the

Canadiens

will

go

to

the

power

play.

And

here's

Radek

Dvorak.

Mara

takes

him

to

the

ice.

And

there's

the

emphatic

buggy

whip.

So

Radek

Dvorak

is

out

there.

One

of

the

penalty

killers

in

the

National

Hockey

League

in

his

first

game

since

coming

over

from

Florida

yesterday.

Dvorak.

Along

with

Oduya,

Bogosian.

And

Thorbert.

And

the

puck.

Dvorak's

going

to

go

after

it.

Beaten

to

the

puck

barely

that

time.

The

Canadiens

will

get

it

back

to

center

ice.

That

one

is

stripped

away,

And

we

get

a

whistle.

Dvorak.

Radek

Dvorak.

He's

been

part

of

the

Florida

Panthers'

penalty

kill,

and

they've

been

one

or

two

all

season

long.

He

knows

how

to

do

it.

The

biggest

thing

is

that

communication

isn't

such

a

big

deal...

The

crashers

like

to

put

pressure

up

ice.

And

that

is

all

about

skating.

We

just

saw

that

there.

Exhibit

A

by

Dvorak.

Line

was

Nuski.

This

one's

going

to

be

batted

away

by

Hainsey.

The

Canadiens

are

working

in

behind

the

net.

Enstrom

all

over

Plekanec.

And

now

Ladd

looks

to

clear,

but

he

can't.

There's

Nuski

there

with

a

keep.

And

Plekanec

has

it

for

Gomez.

Now

Pacioretty

tried

to

get

it

in

front.

Denied.

And

Enstrom

can't

clear

it.

Gomez.

Gomez

will

work

that

right

wing

side.

seconds

to

go

on

the

Canadiens'

power

play.

Right,

it's

Nuski.

He's

got

that

big

shot

from

the

point.

Working

down

a

little,

fires

at

the

door.

What

a

save.

And

Gomez

for

the

Canadiens.

Take

it

away.

And

Enstrom

will

clear

down

the

length

of

the

ice.

For

both

goaltenders,

Quality

saves

on

the

PK.

One

apiece.

In

that

sequence,

Chris

Mason

bailed

out

a

couple

of

his

teammates

who

had

failed

clearing

attempts.

DeJarney

will

get

it

in

over

the

line.

This

one's

taken

away

and

cleared

by

Stewart,

And

that

will

just

about

do

it

for

the

Montreal

power

play.

Just

a

few

seconds

left

in

the

minor

to

Mark

Stewart.

Camilleri

brings

it

up

as

Stewart

leaves

the

penalty

box,

and

Atlanta

back

to

full

strength.

DeJarney's

been

out

there

forever,

it

seems.

DeJarney's

just

pushing

him

off

that

blue

line,

and

the

Thrashers

bring

it

back.

Stapleton

with

it.

To

Kane

with

a...

And

that's

stopped

by

Carey

Price.

Stapleton

with

it

for

Oduya.

To

the

cross.

And

this

time

trying

to

go

wide

on

Oduya.

Into

the

corner.

A

little

more

than

seven

and

a

half

minutes

of

this

opening

period.

Lost

it.

Thrashers

will

get

it

to

center.

Radek

Dvorak.

Chris

Mason.

Mason's

been

good

over

the

last

couple

of

games.

He's

picked

up

here

tonight

where

he

left

off

over

the

weekend.

Thrashers

take

on

the

Montreal

Canadiens.

Nik

Antropov

had

a

good

bid

after

the

Thrashers

got

through

another

penalty-kill

sequence.

That's

in

a

row

for

them.

Kane

with

a

bid

and

a

little

chop

out

of

midair.

Nik

Antropov.

Look

at

how

hungry

those

three

forwards

are.

I

say

three

because

Tim

Stapleton

comes

crashing

into

the

crease

as

well.

Stapleton

had

a

goal.

In

fact,

he

got

the

game

tied

the

other

night

against

the

Leafs

late

in

the

game.

Setting

up

the

heroics

of

Ron

Hainsey

in

overtime

with

a

game

winner.

Stewart

will

get

it

out

as

Evander

Kane

chases

one

on

his

buddy

P.K.

Subban.

Subban.

Now

Gionta,

a

quick

counter

for

the

Canadiens.

Broken

up

off

the

skate

of

Tim

Stapleton.

Back

on

the

line,

Hal

Gill.

His

shot

goes

wide

of

the

mark.

And

Kane

will

get

it

out

with

a

shot

over

the

top

of

the

net.

Gorges

looks

to

keep

it,

work

it

down

low.

P.K.

Subban

knocked

away,

Stewart

will

take

it

away.

Kenny

Stewart

tried

to

chip

it

to

the

corner.

Canadiens

will

snuff

that

out,

And

it's

dumped

in

by

Brian

Gionta.

Toby

Enstrom

behind

the

net

with

a

puck.

Halpern,

back

of

the

line,

good

keep

to

McCannitz.

Got

it

to

the

front.

Gamaleri

couldn't

advance

it,

so

Dustin

Butler

will

send

it

around.

Butler

with

a

good

read

in

his

step

up

in

the

high

slot

to

break

that

play

up

defensively.

Little,

took

an

experience.

Yeah,

that's

a

penalty.

And

we

were

going

to

call.

Goodness.

Interference

is

the

call

on

Tomas

Plekanec.

Here

he

chips

it.

Wow

interference.

It

was

one

in

which

Little

engaged

with

Hamrlik

in

front

of

him.

Plekanec

comes

across

and

he's

a

good

hard

hockey

player.

He's

not

a

dirty

player

at

all.

And

it's

a

timing

thing.

When

you

slow

it

down,

it

was

a

little

more

severe

than

it

really

was.

But

it

was

interference

nonetheless.

Another

chance

here

on

the

power

play.

This

one's

going

to

be

knocked

away

and

set

down

the

length

of

the

ice.

The

Thrashers

so

far

tonight

are

for

They

had

a

couple

of

shots

on

goal

on

their

earlier

man

advantage.

A

retrieve

for

Toby

Enstrom.

Bring

it

across

center

and

into

the

Canadiens'

zone.

Here's

a

chance.

Enstrom

right

on

Price,

the

save.

Enstrom

will

get

it

again.

Right

to

the

net.

Down

low

it

goes.

Little.

Price

got

a

glove

on

that

one.

This

one

caroms

off

a

skate,

so

Enstrom

back

to

retrieve

with

a

minute

five

remaining

in

their

man

advantage.

Kane

with

it.

Huck

is

on

the

back

of

the

Canadiens'

net.

Play

rolls

on

as

Buckman

will

look

to

set

it

up.

He

gives

it

to

Antropov

down

low.

Kane

trying

to

walk

that

goal

off.

Sobel

and

he'll

get

it

up.

Change

in

the

power

play.

Not

quite

At

a

minute

apiece.

Both

times,

a

second

unit.

Not

able

to

get

out

there

until

there's

only

seconds

left.

I'd

like

to

see

those

changes

be

a

little

crisper.

