It seemed as though the Canadiens were destined to lose this one, despite how they played. Some might consider dropping a 3-0 lead to be a bad night, but in reality the Canadiens played much more patiently than they have recently at home, and unfortunately the Panthers aggression paid dividends. Florida was more prepared, faster, and harder working than the Canadiens in this one, and for those reasons, won the game.

The Habs were certainly working hard but their efforts were sustained by the Panthers, and hindered by untimely penalties. It was too little too late by the time the offense came around in this one. Markov potted two goals in the third period after not scoring in his last 15 games--welcome back!!

Saku Koivu certainly took his frustrations out on Jozef Stumpel, giving him a nasty crosscheck at the closing whistle. It's suspected league officials will review the play. Koivu was assessed a five minute major, and a match penalty for his cheap shot.

Stephen Weiss' slapshot goal on the rush was the one that broke the camel's back in this one. Though some might think Boullion was at fault on this play, Mark Streit made the real mistake. When your defenseman joins the rush you need to cover him, and Streit being a defenseman certainly should've realized Boullion was in a better position offensively, and he should've peeled off to cover him. Instead, fans were treated to a "fastest skater" competition as Streit, Boullion, Dandenault and Lapierre raced back up the ice to catch up to the oddman situation entering their own zone. You hate to put a goalie at fault for certain goals, but on a 2 on 1, Price is responsible for the shooter, and as good of a shot as it was, Price was cheating towards the pass, and though no one asked him about it, I can guarantee he wanted that one back.

I could also guarantee he wished he hadn't made that mistake in the first period. I'm sure many people will beg him to stay in his net from now on, but for a kid that happens to be phenomenal with his stick he should be forgiven for making an error or two. What I liked about that play was that Price didn't hesitate for a second to come out and play that puck. What I didn't like was Michael Ryder taking a leisure skate back into the zone (while the puck is deep, in the corner), his man is five feet away from him, and in better position to play a puck up the middle or off the boards...and wouldn't you know it, Mikey's too late to react. Now obviously this goal was Price's fault, but where is the sense of urgency from Ryder? Add this bonehead play to the fact that Ryder doesn't even register a shot on net for the (I don't know...tenth time this year!?!)...Do you think he'll be watching more games from the pressbox?
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Expect to see Huet and Latendresse back in the lineup. And as we saw late in last night’s game, we may expect to see Koivu with Kovalev and Higgins, while the brothers Kostitsyn lineup with Plekanec. The Canadiens visit the Caps on Thurs, and then shuffle off to Atlanta before they get a small Christmas rest….Both games will be 7:00pm starts…

Enjoy the traffic Montrealers…this city is a bloody mess…

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