Montreal Canadiens Three Stars of the Week - Feb 3 - 10 2014

The Canadiens went a perfect 3-0-0 on their final week of NHL action be the Olympic break. Carey Price started the week off with a shutout against the Flames as the Canadiens skated off with a 2-0 win. The offense kicked in against Vancouver on Thursday, Max Pacioretty scored a hat trick leading the Habs to a 5-2 win. The week ended in Carolina where Ryan White scored the game winner in a 4-1 victory.

First Star: David Desharnais

David Desharnais put up 3 goals and 2 assists this week, scoring points in each of Montreal's 3 games. After starting the year with just 1 assist in his first 19 games, Desharnais is going into the Olympic break with 31 points in his last 37 games. DD's best performance of the week cam Saturday night when he scored twice against the Hurricanes, leading the way to the 4-1 win in Carolina.
 
Second Star: Carey Price

In his last 6 games, Carey Price has held his opposition to 2 goals or less. He opened the week off with his fourth shutout of the season, and finished it with his 26th win so far. Price hits the break with a .925 save percentage and a 2.33, he's fifth in wins and tied for second in shutouts behind just Tuuka Rask.

Third Star: Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty set a record this week, against the Canucks on Thursday he became the first player to draw two penalty shots in the same period. He's also the only player to miss two penalty shots in a game but still come away with a hat trick. Pacioretty finished the week with 3 goals and an assist, but he was forced out of action and did not return Saturday when he went crashing into the Hurricanes net. Despite the injury, Patch has said that he will indeed join Team USA in Sochi.

Honorable Mention: Ryan White

Ryan White returned from injury this week and provided the Habs with a huge spark in each of their three games. He was a Third Star Tuesday night versus the Flames, and again on Thursday when he scored his first goal of the season. White also scored the winning goal Saturday against the Canes, his first career game winning goal in the NHL.White had instant chemistry with newcomer Dale Weise, who the Habs picked up at the start of the week from Vancouver in exchange for Raphael Diaz. Weise picked up an assist and saw over 10 minutes of ice time each game this week.

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Montreal Canadiens Three Stars of the Week - Jan 27 - Feb 2, 2014

After dropping 4 straight games, and 5 of their last 6, the Canadiens got back on track in their 4 games last week, going 2-1-1. Carey Price stole the show on Tuesday, making 36 saves in Montreal's 3-0 win over the Hurricanes. Peter Budaj was up to task in Boston on Thursday, he put in a 34 save performance, backstopping the Habs to a 4-1 victory. The offense cooled off on the weekend when the Canadiens played a pair of matinees against the Lightning and Jets, they dropped both games 2-1, but earned a loser point for taking the Bolts to overtime.

Here's a look at the standout performers from last week.

First Star: Carey Price

Carey Price had a 5-game stretch of allowing 4 goals or more heading into last week's action, but recovered well enough to allow 4 goals total in the 3 games he played. Price started the week off with a shut out against the Hurricanes and then played a pair of weekend games less than 24 hours apart against the Bolts and the Jets, making 34 saves on Saturday and 33 on Sunday. Price only allowed one regulation goal against the Lightning, a redirected pass that PK Subban pushed towards the net. On Sunday, Price probably would have liked to get back the second goal he allowed against Winnipeg, which Michael Frolik buried after Price mishandled the puck along the goal line. Price finished the week with a 1-1-1 record and a .963 save percentage.

Second Star: Brendan Gallagher

Brendan Gallagher was his usual pesky self throughout last week, battling for space in front of the crease and frustrated goalies wherever he went. The Canadiens' spark plug picked up a goal and 3 assist in 4 games, and was the game's First Star Thursday in Boston, and the Second Star against the Hurricanes on Tuesday. He was the most visible Habs player on Sunday against the Jets, despite not finding the scoresheet, and was a regular target of defenseman Mark Stuart, who has an extra 5 inches and 35 pounds on Gallagher.

Third Star: Brian Gionta

Montreal's captain ended the week on a 3-game point streak, with 2 goals and an assist in his last 3 matches. Gionta set up Daniel Briere for the tying goal against the Lightning on Saturday, forcing overtime and earning the Habs at least one point. He was the only Canadien to find the back of the net against Al Montoya and the Jets on Sunday. Gionta also deflected a Tomas Plekanec shot for a power play goal against the Bruins on Thursday.

Honorable Mention: Peter Budaj

The Habs' back up goalie played just one game last week, but he got the job done against the division leading Bruins, stopping 35 of the 36 shots he's faced. The win helped Budaj bring his GAA under 2.00, he's now at 1.97 in that department to go along with a .926 save percentage, both those numbers have him on pace for career bests.

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Montreal Canadiens Three Stars of the Week - Jan 13 - 19, 2014

The Canadiens had a rough go of things last week, taking just 2 of 6 points and giving up 5 in return to Eastern Conference rivals. Martin Brodeur earned a first star for his part in the Devils' 4-1 on Tuesday in what may have been his final game in Montreal. On Thursday in Ottawa, the Canadiens needed a third period goal just to draw even after blowing a 3-0 lead. Luckily, PK Subban's overtime heroics were enough to earn the Habs a 5-4 win over the Sens.

