The votes are in, and the HabsWorld readers have chosen
the HW 3 Stars for October. With a strong record to start the season,
there were many candidates to choose from, but our readers were quite clear as
to who deserved special recognition for the month.
| 1st Star | Carey Price | 11 GP – 6 W – 5 L – 2.02 GAA – 0.939 SV% |
|
Given that it is an Olympic year, it should come as no surprise that Price’s season began in an impressive fashion. Although last year began similarly, Price’s collapse at the season’s end and ensuing playoffs were well-documented, and GM Marc Bergevin sought help in goaltending coach Stephane Waite. Under his tutelage, Price flourished in October, and signs of his struggles from last year seem long forgotten. Gone were the somewhat consistent "soft" goals, as Price regularly made big saves and gave his team the opportunity to win each and every game. |
|||
|
★ 41% |
★★ 21% |
★★★ 16% |
|
| 2nd Star | P.K. Subban | 13 GP – 2 G – 9 A – 11 P – +4 Rating |
|
P.K. Subban began the season by defending his Norris Trophy in a spectacular manner. His 11 points tied him for the team lead, as did his 5 powerplay points, and his 9 assists bested runner-up Alex Galchenyuk in that category by 2. Subban trailed only Brendan Gallagher in shots on net (41 to 36), as he was a consistent offensive force all month long. Even though P.K. demonstrated a new overall maturity to his game – he seemed take less risks and take himself out of position – he could still be counted on to take the game into his own hands and manufacture chances when goals were needed. |
|||
|
★ 17% |
★★ 33% |
★★★ 17% |
|
| 3rd Star | Tomas Plekanec | 13 GP – 6 G – 5 A – 11 P – +4 Rating |
|
Ever the model of consistency, Tomas Plekanec enjoyed another successful month contributing in every conceivable manner. From the penalty-kill, to the powerplay, to playing tough even-strength minutes against the opposition’s finest, Plekanec is truly the glue that keeps the Canadiens together. Gelling well with new linemate, Michael Bournival and his mainstay, Brian Gionta, Plekanec led the team in goals and game-winning goals. With Lars Eller and Alex Galchenyuk’s games rapidly improving, Plekanec may feel his position at the team’s top pivot in danger; given his results in October, it seems that he may thrive under that pressure. |
|||
|
★ 24% |
★★ 17% |
★★★ 28% |
|
| HM | Lars Eller | 13 GP – 5 G – 4 A – 9 P – +4 Rating |
|
With his hot start to the month of October, many thought that Lars Eller has supplanted Tomas Plekanec as the team’s top centre. Buoyed by the addition of significant muscle, the stronger Eller dominated the opposition early on before teams began to catch on that Eller 2.0 was a force to be reckoned with. Building on last year’s chemistry with Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk, Eller provided the Canadiens with some much-needed scoring depth, and his 9 points tied him for second in team scoring. Many had concerns for Eller after last year’s gruesome injury, but he returned to action healthy and more physical than ever, and his 28 hits led the team in that category. |
|||
|
★ 10% |
★★ 16% |
★★★ 12% |
|
Thanks to all that voted, and be sure to check in for next month’s HW 3 Stars.