If there's one thing TSN 690 likes to do it's to ruffle some feathers but for once, they tried to discussed something positive by asking: Which player is responsible for the Habs bounce back season?
I don't think this is a fair question really, it's hard to quantify whose input has been the best and most important. I mean yes Carey Price is back to his old self but he really found his game when Shea Weber came back at the end of December improving the defence corps tenfold. Max Domi has come in as the number 1 centre and done a great job not only leading the team in points but also taking on a huge leadership role. Speaking of which, Gallagher has been a spark plug as he's always been and he's perhaps heading for his best season goal wise. Jonathan Drouin looked much better on the Wing than he did at centre last season... Tomas Tatar has showed that he's so much more than a throw-in, he works hard every game, he's a constant threat and he has quite the energy level. And how about Jeff Petry? During the captain's year off, he's been a difference maker for sure and made the best out of a rather difficult situation. The list is pretty long and I believe it would be unfair to give credit to one single player. What do you think? Can you pick only one? And if so why?
The Canadiens practiced in Newark today, everyone was on the ice aside from Paul Byron (fighting a virus) and Carey Price (who was given a day off). Claude Julien has confirmed that Price will be in net in New York on Friday and let's hope that today's day off will allow him to play another back to back and face the Penguins in Montreal on Saturday.
At practice, the following lines were used:
Tatar - Danault - Gallagher Drouin - Domi - Shaw Lehkonen - Kotkaniemi - Armia Weal - Thompson - Weise Hudon - Deslauriers - Peca
Mete - Weber Benn - Petry Kulak - Folin Reilly
Should Byron be too ill to play tomorrow, it looks like Lehkonen will climb back up to the third line and Weal get his first game in the CH's jersey. Hopefully, he's in though, Byron's speed is fantastic and he brings a lot to this line-up. As for the defence, Folin made a good impression in his first game (he had an assist, finished the game at +3, 4 shots, 3 hits and 2 blocked shots) and it looks like Reilly will remain the odd man out in New York.
I think it's also worth sharing this video which has made the rounds on Twitter and Facebook today showing Carey Price meeting a young fan who's mom had recently passed from cancer:
Carey Price showing he is one of the classiest athletes in all of sports. The young man (Anderson) idolizes Price and his mother, before dying of cancer, promised she would try to help them meet. It finally happened. Both feel the emotion as Anderson’s dream finally comes true. pic.twitter.com/19EjIH2NNe
— Goalie Gear Nerd (@GoalieGearNerd) February 28, 2019
If this doesn't make your heart melt even a little; you're dead inside! (as Monica more than once told Chandler). I have to say, I got a couple of in-person autographs from Price and he looked like he was going through the motions and bored as hell, not really wanting to be there, but clearly, when it counts, he takes the time and does exactly what is needed. I believe Carey Price is an excellent goalie but an even better human being.
If there are Habs collectors among us, you should definitely check-out the new mystery box from Frameworth Sports Marketing! Yes it retails at 399$ but every box includes 3 autographed items (a jersey, a picture and a puck), one of which is guaranteed to be signed by Carey Price:
The "Price" is right for our NEW Montreal #Canadiens Mystery Box, as every box includes one guaranteed Carey Price autographed item.💥
— Frameworth (@FrameworthSport) February 28, 2019
â–¶ï¸ https://t.co/nfK2NT6dC7 pic.twitter.com/lkTMKH8Ivn
Aside from Price, you'll also find items from these players: Jean Beliveau, Patrick Roy, Yvan Cournoyer, Guy Lafleur, Max Domi, Frank Maholvich, Shayne Corson, Guy Carbonneau, Jacques Lemaire, Pierre Mondou, Bobby Smith, Mario Tremblay, Pierre Bouchard, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Galchenyuk (NHL 100 Classic), Jean Guy Talbot, Yvan Lambert, Claude Larose, Yvan Pronovost, Bobby Rousseau, Phil Goyette, & Rejean Houle. Oh, almost forgot, in one lucky box someone will win a Carey Price game-used and autographed stick!
Don't forget to tune in for tomorrow's game, pretty rare that the Habs play on a Friday night...The puck is set to drop at 19:00 and needless to say, it's an important one!