Thursday Habs Headlines: What is leading to the team’s potent power play?

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Why is the Canadiens power play doing so well without Shea Weber? [TSN Radio]
• Jeff Petry has taken on a lot of new responsibilities in recent weeks, including being the QB for the power play, and he’s thriving in that role. [Montreal Gazette]
• Trading Max Pacioretty is a contentious issue for the Habs right now, but it might be the right move in the end. [The Athletic]
• Their playoff chances are nearly gone at this point, but the Canadiens are staying focused on doing things to improve their play this season. [CBC]
• Jakub Jerabek has had a trial by fire in his first North American season, and he’s hoping he can turn this experience into a new contract. [Sportsnet]
• Former Hab Chris Nilan battled players on the ice, and personal demons off it, and he’s bringing a message to midget hockey players in PEI about that. [The Guardian]
• Les Canadiennes are well represented at the Olympics in PyeongChang, hear what their teammates had to say before they take the ice./

Pour nos trois représentantes sur l’équipe canadienne à PyeongChang, en Corée du Sud! Les Canadiennes vous souhaitent bonne chance! 🇨🇦🏒👏

For our three players on the Canadian team in PyeongChang, South Korea! Les Canadiennes wish you good luck! 🇨🇦🏒👏 pic.twitter.com/QQRbZ6gghM

— Les Canadiennes (@LesCanadiennes) February 7, 2018

• Carey Price with puppies, need we say anything more?/

Around the league and elsewhere

• Despite not receiving an NHL contract in the off-season, Brian Gionta has aspirations of Olympic gold in South Korea. [Rochester Business Journal]
• The Vezina trophy is up for grabs this year, so who are the candidates most likely to be named a finalist for the award? [The Hockey News]
• Kristian Vesalainen gives his thoughts on his season in Europe and what his future holds. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
• The KHL’s biggest trophy took a trip to the final frontier!/

#KHLinSpace!

Thanks to cosmonauts @Anton_Astrey, Alexander Misurkin (on photo), and to @roscosmos for making this possible.#GagarinCup pic.twitter.com/9vaG1sgIIO

— KHL (@khl_eng) February 6, 2018

• Alex Burrows has been suspended for his knees to the head of Taylor Hall. /

Ottawa’s Alexandre Burrows suspended ten games for serving as an aggressor/ kneeing New Jersey’s Taylor Hall. https://t.co/yNb4Wp7z5A

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 8, 2018

• Members of the 2014 gold medal winning team recall the final moments of Team Canada’s victory over the United States. [Metro News]
• Speaking of Team Canada, plenty of people are sending their well wishes, including swimming phenom Penny Oleksiak. /

Thinking of everyone on Team Canada heading out to Pyeongchang to compete and feeling reminded of how amazing it is to see Canada rally around our athletes this time of year- to all the athletes-remember to breathe and take it all in 💫✨ #weallplayforcanada pic.twitter.com/8rA8ss3ghC

— Penny Oleksiak (@OleksiakPenny) February 8, 2018