Montreal Canadiens: Can Brendan Gallagher exceed our expectations once again?
Brendan Gallagher never ceases to amaze anyone who watches him with the Montreal Canadiens. With 33 goals so far, could a 40-goal season be on the horizon?
Brendan Gallagher has been the Montreal Canadiens best forward since Max Pacioretty was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in the off-season prior to the 2018-19 season, in exchange for Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki and Columbus’ 2nd round pick. Some would even argue that he’s been their best forward since before that trade was made.
Gallagher is having himself a career year with 51 points in 76 games including 33 goals, 28 of which were scored at even strength-5-on-5, putting him second in the league for 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes trailing only Viktor Arvidsson.
With only six games remaining, is it possible that we see him hit the 40-goal plateau for the first time in his career?
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He would need to score seven goals in those six games which wouldn’t be an easy endeavor but it wouldn’t be the first time Gally surprised us. Is this an order too tall for 5’9 Brendan Gallagher?
If he were to reach the 40-goal mark this season that would make him the first Canadiens player to do so since Vincent Damphousse way back in the 1993-94 season. Pacioretty came close in 2013-14, but ultimately fell short when he tallied 39 goals in 73 games.
Gallagher will be finishing up his seventh season in the NHL and second consecutive season with 30 or more goals. After his first 30-goal campaign, many fans and pundits alike doubted his ability to repeat that total. He has once again proven spectators wrong like he has so many times throughout his hockey career.
On top of Gallagher’s improved goal scoring ability in the last two years, he’s also been the heart and soul of the Montreal Canadiens. He has a motor without an off switch, and he gives it his all every shift. Nicknamed the Bulldog by fans, he bullies his way to the front of the net, and that is where you’ll find him almost every time the red goal light flashes.
A leader on and off the ice, he is a crucial member of this team and a big reason the Montreal Canadiens are sitting in a playoff spot. He leads by example and is a symbol of what this team has been all season long. We’re not the biggest team, we don’t have the most talent, but we’re going to fight tooth and nail for every spot in the standings until we reach our ultimate goal and that is a chance to compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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Gallagher hitting 40 goals this season may seem like a stretch with the number of games remaining but don’t be surprised if he exceeds our expectations once again this year or in the near future. He is a fighter and if his goal is to hit 40, betting against him isn’t a bet anyone should be confident in making.