For our new readers and members, the Top Six Minutes is a continuation of the discussion in the game thread. We try to keep it light and entertaining. Full recaps are up the morning after every game.
After a relatively healthy 2014-15 campaign, your Montreal Canadiens have hit the injury bug early this year. Brendan Gallagher is the latest casualty, out six weeks with a couple badly broken fingers. How will the Habs respond without the heart & soul effort Gally brings to the ice night in and night out (and even during those less-than-thrilling afternoon games we’re sometimes subjected to)?
Good news? Alexei Emelin and Devante Smith-Pelly return to the lineup tonight, which is ultimately bad news for Pateryn – who has played great! – and Bud Holloway who is still waiting to play his first NHL game. Smith-Pelly inherits Gallagher’s spot on the top line alongside Plekanec and Pacioretty, where his offseason training to improve his skating should come in handy.
Oh an in case you missed it, the Habs signed Bergevin for life.
1st Period
- We’re all but guaranteed a 1-0 game tonight, eh?
- Only question is: Who cracks first?
- Lundqvist having issues with his skates. Good to know he has his excuse ready!
- Is there a better underdog line in the NHL than Fleischmann – Desharnais – Weise?
- SVENNNN! Here to stay?
- Two sick back passes. A point shot. A rebound. 1-0 Habs.
- Game over, right? I might as well hit publish.
- Andrighetto’s speed, talent and compete level is apparent tonight.
- If Galchenyuk’s line can finally find some stability, look out.
- Desharnais goes for a trip (or dive, you be the judge). Habs powerplay…
- Which has been SOOO much better this year. I feel like I’m watching a different team.
- Weiser to the box for interference, negates the PP. Make up call?
- Nice penalty kill there. Still 1-0 after 20.
2nd Period
- Smith-Pelly makes it look easy!
- Galla-who? Just kidding. 2-0 Habs!
- How do the defensemen let him get wide open like that? Wow.
- Galchenyuk’s stick crumples after a slash. To the powerplay!
- Semin on the PP!? Pinch me.
- Rangers finally look hungry. Still half the game left.
- Big penalty kill coming up with Markov to the box.
- Another penalty. Chuck’s turn to sit.
- Obligatory reminder that the Habs drafted Ryan McDonagh.
- I know, I know. Totally unnecessary.
- Rangers cut the lead: 2-1 game.
- Weise just needs to shoot there, always.
- Fearless – albeit completely unrelated – prediction: Your Montreal Canadiens will win the Stanley Cup this year.
- There. I said it. And I mean it. Not like each and every season of the last decade. This time it’s truly going to come to fruition. Promise.
3rd Period
- First place on the line and the Canadiens have a 2-1 lead with 20 to play.
- Wait, did Kreider injure Price again?
- Condon starts the third period. Price isn’t even on the bench.
- Well that was quick. Smith-Pelly scores again!
- 3-1 Habs.
- Sportsnet showing Price in pain after pushing off for a cross-crease save.
- CHUCKY! 4-1.
- Habs giving Condon all the goal support he needs.
- If you haven’t already, go pick up Mike Condon in your fantasy league (again).
- Canadiens to the powerplay again.
- No idea how long Price will be out, but with back-to-back games vs New Jersey… we might just see Tokarski get a start.
- Pacioretty just net you some free chicken wings! 5-1 Habs.
- Hank – more like YANK – is done for the night, too. Blame the skates!
- What a bad joke. No apologies.
- Apparently Semin is injured too. No one really noticed.
- Can’t help but applaud the depth Bergevin has assembled for this club.
- Seems every time a guy goes down, someone else rises to the occasion.
- And there’s still a ton of talent hanging out in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
EOTP 3 Stars
3. Well, it got them one!
2. The best, worst nickname:
1. We’ll accept it.
Highlights
Who will dress first for Habs this season?
| Jarred Tinordi | 35 |
| Bud Holloway | 311 |
| Zack Kassian | 13 |
| Alex Kovalev | 156 |
