CANADIENS
Montreal

RED WINGS
Detroit

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings 

[one_half]Byron – Galchenyuk – Radulov
Pacioretty – Plekanec – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Desharnais – Shaw
Carr – Mitchell – Danault
[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Emelin – Weber
Markov – Petry
Barberio – Pateryn
[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders

Price
Montoya

Scratches

Chris Terry, Zach Redmond

Injured Reserve

Brian Flynn (upper body), Nathan Beaulieu (upper body)

Game Report

Alex Galchenyuk kissed the CH crest on his jersey tonight in celebration after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. As noted by TSN’s John Lu, the last time Alex did something similar was just over three years ago against the New York Islanders.

While Galchenyuk was the overtime hero and was selected first star, it was Carey Price who stole the show. The Canadiens were outshot 25-12 in the final two periods of regulation. More than one Red Wing showed their frustration with the sensational goaltending of Price.

There was signs of life among the skaters, albeit of the inconsistent variety. The line of Tomas Plekanec between Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty is starting to come to life. Plekanec played one of his best games of the year while Gallagher snapped a 16-game scoring drought.

In overtime, Alexander Radulov and Alex Galchenyuk showed why they should have been playing together since the start of the season (as we advocated.) But Paul Byron is displaying why, despite some fleeting success, he is better suited to a bottom-six role. Michel Therrien should promote Artturi Lehkonen who had a great game working hard to create opportunities and finding open ice.

Shea Weber and Alexei Emelin have been tough to play against all season but particularly on Saturday night. Emelin punished Red Wings forwards with at least six clean, bone-rattling hits. It was Shea Weber who started the play in overtime that led to the winning goal.

In fact, the four Canadiens players who have been instrumental in the team’s success this season were on the ice for the game-winner: Price, Galchenyuk, Radulov and Weber.

But the Canadiens will need more than those four players to provide a full effort as the road trip turns west. The third pairing defenceman remains a concern. Greg Pateryn and Mark Barberio looked good at times against the Red Wings but their defensive zone coverage on Detroit’s only goal was abysmal (we’re looking at you, Mark.) It didn’t help matters that the shot went off Pateryn’s stick.

There is also the issue of too many passengers, but one is more glaring than all of the others combined. It’s absurd that David Desharnais continues to get ice-time, any ice time. And it’s criminal that a player who offers nothing takes up a valuable roster spot. Bring up an IceCap, any IceCap, in Desharnais’ place and the team would be immediately upgraded. To do any less is a clear indication that Habs management has different priorities than icing the best lineup possible.

~~~

▲     Carey Price, Max Pacioretty, Andrew Shaw, Shea Weber, Alexei Emelin

▼     David Desharnais

1.  Alex Galchenyuk  MTL
2.  Petr Mrazek  DET
3.  Carey Price MTL

• “[Brendan Gallagher] has been getting chances, and we knew he was going to put one in. I’m sure it is a weight off his back to finally have one though.”

Jeff Petry

• “I know we say this after every game, but Carey’s the reason we’re having this success. He does this night after night.”
• “We didn’t want to go to California for three games after losing a divisional game, so this was a huge victory.”

Alex Galchenyuk

• “[Carey Price] made a great save, and I knew [Alexander Radulov] was going to give me a chance. He made a great pass and I just wanted to keep the shot down.”
• “This was a big win for sure, because you always want to get two points at the start of a trip.”

Quotes courtesy of NHL.com