Alex Galchenyuk RW FA Wed 12/10/14 6:43 AM
Alex Galchenyuk
RW FA
Galchenyuk had a forward-high 18:53 time on ice and won eight of 13 faceoffs in Tuesday night's 3-1 win over Vancouver.
On an emotional night when the franchise paid homage to Jean Beliveau, perhaps we saw Montreal's next great center. Galchenyuk, who played center in junior hockey, was moved from wing to center for this game after the team's 1-5-1 stretch. This combination may last only as long as it takes for Lars Eller (upper body) to heal up, but on this night, the new top line showed good chemistry and puck possession. Galchenyuk won faceoffs, had a key defensive play in the third period and set up his linemates, Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher, who had a combined nine shots.
