Flames Winger Rene Bourque scores one of his two goals on Canadiens Goalie Carey Price in Calgary's 4-0 win over Montreal in the 2nd Heritage Classic
(Canadian Press)
Not to say the Canadiens didn't try or play hard, but you could clearly see that this game meant a lot more to the Flames than Montreal. The Canadiens did manage to pepper Miikka Kiprusoff with 39 shots, but their style of game didn't translate to the hard ice that they were dealing with. Calgary plays more of a deliberate, puck-possession game while Montreal's style is to rush the puck up the ice. Despite giving up four goals, Carey Price made some tough saves for the Habs. I think it's pretty funny that the problem with the Winter Classic was that the warm weather made the ice too soft, while the extreme cold made the ice too hard in Calgary for the ice to even be zambonied. While I liked the Flames throwback jerseys, the thigh pads looked like they were wearing khaki shorts. The 41,000 fans that attended yesterday's game deserve a mention for sitting through the bitter cold. The temperature at puck drop was 14 degrees Fahrenheit and it only got colder from there.
For Montreal - they've lost six of 7 now, and thing's don't get any easier as they finish their road trip in Vancouver tomorrow night before getting some home cooking against Toronto and Carolina. Calgary is in the midst of a 11-1-2 stretch and continues their five game homestand with games against Boston, San Jose and St. Louis.
NHL WEEKLY TV VIEWER GUIDE
The Pittsburgh Penguins are featured three times on national television this week (you'll get your Blackhawks fix on Sunday)
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Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins - 7:30PM - Versus
This will be the last of the four meetings between these two bitter rivals this season. The Caps have won the last two meetings since losing the first one in a shootout in DC back in December. Pittsburgh has been hanging tough, despite the injuries to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Washington is treading water in the middle of the East, going 4-5-1 in it's last 10. The NHL could get their dream, as this could be a potential playoff preview the way the standings are shaping up.
New Jersey Devils @ Dallas Stars - 8:30PM - Versus
This game features two teams going in completely opposite directions. After New Jersey looked like the worst team in the NHL for the entire first half of the season, they have come out guns blazing in the new year. The Devils have won seven in a row and are 15-1-2 in their last 18. New Jersey remains 10 points out of 8th in the East. The Stars have lost four in a row and are 2-9-1 since a four game winning streak in January. This is also Jamie Langenbrunner's first game against the Devils since he was traded to Dallas. This is their 2nd and last meeting of the season (the Stars won 4-3 in overtime on Opening night).
San Jose Sharks @ Pittsburgh Penguins - 7:30PM - Versus
The Sharks have been a streaky team in 2011. They won on New Years Day, lost six in a row, won 8 of 9, lost two, and are now in the midst of a three game winning streak. Their efforts have vaulted them to fourth in the West and one point behind Phoenix for first in the Pacific. This will be the 2nd game on a three game road trip (@ Detroit the night before). Pittsburgh has lost five of seven, but earned a point in Sunday's loss at Chicago and will play at Washington on Monday night. This will be their only meeting of the season.
Dallas Stars @ Detroit Red Wings - 7:30PM - NHL Network
Detroit is on a tear, having won five in a row and six of their past seven heading in to the week. They have a firm hold on 2nd place in the West and don't appear to be in danger of losing it any time soon. Dallas has struggled, but has beaten the Red Wings in two of their prior three meetings this season. The Red Wings host San Jose and the Stars host New Jersey before this match-up (both on Tuesday). Detroit heads on the road for five games after this one.
New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals - 7PM - NHL Network
The Capitals only game of the week before this is when they travel to the Steel City on Monday. The Capitals won the first meeting of the season between these two clubs, but have lost both at MSG since then. The Rangers have had a rough February, going 2-6-1 (four of those losses on the road). The Blueshirts travel to Carolina play the 8th place Hurricanes on Tuesday before this game and need a win to give themselves a bit of a cushion between 7th and 8th.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Toronto Maple Leafs - 7PM - NHL Network
The new look Leafs will get a chance to pounce on the wounded Penguins on national television across North America. Toronto hosts the Islanders and goes to Montreal before this game. This is their 3rd meeting of the season with the team's splitting the two match-ups in Pittsburgh earlier in the season. Toronto will continue to test out young goalie James Reimer, who is 8-4-2 with a 2.20 GAA this season.
Phoenix Coyotes @ Chicago Blackhawks - 7PM - NHL Network
The Blackhawks are clawing their way back in to the top 8 in the Western Conference, going 4-3-2 in February and are tied for the last playoff spot (they'll travel to St. Louis and Nashville before this game). Phoenix is red-hot, winning seven in a row heading in to the week. Phoenix clings on to 3rd place and the Pacific Division lead by one point over San Jose. This game closes out a five game road trip for the Desert Dogs. The Coyotes have won both meetings this season and they'll finish out the season series on 3/20.