A

minute

each.

Get

your

minute.

If

you

haven't

scored,

Get

off.

Change

the

look

for

the

defense.

Fifteen

seconds

to

go

on

the

power

play.

Schremp

for

Atlanta.

We'll

flip

one

in.

Behind

that,

Subban

will

try

to

bring

it

around.

And

Lars

Eller

for

the

Canadiens

will

dump

it

down

the

length

of

the

ice.

That'll

do

it;

Canadiens

back

to

full

strength.

Men

out

of

the

penalty

box

to

center.

Ben

Maxwell

will

chase

one

down.

A

Canadiens

farmhand

will

bring

it

back

to

the

line.

Stewart

takes

a

shot.

Here's

a

chance

in

front.

Boulton

with

a

blast

and

that

rode

up

on

Price.

And

we'll

get

a

whistle

and

a

stoppage

of

play.

Still

no

score.

Thrashers

and

Canadiens.

Sopel

now

a

member

of

the

Canadiens

this

morning.

He

was

yucking

it

up

at

the

morning

skate

with

a

couple

of

old

teammates.

Brian

Little

and

Evander

Kane.

The

trade

deadline

passed

so

recently.

How

popular

Brent

Sopel

was

with

his

teammates.

He

tweeted

yesterday:

and

said,

My

first

full

practice

with

the

Canadiens,

And

it's

in

Atlanta.

He

said,

After

practice,

I'm

going

to

go

back

home

and

pack.

It

is

one

of

those

oddities.

It

is.

And

it

seems

to

happen

more

than

you

expect.

The

team

that

you

get

traded

from,

If

you

play

them

relatively

quickly.

Certainly

the

case

here

with

Brent

Sopel.

He's

already

two

for

two

on

the

penalty

kill

against

his

former

team.

And

that's

the

main

reason

the

Canadiens

dealt

for

Sopel.

Puck

is

flipped

in

and

in

behind

the

net.

The

other

thing

that's

almost

a

given

when

it

comes

to

trades

is

it

always

seems

like

teams

acquire

players

that

do

very

well

against

that

particular

team.

Robbie

Schremp

had

a

three-point

game

against

the

Thrashers

as

a

member

of

the

Islanders

in

December.

This

one

flipped

back

in.

Hal

Gill

in

chase.

Wheeler

now

behind

the

net

for

Andrew

Ladd.

One

is

flipped

over

the

glass

and

out

of

play.

While

we

have

this

chance,

Darren,

It's

been

a

while,

but...

Now

we

finally

have

a

break

to

take

a

look

at

the

keys

to

the

game.

That's

right.

You

just

want

to

carry

on,

Keep

things

moving

in

a

positive

direction,

Positive

trends,

Keep

the

goals

against

down,

Keep

outshooting

the

opposition,

Putting

pucks

on

net,

And

heroics.

It

was

Ron

Hainsey's

turn

last

game.

Even

though

it's

a

team

game,

this

time

of

year,

Somebody

has

to

step

up

and

be

the

hero.

Who

will

it

be

this

evening?

That

was

the

case

the

other

night.

Going

to

go

from

Stapleton.

His

first

of

the

season,

Ron

Hainsey.

He

gets

a

goal.

And

a

big

save

there.

The

Thrashers

got

a

big

save

from

their

goaltender.

Chris

Mason.

Mara

shot

that

from

about

three

feet

outside

the

blue

line.

It

was

offside

and

on

goal.

That's

what

they're

talking

about

right

now.

So

they'll

bring

the

faceoff

outside

the

zone.

With

Paul

Mara

having

a

conversation.

Our

linesman,

Pierre

Racicot.

They

had

to

rebuild

their

blue

line

on

the

fly

in

Montreal.

Part

of

that,

And

it's

all

because

of

injuries.

He's

out.

He's

the

best

player.

Gomez

tries

to

get

it

back

and

over

the

line.

That's

stripped

away

by

Ron

Hainsey.

Spot

check

as

well.

Here's

a

shot

and

a

goal.

Put

it

home.

And

the

Canadiens

have

taken

a

lead.

There

wasn't

much

Chris

Mason

could

do,

and

Montreal

didn't

have

to

do

very

much.

The

hard

rim

comes

all

the

way

around,

It

kicks

out,

It

comes

off

Kane's

skate.

And

you

can

see

there's

a

shooting

lane

that

goes

off

Kane's

stick.

As

he

was

a

half

step

late

coming

off

the

board.

It's

not

his

fault.

He's

just

trying

to

help

out.

And

it

just

went

the

other

way

for

Chris

Mason

and

the

Atlanta

Thrashers.

Max

Pacioretty

is

going

to

get

the

goal.

And

it

comes

at

He

scored

a

few

goals

when

he

played

for

Red

Berenson

at

Michigan.

He

said

that

he

could

be

buried

in

the

AHL.

He

said

he

wanted

to

come

up

and

prove

that

he

could.

Play

at

the

NHL

level.

And

he

has.

Off

of

the

season

for

Pacioretty.

And

it

goes

unassisted.

Oduya

will

take

it

away

and

back

it

over

the

line

for

Antropov.

And

his

shot

is

blocked

away

by

Carey

Price.

Radek

Dvorak

in

the

corner.

Out

of

the

line.

Oduya.

Nice

feet.

Buckland

for

the

middle.

The

backhand

shot

goes

wide.

Thorburn

out

there

right

now

with

Dvorak

and

Antropov.

Now

he's

going

to

try

to

get

to

the

bench

as

the

puck

is

cleared

out.

Now

skating

five-on-five.

That

trio

conversation

is

going

to

be

very

important.

Especially

on

the

bench.

You've

got

three

guys

who

played

on

three

different

teams

the

last

time

they

suited

up.

Knocked

away.

And

Lars

Eller

with

it.

Backing

over

the

line.

Poked

it

away

by

Thorburn.

And

now

Thorburn

will

bring

it

right

back.

Congratulations

again

to

Chris

Thorburn.

GM

Rick

Dudley.

The

best

part

of

the

trade

deadline,

Not

the

guy

just

brought

in,

But

the

guy

he's

locking

up,

Building

the

pieces

of

the

core.

Trying

to

work

it

along

on

the

right

wing,

Really

starting

to

take

shape

for

future

seasons.

Arzeller

will

move

it

out.

Right

back

in.

The

Thrashers

made

a

bunch

of

deals

yesterday,

And

Mark

Stuart

signing

that

contract

extension,

A

three-year

deal.

Here

you

have

Buffenstein,

Stewartstein,

Thorburnstein.

To

center.

remaining

in

this

opening

period.

Max

Pacioretty's

goal

has

made

it

Canadiens.

Bogosian

can

turn

the

other

way

by

Plakanitz.

Skates

all

the

way

back

to

center

ice.

Here's

a

chance.

Little

over

the

line.

By

Stapleton.

Pacioretty's

goal

has

given

the

Canadiens

a

lead.

