|
|
|
The Montreal Canadiens strong play came to a halt with a pair of home losses against two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Heading out on the road gives them a solid opportunity to get back on track. Montreal looks to win six in a row away from home for the first time in nearly 33 years when it faces the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time this season Wednesday night. Listen to all the action LIVE on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal with coverage beginning at 5:30pm et. The Canadiens (26-12-3) concluded a perfect five-game trip with a 4-1 win over Pittsburgh on Jan. 3 while moving to 9-1-0 in their previous 10 overall. Montreal, though, failed to add to that successful stretch when it returned home. It was outshot 36-22 in a 4-2 loss to Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay on Jan. 6 and fell 2-1 in overtime in the rematch with the Penguins on Saturday. The Canadiens went scoreless in seven power-play chances over those two games and have converted once in 21 opportunities in the last seven. They allowed three goals in 10 short-handed situations on the short homestand. Montreal ranks near the bottom of the NHL with a 13.7 power-play percentage. There are a couple of issues, center David Desharnais said. First off, were having trouble getting the puck in their zone, and its hard to create scoring chances if you cant get the puck in. But when we do get in, our decision-making isnt great. We pass when we should be shooting, and we shouldnt be throwing away opportunities to get pucks on net like that. The Canadiens 13 road wins are tied for second most in the league, and theyre looking to win six straight there for the first time since an eight-game run Jan. 21-Feb. 21, 1982. Weve played well on the road recently so were excited to get back out there, said right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, who is expected to return after missing the last three games due to a concussion. I dont think we played poorly at home over the last two games, but we certainly could have played better. Based on our previous road trip, we should expect to play some good hockey in Columbus and in Ottawa (on Thursday). Montreal is 3-1-1 in five all-time visits to Columbus, winning 3-2 in a shootout in the last one Nov. 15, 2013. The Blue Jackets (18-19-3) come in having dropped their last two games by 5-2 scores. Saturdays defeat to the New York Islanders was just Columbus second in regulation in its last nine at home (6-2-1), and another bad period doomed the Blue Jackets. New York scored three times in the second after Columbus gave up four goals in the first in Fridays loss. We became undisciplined in certain areas of the game and it opened up holes and exposed us, coach Todd Richards said. Center Ryan Johansen had a career-best five-game goal streak come to an end, but he registered an assist to give him six goals and six assists during a career high-tying 10-game point streak. Johansen scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:01 remaining in a 3-2 win at Montreal on March 20. Sergei Bobrovsky will get the start in goal for the Blue Jackets. Zapatillas Baratas Spain . The Blueshirts hope to stay alive once again when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Sundays Game 6 battle at Madison Square Garden. Yeezy Baratas Hombre . Tristan Jackson returned a missed field goal 129 yards early in the fourth quarter as the Roughriders beat the B.C. https://www.zapatillasbaratasspain.es/air-max-baratas-spain-outlet-d1388.html . - Vince Wilfork has played only two career games in Kansas City. Zapatillas Baratas Imitacion . Marek Hamsik, who had earlier missed a penalty, headed Napoli in front in the 23rd minute and Pandev added a second goal five minutes from halftime. Alessandro Matri got Juventus back into the game just after the break but Pandev was on hand to score again in the 68th. Zapatillas Yeezy Baratas .com) - Jahlil Okafor erupted for 25 points and 20 rebounds as No. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Steve Smith era in Carolina is over. The Panthers released their all-time leading receiver on Thursday after 13 seasons. