Time for Louis Leblanc to get a chance
Louis Leblanc has had a terrible season, but it's time he gets a chance to show that it's an aberration.
With all due respect to Michael Blunden, he is not the kind of player that the Montreal Canadiens need right now.
With Brian Gionta out, Max Pacioretty and Michael Ryder hampered with obvious injuries, and Lars Eller just beginning a process of getting back that takes at least a week, the Habs need someone who can score.
Louis Leblanc had a terrible season for the Hamilton Bulldogs. He got his shot volume back up towards the end of the season but he couldn't find a way to produce points on a regular basis.
What Leblanc does have though, is more natural offensive talent than Blunden or Gabriel Dumont. He also has 42 games of NHL experience in which he didn't look out of place. In an exploitation role, Leblanc could possibly make a difference. In fact, with him in, the lines wouldn't even look too bad.
Imagine bringing these forward lines into tonight's game:
Max Pacioretty - Tomas Plekanec - Rene Bourque
Alex Galchenyuk - Jeff Halpern - Brendan Gallagher
Michael Ryder - David Desharnais - Louis Leblanc
Travis Moen - Gabriel Dumont - Colby Armstrong
Desharnais showed serious signs of life in the game on Tuesday, and with last change there's a good chance that Therrien could get him out there in pretty easy situations, hopefully in all offensive zone starts. That could be a line that makes a difference.