The Montreal Canadiens (7-0-1) are off to a red-hot start to their season for the third time in a row. Absolutely everything seems to be clicking for head coach Michel Therrien’s troops, and his willingness to make last-minute changes on-the-fly have certainly served him well.

Here are a few thoughts on this past week’s action:


- I’m pretty sure everyone rolled their eyes when Therrien starting shuffling his lines. The problem is that he has looked like a genius with the decisions he’s made, and the Habs are the only team that has yet to lose in regulation as they hold onto the first overall position in the National Hockey League. They’re evidently first in the Atlantic Division, three points clear of the Detroit Red Wings (winners of six consecutive games) and have four points over the Tampa Bay Lightning.


- Last night’s matchup was the perfect example of how speed and skill are both defining the new-age NHL. The (arguably) two best teams in the Eastern Conference can pride themselves on excellent goaltending, powerful yet mobile defensemen and four attacking lines capable of skating circles around their opponents. The “dump-and-chase” style of hockey has evolved, in that it’s no longer a matter of getting the puck behind opponents in an attempt to gain possession using physicality. Instead, it’s all about who can get to the puck first and keep it cycling on passing plays.


- It looks like David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty have rekindled the chemistry that they’ve had over several years. Those two clearly love playing with each other, and Desharnais deserves a ton of credit for the way he’s playing. His confidence is sky-high, and despite his small stature, is playing exceptionally well along the boards by using his lower center of gravity to get between bigger players and the puck. It says a lot about his determination, as defensemen are constantly cross-checking him and (easily) pushing him against the boards in order to strip the puck away from him. Somehow, he’s managing to maintain control of the puck using his skates while getting low to the ice.


- Andrew Shaw has toned down his often questionable physical style of play. As he and line mate Pacioretty came close to a 2-on-0 break by chasing after the puck in the Lightning’s defensive zone, Ben Bishop came out and pounced on it. There was a time when players would not hit the brakes and chose to crash into vulnerable goalies, but Shaw did his best to avoid Bishop despite hitting his pads. Shaw had quite a few scoring chances over the course of the last few games, including a few on breakaways, and I’m certain he’ll start burying his chances soon enough.

(For the record, his empty-net goal should have counted. I did not see any reason for him to get called for holding with less than 30 seconds left in the game, but that’s just me.)


- To everyone criticizing Tomas Plekanec: stop. He is playing very well and getting the scoring chances while creating multiple ones for his line mates, but has not been able to seal the deal. He’s getting robbed by goaltenders night in and night out, and is often firing bouncing pucks on net. For Plekanec, it’s only a matter of time before he starts lighting the red lamp. Otherwise, there is nothing negative to say about his performances.

- To those criticizing Alexei Emelin: give it up. He played very well last season and got close to no recognition by anybody for it. This year, he’s not just playing with assuredness; he’s showing that he’s capable of so much more than he’s ever been given credit for. Gone are the days of panicking and firing the puck off of the glass in an attempt to clear the defensive zone. While he still manages to use his body effectively, it’s his patience and stick-work that have earned him top-pairing duties with Shea Weber. He strips pucks away from opponents- including Steven Stamkos’ elite line last night- and calmly passes it along the boards to wingers breaking out at full speed. The simplicity in his game is what defines him. To date, he’s played more consistently than Nathan Beaulieu has...


- Speaking of which, what on earth was Beaulieu thinking when he dropped the gloves against Cedric Paquette? It was an utterly useless fight that should have never taken place, especially since he’s finally come into form over the last three games. He is pinching so very effectively in the offensive zone and making intelligent plays in the back end alongside his partner Greg Pateryn. While I still believe that he has a tendency to hold onto the puck for extended periods of time, he is clearly still searching to strike the perfect balance between being an offensive defenseman and playing a brand of conservative defense in his own zone. I like the Pateryn-Beaulieu duo- they were incredibly successful together during the preseason, and there’s a strong chemistry between them that needs not be overlooked.

- The biggest problem through these eight games has been Andrei Markov, in my opinion. We all know he has slowed down and is having a hard time keeping up with speedy opponents. The issue is that he is off to a horrendous start to the season because he cannot keep pace with his own teammates. Too many times, he coughs the puck up – and I can’t believe I’m saying this- on passing plays, something that had become the hallmark of his exceptional vision. I counted at least three giveaways last night and two the night before, which is not in line with what we’re used to seeing of Markov.

While watching last night’s game, I couldn’t help but wonder if Therrien would dare to sit Markov out as a healthy scratch from time to time. Sure, he made up for a string of poor performances with a beautiful assist on Alex Galchenyuk’s power play goal, but there is another Russian left-handed blue-liner (not named Emelin) who is available: Mikhail Sergachev. He’s wasting his time sitting in the press box when he could be playing (as general manager Marc Bergevin publicly said he will be), so I wonder if Therrien’s bold gambles can be taken a notch further by sitting the veteran for the rookie.

I’d be surprised, but it’s certainly a thought.


- Finally, I'd like to add that I appreciate witnessing displays of sportsmanship in a league that has been sorely missing it. When Galchenyuk got tangled with JT Brown and both fell to the ice, Galchenyuk apologized and Brown tapped his chest to let him know it's alright.

Torrey Mitchell also demonstrated sportsmanship after the final whistle blew when he tapped Stamkos' shin protectors with his stick.

There's a rivalry that cannot be denied between these two teams, but today's NHL rivalries don't need to be about who can hit hardest or win more fights. It's truly nice to see.

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