Canadiens

off

to

a

good

start

tonight

with

a

lead,

trying

to

solidify

a

playoff

spot

of

their

own.

And

when

they

score

first,

Darren...

Very

successful

at

He

likes

to

lock

it

down.

They're

one

of

only

three

teams

that

are

in

the

top

in

both

penalty

kill

and

power

play.

So

five-on-five,

when

they

get

the

lead,

That's

why

they're

very

successful,

Very

adept

at

locking

things

down,

They

generate

offensive

chances.

Out

of

the

zone.

This

one

went

right

back

into

the

glass

and

out

of

play.

Sent

one

in.

Played

in

behind

it.

Caught

by

Eddie.

Cruising

along

for

Gomez.

Maybe

they're

trying

to

get

something

going

in

the

corner.

Good

keep

at

the

line

by

Wisniewski,

but

it's

blocked

away.

And

the

Thrashers

get

it

to

center

with

Anthony

Stewart.

For

Stapleton.

Here's

the

trailer

by

Gomez,

but

it

went

right

over

his

stick.

That

break

there

for

Zach

as

it

was

flipped

right

back

in.

It

really

was

because

Tim

Stapleton

surveyed

the

ice

and

found

the

lane.

Stapleton

played

one

of

his

best

games

as

a

Thrasher

on

Sunday

against

Toronto.

Best

game

I've

ever

seen

him

play

at

any

level.

I've

seen

him

in

the

NHL

a

couple

of

times.

He

was

just

so

dynamic,

so

committed

to

it,

making

things

happen.

He

showed

those

good

hands

with

a

spinorama

shot.

And

Price

had

to

come

up

with

a

left-hand

save.

Price

has

been

sharp.

We've

had

a

few

good

looks

and

Price

has

thwarted

all

of

them.

Bumping

play

behind

the

net

for

Toby

Enstrom.

Shrimp

and

De

Arna

in

a

battle

along

the

far

boards.

Now

it's

played

back

to

the

line.

Sopel.

This

one's

going

to

be

moved

out

of

there

as

the

Thrashers

look

to

get

it

out.

Pradeck

Dvorak

flips

it

into

the

corner.

Dvorak

trying

to

bump

Subban

off

the

puck.

Big

hit

that

time.

Boulton

all

over

Palmeira.

Maxwell

in

the

corner

for

Atlanta.

Travis

Moen

will

come

away

with

it

for

the

Canadiens.

Going

up

on

the

play.

Brown

Stewart

lost

the

puck.

Behind

the

net.

Johnny

Oduya

looked

to

get

it

out.

Center

for

Boulton.

Into

the

zone

is

Thorburn.

Go

for

the

Thrashers

down

low.

Kostitsyn

through

center.

He'll

flip

one

right

down

into

the...

Atlanta's

energy

down

to

that

fourth

line

gives

them

a

little

bit

of

pop.

It's

worked

out

well

for

them.

Checking

line.

Wheeler

trying

to

get

the

puck

over

the

line,

got

stood

up.

Now

the

other

way

for

the

veterans

Halpern,

Five

seconds

to

go

in

the

period.

One

of

the

changes

comes

from

the

checking

line

to

give

them

a

little

bit

of

balance.

Not

the

guy,

but

you've

got

to

blow

the

whistle

eventually.

They're

going

to

whistle

here.

Finally,

we'll

get

a

face-off.

That

faceoff,

I'm

still

watching

the

play,

has

to

come

outside.

Because

Halpern

didn't

move.

Yeah,

It

did.

I

was

watching

what

they

were

going

to

do.

The

referee

was

not

happy

that

Halpern

wouldn't

move

it.

And

then

Boulton

finally

has

to

come

in

and

try

to

dislodge

the

puck.

And

they

still

put

the

blame

and

the

onus

on

Halpern.

That's

the

neutral

zone

faceoff.

Hammerlick

will

send

one

deep

and

a

Rolling

the

puck

around

for

Kane.

Thrashers

tagging

it

out.

At

the

ready.

That's

the

way

good

play

by

Stapleton

to

the

corner

as

he

tries

to

work

it

up

for

Kane.

Now

Kane

just

wants

to

kill

time.

Back

of

the

line

it

goes.

Hammerlick

is

going

to

run

out,

and

Stuart

took

exception

to

Hammerlick

firing

that

puck

long.

After

the

whistle.

You

could

hear

it.

You

can

tell

it's

getting

close

to

stretch

drive

time.

The

calendar

is

flipped

to

March.

Every

inch

of

ice

is

being

hotly

contested.

March

and

that

mean

streak

that

goes

with

that

month.

So

Stewart

is

having

words.

And

we

have

reached

the

end

of

the

opening

period.

Max

Pacioretty

scored

the

lone

goal

for

the

Montreal

Canadiens.

They

lead

Don't

go

anywhere

when

we

come

back.

Welcome

back.

We're

getting

set

for

the

second

period

tonight.

The

Thrashers

are

trailing

the

Canadiens.

And

they're

going

to

have

to

begin

the

second

period

shorthanded.

Darren.

Here's

why.

Shot

goes

in.

It's

late.

It's

after

the

whistle.

It

hits

Anthony

Stewart

in

the

foot.

He

gives

a

cross-check

to

the

back.

Hamerlich

shot

it.

He

goes

to

the

box

for

cross-checking.

So

a

very

tough

start

for

Atlanta.

A

very

important

start.

Matty,

here

to

start

this

second

period.

So

that

comes

at

the

mark

of

the

opening

period.

The

Thrashers

are

shorthanded.

They'll

send

out

Thorburn

along

with

Dvorak,

Bogosian,

and

Johnny

Oduya

to

kill

off

this

Montreal

power

play.

Wisniewski

will

bring

the

puck

over

the

line

as

we

begin

play

here

in

the

second.

Johnny

Oduya

will

try

to

play

it

to

the

corner.

Nice

play

by

Oduya

to

lock

it

up.

The

Thrashers

are

trying

to

get

it

out;

they

can't,

however.

However.

Kanitzel

plays

down

low

with

support

along

the

boards.

Dvorak

is

swatting

away

at

it,

but

not

with

a

lot

of

composure.

Had

that

do-over

again

to

end

the

first

period.

Dvorak

dove

twice

along

the

boards.

Couldn't

come

up

with

it.

Stick.

Lost

puck.

Into

the

skates.

You

could

see

how

much

time

there

was.

He

came

all

the

way

down

low

off

his

skate.

Up

and

in.

of

the

season

for

Wisniewski,

and

it

comes

on

the

power

play

at

the

mark.

They

went

out

and

got

him

for

his

big

shot

on

the

power

play,

and

they

lost.

So

Thrashers

down

just

like

Sunday

as

we

get

a

whistle

on

the

hand

pass.

career

power-play

goal.

That's

a

deflating

turn

of

events

for

the

head

coach,

exhorting

his

troops

to

'let's

go.'

Let's

go.

Let's

go.

Again,

they

had

lots

of...

Energy

and

enthusiasm

on

that

penalty

kill.

