Third Star: Corey Perry
The Canadiens roster appeared set just before training camp, but then they decided to add a couple of veterans in Corey Perry and Michael Frolik. It has provided the team with a little extra depth and with Josh Anderson currently out of the lineup, Perry stepped in to provide a veteran presence.
He does a little more than just add experience to the lineup, as he can still play. Perry provides a net front presence and a little bit of extra grit and battle along the boards thatches in handy.
He used this to create two of the Habs three goals last night.
With the Habs down 2-0 early in the second period, things were heading in the wrong direction. The Canadiens got a power play opportunity and it was Perry who drove to the net with the puck. Though it was knocked away he made a subtle little poke at the loose puck at the top of the crease to get it to Tomas Tatar.
Tatar fired the puck, but it was blocked and then Brendan Gallagher pounced on the loose puck and hammered it past Connor Hellebuyck.
It was Gallagher’s goal, but it was Perry who got the puck to the front of the net and also made a nice little pass to Tatar to create the chance for Gallagher.
Then, in the dying minutes, the Canadiens pulled their goalie as they trailed 3-2. Perry was on the ice and went straight to the front of the net where he is so dangerous. Jeff Petry made a nice little move at the blue line with the puck to open up space and then drifted a wrist shot towards the net. Jonathan Drouin made a nice tip high in the slot but Perry also got a piece of it, redirecting the puck into the net to tie the game with 1:24 to go.