Van City Visits the Phone Booth

Vancouver comes into town tonight having won four straight, with free-agent mercenary Mats Sundin having scored the shootout winning goal Saturday night against Toronto. Sundin, or as I like to call him, Mats Sellout, has kicked into high gear lately and added a significant weapon to the Canucks once anemic offence. Also hot for the Canucks, Ryan Kesler appears to be the solid, two way centre Bobby Clarke insisted he was going to be.

Jaroslav Halak starts for the Habs after another solid effort against Ottawa on Saturday. The Canadiens seem to routinely give up 40-odd shots these days, but it doesn't seem to matter when Halak is in net. Carey Price watches from the bench yet again as Guy Carbonneau tries to inspire his once dominant starter by challenging his role in net with Halak.

Alex Kovalev is coming off a three point game for the Canadiens, which also featured the talents of Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn. Mathieu Schneider again scored for the Habs against Ottawa, and the powerplay is clicking at 60% since Schneider's acquisition from the Thrashers.

Alex Tanguay, expected to play versus Vancouver, will not be back tonight, he was not cleared by doctors and will aim for Thursday's game as his return. 

Rumours

• Jacques Martin told a Florida newspaper he is willing to deal Jay Bouwmeester.
• Tampa Bay GM Brian Lawton told a Tampa newspaper he will "never, ever, ever" deal Vincent Lecavalier.
• Even scarier than Kaberle: Pronger to the Bruins? http://blogues.cyberpresse.ca/lnh/?p=752