OK. I have just one question (and yes I’ve been asking this question on my show a lot lately), if you’re a Habs fan, how in the name of Paul DiPietro can you doubt Saku Koivu? If not for the Captain (that’s right, he’s your captain, not Kovalev!), the Habs and their invisible power play go quietly into the night in Game Three, most likely lasting at best until a Game Six. Yes, the Flyers lost their cool (shocker!), and the Canadiens benefited with a five-minute man advantage in the third, but they do nothing with that if not for the passion, determination and instinct of Koivu!

Mike Richards predicted to Versus that Montreal wasn’t out of it after the second period, and alluded to the “leadership and desire of Koivu” as the reason. Well Richards was right on the money, as Koivu came out and scored the Habs' second goal on the aforementioned power play, his seventh point in five games. The phenom Carey Price was off tonight, and once again so was the Habs' PP, but Koivu inspired his mates to rally. They just happened to fall a bit short.

If the Habs pull out of this 2-1 series deficit, and this scribe believes they will, Koivu will be a Conn Smythe candidate. The man is playing on a bad foot, but his heart will be the main reason Habs fans’ hearts aren’t broken if Montreal wins this series.

In separate news, I’m getting psyched for the World Championships! Being a native of the United States, I’m thrilled to see a new generation of players taking over the ranks for Team USA. On Monday, Head Coach John Tortorella named Lightning forward Jeff Halpern (32 on Saturday) Captain, Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart (24 this past Sunday), and Zach Parise (23), alternate Captains. Team USA is finally past that limbo stage of waiting for their young guns to develop and holding on to the Glory Days of the 1996 World Cup victory over Canada. There’s probably no Gold in their near future as their rivals to the North are loaded once again, but the future is arriving for the Red, White and Blue!

Finally, just like to once again welcome former NHLer Ian Moran on board to the FASTHockey Radio Show! Ian brings that player insight to the show, another dose of humor and it’s a joy to work with him and Brian “Mayday” Malone! Be sure to tune in this Saturday 2-4 PM ET on “NHL Home Ice” XM 204, Team 990 in Montreal and AM 1510 The Zone in Boston. Not all of the guests are set yet, but Greg Carter, a Massachusetts based hockey instructor that Ian works with will be joining us to discuss the finer techniques of skating and the importance of practicing such techniques not only as a youngster but throughout one’s hockey career. For more information on Greg’s work and camps, check out gchockey.com.

Here’s my prediction for a big night of hockey on Tuesday:

Rangers over Penguins

Red Wings over Avs (yes, I’m going to eat crow on this series)

Stars over Sharks (my stomach is full of crow now)

Slainte,
Murph