The post-game comments were more discussed than the result of the Montreal Canadiens’ last game. Brendan Gallagher and P.K. Subban took turns giving barbed responses to media after trading jabs on the ice.
When he wasn’t battling with Subban, Gallagher was scoring his 20th goal of season — the first member of the team to hit that mark, with Max Pacioretty in second with 16.
Despite the effort from the alternate captain, the Canadiens were unable to get the win, falling in a shootout despite holding the edge in play, running into Pekka Rinne playing at the top of his game.
After that match at the Bell Centre, the Habs hit the road for their final Western Conference trip of the season, with the tour starting on Colorado.
How to watch
Puck drop: 9:30 PM EST / 6:30 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French)
In the Avalanche region: ALT
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/NHL GameCentre Live, NHL Center Ice
When these two teams last met, on January 23, Colorado was six points out of first place in the Central Division, riding a 10-game winning streak. The Canadiens were able to stop that run, getting a three-point performance from Jonathan Drouin, including the game-winner, in a 4-2 win.
Nathan MacKinnon also scored in the game, continuing an impressive season that had him mentioned in conversations about the Hart Trophy.
He was only able to play two more games afterward before sustaining a shoulder injury versus the Vancouver Canucks. Originally projected to miss two-to-four weeks, he is already back practising with the team, though he will be unable to go tonight. Despite missing six-and-a-half games now, he still holds a nine-point edge in Colorado’s scoring race.
Colorado is just 3-5-1 since the start of their game versus the Habs, falling back in a ruthless division race and now two points out of a wild-card spot.
The Avs got a victory over the Buffalo Sabres in their last game, and now play their next eight versus Canadian opponents. With five of those against teams outside of a playoff spot, it’s a good chance for Colorado to get back into theirs.
