The Canadiens took to the ice on Sunday, and while the lines looked fairly similar, there were a few alterations from what has been seen throughout the pre-season thus far.
#Habs:
Pacio-Drouin-Gallagher
Hudon-Plekanec-Lehkonen
Galchenyuk-Danault-Hemsky
Byron-Mitchell-Shaw
Carr-JDLR-McCarron
Terry-Holland-Froese— J-F Chaumont (@JFChaumontJDM) September 24, 2017
The biggest change is that Brendan Gallagher and Ales Hemsky have switched spots, with Gallagher now on the top line with Max Pacioretty and Jonathan Drouin. This may help Alex Galchenyuk, who gets the playmaking Hemsky on his line to set up his shot.
It also shows how the fourth-line battle hasn’t really amounted to much at all, with all the candidates who had a shot at the centre role still on the outside.
Habs D: Weber-Mete; Alzner-Petry; Benn-Streit; Morrow-Davidson
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 24, 2017
On defence, Victor Mete continues to skate alongside Shea Weber. Whether that’s an indication that he has a chance at actually claiming that top-pairing spot, or is simply acting as a placeholder until the Canadiens can find their $8.4 Million Dollar Man, it’s been an impressive performance from the 19-year-old.
