Andrei Markov Could Carry Montreal to the Playoffs

Of all the injuries to big-time players this NHL season, the Canadiens' loss of defenseman Andrei Markov may have been the most underrrated by measure of impact to the team.

Perhaps it's because Markov is a brilliant player but not a star. Maybe it's because the quiet Russian does not grab headlines. Or it could be that he plays in the minor hockey town of Montreal. (Just kidding about that last one).

Whatever the reason, sometimes you don't know what you've got until it's gone. And boy, did the Canadiens miss Markov's 24-minutes of sterling two-way play.

"Without Andrei, we've had some tough nights," said goaltender Jaroslav Halak.

In his first game back since suffering a lacerated ankle by the skate of goalie Carey Price in the season opener, Markov scored the Canadiens' first two goals in a 3-0 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday. Montreal is now 1-0 in games their all-star defenseman starts and finishes, 15-18-3 without him. Floating around the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference for most of the last month, the Canadiens can now start thinking playoffs.

"Andrei is the heart and soul of our team."
-- Georges Laraque "I know Andrei was a top-notch player," said Jacques Martin, who's had Markov for just two of his first 37 games as head coach of the Canadiens. "What I saw in training camp is that he's also one of our leaders. That's why out of camp he was named one of our alternate captains with Brian Gionta and Hal Gill. In every aspect of the game, we are a much better team with a healthy Markov."

Veteran wing Georges Laraque is more succinct: "Andrei is the heart and soul of our team."

Markov, who has improved with each of the last four seasons by posting 46, 49, 56 and 62 points from the blue line, winced when told of the high praise from his teammates and coaches. Changing the subject, he said he rushed to return to the lineup (about three weeks ahead of schedule) because he had a tough time staying positive while not being able to help his team. "I missed the game so much," he said.

Markov gave effusive thanks to Montreal's training staff for getting him ready to play. "They helped me a lot and they're the reason I made it back this month instead of next month," he said. He also placed a lot of responsibility for the Canadiens' fortunes this season on his own broad shoulders. "Tonight was good," Markov said of his two goals and 20:25 of icetime, "but I have to play like this every night."

Halak was the deserving No. 1 star in the win over the Islanders on Saturday, stopping all 40 shots -- many of them in spectacular fashion. But it was easy to see the positive effect Markov's return has on Les Habitants. To put it mildly, the defenseman is all over the ice. His first goal, on the power play, was scored Dino Ciccarelli style -- a chip-in from a foot outside Martin Biron's crease. His second came on a 5-on-3. With the Islanders showing respect to Marc-Andre Bergeron's cannon of a slap shot, Markov took advantage of the extra time and space and blew a 25-footer by Biron to give his team a 2-0 lead.

Said Bergeron on Saturday, "Before this game, I only knew Markov as an opponent. I see what everyone else can see: he's a difference-maker."

With scoring forward Brian Gionta also expected back in the next week, the difference is now the Canadiens have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.