But

there

just

wasn't

a

lot

of

cohesiveness.

Puckett

got

to

the

side.

Even

three

times

he

was

through

the

back

of

the

net...

set

one

into

the

hole.

Puckett's

going

to

go

all

the

way

down

over

the

ice,

through

center.

Right

back

through

center.

Pacioretty.

Andrew

Kane.

Stewart

has

it.

Back

it

over

the

line.

Shot

goes

wide

on

the

mark.

Things

are

opening

up

a

little

bit

here

as

Enstrom

brings

it

across

center.

Price,

and

he

holds.

Look

at

Toby

Enstrom.

Over

nine

minutes

of

ice

time

in

that

first

period.

So

you

can

talk

with

all

the

other

defensemen.

He

is

the

linchpin.

He

is

the

go-to

guy

in

all

situations.

Special

time

out

there

killing

penalties.

Which

he

hasn't

done

much

of

this

year.

He

was

out

there

in

that

first

period

doing

that.

Looks

like

a

too-many-men

penalty

here

after

the

whistle.

So

the

Thrashers

are

going

to

go

back

to

the

power

play.

And

not

a

must-need.

But

what

a

boost

that

would

give

if

they

could

cash

in

on

this

one.

Doc

Marten

is

furious

at

the

second

such

infraction

in

this

game.

Sets

it

up

for

Enstrom

and

he'll

play

it

down

low

for

Little.

Back

to

the

line.

Enstrom.

Thrashers

look

to

set

it

up.

Ladd,

Nice

feed

to

Bufflin.

Now

Bufflin

with

a

shot.

Locked

away

by

Mullen.

Ladd

goes

after

it.

By

Bufflin.

Bit

of

a

gamble.

It

pays

off.

Bufflin

there.

Big

circle.

Out

high.

Bufflin,

Rink-wide,

Wheeler,

Here's

a

chance.

Enstrom

with

a

blast.

Stopped

that

time

by

Price.

Now

Bufflin,

Here's

a

chance

for

Little.

Little

watches

it

out

high

for

Wheeler.

And

now

Bufflin

is

looking

around.

Bufflin

trying

to

get

it

through

that

seam,

but

it's

going

to

be

taken

away,

And

Brent

Sopel

will

get

it

back

to

center

ice.

And

over

the

line

for

Placanitz,

but

the

Canadiens

are

offside.

Check

that

power

play

for

the

Thrashers,

the

best

of

the

three

that

they've

had.

A

good

run

against

the

Montreal

Canadiens

in

consecutive

games.

Straight.

And

they've

also

had

good

success

against

the

Canadiens

overall.

Big

part

of

that

prowess

on

the

power

play.

Bogosian

will

set

one

in.

He

tries

to

play

it

to

the

line.

Enstrom

has

it.

Enstrom

walking

that

blue

line.

Halpern

has

a

loose

puck

and

sent

it

all

the

way

down

the

length

of

the

ice.

Fine

play

defensively

by

Jeff

Halpern.

He

didn't

fall

for

any

of

Kovalchuk's

elusive

moves.

And

he's

the

first

player

I've

seen

all

season

to

contain

him

that

way...

by

Bogosian,

but

it's

turning

the

other

way.

To

go

on

the

power

play.

Bogosian

at

center

of

the

play.

Out

of

the

box

is

Kostitsyn.

He's

still

with

the

puck.

Over

the

shot.

Rebound!

Between

being

sure

and

taking

too

much

time.

And

Carey

Price

showed

why

he's

one

of

the

best

goaltenders

in

the

game.

He

gets

it

back

through

center

ice

and

over

the

line.

Extra

trailer.

Shot

just

wide

of

the

mark.

Chris

Thorburn

that

time

nearly

did

the

splits.

That's

control

of

the

puck.

All

over

the

puck.

One

of

the

newest

Thrashers.

Good

follow-up

plays

after

that.

Really

good

bid

by

Chris

Thorburn.

Bufflin.

Heads

up.

Makes

it

happen

here.

Handle

it.

Make

sure

of

it.

But

you

can

see

good

plays.

Give

it

an

extra

second.

That

split

second.

Thorburn

did

what

he

had

to

do

to

settle

it

down.

But

that

just

gave

Price

time

to

get

over

most

goaltenders.

Would

have

been

reaching.

Flailing.

Back

through

center

ice.

Stapleton

with

speed.

He

comes

in.

Stapleton

shoots

and

he

stops.

And

the

puck

goes

wide

of

Price.

Good

speed

that

time

by

Tim

Stapleton.

Puck

will

be

played

to

the

corner.

Here's

a

chance.

He'll

feed

the

point

man.

It's

Oduya.

Slap

shot

wide

of

the

mark.

Stewart

keeps

it.

Tried

to

go

five-hole

again.

That

lateral

mobility

by

Carey

Price.

Ward

and

Stapleton

will

step

out.

Canadiens.

Wisniewski

adds

to

their

lead

here

in

the

second.

Canadiens

with

a

lead.

Thrashers

try

to

throw

some

additional

offense

at

Carey

Price.

Price

has

been

the

story

the

last

several

shifts.

Little

wins

a

faceoff.

He

gets

to

the

spot

and

just

wheels

and

whips

it

on

goal.

Price

makes

the

save

and

is

tidy

with

the

rebound

as

well.

So

the

faceoff

at

the

left

of

the

Canadiens'

goal.

This

one's

going

to

pop

all

the

way

back

inside

the

Atlanta

zone.

He

intercepts

it.

It's

taken

away.

Hainsey

looks

for

the

outlet

and

he

finds

Blake

Wheeler.

Three-on-two

for

the

Thrashers.

Wheeler

with

a

shot.

Price

knocks

it

away.

And

this

is

going

to

be

a

delay

of

game.

It

is

against

the

goaltender.

Third

one

of

the

season.

I

believe.

Against

Price.

Wheeler

blasts

it;

Price

doesn't

handle

it

it

starts

by

batting

against

the

end

boards.

Instead,

it

goes

up

and

out

of

play

without

hitting

the

glass.

No

different

than

a

forward

or

a

defenseman

in

the

defensive

zone.

Price

was

whistled

for

that

infraction.

Opportunity

yet

again.

But

right

now

the

difference

is

the

offensive

impetus

is

already

in

place.

Now

you

have

to

ramp

it

up

here

on

the

power

play.

Atchuretti

serving

the

minor.

Enstrom

now

working

down

low.

Little

up

front

with

Ladd

and

Wheeler.

D.K.

Subban

takes

it

away

and

he

clears

it

out.

Here

comes

the

Canadiens

shorthanded.

He

sets

one

wide.

Little

will

set

it

up.

Offside.

Buckland

will

bring

it

across

center.

Little

is

in

on

the

forecheck.

Puck

inside

the

zone.

Buckland

will

counter.

Snuck

through

Carey

Price,

but

went

wide

to

the

left

post.

He's

been

too

good.

That

kind

of

luck

on

his

side

as

well.

Buckland

will

dump

one

in.