The Canadiens had their hands full with the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday, they rallied back from down 3-1 to draw even midway through the third on a David Desharnais redirect, but James Van Riemsdyk put the Leafs ahead for good with about five minutes left to play. Joffrey Lupul was awarded a goal when he was slowed down on a breakaway with the Habs net empty, sealing the 5-3 win for Toronto.

First Star: David Desharnais

Desharnais missed Tuesday's games with flu-like symptoms but bounced back with a goal and an assist Thursday against the Sens and capped the week off with what was at the time a game-tying goal in the third period on Saturday. Since his horrendous start to the season, where he earned just 1 point in his first 19 games, Desharnais has bounced back to become the team's most consistent scorer, picking up 23 points in his last 27 games.

Second Star: Carey Price

It was a rough week for the Habs' star netminder, he faced 91 shots and allowed 11 goals for a less than stellar .879 save percentage. But Price was also the biggest reason the Habs were able to come away with any points making stop after unbelievable stop Thursday night in Ottawa and coming away with 40 saves on the night. Carey Price picked up second star honors in the nation's capital for his efforts, it was the only star any Habs player earned all week.

Third Star: Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty was the only Canadien to pick up points in all three matches this week, tallying 2 goals and an assist in 3 games. He was Montreal's lone goal scorer Tuesday night against New Jersey. Pacioretty also ended Montreal's power play drought with his marker Thursday night during the Habs' only power play against the Senators.

Honorable Mention: Brian Gionta

The Canadiens' captain picked up a goal and an assist this week but was a big reason the Habs were able to earn two points in Ottawa. Gionta set up the game-tying goal with a stretch pass to Tomas Plekanec late in the third. He also freed up the puck in OT, setting the table for PK Subban's game winning goal. Saturday night, Gionta scored with less than 15 seconds remaining in the second period to bring the Habs within a goal with a period left to play.

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Montreal Canadiens Three Stars of the Week - Jan 6 - 12, 2014

A pair of 2-1 victories on home ice helped the Canadiens take 4 of 6 points last week. The Habs held on on to a one goal third period lead against the Panthers Monday night despite allowing 16 shots on goal in the final frame. The Habs fared less well in Philadelphia Wednesday, they were thoroughly outplayed by the streaking Flyers and dropped the match 3-1. But the team did managed to finish on a high note, the beat the defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks 2-1 in overtime and manage to look better than the Hawks just about every step of the way.

First Star: Tomas Plekanec

A force in all three games, Plekanec is back up to second on the team in scoring with a goal and an assist last week. Plekanec helped seal the win against the Panthers Monday night when his hard forecheck forced a turnover from Florida captain Ed Jovanovski, which led to Brian Gionta's game winner. Wednesday night, Plekanec had the Habs' only goal in a 3-1 loss to the Flyers, and while he was held pointless against the Blackhawks, Plek had 11 shots on goal Saturday night, including 3 of the team's 4 overtime shots.

Second Star: Carey Price 

Price went 2-0-0 on the week allowing just 2 goals in 121 minutes of play and stopping 45 of 47 pucks. Price's .928 save percentage has him up to fifth place in the league and his 21 wins are good enough for sixth. Price's highlight of the week may have come Tuesday morning when he was named as one of three goalies that will represent Canada in Sochi for this year's Olympic games.

Third Star: Andrei Markov

Andrei Markov had a somewhat quiet start to the week, he was held pointless Monday and Wednesday night and went -1 in each game. But the veteran blueliner ended the week with a bang, scoring both of Montreal's goals against the Blackhawks to power the team to their 2-1 OT win. Like Price and Plekanec, Markov was named to his national team and will get to represent Russia on home ice for the Sochi Olympics.

Honorable Mention: The Canadiens' Olympic Hopefuls

With the final Olympic rosters being announced this week, 8 Canadiens learned that they will be joining their country's national teams in Sochi next month, including all three of this week's stars. The other 5 Olympic hopefuls are Max Pacioretty for Team USA, Peter Budaj for Slovakia, Raphael Diaz for Team Swiss, Alexei Emelin for Russia and PK Subban who will join Carey Price on Team Canada. On top of being named to Team Czech Republic, Tomas Plekanec was given the honor of captaining the team even with the wealth of experience and leadership players like Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias and Petr Nedved will bring.

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Montreal Canadiens Three Stars of the Week - Dec 30 to Jan 5, 2014

The Canadiens had an up and down week as 2013 gave way to 2014. With a 3-0 lead headed into the third period in Carolina, the Habs still found a way to end last year with a 5-4 overtime loss. It took a late PK Subban marker to even salvage a point in the match. Things got better as the Canadiens earned a wild 6-4 victory against the Stars Thursday. A solid final frame at home against the Senators on Saturday allowed the team to secure at least 1 point in each of the 3 games this week. All told, the Habs ended the week with a 1-0-2 record.


