The Montreal Canadiens offense was in overdrive on Saturday night as they defeated the Colorado Avalanche 10-1 at the Bell Centre. Captain Max Pacioretty led the way with his first four goal game of his NHL career and added an assist to make it a five point night. Linemate Tomas Plekanec had four assists while Alexander Radulov contributed a goal and two assists on the night. Brian Flynn opened the scoring early in the first for his first goal of the season and also scored his second later in the game. Arturri Lehkonen, Paul Byron and Jeff Petry completed the scoring for the Canadiens while Blake Comeau was able to put one past Carey Price in the last minute of the first period. Calvin Pickard had started the game for the Avalanche coming off of a win and strong performance against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. He was chased from his net after the Canadiens third goal and replaced by Semyon Varlamov who did not fare any better as he allowed six more goals before Pickard was reinserted to start the period and allowed the Canadiens tenth goal.
To say that few would have expected such a flurry of goals without Alex Galchenyuk and to a lesser extent David Desharnais in the lineup would be an understatement to say the least. Many were wondering who was going to step up in their absence. It turns out that the Canadiens have a solid first line as Plekanec is playing back to his offensive capabilities that earned him his $12 million usd two year contract. Combined with a healthy Pacioretty and the determined and skilled Radulov they have become a top trio. While the drop of pure skill is noticeable after the top line, the Canadiens have two determined, combative and smart so-called third lines with Lehkonen-Phillip Danault-Andrew Shaw and Byron-Torrey Mitchell-Brendan Gallagher. Each are capable of contributing on any given night and both lines have stepped up since they were formed against the Devils.
Props and Flops:
Props:
Max Pacioretty - He has been criticized endlessly this season but it is obvious that a healthy Pacioretty on the first line is a recipe for success. With nine points in his last four games he has leapfrogged over Galchenyuk to take over the Canadiens scoring lead with 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 28 games. He has four game winning goals and is now on course for 35 goals this season. Some will still criticize Pacioretty for scoring against lesser opponents. All goals scored in NHL are important goals and the Canadiens are very happy to bank these points now. In the past the Canadiens would let these type of games against opponents who are at the bottom of the standings. Pacioretty and the entire team were ready to play from the moment the puck was dropped.
Nathan Beaulieu and Zach Redmond - Beaulieu may have been one of the three Canadiens who did not manage to collect a point against the Avalanche but he was a +4 on the night and led all skaters with 22:34 minutes of ice time. For his part, Redmond had two assists giving him three points in two games and was also a +4 in 19:31 minutes of ice time. Beaulieu and Redmond might just have the potential to become the best third pairing in the NHL. They help create offense and for the most part have been quite responsible in their own end. Since they are able to contribute 15-20 minutes a game, it gives the top four a break and keep them fresh. This will certainly come in handy as the season goes on.
Alexander Radulov - He seems to always have an impossibly bigger smile on his face after his linemates score. I don’t believe that anyone realized just how unselfish of a player he is. On Pacioretty’s third goal, Radulov has a perfect opportunity to score himself however he had the vision to spot Pacioretty and made sure to get him the puck so that his teammate could have the hat trick. His enthusiasm and love for the game is simply contagious as he makes everyone on the ice that much better.
pacioretty hat trick pic.twitter.com/025268Pm9K
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 11, 2016
Brian Flynn - He finally scored his first of the season and made sure that he did not have to wait nearly as long for his second when he connected for the Canadiens first and sixth goals of the game, both in the first period. Flynn quietly goes about his game and uses his speed to his advantage. Playing with Daniel Carr and Sven Andrighetto, the trio worked well together as they cycled the puck well creating a number of chances.
Arturri Lehkonen-Phillip Danault-Andrew Shaw - It was too hard to single out just one player from this line. Lehkonen scored his second in as many games and is proving that he is in the NHL to stay. He has a nose for the net but has the skill to finish plays. He is also a very smart player and rarely makes a mistake. Danault is proving that he is able to play center and is very strong with the puck along the boards. If he keeps this up he will make it very difficult for Desharnais to get back into the lineup once healthy. Shaw’s ability to play all three forward positions has come in handy this season. Even though he has mostly played on the wing all season, the Canadiens have used him to take faceoffs on his strong side which has worked out in their favour. On the Canadiens powerplay goal, he won the puck cleanly back to the point as Andrei Markov teed it over to Petry for the one timer.
Prop or Flop?
Alexei Emelin - With just over three minutes left in the game and the score at 10-1, Alexei Emelin delivered a bone crunching, old school hip check to Joe Colborne who was barreling down the wing.
Old school hip check by Emelin 👌🽠pic.twitter.com/89Q4hBKXQb
— The Hockey Hangout (@HockeyHangout) December 11, 2016
In some ways Emelin should have known better than to throw such a big check in a blowout. The Avalanche were already embarrassed enough. On the other hand, hockey players are expected to play until the final buzzer goes and to give 100% throughout the game. Emelin so a player coming and didn’t think twice about throwing that hit. It was pretty clean despite the two minute penalty he received for clipping but was it really necessary? For now, the majority feel that his hit was a prop:
Tons of props 👊ðŸ»coming out of this 10-1 #Habs win but was Emelin's hit a Prop or Flop?
— Jennifer B. Cutler (@Jenbcutler) December 11, 2016
The true test for the Canadiens will likely come this week as they host the Boston Bruins on Monday night followed by a rematch with the San Jose Sharks on Friday night before heading to Washington to face the Capitals on Saturday.
Cheers and follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler