As the Montreal Canadiens get set for a relatively calmer schedule over the next two days, they’ll pay a visit to the New Jersey Devils tonight as they take on a team that has won its last three games. Facing a group that had a red-hot start to their regular season (9-3-3) only to later cool down (10-15-6) should nevertheless not be taken lightly by head coach Michel Therrien’s troops who are playing just above .500 in their last 10 games (5-4-1).

Certain changes made to the Atlantic Division-leading Habs’ lineup could help revitalize center Alex Galchenyuk, who has posted a single goal since his return from injury but has looked lost on the ice. He will be flanked by Sven Andrighetto and Andrew Shaw on what many are referring to as the team’s “third line”, while Phillip Danault will center captain Max Pacioretty and Alex Radulov.

I personally don’t see this as a “demotion” for Galchenyuk, as Andrighetto is on fire with four points in his last five games while Shaw is struggling to find his form after being sidelined for a month with a concussion. He returned to the lineup last Saturday against the New York Rangers.

Galchenyuk’s puck handling and passing abilities could provide the time and space for Andrighetto to get into a scoring position while Shaw skates to the front of the net and makes life difficult for the Devils’ goaltender and defensemen. This is a line combination that could very well stay together all evening and potentially tomorrow night against the hosts Buffalo Sabres.

Meanwhile, Danault is continuing to impress both the coaching staff and fans alike after a pleasantly surprising first half of the 2016-2017 season which saw him start on the left wing of the fourth line only to earn himself bigger responsibilities. He now boasts nine goals and 24 points in 46 games played, including two goals and five points in his last five outings. Many would say that he has developed a strong chemistry with Pacioretty, though I’m tempted to think that it’s time to recognize how Pacioretty’s presence elevates his linemates’ play.



While both line combinations could prove to be temporary solutions to a relatively insignificant problem (Galchenyuk’s performances), I’m curious as to just how long you believe these lines will last.





Note: Yesterday’s poll results regarding a certain trade proposed by Stephane Laberge are in:

54.35% voted YES
45.65 voted NO

Many believed that it was a lopsided proposal in favor of the Habs, although nearly half of the respondents preferred not to trade away Mikhail Sergachev, Michael McCarron and Nathan Beaulieu. Interesting…

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