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Some things are too good to be true. And yet, there was Max Pacioretty, just eight days after having his appendix removed, assisting on a crucial goal as part of a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Pacioretty's biggest gripe--having the appendix removed through his belly button, leaving him with an "outie".
"What percentage would you say you were at for this one?"
"100," Deadpan. No hesitation. Pacioretty insists he would've played Saturday if he was allowed to. Then again, he also admitted to losing eight pounds through the process, noting the struggle he'll go through to put the weight back on. The coach was probably right to not allow Pacioretty to play back-to-back.
And when asked to explain his superhuman rehabilitation capabilities, Pacioretty simply boiled it down to doing what every other warrior in the room would do.
It's an answer that leaves you wanting, and yet it symbolizes every answer you hear out of the Canadiens this season; it's all about the team.
Lars Eller, relegated to the pressbox for two of the first three games of the season, struggled to find rhythm next to David Desharnais and Erik Cole. Eller, who is obviously a much better fit at centre, put his head down and worked for his chances, and he was rewarded with a goal and two assists in Saturday's 6-1 beatdown over the Sabres.
After a tremendous second period, Eller found himself completing the top powerplay unit for the third period.
Does he recognize the coach's fairness?
"I think that's the way he's been coaching all along," said the relieved centre-turned-winger after his best performance.
He elaborates:
"Whoever's playing well; they're getting their ice-time. He's playing whoever's hot. Everyone in here is going to make it tough for him to decide who he's going to play, because there are a lot of guys playing well right now."
And just like that, Pacioretty pulls a miracle out of his hat, and Eller finds himself centering the fourth line as a result.
Pacioretty had a comment on that harsh reality, illustrating the attitude that seems to be reverberating throughout the walls of that storied Habs dressing room:
"It shows the team atmosphere, and this is a working environment in our locker room right now. Lars contributes a lot to our team. Lars had a big night last night, and it might not show on the scoresheet, but Lars had a big night tonight as well. He had a different role tonight, and that's what's great about him as a player. He's versatile. Whatever it takes to help the team win, and I know he feels the same way."
Speaking of team atmosphere, yesterday's win over the Senators was the first of the Canadiens six in which they failed to score four or more goals.
You'd think they'd be satisfied with proving to themselves they can lock down a one-goal lead against a fierce rival and able competitor in the Senators, and here's what Pacioretty said about that:
"We don't like that style of play. Our game plan is to never take our foot off the gas."
And maybe that's exactly what's brought these guys together. You can talk about the cultural changes Marc Bergevin's in the process of instilling and what he's already accomplished in such a short period of time, but the system the coach has put in place has the Canadiens taking advantage of their greatest asset: speed.
Therrien wasn't interested in making comparisons to last year. He simply points to what's within his power to control-- the system and the accountability of his players. So far, he's done a masterful job with both.
And then, there's the depth factor.
For a team that barely changed in its composition from the one that finished in the Eastern Conference cellar last season, the depth and balance of the lineup is far more apparent.
They have four lines, with clearly defined roles for each one of them.
Rene Bourque has completed the team's second line (the most consistent line according to the coach) with his speed, his aggression and his willingness to crash the net. Along with Plekanec and Gionta, this line has been excellent on both sides of the puck.
Pacioretty's time away from the rink coincided with Erik Cole and David Desharnais finding their games. Together, they should fulfill their role as the team's top line.
The energy Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher and Brandon Prust have brought to the lineup is undeniable, not to mention the fact that the former two are nearly producing a point per game, and the latter is putting a pounding on anyone looking to rough up his teammates.
Therrien had a talk with Ryan White before Sunday's game, assuring him that his time to draw back into the lineup is very near, noting that he doesn't like to keep members of the team on the sidelines for very long. With Eller performing as the line's centreman, White's likely to draw back in at wing. And considering the Boston Bruins are next on the docket, expect White's presence to be a factor come Wednesday. This will mean pulling another play from the lineup, that after two big wins, isn't necessarily deserving. But... anything to help the team...
And that's what depth is all about. Being healthy, and having the good problem of having to sit guys out of the lineup that don't necessarily deserve to sit. It's as healthy as it gets in terms of competition, and in this shortened season, it's something that should help the Canadiens maintain their winning ways.
And then you look at the team's blue line. With Subban injected, the Canadiens boast tremendous balance. They aren't the scariest group to go up against, but their balance is almost unparalleled in the Eastern Conference.
Team atmosphere, aggressive system, accountability, character, scoring, goaltending, balance, pride-- it equals wins.
The team hasn't faced much adversity yet, but they haven't dropped consecutive games either. They've bounced back tremendously well after both their losses so far. There's reason to believe when adversity rears its ugly head, this team will take it on and overcome it.
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Notes:
1) I suppose it was an unremarkable debut for P.K. Subban, though he did manage to notch an assist on the team's sixth goal against the Sabres.
What seemed clear through the weekend games was a willingness for Subban to simplify his game. He seemed to be doing what he was told to do, and as a result, the Canadiens had more control over the puck, and more rhythm to their game.
His one-timer is a lethal threat, and his sleekness still shines bright, as he turns an inch into a foot with ease.
Subban came out to meet the media after his first game-- mostly because he had to. After game two, it wasn't surprising at all that he wasn't by his stall for interviews. It appears as though Subban will do anything to prove to his teammates that he's of the same mentality they are, and though that might stifle a bit of the kid's personality at times, I believe it's of equal benefit to both him and the team.
2) The Canadiens have various leaders, and it's quite clear through eight games that Brandon Prust is vaulting himself to the top of that list. With the score 2-1 against the Sens, Prust had a shift in the third period that pretty much sealed the game for his team. He ate at least a minute out of the last two and a half of the game, winning a puck battle against three Senators. This guy is all about the team in every way.
3) The goaltender interference call against the Senators will go down as one of the worst calls you see all season. Add it to the boarding call against Gorges and the embellishment call against Francis Bouillon-- and it was a triumvirate of failure.
I wasn't there for the ride, but I heard Bryan Murray lost his mind on the elevator leaving the pressbox. F-bombs and fury--cursing Brian Pochmara. Paul Maclean stared down the Team 690's Mitch Gallo for asking him what he thought of the goal being disallowed. Safe to say the Senators weren't too happy with the result.
Michel Therrien: "I thought it was the right call..." with a huge smile on his face. That elicited great laughter in the pressroom.
I think if the call goes against the Habs in that game, Therrien throws the entire bench on to the ice. We'll wait eagerly for signs of Old Michel.
4) Francis Bouillon, powerplay specialist. What a great play to set Cole up.
5) My guess is that Ryan White plays for Colby Armstrong on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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