Montreal Canadiens Season Preview

Last Season the Canadiens struggled to produce offence, scoring only 2.6 goals per game, good for a spot in the bottom third of the league rankings. If the Canadiens want to have success they are going to need increased production from some integral pieces to the offensive puzzle. Scott Gomez had a mear 38 points in 80 GP last season, not good enough for his $7.5 million salary. The Habs need Gomez to solidify himself as the number two center behind Thomas Plekanec and give the Canadiens two legitimate scoring lines.

The Canadiens are also in need of someone to step up as a big scoring winger. Andrei Kostitsyn is on his last chance to fill the role for the team. Kostitsyn mirrors the Canadiens in many ways, he has lots of talent but lacks consistency. Kostitsyn is in need of a fast start as Max Pacioretty will be battling him every step of the way for ice time as well as the addition of Erik Cole pushing him down the depth chart.

Cole will provide a much-needed size boost up front for the Habs and should also add scoring. With this Canadiens team being largely the same at forward as last year, the Canadiens will need key pieces to step up and fulfill their potential.

The strength of the Canadiens will likely still be keeping the puck out of their net. The Canadiens have a strong and deep defence corps with players capable of filling all roles. The big question mark as always with the Habs defence is the health of Andrei Markov. Markov played only seven games last season as a result of recurring knee problems. When Markov is in the lineup the Canadiens are a different and much better team, especially on the power play.

Last season also saw P.K. Subban emerge as a superstar in the league. Subban is one of the most exciting players in the NHL with a booming shot from the point and an ability to throw punishing hits as well as blazing speed. Subban scored 14 goals last season nine of which coming on the PP, Subban makes things happen when he's on the ice and is a reason for Canadiens fans to get excited.

Josh Gorges will also be returning from injury to provide a stabilizing force on the back-end. The Habs also added talented Russian Alexei Emelin to the defensive unit. Emelin is a solid puck-mover and devastating hitter that the Canadiens have been courting for some time. Overall the Canadiens should have a deep and responsible defence to protect Carey Price and Peter Budaj.

So the question remains, what Montreal Canadiens team will show up? The good thing is we begin to find out October 6th against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Reaction to UFC 135

UFC 135 went down on Saturday night headlined by the much-anticipated main event of Jon Jones vs Rampage Jackson. Jones defended his light heavyweight title in convincing fashion submitting Jackson by rear naked choke in the 4th round. Jackson showed grit during the fight but Jones was on another level then the former champ. Jones was in control from the opening bell and never once looked in danger. The champion took Jackson down multiple times and peppered him with a variety of strikes including leg kicks that took a toll on Jackson, as well as a punishing elbow that cut Jackson under the eye.

After the fight Jackson said he was humbled by Jones and was in the best shape of his life but was still soundly beaten and went as far as to say Jones is "The real deal." After the post fight interviews number one contender Rashad Evans entered the ring and engaged in a stare down with Jones which heightened the tension for their title fight.

Also on the card Josh Koscheck returned to action with a first round TKO of Matt Hughes. Hughes looked strong in the opening minutes of the fight using a strong jab to keep TUF alumni Koscheck at bay. Koscheck began to find his range as the round wore on though eventually landing a powerful hook followed by a flurry of strikes that dropped Hughes. Koscheck would then batter the fallen Hughes with punches finishing the fight.

In another dominant performance, Nate Diaz was back at home in the lightweight division with a first round submission of Takanori Gomi. Diaz controlled the entire fight with technical and powerful striking that utilized his healthy reach advantage over Gomi. Gomi in an effort to avoid further punishment took Diaz down. Upon being taken down Diaz worked his magic on the ground easily submitting the legendary Gomi.

Back to .500

It wasn't pretty but they'll take it. The Irish got back to .500 today with a 15-12 win in Pittsburgh. Notre Dame did not play its best game but did enough to squeak by the Panthers on the strength of a late touchdown drive. Irish Quarterback Tommy Rees struggled most of the afternoon but was a perfect 8-8 passing on the go ahead drive. Tyler Eifert caught five passes on the drive including the touchdown and two point conversion.

Notre Dame struggled on offence all day as Pitt took away star wideout Michael Floyd. Rees struggled to find other recievers until the final drive in which he found Theo Riddick on three occasions as well as Eifert five times. The Irish were held in check most of the game and were void of big plays with the exception of a Jonas Gray 79 yard TD run in the 2nd quarter.

The Irish defence continued its strong play this season. Notre Dame's defence held Pittsburgh to 268 yards of total offence. The Irish also managed to limit the Panthers vaunted rushing attack to 2.7 yards per carry and sack Pitt quarterback Tino Sonseri on five occasions. Pittsburgh only scored one TD on the Irish defence which came on a drive prolonged by a roughing the kicker penalty and aided by a pass interference penalty against Gary Gray.

Notre Dame was lucky to escape Hienz Field with a win on Saturday. The Irish turned the ball over two times against Pitt which brings their season total to a FBS worst 15 and also commited eight penalties for 85 yards. Notre Dame can't afford to shoot themselves in the foot down the road against teams like Stanford and USC.

Next up for the Irish a battle at in state rival Purdue in primetime.