The Top 10 Players You've Never Heard Of

Now I don't mean to offend any serious fans by saying these are players you've never heard of.  This is just my list of the top ten players in the league that no one talks about or appreciates but do their jobs the best.  Every team has a couple of players that do things crucial to winning but don't show up on the score sheet so they don't get talked about.

10. Milan Lucic (Boston Bruins). If you don't live in the New England area, you may not have heard of Milan Lucic.  This 6'4" 220 pound left winger is one of the most dominating forces on the forecheck.  Lucic uses every pound he has to his advantage when taking opposing defenders to the board with force.  Lucic disrupts play and causes hell for a defender trying to make a clean break out pass.  This creates room for his very skill team mates like David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron to create scoring chances.

9. Travis Moen (Montreal Canadiens).  Travis Moen is a big winger who is great along the boards.  He works the ugly area's and isn't afraid to sacrifice his body for the team.  Also, Moen is one tough customer.  If you go after one of his team mates, be sure that you'll be hearing from Travis Moen.  at 6'2", 215, he has a lot of size to throw around.

Habs trade O'Byrne

The Montreal Canadeins have released today that they have traded defenseman Ryan O'Byrne to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Michael Bournival. Bournival was selected 71st by the Avalanche last June and is currently playing for the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL where he leads his team with 10 goals and 24 points in 17 games.

Game of the Night Recap 11/9

[caption id="attachment_250" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Price is not disappointing as the undisputed starter in Montreal this season"][/caption]

The Vancouver Canucks were the latest team to get their winning streak snapped as the Montreal Canadiens shut down Henrik and Daniel en route to a 2-0 victory. Andrei Markov got the scoring underway 6:53 into the first period. Tomas Pleckanec carried the puck into the offensive zone down the left boards and threw it to Brian Gionta in front of the net. Gionta redirected the pass but it was stopped by Roberto Luongo, who couldn't handle the rebound. Markov, who originated the play behind his own net, followed the play all the way up the ice and lifted the loose puck past Luongo. It was Markov's first goal this season in only his fifth game since returning from an injury.

The second period would see no action except for 18 shots (9 each side) and 3 penalties (2-1 MTL in that category). In the thrid, Montreal's abysmal powerplay, now just above the Devils at 7.8%, was responsible for the put away goal 4:39 into the third. Roman Hamrlik was on the receiving end of a very fortunate bounce off the end boards. With time running out on the powerplay it looked as if Montreal was desperate to score and was firing from everywhere. Michael Cammalieri and Jaroslav Spacek were playing catch for a little near the blue line when Cammalieri fired a shot wide but the bounce off the wall came right out to Hamrlik, who ripped a one-timer past Luongo before he even knew what was going on.

Carey Price played outstanding, earning the first star of the game, stopping all 34 shots the Canucks threw his way. His record improved to 8-5-1 on the season as he has his Canadiens in third place in the Eastern Conference and continues to show why the Habs brass felt comfortable getting rid of Halak and handing the starting job to the young netminder. Montreal is back in action on Thursday when they travel to Boston to take on their Original Six rival, (watch out for that one if it doesn't make our Game of the Night honors, Bruins/Habs games are always entertaining.) The Canucks are back in action on Thursday as well when they face the Ottawa Senators in their second of a three game Eastern Canada swing. Make sure to check back tonight for the Game of the Night.

Game of the Night (11/9)

The Battle for Canada (at least for tonight) pins the Vancouver Canucks against the Montreal Canadiens. Both teams sport nicknames for their country and a great goalie match-up.

Between the pipes for the Canucks will most likely be Roberto Luongo, who is sporting a .909 save percentage. And for the Canadiens they send out the stellar Carey Price who has risen to the hype that accompanied him into this league. Price has played all but one game for Montreal this year and boasts a 2.45 goals against average.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="430" caption="The Canadiens will be seeing double tonight as Vancouver comes to town."][/caption]

The Sedin twins have been identical indeed as they share the team point title with 16 a piece. Their ability to find each other on the ice keeps them the top threat of the offense and gives them a chance to score every shift. Montreal's Mike Cammalleri has been underwhelming so far this season with only 8 points in 13 games. The Canadiens need Cammalleri to step up if they want to beat the Canucks tonight, as he is their most talented goal scorer.

Vancouver's defense is a little shorthanded as Ryan Parent, Sami Salo and possibly Dan Hamhuis will be sidelined. This helps level the playing field for the Canadiens who have a quiet back end compared to Canucks. Markov leads the Canadiens D and P.K. Subban leads the scoring punch from the back.

Special teams are lopsided in favor of the Canucks, and is the key to the game. The Canucks power play is effectively functioning at just under 30% while the Canadiens are struggling at 6.4%. The Canadiens won't likely fare any better against the Canuck's penalty kill unit that stops 85.4%  of the power play chances they face. If the Canadiens can't finish with a man up, I do not see them winning this game.

My prediction: The Canucks are too talented and prevail but a great game from Carey Price keeps it interesting. 3-1 is my final score of this one.

And your star of the game? Henrik Sedin with his play-making passes.