1) Hard not to enjoy watching Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher do their thing. This line has had some dominant stretches over the last little while, and they're just starting to find the chemistry that can lead to long-term success.
The passing play in the second period was beautiful. The passing play in the third period was spectacular. Come to think of it, this line hasn't scored an ugly goal since they've been assembled.
With these three intact as a line, the Canadiens are packing a more formidable offensive punch, and the pressure they employ is reverberating throughout the lineup.
2) If Sven Andrighetto were to stick around, he'd be the ideal player on the current roster to complete what Jiri Sekac and Tomas Plekanec having going. I suspect P.A. Parenteau might get a look there before that happens.
Brandon Prust or Dale Weise in spot duty-- no issue with that. But, it sure would make sense to give this line as offensive a look as you can manage.
Over their last five contests (four wins), the Canadiens are averaging 3.6 goals/game. They hit the road for five straight (tomorrow on Long Island, Carolina and Florida on the 29th and 30th, respectively, New Jersey and Pittsburgh on the 2nd and 3rd, respectively), and having a strong offensive punch beyond the top line is going to be critical.
3) Moving David Desharnais over to the wing wasn't all that surprising. I mean, the biggest surprise is that Michel Therrien's commitment to Galchenyuk, Plekanec and Eller up the middle falls in line with what the fans have been hoping for, for roughly two years.
For me, the biggest surprise was Therrien saying that if Desharnais could do well with this challenge it wouldn't just be good for the Canadiens; it would be good for his career.
Not exactly cryptic.
Desharnais was excellent on the wing Saturday against Ottawa. I don't know what the long-term viability is of that experiment, but hard to imagine his good play not boosting his value on the market.
In the meantime, Desharnais' good play over the last couple of weeks is boosting his value to the Canadiens.
And by the end of the game against Ottawa, it was conceivable that Therrien might be willing to sit Manny Malhotra for a game here and there, dressing Galchenyuk, Plekanec, Eller and Desharnais up the middle; giving all four of his lines offensive components.
4) Assessing the Canadiens' biggest need, it's an upgrade on Emelin. If Marc Bergevin can find a player that's actually worthy of being a number three on this team, they become a lot better.
If Emelin could have a better partner, the balance on the back end would be significantly better.
5) Saturday was a perfect example of what makes Carey Price the best goaltender in the world. He shook off an absolute stinker of a goal at the beginning of the game before shutting it down for the rest of the night. He gives the Canadiens the confidence to rebound after such an event, and he's able to laugh it off after the game.
6) Hard not to like what Nathan Beaulieu's been offering. I'm watching the little things with him. He takes hits to make plays. He's able to skate the puck out of his own end as well as he can pass it. He clears the zone effectively when he doesn't have a passing option. Most impressively, he's able to apply that offensive pressure you need from a defenseman in the offensive zone.
There will be hiccups. No one should expect perfection. But Beaulieu is maturing, and his game is coming up a level. It won't be long before he starts contributing points.
7) No surprise that Max Pacioretty was back in action this weekend. So long as his test results turned out negative, you just knew he'd be playing.
I wonder how long it'll be before people complain about Pacioretty's goal-scoring pace while he sets up his linemates more and more.
The fact that he has a centreman that can finish plays changes everything. Pacioretty's versatility is on full display.
This season, Pacioretty's more complete than he's ever been, and that's not just because he's setting up goals. His defensive game, his backchecking, his second effort on the puck in the offensive zone is unbelievable.
Pacioretty's certainly one of the best goal-scorers in the game, but right now, he's becoming one of the best players in the game, and it's fun to watch his evolution.
Hard not to look at Pacioretty and see the next captain of the Canadiens. He's got some firm competition, but it just seems like he's checking all the right boxes this year, leading by example, and leading in the room too.
8) Speaking of his competition, P.K. Subban had a dominant game on Saturday without even getting on the scoresheet. We don't talk enough about how well Subban's been playing in his own end. He's playing a simpler game, he's always on the puck first, and he's stifling the opposing team's top players. He and Markov have built their partnership up to be much steadier than it appeared to be over the last couple of years.
If this top pair can get a stronger pair right behind them, the Canadiens become a much better team.
9) How many 20 goal scorers will the Canadiens have this season?
I'm going to say Pacioretty, Plekanec, Galchenyuk and Gallagher hit that mark. I'll add that Subban, Sekac and Eller each score at least 15.
10) Happy Holidays to everyone! Enjoy the Canadiens. Enjoy the World Juniors. Enjoy the final days of 2014 and start thinking about some resolutions you can actually abide by.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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