It appears as though the Holiday Break couldnt have come at a better time for the Montreal Canadiens this season. After a roller coaster 4-3 OT win in Nashville on Saturday night, the Habs look like a team that needs a few days of rest and relaxation away from the rink and the game. Montreal has the rare opportunity this particular season to have a stretch of seven days off in between games. In fact, they wont even return to the ice for practice until next Friday when they arrive in Tampa to prepare for a date with the Lightning. While the physical break is always enjoyed, sometimes its the mental break that can be the best thing for a player; a few days away from the arena and the game all together, spending time with family and friends to enjoy the season. Sometimes it can be overlooked how much a few days of family time can do for a player. A good example would be Daniel Briere, who has only been back to his home in Philly with his kids once since arriving in Montreal for training camp. A few days back around the Christmas tree with family can be a great recharge. Max Pacioretty will have his hands full with a new baby to welcome into the family over the break, and no doubt will enjoy a few days off during the whirlwind experience of becoming a father. Its also a case of some good ol home cooking, with several players heading home for the holidays. Ryan White said hes most looking forward to Moms cooking. The holidays also bring out memories of childhood and for players with young kids, a chance to pass on family traditions. Even though Travis Moen recalls his excitement of receiving his first shotgun on Christmas morning at 12 years old, hes not looking to pass on that tradition, saying "we live in the city now, so I cant see that," but jokes that some traditional food dishes are in order and of course the matching pajamas for the whole family. Its a mixed bag for the Habs this year, some who have family coming to Montreal while others will venture home. There are even plans which include enjoying the holidays away in a different destination to escape the madness. One of those spots include Florida, where theyll remain and await the teams arrival next week. No matter which Habs player you talk to, and what the plans are, the common theme remains the same, its all about family. Hockey players are a tight group and the dressing room is much like a family, so its no surprise that remains the focus. So, while the players take a few days off, the fans should as well. Relax, take your mind off hockey for a few days. Focus on the people around you. Spend some quality time with family and friends, and enjoy the festive season. Line combinations, statistics, and standings can take an aside for a few days to focus on whats really important. Its a long season in an Olympic year, and theres lots of hockey to still be played. Of course, theres still the World Juniors to watch on Boxing Day on TSN. And now, a few holiday notes... Id like to take a moment to thank all our team at TSN Radio 690 in Montreal. Its been a well-documented wild ride for the last two years, but things look brighter than ever for the future. There are a lot of people behind the scenes that make the station tick day to day and Id mention all the names, but fear of missing some. While you all are most likely familiar with the on-air talent, there is one name you dont hear of often that Id like to mention. He is our game night producer Marco Campagna. Hes the voice at the other end of the line every game for me, and also assembles our Saturday night montage openers. Top notch guy who never misses a game and it wouldnt be the same without him. Congratulations to our colleagues at RDS, who will remain as the Canadiens Regional rightsholder "en francais" for another 12 years. In addition to my friends Pierre Houde and Marc Denis, there are a lot of good people who work behind the scenes every game to bring a quality broadcast and its nice to see theyll still be together. A great piece of news before the holidays. Atlantic Canada, stay tuned, more Habs hockey is coming to a radio near you in 2014! The TSN 690 Habs Radio Network is expanding very soon. To all our listeners from across Canada and around the globe (yes, we know we have listeners in Australia and beyond), thanks for tuning in at all hours of the day. And to answer our most commonly asked question once again, if you have a PVR, pause your TV and listen online to sync up the feeds of TV and radio for a game. And finally, to all our listeners wherever and however you listen, thank you for allowing us into your homes, cars, earphones or any other way you tune in. From 690 AM, to internet, Bell TV, Bell Fibe, TSN Radio apps on your smartphones, NHL Radio on satellite and even podcasts, thank you. Enjoy the holidays everyone, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best to you and yours. Please dont drink and drive. Well see you back on the airwaves Saturday night in Tampa Bay for the Habs and Lightning. Keegan Rosenberry Jersey . -- Canada played to expectation up until halftime. Daniel Lovitz Jersey . With Van Osch out with a flu bug that has been rampaging through the tournament, Knezevic stepped in to lead B.C. (4-3) to a pair of victories on Tuesday before 1,131 at the Maurice Richard Arena. