Montreal Canadiens: There are still things in this season to look forward to
By Omar L
Not everything has to be bad for the Montreal Canadiens, in fact, there are still some things in these final games that fans should look forward to.
Don’t worry I’m not going to harp on how the Montreal Canadiens are continuing to put themselves in a better position lottery-wise. This isn’t a tongue in cheek post either. Despite all the one-goal games, boring performances, and poor play, there is light on the horizon of what we call the 2017/18 Habs season.
1. Career-High in Goals
Brendan Gallagher is the MVP of this season. He’s been one of the few players to give a consistent effort every night. When the Habs are accused of not caring or not trying, you know no one is talking about Gallagher. The 25-year-old is also the only player on the team who was in need of a bounce-back season offensively and has answered the call.
Hand injuries had Gallagher reach his lowest goal total of since he made his NHL debut in 2012/13. Thankfully, he showed the signs that he was ready to get back into the grind of his nightly routine back in preseason and now has 18 goals to show for it.
Hitting the 20-goal mark is more than doable for Gallagher, but what will be interesting is if he can match or surpass 24. His pace has slowed down, however, with 31 games left in the season scoring at least another six or seven is possible.
2. A First of Many
Seeing a player score their first career goal is always something special. Even the calmest and stoic people can’t keep the smile off their face when they see the red light come on for them for the first time. Victor Mete has already had a remarkable year by making the Habs as a 19-year-old and winning gold at the World Juniors with Team Canada.
His ice time has gone up and down, but he’s getting the experience to take what he learned from this year and make himself better for the future. One thing that would be great to see is Mete score. He is a more offensively inclined defenceman, and he’s displayed his skill and ability to play the puck along the blueline multiple times.
Whether it’s a soft wrister that beats a goaltender or a fluke shot that bounces off two players before going in, a goal will be a goal. Mete got his NHL point on Shea Weber‘s goal against the Los Angeles Kings, when will his first tally come?
3. Mr. 600
Tomas Plekanec has been sitting on 599 career points for the past three games. This season hasn’t been one the Habs hoped for him offensively, but a number that large warrants recognition. Additionally, with the Trade Deadline soon approaching, it would be nice if Plekanec got point number 600 while still playing with the Montreal Canadiens.
Getting it with another team if he is moved wouldn’t take away with how special of a milestone it is. However, it would be better to have his fist bumping with the rest of the Habs bench after it or even better, it happening at the Bell Centre.
4. Becoming #1
All it will take is another 20 games for Carey Price to lead all Habs goaltenders. From being selected fifth overall in 2005 to now, Price has seen 546 games. He’s behind Patrick Roy and Jacques Plante for number one, and again with 31 games left, the opportunity is there.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to be part of a Stanely Cup winning team like the other two were. Who knows, it could happen one day, and regardless of the lack of championship success, Price has still been a massive part of the Habs’ organization and one of the faces of the franchise.
What are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments down below.