1) Scott Gomez got it out of the way, so we can get it out of the way in note #1. He finally scored a goal, hallelujah.
Personally, I think he would've settled for two assists instead, setting up Andrei Kostitsyn with some beauty passes that the latter failed to convert.
And now we can start the countdown to his next goal.
2) Let's get to the real meat here. Max Pacioretty-- and
how good of a story he's been throughout the season. And how good of a story he'll be by season's end, provided he maintains his health.
I recall, quite vividly, the quick start to his National Hockey League career, and the things that were said about him over the following two seasons.
That he didn't have hands; that he couldn't finish; that he'd never be the power-forward the Canadiens signed out of college; that he wouldn't make it back to the NHL; that he couldn't be what he professed to be in interviews after last year's training camp--a top-six forward.
And I remember quite well what people said about him the night he broke his neck, suffered a serious concussion, and lay motionless on the ice for several minutes in one of the more fearful moments we've ever seen at the Bell Centre.
They said that he'd never be the same; that he'd never play with the same aggression that saw him tear up the AHL before joining the Canadiens and play some excellent hockey; and that there was serious doubt he'd ever play again.
From his very first training camp, Pacioretty proved he had the speed, the skating ability and the shot to be an NHL success. He proved he had the frame to fill out and potentially earn his stripes as a top-six threat and a power-forward.
Did he have setbacks? Of course he did. Many of them induced by lingering injuries.
Was his confidence shot after getting a chance to start with Montreal twice, and being sent back to the minors?
I'm sure it took a hit.
But when he met the media after the Boston series, and declared that he was receiving clearance to rejoin his teammates at practice, he made a very bold statement that caught everyone's attention.
He said: "I will be better than ever."
And with the conviction he said it with, it was rather believable.
Watching him prove it has been unbelievable, and seeing him score his first NHL hat-trick to get to 22 goals, in a season in which he set 25 goals as the mark to hit, was something special. It was something worth commendation.
Congratulations, Max.
Oh, and congrats as well for leading the team in scoring, with 22 goals and 19 assists.
3) Carey Price has found another level in his last three games. The shootout win clearly got the confidence flowing in the right direction, and what he delivered--specifically in the first two periods against the Islanders--has to give the Canadiens hope that they can earn two points in Toronto without surrendering any to the Leafs.
Price has allowed four goals on the last 90 shots he's faced. And in his three wins this week, he recorded one shutout. If he delivers on Saturday, he'll be up for the NHL's first star of the week.
4) The real test for the Habs will be making it through a day without practice and a night on the town in Toronto, and showing up to play big on Hockey Night in Canada against a Leafs team that won 10 of 15 games before dropping their last two in regulation.
The Leafs are nine points up on the Habs as of today, sitting in the eighth and final playoff spot by themselves.
5) Do the numbers really matter all that much?
We know that for the Canadiens to make the playoffs (not that I'm even remotely suggesting that they will) they have to win roughly 90% of their games from here to the end of the season. Any extensive lapse without a consecutive run of victories will get them closer to being mathematically eliminated.
It's been a miserable season, and for just the second week of it for these Canadiens, they haven't dropped a game. People should just enjoy that, no matter what bearing it has on their draft status.
Moving forward, it's all about player development, and it's not the most positive form of development for young players to be making mistakes and losing, all the time. They need to enjoy some form of success to truly grow, and in hockey, that's not just based on what you contribute individually.
6) I'd love to give the Habs full marks for winning games against the Jets, Pens and Islanders, but there are a couple of other factors that contributed to their success.
The trade deadline is inching closer, and teams on the bubble are playing tight. And the Canadiens, through all their misery, are starting to loosen up a bit and just focus on playing hockey.
As for their win against the Penguins, it was as close to another disappointing loss as they've manufactured all season.
And yes, they're in a similar position to the Islanders and Jets, but that puts them on even ground against those opponents. They happened to come out on top this time.
We'll see how it goes against the Leafs.
7) If I'm Pierre Gauthier, I accept nothing less than a 2nd round pick for Hal Gill. His playoff pedigree over the last four seasons is there, he's one of the best penalty killers in the league, and the best 3-on-5 player in the league. He's a Stanley Cup winner, a great dressing room presence, and he's a shutdown guy who's proven he can handle the toughest assignments.
Not to mention that you don't get stuck with his contract.
8) If I'm the Rangers, I'm rushing to the phone to get Gill. They can use an experienced D-man, even if they'd be best served to find one that can help their powerplay.
If I'm Chicago, I'm right in line with the Rangers, inquiring about Gill.
Add the Penguins, the Capitals and the Red Wings to the list as well.
9) As a seller, the Canadiens have to consider what their top priority is. It seems rather obvious that if you're going to be making moves that will have serious impact on the team's future, rather than its present, you should get the biggest one out of the way first.
For me, that's getting Carey Price under contract. Right now.
10) Will the Canadiens move Yannick Weber? You have to think so. The question is, what will they fetch for him?
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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