Stewart

now.

So

is

Buckland.

He

takes

it

away.

Now

Antropov.

Enstrom.

Enstrom.

Brister

to

the

net.

Stopped

and

a

good

clear

that

time

by

Merrill.

It's

going

to

try

to

get

it

out.

All

the

way

back

to

center.

It

was

a

fantastic

clear

because

of

the

recognition

where

the

rebound

went,

where

the

danger

was.

Back

it

over

the

line,

he

goes.

Kane

trying

to

pull

up.

Enstrom.

Antropov.

To

Enstrom,

he

shoots.

Stopped.

Rebound.

A

stick.

Dustin

Byfuglien

was

right

in

front

of

Carey

Price.

What

a

sequence

on

the

power

play.

Byfuglien,

three

groups.

Tape

to

tape.

Antropov.

Through

the

perfect

butterfly

a

little

bit

lucky

sometimes

doesn't

hurt

either:

off

the

arm

and

the

body

and

out

the

other

side

for

Carey

Price,

and

after

that

the

pressure

continued

on

the

power

play.

Forwards,

they

look

to

chip

it

out.

Canadiens

are

back

in

with

it.

Wheeler

getting

held

up

outside

by

Hamrlik.

Flips

it

back

and

over

the

line.

Dapleton.

A

trip

to

the

front.

Set

up

for

Thorburn.

Here's

a

chance.

Oduya.

And

that's

blasted

and

stopped

by

Carey

Price.

Thrashers

shots

to

six

for

the

Canadiens.

Carey

Price

under

siege,

looking

calm,

cool,

and

collected.

Nice

little

tuck

pass

off

the

dasher

board

to

the

top

of

the

paint.

Oduya,

seeing

a

shot,

gobbled

up

by

Carey

Price.

here

in

the

second.

But

the

Thrashers

trailing

at

And

the

quality

scoring

chances

in

the

second.

overall

in

the

game.

You

get

one.

You

get

one,

you

probably

get

more

than

one.

Typically

how

it

goes,

you

can

say

that

with

more

certainty

against

certain

goaltenders.

I'm

not

positive

that

would

be

the

case

against

Price.

But

I

think

it

would

just

give

your

bench

such

a

lift.

The

offense

is

really

grinding

it

out

pretty

well

right

now.

They

just

need

to

get

that

first

reward.

Stares

it

around

and

now

Hainsey

behind

the

net

as

he

gives

to

Bogosian.

Thrashers

will

try

to

get

it

up

ice

here.

Bogosian

very

patient.

Ladd

and

Wheeler

back

out

there

for

head

coach

Craig

Ramsay.

Comes

back

to

center.

Went

for

Pouliot.

It's

taken

away.

Up

with

Bogosian

getting

to

it

first.

The

hand

leads

to

nothing.

You

be

the

judge.

Enstrom

comes

across.

Low

now.

Pacioretty

already

takes

his

hand

off

the

stick.

Does

that

draw

the

call?

Enstrom

thinks

he

did

everything

right.

It

seemingly

was

a

good

Hard

hockey

play.

Now

it's

just

hard

to

take.

Which

will

negate

seconds

of

the

Canadiens'

power.

Jacques

Martin

can't

be

happy

with

his

team.

The

number

of

minors

they're

taking.

Up

underneath

the

arm.

You

see

the

difference?

I

do.

With

Enstrom,

He

was

on

the

stick.

And

it

may

have

ridden

up

into

the

glove.

Then

Pacioretty

had

all

kinds

of

movement

that

seemed

to

draw

the

call.

That

one

was

up

under

the

arm.

Clearly

looking

four-on-four

as

a

result.

Bogosian

has

it.

He

sent

it

to

the

net.

And

a

rebound

is

there.

Kane

gets

tripped

up.

His

new

steal

will

get

it

out.

Kane

must

He

doesn't

get

many

calls.

He

doesn't

get

the

benefit

of

the

doubt.

He

must

do

a

lot

of

talking

or

something.

He

works

so

hard

to

draw

calls.

And

he

doesn't

get

any

calls.

Or

Wisniewski,

Excuse

me,

had

a

shot

on,

and

that

was

stopped

by

Chris

Mason.

Thrashers

have

had

all

sorts

of

chances

with

their

shots

on

Carey

Price

here

in

the

second.

But

they've

yet

to

get

one

by

him.

One

of

those

real

good

trends

we

talked

about

in

our

four

keys

to

the

game.

We're

starting

to

out-shoot

opponents

regularly.

and

anybody

who

Anyone

who

watches

this

team

for

any

length

of

time

knows

that's

never

really

been

a

strength

or

a

trend.

Ten

straight

games.

They

have

not

been

outshot.

That

has

to

be

a

record.

Yeah.

They're

leading

by

a

wide

margin

here.

He'll

circle

back.

Half

a

minute

to

go

in

the

four-on-four.

All

sorts

of

ice

out

there

right

now.

Let's

flip

the

law.

A

little

through

center.

Here

he

comes.

In

over

the

line,

He

goes.

A

little

in

the

corner.

He'll

give

to

Byfuglien.

To

Little.

All

sorts

of

room.

Wrist

shot.

Locked.

Hal

Gill

got

right

in

the

middle

of

that.

Chris

Mason.

Pacioretty's

had

a

whale

of

a

game

here

tonight

for

the

Canadiens.

He

has

a

goal.

Very

good

at

both

ends.

Speria

sends

one

in.

Power

play

for

another

with

shots.

Tried

to

move

on

Sopel.

The

Canadiens

are

going

to

get

it

out.

They

get

a

whistle

here.

Back

it

over

the

line.

The

Canadiens

are

offside.

Well,

We've

been

talking

a

lot

about

the

trades

tonight,

players,

Darren,

in

the

National

Hockey

League

were

traded

in

the

month

of

February.

Yeah,

The

month

was

busy.

The

deadline

day

itself,

Not

so

much,

But

that's

because

so

much

of

the

heavy

lifting.

And

big

moves

were

done

earlier.

Mullen's

shot

is

stopped.

It's

more

like

a

dud

line

yesterday

as

this

one

goes

to

the

front.

And

now

Kane

will

get

it

out.

He

gets

it

back

and

over

the

line

before

it's

cleared.

And

now

this

one

will

be

sent

in

by

Hainsey.

Maybe

a

'dud'

line

because

Rick

Dudley

was

very,

very

busy.

And

it

was

only

a

dud

for

the

media.

I

mean,

The

general

manager

is

Still

trying

to

do

their

job

and

control

the

process.

And

the

way

they've

done

that

is

by

saying,

you

know

what,

We're

not

going

to

be

part

of

the

last

day

event.

We're

going

to

do

our

deals

early

on

when

the

media

is

not

all

gathered

waiting

and

hanging

on

our

every

word.

Torbert

will

take

it

to

the

corner.

Behind

the

net,

Antropov.

Knocked

over

by

Hal

Gill.

And

out

of

the

zone

it

goes

to

Johnny

Oduya.

