FanHouse RadekBonk

Capitals 5, Devils 2: The Washington Capitals took advantage of their three power play chances on Tuesday night, converting on all of them on their way to a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils. Mike Green and Brooks Laich scored a pair of goals with the man advantage just three minutes apart in the first period, while Michael Nylander picked up his second goal of the game at the 10:59 mark of the third period.

Jose Theodore stopped 32-of-34 shots in net for Washington, including 16-of-17 in the third period. The loss for New Jersey snaps its eight game winning streak, despite receiving another goal another Jamie Langenbrunner, who has now picked up seven goals in his past four games.

It was a great night of rivalries in the NHL on Tuesday, including a classic original six tilt in Boston, where the Bruins pulled out a 3-1 win over Montreal.

Tim Thomas stopped 34-of-35 shots, and even inserted himself into the rough stuff when he clobbered Montreal's Andrei Kostitsyn just moments after he sent Aaron Ward into the boards.

Kostitsyn gave the Canadiens a 1-0 lead early in the second period, until Zdeno Chara added a pair of power play goals later in the period. David Krejci put the game out of reach late in the third period, scoring 17th goal of the season, helping lead the Bruins to their third straight win. Montreal had won four in a row, and eight of its past nine entering the game.

Alexei Yashin, who cashed in on the Islanders buying out his bloated albatross of a contract, is looking for a new sucker to pay him big bucks to rack up some empty offensive points.

His prime choice? Apparently, it's Montreal!

Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports on rumors that Yashin is training with Saku Koivu, and would love to join Alexei Kovalev and his other homeys with the Habs next season.

Given the problems that the Canadiens had with their Russian vodka headaches last season (especially Sergei Samsonov), would the Habs really want to sign a guy like Yashin?

The Habs are in desperate need of a centre with size, and the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Yashin appears to be the kind of player that's worth a gamble. That's the case for Yashin, but the argument against bringing him here seems stronger.

While the Canadiens talk about revving up the offense, the team's system is built on defense first. That's one of the reasons why it was a surprise that Samsonov, last summer's free-agent prize, didn't work because he has been a plus player over his career.

With Radek Bonk UFA's status, the Habs are quite small down the middle with guys like Koivu, Tomas Plekanec, and Chris Higgins. Adding a tall centerman would certainly make some sense.

Now, the Habs had the league's best Power Play last season. Yes, they may lose UFA blaster master Sheldon Souray to another team, but the Habs don't appear to need help with the man-advantage other than getting Souray back, or signing another point-man replacement.

The Habs' total offense was just middle-of-the-road, suggesting that the Habs are weak at even strength. Given how Yashin is strongest on the Power Play, he wouldn't really help in this area, either.

Then, we come back to the style of play the Habs play. Samsonov and Alexei Kovalev whined all year about being restricted offensively. How can a guy like Yashin expect to flourish in such a system?

If I were the Canadiens GM, I'd see if I could sign Yashin for quite cheap. If not, then I'd focus on getting a big 2-way or defensive center ... or bring Radek Bonk back. What the Habs need more of it grit, not another Russian headache.