by Amy Johnson, Video Producer, and Sara, Video Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC – Need to get caught up on Habs highlights? Want to relive the memorable moments of the past week?
Every Sunday watch the most unforgettable goals, saves, hits by your Montreal Canadiens compiled by our video production team! Then tell us which one you liked most in the comments section below.
It’s good to be back! For months we’ve been saying, “Is it October yet?” and now the answer is YES! The 2013-14 season kicked off in full force in Week 1 with the Habs opening the year on home ice. Always coming through with emotional and powerful pre-game ceremonies, Montreal did not disappoint as Guy Lafleur himself brought the torch out of the tunnel and to the edge of the ice. As it passed from player to player, the excitement was palpable even for those watching on TV.
And who would the Canadiens meet on this opening night? A tried and true rival: the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Carey Price and James Reimer in goal, the game began with a quick pace and lots of energy. But perhaps emotions ran the show a bit much…penalties racked up on both benches with the Habs going on the power play four times and the Leafs having the man advantage a staggering seven times. To make matters worse, the Habs allowed a shorthanded goal. Scoring went back and forth, with Lars Eller scoring the first goal of the night and Brendan Gallagher following suit not too long after that in the first period. Eller would tally another goal in the third period, but Reimer would prove to be the factor that kept the Leafs in the game and allowing them to ultimately win 4-3. (Read our full Game Recap here: Leafs Take Advantage of Habs Miscues, Special Teams)
The Canadiens had to wait until Saturday night to take the ice again, and this time it was when the Philadelphia Flyers came to town. Captain Brian Gionta put the Canadiens on the board first with a goal in the first period, but from there not much was notable until the third period. Lars Eller moved mountains everywhere on the ice, scoring a goal in the third and drawing penalties when the opportunity presented itself. Speaking of penalties, the Flyers gave the Canadiens quite a few power play opportunities. The Habs capitalized on one of those PP chances in the third with a goal by Gallagher. Danny Briere, in his first game against his former team, took two bad penalties and didn’t do much of anything offensively. Carey Price stood out with some spectacular saves in the final period, and Rene Bourque sealed the 4-1 win with a late goal. (Read our full Game Recap here: Eller, Price Combine to Help Habs Down Flyers)
The Canadiens have another extended break between games. They’ll begin a western road trip with a matchup against the Flames on Wednesday in Calgary. And we’ve got plenty of content to keep you busy reading until then! In case you missed it, here are two fantastic articles published earlier this week:
Montreal Canadiens: Where Do They Stand?
What If the Boston Bruins Had Won the Stanley Cup?
All Habs Three Weekly Stars
1st Star: Lars Eller
Eller had 3 goals, 2 assists for 5 points including 1 game winning goal and a plus-3 rating.
2nd Star: Carey Price
Price was solid in both games this week picking up the win vs the Flyers giving up just 1 goal and making 34 saves against Toronto.
3rd Star: Alex Galchenyuk
Galchenyuk had 4 assists and a plus-3 rating.
Who were your three stars of the week?