It was announced today that the Montreal Canadiens were sending goaltender Carey Price and winger Brendan Gallagher to the AHL's Laval Rocket for the last game of the Rocket's season when they face the Toronto Marlies on conditioning stints as both players work their ways back from long-term injuries. Laval, who has wrapped up first-place in the North Division, has little to play for in their final game aside from pride, so this is a great opportunity for both Price and Gallagher to get some game action before Montreal opens its playoff series against the Maple Leafs on Thursday.
Price is working his way back from a concussion he suffered against the Oilers on April 19 that caused him to miss the remainder of the season. Gallagher, meanwhile, has been out with an upper body injury he suffered on April 5 against the Oilers, causing him to miss the final 21 games of the Canadiens' season.
With the game the Rocket plays against the Marlies tomorrow night, both will be in the lineup for the AHL squad. That poses some interesting uniform conundrums for the Rocket as they already have players who wear #11 and #31 this season.
Rafaël Harey-Pinard has been wearing #11 for the Rocket this season as he's appeared in all 35 games to date for Laval including in last night's game against Toronto where he scored. Cayden Primeau, who is currently with the Montreal Canadiens in Price's absence, has worn #31 for Laval this season. It seems there will be new numbers for Gallagher and Price when they make their AHL debuts tomorrow.
Numbers aside, this is a big night for the Canadiens as they really do need both Price and Gallagher healthy to give Toronto a run for its money. There's no doubt that the Canadiens have the talent to compete, but getting a world-class netminder and a top forward back for the playoffs will help the Canadiens' chances immensely if they want to beat Toronto.
This isn't a hit piece on Jake Allen or Josh Anderson or Tyler Toffoli. It's quite the opposite. The Montreal Canadiens are still a dangerous team in their current iteration and there's no question they can defeat the Maple Leafs if they play their games. They have the talent to beat anyone as we saw all season, and there's no question that they can upset the Maple Leafs in a seven-game series with their current roster.
What I am saying, though, is that their odds go up considerably with the likes of Price and Gallagher in the lineup. That's the whole purpose of having Price and Gallagher play in Laval tomorrow night - they're going to ice the best lineup possible when facing the Leafs, and adding the likes of Price and Gallagher accomplishes that despite forcing Allen to the bench and despite seeing a useful player like Jake Evans relegated to the pressbox.
Getting those two back and adding Shea Weber back into the defensive corps puts Montreal on very solid ground when it comes to their chances of a potential upset of the Maple Leafs. Personally, I'm hoping they keep Cole Caufield in the lineup as well, but we'll see what head coach Dominique Ducharme does in the coming days as his Canadiens prepare for the top team in the North Division that finished 18 points ahead of the Canadiens.
One thing is certain, though: having your best player available to play can change the dynamics of a playoff series in a hurry. If you don't believe me, ask the Florida Panthers how different the Tampa Bay Lightning look with the likes of Stamkos and Kucherov in the Lightning lineup for Game One. I rest my case.
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
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