The Montreal Canadiens power play is still humming, even without their quarterback Sheldon Souray manning the point. Habs defenceman Andrei Markov embraced that mantle and setup two power play goals.

Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu scored two power play including the game winner (the second effort by Chris Higgins to get the puck over to Koivu and set up the final score was excellent.... check the highlight film) a little over a minute into the overtime period and helped the Habs defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2.

While much of the talk this week was on rookie goaltender Carey Price making the Canadiens opening day roster it was veteran keeper Cristobal Huet who manned the pipes for Montreal last night. Huet turned aside 29 shots to help his club to the season opening win.

Quick Shave:
The Heat is on in Ottawa. Dany Heatley. Ok that was weak, but what's not is that the Ottawa Senators managed to lock up their star forward at the zero hour to a long term deal. The Sens will have Heatley in the fold for the next 6 years at a humbling $45 million (roughly $7.5 million per season). Heatley then went on to up-end the Toronto Maple Leafs by scoring two goals including the game winner in overtime to lift the Sens to a 4-3 win. Leafs coach Paul Maurice opted to start goaltender Andrew Raycroft in favor of newly acquired keeper Vesa Toskala.... a move that had Toronto media losing their minds (you should have heard Kypreos on the Rogers Sportsnet Radio show at noon yesterday... he made Pierre McGuire seem jolly). In any case, Maurice and the Leafs will be second guessed for the decision as Raycroft allowed 4 goals on 30 shots. Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Stastny put the finishing touches on his first ever career NHL Hat Trick midway through the second period last night. The Dallas Stars mounted a comeback but ultimately fell to the Avs 4-3. The Stars new jerseys.... what's up? Is it me or are they nothing more than practice sweaters? Solid white, with a small green star in the center of the chest? This is not the type of design that is going to have fans in Dallas or anywhere running out to get their new Reebok jersey. The Detroit Red Wings exacted some revenge from the Anaheim Ducks last night in their home opener as Jiri Hudler beat Bryzgalov for the only score in the shootout and help his club to the 3-2 win. Getzlaf, bro.... get a new shootout deke. Don't get me wrong it's cool, and sure it's worked a few times before, but I think keepers are getting an idea of what you are gonna do now pal.

Game of the Night:
Florida at NY Rangers 7:00 PM
Philadelphia at Calgary 10:00 PM

These games are all about discovery. I'm super curious to see how UFA additions Chris Drury and Scott Gomez fit in with the Blueshirts, and I'd like to see if my theory that the Philadelphia Flyers will make the playoffs this year holds any water as they face off against an always solid Calgary Flames team..... with a Keenan behind the bench..... fear the Keenan.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh