FEBRUARY 7ā¢NEWSOBSERVER.COM
What's Next for the Montreal Canadiens After Trading Sean Monahan?The Montreal Canadiens likely arenāt done trading veterans by the NHL trade deadline. But could they also pursue a young forward like Trevor...
Brandon Gignac - Makes debutGignac had two blocks over 14:54 of ice time in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Washington.
ImpactGignac made his NHL debut after signing a two-way contract with the Canadiens on Sunday. The 26-year-old centered the second line, flanked by J-Josh Anderson and Joel Armia, and won six of 12 draws. Gignac was a scoring machine at AHL Laval, logging 14 goals and 28 assists over 43 games with the Rocket. After Sean Monahan was dealt to Winnipeg over the All-Star break, there's an opening in the top-six. That Gignac is no longer on an AHL-only contract suggests he may finish out the season with the parent club.
FEBRUARY 7ā¢ROTOWIRE
Jake Evans - Lands on scoresheetEvans logged an assist over 15:52 of ice time in 5-2 win over the Capitals.
ImpactEvans drew attention in the high slot before sliding a pass to Juraj Slafkovsky, who changed the angle and snuck one past Darcy Kuemper in the third period. The assist was just his third point in the last 17 games.
FEBRUARY 7ā¢ROTOWIRE
Cole Caufield - Points in 10 straightCaufield had an assist, four shots on net and one block over 15:58 of ice time in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Washington.
ImpactCaufield picked the pocket of Beck Malenstyn in the neutral zone then saucered a perfect feed to linemate Nick Suzuki to open the scoring seven minutes into the first period. The helper extended Caufield's point streak to 10 games, during which he has six goals and seven assists. The scoring slump that was an issue in mid-December is no longer a concern.
FEBRUARY 7ā¢ROTOWIRE
Mike Matheson - Deals two assists in winMatheson had assists on the power play and at even strength in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Washington. He added four blocks to his line over 23:21 of ice time.
ImpactMatheson had a hand in each of Juraj Slafkovsky's third-period markers. The defenseman recorded at least one point in three consecutive games and has nine points (one goal, eight assists) over the last 10 contests. The helpers established a new career-high for Matheson, who has 36 points through 50 games. His 20 power-play points are also a career-best.
FEBRUARY 7ā¢ROTOWIRE
Arber Xhekaj - Rings post for assistXhekaj had an assist and two blocked shots over 12:29 of ice time in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Capitals.
ImpactXhekaj had one missed shot but it made a lot of noise, caroming off the post and onto the stick of Nick Suzuki, who scored his second goal in a span of 57 seconds. The helper was Xhekaj's first point since being recalled from AHL Laval on Jan. 22.
FEBRUARY 7ā¢ROTOWIRE
Rafael Harvey-Pinard - Logs assist in winHarvey-Pinard had an assist, one shot on net, one blocked shot and one hit over 12:11 of ice time in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Washington.
ImpactHarvey-Pinard gathered a loose puck in the corner and fed Michael Pezzetta, who increased Montreal's lead to 3-0 just 13 minutes into the first period. The assist gave Harvey-Pinard three points over the 10 games since returning from a two-month absence due to a lower-body injury. He currently skates on the fourth line.
FEBRUARY 7ā¢ROTOWIRE
