Best known for his shot, Alex Galchenyuk has exhibited his deft passing ability many times over the years. 2017-18 was no exception as the talented American finished the season with 32 assists, good for second place on the team (one behind Jonathan Drouin).
On March 13, 2018, on a night where the spotlight first shone on another Alex on the night of his return to the Bell Centre, Galchenyuk was determined not to be overlooked. With three and a half minutes remaining in the first period and the visiting Dallas Stars leading 1-0, Jacob De La Rose scrambled a defensive zone faceoff into the slot.
Galchenyuk jumped on the puck, exiting his own zone with speed, weaving amidst three Stars through the neutral zone, and crossing the opposition blueline with three sets of Green-and-White eyes squarely upon him. Galchenyuk adroitly stops up and feathers a perfect pass through a flailing Radek Faksa onto the tape of a streaking Artturi Lehkonen in space and in stride.
When Galchenyuk makes the pass, Lehkonen is level with him. When the Finnish sophomore receives it, he is almost at the top of the circle. As the puck hits his tape, Lehkonen launches into the shot that yielded him 18 goals as a rookie, beating Kari Lehtonen blocker side.
The marker would be the first of two for the Finn, an effort that would earn him First Star honours in a 4-2 Canadiens victory. However, for this first marker on the evening, he had the legs, vision, and hands of his American teammate to thank.
It’s time to vote for Alex Galchenyuk’s highlight of the year. Here are the nominees:
Or, the assist in this article.
Vote here, and let us know why in the comments:
What was Alex Galchenyuk’s highlight of the year?
| Backhand to remember | 20 |
| Hat trick hero | 17 |
| Galchenyuk, the artist | 17 |
