Music: {allcanada} Habs coach Martin picks Picard over Spacek on blue line

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

{allcanada} Habs coach Martin picks Picard over Spacek on blue line

COLUMBUS - Alexandre Picard received a vote of confidence as Canadiens head coach Jacques Martin shuffled his defensive pairings in preparation for Tuesday night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m., RDS, TSN-A, CJAD Radio-800).

Picard is the only defenceman who is playing on a two-way contract, but he has carved a niche for himself with unspectacular but steady play.

"The pairing today was a bit of a surprise, moving to the right as well as playing with Andrei, but hopefully we'll get a chance to play tomorrow," Picard admitted after he found himself paired with Andrei Markov (notes) during Monday's practice session in Brossard.

Picard was a healthy scratch when Markov returned to the lineup Saturday after recuperating from knee surgery and there was some speculation that he was bound for Hamilton.

"You have eight defencemen, but I've worked hard and I always thought I could stay here for the whole year," he said. "I haven't lost any sleep over it. The coaches have been encouraging. (When I didn't play Saturday), they told me it was a numbers thing. I've just kept working.

"I feel pretty good about my play," added Picard. "From the start, I've just wanted to be consistent and take the minutes I'm given and make the most out of it."

Picard has one goal in nine games and is tied with Michael Cammalleri (notes) for the plus/minus lead at plus-7.

"That figure can be misleading because sometimes you get on the ice for five or 10 seconds and you're not really involved in the play but you get a plus and sometimes it works the other way," said Picard. "You want to be a plus, but it's more important that the team's been winning when I've been playing."

Martin said he's not surprised by Picard.

"He's a veteran defenceman and he plays well within his limitations. I think you have to give him credit. He didn't get the first opportunity. Ryan (O'Byrne) got the first opportunity, but when (Picard) got in there, he played well. I know, as a GM in Florida, I inquired about him from some of his previous coaches and they spoke highly of him, He's not flashy, but he's steady and his stats indicate that."

P.K. Subban (notes), who played with Markov Saturday night, was paired with Roman Hamrlik (notes), while Josh Gorges (notes) and Hal Gill (notes) remained together. Veteran Jaroslav Spacek (notes) and O'Byrne were together and it appears they are the odd couple for Tuesday night's game.

While nobody would confirm that the changes would be in place at game time, Martin offered a few hints.

He talked about splitting up Markov and Subban - two offensive-minded defencemen - to provide more balance. And he said there are times when a coach has to make difficult decisions "for the good of the team."

The return of Markov leaves the Canadiens with eight NHL-calibre defencemen.

"It's always difficult, but it's a good puzzle to have," said Martin. "It's good to be able to make decisions rather than having injuries like we had last year. I believe competition is great and it produces the best hockey."

When asked about dealing with a 36-year-old like Spacek, Martin said: "You have to be fair and treat people with respect. If my memory is correct, I believe Craig Rivet (notes) of the Buffalo Sabres has been a healthy scratch the past couple of games. And when I was in Ottawa, I remember sitting Randy Cunneyworth in the playoffs when he was my captain."

There's also one likely change up front with Dustin Boyd (notes) returning to the lineup after five games as a healthy scratch. He'll play left wing on the line with Lars Eller (notes) and Maxim Lapierre (notes).

The Canadiens are back on the road Friday night in Buffalo and they face the Ottawa Senators Saturday at the Bell Centre.