[Darz]

Some quick thoughts on the game:

1. Steve Begin's best game on the year. Worthy of one of the stars, imo. Great fight, worked hard in the corners, a few good hits, and generated some offensive chances.

2. Good game for Markov. He is definitely is the elite as far as dman in the NHL goes.

3. Price's side to side play is as good as any goalie the habs have ever had. And his glove is improving. Great glove stop in the ifrst period, and a great glove save in the shootout.

4. Kovalev and Plekanec looked like they were in for a good game in the first period, but disappeared for the rest of the game.

5. Latendresse look O.K. Maybe he plays his best hockey with Koivu/Tangauy, or maybe they make him look good, I dunno.

6. The Kostitsyn brothers looked like they wanted to take this one off. Maybe they are resting up for Saturday.

7. The team has to get more scoring chances when they are controlling the puck in the offensive zone. They had plenty of time in the offensive zone, and didn't get shots off or whatever. Auld didn't make a hard save all night.

8. Boullion had a decent game. He is miles ahead of Brisebois and O'Byrne on the depth charts.

9. Koivu is the most consistent forward on the team so far this year. Imo, he hasn't had a bad game.