Montreal Canadiens: The Saving Graces of the Preseason

Andrew Shaw

Montreal Canadiens fans were looking forward to what Andrew Shaw would do in year two with the team. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to do much training this summer since he was still dealing with concussion symptoms.

He played in the team’s first preseason game but then missed the next couple because of a neck injury. Shaw finally returned to the line-up in the team’s second game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was just as physical and annoying as usual but put some salt on the other teams’ wounds by scoring.

The 26-year-old scored a goal in each of the games he played in for the preseason. The best one of the bunch had to have been his breakaway goal against the Florida Panthers.

Shaw had never been a prolific goal scorer in the NHL. His highest total was 20 back in the 2013-2014 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. Since then, Shaw would play well enough to get you at least 10 goals every year.

Yes it’s just the preseason, but could this be a sign of what’s to come? Could Shaw have another 20 goal season, but this time with the Montreal Canadiens? It would be a definite boost to the team who has made more goal-scoring one it’s main focuses.

The next question for him will be where he plays in the regular season. Shaw had a pretty good run alongside Phillip Danault and Paul Byron. It was a wierd combination of speed and grit but seemed to work out well during that game. However, it’s more likely that Alex Galchenyuk on that line which could, in a way, help Shaw get more goals or vice versa.

Either way, the two-time Stanley Cup Champion had a different feel to him this preseason. Hopefully it continues.