Pinch

up

and

we'll

get

an

icing

call

here.

I

was

able

to

burn

through

a

pot

of

coffee

yesterday

watching

all

the

activity.

These

guys

are

trying

to

burn

through

the

Montreal

defense.

It's

never

even

one-on-one,

no.

It

isn't.

It

had

good

success.

against

the

Habs

this

year.

Rob

Schremp

has

it,

trying

to

get

it

to

the

front.

Dvorak

was

there.

Easily

taken

away

by

Stapleton,

but

the

Canadiens

will

hustle

it

out.

Looked

into

the

corner

and

in

behind

the

net

Sorts

of

room.

One

right

back

to

the

line.

Trying

to

get

a

change.

And

this

one

goes

over

the

glass

and

out

of

play.

Under

three

remaining.

Canadiens.

Canadiens

continue

to

lead

here

against

the

Atlanta

Thrashers

at

Philips

Arena.

Under

three

minutes

remaining.

But

there's

hope,

Folks.

There

is...

season.

Best

record

versus

Le

Zebiton.

Thrashers

have

had

success.

So

is

the

Southeast.

And

they're

currently

on

a

Southeast

swing.

So

hopefully

the

Thrashers

can

score

two

and

find

that

third

one

as

well.

And

Montreal

can

continue

to

live

through

the

Southeast.

Sounds

good

to

me.

Five

of

the

next

six

are

on

the

road.

They

go

to

Florida

and

Tampa

from

here.

As

you

mentioned.

Darren.

They

get

a

home

game

against

Boston.

But

then

right

back

on

the

road

to

St.

Louis

and

Pittsburgh.

They

finish

with

four

out

of

five

on

the

road.

Let's

hope

it

matters

for

the

Thrashers.

It

might

for

the

Canadiens.

The

schedule

is

grueling.

They

only

have

seven

more

home

games.

And

they

are

a

vastly

different

team

statistically

on

home

ice

versus

the

road.

Out

of

the

zone,

and

now

it

bounces

back

and

we

get

a

whistle

on

the

offside.

You

don't

want

to

go

there,

other

than

it's

a

great

atmosphere.

There's

a

home

road

disparity.

Third

best,

Seventh

worst.

Great

place

to

go

and

watch

a

hockey

game,

and

obviously

a

great

place

to

play

if

you're

wearing

the

Montreal

Canadiens

colors.

Always

fun

to

go

to

Montreal.

What

a

big

win

the

Thrashers

had

there.

January

Yep.

OT

winner.

Here's

the

chance,

Bogosian.

And

he

sent

it

just

wide.

Maybe

he'll

get

it

out.

Halpert

to

Wisniewski.

Wisniewski

trying

to

split

to

the

fence.

Oh,

What

a

move!

And

will

it

be

a

penalty?

It's

going

to

be

a

hooking

penalty.

You

have

to

have

some

separation.

Yeah.

Not

much

there.

Wisniewski's

had

a

solid

game.

He

Has

lost

the

puck.

Ron

Hainsey

and

Zach

Bogosian

kept

moving

sideways

and

just

followed

the

bouncing

puck

up

the

middle.

Nothing

that

Hainsey

can

do

other

than

turn

and

try

to

take

Wisniewski.

And

Wisniewski

has

had

a

good

game.

Good

offensive

player.

No

doubt

about

that.

Big

penalty

kill

here.

Goes

without

saying

for

the

Atlanta

Thrashers.

Get

behind

the

net.

Johnny

Oduya

looks

to

move

it

along.

That's

not

a

bad

thing

because

he's

the

most

prolific

scorer

up

front.

Continues

to

churn.

Continues

to

burn

inside

a

little

bit

because

he

hasn't

scored

in

eight

games.

In

behind.

Chipping

along.

Here's

a

chance

for

Morak.

He'll

have

to

hustle

back.

He's

flipped

back

in

against

Dustin.

Bionta

didn't

lose

a

tooth.

He

didn't

get

cut,

but

he

could

have.

Play

sequence

for

the

Montreal

Canadiens.

Thrashers

down

two

defensemen.

Here's

a

chance.

Kamilari

to

Wisniewski.

Canadiens

setting

it

up,

and

a

shot.

Locked

away

by

Mason.

Five

seconds

left

on

the

power

play.

Bogosian

got

up

on

it

and

sent

it

out.

Three

seconds

to

go

in

the

period.

Canadiens

on

a

four-on-three

power

play.

They're

next.

Top

of

Carey

Price.

Eight

seconds

to

go,

and

this

one's

going

to

be

played

by

Bogosian.

Now

Johnny

Oduya

just

killed

time.

The

same

situation

they

had

the

other

night.

End

of

two.

And

the

Canadiens

lead

on

goals

by

Pacioretty

and

Wisniewski.

Lots

of

chances

tonight

for

the

Thrashers.

But

they

have

yet

to

score

a

goal

on

Carey

Price.

They

trail

as

we

get

set

for

the

third

period.

He's

being

too

cool

for

school.

Just

like

Sunday

night.

We'll

see

if

the

Thrashers

can

battle

back

here

against

the

Canadiens.

shots

through

two

periods

of

play.

And

the

Canadiens

will

win

control.

seconds

left.

seconds

left

on

the

penalty

to

Dustin

Byfuglien.

So

the

Canadiens

start

the

third

on

the

power

play

as

they

did

the

second.

And

that

is

a

major

difference

compared

to

Sunday.

And

we

know

Wisniewski,

and

that

could

send

them

both.

You've

got

to

be

kidding

me.

Thorburn

tried

to

battle

through

it.

You

be

the

judge

here.

The

puck

is

gone.

How

is

that

not

called?

There's

no

puck

in

view.

The

puck

is

nowhere.

And

there's

the

puck.

It's

gone.

Plekanec

has

to

be

called

for

interference.

And

he

will

be.

But

Thorburn,

frustrated

that

there

was

no

call

forthcoming,

is

called

as

well.

It's

a

brutal

call.

The

standard

has

slipped.

The

sludge

has

set

in.

That's

unbelievable.

That

camera

look

will

send

it

right

back

up

the

ice.

Canadiens

still

in

a

five-on-four

for

another

seconds.

Kanitz

gets

interference.

Corbin

gets

the

roughing

penalty

for

the

forearm

shove

on

Kanitz.

Knocked

away.

Here's

Kane.

Up

there

by

Carey

Price.

Out

of

the

zone

it

goes.

D'Arnais.

Meanwhile,

Byfuglien

is

out

of

the

penalty

box,

And

he'll

skate

it

up,

passing

to

Stewart.

Dropping

for

Bogosian.

Behind

the

net

for

Stewart.

Anthony

Stewart.

They're

playing

it

in

behind

the

net

for

Byfuglien.

Now

Stewart

with

it.

Canadiens

try

to

get

it

out.

And

Gionta

will

move

it

back

to

center.

That's

taken

away

by

Zach

Bogosian.

And

here

comes

Gomez.

Got

a

player

flying

on

the

right

wing.

