The Montreal Canadiens hope to bounce back after suffering their first loss since Feb. 9 Thursday night at the hands of the New York Islanders.
It looks like the Canadiens will be getting some help as Brendan Gallagher could return to the line up tomorrow against the other New York team, the Rangers. Gallagher missed the last three games with a concussion and has been cleared to practice with contact, he still needs to get the final "okay" from the medical staff tomorrow morning in order to play. Michel Therrien said he is very optimistic that the young forward will be in the line up tomorrow.
Regarding the Luke Schenn hit that kept Gallagher out of the line up, Gallagher said that he has no hard feeling towards Schenn. It was a hockey play and Gallagher appreciated the fact that Schenn sent him a text apologizing after the game. Gallagher played for team Canada with Luke Schenn`s younger brother and Philadelphia Flyers teammate Brayden at the 2012 World Juniors Tournament.
In last Saturday`s game prior to Gallagher getting injured, he was very effective playing with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. Erik Cole, who has not been able to recapture the game he brought to the Canadiens last season, was not shocked by the fact that Therrien decided to put Gallagher in his place on that line. Therrien also decided to use Gallagher on the second unit of the power play over Cole.
"Whoever is on the power play I do not care as long as we get it figured out," Cole said following practice.
Brandon Prust was the only player missing from practice. He took a therapy day and there is a possibility he will be held out of tomorrow`s game. If Prust and Gallagher are both available to play, Therrien will make his decision on which player to take out of the line up based on individual performance.
Friday's Power Play Lines:
Bourque - Plekanec - Gionta
Bouillon - Subban
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Gallagher
Markov - Diaz
Full Lines from Practice:
Bourque - Plekanec - Gionta
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Gallagher
Eller - Galchenyuk - Cole
Moen - White - Armstrong
Markov - Emelin
Gorges - Diaz
Bouillon - Subban