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . "Today was a very great day for me. It was always my dream to be good in GS," Wierather said. "I took quite a long time to get there. It feels awesome to have my first win (in GS)." Wierather leads overall with 595 points from Lara Gut (56, who finished second, and Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany (535). USA Soccer Shirts . After seven wins in a row, they have to do it one more time to get into the playoffs. USA Soccer Jerseys China . The light-heavyweight champion and number one ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world is on an 11-fight UFC winning streak, the longest in the history of the weight class.SAN DIEGO -- Travis dArnaud returned to San Diego, the site of his major league debut, and recorded another memorable moment. DArnauds go-ahead single in the ninth inning lifted the New York Mets to their fourth straight win, 5-4 over the San Diego Padres on Friday night. The Mets won for the ninth time in 11 games as they began a 10-game trip and matched their longest winning streak of the season. DArnaud played his first game for the Mets at Petco Park on Aug. 17, 2013. That night he went 0 for 2 with two walks. "That was my first thought all day today," he said. On Friday he had three hits and two RBIs as the Mets picked up where they left off before the All-Star break. After a slow start, dArnaud is showing the promise that has long made him among the Mets top prospects. "Im not thinking about mechanics anymore," dArnaud said. "Im more focused in on the ball that is 90 miles an hour coming at me." And the Mets stayed hot, after an 8-2 homestand. "Thats big," dArnaud said. "We had good momentum before the All-Star break happened, and we won tonight and were going to keep it going." Jeurys Familia (2-3) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the win. Jenrry Mejia worked the ninth for his 11 save in 13 chances. Joaquin Benoit (3-2) took the loss as he pitched the ninth inning with closer Huston Street unavailable. Street was dealt to the Angels in a six-player trade that was announced after the game. "Its tough to see guys go," Padres third baseman Chase Headley said. "I think guys know thats part of it." New York had seized a 4-0 lead but Bartolo Colon couldnt hold it and left the game after giving up four runs in San Diegos fifth inning. Colon was derailed by a sour stomach and a headache. "He didnt feel very good," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "The fifth inning wore him down a little bit. Usually as the game goes on he gets better." Curtis Granderson drew a leadoff walk in the ninth and moved to third on groundouts by Daniel Murphy and David Wright. After Lucas Duda was walked intentionally, dArnaud punched a single to right field for his second RBI and third hit of the game. "I just try to keep my eye on the ball and put a swing on it," dArnaud said. "Fortunately, iit found a gap.dddddddddddd." The Mets had gotten the go-ahead run into scoring position in the eighth inning on Ruben Tejadas two-out double, but Bobby Abreu grounded out and failed to get a hit for the 18th straight time as a pinch-hitter. Colon was strong early, which was different for him. He had allowed a first-inning run in five consecutive starts, before shutting down the Padres over the first 4 1-3 innings. The Padres snapped a 25-inning scoreless skid when they scored four in the fifth. Will Venable opened with a single, Jake Goebbert walked, and they advanced on a double steal. Chris Nelson, who joined the Padres earlier Friday from Triple A El Paso, singled in Venable. Alexi Amarista, who had three hits, followed with a run-scoring single to slice the deficit in half. After Nelson and Amarista moved up on Seth Smiths grounder to first, Headley tied the game with a two-run single. New York extended its lead to 4-0 in the third when Duda scored after starting the inning with a double. DArnaud drove in Duda with his second single of the night. The Mets struck early with three first-inning runs as Ian Kennedy struggled after getting two outs. Kennedy, who had surrendered just two runs in 21 innings, allowed three hits, nailed Duda with a pitch, and walked Kirk Nieuwenhuis. "It showed the guys we are still in that zone right now," Collins said. "It was a good first inning. Hes been pitching good." The key blow was Juan Lagares single that scored Duda and dArnaud, who was aboard on a single that drove in Granderson. "Hes made some adjustments at the plate," Collins said of dArnaud. "His confidence is soaring and he is seeing the ball really good." NOTES: Padres RHP Andrew Cashner, sidelined by a sore right shoulder, will throw on Saturday. ... 2B Jedd Gyorko will play this weekend for Triple A El Paso as he rebounds from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. ... Padres SS Everth Cabrera (left hamstring strain) is expected to leave Monday for a rehabilitation assignment. ... Mets RHP Jon Niese (left shoulder strain) threw a bullpen session on Friday. ... The Mets are 4-2-1 in their last seven series. ... Mets RHP Dillon Gee (4-1, 2.56) faces Padres RHP Tyson Ross (7-10, 2.85) on Saturday night. ' ' '