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said it "was not an easy decision" in a press release. "Steve has been one of the NFLs finest receivers for over a decade and has been the face of the franchise for a large part of the teams history," Gettleman said. "As a team, we made a step forward last year; however we are also a team in transition, which is a part of the NFL." Smith said on radio Thursday hes not angry about the decision. "Its devastating to hear that you are getting fired, but its also exciting because that frees me up to be pursued by other teams," Smith told Taylor Zarzour of SiriusXMs Bleacher Report Radio." I have never become a free agent before so I will get a few free dinners out of it at some nice expensive restaurants. I want to enjoy the experience that, frankly, I will never experience again." Smith reiterated he wants to play in the NFL and that being released "awoke a sleeping giant" inside of him. The decision comes one day after Smiths agent, Derrick Fox, told The Associated Press that the 13-year NFL veteran "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that." Fox said the Panthers never asked Smith, who turns 35 in May, to restructure his current contract. The Panthers were unable to trade Smith, who was set to cost $7 million under this years salary cap. The Panthers still owe Smith $3 million this season. The decision has not been a popular one among Carolina fans. Gettleman addressed that in his press release. "When I took this position I knew that difficult decisions would have to be made along the way," Gettleman said. "To move on from a storied veteran player is probably the most difficult of all. A decision not to be taken lightly. However, after much thought I feel very strongly its the right one." "As Ive stated many times, all decisions I make will be in the long-term best interest of the Carolina Panthers. Decisions, either popular or unpopular, have to be made for the greater good and it is imperative to take an unemotional global view. Sometimes it may appear that short term interests will suffer, and I can assure you we have no interest in taking a step back from our 2013 accomplishments." The Panthers also lost wide receivers Domenik Hixon and Ted Ginn Jr. to free agency on Thursday. Hixon signed with the Chicago Bears and Ginn with the Arizona Cardinals. Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn told The Associated Press he has signed with the Minnesota Vikings for a deal that could pay him $15 million over three years with incentives.dddddddddddd One possible replacement at wide receiver is free agent Hakeem Nicks, a Charlotte native who played for New York Giants. The Smith move marks the end of an era for the Panthers. Smith joined the team as a third-round draft pick out of Utah in 2001. He made an immediate impact in the NFL, returning the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against the Vikings. He became the first Panthers rookie selected to the Pro Bowl, earning that honour as a return specialist. Known for his feisty behaviour on the field, Smith became a dominant receiver over the next 12 seasons. He is Carolinas all-time leader with 75 total touchdowns and has 836 receptions for 12,197 yards. "On the football field Steve had a competitive arrogance that (was) second to none -- second to none," said former Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme in a telephone interview. "That helped him be as good as he was. He made other guys step up their game. But off the field he was totally different. He loves his wife and his family. Hes a genuinely good person with a great heart." Panthers coach Ron Rivera said in the release: "He is a great competitor with Hall of Fame-worthy statistics and has made a great contribution to our community." Fox said Smith would have welcomed a chance to move inside to slot receiver, but the team never offered him that opportunity. As productive as Smith was, his fiery personality often rubbed people the wrong way, and some viewed him as a distraction in the locker room. Smith had run-ins with teammates on at least two occasions. He punched out fellow wide receiver Anthony Bright in a film room fight and later socked cornerback Ken Lucas on the field during a practice at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. On both occasions, Smith was suspended by the team. Delhomme said that was a "humbling experience" for Smith, who apologized to Lucas and the teams fans after the incident. Despite the two incidents, Smith was immensely popular with the fan base, in large part due to his production on the field. He also worked hard to change his public image over the last several years and has been an active member of the Charlotte community. When asked if he was surprised Smith was released, Delhomme said, "It does surprise, but thats the NFL. I mean, look, Peyton Manning plays for the Denver Broncos -- that the way it goes." NOTES: Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson announced Thursday on Twitter he has re-signed with Carolina for a fourth season. Anderson tweeted: "Happy to be coming back to Charlotte next season!" ' ' '
Legende: Leader Vertreter Spezielle Ränge FM-Cape-Besitzer Normale Mitglieder
|
Forum Statistiken
Das Forum hat 1394
Themen
und
2033
Beiträge.
Heute waren 0 Mitglieder Online: |
Einfach ein eigenes Xobor Forum erstellen |