Max Pacioretty: 9 shots on net, two goals and an extra in the shootout. Absolutely instrumental in tonight's outcome.
Brendan Gallagher: 4 shots on net and an absolute cog on the line.
Scott Gomez: First foray into pre-season action, 6 shots on net, game tying goal to bring it into OT, and 1 assist. Centering the two kids, his line made up for 19 of the total 33 shots and the big push for a comeback.
It's only pre-season but you have to like what happened tonight. In a line up that held a combined 621 regular season games to the Sens combined 2 594 (Alfie skews it), the leaders lead the way and the kids kept digging in. As with the case with most Habs games the powerplay was the key, taking advantage of silly penalties. Similarly the start of the game was flat and full of screw ups (they keep bowling Price over and interfering with him...guess it's only comforting in knowing Henry won't be in the lineup for real), but it's getting there. Ending on a high is nothing but great for these kids. It's nothing but good news when you see (or hear) Raphael Diaz do everything to block a shot to help with the comeback. It's nothing but good news to hear how Gallagher's forechecking is causing fits. But it all starts with the powerplay: to be that strong with the man advantage without really any of your regulars in the lineup? Of course the 2nd powerplay goal was a heads up play by Lawson to Pacioretty who was out cherry picking and went in all alone on Anderson. But hey, whatever works.
I just love seeing Pacioretty playing again and looking like that dominant REAL power forward we all knew he could be. Gomez made a statement with his game. And Gallagher...it's tough knowing he's gotta go back to Junior but I can't wait to see him at the WJC.
Back at it tomorrow, against the Sens again.
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