He

drops

it.

And

a

shot

right

to

the

glove

of

goaltender

Chris

Mason.

By

Gionta

there

with

a

bid.

Real

nice

job

by

Evander

Kane.

Anticipating.

Trying

to

get

Price

moving

and

then

trying

to

get

him

low.

You

can

see

the

pad

was

already

there.

If

you're

going

to

make

that

move

on

Carey

Price

because

he's

so

good

side-to-side,

you're

going

to

have

to

think,

right,

there's

no

way

you're

going

to

slide

it

home.

Unless

you

open

them

up

ever

so

slightly

and

get

it

between

the

pads,

but

not

very

likely.

Ben

Maxwell

loses

the

draw.

Subban.

Shot

was

blocked

away

as

Atlanta

will

try

to

play

it

in

behind.

The

Canadiens

swatting

away

at

it.

Lars

Eller

was

there.

Now

we

get

a

whistle.

They

mark

this

face

off.

I

don't

think

that

gets

in

the

heads

of

the

guys

shooting.

Craig

Ramsay

tells

these

guys

to

shoot,

shoot,

shoot

some

more.

And

they're

doing

a

good

job

of

that,

outshooting

the

Montreal

Canadiens

almost

in

this

game.

Ben

Maxwell,

on

the

face-off,

loses

it.

And

Merrill

will

send

one

in

for

the

Canadiens.

Around

the

boards,

Bolton

will

try

to

get

it

out,

and

he

does.

All

the

way

back

down

the

length

of

the

ice.

Silver

touches

up,

and

we'll

get

an

icing

call

here

against

the

Thrashers.

Well,

he

can

be

there

for

a

brutally

good

time,

and

the

Thrashers

play

host

to

the

Panthers

this

Saturday

night.

Enjoying

tonight's

game.

Sopel

has

it.

He'll

send

to

the

corner.

Maxwell

trying

to

move

it

along.

He'll

chip

it

out,

get

it

back

for

Wheeler.

He

was

following

up,

but

he

was

a

little

bit

late.

The

puck

is

clear.

Adjustment

of

his

own.

We

saw

him

score

exactly

the

same

way.

Good

strength

down

the

wall.

Take

Brent

Sopel

out

of

play.

Almost

banks

it

in

off

Carey

Price.

Blake

Wheeler's

best

shift

of

the

game.

Off

the

draw.

By

Price

into

the

corner.

Denise

Stewart.

Back

to

center.

gone

in

this

third

period

of

play

tonight.

Thrashers

entering

play.

Four

points

out

of

the

eighth

and

final

playoff

position.

Canadiens

have

points.

They

are

currently

sixth.

So

they

would

be

in.

Over

the

top

of

the

net.

Back

to

center.

Canadiens

alive.

It

gets

intercepted

out

high

in

the

slot

like

that.

Leaves

his

own

man.

Quickly

offensively.

It

can

lead

to

a

rush

the

other

way.

Thrashers

were

good

to

recover

and

make

sure

Montreal

didn't

do

anything

dangerous

offensively

out

of

there.

Byfuglien

has

it

quickly

to

Enstrom.

He'll

send

one

in

behind

and

then

a

shrimp

with

it.

Reflected

to

the

corner.

High

stick

here,

so

it's

a

faceoff.

Faceoff

win.

Always

a

good

thing.

Antropov

can

get

to

the

front

of

that

Stuart

with

the

shot.

Byfuglien

in

range.

Nice

save

there.

Took

a

shift

with

the

lead.

Last

go-around,

Mark

Stuart.

Johnny

Oduya,

It's

a

team

like

Montreal.

We

saw

it

in

the

postseason.

Lean

on

you.

And

that's

where

Thorburn

was

really

frustrated

with

Palmeira.

If

you

think

about

it,

the

way

the

standards

were

coming

out

of

the

lockout,

a

stationary

player,

a

player

who

loses

body

position,

should

not

be

able

to

defend

a

guy

who's

skating.

Chessman

on

the

board.

Then

they

get

in

the

lane.

Then

they

lean

on

you.

And

it's

not

being

whistled

nearly

enough.

Kicked

this

one

around.

but

it's...

Here

he

comes.

Bogosian

off

the

Blues.

Pacioretty.

Mason.

We

get

a

whistle.

to

go

here

in

the

third.

A

lead.

Both

of

these

teams

trying

to

improve

their

lot

in

the

Eastern

Conference

playoff

race.

The

Canadiens

have

points

mentioned

moments

ago.

They're

in

six

thrashers

with

a

couple

of

points

tonight.

Could

creep

closer

to

Carolina.

Although

Carolina

was

winning

in

Raleigh.

over

the

Florida

Panthers.

But

for

the

Atlanta

Thrashers,

it's

the

same

as

it

was

the

other

night.

But

you've

got

that

first-minute

goal

in

the

third.

Time

becoming

a

factor

now.

Lots

of

time

to

score

soon.

Subban

with

a

shot.

That

caromed

off

the

glove

of

Chris

Mason.

Here's

a

chance.

Ladd

with

a

shot.

Rebound.

Ladd

tried

to

put

it

home.

He

hit

the

outside

of

the

net.

The

puck

is

cleared

out.

Pacioretty

is

going

to

chase

it

down.

He

shoots

and

sends

it

over

the

top.

They're

going

to

whistle

here.

Well,

Dan,

I'm

with

you.

You

think

that

as

hard

as

Chris

Thorburn's

been

working,

he'll

get

one

for

Greg

Ramsey.

Just

back

to

the

Eastern

Conference

race,

one

thing

I

wanted

to

point

out,

the

Buffalo

Sabres,

two

games

in

hand

on

Atlanta.

So

the

fact

that

they're

winning

in

New

York

tonight

does

not

help.

Shot

goes

wide

on

the

mark,

It

comes

in

front,

Now

Stapleton

will

take

it

away.

No,

You

don't

control

your

fate.

You'll

need

help,

But

you

have

to

take

care

of

your

own

business.

Shot

on,

Mason,

Good

bid

there

on

Mason,

But

it's

cleared

out.

I

like,

with

games

remaining

there,

You

just...

You

just

worry

about

yourself.

Just

keep

trying

to

accumulate

points

because

there's

a

grand

total

of

points

left.

Pretty

simple

math.

I

saw

a

little

grin

on

him.

Here's

a

chance

to

answer,

Pacioretty.

Looked

it

away

to

Kane

and

a

shot

is

on

and

Price

made

the

save.

You

think

that's

the

kind

of

goal

that's

going

to

be

scored,

though.

It's

a

puck

put

there

with

people

in

the

pink.

Bowen

stopped

by

Mason

and

he

holds

on.

Well,

you've

got

to

run

here

if

you're

the

Atlanta

Thrashers.

They've

got...

Excellent

goaltending

tonight

again

for

Mason.

You

get

one

here,

and

then

it's

a

horse

race.

You

get

that

photo

finish,

and

adrenaline

takes

over.

Nick

Anthropos

had

a

much

better

game.

