Tonight’s game for the Toronto Maple Leafs will most likely be a compass for their actions before Thursday’s 3pm trading deadline.

With the deadline less than 72 hours away, anticipation and speculation are rampant, as are the crazy ridiculous rumours of course.

The Montreal Canadiens are preparing to do something no Canadiens team has done since the 1976-77 season, and that is sweep the season series against the Philadelphia Flyers.

With the victory in Tampa Bay last night the Canadiens moved to within two points of the seventh place Lightning while still holding a game at hand.

The Canadiens head into Tampa Bay hoping to clinch the season series win tonight against the 7th place Lightning. Tampa Bay currently holds a four-point lead on the Canadiens and has also played one more game.

Today marks the beginning of the end for all the rumors, speculation, and fan wish lists; including today only seven days are left until the NHL trade deadline.

Like the old adage says you must be good to be lucky and lucky to be good. Last night Cristobal Huet put out a performance well deserving of this cliché.

For the fourth time this season the Canadiens and Panthers will battle for two crucial points the eastern conference playoff race. Entering this game both Florida and Montreal are soaring high after wins against Tampa Bay and the Islanders respectfully.

This was supposed to be a very important game for these teams if one takes Yashin’s comments about the importance of this game to the Islanders seriously.

Well it appears the Canadiens will begin their post Olympic schedule with all six of their Olympians in uniform.