First Star: Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty had himself a 6-point week with a pair of goals in Carolina to go along with 2 goals and 2 assists in Dallas. The 4 goals moved Pacioretty into a tie for twelfth in that department, despite missing 9 games so far this season. To make the week that much more special, Pacioretty was nameed to Team USA for the upcoming Olympics, his first chance to fight for Olympic Gold.

Second Star: PK Subban

Despite ending the week in the penalty box while the Senators scored in overtime, PK Subban still had an impressive week for the Habs. Subban had 2 goals and 4 assists on the week, including a 4-point night in Dallas. He came up biggest in Carolina on Tuesday, scoring the third period goal that helped the Habs salvage a point against after the Canes opened the third with 4 straight goals.

Third Star: David Desharnais

When Max Pacioretty is producing, you can bet that David Desharnais is right there with him. The diminutive center had himself another strong week, racking up a goal and 4 assists over three games. Desharnais finished third in the chase for the Molson Cup for December as the Canadiens player of the month, with 11 points in 14 games.

Honorable Mention: Daniel Briere

Daniel Briere ended 2013 and started 2014 as a healthy scratch, but he made the most of his playing time when re-inserted into the lineup on Saturday. Briere scored 2 goals and added an assist in Montreal's 4-3 OT loss to the Sens. His goal in the opening minutes of the third period sparked a Canadiens comeback and helped them earn a point in each of their 3 games this week. Briere skated on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta, the linemates he played his best hockey with so far as a Hab.

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Montreal Canadiens Three Stars of the Week - Dec 16 to 22, 2013

 

The Canadiens were able to claim 4 out of a possible 6 points last week with wins over the Coyotes and Predators sandwiching a disappoint 5-1 loss to the Blues in St Louis. They jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over the Preds Saturday night in Nashville but still needed overtime heroics to claim a 4-3 win and send them to their week long Christmas break on a high note.

First Star: David Desharnais

Desharnais was the only Hab to find his way onto the scoresheet in all three games, picking up a goal and three assists on the week. He assisted on the game winning goal in against the Coyotes and was the overtime hero in Nashville, getting the game winner unassisted after a great individual effort.

Second Star: Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty will spend the holidays with his newborn son, Lorenzo, but not before collecting three goals and an assist last week. Patches had two goals and an assist including the game winner in Montreal's 3-1 victory of the Coyotes and picked up the second goal on a breakaway in Nashville to end off the week.

Third Star: PK Subban

Subban had a goal and an assist on the week, opening the scoring in Nashville to help set the tone early. Subban also led the team in shots against the Predators, with 6 of the team's 23 shots on goal. Last year's Norris Trophy winner leads the Habs with 27 points in 38 games. He was a plus-3 Saturday night bringing him up to plus-11 on the season.

Honorable Mention: Brendan Gallagher 

Gallagher continued to be a spark plug for linemates Desharnais and Pacioretty last week. While he was held without a point against the Coyotes, he could be found right on top of goalie Mike Smith as the first two goals were scored. In St Louis on Thursday, Gallagher had Montreal's only goal of the night but his play of the week was the breakout pass in Nashville that sent Max Pacioretty in alone on Marek Mezanec and helped give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead at that point.

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Montreal Canadiens Three Stars of the Week - Dec 9 to 15, 2013

After their incredible 9-0-1 run, the Canadiens crashed back to earth last week. The Habs managed just one win in four games. Even more troubling, the Habs scored just 3 goals in their games and Montreal's only win was an overtime shutout effort by Carey Price.

First Star: Carey Price

The past week went so badly for the Habs that even though Price was pulled less than halfway through the Kings game Tuesday, he was still able to make up for it with his next two starts and claim the team's first star of the week. Price bounced back from allowing 4 goals on 16 shots against L.A. by stopping 46 of the next 48 shots he faced and was the team's best player in Philadelphia and Long Island.

Second Star: Alex Galchenyuk

Galchenyuk picked up two out of the three Habs goals this week, including a power play goal Sunday that ended a 6-game drought. Chucky was the team's most consistent player throughout the week and arguably the Habs' best skater Tuesday against the Kings, when he registered 7 shots in a season high 19:03 minutes of ice-time.

Third Star: David Desharnais

Desharnais provided the offensive spark the Habs needed to get by the Islanders in overtime Saturday night. His strong forecheck against Thomas Hickey freed the puck up deep in Isle territory and his pass to Max Pacioretty secured Montreal's only win of the week.

Honorable Mention: Habs Fans in Long Island

Braving blizzards and the less than welcoming atmosphere of the Nassau Coliseum, thousands of Habs fans made the trek from Quebec to Long Island to cheer on their team. The Canadiens treated their faithful to 60 minutes of scoreless hockey, but eventually managed the victory in front of their traveling fans.

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