well, at least someone in Montreal won.

It just wasn't the Canadiens.

But the fans, well they just witnessed history. Tonight, they saw hometown boy Martin Brodeur tie Patrick Roy, another Quebecois goaltender, for the all-time win record (551) — and they made sure he knew they appreciated it.

The only problem is, it's an all-time win record. Meaning Broduer had to beat the Canadiens. And he did. So far the coaching change is going real well, eh? One helluva lucky overtime win and two losses. Perfect.

The fans serenaded the Canadiens players with well-deserved boos in the final 30 seconds of play (it was out of hand at 3-1) but as soon as the buzzer went they began cheering ... for Brodeur.

Congrats Martin Broduer.

Ok, now you can bring Avery back.

Because if anyone will have that little moron shaking in his boots, it's Torts.

Yes, the Big Apple just got a little more entertaining.

It's another one of those moments that just seems scripted. Torts will make his coaching debut with his new team in Toronto where he will bask amongst his former co-workers at TSN and the Toronto media.

I'm so happy to have my old John Tortorella back — I missed him. The screaming, yelling, swearing, f-bomb dropping Tortorella, that is. So much more fun than the reflective, non-swearing, analytical Tortorella we got on TSN (although to his defense, he did let a few drop here and there.)

Regardless. There is nothing like a good post-game interview with John Tortorella when his team played like donkey shit. And now he's with the New York Rangers. So that possibility is highly probable.

What a nice pre-trade deadline treat.


and while I was writing this post.


MARTIN BRODEUR WAS PULLED OFF INJURY RESERVE!!!
It's looking like a debut against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday is the plan.

For the conspiracy theorists out there.
Sounds like Peter Stoffer drank the koolaid.

I've got nothing.

...except for this hilariously awesome picture of Martin Brodeur.


I don't think I need to elaborate.

Ouch.

Okay. I must admit. The opening for the game was SO COOL. If you didn't catch game 3 of the Penguins and Senators series, it was the first home game for Ottawa in the playoffs. It opened with a guy dressed up like a Senator (not the Parliamentary kind). And he gave a Gladiator-esque speech. Although in my head I kept thinking he was giving a "Spartan-esque speech" which would also be known as a speech of knowing doom. "Tonight we dine. ON THE GOLF COURSE!!!!"

On top of all of these theatrics, Daniel Alfredson made his return to the lineup. And it seemed — for a short fleeting moment — that the Senators might make a series out of it. And then the Penguins scored. again. again. and again. I am going to be shocked if Ottawa pulls out the win in game four.

In some Habs news, Tomas Plekanec admitted in an interview scrum today that he "played like a little girl" the last two games. Later coach Guy Carbonneau quipped, "well it wasn't like a little girl". Plekanec has one assist in the last two games.

Dave Nonis was fired as Vancouver Canucks General Manger today. I was watching the TSN hockey panel react to this, and I must admit I agree with Bob MacKenzie. Nonis probably should have had another year to prove himself. He is the engineer behind the steal of the century: Todd Bertuzzi and Alex Auld for star goaltender Roberto Luongo (ok maybe it wasn't the trade of the century, but it was huge). And most of the Canucks defense were injured all year. And the Canucks only missed the playoffs by three points.

And of course there was Avery-gate. If you missed the Rangers and Devils play last night, pest Sean Avery stood facing goaltender Martin Brodeur and waved his stick in Brodeur's face, screening the play. I thought it was hilarious, but it obviously had to be nipped going forward. But I think some people took it a bit too seriously.

Martin who?

ok, maybe that's too far. In fact I love Martin Brodeur, he's one of the greatest goalies ever. But he did just get 4 goals scored on him, and Montreal Canadiens rookie Carey Price just got his second NHL shutout.
Now I'm not sure if Brodeur is really to blame in all of this. All four goals were absolutely beautiful, thread-the-needle passing plays by the fast Montreal forwards, that left the big, slow New Jersey defenseman with their heads spinning.

The Canadiens have the most 40 point-plus players in the league, meaning that they are very effective at pulling goals from all lines. Yes. Even Micheal Ryder got a goal. Ryder seems to be one of those streaky players — perhaps that is what is happening right now... right into the playoffs?

Before this game the Canadiens were 1 point back of the Devils and this win went a long way to help the Canadiens secure at least first in their division, and possibly the conference (although the Devils do have a game at hand).

Also worth a notable note, the Montreal fans have been absolutely fantastic, and it was especially noticed by the Versus commentators tonight. They were loud and energetic all night and gave the Habs a loud standing ovation for pretty much the last two minutes of the game.


And from the good to the absolutely terrible, the Toronto Maple Leafs. So of course the media managed to create this glimmer of hope for this deplorable team that they could possibly, maybe make the playoffs. As of today, they were in control of their own destiny. They only had the small task of winning the next 11 of 12 games. EASY! (most of which are against division rivals or other teams on the brink of the playoffs as well.) *insert snicker here*

Tonight they played the Philadelphia Flyers, and somehow they managed to pull out a 4-3 win, even though they were down 3-0 at the beginning of the third. Now it was a 4-3 win in overtime, they still get their two points, but Philadelphia got a point too. And last time I checked the Flyers were ahead of the Leafs... yup, they still are.

I'm not sure what this OT win means now. I am almost certain I heard they needed to win both of the home and home with the Flyers in regulation. I think we're pretty safe in saying the Leafs aren't making the playoffs. Actually I'm pretty sure that was safe to say roughly around Christmastime.