Nilan throws elbow at Todd on HI/O Show
Chris Nilan gets a minor penalty for elbowing columnist Jack Todd on this week’s HI/O Show on The Gazette’s hockeyinsideout.com website.
The former Canadien joins Todd and sports editor/host Stu Cowan to discuss the latest Habs news, including Douglas Murray’s elbow that knocked out the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mike Kostka and could see the Montreal defenceman being suspended.
The Canadiens clinched a playoff spot despite losing 3-1 to the Lightning on Tuesday night and were rewarded with a day off in the Florida sunshine Wednesday before heading to Ottawa on Thursday, where they will face the Senators Friday night.
“Honestly, they took last night off, they don’t need today off,” Nilan says with a chuckle.
He then adds: “It’s good this time of the year to give them a little break I think mentally, even though they didn’t play great. Mentally it’s good to get away from the rink for a day and do something else and then get back at it.”
It looks like the Lightning will be the Canadiens’ first-round playoff opponents and the panel discusses what fans can expect from that matchup, including how to beat 6-foot-7 Lightning goalie Ben Bishop and how to stop sniper Steven Stamkos.
Other topics of discussion include P.K. Subban’s ice time and if that stat gets blown out of proportion, whether defenceman Andrei Markov deserves a new three-year contract and if Habs fans can start thinking about a Stanley Cup parade this year.
Also, why are Toronto Maple Leafs fans “the Charlie Brown of the NHL”? Chance to watch a taping of the HI/O Show: HI/O and Vidéotron are offering fans a chance to win one of five spots to watch the taping of an upcoming HI/O Show. One of those five lucky fans will win a oneyear Mega TV package from Vidéotron, including a multi-room HD PVR. For more details, go to hockeyinsideout.com