Habs think they’ve righted their ship, they haven’t.

Just when the habs appeard to be locked out of eight place in the Eastern Conference, and doomed to an early golf season they have fought back with two key wins.a row.

Koivu started the drive with a much needed goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in the Bell Centre.

“It was just a big point for us and at this point you’ve got to have the emotions to get it done, and when it happens, when a team wins in overtime, it’s pretty big,” Koivu said after scoring off his own rebound during a scramble.

But last night the Canadiens lost ground in keeping their playoff hopes alive.  While Carey Price turned away shot after shot during the game, he couldn’t keep them all out in penalties.  Toni Lydman, with a grand total of three goals in 74 games, beat Price with a low shot between the legs, providing the visitors with a badly needed 4-3 victory before  booing Montreal fans in the Bell center.

“It’s a good move to come in and shoot, force the goalie into making a save,” Price said in a monotone. “When you try and deke, the more the odds are that you’ll lose the puck.”

If Montreal had showed grit, they would have been in 7th place and assured a playoff spot.  Now they are doomed to a Toronto Maple Leafs-like race for eighth.

“We let one slip away,” Higgins said, shrugging. “Absolutely, we sat back. No question. We didn’t make enough plays.”

The Canadiens’ five-game homestand concludes Tuesday, against Chicago.