He

struggled

recently,

just

one

assist

in

his

last

seven

games,

a

minus

seven

over

that

span.

There's

an

update

around

the

NHL.

Buffalo

over

the

Rangers

in

the

third.

Oduya

in

behind

the

net.

Mullen

now

with

it

to

the

line.

That

was

blocked

away.

Here's

a

chance.

And

that

deflects

wide

on

the

mark.

And

this

one

is

knocked

out.

Hammerlick

now.

Robby

Schremp.

Good

hit

here.

Big

hit

that

time.

Turnover.

It

comes

back

in

front.

Oh,

Schremp

overskated

it.

Goes

back

to

the

line.

Oduya.

Oduya

goes

to

the

front.

Here's

a

flip

into

the

corner

for

Schremp.

Now

Bolton

down

low.

Eric

Bolton

trying

to

wrap

it

around.

Oduya

keeps

it.

Through

center.

Lots

of

structure.

Here's

a

chance.

Pouliot.

And

that's

what

happens.

They're

playing

counterattack.

They

force

the

turnover,

and

they

get

the

bid.

Comes

in,

full

possession.

One

man

in,

just

a

little

too

casual

in

the

middle

of

the

ice.

And

the

goaltender,

Chris

Mason,

But

that's

what

the

goaltender's

there

for.

Casual,

pretty

good

way

to

describe

it

as

Mason

makes

another

save

on

Pouliot.

Maybe

casual,

maybe

a

little

too

casual

tonight.

Some

of

the

penalties

there,

There

hasn't

been

the

sharpness

we've

seen

the

last

couple

games.

That

man's

been

very

sharp

again.

But

collectively,

you're

right.

It

just

hasn't

been.

Score.

Like

you

said.

There's

been

a

crispness.

They

need

a

goal.

What

he

just

said.

Find

a

way

to

find

the

back

of

the

net

once.

Go

from

there.

Look

to

keep

it

in.

Settle

it

down.

Hainsey

in

front

of

his

own

net,

backs

it

over

the

line.

Wheeler

has

it.

Wrister,

better

breakout.

You

could

see

that

this

top

line

had

a

quiet

first

two

periods,

coming

into

play

here

in

the

third.

Got

it

in

over

the

line

to

Pacioretty.

But

it's

knocked

away

and

cleared

out.

What

a

great

effort

at

the

blue

line

by

Blake

Wheeler.

Oh.

We'll

chip

it

deep.

Enstrom

in

the

corner.

remaining

in

regulation.

Kane

will

skate

it

out.

A

step-up

move

there

by

the

former

Thrasher.

Brent

Sopel.

Enstrom

to

Anthony

Stewart.

Stewart

with

speed.

Gives

it

off

to

Antropov.

For

the

line.

Bufflin.

Passes

it.

Here's

Anthony

Stewart.

But

it's

broken

up.

Look

it's

the

other

way,

and

a

shot

on

Mason

to

save.

Big

one

there

for

Chris

Mason.

But

the

Canadiens

again

will

get

it

back

to

the

front.

They

counter.

Darren.

Yes,

I

mean.

They're

excellent

at

what

they

do.

It

fits

them

perfectly.

Just

ask

the

Washington

Capitals.

Stapleton.

Yep.

The

Canadiens.

They

tortured

the

Caps

last

spring.

Stewart

will

play

it

along

for

Rannick

Devorak.

Corner

for

Stapleton.

Feeds

him

through

the

center.

Looked

along

to

Lars

Eller.

Picked.

That

one

into

the

bench.

We'll

step

out.

remaining

in

the

third.

Montreal.

remaining

in

the

third

period.

Time

is

becoming

a

factor.

Montreal

on

top.

Chris

Mason,

Sometimes

it's

a

function

of

you

not

being

that

busy.

The

saves

you

make.

He's

done

his

job;

he's

been

beaten

twice

with

no

chance

on

either.

At

the

other

end,

Carey

Price

is

playing

great,

and

Chris

Mason

is

doing

exactly

what

he

can

big

saves

here

in

the

third

to

make

sure

the

deficit

doesn't

become

too

lopsided.

Goaltenders

with

a

goals-against

average,

assuming

they

shut

the

door

the

rest

of

the

way,

are

going

to

win

a

lot

of

hockey

games.

Chris

Mason's

been

good

here

tonight.

Dayarnay

now,

Bogosian

right

that

time,

Bogosian's

rough

right

on

Dayarnay.

Little

has

it.

Back

it

over

the

line.

He

gets

a

weak-side

winger.

Looks

like

a

breakaway

chance.

Play

of

the

game

with

Ryder

so

far.

We

want

more.

But

right

now

it's

the

play

of

the

game

because

Nik

Antropov

has

made

this

a

game

for

us.

Chris

Mason

showing

that

he's

a

good

puck

handler.

He

can

scoot

and

he

just

barely

made

it.

He

goes

to

the

puck.

For

Gionta

and

that

lead,

Mason

is

back

between

the

pipes.

He

covers

up.

Paul

Scott.

Gomez.

Disappointing.

Lose

your

margin.

The

Thrashers

had

their

great

play

in

November,

and

they're

getting

back

to

that.

They're

going

to

outshoot

their

opponent

again.

right

now,

by

a

wide

margin.

The

difference

is

the

goals

against.

In

November

when

they

were

winning,

they

had

a

stretch

where

of

the

games,

they

got

two

or

fewer

goals.

In

that

stretch,

they

went

Now

they're

back

to

putting

pucks

on

the

net,

and

they

are

getting

points

when

they

give

up

two

or

fewer.

like

the

last

game

and

the

game

before

that.

That's

more

the

key

than

anything

else.

The

two

in

combination,

you

should

win

a

ton.

So

the

team

continues

to

grow.

That's

part

of

the

growth

process.

And

as

you

mentioned,

Matty,

they

haven't

been

sharp.

They've

taken

penalties.

There's

been

just

a

little.

They've

tried

hard.

They've

done

a

lot

of

good

things.

It's

not

like

you

can

be

negative

about

it,

but

even

on

that

last

play

when

they

had

pressure

in

the

zone.

Puck

went

up

on

the

glass.

Everyone

froze

for

a

second.

They

thought

it

might

be

out

of

play

instead

of

playing

hard

right

through

it.

That'll

just

come

with

time

as

a

group.

Plays

it

in

behind

the

net;

it

goes.

Looks

to

take

a

shot.

He's

got

seconds

to

go,

and

it's

going

to

be

cleared

out

of

there.

Moves

it

back

to

center

ice.

Three

seconds

to

go,

and

that's

going

to

do

it.

The

Canadiens

come

to

Georgia.

Three

to

one,

but

most

importantly,

Carey

Price

was

absolutely

magnificent

here

tonight.

For

the

Canadiens.

He

carried

the

day.

Canadiens

played

their

game.

Thrashers

played

their

game.

The

difference.

Carey

Price

had

saves.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Atlanta Thrashers - NHL Game Highlights - January 3, 2011